I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

27. You’ve Caught My Attention (Vote for me~)

The blizzard holiday has passed, and although the perennial snow of the Rosia Empire has not melted much, the sky has cleared up, blessing us with sunshine. The Rubiyanka Academy officially begins the new term!

Kefir, of course, goes without saying, and I also participated in the opening ceremony of the new term as part of the entourage. After witnessing just how “untouchable” Ivan Leti is within the Rosia Empire, it was indeed… I saw the “main storyline” in the script that belongs to Kefir!

Just as Moriarty previously mentioned, this time the competition for the third-year project, the prize for the winner is a treasure that completely “matches” Kefir—the Filial Sword! Pfft, setting aside the name, it’s obviously a treasure meant for the “protagonist.” So, not only did Kefir’s eyes light up, but I was also determined to win—fully supporting Kefir’s victory from all angles without any blind spots!

Right after the opening ceremony ended, taking advantage of the chaos of the academy’s start, I followed Kefir and slipped into the girls’ dormitory area, into the residence she shares with Nell.

Don’t get the wrong idea, although I’m no gentleman, this time I really came to “do the right thing.”

“The professor told me that for the third-year project competition, the final judge is not that short emperor, but a ‘Design Bureau’ of the Rosia Empire. I was unaware of this, but the professor said: they are at least ‘fair.’ So, we don’t have to worry too much about any ‘underhanded schemes.'”

At this moment, Kefir is also focused on explaining her plans to me, occasionally looking up to ask for my opinion.

“Fortune-teller, you…”

And this, this is my “area of expertise.” Kefir busies herself with her main storyline, and I work on my script. When men and women work together, the work is not tiring, stable!

“Mm, the prophecy indicates that it is indeed fair.”

However…

[There are no underhanded schemes in the project competition, but Kefir faces numerous difficulties.]

Fairness can be assured, but Kefir’s script is not as straightforward and simple as before. This “numerous difficulties” not only sounds troublesome but even… the script doesn’t directly state that “Kefir will definitely obtain the treasure.”

It seems this “competition” is far more difficult than I imagined, but… to avoid Kefir having any concerns from the start, I keep these issues to myself.

“Phew, that’s good.”

Seeing my confirmation, Kefir didn’t doubt at all and immediately believed me.

She took a deep breath and then explained to me: “After all, I will be busy with the professor with the proof and experiments for the project. If we encounter those kinds of underhanded things again, it would be somewhat…”

Before Kefir could finish, I proudly puffed out my chest, and then, after receiving a white-eyed glance from this big shot, I decisively shut my mouth, not giving myself a chance to show off.

The so-called “project competition” at Rubiyanka Academy, in my view, is similar to “submitting a thesis” in university, only more “elitist.” At the start of the new term, each instructor in the academy selects their favorite third-year student and together they choose a “project.”

The content of the project is not limited, but it’s clear to anyone that it must be a project with practical significance, not just flattering Leti. The latter would only result in an annoyed Leti zapping you with electric shocks. This time, Kefir and Professor Moriarty chose the project “Extracting a gas-like new energy source in the Siberian region of the Rosia Empire.”

Isn’t that just natural gas!? However, due to my status, I dare not say it outright, but it’s just like Kefir to choose such a protagonist-like topic. At least… if the competition goes smoothly, I believe Kefir’s topic is already enough to ensure her victory.

And so, I just “mm-hmm” and “ah-ah” listened to Kefir explaining her project to me without reservation, and finally…

As the sun sets and the afterglow fills the room, Kefir the big shot couldn’t hold back anymore.

Who knows if Kefir thought I was “too dumb to understand” or had some other ulterior motive, but suddenly she closed the folder in front of her, chose an angle to let the sunset’s light shine on her long hair, and then turned to look at me.

“Euriclide, you don’t have to accompany that shorty today?”

Thank goodness it wasn’t a “deep confession,” I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as the script at this moment had me clearly arranged.

[Even though a reconciliation with Leti has been reached, Kefir is still jealous.]

Why compete with a BOSS?

Of course, I still need to explain, but I can’t afford Kefir’s jealousy.

“No need today, I’ve been playing checkers with her all day, and it’s given me a headache.”

My answer clearly pleased Kefir; she sized me up for a moment, with a mix of jealousy and sincerity, and reminded me, “Although it might sound strange for me to say this, but as a diviner: I can feel that the shorty isn’t seriously considering you as… as… you know what I mean!”

I certainly do! But before I could ask in my naive curiosity, why the rush to cover it up, Kefir?

Obviously, Letty’s attitude towards me may no longer include a script to “kill me,” but she still treats me as an “object,” and I mustn’t get carried away. Setting that aside, my earlier choice to “reconcile,” which might have led Kefir to misunderstand, wasn’t out of naivety, but for the exact opposite reason…

“I understand, I stayed for your upcoming ‘subject competition.’ Kefir, although it’s a bit late to tell you now, this ‘competition,’ just like our previous trip to the ruins, will be absolutely beneficial for you.”

“!”

Looking at Kefir’s surprised gaze, I added another line.

“So, even if you’re worried about Letty’s mischief and want to leave, I won’t let you go now.”

“It’s not that I care about! I care about you… uh…”

She stopped herself mid-sentence.

Sigh… Boss, you want to make me blush, to corner me with a domineering move, but at least don’t be shy yourself first.

“I’ve said it before, you don’t have to neglect your own situation because of me. This time it was just a misunderstanding, but if your true identity is exposed in the future, I’m afraid…”

That’s not right, Kefir. For me, Eurycleides, taking care of your matters is looking out for myself. Maybe in your eyes, I’m no different from a tag-along, but to me, my life has long been tied to yours, inseparable.

To put it another way, Kefir, you haven’t treated me as just a “mere tag-along,” either. Even if I encounter any risks, it would be just like what happened recently…

“Why panic, when I have you?”

Seemingly dissatisfied with my mood-killing joke, Kefir crawled over and punched me on the shoulder.

And then…

【Kefir wants to connect with Eurycleides…】

The protagonist lives up to the name, acting on thoughts as soon as they arise. Not giving me any time to read the script, react, or dodge…

Lips sealed.

Then, slowly pulling away, her face flushed, but her gaze incredibly serious.

“Eurycleides, I have something important to tell you.”

“Let’s talk about it after you win the competition.”

I have a rough idea of what “that” is, but I don’t want to set a flag too early, nor do I want to reject too early and disrupt Kefir’s current confidence and enthusiasm. I’m not here to cause trouble.

As soon as I finished speaking, her lips sealed mine again, until the knocking on the door by Nell interrupted us, causing Kefir to separate from me in a panic.

——

It’s the end of the month, everyone, remember to cast your monthly votes for me, or they’ll expire.