Chapter 23

Since I had some time, I decided to read a harem novel, Shurigan.

Shurigan is reading my romance novel about a noble and a commoner.

It’s quite a surreal scene, with a child engrossed in a book and a man with a very intimidating face sitting at the café terrace. No one sits next to us.

"…Women, they like good-looking, handsome guys, right?"

"Yeah."

"They also love rich guys, smart and capable, with smooth manners, polite and kind, and strong enough to protect them in a pinch. And as a bonus, they have the power to protect their girlfriend at all times and whisper sweet words to her non-stop."

"That’s an ideal, isn’t it?"

"Such a guy doesn’t exist among commoners. So, this line, 'I don’t like you because you’re a noble, I like you because you’re you!' is a big lie."

"Yeah."

When I say that, Shurigan laughs.

"…You understand, don’t you, little brother?"

"Of course. Studying things that may or may not be useful, collecting taxes to use for the country, doing jobs that don’t pay, completing diplomatic tasks with courtesy, and risking your life in battle—these are all things that can’t be pushed onto commoners. They are the duties of nobles."

"That’s right."

"Commoners have their own kind of happiness. They can’t be happy by attaching themselves to nobles. Think about how hard Cerea works. It’s because she’s a noble that she can ask for help with such struggles. I can’t ask a commoner’s child to do everything Cerea does. Even if other girls tell me they like me, I don’t really care."

"That’s reassuring, little brother."

I return the harem novel Shurigan was reading.

"Is there any point in making a harem?"

"No, that’s… You’re getting straight to the core, little brother. For the reader, it’s about enjoying the different flavors of women… It’s about the variety of choices."

"The author provides a variety of girl types to cater to the readers."

"Right. Readers will end up liking at least one of the heroines."

"But isn’t the first girl written the cutest? Shurigan, which heroine do you like the most among the characters?"

"Of course, the first partner. She’s the one I lose my virginity to, so the author naturally makes her the best."

No, that’s not the point. I think that’s a bit extreme of you.

"Shouldn’t a harem be equal?"

"Each heroine gets her own chapter… Some stories don’t reveal who the protagonist loses his virginity to until the end."

"Plan your use of heroines, huh?"

"You’re tough, little brother. You’re right, but every man wishes to be popular. The author is no exception."

"Such stories became popular because readers who liked them bought them. The trend of harem novels was created by the readers, not the authors."

"…You don’t have a harem wish, do you, little brother?"

"If I find a girl I really like, I don’t need a harem."

"No, that’s the reason for having a harem."

"Fallacy!"

"Listen, little brother, you should realize how incredibly fortunate you are to have married such a good girl. Do you think a commoner could marry such a good girl?"

"Uh…"

While I’m having this back-and-forth with Shurigan, Cerea and Bell come over.

"There you are. I looked for you for a bit."

"Sorry, sorry. I thought you could see this place from the fountain square."

"Long time no see, Bell!"

"Shin is in a good mood too."

"Hello, Shin-sama."

"Hello!"

It’s been a while since we’ve gone out together like this. Shurigan seems the happiest.

"What were you doing?"

"Strategizing for Bell and the lady by reading romance novels!"

You talk too much! Why do you say such things?

"…I don’t dislike that about Shurigan, who has no secrets, but the material might not be appropriate for reference."

As I try to hide the book, Bell delivers a cold, harsh judgment.

"N-no, I just picked a popular book at the bookstore, and it turned out to be this one, that’s all."

"Can I read it too?" Cerea’s eyes sparkle.

"Absolutely not—!"

"Shall we just leave these guys who read such things and go around together today, Cerea?"

"…Let’s not, Bell. It’s been a while since I’ve played with Shin-sama."

We’ve been busy with studies and official duties.

"How was the paper theater?"

We need to change the topic. This morning, Cerea was doing a visit to an orphanage and performed the paper theater of 'Journey to the Moon World.'

"…It didn’t go well this time. They were disappointed that 'There are no monsters on the moon—!' The content was also quite dull, just collecting rocks and bringing them back."

There are no monsters on the moon… I’m disappointed too. But to go all the way to the moon and bring back only rocks? That’s pretty dull. I wish they could have brought back some treasure.

"Maybe monster stories would be popular with the kids."

"Then let’s think of a story where monsters go on a rampage."

"Sounds good. What kind of monster?"

"Triceratops."

"What’s that?"

"It’s a dinosaur from long ago. It has four legs, three horns, and a frill on the back of its neck."

That sounds interesting. The fact that it actually existed is a big plus.

"What happens at the end?"

"A meteor falls and they go extinct."

"…Does it have to end that way?"

We go to the theater we all agreed to visit.

It’s a popular love story called 'Romeo and Juliet.'

…It’s the worst. It’s a new work by Shakespeare, but after Hamlet was harshly criticized by the king (he even fell asleep during the performance), this time it’s a sweet love story, but the protagonists end up committing suicide.

Why does Shakespeare want such an ending…?

"So, what happened at the end?"

"They both died."

Of course, you were sleeping. What did you come here for, Shurigan…?

"Shurigan, did you tell anyone about us?"

"No, absolutely not. I’ve been told to keep it a secret by the king, so I haven’t said anything."

To keep your mouth shut, you need a direct order from the king, the top of the country. How much do you talk?

"Did Bell know… anything?"

"No, I don’t."

The story is about a flirtatious, sixteen-year-old Romeo falling in love with a fourteen-year-old girl from a rival family. He sneaks into her balcony at night and they have a secret wedding in a church. It’s almost exactly like us, and Cerea and I felt extremely embarrassed.

Moreover, sitting with Bell and Shurigan, it felt like a public execution. We wanted to commit suicide.

The whole play was filled with overly sweet lines and ridiculous side characters trying to make us laugh with pointless jokes. Our hands were sweating the whole time we were holding them. It was a nerve-wracking experience. We didn’t enjoy the play at all.

The sweet lines included a satirical comment from Shakespeare: "Kids, playing at love won’t end well."

"Does anyone know about us and tell others?"

"Hmm… If anyone else knows…"

"Maybe the priest?"

I’m surprised by Bell’s voice. Oh, right! That priest! He was there when we got married!

"That damn priest provided the material to Shakespeare. He can’t be allowed to live."

"No, let’s leave it alone, Shurigan…"

"The priest in the play had a good role. He might have exaggerated the story, saying he secretly married the young couple in the church from his own perspective."

That’s true. Bell reads it well.

Cerea is a bit angry too.

"I didn’t find it interesting at all. All the characters are too stupid. No matter how good-looking they are or how sweet they talk, I wouldn’t like a guy who is so selfish, stupid, and unreliable."

It seems sweet words don’t work on Cerea.

"Both of them, liking someone just for their looks is so stupid. Why is Romeo so pitiful? When he has problems, he just moans and cries. Doesn’t he think about solving them or living together? There are so many other things he could do. If it were Shin-sama, he would find ten ways to resolve the situation without causing a fuss."

The in-game version of me had high standards, and it seems the version of me in Cerea’s mind also has high standards. I need to work hard…

Next: "23. I Have No Other Intentions"