Seducing Miranda ? [1]

Now.

How am I supposed to get affection points from that stoic girl…

No, first how am I supposed to follow them?

[<Just tell her that you want her.>]

'Edward said something similar in the game and she beat him to the verge of death.'

[<That's in the game! Not anymore then.>]

Ah, right. I already informed Cleenah about our situation, being trapped in this game-world, and I was astounded by her apparent indifference. Though, there was a lingering possibility that she simply didn't believe me and dismissed my words as nonsensical ramblings.

'It's essentially the same. The present Miranda despises Edward.'

Recollections of Miranda's interactions with Edward at the academy flooded my mind, hardly encouraging me to approach her. Thankfully, I was currently masked, shielding my identity from her recognition.

[<Go! Such a spineless man!>]

'Shut up! I'm going!'

Cursing Cleenah under my breath, I steeled myself and made my way towards them, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. The mere thought of Miranda discovering my true identity beneath the mask sent shivers down my spine, and I dreaded what repercussions that might entail. After all, I had no means to defend myself against her.

She was a prodigious talent of the academy, more than capable of overpowering me in any confrontation.

"Um."

I cleared my throat, drawing the attention of the individuals gathered around the campfire. The irritated teenager, presumably Miranda's friend, shot me a hostile glare.

I hadn't even begun speaking, and already that bastard seemed annoyed. I brushed off his animosity and directed my focus towards Miranda.

Surely that irate fellow was now even more infuriated, his murderous intent practically visible.

What was his deal?

Was he upset because I'd ignored him?

"Is there a problem?" Miranda asked.

Ah, it certainly brought back memories of the game.

She spoke in that same composed manner when I attempted to woo her with the [Protagonist].

I reiterate, Miranda Stormdila is the [Hidden Heroine] of the First Game. Were it not for my prior gaming experience, I wouldn't have known.

In the game, unlocking her route was an arduous task, requiring specific choices and visits to certain locations before stumbling upon Miranda, poised to incapacitate Edward. Miranda, being a sophomore, made it hard to interact with the protagonist, a First Year.

Even after unlocking her route, the odds of winning her affections were minuscule, at a mere five percent. How many times had I played through scenarios with the protagonist, hoping to catch her eye... just to be acknowledged as a man?

[<Have you finished remembering useless things? She's waiting.>]

It's not useless, useless Goddess.

I picked my words carefully and spoke.

"As I mentioned, I ended up here by accident. Could you tell me which floor we're on?"

"The twenty-fifth," Miranda replied, her tangerine eyes fixated on me.

Damn...

She was truly stunning, easily rivaling Aurora in beauty.

[<Not bad, but I'm bette—>]

"I understand. Thank you," I replied, feigning contemplation as I lowered my head.

As expected, Miranda sensed my unease and probed further. "Then?"

"U—Um," I stuttered, feigning inner conflict. "May I accompany you?"

"What?!" The angry teenager shot up from his seat on the wooden bench, glaring at me once again.

Leave me alone!

Suppressing the urge to retaliate, I continued my plea. "You saw me register for the guild. I'm a novice just starting out. I was fighting weak monsters on the third floor when I got teleported here..."

The group, consisting of four teenagers and their bodyguards, fell into silence, awaiting Miranda's decision.

"Hey, Mira, I feel sorry for him," a girl whose name I didn't know whispered, her empathy not going unnoticed by me.

I smirked inwardly. Despite her hushed tone, I caught her words, likely thanks to my Falkrona Bloodline.

"Right," Miranda nodded. "But our group's safety is our priority. If you're okay with that, we'll accept your company."

"Of course, Milady," I replied, shamelessly lowering my head and flashing a broad smile beneath my mask.

"How about removing that cringe mask first?" Came the irritating voice once more, causing my smile to fade instantly.

Did I steal his girlfriend in another life or what?

My face, already lowered in a bow, began to perspire nervously though because of his demand.

"Hey, Dylan, you're being too harsh," his friend, evidently more level-headed, intervened in my defense.

"Shut up, Theo. He could be a kidnapper. Remember that Edward fatty who disappeared? We need to be cautious," Dylan retorted.

Who was he calling fatty anyway?!

[<Pffft! >]

Here we go again...

Damn it.

I needed to find a way to shut this guy up for good.

"It's alright, Dylan," Miranda intervened thankfully.

Miranda...

She's really a good person.

I shouldn't have lashed out at her earlier—

"He's too weak to pose a threat to us," Miranda concluded, cutting through my thoughts as she walked away.

"..."

"Aahahaha! I see! You're absolutely right!" Dylan erupted into laughter, following Miranda's lead.

The girl and the other guy cast apologetic glances my way before joining their friends.

'Cleenah, don't you dare laugh—'

[<Presumptuous! My chosen one is not weak!>]

Whoa.

I couldn't believe she was angry on my behalf.

Though, technically, I was the one who chose her, right?

Well, it seemed she was more offended by Miranda's words than truly angry for my sake.

'The reason I'm still weak is you. You're still as useless as you were two weeks ago.'

[<I was the one keeping you alive!>]

Damn, she had a point.

'You're useless,' I muttered, shaking my head as I diverted my attention away from our exchange. I had to focus on gaining affection points from Miranda.

Quickly devising a plan, I looked longingly at the group of four as if I were having a famine crisis.

"Would you like something to eat?" Lea, the girl whose name I had overheard, suddenly asked me.

Yes!

She was undoubtedly the kindest of the bunch, followed closely by the calm teenager beside her.

Normally, I'd decline, not wanting to intrude on a group of strangers. But right now, I had to, to win the challenge.

"If I may?" I glanced at the others. Theo nodded with a smile, Dylan gritted his teeth in annoyance, and Miranda simply nodded.

Exhaling in relief, I accepted the bowl and spoon Lea offered, filling my bowl with porridge and settling a bit away from the group, yet still close to Miranda.

Taking a spoonful of porridge, I savored the taste. Wow! It was delicious. How long had it been since I'd eaten real food? It was undoubtedly superior to living off Cleenah's energy.

Now, back to the task at hand.

"Um, something has been bothering me for a while," I began, capturing their attention. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before," I said, directing my gaze at Miranda.

Starting with feigned ignorance seemed like a solid strategy.

"You don't know her? She's the lovely daughter of a monarch, Miranda Stormdila," Lea chimed in with a teasing grin, embarrassing Miranda in the process.

Oh? So, even at this stage of the game, Miranda could feel embarrassed? In the game, it took multiple attempts to win her affections before I saw any of her cute reactions.

"A M—Monarch?!" I exclaimed, pretending to be utterly shocked. Ladies and gentlemen, please give me an Oscar. Even I was impressed by my acting skills. They all fell for it.

[<Mediocre performance.>]

[Not bad.]

My expression twitched at Cleenah's and Jarvis' comments. Were those guys really on my side?

"Yeah, if you're not from Falkrona City, you might not know her," Theo explained.

He was right. Anyone living in the Falkrona capital city would be familiar with Miranda Stormdila. She was as famous as Edward Falkrona, the Duke's son. Even people from outside the city knew her. In the Celesta Kingdom, giant screens displaying world news featured Miranda prominently alongside other [Main Characters]. Edward appeared often too, but usually for scandals...

"Ah, yes. I'm from a town a bit further out, not as developed as Falkrona City," I lied, providing a plausible excuse before turning to Miranda.

"My apologies, Lady Stormdila, for my earlier rudeness," I said, adopting a respectful tone befitting her noble status.

"No need to apologize. I'm no star," she replied modestly.

But you are though.

"So, you all must be high-ranking nobles?" I asked.

"Yeah! So don't even think of speaking to us informally!" Dylan growled.

"Dylan, he's just asking a question," Miranda sighed.

"Yeah..." Dylan grumbled, shooting me another glare before settling back.

'Jarvis, remind me to beat the hell out of him one day.'

[Copy that.]