I was reincarnated as a villainous aristocrat with a certain death route.

Did I win--?”

　Mars stood stunned.

　Balkan, on the other hand, was also stunned.

I lost,......, I,......, I...”

　He collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"Wait a second!　This isn't right!"

　protested Balkan's twin sister, Roze.

"In terms of ability, Balkan is by far the better fighter!　There is no way my brother can lose to this guy!”

　She glared at Mars and then at me.

"You did something to him, Raven!"

"What are you talking about?"

　I shrugged.

"You must have done something to him to weaken Balkan!　I know what you did!"

"Even if I did do something, what the hell kind of magic did I use?"

　I grinned.

　I used a magic that is unknown to the girl and the others, [cognitive blocking].

　There is no way they would know.

"─ For example, you were protecting him with defensive magic. ......."

　Roze murmured unconfidently.

"Did you see me invoke defensive magic?"

I didn't see--”

　Roze turns away.

"You didn't see me use any magic in the first place, did you?　You're just being paranoid.'

　I told Roze calmly.

"I'll tell you one more thing. There is no way that Balkan could lose to Mars. He's better than Mars, and you're wrong."

"What the hell, ......?"

"It is not the one who wins who is better. It is the fact that he wins that proves it."

"What? ......!"

　Roze was speechless.

　The fact is, Mars is the one who got the result.

　The winner is the one who wins.

“Oh, you remember, ......!”

　Balkan spat out.

"Oh, wait a minute, Balkan.”

　I looked at him.

"You and Mars had a fair fight, and you lost. That's the end of the matter. There are no hard feelings, it was a fair fight. Am I right?"

“Raven...”

“If, in the future, you or Roze do anything to Mars in the school life, ...... that will leave a grudge, then I'll be there to settle it.”

"Raven--?”

　Mars stares at me in surprise.

"“I told you. I told you I'd protect you."

　I grinned at Mars.

"My friend's in danger, I'm in danger. I will protect him."

　Rose, Balkan, and their cronies were on their way.

　The siblings looked rather disappointed.

"Thank you, Raven."

　Mars thanked me.

"When I first got involved with Balkan, I have to admit that I was scared. I'm glad you were with me."

"I'm glad I could help."

That's the thing!　I don't think I could have done anything on my own because I was too scared. I'm just a coward. I'm ......”

　He's so negative at heart.

"I don't think I could have done anything."

　I said to Mars.

''You could have stayed behind my back. But you didn't. You stood up to Vulcan. That's a sign of courage."

"Raven-kun: ......"

“You did it. Be proud of yourself."

　I chuckled.

'Thank you ...... for saying that to me, it kind of gives me courage.

　Mars' eyes were welling up and he looked thrilled.

"You don't have to thank me again and again. We're friends.”

　I grinned.

'Friends. .......”

“Oh.”

　I hold out my hand to Mars.

“Let's be friends.”

"I'd be happy to ......!”

　Mars took my hand and his eyes watered even more.

　And so...

　I have succeeded in becoming friends with the person who will kill me in the future.

　Will my destiny change?

　Will I die?

　I still don't know.