"It... it’s just like this. Yes, this is... the setup for Bad End 1!"
Olivia remembered this ending vividly—it was the first she’d ever unlocked in her past life. Though later game content had blurred some details, the overwhelming sense of déjà vu hit her hard now. Every scene before her eyes snapped the memories back into place.
Bad End 1 unfolded midway through the school arc. By then, all the heroines had betrayed Gawain—and he’d discovered it. Yet Gawain refused to believe they’d truly turned against him. He kept insisting they were coerced by Caius, desperately trying to win them back time and again.
Mermel, the black-haired childhood friend and game’s main heroine, grew tired of his pleading. She urged Caius to eliminate the protagonist. Caius, eager to crush Gawain utterly before claiming the heroines for himself, readily agreed. And so, through that scheming pair’s plot, Gawain walked blindly into their trap.
Their method was crude—downright vile. They stole the underwear of Natasha, the noble Duke’s daughter, and planted it in Gawain’s bag. When Natasha reported the theft and teachers began searching for the culprit, they "conveniently" led the search to Gawain’s belongings. The evidence was irrefutable. Just like that, Gawain was branded a criminal.
Next came the confrontation in the auditorium. Gawain would be dragged there, utterly bewildered. Before he could grasp the situation, Natasha would condemn him as the panty thief. Caius and his cronies would heap humiliation upon him. Natasha’s furious Duke father would then order Gawain’s immediate arrest and harsh sentencing. After that... he’d rot in a dark cell, swallowed by despair, not a trace of light left...
That was the entirety of Bad End 1.
Olivia’s brow furrowed tightly as she watched the scene unfold, needing absolute confirmation. The tension thickened amid the clamor. Then the blond bastard spoke first—
"Gawain, you’re utterly disgusting. No wonder Mermel, Martina, and Rin left you. You’re scum~"
Caius—shorter than Gawain—swaggered up to him. He tilted his head up, locking his malicious gaze with Gawain’s burning eyes. A cruel smirk curled his lips. Suddenly, he yanked Gawain’s collar, pulling his neck down as he snarled like a madman:
"Daring to steal a Duke’s daughter’s underwear? What did you do with it?! I’ve always hated that self-righteous face of yours! Stop pretending! Natasha’s panties were found in your bag—what’s your excuse now?! Hahahaha~ Or... just confess. Considering our *relationship*, I might plead for leniency on your behalf~"
*Tch.*
Olivia gritted her teeth at the coercive threat. *Damn you, blond bastard!!!*
"And you... have no relationship with me."
From the side, Gawain slowly lifted his head. His voice was ice-cold. Staring at the blond traitor and the three heroines, understanding finally dawned. His eyes, fixed on his former lovers, held only sorrow.
"Hmph..." Mermel shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. She rolled her eyes, then sidled up to Caius, clinging to his arm like an obedient pet. Her voice dripped with saccharine mockery:
"How can you say that~? Caius is my *current* boyfriend~ And you, pervert Gawain? Just my ex. So... you two are practically brothers-in-arms~ Teehee~ Though... Caius’s *abilities* are clearly far superior to yours~ Hehe~ Probably because you’re such a worthless, creepy loser~ Hahaha~"
*That bitch...*
Olivia felt like a knife to her heart. Though she no longer stood where Gawain did—enduring his childhood friend’s naked scorn—she shared his numb agony. To have lovers not only betray you, throwing themselves into a scoundrel’s arms, but also shred your reputation with filthy words... What fury could compare?
The other two heroines stepped forward. Martina—the reliable, red-haired knight with a high ponytail who once led their party—fixed Gawain with a look of utter disdain. Her voice dripped with disappointment:
"Gawain, maybe our leaving hurt you deeply. But you must see your own flaws! If you refuse to repent even now... I truly misjudged you back then."
Last came Rin, the silver-haired loli heroine and Imperial Princess—the highest-ranking person present. She stood motionless, her expression cold as she stared at Gawain. After a long pause, she lowered her head and whispered:
"Disgusting pervert... Why don’t you just die already?"
...
Olivia took a deep breath. Having seen countless endings, she knew the truth: at this point, no method could make the three heroines repent.
She looked up at Gawain’s shattered expression and closed her eyes. She understood him completely. His silence wasn’t stupidity—it was a heart already dead.
How could he believe his lovers betrayed him? How could he accept they’d conspired with a villain to destroy him? What had he done wrong? Every trust he held lay trampled to dust. Even *they* no longer believed in him. What point was there in defending himself?
Olivia watched quietly, bowing her head slightly. She knew Gawain’s thoughts.
Despair born of numbness... wasn’t she drowning in it too?
