The Evil Scientist is Too Competent

“Hi there—Aile.”

“...Ah, yeah.”

It was lunchtime. The two met in front of the school cafeteria, timing their schedules to coincide. Naturally, they linked arms as they walked inside—something Aile only just realized was a common gesture between close female friends.

The school cafeteria offered dozens of menu options. While Aile picked out calorie-packed, tasty-looking dishes, Snowah opted for what seemed like elegant, diet-friendly salads fit for sophisticated college girls.

Once they sat at the same table, the contrast between them became even more apparent. Watching Snowah eat gracefully, Aile narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Is something wrong, Aile? Are you feeling unwell?”

“...No, it’s nothing.”

“Really? If you’re not feeling well, just let me know. I can walk you to the infirmary.”

Snowah spoke as she lifted her bag. Inside, it was neatly packed with emergency medications and vitamins—prepared for any health concerns. In comparison, Aile’s bag only contained a smartphone, wallet, magical girl transformation kit, and fan merchandise.

It was a stark difference—one shaped by the years they had each spent developing themselves. To put it nicely, Aile was at a kindergarten level of femininity, whereas Snowah had already matured into a refined adult woman.

And that annoyed her.

“...Um, hey, Snowah.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“P-Professor said... I shouldn’t come to his office anymore.”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

“He said it might start weird rumors if students keep visiting.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Aile was startled. Even she didn’t know why she said such a thing. Of course, Eight had never said anything like that. But, for some reason, she didn’t want Snowah getting any closer to him.

Snowah paused, letting out a thoughtful hum before speaking again.

“You’re right... Professors and students being too friendly can be a problem.”

“R-right? So...”

“I’ll just go apologize to him later myself.”

“H-huh?”

“What does Professor like? Maybe cake?”

Snowah’s cheerful response about visiting Eight again made Aile realize, once more, how extraordinary she was. If Aile had been told something like that, she would’ve just given up. But Snowah had immediately come up with a way to maintain her connection with Eight.

It was an overwhelming gap in social experience. While Aile lagged behind at a below-average level, Snowah was far above, excelling as an exceptional woman.

‘No... This isn’t good.’

If Snowah personally went to Eight to apologize, he would definitely ask what she was talking about. And then he’d find out Aile had lied.

Both Eight and Snowah would be disappointed in her, demanding to know why she lied. And when that happened, Aile would be alone again...

“I-I’ll ask him later...”

“Shouldn’t you also avoid meeting him?”

“M-me? I think it’s fine... since I’m the club president.”

“Then as a fellow club member, I should be able to meet him too! Perfect! Let’s go ask him together!”

“...U-uhh.”

No way.

She didn’t want Snowah to meet Eight anymore. But that thought only spun in Aile’s head. Instead, what came out of her mouth was an answer she didn’t even want to give.

...I want to die. Seriously.

*****

“I heard the story. I’m sorry, Professor.”

While working alone in the university lab, jotting down notes for a research paper, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with Aile and Snowah, who bowed deeply to apologize.

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I shot Aile a sharp look, silently asking what this was about, but she avoided my gaze entirely. Based on the situation, I could guess the general idea and nodded quietly.

“There’s no need to go this far.”

“No, we had no idea it might cause you trouble. We’ll be more careful from now on.”

“It’s fine. It wasn’t a big deal. You can head back now.”

“Understood. Oh, and this is a gift to apologize.”

Snowah handed me coffee and a slice of cake—a sweet chocolate cake paired with a bitter Americano. I accepted it with a slight smile of appreciation and sent the two of them off.

“Aile, stay behind for a moment. I need to talk to you as the club president.”

“Y-yes...”

Once we were alone, I activated the soundproof barrier and turned to her.

“What exactly is going on here?”

“...W-well, you see—”

Aile hesitated as she explained why they had come. She admitted to telling Snowah she was uncomfortable with their meetings and suggested that it might cause rumors if a professor and student were too friendly.

It wasn’t an entirely unreasonable point. After all, when a professor got too close to a student, there was usually one explanation—they intended to recruit that student as a graduate assistant. Given that Aile wasn’t even in the same department, and they were opposite genders, rumors could easily arise.

On the surface, it sounded rational enough...

“But isn’t she your friend, Aile? Is it really okay to treat her like that?”

“W-well—”

“There’s no other reason, is there?”

“...I-I don’t know.”

“You can’t keep acting like a kid, Aile. You’re a college student now.”

Just as I was about to continue speaking, Aile suddenly stomped her foot—Bang!—loud enough that, if not for the soundproof barrier, the noise would’ve echoed through the entire building. Startled, I looked at her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she glared at me.

“I-I know, okay?! I’m not a kid anymore. So... I can take care of my own problems.”

“Aile...”

“E-excuse me, Professor. I’ll be going now.”

With that, Aile yanked the door open and stormed out of the lab.

Outside, Snowah, who had been waiting for us, tilted her head curiously at the scene. After giving me a quick bow, she hurried after Aile.

Watching the two disappear into the distance, I slowly got up and shut the door that Aile had left wide open.

“You should’ve closed it behind you...”

Honestly—she still hadn’t outgrown her childish tendencies. Or rather, maybe it wasn’t that she hadn’t fixed them, but that she hadn’t matured at all.

Even now, I couldn’t understand why she’d gotten so angry. Or why she’d lied to her new friend.

“Is she hitting puberty or something?”

There’s no cure for puberty.

This is bad.

*****

“Aile! Aile!”

Thump, thump! Despite being a top executive in an evil organization, Aile didn’t exactly have the stamina of an athlete. Still, she managed to dash a surprising distance. Even Snowah—who prided herself on her fitness thanks to her magical girl activities—struggled to keep up.

Panting heavily, Snowah finally caught up and cautiously spoke.

“What’s wrong? Why’d you suddenly run off like that?”

“...It’s nothing.”

“Did the professor do something to you...?”

“N-no! He didn’t do anything!”

“Then why...?”

Snowah looked at her with an innocent expression, clearly confused. Seeing that face, Aile began trembling.

That look—how many men had fallen for that angelic, clueless face?

Even Eight had probably been fooled into treating her kindly. Meanwhile, he never showed that kind of smile to Aile...

As Aile silently burned with frustration and glared at Snowah, the latter cautiously broke the silence.

“Oh, is this about getting caught in your lie?”

“...Huh?”

“You lied about the professor not wanting to see me. Right?”

At that moment—

Aile felt her heart drop.

Her pupils dilated, and cold sweat ran down her back.

It was the classic reaction of a child caught in a lie.

“H-how did you...?”

“Well, it was kind of obvious. What you said didn’t make much sense, and the professor’s reaction didn’t match either.”

“...T-then—”

“And I think I understand why you lied. Jealousy, right?”

“...”

She knows everything.

Aile was struck by despair.

Now that her ugly feelings had been exposed, there was no way their friendship could survive. No one would want to stay friends with someone as pathetic as her.

What did it feel like to be abandoned by the first friend she’d ever made? Just imagining it made her hands and feet tingle with dread.

Closing her eyes tight, Aile braced herself for Snowah’s judgment—the verdict of a friend-turned-executioner.

“...You’re so cute, Aile.”

“...H-huh?”

“It’s adorable—your jealousy. I thought you were an elementary schooler.”

But to Aile’s shock, Snowah didn’t seem upset at all.

Instead, she approached slowly, brushing Aile’s bangs to the side and speaking softly.

“You found him first. You liked him first. And now, you don’t want anyone to take him from you. It’s unfair, right?”

“N-no, that’s not—”

“It’s fine. I wouldn’t want to steal someone my friend likes either—and besides, love is always more exciting with a bit of competition.”

“W-wait—what?”

“I’ll help you.”

Snowah leaned closer, locking eyes with Aile. Their reflections shimmered in each other’s pupils, as if baring their hearts.

“From now on, Aile, we’re rivals in love.”

“R-rivals?!”

“Yep. No hating or sabotaging, no matter who wins in the end.”

Of course, this competition was already ridiculously one-sided in Snowah’s favor—

But she was confident.

She was sure she could win over Eight, even under these conditions.

And most importantly—

‘Good. Now she won’t try to murder me if I take him...’

After all, when calming a child, sometimes you had to hand them a piece of candy.

If you didn’t want to get smacked down after winning, that was.

And thus, their battle for love began.