Although I didn't achieve the desired result through my consultation with Alicia, I did gain a hint.

Shock Therapy.

Literally, it means giving a strong mental shock to awaken Raphne's memories.

I have no certainty it'll work.

But according to Alicia, there are precedents.

In that case, it's certainly worth a try.

‘The problem is how to create such a situation…’

Raphne is the only daughter of the illustrious Martinez family.

To create the scenario I have in mind, I'd first need the permission of the Academy, the most critical aspect.

And to get such permission, I'd need at least a justifiable reason.

“…A justifiable reason, …a justifiable reason.”

I was deep in thought, resting my chin on my hand, as I returned to the classroom after finishing my business with Alicia.

The best way would be for Raphne herself to request it from the Academy.

But she's no fool, and she wouldn't do something like that.

She wouldn't do me such a favor with no benefit to herself.

“…Wait, if it's a benefit.”

So, what if I offered something enticing enough to make Raphne lose her reason?

Considering the Raphne in my memory, it was entirely possible.

“….”

Stopping in my tracks, I organized my thoughts and began drafting a scenario.

‘…If I play it right, this could work.’

As a plausible plan formed in my mind, a smile naturally spread across my face.

"…Alright, let's do this."

I returned to the classroom and mentally organized today's plan.

The first step of the plan is to provoke Raphne's emotions.

Before she lost her memory, Raphne would become anxious if I wasn't by her side.

Of course, after resolving the curse, her condition improved significantly, but she would still want to stay close to me.

If I wasn't right next to her, she'd get anxious, struggle with eating, and have trouble sleeping.

This likely means that the current Raphne, influenced by those same emotions, would react similarly.

If I tried my best to avoid her, it might provoke those feelings even more.

Thus, I decided to make an effort not to show myself to Raphne for the entire day.

The desired result is for Raphne to desperately seek me out.

The method isn't complicated.

I would just leave the classroom during breaks and spend time elsewhere, returning only at the last possible moment.

'…As expected, she did come looking for me.'

While I was spending time on the rooftop and making my way back to the classroom, I turned the corner of the staircase and spotted Raphne loitering near the front door of the classroom.

She looked extremely anxious, pacing back and forth in front of the door, biting her nails, and constantly peering inside the classroom.

'Should I go to her now?'

As I debated, I shook my head.

'No, not yet. I need to make Raphne as disoriented as possible.’

The thirstier a person becomes, the more desperately they crave water.

And what if an oasis, which had always been there, suddenly disappeared?

The desire for water would grow even more urgent.

At that breaking point, I'd hand her the water.

‘…She left.’

I watched her from the corner for a bit until I saw her getting frustrated and heading back to her classroom.

After that, I went back to my classroom and attended the lesson.

Of course, I merely attended; I wasn't really studying.

My mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of the plan.

‘…What if she barges in during class?’

I imagined Raphne losing her patience and storming into the classroom mid-lesson.

Upon running a mental simulation, I concluded that if such a scenario did occur, it might actually make it easier to justify my actions. Thus, I decided to stick with the plan of hiding from her.

However, unlike before she lost her memory, it seemed Raphne was now capable of maintaining rational judgment, making an interruption during class unlikely.

‘I just need to keep avoiding her like this.’

Everything went smoothly as planned; I managed to stay out of Raphne’s sight.

Once, after class ended, I stepped out, only to see her door opening and a glimpse of her hair.

But thanks to my training with Siegfried, I’d developed the skill to conceal my presence, allowing me to evade her successfully.

And so, the plan of keeping myself hidden from her continued.

Occasionally, I spied on her from afar and noticed her anxiety growing.

‘Should I maintain this until tomorrow?’

I considered staying out of sight for another day to observe her condition.

That was the plan, but...

I ended up getting caught by Raphne sooner than expected.

As expected, Raphne had anticipated my moves and was lying in wait to prevent my escape.

"Where have you been every break time?!"

It was after school, just like yesterday.

Today, like the previous day, I spent time in the classroom, then stepped out into the hallway to find Raphne waiting.

She spoke to me in an annoyed voice, clearly irritated.

It seemed she had been trying to catch me during school dismissal time.

Hmm, is she already at a point where she can't hold back any longer?

Originally, I planned to avoid her for another day, but now that I'd been caught, I had to proceed as planned.

So, I gave the excuse I had prepared in advance.

“...Well, I just had things to do here and there.”

In truth, I spent most of my break times on the rooftop.

But, I lied.

“...Here and there?”

Upon hearing my vague response, Raphne's expression changed.

That old look in her eyes reappeared.

Empty and lifeless eyes.

Eyes engulfed by obsession, losing all reason.

Seeing those eyes, I knew I had successfully stirred her imagination as intended.

To Raphne, who likely misunderstood my relationship with Emily as something romantic, my words just now were bound to be misinterpreted.

Raphne immediately approached, standing close and looking up at me.

Her eyes, like a dark swamp, fixed on me.

Facing that gaze again after so long made me break out in a cold sweat.

But I shouldn't show it. I need to stay as calm and detached as possible.

"Hey, you..."

Raphne called out to me with a quiet growl.

Unlike before she lost her memories, this current Raphne is quite aggressive, and her mere gaze is intimidating.

As she glared at me, she asked, "What are you doing here and there?"

Why do I feel like a partner caught cheating?

Of course, that's exactly what I intended, so I can't complain.

I nearly apologized reflexively under her intense stare, but I held back. For now, my strategy is to provoke her further.

"Well, whatever I'm doing... what does it matter to you?"

I stammered and avoided eye contact, but I managed to get the words out.

Even I found my statement to be quite provocative.

Raphne probably never imagined hearing such words from Ken, whom she'd been bullying.

"What... did you say?"

Seeing Raphne tremble with tightly clenched fists, it seemed my tactic was working well.

Alright, let's push a bit further!

"Moreover, Raphne, aren't you clinging to me too much these days? What, are you changing your bullying methods now?"

"What?"

Raphne was evidently flustered by my sudden change in attitude, even stuttering her words.

As things were going as planned, I continued speaking.

"Or is it because I've lost weight and my looks have changed that you've suddenly taken an interest in me?"

"What?! No, it's not like that! I... I don't care what you look like! Ugh...”

Raphne trailed off, turning red and stepping back.

Trying to hide her embarrassment, she smiled slightly and glared at me.

"Ken, you’ve become quite arrogant after losing weight and coming back, haven’t you?"

It seems she’s pretty upset because Ken, who always appeared easy to control, suddenly changed his attitude and came out strong.

Especially since I wasn’t around until just now, it must have been quite frustrating for her.

Already feeling uneasy, Raphne seemed agitated as I didn’t act as she expected.

Just a little more, and I think things will go the way I want.

I looked at her with determination and replied, "Y-Yeah... I'm not the same as I used to be anymore."

"Heh, you've really become full of yourself."

Raphne cracked her knuckles as if preparing for a hit that’s bound to land any second now.

"Great, it's been a while since I gave you a proper lesson. Ken."

Then she looked at me with a soft smile, though it was filled with anger.

Alright, now is the time!

"Hah, do you think I'll just stand by and take it? You’d better be prepared too."

I provoked her with a slightly conceited smile.

Raphne stared blankly at me for a moment, as if thinking, 'What is he talking about?'

And then she responded with a disdainful smile.

"Hmph, are you confident?"

"Of course. Actually, why not make a bet?"

"...A bet?"

Raphne tilted her head at my sudden suggestion.

It seemed like she couldn't understand the word 'bet' that came out of nowhere.

Before she could get suspicious, I threw out the bait immediately.

By making her focus on the carrot I was presenting, I could naturally pass my real objective.

I put on as much of a challenging face as possible and looked straight into Raphne's eyes.

"Let's settle this with a duel. You’re confident in that, right? If you win, well…"

I pretended to think for a moment, then threw out the condition I had in mind.

"You can do whatever you want with me."

"…Whatever… I want?"

This was the carrot I had prepared.

First, I had to disappear from her sight, triggering her anxiety.

Then, when we met, I had to act defiant, portraying myself as someone she couldn't easily control.

And finally, under the pretext of a duel, I would offer her the right to do whatever she wished with me.

"…Do whatever I want with Ken…"

Hearing the reward for winning, Raphne's previously angry expression vanished, replaced by a blank stare in my direction.

She was probably thinking about the implications of 'whatever you want.'

To solidify this, I would tell her exactly what she might desire.

"Yes, whatever you want. Roast me, boil me, or even imprison me forever by your side."

I added more bait while pretending to provoke her.

Surely, this was the condition that would tempt Raphne the most.

I worried for a moment that it might be too blatant and that Raphne would get suspicious.

“Im-Imprisonment? By my side forever?!”

Seeing her breathe heavily and blush, with eyes full of desire fixed on me, it seemed my worry was unfounded.

Judging by her reaction, Raphne was completely captivated by the condition I had put forth.

Not missing a beat, I continued.

“In exchange, if I win, you have to grant me one wish.”

I thought it was the perfect timing to put forth my condition for winning.

The wish was my real objective.

By offering a reward that Raphne couldn't possibly refuse, I would secure my own interest.

'Take the bait… take the bait...'

In reality, granting a wish is not something that would typically be accepted.

That's why I had made sure to hide my presence, making Raphne starve for me.

This way, she wouldn't sense anything odd about my condition and only bite on the bait.

Yet, I was still somewhat worried that it would be too obvious.

I was wary of a reaction from her like, 'How ridiculous a wish! Stop fooling around!'

I just hoped Raphne wouldn't suspect anything.

"Fine! It's a bet! Right now! Let's settle it immediately!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Raphne accepted the wager.Isn't she falling for it too easily?

“C-Calm down, Raphne! Doing it right now is too hasty!”

“Are you kidding me?! Ken, you were the one who suggested we settle this!”

It seemed my condition was so enticing that Raphne lost her senses and pounced on the opportunity.

But going through with the challenge immediately wasn't an option.

Proper preparation was necessary.

“What if I don't accept the outcome of the challenge!”

It would be a problem if the loser tried to back out later.

Most of all, it would be a problem for me.

I couldn't have Raphne changing her mind after losing the bet.

So, I proposed a measure that even Raphne would find reasonable.

“We'll make it a contract. In front of the Academy professor.”

“A... contract... Do you mean a magic binding?”

“Yes. We need to clearly state, 'If Ken Feinstein loses to Raphne Bell Martinez, he will become her possession.'”

“P-Possession!!”

Her eyes sparkled like a child who had just seen Santa on Christmas.

Her breathing became heavier, and her eyes were filled with even more desire.

Seeing her unable to keep her hands still, ready to pounce on me any moment, the bait seemed to have worked perfectly.

“Fine! Let's do it that way! The date will be right after class tomorrow! I'll get the professor!"

"Uh, okay. Thanks..."

It seems she didn't entertain the possibility of losing at all.

Well, there's no one in the second year who could beat Raphne, after all.

But more importantly, I was worried about how to explain and get the professor on board, but it looks like Raphne will handle it directly.

Just how much does she desire possession...

Suddenly, I recalled the time Raphne had imprisoned me.

Her face, losing all reason under the moonlight, as she straddled me and tried to seduce me.

'...I must not lose.'

If I lose this time and my ownership transfers to her, I might really never escape.

I might not be able to keep my promise not to cross the line until I can take responsibility.

Of course, I have no intention of losing.

But just thinking about it made my shoulders tremble.

"See you tomorrow━!! Make sure you keep your promise━!!"

With the brightest smile I had seen on her face recently, Raphne dashed down the hallway.

'Good, now the preparations are complete.'

Watching Raphne's retreating figure, I clenched my fist.

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