Chapter 1: Cannon Fodder Female Support Role-playing System
A new class of freshmen had just enrolled at Aethelburg’s top high school, and the air was still thick with sweltering heat.
"Joanna, you haven’t actually fallen for him, have you?"
A crisp female voice sounded by her ear.
Joanna Kennedy snapped back to her senses.
Before her stood a handsome boy, the male lead of this book, Simon Lockwood.
[Mission: As the cannon fodder female supporting character, you are a stumbling block on the path to the male and female leads’ beautiful love story. Force your love onto the male lead, bully the female lead, and commit all sorts of evil deeds. Please play your role well according to the novel’s plot points.]
As soon as 166’s mechanical voice faded, the contents of a novel flooded her mind.
This world was that of a campus redemption novel.
The male lead, Simon Lockwood, was an orphan who grew up in the slums. Bullied since childhood, he lost hearing in his left ear after an injury because he couldn’t afford surgery. Despite this, he managed to get into the top high school with astounding grades.
The story began from there. After starting high school, the male lead quickly became famous for his handsome looks and unrivaled grades. However, his hearing disability and cold, unapproachable personality made it difficult for anyone to get close to him.
This was when the female lead, Serena Sutton, entered the picture. As Simon’s deskmate, she was more mature and understanding than other girls due to being from a single-parent family. Gentle and kind, she got close to the male lead and, after many twists and turns, finally melted his icy heart, leading to a happy ending.
Joanna Kennedy was one of those "twists and turns."
The original owner of this body was also named Joanna Kennedy. She was the eldest daughter of Aethelburg’s powerful Kennedy family. Her prominent family background and stunning looks garnered her countless suitors, and she had been arrogant and domineering since she was a child.
However, at the age of sixteen, she met the male lead, who paid her no attention whatsoever. It was love at first sight, and she fell head over heels for him.
Unfortunately, the male lead only had eyes for the female lead. As a result, Joanna Kennedy’s mind became twisted. She used her power and influence to force her love upon Simon, obstructing the main couple’s romance at every turn and causing them to be separated for six years.
During those six years, the male lead matured quickly and built his own business empire. Meanwhile, the Kennedy family went bankrupt, and Joanna was reduced to working in a bar, ultimately dying a tragic death on the day of the main couple’s wedding.
After reading the summary of the novel, Joanna Kennedy was speechless. "..."
’Isn’t this ending a bit too tragic?’ she silently asked 166 in her mind.
Bankruptcy, being forced to sell her body in a bar, and finally dying at sea... Joanna Kennedy felt a chill run down her spine just thinking about it.
[Rest assured, Host. This is just part of the plot. You will not actually die.]
"Then... after I complete the mission, can I return to my original world?"
was silent for a moment before replying, [That question is outside my designated response parameters.]
"Excuse me, please."
Simon Lockwood’s handsome brows furrowed. He wanted to get into the classroom, but Joanna Kennedy was blocking his way.
Joanna Kennedy pushed her thoughts aside. TSK TSK. A hint of pity appeared in her stunning eyes.
"How could I possibly like him? His family’s too poor, and he’s deaf. But..." A glint appeared in Joanna’s eyes. "He is undeniably handsome."
’Listen to me. How shallow can a person be?’
Anna Yates rolled her eyes. "Alright, Miss High and Mighty, he’s a bona fide academic genius trying to defy fate with the college entrance exams. Just leave him alone."
As if she would make Simon Lockwood’s life any harder. Joanna Kennedy joked, "I’m going to be his savior."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Anna Yates said, brushing it off. "Let’s figure out what we’re eating first."
Military training had just ended, and in a rare show of humanity, the school administration had granted them a day off to go home and recuperate. They were free to leave after this self-study period.
The bell rang. Amid excited shouts, students swarmed out of the classroom. In no time, the room was mostly empty.
Simon Lockwood unhurriedly finished the last major problem. He couldn’t quite make out the sound of footsteps, and when he looked up, all he saw was a slender figure disappearing from view.
"Anna, you’re surprisingly strong," Joanna Kennedy said from outside the door, rubbing the arm that Anna had pulled on.
Anna Yates rolled her eyes. If she hadn’t been quick enough to pull her away, who knew what Joanna Kennedy might have done.
"What were you about to say to him?" she demanded.
Joanna Kennedy blinked innocently. "I wasn’t going to say anything. I just wanted to see what problem he was working on that had him so focused."
Anna Yates: "..."
She sighed. "My dear young miss, I’m seriously begging you, don’t mess with Simon Lockwood. There are plenty of handsome guys out there. Can’t you just pick a normal one?"
Joanna Kennedy laughed. "It sounds like you have a pretty strong opinion of him."
"It’s not... Ugh, fine, I’ll just tell you!" Anna Yates stomped her foot. "I saw him at The Crimson Hall the other day. He... he works there!"
The Crimson Hall. It was Aethelburg’s largest bar, a notorious money pit where the rich went to have fun, and the poor went to...
’Tsk, this male lead is wilder than I thought.’
An idea formed in Joanna Kennedy’s mind, but she didn’t let it show on her face. "Let’s not talk about him. Let’s go eat."
Seeing her nonchalant expression, Anna Yates thought she had lost interest and breathed a sigh of relief. "A new Chinese restaurant just opened up ahead. I hear it’s pretty good. Let’s go there."
"Sure."
"You said you were treating, so you can’t back out now."
"As if I would..."
...
The sound of the girls’ laughing voices gradually faded.
Serena Sutton bit her lip, looking nervously at the boy beside her. He had a cold expression, but he was almost unreasonably handsome.
"Um, Simon Lockwood, can I walk with you?"
