Became a Swordsman Genius in a Pretty Girl Game

337. Each Story (4)

Honestly, it felt a bit awkward in Alice’s case.

The others had been together for quite some time.

Realizing that they had feelings for each other, they had already grown close to the point where one might wonder why they hadn’t noticed it before.

“So, I wanted to ask you.”

“······Whether I like Instructor Jin Yuhwa or not?”

Hmm. But are you planning to keep that title even though you’re no longer an instructor?

“Yeah. That’s true. Actually, my party members and I are not in a normal relationship.”

Lee Yoori, Kang Dohee, Shin Sehee,

Lim Gaeul, Sophia, Ichika, and even the Master.

One man and several women.

It’s insane.

Especially considering that this is a world where ability-based discrimination is quite severe.

In other words, if we were to think of it in terms of a previous life, it would be no different from several men sharing one woman.

This time, since the process of the party members suffering from the ‘Curse of the Affection Mine’ was broadcast live, it’s fortunate; otherwise, I can’t help but think they would have received quite a bit of backlash by now.

“So, you still have the chance to choose. An opportunity to meet a better man than me and pursue a normal relationship.”

As for the curse of the mine,

Well. It can be glossed over by saying that if there are no feelings from the start, the curse is weakly cast.

To be honest,

Among the party members, Alice is the closest to my ideal type in terms of appearance.

Blue eyes, shiny white silver hair, a cute nose, and red lips.

I heard from the Sword Master that this is all made up, but still, the fact that Alice is my type hasn’t changed.

It makes sense, though; how much I spent on in-game purchases just to somehow pull her when the news of Alice’s release came out,

and how much I had already rolled in the gacha to get items tailored for her.

But what if Alice declares that she will step back from this?

Hmm. Just a little disappointing.

It’s not that I feel a huge sense of disappointment.

‘Alice is attractive, but other party members have already taken up too much space inside me.’

I took my time to explain what I was thinking.

It’s not that I absolutely dislike you.

This is something that requires sufficient contemplation.

If I’ve just been swept away by the flow of the other party members, I should reconsider even now.

“Instructor.”

After hearing the whole story, Alice spoke in a small but firm voice.

“Yeah.”

“Actually, I’m incredibly stubborn.”

“Really?”

“Yes, even though my grandmother has been telling me to use a spear for over ten years, I stubbornly stuck to the sword until the end.”

I heard it from the Sword Master. There’s really no stubbornness like this.

When it comes to swords, the Sword Master is at the very top.

To say to him, ‘What do you care, old man?’ is definitely a sign of extreme stubbornness.

“How long do you think it took for me to fall for the sword?”

“How long did it take?”

“Just a single moment. In that one moment when my grandmother lightly swung the sword for practice, I fell for it and have held onto the sword for ten years.”

“······.”

“Then, you understand what I’m trying to say, right?”

“Um, are you saying that you were saved by me and the Sword Master—”

“No. I definitely feel deep gratitude for that, and I think it’s a debt I must repay for life, but I didn’t fall for you, Instructor, at that time.”

“Hmm? Really?”

We haven’t even met separately yet.

So when exactly did I fall for her?

“Then when is it?”

I asked because I was genuinely curious.

“When the instructor handed me the sword.”

As she spoke, Alice drew a long spear-like sword from her spatial tattoo and caressed it.

The deep blue blade of the crescent moon sword shone as it reflected the sunlight.

“I lived my whole life hearing from my grandmother that I had no talent for swords, but the instructor allowed me to wield a sword.”

“Ah.”

“And so. I can’t forget the feelings I had at that time. That’s why I’m being stubborn again.”

Alice looked at me with clear eyes as she spoke.

“And, um. Though it’s been a short time, I think I’ve seen quite a bit of the world now.”

“So?”

“No matter how much I wash my eyes and look around, I can’t find anyone as cool and handsome as the instructor. Moreover, the seniors by the instructor all seem happy, don’t they?”

Ha.

Really.

A straightforward confession from a cute junior like this.

I noticed Alice’s hands and feet trembling as she spoke those words.

I could tell that she was probably drawing on all the courage she had inside her right now.

A smile unconsciously blossomed on my lips.

What on earth could I have done to deserve such affection?

Yeah. I should respond seriously to this junior’s bold confession.

“Right now, I probably don’t like you as much as the other party members do.”

“······Yes.”

Did she think my words were a rejection? Alice’s voice became somber.

“So. Tell me.”

“······What?”

“What you like. What you dislike. And what interests you. Who you are. I promise I won’t neglect getting to know you from now on.”

At that, Alice’s blue eyes sparkled with light.

“······Yes, yes! I-I’m happy!”

Yeah.

I had already decided to embrace the party members.

My ideal woman had thought enough, and with her ten years on the line, she stepped into my territory, even lowering her pride.

To refuse this would be unthinkable.

But, this is as far as it goes.

The other party members must have believed the same and sent Alice to me.

“So, what should we do for our first time?”

“Th-then! P-please teach me how to use a sword!”

“A sword? This isn’t really the time for that; I could have taught you anytime if you just asked. Do you really want to learn swordsmanship?”

“······Yes, I’d like that for my first time with you, instructor.”

There was a slight hesitation in her response, but Alice nodded.

I let out a small laugh.

“Alright. If that’s truly what you want to do, I’ll teach you with all my heart. It’s just a two-day, one-night thing. It’s going to be really tough. What you experienced when you enrolled will seem like a joke.”

“Yes. I’m prepared. Ah, but if possible, could you call me your disciple?”

“Sure, got it. Disciple.”

“······Thank you.”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Thus, the sound of our swords clashing echoed deep into the night, Alice and I.

Ding─♬

[ Trait – ‘Determination’ acquired. ]

[ Your swordsmanship proficiency increases when you are with the target you wish to catch up to. ]

* * *

Now, the last date.

Master.

The master who arrived at the meeting place had the same expression as usual, but.

“Hmm.”

I could tell.

Right now, the master was feeling very embarrassed and shy.

Perhaps she was having useless thoughts like whether it was appropriate for a master and disciple to be like this.

‘As expected, I should be the one to approach first as the disciple here.’

The master had set her standards for herself too high, so ordinary approaches wouldn’t work.

Otherwise, it would have been obvious that we would end up in a vague and awkward relationship.

A more direct and bold approach was needed with the master.

“Master!”

I called out to the master as I closed the distance.

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for today?”

“······Hmm. Is that so?”

“Yes! Today is our first date, isn’t it? Is there anything you want to do, Master?”

“Not particularly······.”

“Still, think about it carefully. If it’s something you want, I’m willing to do anything for you.”

At that, the master averted their gaze and replied in a small voice.

“······That’s not something you should say.”

“If I’m not saying it to you, who else would I say it to?”

Then the master tilted their head slightly to the side and handed me a folded note.

I carefully unfolded the note and read it aloud.

“······What you desire is what I want?”

Was it that embarrassing to say this?

The master was someone everyone trembled before, someone to be feared.

In fact, I felt an immense satisfaction in knowing that they were such a cute person.

So, the master was telling me to do as I pleased.

‘Hmm. Does this count as desire?’

I wasn’t sure.

The master probably wanted me to be truly honest.

If I tried to force something to fit, they would catch on immediately.

The master was always someone who watched me closely.

“Don’t regret it, okay?”

“Sure.”

I took the master’s hand and led them back home, pulling them into my room.

Thud.

I lay down on the bed.

“Actually, what I want to do right now is rest.”

“······Rest?”

“Yeah, physically, it’s a bit…”

I spent two days and one night seven times in a row.

Of course, the time spent with my party members was nothing short of happy and joyful memories.

But continuing that was no less than a grueling march.

Especially since I had a genuine map duel with Alice at the end, I was completely drained.

In other words, I needed to recharge.

“So, please hug me.”

Lying on the bed, I spread my arms in a squirrel pose, asking for a hug from my master.

Then, my master swallowed hard and, with a clatter, lay down at the edge of the bed and hugged me.

Ugh. Where’s the manners?

Tch.

Tch.

I took her hand and pulled it, pressing it against my back and head.

And I buried my head into my master’s embrace.

“Ah, this feels good.”

“B-but, my disciple. This is a bit troubling…”

My master pretended to be calm, but she kept flinching.

I tightened my hold on her body and said,

“Stay still, Master. You were the one who told me to do what I wanted.”

“B-but.”

“So, you said not to regret it.”

Ah. It’s so soft and fluffy.

It felt like all the fatigue from before was melting away.

‘But, this fulfills my desire.’

Feeling my master’s touch with my whole body, I sensed a warm, swelling emotion rising from my chest.

Having grown up as an orphan, all alone without a family in both this world and the previous one,

What I wanted the most was to fall asleep without a care in the warm embrace of a family.

I have a reliable ally, more trustworthy than anyone else, who will never betray me even if everyone else turns their backs and points fingers.

When I make a mistake, they scold me sharply, but at the same time, they come close and embrace me time and again.

“Master. Please touch my head.”

I mumbled with a voice laced with drowsiness.

Swish, swish

Such a beautiful person gently strokes my head with their clumsy hands, unaccustomed to my childishness.

Within that awkward touch lies a deep affection.

A smile involuntarily crept across my lips.

“Thank you, Master.”

Saaah—

Ding—♬

I heard the sound of a bell in my ears.

[ Trait – ‘Connection’ acquired. ]

[ A bond of souls, increases stats by 1% per person.

Current connection list – Lee Yoori, Kang Dohee, Shin Sehee, Lim Gaeul, Sophia, Ichika, Alice, Baek Seolhee, Lina, total increase of 9%. ]

‘What the hell…!?’

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in shock for a moment.

No, but even if others are included, why is Director Lina here…?