The Staged Harassment and the Heroine's Arrival
My basic plan for the heroine was this: get involved with her, have a big fight where I get thoroughly schooled, apologize properly unlike in the original story to cut ties cleanly, drop a few hints to let her shine, and head off to the Academy.
"Hmm, a truly perfect plan."
The story would proceed as it should, and I'd secure my safety at the Academy. If any problems cropped up, I could just settle in the city and never come back. Insurance for failure was solid too.
"Alright, time to head out and meet her. Can't just bump into her suddenly at the mansion."
In the original, Ian meets the heroine while harassing a woman. I changed into my outing clothes in front of the mirror.
"...This face is handsome, alright."
The mirror reflected a tall, striking man who could probably pay 20 billion in taxes. The one and only advantage of Ian's body that even I acknowledged was this face. He could've been popular just meeting women normally. Getting labeled a wastrel with looks like these was a talent in itself.
"Let's go, then."
The place I headed to was a theater in the territory. I needed a woman to "act" as being sexually harassed by me.
"So... you want me to act like a victim being harassed by the young master on the street?"
"Yes. Make your voice as loud as possible, draw everyone's eyes."
As I said, that's how Ian and the heroine first met. But I couldn't actually harass some innocent woman just to meet the heroine.
I needed an actress to stage the scene with consent.
"I'll do it since you're paying, but... why on earth?"
"Uh, well, there's this girl I want to attract attention from."
"Oh my~ How romantic. But she likes guys who harass women? Unique taste."
"Yeah... let's call it that."
No need for me to worry about rumors spreading that the heroine has perverted tastes.
"Act like I'm harassing you every day in the alley behind the fruit stand on Road 2. When a certain woman steps in to stop it, scream for help."
"What if someone else misunderstands and intervenes?"
"I'm the lord's son. I've already told the soldiers about this little play."
"Hmm~ What the hell, I'll give it a shot."
The moment I stepped into the alley, the actress let out her pre-prepared scream.
"Kyaaak! No, young master! Don't do this!"
Now it was my turn.
"Kehehe! Stay still. Unless you want trouble."
"...Hold on, young master. That tone's too theatrical."
"Oh, is it?"
"Put more sincerity into it."
Even acting like a sexual harassment creep wasn't easy. When would someone with any common sense ever say lines like that?
"Mention my breasts and butt, make it more perverted."
"Even so, saying that to a lady is..."
"I'm married with kids. Planning to buy dinner with the money you're paying."
"No exceptions to the rules."
"It's acting. Do stage actors worry about that? I'll allow thigh-touching."
The actress was more professional than expected. With her guidance, I recreated the harassment scene.
"What the hell is that?"
"Even a theater actress... that's too much."
People passed by cursing my shocking behavior. That lasted a couple of days.
"At it again."
"Is the young master's dream to be an actor?"
"He's getting better every day. Looks like a real perv now."
"Feels weird if we don't hear those screams anymore."
Even a famously thuggish young master becomes a clown if you show off ridiculous antics daily. After a few days, people got used to the farce. Kids even squatted nearby to watch.
But when the hell is she showing up? This should be enough to draw her out.
I started doubting if we'd really meet. There was no guarantee when the heroine would appear. Maybe days more of this. Or months.
"Sigh. In romance fantasies, days like this pass with a single line of text."
Another fruitless day of "work." Road 2, fruit stand front. A full week now.
"She should show by now..."
Time dragged on endlessly. What if something was wrong and we never met? Doubt was cresting when—
"Hey, you! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
I turned at the sharp yet soft, clear voice.
There stood a black-haired adventurer, flanked by her female companions.
"W-wait, Iana! That's the lord's son. Don't get involved, or we're in deep shit. We haven't made any money yet."
"No use, Luna. Iana never ignores stuff like this."
Iana. The romance fantasy heroine's name. Long black hair, sword at her side—I was certain. That woman was this world's protagonist.
Her friends Luna and Jenis on either side.
Iana and her friends traveled for their own goals, got swept into crimes, took down organizations, and unraveled bigger conspiracies. That was the main story.
Right on track with the original so far.
I'd worried about failure, but we met successfully. Now, time for my perfect thug performance.
"Who the hell are you? Know who you're messing with?"
"Who I am doesn't matter. The problem is you bullying a weak woman with your strength."
"I was being nice since I didn't want interruptions, but you don't know your place."
I strode out with maximum arrogance in posture and expression. Lessons from a pro actress over days.
"Uh, young master? Watch your mouth. Iana's stronger than she looks."
Luna, the team's archer, tried urgently to stop me.
I knew Iana's skills roughly. She was an outstanding adventurer swordsman. Even now, pre-growth, she could beat a knight easily. In Ian's body, I might actually die.
Knowing that full well—
"Ha! Girl skills are predictable. Go home, raise kids. Those udders mean no starvation worries."
"...What?"
"Quit the pretend play and scram. Strapping on a sword doesn't make you a swordswoman."
Luna smacked her forehead.
"Ugh... we're screwed."
"Of all things, mocking her sword..."
Iana had massive pride in her swordsmanship. Insulting that was hitting her reverse scale perfectly. Provoked like this, she'd surely...
"...From your talk, you seem pretty confident in your sword."
I expected a duel challenge.
"Better than some clueless bitch strutting around."
"Then come out. I'll show you your level with my sword."
Killing intent wafted lightly from Iana. She was properly pissed.
Plan on track, but damn, she's scary for real.
All I knew of her swordsmanship was indirect novel descriptions. No idea how sharp her real skills were.
Eh, she won't kill me.
Original Ian mouthed off too but didn't die. Her strong sense of justice meant she considered consequences. I had zero intention of getting beaten like Ian either.
"This spot good for a free fight?"
"Not bad."
We arrived at a wide clearing. A few passersby, perfect for combat.
"You got a weapon?"
"I carry a sword."
Brought it separately. Original Ian had a comedic robbery scene for one.
"Real swords okay?"
"Can't pull wooden ones outta nowhere. I won't kill you, relax."
"...Got it. Then—"
Boom!
Draw and charge—insane speed no normal person could react to.
...Just like the original.
Iana overwhelms Ian with speed, shows the gap, ends it quick. Ian refuses defeat, insults more, gets wrecked.
No need for that with me.
To spread her fame, drag it out. Crowd was gathering now.
No pain though—so,
Clang!
Full defense. Her sword halted with a sharp metallic ring. Her dark eyes widened in shock.
"What? Surprised I blocked?"
"Urk!"
Iana hastily retreated, regripping her sword, treating me like a real swordsman.
"Not just posing with a weapon, huh."
"Had to for survival."
"The lord's son took up the sword to eat?"
"...Everyone's got circumstances."
Forgot again I was the lord's son, freshly possessed.
"Fine. I'll go serious too."
Iana kicked off, swung mid-leap. More serious than before. I blocked or dodged promptly.
"What's this commotion? Fight in broad daylight?"
People gathered at the noise. I'd asked the actress to draw more crowd. Unlike original where "Ian" gets beaten and leaves, needed bigger fame for a clean exit.
"Girl wields a sword well. Adventurer?"
"Young master's busy running."
"What can ya do? Never properly trained."
Crowd swelled at Iana's flashy swordplay. More interest since opponent was infamous thug lord's son.
Timing's right.
I deliberately kicked back, retreated.
Thud!
Exaggerated kneel.
"Urgh! I lose."
"......Huh?"
Iana visibly flustered at sudden surrender. Strong foe quits abruptly—who wouldn't?
But this was my plan. No one hurt, perfect world.
"You're strong. Your swordsmanship has reached a realm. I, Ian Armeyna, admit defeat. I apologize for all my insulting words—"
Then it happened.
Her back—space warped, turning blue.
"Wh-what are you doing?! I know you're way better than this!"
Iana, focused on me, missed it.
A massive beast claw emerged from the circle.
"Move!"
Past-life instincts kicked in. I lunged, tackled her.
Craaaash!
Claw smashed her spot. Earth-shaking boom.
We tumbled. I instinctively rose, wary.
The scene was absurd—I laughed bitterly.
"Wait, this is a romance fantasy."
Heroine overcomes trials, defeats villains, falls in love. Beautiful romance fantasy.
"Why's a monster bursting from a Gate..."
Beast-type monster shoved its huge claw into the romance fantasy world.