The moment Raven and I take our respective seats in the classroom, word was fast as a few are eyeing me.As a minor character this much attention shouldn't be something I should be getting, but as long as Raven isn't near such a guy, then I'll gladly be the bulletproof vest.The teacher arrives just in time to let the students go back to their seats and I sit there, noticing that teacher is another minor character.Medium length black hair tied to a lower ponytail, a man in his 40s most likely and red eyes like one of the male leads."Alright everyone, since this is our second week, I hope the previous discussions can be added to this project. We will be assigning you all in pairs for a research based on our topics we've tackled." The adviser says as he smiles gently.Of course, everyone groaned and he chuckles softly."Yup, wouldn't be a school without testing your social anxiety. Heh but, obviously I would be paired with--" I mumble to myself as I try to be optimistic.'No.' I immediately put my thoughts on a halt as I remember another pivotal moment.I clench my fists on the table as I look at Raven and then to the side where across from my vision, is another male lead.With his seat is empty and his presence absent.'If it follows along the story, then this is definitely gonna be that guy, right?'"Alright, let's start on ahead with.." The adviser starts to scan the students with his eyes and begins picking everyone one by one."Harry, you go work with.. Luna.""Yes, sir." The Harry guy says as he and Luna stands to the corner to be together."Taylor with.. Taylor." The adviser continues as everyone starts to walk in pair and stay at the sidelines to talk to each other in a whispered tone.'This names..' I couldn't help but think of celebrities back in my world and some references that I shake my mind off from.Just as everyone in class' name is being called out into pair, I simply waited for mine and Raven even with little hope of it ever happening, but thanks to the game design, it won't."SLAM!!"The sliding door opened in a harsh and aggressive manner, making everyone turn their attention to the person who makes a bold entrance.'He's here now. The second candidate for Heroine's Demise.' I think to myself as I glance at none other than Eugene Cross."Eugene. You're 10 minutes late." The adviser says with a frown."Heh.. give me a break, teach. I had to listen to my older brother snore all night. " Eugene says with a smug look on his face as he goes to his seat without any regards to his behavior."Eugene! " The adviser takes offense.'Eugene Cross. Andrew Cross. Heroine's Demise's Cross brothers. The sibling rivalry is a bloodbath for this one, thanks to the hot tempered little brother that is Eugene.'"..." Prof. Andrew sighs as he glances to the next person he sees."Raven." He calls her out as she gets up from her seat. "You'll be paired with Eugene.""Hah, how unlucky." Eugene says as he looks at Raven with a lot of arrogance implied on his tone alone."Eugene." Prof. Andrew says his name, almost in a final warning.In which Eugene clicks his tongue over to and looks away in annoyance. "Tch.""..." Raven stays quiet as she goes on over to Eugene who gets off as well hesitantly and stands next to her."Next, Nero and.. Estelle. I guess that makes everyone paired up in their new partners. Now, everyone make sure you work on this together, I don't wanna have to give punishments to those who will take advantage on this take home project." Prof. Andrew says as he keeps an eye on Eugene specifically who is just shrugging in nonchalance."..." As I look over to my partner with a gloomy demeanor, I just sigh and go on over to him. "Let's work hard together." I say as I try to give some laid-back introduction."..." The Nero guy nods in return but still appears quiet.'Looks like he'll be a challenge to work with.' I mentally think to myself about all possible draining ways that could occur just with pairing up on a project together.But most importantly, to Raven.I glance to her as she just stays next to Eugene who wouldn't even dare look back at her as she tries to gather the courage to talk to him.'There's nothing I can do to help that, is there? Well.. I'll just have to check on her again later. Even though I know they wouldn't be able to discuss together at all, it still feels frustrating to see another person having to deal with someone difficult.'I sigh.'Yeah, that love interest is hopeless too. Why are they even an option?' I think to myself as I remember just how I had to suffer hours, getting bad endings to every route.'Well, he's not even the worst ending. The worst one is.. not even in this school. ' I look down, anxious to that specific ending with it's specific character.Time flew by, as the time was spent discussing how to do the project.'I managed to at least have a plan with the partner I was paired with, though it just mostly felt like I was the only one talking.'I think back to how I would try to converse with Nero."Alright, so we'll just research separately. You good with that?" I ask him.He nods."If you're part seems difficult, just let me know." I ask again.He nods again."Are you.. okay with putting them together in one document together?" I try to make sure as I ask once more.He thinks and nods again.'Yup, at least there was an agreeable plan.' I think to myself as I glance back to Raven who is left alone on her seat, with no Eugene to be found."... Raven." I walk up to her to check on her but she remains her gaze on her table."... Hey, Raven." I call out once again as I tap her shoulder as gently as I could."Huh? Oh, Estelle." She seemed surprised for a moment but instantly recovers as she flashes a gentle gaze at me.'Waaahh.. I can feel her struggle all the way from here.' I look at her stressed expression as she looks down from her notebook, jotting down noted on how to present the project research."Say, if you need any help, I'll be here to-" I was cut off before I could finish my sentence."Thanks but, this is something I have to do. " Raven says as she turns to me with a smile.She's still trying to gentle as best as she can despite the stressful time she had with Eugene.'I figured she would say that even if I offered help, after all.. one of the heroine's roles is to grow and do what she can alone.'"... Well, it still wouldn't hurt, you got this. So just let me know if there's anything I can do to help." I say with a smile.Raven seemed to appreciate my words as her gaze started to feel much more gentle and soft.The bell rings, signalling for lunch break as now, Raven and I make our way to the cafeteria.But the sight before me was a complete ruckus, filled with students trying to get what they want."... W-wow, there's so much people in here.." I say as I look at the sight before me."Well, there seems to be the limited bread in stock. All-In-One-Long-Wonder bread." Raven says as her gaze lands on the students trying to get the so-called bread."I GOT ONE!" One of the students says in victory as they raised the longest bread to ever appear before my very eyes."Woah, that's the bread!? That's gotta be the longest I've ever seen! I wanna get it now! " I say with intriguing sense of urgency."Eh? But, Estelle wouldn't it be safer to try other-" Raven says with concern as she tries to stop me as I cheekily smile back at her."Hehe, I'll get some for us both, don't worry. It may not look like it but, I'm pretty strong!" I say with confidence, as I hear to the crowd full of people pushing each other or shoving in with full force.'Alright, let's get that bread!' I make my way as I prepare all the strength I could muster up to dive in to the crowd of people."RAAAHHH! OUTTA THE WAY, I CAN'T SEE!" I yell out as I get more aggressive to make sure I take more than one step to be able to peek through to where the goal is, but as I shove myself in with full force, I was shoved to the side and to the other.But I didn't dare give up, I could not until so I kept pushing forward until. "HAIYAAHH-- ah!?" I immediately got pushed back and fall back down to the ground."E-estelle?!" Raven rushes with a panicked and worried expression as she stands to where I am and looks down to me."... It's.. a warzone in there.." I mutter as I look back up to Raven, only to witness the lower angle in front of me."Holy sh--" I look up at her with my head feeling all the heat go up.Her plumpy thighs that is being suffocated by the thigh highs she's wearing."Estelle..? Are you okay? Can you get up?" She asks with concern, her chest size looking much more noticable thanks to the way it's positioned in my view.'Get a grip!' I immediately shake my head and got up instantly with a full force jump back on my feet as I push the ground using my hands."I'm up! I'm up! Haha.. I.. I just lost my footing there, that's all." I say with a chuckle as I rub the back of my head, relieved that I didn't hit my head at least.But without realizing it, I feel something warm drop from my nose."B-blood! You're nose bleeding!" Raven says as she picks her handkerchief hurriedly from her pocket and place it to my nose to stop the bleeding.'I guess I got excited just now.' I think to myself and try not to look at her again."We should probably head to the nurse.. you hit your back pretty hard when you fell.." Raven tells me with concern written all over her face.But I continue to try and reassure her I'm fine. "It's okay, really-""No, it's not!" She scolds me, which in turn made me freeze up for a moment.'... Has the heroine ever had this side to her before..?' I ask myself as I look at her in surprise."... A-ah, sorry. I just.. don't want you getting hurt. But please, just check in the nurse's office just in case." Raven says as she immediately apologizes and puts her head down.'Ah.. that's very heroine of her. Worrying for her only friend.' I think as I smile at her and keep the handkerchief on my hand."Okay, we'll go to the nurse's office after we eat lunch." I say in a reassuring manner.I continue to look at her and then turn my gaze over to a guy who's in a group of other males, holding the legendary bread.Then, an idea sparked in my head."Huh? Estelle, where are you going?" Raven ask as I make my way to the guy after I stopped the bleeding and put the handkerchief to my hoodie's pocket."...?" The guy looked back at me, so is his other friends as I look at him with determination. "Uhh?" The guy muttered, feeling uneasy with my sudden approach and stopping in front of him."Hey.." I start to speak as softly as I can and intertwining my fingertips together with a cute expression I can muster."Can you get me that same bread? Please?" I blink while I pout slightly."..." Silence filled the atmosphere between me and the guys, and Raven is most likely jaw dropped at my attempt on trying to seduce the guy."Ha, no way." The guy say in response and walks out with his pals as I was left alone with Raven watching me from behind."Tch." I glared at their backs as I hold my fists together.'Rude brat. Damn it, is it because I wasn't cute enough? No, Estelle definitely has the looks, but.. perhaps it's because I'm a minor character.' I think deeply as I try to make sense of the reaction I was given."That would make sense. I guess there's not other explanation." I tell to myself and turn back to Raven."Welp, let's try the other stalls!" I say to Raven with a smile.".. Uh.. right. " Raven says in response as she and I walk together to check on the other stalls.Although our attention is diverted to the stalls, I can hear more from the crowd being much more louder than before.With a few girls screaming on a surrounded area."You really sure you're okay? I can get our food myself." Raven asks me once again."Haha, I'll be fine! Despite being a shut in, I'm a pretty tough guy!" I said as I point to myself with my thumb and rest my other hand on my waist."What?" Raven blinks at me with confusion etched on her face."T-tougher than a guy! Y-yeah!" I stuttered as I try to reword what I said."Right.." She mutters and goes on back to check the stall nearby.'Even though I am a guy deep down, I am not strong enough with this body.' I sigh.I follow Raven to pick what we want to eat and continue on to stay by her side.TO BE CONTINUED