Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Serena von Winterfell Chapter 32: Serena von Winterfell Serena von Winterfell.

That was the name displayed on my status screen.

Yet, I knew this girl-or rather, someone who looked exactly like her-back on Earth.

The girl on Earth had long, jet-black hair, and there was no way she could be in this otherworldly place.  Fujimaki Arisa.

That was the name of the girl who resembled Serena von Winterfell.

She was the one I had saved from a group of bandits, just before my life ended and I was reborn in this new world.  I could never forget her face or her voice.

She was the person who reignited my heart after years of tasting the bitterness of love.  In that moment, memories of my past life on Earth came rushing back.  …

…

When I was in college, I had a girlfriend.

We had been close since the beginning of our freshman year and managed to graduate together.

We were in a relationship for three years, but over time, it felt stagnant.

At first, our relationship was exciting and fun.

But as the years went by, arguments began to creep in, and eventually, she left me without a word.

When I asked her why things turned out this way, she said I was boring and too hesitant to take things further.

She accused me of lacking a clear direction for our future together.

To her, I seemed more focused on my family than on marrying her and building a life together.

In the end, she left me for another man.

I couldn’t deny her words.

She was right-I was part of the sandwich generation, caught between supporting my broken family and building my own life.

My career was far from stellar, and I was juggling part-time jobs just to make ends meet.

All of this left me distracted, and ultimately, she gave up on me.

I admitted to myself that I wasn’t financially stable or emotionally mature enough to marry her.

So I understood her decision.

She deserved happiness, even if it wasn’t with me.

That was the first time I experienced heartbreak.

I spent countless days reflecting on how I had failed to achieve my goals or live up to my own expectations.

I felt as if the world was unfair to me.

Was I doomed to never find happiness?

These thoughts haunted me for years.

Until one evening, I was sitting in a park, watching the sunset.

As I gazed at the horizon, lost in my thoughts, tears began to flow down my cheeks.

While I sat there, immersed in my sorrow, a voice suddenly called out to me.

“Hey, are you okay?” It was Fujimaki Arisa.

At the time, I didn’t know her name yet.

She looked like she had just returned from work, her face tired and puffy, as if she’d been crying.

“That question applies to you too,” I replied, shifting the focus to her.

“Are you okay?” “Well… I had a terrible day at work,” she admitted.

“My boss scolded me in front of everyone.

It was humiliating.

I even thought about quitting… but in the end, I decided to stick it out!” Her expression shifted from frustration to determination.

“What made you change your mind?

Isn’t life unfair?” I asked.

“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” she said with a soft smile.

“But I don’t think it’s worth dwelling on.

Just live and work hard for the people you care about.

That’s enough reason to keep going.” Her words struck a chord deep in my heart.

It was as if she had restored color to a world I had only seen in shades of gray.

I looked at her, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, and realized how beautiful she was.

That moment-her smile, her words, the glow of the sunset-was when I fell for her.

Afterward, she invited me to her usual convenience store and treated me to a canned coffee.

She said she often stopped by after work to relax.

We talked for a while before she excused herself and headed home.

I wanted to ask for her name, but I didn’t have the courage.

All I could do was admire her from a distance.

As I was about to leave, I noticed a job vacancy posted at the convenience store.

In a spur of determination, I applied for the position.

I needed the extra income to support my family, but a part of me also wanted to see the girl who had rekindled my spirit.

That decision led me to become a part-time worker at the convenience store.

I often saw her during her evening visits, and we would exchange brief greetings or small talk.

Still, we hadn’t formally introduced ourselves.

It wasn’t until I saved her from a mugger that I finally learned her name: Fujimaki Arisa.

Through her, I realized I could open my heart to love again.

But just as I found the courage to take that step forward, fate intervened.

I died-and was reincarnated into another world.

…

…

As I found myself back in the present, I couldn’t help but question the girl standing in front of me.

Was she really Fujimaki Arisa, or was it just my imagination drawing parallels between her and Serena von Winterfell?

I couldn’t decide.

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard a whisper close to my ear.

“Hey… Naoki… Hey… Are you okay?

Hellooo, N.A.O.K.I.” Before I realized it, Serena was leaning in, whispering to me.

Her face was so close that our cheeks nearly touched.

“Eek!

I’m sorry!

I was just… daydreaming,” I stammered, trying to find an excuse.

“Really?

I thought you were mesmerized by me,” she teased, her voice laced with playful mischief.

“W-what?!

I-I wasn’t mesmerized!” I shot back, my face heating up.

The truth was, I really was mesmerized.

“Hahaha, since when do you react like this?

Normally, you’d just shove me away or avoid me whenever I teased you,” she said with a soft laugh.

“I-I don’t remember anything about you.

I don’t even know your name,” I said, feigning ignorance.

“So, you really lost your memory…” she muttered, her expression shifting to a faint sadness.

Then, with a gentle smile, she added, “Let me reintroduce myself, then.

I’m Serena von Winterfell, a Hero of the Winterfell family.

We’ve known each other for a long time, Naoki.

We were classmates from our first to our third year at the Braveheart Knight Academy.” “Is that true?

We were classmates?

But why are you already an official Hero while I’m not?” I asked, confused.

“Oh, that’s because…” Serena trailed off before her tone shifted into a mix of exasperation and concern.

“All five candidates for the Royal Braveheart Hero families were in the same class.

You, me, and the others were in the Hero Prep Class together.

But while the rest of us moved forward, you started slacking off, skipping classes, and failing to take the exams!” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but cringe.

I silently cursed Naoki’s past self.

You idiot!

Why did you have to leave me with such a humiliating legacy?!

Serena continued, her voice softening as she explained, “Eventually, we all had to complete individual quests assigned by our families.

Successfully finishing those quests was a requirement to take the Hero exams from both the Braveheart Knight Academy and the Knight Guild.

Failing meant being branded a failed Hero.” I began to understand why Naoki had ended up a failure.

“You, being the weakest among us, started losing your drive.

Some of the other Hero candidates even sent their subordinates to help you with your Blackmore quest.

I wanted to help too, but my family forbade me.

I don’t know who ended up assisting you, but not long after, I heard you failed the quest and were severely injured.” Serena’s expression darkened with guilt.

“I hate to say this, but I suspect someone didn’t want you to succeed.

It’s possible one or more of the Hero candidates sabotaged you.

I promise to investigate and make them pay for causing you to lose your memory!” she declared, her usual elegance giving way to fiery determination.

Her words stirred my anger as well, I felt Envi was also angry.

I wanted to avenge Naoki who actually not only lost his memory, but actually died because of it!

But I decided to set it aside for now.

I needed to stay calm.

“It’s okay, Serena.

I’ll handle it later,” I said, reaching out to gently pat her head.

“You shouldn’t get worked up.

Your beauty might fade if you keep frowning like that.” Her eyes widened in surprise before her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink.

“W-what are you saying?” she muttered, her flustered expression calming her earlier fury.

“Well, even after hearing your explanation, I still can’t remember anything.

But one thing’s clear-we must’ve been good friends.

Thanks for telling me, Serena.

I’ll be counting on you from now on,” I said, extending my hand to her.

She hesitated for a moment before shyly taking my hand.

“This feels so strange.

You’ve never been this soft-spoken before.

You used to yell and act irrationally.

But… I kind of like this side of you,” she admitted with a sweet smile.

Her smile was dazzling, and I felt my composure slipping.

If I wasn’t careful, I might end up with a nosebleed.

“W-well then, let me treat you to a drink,” I said, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the guest lounge.

She followed, her gaze fixed downward, her face still tinged with pink.

I ordered two drinks-orange juice for myself and strawberry juice for her.

Offering her wine felt inappropriate; I didn’t want her to think I had ulterior motives.

Besides, I wasn’t a fan of alcohol myself.

When the drinks arrived, Serena stared at the glasses and burst into laughter.

“What’s this, Naoki?

Normally, you’d order wine and drink like there’s no tomorrow.

Now you’re drinking orange juice?

And strawberry juice for me?

Pfft!” “Ugh, say whatever you want,” I muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“I just don’t like drinking anymore.” Her laughter softened, replaced by a warm smile.

“It’s okay.

I don’t mind at all.

Really.” We clinked glasses and drank together.

She seemed to genuinely enjoy her drink.

That was my chance.

“Your strawberry juice looks delicious… Let me try it,” I use [Hidden Skill: Indirect Kiss Flirtation!] taking her glass and sipping from it.

When I glanced back at her, her face was a deep red.

“H-hey!

You can’t just do that…” she muttered, looking away in embarrassment.

Before I could reply, she grabbed my orange juice and took a sip.

“Hey!

What are you doing?!” I asked, startled.

“Now we’re even,” she said with a mischievous grin, lightly touching her lips.

Watching her, I felt my nose start to bleed.

The world faded to black as I fainted from my own attack.

Before losing consciousness, a notification appeared in my mind: —– [!!!NOTIFICATION!!!] Quest: Heroines Assemble!

Completed Charm the four heroines: Lyra von Waterfall (Hold hands) €“ Complete Freya von Flamestone (Touch her lips) €“ Complete Amelia von Braveheart (Hug) €“ Complete Serena von Winterfell (Kiss) €“ Complete You got 50 Goddess Points!

—– …

…

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NAVIRUNAVIII Hello!

I think I’ll end this volume 2 in a few more chapters.

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