"No Marriage, Please! vs. Marry Me or Die: The Ultimate Love Showdown" - Episode 37

I am a genius.

I enrolled at the world-renowned Ordina Magical University as the youngest student in its history, graduating ahead of schedule. Afterward, I completed graduate school and, immersed in my research, eventually earned my doctorate—again, the youngest ever to do so. Now a professor, I have the freedom to pursue my research as I please.

My lab is a small room in the university’s north wing. But I don’t need a grand space. As long as I can conduct research the way I want, that’s all that matters.

One day, while conducting an outdoor experiment, I met an adventurer named Yuri. To my astonishment, he had managed to implement a composite magic theory—something once deemed purely theoretical.

This must be fate!!

That’s what I thought. With his magical theory, my research could reach new heights—no, I might even uncover the very essence of magic. Fired up by the possibilities, I ended up diving into my research until dawn. Having him as my assistant was a huge asset. It helped that he also wanted to refine his formulas; our interests aligned perfectly.

Still, when I changed clothes in front of him, he panicked. Apparently, he’s avoiding romantic relationships for some reason. Honestly, I thought that was a ridiculous notion. Love is nothing more than a bug in the brain—an illusion created to ensure reproduction. That’s all it is.

When I see women chatting about romance on the street, I watch with detached curiosity. It just seems so pointless.

I don’t know why Yuri avoids romantic entanglements, but it doesn’t matter. I would never fall into that trap. Besides, I’m sure he’ll leave eventually. Geniuses are always alone. No one can truly understand me.

Sooner or later, he’ll realize how far beyond him I am and be intimidated.

I’ve seen it happen before. That’s why I need to study his magic while I still can.

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“Well, I’ll be off for today. Looking forward to working with you, Alice.”

As our conversation ended, he held out his hand for a handshake. No one had ever done that before. People usually kept their distance from me—intimidated by my brilliance. So yes, I was a little surprised.

Especially since he was a man… N-No, gender doesn’t matter. That’s not the point.

Still… my heart suddenly raced, and my face flushed. It must’ve just been a reflex. A physical reaction to an unfamiliar gesture. That’s all.

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After that, Yuri helped more than I expected. Despite saying he was more of an intuitive type, he was remarkably sharp. It’s almost a waste he’s an adventurer—his understanding of magic is that advanced.

And then, to top it off, he invited me to dinner.

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“—Alice. Come with me. I want to have dinner… with you, and no one else.”

I froze.

No one had ever said something like that to me before.

Unlike everyone else, Yuri spoke to me as an equal. He didn’t shrink back from my genius.

My heart gave a faint jump. I didn’t know why.

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We walked through the city together. When he suggested holding hands, I was surprised, but I accepted. It made sense—the streets were crowded. A logical suggestion. Yes, perfectly reasonable.

So, it wasn’t strange that I held his hand.

It’s just… his hand was so big. And warm.

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“Oh? Yuri, is that you? What a coincidence.”

“Yes, quite the coincidence, dear brother.”

That’s when we ran into two women. Both mature, composed, and stunningly beautiful—far more so than I am.

I later learned they were part of Yuri’s party.

For some reason, Ria and Eve began patting my head affectionately.

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Ria: “Aww! She’s so tiny and cute~!”

Eve: “Yes. Like a darling little doll.”

Alice: “H-Hey! What are you doing?! I’m a professor, you know!”

Ria: “Yes, yes. Of course. A professor~”

Eve: “So cute… I’d love to keep her locked in a glass case.”

Alice: “A-Assistant Yuri-kun! Help me…!”

Yuri: “Sorry, Alice. Nothing I can do…”

Alice: “You traitorrrrr!!”

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It was all… a bit much, but not necessarily unpleasant.

Still, something felt… off.

Ria and Eve gazed at me with unreadable eyes, void of light—as if they could see straight through me.

A shiver ran down my spine.

No, I’m just imagining things. That’s what I told myself then.

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After dinner with Yuri, I returned to the university alone. The campus was quiet and deserted in the night.

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Student 1: “Hey, look over there.”

Student 2: “Oh yeah… that’s her, right?”

Student 1: “Isn’t she doing weird experiments or something? I heard some of them are even unethical…”

Student 2: “Creepy… She’s totally insane.”

Student 1: “Let’s go. We shouldn’t get involved.”

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As I passed by, some students whispered behind my back and quickly scurried away.

A tight pain squeezed my chest. My breathing grew shallow. I stopped and pressed a hand firmly over my heart.

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“I’m fine… I’m a genius… That’s why…”

I repeated those words to myself.

Ordinary people can’t understand geniuses, and geniuses can’t understand ordinary people. I’ve always known that. I’m used to being treated this way.

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Back at the lab, I tried to resume my research—only to be interrupted by a knock.

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Prof. Nox: “Alice, may I have a word?”

Alice: “Ah, Prof. Nox! I just made some coffee. Want a cup?”

Prof. Nox: “No need. I’ll be brief.”

Alice: “…I see.”

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Prof. Nox’s voice was calm as always.

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Prof. Nox: “There have been some complaints. I’d appreciate it if you stopped scaring the other students.”

Alice: “I-I haven’t done anything…!”

Prof. Nox: “You’ve been outside more lately, right? With your assistant? That’s likely the cause. Your behavior affects others. Please don’t make things difficult for me. You’re brilliant, Alice. Surely you understand?”

Alice: “…I get it.”

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I stumbled back into my lab.

Why?

Why does this always happen?

I never meant to cause any trouble, yet it always ends the same.

Day by day, I feel like I’m being pushed out of this university—as if some greater force is slowly closing in on me.

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“…Assistant Yuri-kun…”

He was the first person in my life to speak to me as an equal. I want to see him again.

But he’s an adventurer. He’ll leave soon. He has beautiful, graceful companions.

Compared to them, I must look like a child.

W-What am I thinking?

I’ve never compared myself to other women before.

Hah… I must be getting sentimental.

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“…Time to work.”

If I’m immersed in research, I don’t have to think about anything else. I’m a genius. Of course no one understands me—that’s how it should be.

I’m Alice, the exceptional genius researcher.

Loneliness is familiar. I’ve never needed anyone. I’m fine. Truly.

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“Hahaha! My research is going so well today…!”

I laughed aloud and returned to my experiments. If Yuri saw this, he’d surely be impressed. Yes. I’ll even try to improve his spell formations. Maybe I can refine his magical energy control too. I’m sure he’ll be pleased.

Research really is fun when things go smoothly.

He’ll be happy. He’ll praise me.

Thinking of him… warmed something inside me.

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“Fufu…”

A soft laugh slipped from my lips.

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This foreign sensation growing in my heart—it started as a faint discomfort, almost intriguing.

But before I knew it, it slipped between the cracks of my thoughts and began to erode my reason.

A sharp sting of unease spread slowly through my chest, like something within me was changing shape.

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It was terrifying.

But I couldn’t look away.

This unnamed feeling was taking clearer form with each passing moment.

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I still don’t know what it is.

But one thing I do understand…

Is that it will never disappear.

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Click.

It felt like a massive gear had just shifted inside me.