The Price of a Happy Ending
Dating in the Academy of Immutable Laws. It was just one of those mediocre dating sim games. There were four heroines in total, but no harem ending—only a strictly monogamous, pure-love ending. It was a very common type of game where you could only end up with one heroine per playthrough. If there was one thing that made it slightly different, it was this: the unchosen heroines lived in eternal misery. They would never forget the memory of their defeat, nor would they ever meet another man. The ending credits would briefly show, via CG, the lives of these broken, defeated heroines ten years later. What do you think people who saw that even once would do? They’d immediately run to conquer the next heroine. After all, what the player wants is the happiness of the heroines.
After working so hard to see the endings of every single heroine route, a sudden sense of emptiness would wash over me. In every timeline, only one heroine could be happy. Why wasn't there a touching happy ending where everyone could be happy? The more I chewed on it, the angrier I got. If I were the protagonist, I would have made every single heroine happy. Even if it killed me, even if it meant my body would be torn to shreds. Ah, that was fun. Now, time to go play another game. I couldn't just brush it off lightly; I loved this game too much. I wanted to see a picture where every heroine was happy in the same timeline. Why did I care about the heroines so much? Because I was a player. Because I was a player.
Dating in the Academy. If you’ve played this game even once, there’s an essential element you can’t miss: Trauma. You know the word, but do you know what it actually means? It’s just the scars in the heart that every human being carries. The developers didn't just slap the word "trauma" on there for no reason. The protagonist, Yuren Stardust, only ends up with one of the heroines. That’s not a problem in itself. But if you add the element of trauma to this, it becomes a massive issue. The protagonist can only resolve the trauma of the single heroine he chooses. The remaining unchosen heroines fail to overcome their trauma and live their lives in eternal misery. That’s just how the game was made.
That is exactly why I went through hell, tagging along with the protagonist’s party. I did it to resolve every heroine’s trauma in place of Yuren Stardust, who lacked the player’s agency. I finally succeeded in resolving every heroine’s trauma and painted a happy ending where every heroine could live happily forever. "Yuren and Judith are having an affair." That the heroines could live happily without the protagonist—that was something that could never have been possible from the start. Why did I only realize now that a heroine who ends up with a man other than the protagonist is no different from living a miserable life? I decided to tear up the Regression Book. Not to make myself happy, but to return to the past and make it so that every heroine could enjoy true happiness. To make every heroine feel true happiness, there was only one way. The protagonist Yuren Stardust’s harem ending. That was the only way.
Seven years have passed since we married after graduating from the academy. "I wonder what Yuren is up to these days." Judith Moondust. A defeated heroine and my favorite. My one and only spouse. Neat, voluminous black hair and intelligent, golden eyes. Skin as white as rice cakes, a large bust, and a curved waist. From her appearance to her wealth, honor, and her terrifying status as a Duchess—she is a beautiful woman who is the number one bride material in every aspect. The heroine introduction comment read, "Possessor of a haughty face, arrogant charm, and a lemon-like freshness," but I don't know about that. The developers should have added this to Judith’s comment as well: "A protagonist-lover who only looks at the protagonist."
The cherry blossom hair ornament on the side of Judith’s head. It’s the hair ornament that Yuren, the original protagonist and Judith’s childhood friend, gave her for her birthday. And yet, she still wears it even after we’re married. "Wouldn't he be living happily with Shirai?" Shirai is the victorious heroine chosen by Yuren. She had the fatal flaw of being blind, but even that was resolved seven years ago, and now she walks around with her two eyes wide open. I imagine she’s living the happiest life out of all the heroines. And... she must believe that it was Yuren who cured her eyes. She must have been completely blinded by love. "I’m envious of Shirai."
"Then go find Yuren and tell him to marry you, too." I had been holding it in, but hearing that made me feel like I was going to burst, so I finally snapped. "You get unusually sensitive whenever Yuren’s name comes up. Even before, when I came back from eating with Yuren, you were screaming at the top of your lungs." "Is it really that strange to be angry when you met him without telling me?" "My point is, you’re being too sensitive. Clear your head a bit before we talk."
There is only one reason I can endure this. A magnificent mansion that is far from being enviable—in fact, it’s the kind of place others would envy. A high-rise terrace with a clear view of the dazzling nightscape of the empire. All of this comes from the wealth of the Moondust family. It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink on the terrace like this. And with Judith, both of us holding wine glasses. Even the night sky filled with stars. A perfect, flawless landscape. I don’t see why we have to fight on such a good day. "Anyway, make sure you tell me before you meet him next time." "Why? Because you’re suspicious?"
Being suspicious is only natural in the first place. Judith is a heroine, and Yuren is the protagonist who conquers heroines. How could I not be suspicious? I don’t think anything will happen between Yuren, who has already tied the knot with one of the heroines, and Judith, but... "Why aren't you saying anything? I asked if you’re suspicious of me?" Judith poked my chest repeatedly with her finger. I don’t usually think I’m henpecked, but the pressure like this has been increasing lately. Especially since my father-in-law hates me so much. Judith gulps down the wine in her glass in one go. Her face was hazy from the alcohol.
"They say Yuren plans events for her every year. And that he cooks delicious meals for her. They go on trips often, and he even shows her interesting holy sword techniques. I have absolutely no idea why the two of them aren't making a child." Indeed. Why aren't they making a child? I heard rumors that they were on good terms, too. I know better than anyone that I’m not in a position to say that. Because I’m in the same boat. "I want to live as Shirai for just one day." "Can you stop it already?"
The atmosphere cooled rapidly at my words. It felt like standing barefoot on thin ice. "Did I say something I shouldn't have? I said for one day, just one day." "..." Every time I face Judith, I think it’s ironic. I have golden hair and black eyes, while Judith has black hair and golden eyes. Like our appearances, we are always at odds like this. That’s why we fight so often. But I love Judith. More than any other heroine, by far. As proof, my heart still beats like it’s going to explode whenever I see her. "What are you staring at so intently?" "I’m your husband, can’t I look at you a little?" "You dummy, that’s so cringey, it’s disgusting."
They say a married couple’s fight is like cutting water with a knife. The thin-ice atmosphere from a moment ago vanished in an instant. We are adults. We know how to regain our reason. When a couple sees each other’s lovely faces, their anger naturally melts away. Under the illumination of the moonlight, Judith and I calmed our anger and gazed at the night sky in silence. "Shall we have a toast?" "I just finished mine, though?" "I can pour it for you, here." Judith makes a face as if it’s impossible, as if she doesn't want to. She used to love drinking. The moment I gave up halfway and pointed my hand downward to put the wine bottle down, "...You said you’d pour it for me."
Judith said that with a haughty face and held out her wine glass. The faint full moon reflected on the surface of the glass she held out. Her tsundere side is still the same. I used to love this part of Judith. "My arm hurts, so hurry up." I poured the wine into Judith’s glass without a word, and we clinked our glasses coolly, tilted our heads back, and drank it all down. Fwoosh— Pop—!! At the same time, the sound of fireworks swallowed the sky. It was a fireworks display celebrating our wedding anniversary. 'I’m happy.' I am happy. Isn't this a happy ending that couldn't be any better?
The next day, a sunny morning. As I woke up, I saw Judith looking in the mirror at her vanity. "Oh, you’re up?" "Are you going out?" "I have something urgent to take care of." Normally, Judith’s makeup is the job of the mansion’s servants. Judith doing her own makeup means it’s something very important to her. For example, an academy graduation ceremony, or a day she’s taking a proof photo. Anyway, it’s a very rare situation for Judith to do her own makeup. I think it’s because the servants are highly skilled, and the fact that she’s a beauty even without makeup has a big influence. And since Judith is the eldest daughter of a Duke, it’s natural for sudden busy work to come up.
"What is it this time?" "It’s a bit long to explain... It seems like there’s an urgent matter at the merchant guild run by Muse. Still, it’s a friend’s business, so I have to go help." "Is it okay if I don't go?" "Muse said there was no need to bring you along. You know what they say, too many cooks spoil the broth?" The Frey Merchant Guild is a business that specializes in the distribution of weapons. It’s a guild that has a huge influence on the empire, so much so that this saying exists: If the Frey Merchant Guild didn't exist, the weapon civilization of the entire continent would have been delayed by a hundred years. The person in real power at that amazing place is one of the heroines, a woman named Muse Fairfield.
"Life is truly unpredictable. To think something happened to that perfect guild." "Tell me about it. Thanks to that, I have to go see that annoying face again." Dressed in a uniform top with beautiful golden epaulets, black stockings, a navy blue miniskirt, and a sword sheath at her waist—it was like seeing Judith from seven years ago, so my eyes were treated to a great sight from the morning. "Aren't you staring too lecherously?" "We’re a married couple, what’s wrong with that?" Judith decorated her hair with a cherry blossom petal for the last time and jumped up from the vanity.
"I’ll be heading out first. Make sure you eat breakfast." The humming she sang while doing her makeup. Her footsteps seemed particularly excited. 'Is she in a good mood?' It’s rare for her to tell me to eat breakfast. Judith left the room with a light wave of her hand, and she walked gracefully down the hallway, escorted by several servants. On this day, I shouldn't have let Judith go. Why didn't I think of it? The simple fact that if something urgent enough for Muse to contact Judith had happened, she would have obviously contacted Yuren as well.
That night, when Judith didn't return until dawn. I hear a shocking fact from one of the heroines who came to the mansion. "Master Mate, a distinguished guest has arrived." There are almost no people that the Daylight mansion calls a distinguished guest. The Solaris imperial family, the Stardust and Moondust ducal families, at most the Northern Grand Duke or Dean Celes of the Lumeris Academy. Oh, and one more thing. Every heroine of Dating in the Academy. Even though it was a very late hour at 2:00 AM, at the news that a distinguished guest had arrived, I immediately dressed up and headed to the mansion’s lobby. Because whoever the distinguished guest was, they were people worth doing so for. But the person who actually came was someone who wouldn't care the least bit in this world whether I dressed up or not.
"What brings you here?" A small, diminutive physique that you wouldn't believe was an adult, and she was wrapped in a black robe. Even though seven years had passed since graduation, her appearance, which looked like she was around middle school age, was still the same. Or should I say, she felt even younger? Because of her unique ability, she looked the same every time we met. Her somewhat hollow face, her impression like a noble lady. Her flowing, bright silver twin-tails. Emerald eyes that shone brighter than raw gemstones. Immortal Sia. That is the epithet by which Sia Stella is called in the world. The mansion door was already open. If Sia moved just one more step like this, the place where Sia was standing would become the interior. But she only rolled a strawberry-flavored candy in her mouth, and she never tried to enter the mansion. Now, I can roughly guess the reason why Sia did that. Even if she was endlessly cold-blooded, she needed a bit of courage. The courage to inflict a huge wound on the person who solved her own trauma. In a situation where she had to tear apart someone else’s heart with just a few words of her own, Sia Stella pondered repeatedly. Concealment or exposure. After hundreds, thousands of agonies, Sia Stella made a decision. No matter what results her choice would bring, she would make a choice she wouldn't regret. Sia Stella’s shocking disclosure, which 37 people including the mansion’s servants heard at the same time that day, became the decisive reason why Mate made up his mind to use the Regression Book.
"Judith and Yuren are having an affair."