Les Mode: The Missing Best Friend

Well, as for what I know about Les Mode, you could say it's because I'm such a hardcore fan. This is a mode that only a tiny fraction of players even know about—something you can only access by messing with the game files, so most people don't even know it exists.

"Ha…."

And the reason I'm in such a panic is that Les Mode makes it insanely hard to get a happy ending. With two women as the protagonists, their emotions keep swirling around chaotically—they fight, argue, and cause all sorts of drama. The slightest misstep in handling those conflicts triggers a bad ending. It's brutally unforgiving.

I was planning to just let it play out to a happy ending on its own, but this changes things. In Les Mode, a close best friend character shows up to mediate between the two. If you don't find that character, forget the happy ending—the game devolves into endless catfights, leaving you wondering if this is even a simulation game or just a bickering simulator, until everything falls apart.

"But the timing to meet the BFF has already passed."

The problem is, we're past the point where they should have met the best friend. You might think they've already encountered whoever's designated as that character, but that wouldn't make sense with the crown princess's official debut happening right now.

"No, still… maybe they did meet. You never know."

Yeah, since I've possessed this body, things must have changed somehow. Maybe they met the best friend without me knowing, and the only difference is the timing of the crown princess's debut…

That hopeful thought shattered miserably when I saw this.

Even at an official event, the way they interacted—like total strangers—made it clear. By basic setting, neither can act to save their lives. They're the type where everything shows on their faces: if they hate you, everyone knows; if they like you, it's obvious. So if they're acting that distant, they really don't know each other.

"Ah, damn it. Why are both of them girls causing this mess? Why haven't they met the best friend, shit…!"

Even if the timing got delayed, I need to track down that best friend character and stick her by their side. If I can get her to mediate and spark some feelings between them… it should progress somehow, right? Then my happy rural life stays intact.

But the biggest issue is…

"I'm just Village Person No. 1…? How the hell do I drag her over and stick her there…?"

That was the problem: how to get the best friend character next to the crown princess and saintess.

"Screwed, totally screwed."

If it were possible, I'd do it right away—I've played Les Mode to death, so I know that best friend character's details inside out. Lina von Maria from the Maria Count family: noble status perfect for hanging with the crown princess or saintess, cheerful and outgoing personality. She's 20, same age as Theo and the heroines. They met at a royal party when they were younger, bonded at the academy, sharing deep friendship. (Though for the princess and saintess, it's love, not friendship.)

"Ha…."

Anyway, count family isn't as high as princess or saintess, but for a commoner village boy like me? No way I can even approach her.

"This damn game has a modern setting, so why the classist society…?!"

If it weren't for the class system, I'd at least try to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠figure out a way to drag her over. Getting blocked by status is just too depressing, seriously?!

"Oh my, Theo? You said you were heading out, but you're back already?"

Looks like lunchtime rolled around while I was lost in thought. Mom came in for a snack, caught me glued to the TV.

"Ah, I came back for something I forgot and got sucked into the TV. I'll head out again."

"Wanna eat before you go?"

"No, I'm good! Enjoy your meal!"

"Alright~"

Running into Mom isn't a big deal, but I still haven't done the errand I promised, so I head back out casually.

Lunch… guess I'll buy something. The background's fully modern—convenience stores, marts everywhere. Head to the city, and it's packed with skyscrapers and high-rises like my old Korea.

I didn't want to go, but now I have a reason.

"…Yeah. If I can't stick Lina as the best friend, I'll take the role myself."

Getting close to those two is normally impossible, but luckily, this game is basically an academy story. Crazy tale of students' deep friendships, love, and world-ending doom at the big-city academy. With the princess's debut done and her meeting the saintess, they'll enroll soon to foster ties between the Ermunt Empire and Holy Empire.

If I time my enrollment right, befriend them casually, and mediate their relationship? Boom—network with princess and saintess, prevent apocalypse. Eat the pheasant, eat the egg, fix the ditch, catch the crayfish. Best of both worlds. My peaceful life? As a hardcore fan, I'll protect it.

The moment that thought hit, the status window sparkles like it read my mind, offering a job promotion.

"Ooh…! Knew I could count on you, System…!"

Okay, I totally didn't believe it before! I wanted to forget that lame "Village Person" job…!

But if it gives me something like "Academy Student," that's an instant enrollment free pass, right?

"Promote me, do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it!"

I shout excitedly. It disappointed me at first, but not this time! The glow is epic! Promotion—what a glorious word!

I have no idea what I did to earn it, but whatever—must be moved by my resolve!

Huh? Did it just say I have a suitable title?

I only have Proud Son and Village's Top Trickster…?

Something's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off… right?

"…Status Window."

I call it with growing dread.

…Ha, fuck.

"What the hell were you basing that on?"

There it was: Epic Village Person. Utter garbage.

"Official debut events are exhausting."

"You did well, Your Highness."

Black hair, red eyes, slightly upturned eyes accentuating her sexiness. The outfit highlighting her ample chest and the dangling accessories made her look uncomfortable. She was Iris Lua Sa Ermunt, crown princess of the Ermunt Empire, second only to the emperor in power.

"Draw a bath and prepare comfortable clothes to change into."

The attire was fully modern, but the line of attendants and her refined speech screamed nobility.

"Yes, understood."

Her maids were strictly selected from top noble houses—elegant like her, but never stealing the spotlight.

"Your Highness, forgive me, but you must delay your bath."

One maid, looking twice her age, stepped forward and bowed.

"His Majesty requests your presence."

"Father? I just saw him."

They'd greeted and talked privately at the event. Calling her now, during rest time? Something big must be up, though she couldn't refuse.

"…Got it. Let's go."

Being summoned like this meant serious business.

"Your Majesty, Crown Princess Iris Lua Sa Ermunt has arrived."

"Ah, yes. Let her in."

As Iris entered at the prompt reply,

"Hello, Crown Princess. I am Estelle Ingrid, Saintess of the Holy Empire."

there, before her eyes, was the famous saintess: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠blue hair, star mark on her forehead.