Even Though the Gender Ratio Has Changed, My Attempts at Flirting With Women Are Unsuccessful - Chapter 23-24

Chapter 23: If the Older Sister Falls to Lust, the Younger Sister Falls to Darkness

I said I’d go back, but in reality, those were just words to get by in the moment.

We searched for a place to calm down… and ended up slipping into an empty classroom.

“Great job, you two. That was quite a mess earlier, wasn’t it?” I said to Tiana, who sat across from me, and the girl next to her.

“Yeah, thanks, Ark. Because of you, I didn’t feel too bad about it,” Tiana replied. It seemed like what happened earlier really bothered her. Maybe I should’ve spoken up sooner.

“Um, I’m… I’m so sorry…” the girl mumbled, shrinking into herself and bowing her head.

I didn’t think she had anything to apologize for, but maybe she’s just naturally negative?

Before we got into it, I figured I should learn more about her. But first, I’d introduce myself.

“No need to worry about it. Let’s start with introductions. I’m Ark Nott, Class B. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Sheffy Aim, Ark-sama’s attendant, also in Class B. Pleased to meet you,” Sheffy added, following my lead.

“Ark Nott… so you’re the one people are talking about…” the girl whispered, her eyes widening in surprise.

Wait, what? Do I have some kind of bad reputation spreading around!?

“Hey, Crora, you should introduce yourself too,” Tiana prompted.

The girl hurriedly straightened her posture. “R-right! I’m sorry! I-I’m Crora Piston…! I’m in Class A, same as Tiana-chan!”

“Just to add,” Tiana said, “the Piston family is one of the four great noble houses. Crora is also the younger sister of Press-senpai, who we met at lunch.”

“Younger sister…!?” I exclaimed. So, Press-senpai’s full name is Press Piston, then.

Man… I have a feeling things are about to get really complicated. I can already see a future where I’m overwhelmed by multiple people. I’d better not get too close carelessly!

“Well, compared to my older sister, I’m just so plain…” Crora said, her gaze dropping sadly.

It seemed she misunderstood my reaction.

“I’m shy, and I have this kind of personality… I don’t have any notable achievements either… I’m sorry…” Crora’s mood sank further.

The three of us fell silent, and the room grew quiet.

I’d just met Crora, so I couldn’t easily grasp what kind of struggles she was dealing with. But…

“Well, even if you’ve got a lot on your mind, I think you’ve definitely got your own charm, Crora,” I said.

“…Huh?” she replied, surprised.

“I mean, Tiana chose you as her partner, right?” I glanced at Tiana.

“Yeah,” Tiana nodded. “Crora’s got charm. She’s serious and hardworking. I’ve known her since we were in elementary school together at this academy, so I know her well.”

If Tiana said so, it must be true. Still, I wanted to get to know Crora’s charm myself over time. For now, though, I figured it wasn’t a good idea to push too close too fast.

I moved the conversation along. “So, for the exam, you and Crora are pairing up, right, Tiana?”

“Yup. And you’re with Sheffy, right, Ark?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Sheffy invited me.”

“Yes,” Sheffy confirmed. “Though at first, our teacher tried to suggest we pair with others…”

“Yeah, figures,” Tiana said. “You and Sheffy are both strong, so they’d try to split you up.”

“Yes, but we managed to stop that,” Sheffy said.

“Good job,” Tiana replied. “I’m not letting anyone take Ark’s side that easily.”

“Indeed,” Sheffy agreed, and the two nodded at each other.

Those two really get along well, don’t they?

“You’re so strong, even though you’re a guy… That’s amazing,” Crora muttered softly.

I think that was a compliment, but the “even though you’re a guy” part bothered me a little.

“Still, we can’t let our guard down,” I said, clenching my fist and letting out a determined huff. “We’ve got to pass this exam, or it’s all for nothing!”

“…That’s nice,” Crora said, her voice dropping again.

Hmm… this girl feels like more than meets the eye.

If her older sister is a heroine who falls to lust…

Crora might just be a heroine who falls to darkness.

—

Chapter 24: The Exclusive Maid Wants to Protect the Villain (Misunderstanding)

That night, as usual, I was holed up in the training room.

“Phew… I guess that’s enough strength training for today,” I said, noticing my clothes were soaked with sweat.

When I got lost in thought while working out, I sometimes pushed myself harder than I realized.

Naturally, I was thinking about the paired exam.

“And those who fail this exam… will be expelled,” Ms. Louise’s words kept echoing in my head.

They came out of nowhere, and I was shocked when she said them. Seeing everyone around me panic made me a bit shaken too.

But looking back calmly, I could make some guesses.

“Those who fail will be expelled.”

That probably meant this exam wasn’t a battle royale or a last-one-standing kind of deal. It also didn’t seem like there was a fixed number of passers, like with the entrance exam.

From the way she phrased it, it sounded like we just needed to meet a certain standard for the task. Easier said than done, though—that was the hardest part.

Still, being the first exam, the difficulty shouldn’t be too high. If I stayed calm and performed to my full potential, I should be able to get through it.

With Sheffy as my partner, we’d be fine!

“No way I’m getting expelled this early in my academy life! I’m gonna give it my all!” I shouted, hyping myself up.

This exam was also a chance for me. If I could stand out here, it might bring me one step closer to… well, charming the ladies.

Charming the ladies… To be popular, the first step was to show off my skills and get noticed. That’s the path countless protagonists in stories had taken. I might be a villain, but shining in the spotlight didn’t care about whether you were a hero or a villain!

I hadn’t even gotten serious yet, but I was ready to go all out!

“Ugh… it’s so hot… I’m sweating way too much,” I muttered. All that self-motivation made me even hotter, and my clothes were sticking to my skin, feeling gross.

“Might as well take it off,” I decided, peeling off my T-shirt. The cool air brushing against my bare torso felt amazing.

Now, if I could just get some cold water and a fluffy towel, that’d be perfect…

Right on cue, there was a knock at the door.

“Ark-sama, it’s your maid, Sheffy. I thought you might be done with your training… May I come in?”

“Yeah, go ahead,” I called back.

Sheffy opened the door and stepped inside, pushing a cart with a pitcher of ice water and a fluffy towel on it. As expected, Sheffy was always on point.

“Ark-sama, good work with your training today,” she said with a bow, then looked up. Her gaze froze on my shirtless torso.

She blinked rapidly, and I could see her lips moving slightly. “…Stay calm, Sheffy. Ark-sama is probably just shirtless because he’s sweaty. He’s definitely not trying to be devoured defenselessly…”

“Sheffy?” I asked, confused.

“Ark-sama,” she said, suddenly locking eyes with me, her expression dead serious.

“Do you… want to be pinned down?”

“Huh!?” My voice cracked at the sudden question.

“My apologies! That was… my inner thoughts slipping out,” she said, clearing her throat hurriedly. It seemed like a mistake.

Wait… inner thoughts versus what she meant to say?

“Let me try again,” she said. “Why are you shirtless, Ark-sama?”

“I was sweaty, and it was hot. Can I have the water and towel?”

“Of course,” she replied, handing them over.

I wiped myself down with the towel and chugged the cold water. “Phew! That’s the stuff!” The refreshing feeling was unbeatable.

“…It feels even more erotic now,” Sheffy muttered.

“Hm? Did you say something, Sheffy?”

“Nothing at all. Ark-sama, please put your shirt back on once you’re done wiping off the sweat.”

“Alright,” I said. Honestly, putting on damp, sweaty clothes wasn’t appealing, but I’d be hitting the bath soon anyway, so I could tough it out.

“Indeed, I must protect Ark-sama…” Sheffy murmured.

“Hm? I’ll protect you too, Sheffy. Especially during the paired exam—you can count on me!”

Sheffy was skilled at healing magic, even using it in unique ways. Her versatility was impressive, but I couldn’t let her take the front line. That was my job. I’d stand in front, protect her, and—if all went well—maybe even get some cheers from the girls!

“I’m not too worried about the exam,” Sheffy said. “With you by my side, Ark-sama, I plan to support you so you can move freely.”

“Really? Thanks!” I said, thrilled. It seemed Sheffy was ready to help me shine.

In stories about villain reincarnations, the exclusive maid often became a key ally… and it looked like Sheffy was exactly that. Talk about reliable!

“However, outside of the exam, I’d like to protect you, Ark-sama. You’re… quite defenseless like this.”

“Uh, huh?” I tilted my head. Protect me outside the exam? And defenseless?

I’d been training hard every day, and my mana control was leaps and bounds better than before. I didn’t think I’d be caught off guard that easily.

“Am I really that defenseless?” I asked.

“Yes,” Sheffy replied without hesitation.

Maybe my training wasn’t enough yet. If Sheffy thought so, I’d trust her judgment.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you,” I said.

“Understood,” she replied, nodding with an oddly serious expression.