>>6041763“Huh,” When did you first meet Alice? It has to have been a long time ago, nevermind, “I think I found the book in the first Stranger’s belongings,” Asher shrugs and accepts your answer as he tries, and fails to stop you from refilling his glass as a server, they came back after a bit, puts desert on your plates. You give them a nice big thumbs up and smile, they seem nervous at that though. Asher seems nervous too for some reason is it because of you? You’re only on your fifth cup, you think, and you have the entire day tomorrow to rest it off.
“Hey, what’s a designated waifu?! Tell me for real this time! Is it like an arranged marriage?” You say a bit too loud to the other two.
Asher coughs his drink back into his cup as Marie lets out a very unladylike laugh, snort more like. “I mean it’s kind of like an arranged marriage to the protagonist,” Marie ponders in a very philosophical manner as Asher gestures to her to speak as he coughs more and more.
“What’s the difference though?” You say waiting on her every word.
“Hm, I don’t think there’s any actual contact involved other than the one between the audience and the mangaka. They all know the designated waifu is going to get the man at the end of the story,” She nods like she just solved one of life's great mysteries.
“Then if I’m the designated waifu that means I’ll get the man at the end?”
“Yeah, probably. Who's the protagonist though?” She again goes into a contemplative mode.
For some reason, you look over to Asher as he continues to choke. Does he need help? He is an Inquisitor though, so he’s probably fine. “Hey, do you think a Stranger’s Cheat Skill would be to break up arranged marriages? By seducing someone's royal fiancée perhaps? Even though they’re just a no-good lowlife?”
“Huh?” Marie questions as Asher finally settles down.
“I don’t know, maybe?” The Inquisitor says.
“Wait did that happen to you?” Marie says with her jaw open.
You think back- then immediately banish the thought as you nod, “I challenged them to a duel after they kissed right in front of me at the End of Semester Ball our third year,” You pause as your happy buzz turns depressive, “I lost,” Somehow you feel yourself mumbling a lot after that. About your ex-fiancée, the academy, nobles, and Lyndale. You don’t know how many glasses you’ve had.
