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“Ekaterina.”

After the entrance ceremony, as I was heading toward the dormitory, Aleksei came to meet me.

“Onii-sama!”

Overjoyed, Ekaterina ran up to him.

“Your speech earlier was wonderful!”
“Hm? Ah. It was a last-minute stand-in, I didn’t say anything special.”

So it *was* a stand-in! But wow, he says it so casually.

“Weren’t you more interested in His Imperial Highness?”
“Hm?”
“After me, Prince Mikhail also gave a speech, didn’t he? What did you think?”

Ehhh!?
Why the prince? Oh no, did he notice I wasn’t listening at all!?

“Ah… His Highness, yes. Well, his words were, uh, very noble…”

Oh no. I’m totally panicking, even I can tell.
I should just be honest. Onii-sama won’t get mad, right?

“Um… to be honest, I… don’t really remember much of it…”
“…”

Ah, that pause.
He must be disappointed. But it can’t be helped—my brother was way more dazzling than the prince!

“Um, more importantly, Onii-sama! May I ask you something?”
“Y-yes, of course.”
“Brother, are you *engaged* to any young lady!?”
“…What?”

Hey, don’t look at me like that, Onii-sama!

“I know it’s not my place to say this, but please allow me to declare one thing! Whoever becomes your wife, I promise I’ll *never* be mean to her! Even if rivalry between women arises, I’ll never trouble you, I swear it!”

‘**No in-law bullying—ever!**’
That’s my motto in life!

So Ekaterina declared with a raised fist full of passion.

“Rivalry, you say…”

Murmuring, Aleksei began to laugh.

…Wow. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him laugh out loud. It makes him look younger and adorable.
But seriously, this isn’t something to laugh about! The daughter-in-law vs. mother-in-law issue is the eternal curse of womanhood! Not that I’ve ever been either, but still!

From the corner of my eye, I noticed upperclassmen heading to the dormitory, staring blankly at Aleksei.

“I-I’m not engaged.”

Aleksei finally said, removing his monocle to wipe his tears.

“I’ll consider it after graduation. For now, between my studies and duties in the duchy, there’s simply no time. Besides, I intend to marry only after I’ve seen you safely wed into a good family. So you don’t have to worry about any rivalry or such nonsense.”

So he’s *not* engaged. That’s one less thing to worry about.
And gosh, he looks even cuter without his monocle.

“I wish to see your happiness first, Onii-sama, before I marry anyone myself.”
“Then neither of us will ever marry. We’ll be together forever.”
“Oh, how lovely! That would make me the happiest of all!”

Because, after all, Onii-sama, you’re my number one fave!

“You really are still a child.”

Aleksei said with an affectionate smile.

“When you grow up and find someone you truly love, come and tell me. If he’s a man who can make you happy, I’ll bless you as you wish.”

Thank you, Onii-sama.
Though, truth be told, I’m actually eleven years older than you, a thirty-something woman who died playing an otome game just to see your tiny cameo scene.
I loved you, even though you weren’t a romance option. And I’ll probably keep loving you forever.
So I’ll stay by your side—to break your overwork-death flag someday!

.

After parting with Aleksei, Ekaterina hurried to the first-year dormitory.
She was terribly late; almost everyone had already gone in, and only a few backs were still visible ahead.
As she quickened her pace to catch up, her eyes were drawn to one figure.

It was a girl, slender in build.
Her semi-long, softly flowing hair was a pale pink, like cherry blossoms. Even from behind, she radiated a delicate charm.

—Her eyes were bright violet, like amethysts. Large, clear eyes framed by long lashes; the perfect face for the cute uniform she wore.

Information that should’ve been unknowable from just the girl’s back surged into Ekaterina’s mind like a flood.

Of course it did. Because that girl was me.
It made sense the uniform looked good on her; it was specifically designed for that character.

But why is she walking on her own, without any input from me?

(*Wait, no, she’s the heroine! I’m not controlling the game right now! Get a grip, me!*)

Huh…? Who is *me*?

Her legs buckled.

(Oh no… the lock’s triggered—)

“Ekaterina!”

She thought she heard Aleksei’s voice far away—
—and then everything went black.