Episode 2
The exam questions are exactly the same as in the game, thanks to my extensive playthrough last night; the memories are vivid, so getting a perfect score should be a breeze.
The exam concludes in the morning. In the academy’s auditorium, students form various groups after the test, relieved and chatting.
“Hey, Viper. Good job,” Goose, the protagonist of this world known as ‘Goose Chronicles,’ approached me, sitting alone.
“Thanks, Goose.”
“How did the exam go?”
“It was… alright, I guess. How about you, Goose?”
“Just average.”
Goose grinned and took a seat next to me.
“Hey, Viper, how about going to the celebration with everyone?”
“Celebration? Who’s going?”
“Everyone, of course. S-Class.”
In ‘Goose Chronicles,’ characters belong to either S-Class or F-Class. S-Class individuals have high abilities, while those in F-Class have lower ones.
Come to think of it, Viper was originally in F-Class, right? Exams are taken based on social status, so classes don’t matter when the nobility gathers.
In other words, Goose seems to be inviting me and not inviting me at the same time. It’s just a taunt.
“Oh, I’m not in S-Class…”
“Hahaha! That’s right! You were in F-Class!”
I felt irritated by Goose’s mocking laughter.
This guy has such a terrible personality!
That’s when I remembered – the timing of free actions after the test, the choices I made when talking to Viper as Goose. I recall there were two options when talking to Viper: ‘Scold Viper’ and ‘Ignore.’ Though the game didn’t show detailed dialogue, perhaps this was his way of scolding me.
If he’s been treated like this all along, it’s no wonder he might want to betray Goose, and I can’t help but sympathize with Viper.
“Well then…”
“Let’s go back to the dormitory,” I thought, getting up when Goose grabbed my arm.
“Don’t even think about avoiding this. I’m inviting you specially. Meet at the cafeteria at 12:15 sharp.”
“…Understood.”
I checked the watch on my wrist; there was still some time. I glanced over at Ariniki, who was in the same room, talking with her friends, so I decided not to disturb her. I headed off to explore the school building to kill time.
12:15 sharp. When I arrived at the cafeteria, I saw a group centered around Goose.
“Hey! You’re late, Viper!”
Goose called out in irritation.
“Huh? It’s 12:15…”
“Huh? I told you to be here at exactly 12. You’re late… This is why F-Class people…”
People around us chuckled, echoing Goose’s words.
This uncomfortable situation seemed familiar. It was Viper’s first appearance scene. He’d awkwardly continued making excuses, saying, “This isn’t what I heard,” and eventually blamed everything on Goose.
That was the player’s first impression of him, and it’s easy to describe him as a coward. That was the existence of Viper, the supporting character, from Goose’s perspective.
However, in this world, Goose clearly had a purpose in trying to trap me. It wouldn’t be wise to make excuses and appear pitiful. There was only ruin ahead if I continued down this path.
“Uh… Haha… I got a little lost on the way. Sorry for keeping you all waiting.”
I said that and looked at everyone before bowing my head.
“Well… It’s not like you were that late. Goose, didn’t you oversleep for yesterday’s training? Who said, ’30 minutes is just a small error’?”
Ariniki looked at Goose with a bewildered expression.
Goose seemed to be in a foul mood, probably because his trap failed, and he grimaced.
“Well then, shall we start? The ‘S-Class celebration.'”
Goose said that with a meaningful tone and headed into the cafeteria.
I followed at the rear, and Goose turned to me.
“Oh, right. Viper, this is an S-Class celebration. Can F-Class people join, I wonder?”
I thought, “This isn’t going to end well.” The world I had seen was just from Goose’s perspective. I was realizing that Viper’s perspective was such a distorted world.
“Wait a minute! Why are you treating Viper so harshly?”
Ariniki confronted Goose.
“A blowhard like him deserves no trust.”
“That’s… Viper! Let’s go!”
Ariniki, biting her lip in frustration, gave up on arguing with Goose, took my hand, and began walking quickly in the opposite direction of the cafeteria. I followed Ariniki, distancing ourselves from the cafeteria.
This was a development that didn’t exist in the game. I wondered what kind of impact it would have, or if the actions of the supporting character me would have no significant effect on the main story.
In the midst of the uncertainty, just holding Ariniki’s hand made me feel a bit relieved.
