Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Lyra’s Feeling (II) Chapter 54: Lyra’s Feeling (II) Lyra’s POV: The day we faced Serena-sama in battle and lost finally came.

I had tried everything I could to fight her.

I even used the latest water magic I’d learned, but she froze it effortlessly.

My water element stood no chance against her ice.

In that moment, I felt like I was staring at an impossibly tall wall I couldn’t climb.

I wanted to win.

I needed to win!

After all, this match wasn’t just about pride-Naoki-sama and Serena-sama had wagered something on the outcome.

I couldn’t accept it.

If we lost, Naoki-sama was forced to go on a date with Serena-sama in the city.

When I first heard about it, my chest tightened painfully.

I couldn’t explain it.

It was a sharp, unfamiliar ache-unbearable.

I didn’t want to see Naoki-sama growing close to someone else.

I didn’t want to imagine him smiling at Serena-sama the way he smiled at me.

I was jealous.

Deeply, overwhelmingly jealous.

But we still lost.

And now Naoki-sama had to go on that date with Serena-sama tomorrow.

What shocked me even more was how Serena-sama had personally come to the infirmary to confirm it with him.

She’d done it right in front of his friends too!

How could she be so bold?

Didn’t she feel embarrassed?

It hit me then-Serena-sama wasn’t just strong.

She was courageous enough to express her feelings openly.

…Was Naoki-sama drawn to girls like her?

Compared to Serena-sama-strong, brave, beautiful, and even a royal hero-I was nothing.

I felt completely unworthy of standing by Naoki-sama’s side.

But then I remembered Rosan-sensei’s words, entrusting Naoki-sama to me.

In that moment, I realized I couldn’t give up.

I had to tell him how I felt.

As I was lost in thought, my eyes drifted to Freya.

She looked just as downhearted as I felt.

I had sensed for a while now that Freya felt the same way about Naoki-sama as I did.

I wanted to support her, too.

That’s when Milly burst into the infirmary, worry etched on her face.

Without wasting a moment, Freya and I told her about the date.

Milly’s reaction was one of utter disbelief, as if we’d just delivered the worst news imaginable.

Her frustration flared visibly, and she declared she wouldn’t let their date go smoothly.

Her determination was infectious.

Soon enough, Milly was pulling Freya and me into her plan to follow Naoki-sama and Serena-sama all day tomorrow.

At first, I refused.

It felt wrong to stalk someone and meddle in their personal life.

But then Milly, with a sly grin, asked, “What if they kiss?

Or worse-what if they do something intimate at an inn or someplace private?” Freya and I froze.

The thought of Naoki-sama and Serena-sama doing something so… so… adult was unbearable.

Before I knew it, my jealousy was burning fiercely, and I’d agreed to the plan.

Freya didn’t hesitate to follow suit.

Just imagining Naoki-sama doing indecent things with Serena-sama sent my mind into chaos.

But at the same time, a shameful little part of me wished he’d do those things with me instead.

“Stop it!” I scolded myself.

My thoughts were spiraling into dangerous territory.

I needed to calm down.

The next morning, the three of us-Freya, Milly, and I-waited outside the boys’ dormitory.

As soon as Naoki-sama emerged, we began tailing him.

We were determined not to lose sight of him.

When he finally met up with Serena-sama, my breath caught.

She was stunning.

Her beauty shone even brighter in the one-piece dress she wore, which complemented her perfectly.

I couldn’t help but feel envious.

She looked so… right, standing beside Naoki-sama.

I glanced at Freya and Milly, and their expressions mirrored my own.

We followed them discreetly to the park.

At first, their interactions were normal-they just walked side by side.

But then Serena-sama boldly linked her arm with Naoki-sama’s.

My heart screamed, That’s too close!

Her chest was pressed against Naoki-sama’s arm.

She had to be doing it on purpose!

Naoki-sama stiffened awkwardly, clearly unsure of how to react.

Then, they started sharing snacks in the park, feeding each other playfully.

Freya and I were already fuming, barely holding ourselves back from barging in.

But Milly stopped us, whispering that we’d only cause a scene if we confronted them now.

Reluctantly, we continued observing in silence.

By midday, they moved to a small roadside diner.

My heart sank-it was the same diner Naoki-sama, Freya, and I had visited before.

Watching them laugh and enjoy their meal together sent pangs of jealousy through me.

Freya and Milly must’ve felt the same, though we tried to act casual, eating at a corner table while keeping an eye on them.

But before we knew it, Naoki-sama and Serena-sama had finished their meal and hurriedly left the diner.

“We have to catch up!” I urged Freya.

But Milly, ever practical, reminded us that we hadn’t paid for our food yet.

Begrudgingly, we settled our bill before rushing out after them.

Unfortunately, by the time we hit the bustling festival streets, we had lost them.

Frustration gnawed at me.

The festival’s lively atmosphere only made my imagination run wild-what if they’d gone somewhere private for… inappropriate activities?

Freya looked equally horrified at the thought.

After scouring the festival grounds, I finally spotted them playing various games together.

They seemed genuinely happy.

I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt them.

“Let’s enjoy the festival too,” I suggested to Freya and Milly.

Though hesitant at first, they agreed.

We ended up playing countless games, laughing and cheering each other on.

For a brief moment, I forgot about my jealousy.

This wasn’t so bad.

But then, reality hit us.

We’d gotten so caught up in having fun that we lost track of Naoki-sama and Serena-sama again.

Panic set in.

Milly’s eyes widened, her voice trembling as she blurted, “Evening’s the most romantic time!

What if they kiss when the sun sets?” Freya and I froze.

The mere thought made us both break into a frantic search.

Suddenly, Milly pointed toward the city outskirts, yelling, “They’re heading to the wall!” The wall was infamous as the kingdom’s premier romantic spot for couples.

We sprinted toward it, but when we arrived, we saw Naoki-sama climbing the wall while Serena-sama descended gracefully-directly toward us.

Her gaze locked onto our hiding spot in the bushes, and she smirked.

“I knew you three were tailing us,” Serena-sama said coolly.

“Such naughty girls.

You shouldn’t interfere with grown-ups’ business.

Take this!” Before we could react, Serena-sama unleashed her signature spell, [Winter’s Embrace], freezing our legs in place.

“No!

Let us go!” we cried, panicking as the frost gripped tighter.

Freya tried to melt the ice with her magic, but it re-froze the moment it thawed, trapping us in an endless cycle.

Serena-sama walked away with a triumphant laugh, ascending the wall to rejoin Naoki-sama.

The three of us could only watch helplessly, tears of frustration welling in our eyes.

What were they doing up there?

My mind swirled with unsettling possibilities.

By the time the sun had set, Serena-sama and Naoki-sama finally parted ways.

Naoki-sama came to us.

I braced myself, expecting him to scold us for following him, but instead, he surprised us with a gentle smile.

“I forgive you,” he said softly.

“But please, don’t do this again.” He explained that nothing inappropriate had happened with Serena-sama, which instantly relieved the weight on my chest.

Freya looked equally reassured.

“Please trust me,” Naoki-sama said, his voice earnest.

I nodded.

Of course I trusted him.

But still, the jealousy lingered, a heavy ache in my heart.

The thought of Naoki-sama spending the entire day alone with Serena-sama-it hurt.

I wanted that for myself.

As we walked home, a bold idea crossed my mind.

I hesitated, nervous to speak, but finally leaned in close to Naoki-sama and whispered, “Could you… accompany me sometime?

There’s something I’d like to buy.” His eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised, but he nodded with a gentle smile.

“Sure, Lyra,” he said.

Happiness bubbled up in my chest.

Freya and Milly didn’t seem to notice our exchange, which made the moment feel even more special.

That night, I went home feeling lighter than I had all day.

I’ve made up my mind.

The next time I’m alone with Naoki-sama, I’ll confess my feelings to him.

Yes, I’ll tell him that I love him the most….