Joining the study group was as planned and successful.
However….
"Emil."
"Uh, yeah."
"Do you understand this problem? I can't quite grasp it even after looking at the solution."
"Let's see…. Ah, this is about finding an error in a property operation formula…. Like this…."
"...Heh, it was easier than I thought."
Sierra.
The protagonist of the original story joining this group was completely unexpected.
'Is she a replacement for that guy…?'
Here, 'that guy' referred to.
The honor student I somehow lured into Mari's group during the first timeline, just so I could join.
At the time, my grades were only average, so Mari wouldn't accept me.
Instead of accepting me, she somehow managed to persuade another honor student.
Of course, in this timeline, where I became the top student, 'that guy' whose name I don't even remember, wouldn't be in the group.
It seems Sierra has replaced that empty spot.
"The top student is definitely different."
"Haha, …well, thanks."
Since I hadn't had a proper conversation with her for five timelines, talking to her this closely felt incredibly awkward.
Above all, it was an added bonus that, according to the setting, she had the most outstanding appearance among the students of Reville Academy.
In fact, her face was an appearance that didn't fall short at all, even when compared to the five heroines.
No, when it came to just faces, Sierra seemed even superior.
'No wonder the male protagonists cling to her so much.'
However, that didn't mean Sierra was superior to the heroines in all aspects.
For example.
Splash.
"Wow, what problem did Emil teach you?"
"Huh? Oh, this magic formula solution assignment. It seems like it might appear on the midterm test."
"Hmm…. Eek, you solved this by interpreting it…? I asked about this, and the professor just told me to memorize the solution and the answer…. As expected of the top student. Amazing…!"
Just as I finished explaining the solution to Sierra, Mari approached Sierra's side, her large chest bouncing.
…Indeed, her chest was superior to anyone else's.
Then.
Clank, creak….
"Ah, I'm late. Sorry."
"Malcolm! You're late! Everyone else has already started!"
Opening the classroom door, Malcolm, the last group member, entered.
"Hello, Emil,"
"…Hello."
I forced a warm smile and returned his greeting.
Malcolm.
The last member of this group.
Whenever I face him, a boiling rage rises within me.
Because he was the man who first brought me that despair in the first timeline.
"What are you working on?"
"We're organizing the assignments. Sierra did an amazing job organizing them. …So much so that it feels a bit embarrassing to look at together. Hehe."
"It's fine, I also gain something from being here."
"Wow, a group with the top and second-ranked students in the year is really something else."
"If you think that, Malcolm, at least come early for once!"
"Haha, sorry."
A sturdy build and good-natured features.
His name was Malcolm, impressive with his neatly cut sports haircut.
He was Mari's childhood friend and one of Sierra's five male protagonists.
…And in the first timeline, he was the guy who stole Mari away from me while we were dating.
"Emil."
"...."
"…Emil."
"Huh, huh?"
"I was hoping you could explain this part too. …What are you thinking about?"
Lost in my memories of the past, I was startled by Sierra's call and snapped back to reality.
I turned my head and saw Sierra, who was sitting next to me, looking at me with a pouty expression.
"Ah, sorry. I was just spacing out for a moment."
"…Since you also copied my organized notes, I hope you'll help properly. I have no reason to be here without you, you know."
"Mmm, I'll be careful."
As I awkwardly apologized, Mari's laughter was heard.
"Ahaha, Sierra is so cold."
"Hehe, don't be offended. It's half a joke."
"So half of it is serious."
Fortunately, Mari's uniquely bright laughter made Sierra's pouty expression disappear.
While I resumed helping Sierra with interpreting the assignment problems,
I subtly glanced at Malcolm.
'Malcolm and …Sierra are in the same group, huh.'
It wasn't that I disliked Sierra.
But her joining this group posed a difficult problem.
That was the issue regarding Malcolm and Mari's relationship.
'According to the original plan, Malcolm should have some feelings for Mari.'
The original plan was for Malcolm, Mari, and me to be in the same group, forming a love triangle.
But with Sierra joining the group.
The protagonist of the original story and a male protagonist ended up in the same group.
"Ah, Ms. Sierra. Could you perhaps teach me this too?"
"Huh? Emil would probably be better at teaching…?"
"Haha, well, Emil gets too many questions, it feels bad to bother him. And Ms. Sierra is the second-ranked student, after all."
"Right, then…."
As a result, the problem was that the two of them were growing closer.
…If Malcolm's heart were to be taken by Sierra, my plan would only be half successful.
'I have to do something about this….'
As I was pondering, with a pencil in my mouth.
Scrape….
Mari subtly pulled a chair next to me.
"Hm…?"
"Ehehe, since Malcolm is learning from Sierra, …I'll learn from Emil."
"Ah, alright."
"Sorry, am I relying on you too much? Emil also needs to study, actually."
"It's fine. No problem at all."
"Eh, surely you're not confident that even if you teach others, getting first place in the midterm exam won't be an issue…?"
"No, I mean I'm not as serious about the midterm exam as you are."
Whether it was due to the title of top student, or the [Tear Mark of Charm].
Mari's evaluation of me seemed quite excellent.
"Hehe, then I won't decline. …I was hoping you could teach me this part."
"Mmm…. Let's see…."
Nevertheless, thanks to that, getting closer to Mari was much easier than in the first timeline.
…In the first timeline, I literally had to run around to solve it.
'Ma, Mari…! Here's the information about the expected test range and …the professors' trick question information…! I brought it…!'
'Eh, a-all of this…? How…?'
Somehow, I dug out information from the professors using game knowledge.
And I devoted all of it to Mari, striving to help improve her grades.
However, now that it was Easy Mode.
Getting closer to Mari was so easy that the hardships I endured back then felt foolish.
"Wow…. Emil teaches things really easily and well. It feels like I'm learning from a professor."
"That's an exaggeration. I'm just telling you what I know."
"...Can I ask you often in the future too?"
Mari, listening to my explanation, subtly asked with a shy face.
'…If it were before, I would have been ridiculously happy with such a question.'
I answered with a relaxed smile.
"Anytime. Feel free to ask whenever you need to."
"...Hehe, thank you."
At my answer, Mari subtly smiled and blushed.
I quietly gazed at her face for a moment.
The pink hair fluttering in front of my eyes after a long time.
And simultaneously, the familiar scent of flowers.
A soft voice that tickled my ears and clear, gentle eyes.
...Happy memories from the first timeline flashed through my mind.
And.
At the same time, that despairing feeling began to resurface.
—
About a week had passed since the study group was formed.
"Wow! Amazing! Truly amazing! This is the first time I've ever received a score like this!"
During that time, a small pop quiz was held before the midterms.
Mari received an improved score compared to the pop quizzes she took earlier.
"This is all thanks to Emil and Sierra…! Wahhh…! Thank you so much…!"
"No problem, Emil did most of the teaching. I just provided the organization."
"Yes, really, really, thank you so much…! Emilll…!"
"No, you can cry after you get the results for the midterms, Mari."
"Wahhh, b-but…!"
Despite my words, Mari held my hand tightly and didn't stop whimpering.
…Well, I understand, since I know her circumstances.
Mari was serious enough about this midterm exam to cry over just a pop quiz score improving.
As Mari whimpered, holding my hand for a long time.
A sharp sensation….
I felt a sharp gaze from somewhere directed at me.
When I subtly looked in the direction of that gaze.
There was Malcolm.
'...So he doesn't have no feelings for Mari after all.'
From behind Sierra, he was glaring at my hand, which Mari was holding.
It seemed he was feeling a bit of jealousy.
And that was very good news for me.
Fortunately, it seemed the possibility of him having feelings for Mari hadn't completely disappeared just because Sierra joined the group.
Or.
The more intimate Mari and I appeared, the more it would stimulate Malcolm's feelings.
'Perhaps the latter is more likely….'
Thinking back, it was the same in the first timeline.
Even then, Malcolm was clearly engrossed with Sierra and showed no interest in Mari whatsoever.
However.
After Mari and I became lovers, he suddenly changed his attitude.
And eventually, he took Mari away from me.
…Perhaps becoming intimate with Mari is the key to stimulating Malcolm's feelings.
'Then I just have to proceed as planned.'
My relationship with Mari was growing closer very smoothly.
Compared to the grueling effort I put in to form a 'friend' relationship in the first timeline, this was incredibly easy.
However.
She and I were still nothing to each other.
Although she sometimes showed me a girlish side due to the effect of the [Tear Mark of Charm].
I, who had become her lover, knew.
That Mari didn't yet harbor romantic feelings for me.
For her to develop romantic feelings for me, one particular trigger was needed.
Of course.
I knew very well what that trigger was.
Because it was the part I struggled so hard with in the first timeline.
It was on the day the results of the pop quiz before the midterm exam were released.
After school.
An event that occurred on the annex rooftop.
'I wonder if it's starting soon….'
I checked the time, rummaging through my memories of the first timeline.
As the predicted time approached, I headed straight for the annex rooftop.
It was already 6 PM.
Most students would have left the main building and would be in their dorms by now.
The sky was dyed with the colors of the sunset.
And on the rooftop, illuminated by that sunset glow.
The two people stood facing each other.
Creak….
Waiting quietly by the emergency exit door on the rooftop, I gazed at the scene across from me.
Mari, her pink hair fluttering.
Her face wasn't the usual foolishly bright expression.
A somewhat intimidated face.
She stood before a man with an anxious and fearful expression.
"Brother…."
"What is it, Mari? Calling a busy person all the way out here."
Her opponent was Damien Clozet, a third-year student.
He was the source of Mari's complex and the reason she staked her life on the midterm exam score.
He was Mari's half-brother, and unlike her, he had grown up showing a genius aptitude from a young age.
As a result, he had risen to the position of student council president in this academy.
Above all.
Gnashing….
He was one of the men I had to crush.
He was one of the five male protagonists, the one who had taken yet another heroine from me.