Cursed Villainess' Obsession-Chapter 13

‘It’s for Ken’s safety.’

Mary justified her frequent visits as a way to ensure Ken’s safety, especially since he was often bullied. But deep down, that was just an excuse. From Ken’s perspective, things seemed a bit different.

‘Lately, it feels like she’s always around…’

Thanks to the raincoat, Ken's plan to get Mary to come to school even on rainy days had worked, and Emily's bullying had stopped. However, now Mary seemed to be seeking him out a bit too often.

"I feel like we’ve been seeing each other a lot recently… haha."

"Do you think so? I don’t see it as anything unusual."

When Mary was near Ken, she felt an unusual sense of peace. Normally, she was always tense, maintaining her perfect, ice-cold persona without a single mistake. But beside Ken, who had promised to protect her, she felt calm and relaxed. Her mind and body both seemed to find comfort in his presence.

What Mary had always wanted was someone who could accept her for who she was—a cowardly, timid person full of flaws. She had created the strong, protective persona to shield herself, but what she really longed for was someone who could truly protect her.

"So, Ken. Isn’t it okay if I call you by your name now?"

"W-what? But… someone like me calling you, Mary, so casually…"

"I think we’re close enough for that, don’t you? Or… is it just me?"

"N-no! I also think we’re close!"

"Then it’s settled. I’ll count on you from now on, Ken."

“…Y-yeah.”

Ken had noticed Mary’s change. He was proud that she wore the raincoat he had made for her every day, but he couldn’t help feeling like she was relying on him more than just the coat.

‘How did things end up like this?’

His original plan was simply to give her a way to avoid getting wet on rainy days. But the results had been… different than expected.

"Does the coat fit well? You’ve been wearing it quite a lot lately."

"Yes, it fits perfectly, like it was tailored just for me. Where did you buy it?"

"Ah, well… I made it myself."

"…You made it yourself?"

Mary pulled the collar of the raincoat closer, hiding her face.

‘He’s got such talent…’

A small smile formed behind the collar. Knowing that Ken had made the raincoat himself made it all the more precious. A one-of-a-kind gift crafted just for her.

"Ken… are you having lunch with that friend again today?"

"…Yeah, they get lonely easily."

Mary often invited Ken to join her for meals. Before, when he wasn’t eating with his friend, he would sometimes join her, but recently, he had declined her offers every time. Feeling a little disappointed, Mary decided not to back down this time. She was determined.

"Couldn’t you eat with me just once? I’m sure your friend would understand."

"No, they’re… not really that understanding…"

"Then how about I join you two? I’m sure I’ll get along with them."

Mary had confidence in getting along with others. People liked her because she always helped those in need, and she was sure Ken’s friend wouldn’t be an exception. Besides, she was curious about who Ken’s friend was. But Ken’s reaction was… awkward.

"Well, um, the thing is…"

He seemed troubled, and seeing him like that made Mary feel guilty. Maybe she was being too pushy?

"If it’s a bother, then…"

"Hold on."

Just then, a voice interrupted them—someone neither of them had expected.

Mary and Ken both turned to see a blonde woman standing there, staring at Ken with a cold expression.

It was none other than Emily Epiris, the protagonist of the game.

Mary’s expression hardened at the sight of her unwanted guest.

"...What do you want?"

Knowing what Emily had done to Ken, Mary immediately became defensive. But Emily ignored her, speaking directly to Ken instead.

"Ken, you’re having lunch with me today. One day won’t hurt, right?"

She demanded his attention so suddenly, and Mary didn’t like the way it sounded like a command rather than a request.

"Uh, well… I already promised a friend I’d have lunch with them…"

"...You have friends?"

"Ugh…!"

Seeing Ken struggle, Mary stood up and stepped between him and Emily.

"What is it?"

Mary blocked Emily’s path, and the two locked eyes. Emily glared at her, and Mary didn’t back down.

"I’m sorry, but Ken is feeling uncomfortable. Please stop."

Emily smirked, finding Mary’s words amusing.

"Aren’t you the one sticking to Ken like glue lately? Maybe you’re the one making him uncomfortable."

Mary was speechless. She couldn’t deny it. She had been worried about this—her own selfishness and how it might be overwhelming Ken. But he hadn’t rejected her, so she thought it was fine.

‘…Have I been visiting too often?’

Mary hadn’t realized how others might see her actions. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, she could feel her face heat up, and she averted her eyes from Emily’s accusing gaze.

“Well, didn’t you constantly seek Ken out? I’m just visiting because we’re friends.”

"Who said I was always looking for him! Why would I be interested in that pig…!"

As their argument escalated, more students began to take notice. After all, it was quite the sight: two of the academy’s most beautiful girls fighting over lunch with a chubby boy like Ken.

The students whispered among themselves.

"What’s going on? Why are they arguing over Ken?"

"Didn’t Emily hate him?"

"Wait, but isn’t Emily supposed to be with Adrian? I thought they were…"

"Don’t be ridiculous. That would mean Adrian lost to Ken, and that’s impossible."

And in the center of the controversy was Ken Feinstein, silently observing the unfolding chaos.

‘…Isn’t this like the Adrian event?’

This situation mirrored one of the game’s key events, where Mary, after developing feelings for Adrian, confronted Emily about her relationship with him. But now, the roles were reversed.

‘But seriously, this lunch thing is a problem.’

It wasn’t that Ken didn’t want to have lunch with Mary or Emily. He didn’t mind as long as Emily wasn’t bullying him. The real issue was Laphne. If he didn’t visit her during lunch, she would probably spiral into a panic.

Yes, escape was the best option.

Ken had made up his mind.

“Besides, Emily, are you trying to bully Ken again? I’ve heard from others about how you treat him.”

"Hah, yeah, so what if I am? I’m just pushing him to lose weight."

“Ken’s weight is his choice. It’s not right to force him.”

"Have you ever seen him after he loses weight? If you had, you wouldn’t be saying that."

“Well, I haven’t seen him like that, but… I don’t care if Ken is skinny or not…”

"Wait, hold on. Why are you blushing? Ken! Say something!"

But the person Emily called for was no longer there.

“…Huh?”

"Um… Mary, Emily… Ken just left."

A nearby student pointed out the obvious, and both Mary and Emily froze.

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"What?"

"Huh?"

Having escaped the argument, I immediately headed for Laphne’s tower. As soon as I opened the familiar door at the top floor, I was greeted by the smell of food and the sight of Laphne’s red hair.

"Ken! You’re here!"

Laphne rushed to the door, grabbing my hand and shaking it enthusiastically. Just like every morning, her reaction was always the same.

"Hic, I’m so glad… I was worried you wouldn’t come…"

"Laphne."

Usually, I would respond to her routine greetings without much thought, but today was different. After the scene earlier with Mary and Emily, I remembered what Laphne had said a few days ago.

‘No, no! If Ken finds another girl, he’ll stop coming here! He’ll just drool over some girl and forget all about me!’

Back then, I had felt unfairly accused. As if I would stop visiting Laphne over something like that. Laphne tilted her head in confusion, looking up at me.

"What’s wrong?"

"You once said that if I got a girlfriend, I’d stop coming to the tower, right?"

"U-uh, yes? D-do you have one now?"

Immediately, Laphne’s expression darkened with concern. I quickly set the record straight.

“No, in fact, just today, I was invited to lunch by not one, but two girls, and I turned them both down to come to you!”

I declared proudly, confident this would put her worries to rest.

“…What?"

"See? Now you can trust me, right?"

I felt proud of myself. Sure, Laphne was my favorite character, but Mary and Emily were also beautiful characters meticulously crafted by the game developers. Rejecting two girls like that? I deserved some credit for that. And maybe now Laphne would finally stop worrying about me leaving her behind.

But instead of the relieved smile I expected, Laphne’s face remained tense.

“…Girls invited you to lunch?"

"...Uh, yeah, but that’s not the important part—"

"Who are they?"

[System: Laphne Bell Martinez has triggered a new trait.]

[Possessed Trait: Despair 72%, Dependency LV 6, Anger LV 2]

It was the first time in a long while I’d seen Laphne’s anger trait surface.

“…Hahaha…”

"……"

Oh no.