"No Marriage, Please! vs. Marry Me or Die: The Ultimate Love Showdown" - Episode 40

Thanks to my assistant, my research had progressed significantly. But somewhere in my heart, a faint unease lingered. In the past, I could immerse myself in my work for tens of hours at a time. But now—whenever he was in the room—I found myself glancing at him from time to time.

A few strands of hair fell over his forehead. His gaze was sharp, focused, as he read through a grimoire with great intensity. Somehow… I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Why? What was this feeling? I couldn’t put it into words. It wasn’t just the joy of being with him—there was something more, something deeper I couldn’t define.

One day, on a rare occasion when he wasn’t coming in, I didn’t stay in the lab. Instead, I stepped outside into the city alone.

“I’m fine… I’m okay…”

I kept telling myself that. No one was watching me, yet I was still afraid to leave the comfort of the lab. But because of him, I felt like I could finally take that first step. Going into town might seem like a normal thing, but to me, it was a monumental leap forward.

“Hey~”

“This is seriously cute~”

“Totally!”

Lilith Street—a place bustling with stylish young women. I walked past them, gathering my courage.

“Alright… Here goes!”

I mustered my resolve and stepped into a clothing store. Inside, vibrant and colorful clothes lined the racks. I didn’t know much about fashion trends, but I could tell they were all very cute.

Shop Assistant: “Welcome~! Looking for anything in particular?”

A fashionable shop assistant approached me. I jumped a little but managed to answer.

Alice: “Um… Do you have something that would suit me?”

Shop Assistant: “Oh my! Are you looking for a full outfit, perhaps?”

Alice: “‘Full outfit’ meaning an entire set? Yes, I’d like a whole look.”

Shope Assistant: “Hehe, now you’ve got me excited!”

Alice: “…?”

I didn’t quite get what she meant, but she was clearly talented, and her fashion sense was sharp. She gauged my reactions with each fitting and gave precise feedback. In the end, I successfully bought a new outfit.

Shop Assistant: “Thank you for your purchase~!”

Alice: “No, thank you. It was very enlightening.”

Shop Assistant: “Could it be… for a date?”

Alice: “U-uh, no! My assistant and I aren’t like that…!”

Shop Assistant: “Haha, yet, right? Clothing is important—you’d be surprised how much it changes the impression you give. I hope it goes well.”

Alice: “Th-thanks…”

On my way home, a familiar voice called out from behind.

Ria: “Oh? Alice?”

Eve: “Hello, Alice.”

Alice: “Ria, Eve! What a coincidence!”

There stood Ria and Eve. They were… yes, far more mature than me, and dazzlingly beautiful.

Ria: “How have you been?”

Eve: “Research is going well!”

Ria: “Hmm, that’s not what we meant.”

Eve: “Yes. We’re asking about—”

Ria: “Any progress with Yuri?”

Eve: “How’s your relationship with my brother?”

Alice: “…What?”

Their polite smiles vanished, replaced by eyes as deep and empty as a void. It was as if they could see straight through me.

Alice: “N-not really… My assistant and I…”

Ria: “Hmhm. No need to hide it, Alice.”

Eve: “Yes. It’s only natural you’d be drawn to him.”

Alice: “…”

Ria: “Well, we’ll be going now. We look forward to seeing you again, Alice.”

Eve: “I’m sure you’ll follow the same path we did. Until next time.”

And just like that, they vanished into the crowd. What did they mean by that? My heart pounded painfully. A creeping, unexplainable feeling began to consume me. But those two… they spoke as if they already knew.

Maybe… I’ve already gone too far to turn back.

†

I finally wore the clothes I bought, in front of him. It was embarrassing—I didn’t know what he’d say. Maybe he’d be disappointed. My heart swirled with hope and anxiety, but he said:

Yuri: “You’re cute.”

Alice: Cute? Me? His words lit a flame inside me that began to spread across my whole being.

At the café, his eyes sparkled like a child’s as he looked around with excitement. I had so much fun too. I never imagined such a moment would come into my life.

My heart raced, my cheeks burned. I couldn’t stop myself from staring at his face. I wished that moment could last forever. That’s how deeply I had fallen… but soon, I’d learn it was all just a dream.

After we returned, Nox played me a recording:

“Sure, Alice is a genius, but she’s a laughable kid. Trying to act all grown-up—it’s hilarious watching a child pretend to be a scholar. Hah! I’ll just use her while I can. Ugh, babysitting a brat is such a pain…”

…Huh?

At first, I didn’t understand. But it was undoubtedly his voice. Why? Was he just using me? I didn’t want to believe it. But I’ve met people before who tried to exploit me. I’d always seen through them—but this… this was new. If he calculated everything—his kindness, his support—just to use me…?

Next time I see him, what do I even say? I always thought I was rational. That I wouldn’t be swayed by emotion. But now…

“…Yuri…”

Tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t know what to do anymore.

†

The next day, it rained. Cold, unrelenting rain.

I had no energy left. But I’d finished Yuri’s research. Out of pride. Out of duty as a scholar. And today, I knew exactly what I needed to say.

Yuri: “Huh? Locked? Alice—are you there?”

He came.

I shuffled toward the door like a ghost, pressing my hand against it.

Alice: “There should be a stack of papers by the door.”

Yuri: “Huh? Yeah, I see it.”

Alice: “That’s your completed magic formula.”

Through the door, I spoke my last words to Yuri.

Yuri: “Whoa! Thanks, Alice! But why aren’t you letting me in today?”

Alice: “You were lying to me, weren’t you…?”

Yuri: “What?”

Alice: “Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

I couldn’t stop myself.

Alice: “You were using me from the start, weren’t you?! Looking down on me… laughing behind my back! I bet you and Ria and Eve were all laughing together!”

Yuri: “Alice… What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Alice: “Shut up! SHUT UP! I get it now. I understand how foolish I was to let my emotions get the better of me. You must have had a great time mocking me!”

Yuri: “Alice…”

Logically, I should’ve known. A guy like him, surrounded by beautiful women… someone like me could never matter to him. I let myself be swept away. I was a fool. But I won’t let myself be fooled again.

With a cold heart, I said:

Alice: “Leave me alone! You’d never understand! You have everything—friends, allies, admiration. We were never meant to meet!”

Yes. We should never have met. If this is what it feels like, I never wanted to know these emotions.

I shut him out—refused to even hear the truth from him. Because hearing it might break me again.

Alice: “Don’t ever come back. I’ve done my part. It’s over.”

Yuri: “Alice…”

His voice trembled with worry, but the door separated us. I couldn’t look at him. If I did, I’d fall for him all over again.

Yuri: “Okay. Thank you, Alice. For everything.”

Alice: “…”

Yuri: “Good luck with your research. I really mean it.”

Alice: “Shut up…! Don’t act like you understand…!”

Yuri: “You’re right. I’m sorry. Take care then—”

Alice: “….”

That was our last conversation.

His footsteps slowly faded, step by step, until I could no longer hear them.

Our bond—completely severed.

I collapsed against the door, sliding to the floor.

“Ugh… sob… why… why…?”

I sobbed, tears pouring like they’d empty out everything inside me.

I’m rational. He used me. I cut him off. That should be the end. It should be logical.

So why… does it hurt so much?

Why is it so hard to breathe?

The time I spent with him still shimmered like a jewel in my memory, seared into my eyes.

I never knew… that someone like me could feel this deeply.

At that moment, a knock.

Alice: “…Who is it?”

Prof. Nox: “It’s me. Did you fire your assistant? I think I passed him running off.”

Alice: “Nox… Yeah. We’ll never see each other again.”

Prof. Nox: “I see. As expected of you, Alice. A wise decision. Now, about that favor I mentioned—I need your help at the Seisui Festival—”

And just like that, I agreed to Nox’s proposal, unaware of what lay ahead.

The rain continued to fall, merciless and unceasing. It stole all sound from the world.

And my sorrow, no longer able to take shape in words, dissolved into the downpour—