Chapter 28 (1/2)

After that, they went around window shopping and resting here and there, enjoying themselves so much that the time just flew by. The thing with holidays is that the time always seemed to move faster than usual.

Before they knew it, the sun had already begun to set, and lanterns were starting to be lit all around town.

”My lady, we should head back soon.”

Addie was still carrying the box -most of which was still quite empty- as he asked. Mary returned with a 'Yes,' but then turned her gaze in a different direction and grinned with a mischievous expression on her face.

Apparently, she did not want to go home yet. Detecting this, Addie followed Mary's gaze.

There was something causing her to not want to leave yet. Mary's joyous expression suggested that she had 'found' what that was.

And as Addie's gaze followed Mary's line of sight, he released a small 'Is that…' in surprise.

What they saw were none other than Alicia and Patrick.

Also, the members of the Student Council and Staff Advisor. …In other words, all the potential love interests in 'Dorgaku' were there.

They were all surrounding Alicia and Patrick and seemed to be talking about something.

Unfortunately, they were too far to be heard, but seeing that Alicia seemed to be slowly drawing away from them, it probably had to do with the Student Council or something similar.

Alicia was just a student, a student with common origins. Sometimes it felt like the men here were from another world, and she could not follow their conversation… Or so she once said.

Even with that figured out, it was still a mystery as to why they were all gathered together here in the town.

Not only that, but a crowd of young women had appeared out of nowhere and were gathering around. The sun was setting in the city, and yet there was an unusual, lively atmosphere now.

Of course, it was quite predictable this would happen in any location that Patrick and the other members of the Student Council appeared at. Either they had just happened to be nearby or had heard rumors, but the newly arrived and well-dressed young women were now calling out to the men.

”…My lady, what is happening?”

”It's just what it looks like. I would call it a lofty sort of bird-watching.”

Mary chuckled to herself and sat down on a bench.

Addie c.o.c.ked his head to the side with a confused expression, but Mary said, 'Why don't you sit down too?' and so he did as she suggested.

The gathering in front of them was as lively as ever. The beautiful members of Karelia Academy's Student Council and the young women that surrounded them. The boldest of the girls would approach them and talk, while the timider would stand back and watch.

And then there was a girl who stood several feet away from the crowd… It was Alicia.

Addie began to stand up once he had realized this, but just then, Mary stopped him with a 'Don't you dare try anything.'

Mary was visibly enjoying herself. Her expression seemed to ask that no one ruin this entertainment for her.

”…Please answer me. What does all of this mean?”

”What? It's exactly as you can see in front of you. Patrick is as popular as ever.”

Addie sighed as Mary began to chuckle some more.

Apparently, Mary was much more interested in enjoying the scene before her, than explaining it. But even then, Addie couldn't just say 'I see,' and watch the scene with her. He once again turned to Mary in order to draw an answer from her.

”Is this that turning point for the different endings that you were talking about?”

”Yes. This is also something that occurs during the dating event.”

”So, it's part of the final event to get surrounded… by the Student Council and other students?

You mean that the ending will be decided just because you were surrounded?”

”Well, more like by what happens after this. It depends on what she does after seeing Patrick surrounded like this.”

Mary said all of this as if it was the most entertaining thing. Addie looked unsure, ”Do you mean Alicia?” he asked.

He had a.s.sumed that this would be wholly dependant on 'affinity levels' again. If that were the case, the events would unfold based on her actions, but there would be nothing that she could do at this point.

But now, the protagonist's actions would be important.

Addie looked back and forth between Mary and the scene in front of them as if he still did not understand. Mary finally shrugged her shoulders with a little 'Oh, fine then.'

The important thing that would affect the turning point of the scene with Mary was the 'affinity level.' If you did not get to a certain level in time for this event, then you would be headed for the bad ending. A typical condition in romance games.

However, in this event, it was Alicia herself and not the potential love interests that were important. In this scene, she will be given two choices on how to act. Her decision will determine which ending she gets. But it was not as if the multiple choices would appear before you either. Here, Alicia would move independently of the player.

”Well, all that really means is that the decision is made depending on her status up until that point.”

”Status?”