I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

6. With enough shamelessness, even goddesses can be won over

The figure seated second to last by the window, suddenly blurted out something that brought a different kind of “quiet” to everyone. Others would hide just to steal a glance at Lady Fiora, terrified of accidentally offending this “Goddess.”

But this guy… his words weren’t just arrogant and unrestrained, they were practically begging for death!

A moment later, the others finally snapped out of their shock, glaring at him with gazes that could kill. The teacher roared!

“Shut your trap! Just sleep, Zerola!”

Just as Fiora and Moriarty were famous within the academy, this tactless little jerk was also “known” throughout the school, albeit for different reasons.

His name was Zerola, a student of Royal Academy, same year as Lady Fiora.

Judging him purely as a ‘student’, he wasn’t poorly regarded by the teachers, was relatively handsome, lacked any creepy tendencies, and possessed the vigor of youth. His talent wasn’t lacking either, rather it was quite remarkable, provided he bothered to pay attention in class. If Zerola’s assessment ended there, he’d simply be a somewhat troublesome, yet talented young man, who with some cultivation, could become one of the “high-end talents” of the Great Empire.

But the problem was, Zerola didn’t “end there.”

His title of “Public Enemy Number One” within the academy wasn’t just for show, because Zerola possessed a reckless audacity.

And with that audacity, he did something that courted death.

“Don’t be like that, teach! She’s obviously here for me!”

While retorting to the teacher’s scolding, Zerola waved at everyone’s “Goddess.”

This was the reckless act that the boy had committed—he confessed his feelings to Fiora on his second day of enrollment.

Such behavior couldn’t simply be described as “bold”! If you were to ask if anyone harbored any thoughts about Fiora, the answer would certainly be yes, whether for Fiora’s status, her appearance, or because they considered themselves the “male lead,” declaring, “I love you for your inner self.” These people were not rare but inevitably were swiftly and decisively rejected by Fiora.

A cold attitude, absolute strength, and an incredibly disparate social standing, these three factors combined forced those self-proclaimed lovesick fools, even if they uttered something like, “It’s not your appearance I love,” to eventually slink away in defeat.

In truth, Zerola was no exception; his confession, which started on his second day, naturally failed and he became a laughing stock. But… he was still chasing after her to this very day. His reasons and excuses were surprisingly brazen!

“Why shouldn’t I like Fiora, she’s beautiful, big-chested, strong, and rich, if I win her over, I can live off her!”

“Rejected? So what, liking her is my business, I don’t care if she agrees.”

In a word, this kid’s behavior was called “shameless persistence.” However, it was precisely this lack of shame, something that other young talents couldn’t bring themselves to do, that actually allowed this kid to… gain a little something!

Just like now.

Though annoyance flickered in the Goddess’s gaze, she did spare a glance, then clicked her tongue and shook her head, resigned.

“Zerola, it’s you again… Fine, same as always. Come with me.”

Just like now, shameless, and then… he actually managed to taste victory.

Damn him!!

That was the singular thought echoing in the minds of every other male student left in the classroom, each wishing they could stick pins into a Zerola effigy!

Oblivious to the unanimous, resentful stares boring into his back, Zerola acted as if he saw nothing, happily following Philora out of the classroom, not forgetting to give the gathered masses a “Can you even manage this?” look before he left.

Then, the instant he stepped out the door, his attention snapped to Philora.

And Moriarty beside her? Ha! Who’d waste time caring about a leveling-obsessed maniac?

“Philora, did you come just to see me?”

Immediately after that, Zerola tilted his head, dodging a gust of wind Moriarty had casually flung, potent enough to leave a scar on his face.

Child’s play. He was a seasoned veteran in situations like these.

“…If it weren’t for you making such a racket, do you think I’d have bothered calling you out?”

The girl frowned, though her expression betrayed no surprise at what had just happened; clearly, this wasn’t the first time.

“Less talk, more help. If you don’t want to put in the effort, go back to your classroom and sleep. I didn’t beg you to come along.”

“Hehe~ Tsundere~”

Zerola grinned. “But the fact that you came to my classroom means you wanted to ask *me* from the start, didn’t you?”

“You!”

The girl was momentarily speechless, the realization that things really were as he said hitting hard; she’d come to him subconsciously, from force of habit, leaving her momentarily breathless!

If they weren’t being watched by so many people, and if she didn’t have an image to maintain, she’d have already punched Zerola black and blue!

“Shut your mouth, or I really *will* let Moriarty have at you!”

“Hehe~ Moriarty might have a hard time. You know, when I get serious, I’m her equal, you see.”

“Enough! Just say yes or no!”

Even the habitually calm and aloof Philora felt herself growing a little “flustered.”

And the fact that Zerola was right – that despite his seemingly idle nature, his talent and actual strength weren’t really lower than Moriarty’s – only made Philora more annoyed!

“There’s a new student at the academy. How to say it, this student is… uh, unique. Our interview alone might not be enough; we want the opinion of an ordinary student as a point of reference. You’re not crucial, but not irrelevant either. So are you coming or not?”

“Is she a cute girl!?”

“You idiot… Hmph! Moriarty, let’s go!”

Philora turned to leave, but at least Zerola’s voice reached her from behind.

“Hey, hey, don’t go! I’m coming, I’m coming, I was just asking. You know, right now my eyes are too full to have room for any other woman, and if you ask why, it’s because they’re filled to the brim with…”

“Spare me the nauseating, outdated sweet talk. Just follow me!”

Philoria, she knew it would end like this.

After all, it wasn’t the first time this had happened. Habit – a truly dreadful thing.

“First, we’re going to the student council room, and then with… ugh, with that boob-obsessed guy, we’re interviewing the new recruits this year.”

Pausing, Philoria turned, a sarcasm dripping from her that even she could taste, and sneered.

“How wonderful for you, Zerora, another chance to meet that elven enchantress!”

Indeed, why was she so focused on this Zerora? It probably wasn’t ‘love’ at all.

Maybe…

It was jealousy, plain and simple.

Because this Zerora certainly didn’t lack opportunities for a comfortable life of ease. Another “apex predator” within the Royal Academy had been pursuing him relentlessly for quite some time.

—

Every hole I dig, I’ll fill. It’s just a matter of time.

See? I’m already starting to throw the dirt back in.

A saccharine, stale school romance drama – perfectly fitting for an old man like me.