CJRD CH 05

Chapter 05

In the game, things were easier. I was the one solving the problems, not the game character.

No matter how hard the questions were, it was fine.

I could just look up the answers from someone else’s walkthrough online and copy them.

But this wasn’t a game. This was real life.

There were no cheat codes, no walkthroughs, and definitely no substitute test-takers.

Even worse, unlike games where you could reload saved data if you failed, in real life, failing meant it was over.

The only way was for Estelle to study hard and solve the problems herself.

But even if she did her best, there was no guarantee she would pass.

If nothing worked out, I had thought about buying a fake recommendation letter from one of those shady, rare merchants who appear from time to time…

But since that was illegal, if she got caught, it would be a straight path to a bad ending. So I had saved it as a last resort.

“My younger sibling just got their acceptance letter, and that reminded me of Estelle.”

But now, the recommendation letter I had almost given up on came into my hands so easily.

“Since the current semester has already started, she’ll probably be able to attend the next one.”

And it wasn’t just any recommendation letter—it was for admission this year.

I was just worrying about how to get Estelle into the academy.

In the life simulation game “Raise Your Daughter”, depending on which stats you raised, the daughter’s future would change.

To become emperor, the final required stats were:

• Stamina: 450+ 
• Intelligence: 430+ 
• Grace: 460+ 
• Fame: 450+ 
• Morality: 400+ 

Considering the stat cap was 600, those numbers were quite high.

But the most efficient way to raise those stats?

Was to enroll in the academy and attend various classes.

Not only could you boost intelligence, but grace, morality, and even fame with a bit of luck.

So I had always planned to send Estelle to the academy.

Even if it took one or two years to prepare for the entrance exam.

But now, she could start as soon as the next semester.

If she enters in September, she won’t be rushed and can raise her stats more easily.

My motivation to reach that goal fired up.

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to pass this on to Estelle.”

I deeply bowed to Claude.

I could feel his strange gaze from above, but I had no time to check.

Because all my focus was on the recommendation letter in my hands.

Perfect. With the academy letter in hand…

It was time to get serious about turning Estelle into an emperor.

Estelle, just hang on. I’ll make you emperor no matter what.

I clenched the letter tightly, full of determination.

****

A week had passed since Estelle came to stay at my house.

That meant today was the last day of the festival, the village school break, and my vacation.

I sat at the breakfast table, poking at my cereal with dead eyes, and muttered,

“Time… passes too fast…”

Sure, going back to school and seeing my students again was exciting.

I loved kids, after all.

But that didn’t change how I felt.

There’s just something about the last day of vacation—it brings this unexplainable sadness to working adults.

Even if you love your job, it still hits.

“Sigh…”

I stirred my cereal in the milk with a sorrowful sigh.

Just then, the bathroom door, which had been closed tight, clicked open, and Estelle stepped out, freshly washed.

I quickly fixed my expression and greeted her cheerfully.

“Good morning, Estelle! Did you sleep well?”

“…Good morning.”

Estelle glanced around awkwardly, fiddling with her lips as she answered. A drop of water fell from her forehead down her cheek.

Watching her, I thought:

Yep. Estelle really is emperor material.

Just look at her.

Even freshly washed, she still gave off an air of elegance.

She looked like a mermaid rising from the sea, the rightful ruler of the ocean.

Project Make Estelle the Emperor was underway.

I hadn’t yet decided which stats to raise first or how—but unlike before, I didn’t feel lost.

****

Trust Level: 13

Maybe it was because I kept talking to her no matter how cold she was.

Ever since our visit to Julie’s boutique, her trust had started rising little by little.

It seemed she was starting to open up… just a little.

“You’re not done eating yet? I’ll eat later.”

“No, I’m finished. You can sit down—I was about to get up anyway.”

…Her attitude wasn’t all that different from before, honestly.

But as I stood and picked up my empty bowl, I asked her,

“Estelle, shall we go out together again today?”

“Again…?”

Estelle looked a bit overwhelmed by the string of daily outings lately.

But I pretended not to notice and cheerfully pushed ahead.

“Yeah! Let’s visit the temple and also check out the festival!”

I had no choice.

As a working adult, I had to go back to work tomorrow.

Which meant today was my last chance to spend a full day with Estelle.

And I had a specific goal for today:

“It’s the last day of the festival, and tonight is the grand finale. It’ll be amazing! But before that, let’s stop by the temple and look around.”

It sounded like the festival was the main event, but that was just bait.

My real goal was going to the temple to pray!

This was to meet the first special condition of the Emperor route.

In the game “Raise Your Daughter”, if you wanted to raise your daughter into the emperor, there was a requirement you couldn’t skip.

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, a birthmark resembling the royal crest had to appear somewhere on Estelle’s body.

It sounded silly, like something from a fantasy novel—“The Forgotten Archangel’s Wing Mark”—but…

That birthmark was actually key to unlocking the Emperor path.

In this era, bloodline mattered more than talent.

Even if someone was amazing, they couldn’t become emperor unless they were of direct royal descent.

You might think:

“Can’t we just fake being royal?”

But that only works if you’ve never played the game before.

Because the royal family has a way to tell who really belongs.

That’s right—the royal crest-shaped birthmark on the body.

In this world, that silly birthmark works like a genetic test.

To make the birthmark appear, you had to:

• Have Estelle receive a special blessing from someone at the temple within 15 days 
• And raise certain stats to a required level before the year ends. 

In the game, this was easy…

Time wasn’t an issue for the player, and Estelle would follow your instructions without question. So you could visit the temple anytime early on.

But in real life, things were different.

I had a job. I couldn’t take time off whenever I wanted.

And Estelle, before her trust level rose even a little, wouldn’t just follow me around.

So spending time alone with her was really hard.

Now that I think about it, today was our only chance to be together.

From tomorrow on, I’d be working again—and have way less time for her.

Please don’t say no…

Estelle didn’t answer right away, and I got nervous.

My heart pounded, and my mouth felt bone dry.

“Let’s go. It’ll be so much fun… You won’t regret it.”

I added more words, almost pleading.

Then I looked at her with puppy-dog eyes, begging silently: please don’t say no.

“…Alright. Let’s go.”

Finally, Estelle gave in and nodded.

Inside, I let out a silent cheer.

“Great! I’ll get ready quickly. You can finish breakfast and relax while you wait!”

I made sure to speak fast so she couldn’t change her mind.

Then I hurriedly cleaned up my bowl and dashed into the bathroom.

Whew. I was so worried she’d say no.

A relieved smile spread across my face as I ran away to get ready.