"The case is closed, however, there are still some unanswered mysteries left", a beautiful silver-haired girl spoke.

"Mhm", a very profound and filled with wisdom answer came back from an unassuming raven-haired boy.

This is our Protagonist.

Currently they were on Academy's rooftop, discussing very important things and exchanging very important information (read: gossiping).

"Not like that concerns you… Well, actually it somewhat does. After all, it's because of me you got caught up in this story."

"Mhm."

"But you don't have to worry about that anymore. All charges against you were dropped".

"Yeah, that's cool. What's not cool, however, is the weather outside. Can we go back into the building already?"

And he had a point. After all, the sun was in zenith, and the scorching heat was somewhat unbearable even for someone like h- The scorching heat was absolutely unbearable for an average mob like him.

"Wait. There's still some things I have to tell you."

"Does it have to be here?"

"Yes, it does, in fact, have to be here", girl pressed on, "first things first: do you remember saying that you liked my swordsmanship?"

"Hm, yeah, something like that happened."

Was it the day before kidnapping? Should've been that one…

"Uh, so… Thank you. Really, thank you. I know it's a bit late to say that, but things like these matter a lot for me."

"Yeah, sure, I guess?"

"Even though you're only partly responsible for that, you're still someone who helped me go through this… Even if you're just a coin-hungry Pooch."

"That last part was unneeded, really."

He can't deny the truth, though. Each of these coins is worth ten thousand Zeni, after all! Who could miss a chance to get free load of money? Him? Totally not him! That's why he caught freshly thrown coin right into his mouth.

"Haha… Never change, Pooch…", his enhan- he was an average mob and absolutely did not hear her whispering.

"Right, anything else?" "We've been in a fake relationship up until now, but Instructor Zenon died that night."

"Oh, that means we don't have to play it anymore?"

On one hand, shame: free money is free money, and he needs money for his activities. On the other hand: FREEDOM!…

"Right, but…"

…And there comes the bad feeling…

"…How about we stop pretending and enter a real relationship?"

"Nah, I'd pass", accurate, precise, and to the point. That's what she got as an answer. But was she one to give up?

"But I insist. I mean, what's wrong with dating me? I am a princess, have access to great wealth, and, though not comparable to my sister, am quite skilled at sword."

"Your point on this subject is pretty much interesting, but unfortunately, it will attract lots of unwanted attention on me, and I don't like being at the center of rumors."

"Nobody said we have to flaunt our relationship now, with my fiancee-candidate being gone. We can just start it out slowly and then take it along the way."

"That's some fascinating thought you have. Too bad it has a word "We" in it while I didn't even agree with it."

"Ugh, must you be so stubborn… Alright, I know what will make you fall on your knees…"

He looks at a pile of coins on the ground with blank expression on his face. Her worries grew with each passing second.

"… Maybe you'll just tell me for what reason you need a boyfriend again?" he spoke, poking the pile with a stick that conveniently was lying right here. How did it appear on the rooftop? A mystery…

"…nd", now that one he really couldn't pick up. Did she get something in her throat? Looks like it, she kinda hung her head there…

"Come again?"

"F…st…end", that one was "first" and… nah, still can't quite get it.

"Dearest Princess, I quite coul-"

"I'm saying is it wrong for me to wish to be closer to the only person who was completely honest with me?! Yes, you might have done so for money, but still! S-Still, I-I just don't want this to end... I-I know for sure that once it all ends... you will go on your way and will only remember me as that strange princess girl that paid you into helping her to avoid engagement! And yet even this was way more honest than whatever most of these so called 'nobles' were spouting every day! Every-goddess-forsaken-day! A-Am I asking for too much to just have one person that would honestly tell me their opinion on me?! That would just go and hang out with me, no questions asked?!"

Silence.

"P-Please, just tell me honestly, like you always did…"

She lifts her head and stares at him with moist eyes.

"Am I really that much of a burden for you? Do you really want to get away from me as much as possible?"

Cid was pretty satisfied. Nah, scratch that: Cid was elated!

Play out the role of an unassuming mob? Check (somewhat stained with being princess' fake boyfriend and whatnot but eh)! Get to be interrogation target? Check! Charge at the (fake) Cult hideout with a big army at his disposal (he has to thank girls later for indulging him; pretty sure getting that many extras costs quite a big sum of Zeni)? Double check! Fight a hidden powerhouse from the (fake) Cult?…

Well, that one was a disappointment. Though he did get to save the princess (did they take her for a ransom or something? that's kinda stupid considering they will have a kingdom after them afterwards) and show off his awesome move, so… Check? To be fair, what did he even expect from some third-tier bandits?

There was just one small issue. That one princess he saved? Well, as he mentioned, she was (fake) girlfriend for his mob's persona, going by the name of Alexia Midgard (coincidentally, her family name was also the kingdom name). And yes, normally a mere mob would not be able to even set sights upon a princess, but complicated things happened along the way… Okay, that's not the issue here!

The issue is she wants to continue dating him! That absolutely cannot happen! He can't accept it! Not a single way! And her puppy eyes will not help her! He gained immunity after 3 years of being together with Shadow Garden (he made this organization up, by the way) girls (and they were actually real)!

How can he then make a Grand Reveal™ that will leave everyone with their jaws dropped! "No way, that guy was actually the Shadow?! How could that be, he's absolutely average!" And what would happen if everyone knew he's princess' boyfriend? "Ah, I see, so she actually saw something in him and took under her wing! As expected of our princess!"

Not only will it shift focus from him to her when he finally unveils the truth, but also compromise his current daily mob life! "Wait, isn't that the guy who dates the princess?" "Sure him."

Oh, the misery!

On the other hand, however, there is a glaring issue. Two, actually.

First: she is still a princess, and as much as it would be a huge pain to play a mob role after becoming her boyfriend, it would be even harder to play it if he actually refused. Obviously, no mob would refuse a princess. Ever. And that's not even thinking about what would she do to him afterwards (and he knows her twisted mind pretty well to understand which ways will her insane thoughts go). Conclusion: better agree.

Second: can he really steel his heart to look at this hurt girl that bravely confessed her feelings to him and then cruelly reject her?… Yes, he can. However, refer to point one for consequences. Not to mention…

And then a lightbulb appeared in his mind.

Cid slowly smiled.

It's a wonderful idea!

Alexia was nervous. Very nervous. Current situation was absolutely nerve wrecking for her.

Cid was her first actual friend. Her best friend. Her only friend. His honesty, his flawed character were what made him such a great person to be with. At first she was unwilling to admit it; thought it was below her to even think about him more than a tool to get that noisy man off her back. Now? Now she thanks Goddess every day for a chance to meet her Pooch. She even has a photo of them on her table, beautifully framed and looking right at her bed.

So when Alexia first learned about that Iris, her elder sister, decided to throw away poor boy in cell, she laughed it off. I mean, what sane person would even consider this grade-9 guy — who was barely able to fight her back! — to be able to kidnap her, grade-1 talent (despite being inferior to her sister, she still has her pride, thank you very much)? Then came realization.

Then fury.

She seriously considered throwing a tantrum right there and then.

However.

She learned better than this. That man… Shadow, was it? He showed her what a basic swordsmanship can do. Completely annihilating the once-hailed genius with nothing but sword strikes, not even using magic until the very end to prove a point.

Cid taught her to accept herself for who she is. Shadow has shown her what she can become.

She has a pride, after all. And now, she can see a way.

And so Alexia decided to restrain herself from lashing out on her sister; instead, she merely glanced at Iris and walked away.

Well, now she is here, waiting for Cid's answer.

'Please, say something… Just say it already… Even if you reject me, that's better than being left like that…'

Then she saw a smile forming on his lips. He finally looked back at her and said:

"Gotta be honest here, Alexia. I never expected our fake relationship to develop like this. And trust me, because I really mean it: it would be far better for me to just leave all of this while I still can. However…" He tilted his head at her. "However, I just can't leave a sad Kitten like you all on your own. So, yes, I accept it, Alexia. Let's try this out, this time for real. And, even if we won't get along pretty well, we can still be frien- OUCH!"

That one was Alexia jumping right on him and enveloping poor boy in a bear hug.

"Kitten, huh?… Well, it's not like Pooch's mind could come up with anything better, eh~?"

She was happy.

So what was Cid's genius, fantastic, absolutely marvelous plan? Very simple, actually! Instead of revealing himself to the masses when the time comes, he will reveal himself to his closest ones! How ecstatic would it be when they realize that this mob they were carefully protecting and loving the whole time was actually their archenemy/mentor figure/ally/etc (underline the necessary)! Especially when he says something along the lines, "Your final test begins", and gives them the hardest battle of their lives! Of course, he will not be taking their lives, because it's a test, not a mortal combat. Now how could he coax Shadow Garden (fake) girls (real) into helping him to set up a stage for this play?…

…And with that, Cid Kagenou's opportunities to play out an average mob's life were gone. Reduced to dust. If he ever knew what this simple little plan brought to him, he would frantically refuse all attempts from the other side to develop their relationships, no matter how much girls' hearts he would've crushed…

Friendly reminder: this is our Protagonist.