The Heroine Is In Love With Me

I'll Be Retraining

   “So then, what did she send?” I asked.

   “Ah, yes,” Jade said. “First of all, please take this.”

   He made a circle with his finger and produced a lovely envelope
   enclosed with a heart sticker. When I took it and opened it, I
   found a letter with pretty handwriting.

   Umm, it reads…

   To Saki,

   I’m sorry!

   Ultimate Magic training has begun for me.

   I don’t have much free time left.

   I can’t come to visit!

   But, I’ll send you a substitute.

   You don’t have to feel lonely!

   So, I’ll see you soon!

   … A substitute?

   Is it a locket pendant with a photo of her or something like
   that?

   “Hey, Jade, what’s got delivered… uwah?!”

   When I looked up, Jade had produced a Michaela in a transparent
   bag. “Yes, this is… oh? Marshall, what are you looking so
   surprised for?”

   “What am I… is Michaela alright?!” I asked.

   “Oh, yes,” Jade said. “According to Lavender’s report, she’s
   enthusiastically performing the Ultimate Magic training while
   thinking of you, Marshall.”

   “Th-Then, what is that thing you’re carrying?!” I cried.

   “What am I carrying…?” Jade once again tilts his head to the
   side and looks confused.

   And then…

   “It’s a 1:1 scale, realistic Saint of Light doll.”

   … He said the inevitable, that I didn’t want to admit.

   “A-A 1:1 scale, realistic doll?” I asked.

   “Yes,” Jade replied. “It’s a product of a doll-making studio
   that’s said to be the most technologically advanced in the
   world, so I heard they paid attention to every last detail. Not
   only does it feel like real skin to the touch, but you can move
   the eyes, you can faintly see blood vessels underneath the
   skin, and even the fingers and toes can be moved!”

   “I-I see…” I said, “so there’s a studio that can make such
   amazing dolls…”

   “Yes, they’re called Sunrise Studio,” Jade said.

   “Sunrise Studio…” I repeated.

   I have to wonder, I’ve got a very unpleasant feeling about
   something…

   “Oh, rest assured, because you’re only 17-years-old, Marshall,
   I’ve received assurance from the Saint of Light that this
   custom-made doll is for all ages,” Jade said.

   “Oh, so it wasn’t that kind of doll after all…” I muttered.

   … For the moment, let’s stop pursuing this topic any deeper. It
   can significantly destroy this world’s all-ages rating.

   “So then, how can this doll be useful for training?” I asked.

   “Fufufuh, how indeed?” Jade said. “This doll’s height, weight,
   and other proportions are made exactly the same as the Saint of
   Light’s. Therefore…”

   Jade stopped, had a ferocious smile on his face, and took a
   deep breath.

   Then–

   “Today’s special training is to run with this 1:1 scale
   realistic Saint of Light doll in your arms!”

   –He proudly said that line.

   It’s good that it’s a very healthy way to help…

   “But it’s going to be like road roller training, after all…” I
   muttered.

   “Yes!” Jade said. “The essence of magic is like a mad dash down
   a steep road with a lot of dangers!”

   “Is it now…?”

   “Yes!” Jade said, puffing his chest up in pride. “So,
   basically, you have to run in first, run in second, run in
   fifth without a third and fourth!”

   Well, it’s not like I hate exercising… but I wonder if the
   Ultimate Magic training in an otome game should be so muddy and
   brutal…?

Footnotes

    1. Original was a “Kondara”, a man-powered, heavy metal road
       roller-like device meant for flattening and leveling the
       ground.