Chapter 28

After that, if you continue to enjoy browsing the store and taking breaks from time to time, the time will pass in a flash. Especially on holidays, time seems to pass more quickly.

Before she knew it, the sun was already setting, and streetlights were beginning to light up here and there.

"Miss, shall we go home soon?"

Adi, still holding the boxes—most of which were still empty—asked, and Mary replied with a "Hmm, maybe," while still looking around with a mischievous smile.

It seemed she had no intention of going home yet, and Adi followed her gaze. There was something that made her want to stay. Mary's expression clearly said, "I found it," and she looked delighted.

Following Mary's gaze, Adi let out a small gasp, "That's..."

There stood Alicia and Patrick, along with the student council members and the faculty advisor. In other words, all the characters to be conquered in "DraGaku" were gathered there.

They were surrounding Alicia and Patrick, discussing something. Unfortunately, they were too far away to hear what they were saying, but from the way Alicia was gradually stepping back, it seemed to be something related to the student council or her status. As a mere student and a commoner, Alicia sometimes found it hard to keep up with their conversations, as she had mentioned before.

However, it was still unclear why they were all gathered in the city.

Moreover, young women had started to gather around, creating an unusual bustle in the evening city. It was obvious that when the student council members, led by Patrick, gathered, this would happen. Whether they had just happened to be there or had heard about it, young women dressed like young ladies were starting to approach them.

"... Miss, what is this?"

"Just as you see. Shall we sit back and watch the show?"

Laughing softly, Mary sat down on a bench. Adi, looking confused, tilted her head but still sat down when Mary suggested, "Why don't you sit too?"

In front of them was a lively group. The handsome student council members of Carelia Academy and the young women surrounding them. Some were boldly talking to them, while others were just watching, perhaps feeling intimidated.

Standing a few steps away from the group, all alone, was Alicia.

Seeing this, Adi started to get up but was stopped by Mary, who said, "Don't interfere."

Mary was smiling happily, but her expression also seemed to say, "Don't ruin this entertainment."

"... What's going on?"

"What? Just as you see. Patrick is still popular, as always."

Mary chuckled, and Adi sighed. It seemed she wanted to enjoy the spectacle more than to explain. However, Adi couldn't just say, "Okay," and watch, so she looked at Mary, trying to get an answer.

"Is this the branching point for the remaining endings?"

"Yes. This is also an event that happens during a date."

"Are the student council members and other students surrounding them the final event? Does being surrounded determine the ending?"

"Rather, it's what happens after. Seeing Patrick surrounded by a crowd, how will she react?"

Hearing Mary's words, Adi couldn't help but tilt her head, "Alicia?"

She had thought that this time, too, it would be determined by 'affection.' In that case, Alicia's previous actions would matter, but there was nothing she could do at this point. However, it seemed that this time, the protagonist's actions were the key.

Looking back and forth between the scene in front of her and Mary, Adi seemed to be saying, "I don't understand."

The previous branching point, orchestrated by the villainous lady Mary, was based on the 'affection' of the target. If it didn't reach a certain level by the time this event occurred, it would lead to a bad ending. It was a typical condition for a dating game.

In contrast, this event was not about the 'target' but about 'Alicia.' Her actions in this scene would determine which ending they would proceed to. There were two possible actions, and the ending would change based on which one she chose. However, there were no visible choices; Alicia would act on her own, independent of the player.

"But, it's just determined by her status, right?"

"Status?"

"Yes. Her growth."

While the main focus of "DraGaku" was romance, raising Alicia's status through daily life was also a key game element. This included improving her academic performance through regular studies, tutoring, and library visits, as well as enhancing her appearance through dieting and fashion magazines. There were also status points for physical activities, and the player could choose which to raise, affecting future romantic events.

If she performed well in academic tests, she could attract intellectual characters or teachers. If she raised her physical status and excelled in sports, she could attract athletic characters. Raising her beauty awareness could make her a bit narcissistic. For the more challenging character, Patrick, it was necessary to raise all her status points in a balanced way.

In other words, if the player focused only on romance and neglected her personal growth, it would ultimately affect her romantic success. This balance was one of the game's interesting aspects.

Her status would determine the outcome of this event.

"If the player neglects to raise her status while focusing on romance, it will reflect in her actions."

"Her actions..."

"An immature Alicia might think she can't monopolize Patrick and say this:"

"Would everyone like to go out for dinner together?"

This statement was very innocent and loving, befitting a heroine who is loved by everyone. When Patrick heard this, he agreed, and the student council members also approved, leading to a 'fun dinner together' that ended the date. Of course, on the way home, they would have a romantic moment, but that would be the end.

This would lead to a 'Good Ending,' where their feelings are reciprocated, but at the cost of something, making it a bittersweet ending.

Another name for this is the 'Merry Bad Ending.'

For example, Alicia might run away with Patrick, reversing their social statuses, or she might give up her princess status. In Patrick's case, after confirming their feelings for each other, they would consider their social statuses and influence, with Patrick inheriting the Dice family and Alicia supporting the country as a princess, living as partners rather than a married couple, remaining single for life. It was a good ending, but it left a lingering sense of dissatisfaction.

Such an ending, neither a tragic love story nor a clear happy ending, was highly regarded by some players, who found it more profound than the convenient, idealistic ending.

"But... if they both love each other... why can't they be together?"

"Because they love each other. It's better for them to have this ending than for Patrick to give up the Dice family or for Alicia to give up her princess status."

"Even if they love each other, their social status still gets in the way...?"

"Yes. That's the theme of the game. The social gap they thought they had overcome reverses and stands in their way again, a rather ironic ending."

Mary's tone was somewhat dismissive as she said this. It was understandable, as in her previous life, she had considered this bittersweet ending the ultimate one, but from the perspective of someone actually involved, such an unsatisfactory ending was unacceptable. No matter how idealistic or optimistic the ending, the true happy ending where everyone is happy was the best.

—Of course, in any route, the villainous lady Mary would be sent to the northern land—

Hearing this, Adi suddenly stood up as if she had an idea.

"So, what's the branching point for that ending? How can we get to the... True Ending?"

"Wh-What's with the sudden change? You mean the... True Ending?"

"Yes!"

Mary's eyes widened in surprise at Adi's sudden outburst. However, seeing the serious, unyielding look in Adi's eyes, Mary was slightly flustered but cleared her throat.

For some reason, Adi seemed to want the True Ending. If that was the case, she would explain...

"The branching point is right now. What Alicia does right there. As I said, if she suggests 'dinner together,' it leads to a Good Ending."

"So, if Alicia does something else now...!"

"Yes. If she has enough confidence from her status, she will try to monopolize Patrick."

Now, what will happen? As Mary, who had been looking at Adi, turned her gaze back to Alicia...

"Miss Mary! I'm so bored, please pay attention to me, Miss Mary!"

Alicia, looking almost on the verge of tears, ran over to them.

"... Alicia is coming over. What does this mean?"

"... I want to know too."