Chapter 1 Future Loser Heroine!?
――Oh no, I'm going to die.
When I was young, I realized that. At the same time, I "remembered."
――Oh, I've seen this event before.
The sharp fangs of a monster approaching right before my eyes, and the voice of a young boy pierced my eardrums.
"Laura!!!"
That was my name. And at the same time ― it was the name of the loser heroine from the role-playing game I played in my past life.
* * *
Well, right from the start, I faced the danger of death, but knowing from my past life memories that I won't die, let's first calmly introduce myself. My name is Laura. Laura Ampère. I come from a small and closed-off village called Emme.
Currently, "Laura" is 8 years old. However, my mental age is roughly over 20. To put it simply, I just regained my memories from my past life. Just now.
In my past life, I was just an ordinary student whose short life ended with unfortunate accidents. I was born in Japan, raised in Japan, and died in Japan.
――In that short life, I once met a girl named "Laura."
We met in front of the TV screen. Yes, Laura was a character from a role-playing game I played in my past life.
The game was called "Last Brave." It was a classic RPG where the protagonist awakens the power of a hero to defeat the Demon King, which was considered quite cliché at the time and received criticism for being too predictable. However, I became engrossed in the youthful yet passionate developments unfolding one after another in "Last Brave."
Because of the protagonist grows while facing challenges. A young man who becomes the protagonist's unique best friend during their journey. A mature man who guides the protagonist. A genius magical girl with immense magic power hidden in her small body. A treasure hunter girl who lightens up the party as the mood maker. And a girl from an ancient species who has a fateful encounter with the protagonist.
Each character is charming, with their own dramas, not only among the party members but also the supporting characters.
A classic story that doesn't fail to deliver, with both good and bad surprises. Engaging characters, a simple and easy-to-understand combat system, magnificent music that enhances the story. All elements fit together, supporting each other, making it a work worthy of being called a masterpiece. It's not just my personal opinion, but it was generally well-received by the public, I believe.
――However, most of the players who praised it had complaints about the treatment of a certain character.
That person is Laura. Laura Ampère. Yes, she is me in this world.
To put it simply, Laura is the childhood friend of the protagonist of "Last Brave." Born in the same village as the protagonist, they grew up together from a young age. She bid farewell to the protagonist leaving the village as a hero, like the typical childhood friend character in a picture.
――However, she was not just a typical childhood friend character.
On the night before the protagonist left the village, Laura confessed her feelings to the protagonist. Tearfully, she said, "I'll be waiting for your return." Although the protagonist did not clearly respond to her feelings ― Laura herself said she didn't need an answer ― he did not reject her and seemed to have an attitude that was not entirely indifferent.
Upon hearing this explanation, some might feel that Laura is portrayed in a way similar to the heroine. In fact, when I was playing "Last Brave," I thought of Laura as the heroine until around the middle of the game.
――To cut to the chase, Laura was not the heroine.
The heroine was a girl from an ancient species that the protagonist met during their journey.
Laura did confess her feelings. The protagonist didn't reject those feelings. However, after meeting the girl from the ancient species, it seemed like Laura's existence was erased from the world.
The protagonist and the girl from the ancient species gradually get closer, stepping through various stages. As the mysteries and darkness of the world are gradually revealed, the girl from the ancient species is closely involved with them, and the protagonists are drawn into various events to protect her.
The girl gets kidnapped. The protagonist rescues her. The girl gets brainwashed and becomes an enemy. The protagonist breaks the brainwashing with a desperate plea. The Demon King finally awakens. Amidst despair, the protagonist and the girl hold hands. In that moment, feelings start to bloom. Those feelings will eventually become the light that illuminates this world!
It's a classic tale. A classic RPG. People empathize with the protagonist who carves a path as a hero, feel a connection with the companions who help save the world, and develop feelings for the heroine, a girl from an ancient species who shares emotions with the protagonist.
Ever since meeting the main heroine, one thrilling event after another unfolds rapidly. The player grips their hands in suspense, racing to save the world. The protagonist and the main heroine, who connect amidst despair, find hope.
――That's why people end up forgetting. Like the childhood friend who had her role finished within the first hour.
Even I forgot her about my past life. Just as I reached a touching ending and felt fulfilled, her presence comes to mind. No, it's forcefully brought back to memory because Laura's illustration appears in the staff credits.
Speaking of that childhood friend, what happened to her?
Once that question arises, it's no good. More and more questions keep popping up.
By the way, she did confess her feelings, right?
Is she still waiting for the protagonist to return in the village?
But the protagonist and the main heroine are in love, right?
What will the protagonist do?
What did the staff intend to do with this character?
--And so on.
Many players had similar questions, and discussions were happening online. Despite that, the conclusion remained the same.
The heroine is a girl from an ancient species.
The protagonist ended up with the girl from the ancient species.
And Laura experienced heartbreak.
However, at the same time, most players acknowledged that the protagonist's reaction when Laura confessed her feelings didn't seem entirely disinterested. Some criticized his ambiguous behavior and his willingness to get closer to other girls while keeping his childhood friend waiting. There were also voices expressing dissatisfaction towards the staff for how they handled Laura and sympathy towards Laura.
――Still, the players' conclusion never wavered.
The heroine is a girl from an ancient species. Laura experienced heartbreak—essentially, she was the losing heroine.
I agreed with that opinion as well. And similarly, I felt sympathy for Laura.
Since they were kids, they've always grown up together, almost like a recognized couple in the village. She was eagerly waiting, but when her awaited person returned, his destined partner was by his side. How would you feel in that situation?
It's just too much. And above all, the hero's power is――
When he was still a kid, there was an event where Laura was attacked by monsters, and that's when he awakened.
* * *
"――Laura!!!"
I managed to open my heavy eyelids and there was my childhood friend - the future hero peeking at me with tears in his blue eyes.
Oh, future hero, it's pitiful to cry over something like this! But seeing his childhood friend almost being eaten by monsters right in front of him, it's only natural to have this expression.
"Lukas...?"
I uttered the name of my childhood friend that I had been calling without much thought until yesterday.
In the future, the hero's name is Lucas. Lukas Kamil. Laura used to call him Luka as a nickname.
In his left eye, a golden crest appeared straight ahead. This is the proof of the hero. It's the power to save this world, awakened to save his childhood friend who got lost in the forest and was unfortunately attacked by monsters.
"Laura, you're awake! I'll call the doctor!"
My current mother said in a voice that sounded like a scream, then left the room.
Due to being overwhelmed by trying to recall "my" memories, I couldn't grasp the current situation clearly, but judging from the familiar ceiling, this must be my home. Did Lukas defeat the monsters with the power of the awakened hero and bring me here?
The hero awakening event that just happened occurred as a flashback event in the early to mid part of the story. At that time, "I" still thought Laura was the heroine, and I casually thought, "Awaken his ability to protect the heroine, that's also a classic move."
――But my childhood friend, who awakened as a hero because of me, will soon be leaving me.
I have no idea why I reincarnated into the world of a RPG I played in my past life, but there's no point in dwelling on it now that it's happened. In fact, knowing in detail what will happen in the future is like being in a strong new game state in a game.
Yes, the fact that I'm the loser heroine is insignificant. After all, if I, the current me in this world, don't fall for the protagonist - Lukas, the whole premise will be overturned.
Should I marry one of the other boys in the village? No, maybe it's better to leave this village altogether. I'll work hard on my studies from now on, improve myself, and look for a job in the capital. I should be able to lead a much more fulfilling life than living my whole life in this small, closed-off village. Even if Lukas sets off on a journey, I'll still receive information if I'm in the capital.
"Laura."
An unlikely 20-year-old in the body of an 8-year-old girl, the future hero approached me as I pondered realistic thoughts. When I turned my gaze towards him, I met his strong blue eyes shining brightly.
Despite some interference from memories of my past life, Lukas was my childhood friend whom I had spent nearly 8 years with. My memories as "me" and the past 8 years spent as Laura are undeniable facts and reality.
Lukas was kind. Though often teased by other boys in the village for being timid and a coward, he was a very good child who cared for others.
As a future hero, he has a very attractive face. Right now, he has a cute and androgynous face that suits the adjective 'cute' well, but as he ages, the childishness will fade away, and I know that by the time he leaves this village, he will have grown into a handsome young man. His golden hair is silky smooth, just like silk thread, and I've thought many times during the game's cutscenes, 'The protagonist's hair is so silky smooth.'
Lukas tightly held my hand, which I still feel overwhelmed by my memories. And then,
"I will protect Laura."
――Oh, how pitiful.
In the in-game event, the movie ended at the scene where Lukas' ability awakened. Therefore, I, as the player, could not know the subsequent interaction - that is, now.
He was saying such things to Laura with such a serious expression.
My heart, beating wildly on its own, must belong to Laura. It's not mine. But Laura—no, I understood her feelings painfully well.
A look of determination I had never seen before appeared. His blue eyes, staring at me, had a golden crest floating in them. With a resolute tone, he said he would protect me.
Ah, if I hadn't been reminded of "my" memories, I would surely have fallen in love with Lucas.
――But knowing it's a doomed love, I won't foolishly pine for it. I will soon change jobs from being the childhood friend of the hero. I will show him.
Yes, I will not become a sad defeated heroine!
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