Okey,Okey.... so here's the deal. I just made a complete fool of myself, and now I've got to deal with the aftermath. Fun, right? I can practically hear the world laughing at me.

  After Lucia went full-on run-for-your-life mode, I was left standing there like a complete idiot, barely able to comprehend what I just did. I mean, seriously. Did I just do that? Was that a confession, or was that the worst thing I could've possibly done in this messed-up world?

  Alicia's still staring at me, and the rest of the girls in the party aren't much better. It's like they all just witnessed a trainwreck, but nobody knows if it's funny or tragic.

  Alicia: "Haruto… what the hell was that?"

  I don't even know, Alicia. You tell me. I wish I could just disappear right now, but nope, the world's not that kind. I'm stuck here, and there's no escape from the awkwardness.

  I just stand there, rubbing the back of my neck. Great. Super smooth move, Haruto. I'm sure the hero party's never going to let me live this down. What's next? A redemption arc? A lesson in how not to do things? I bet I'd fail that too.

  Evelyn (the priestess, who is totally judging me with that angelic smile of hers): "...What was that supposed to be?"

  Oh, I don't know, Evelyn. Maybe it was an emergency confession to avoid getting fried by lightning? Maybe it was my soul leaving my body in sheer embarrassment?

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  Seraphina (the ice mage with that too-cool-for-school vibe): "Yeah, totally. He's the Thunder Sage, right? Just showing off his... skills?"

  I can practically feel the sarcasm coming off her. But hey, if I'm gonna be the dumbass who gets caught in some weird romantic quest, I might as well lean into it, right?

  I turn to face them all, and it's like I'm on trial for the worst confession in history. Great. Just great.

  Haruto: "Look, it wasn't what it looked like, okay? That... was a... uh... misfire. A complete disaster. Totally not my style."

  I know that's not convincing anyone, least of all myself. But, hey, I've got to try, right?

  Alicia: "Misfire? Haruto, you literally just... confessed to Lucia like you were about to jump into some kind of hentai scene."

  I want to crawl into a hole. Or, like, anywhere that isn't here. Seriously, how did this become my life?

  Haruto: "I... I don't know, alright? One minute, I'm almost getting roasted by lightning, and the next thing I know, I'm told to do a romantic confession in front of an archvillainess. What was I supposed to do?"

  Alicia stares at me for a moment, like she's trying to figure out if I've completely lost my mind. Honestly? I'm starting to wonder the same thing.

  Alicia: "I can't... I can't even. Just... never do that again, okay?"

  Well, there's the best advice I've heard all day. Never do that again? Yeah, no kidding.

  Lucia's still out there somewhere, probably hiding in a dark corner, mentally scarred by my confession. Honestly, I don't know if I should be relieved or worried. What if she comes back for round two, only this time, she's got a whole new plan for me? But, hey, at least she ran away, right? That's a win... I think?

  Haruto (internally): "Do I even have a chance of salvaging this? Am I doomed to be the world's worst sidekick forever?"