The Scheme to Make Friends

Orca’s daily routine was painfully simple.

Sitting through mind-numbingly boring classes that had nothing to do with her, then lounging on the plush bed in the counseling room to leisurely pass the time.

That was Orca’s ordinary routine.

Though some teachers occasionally nagged her to pay proper attention in class, Orca would half-listen before tuning them out.

What did they expect? The content was utterly useless to her anyway.

Lectures about mana or social structures never resonated with her.

The demon parasitizing her body automatically absorbed all mana, so she had no use for learning how to wield it, and societal frameworks bored her to tears.

She only attended classes to keep her promise with the Counselor teacher.

···She thought today would be another tedious day like always.

“What on earth is that girl doing over there?”

The stares never ceased.

Of course, Orca was accustomed to people glaring at her with displeasure or wrinkling their noses in disgust.

But the gazes fixed on her now were different.

Not expressions of irritation or revulsion, but the look of someone observing something fascinating.

While their reactions were amusingly novel, that wasn’t what truly bothered her.

“···.”

Rustle.

When Orca turned her head, that arrogant noble girl she’d seen before scurried to hide like a cockroach.

···The girl would probably throw a fit if she knew Orca had compared her to vermin, but so what?

Skulking around, hyperaware of being watched yet refusing to be caught – they were practically identical.

After spotting her several times since morning, the girl seemed to gain confidence and became bolder after lunch.

If she had a grievance and wanted to pick a fight, she wouldn’t be acting like this.

What the hell was her deal?

“···Ah, there you are. Hello.”

“Huh? It’s you, shrimp.”

Orca stared at the tiny boy fearlessly greeting her.

A short-stacked kid with freakish strength and a bottomless stomach.

His face had become familiar from his frequent visits to the counseling room lately.

“Um, could you stop calling me ‘shrimp’? We’re the same age.”

“What’re you talking about? Do you know how much taller I am than you?”

“···.”

Leo fell silent. Clearly at a loss for words.

To Orca, Leo seemed no different from a child.

With over 20cm height difference between them, it was hard to believe they were peers.

Perhaps realizing further argument was pointless, Leo sighed deeply.

“Haa… Fine.”

“So? What do you want?”

“Nothing urgent. Just noticed all the stares and wondered if you’d caused trouble again.”

“···I don’t cause trouble every single day, you know?”

“Not every day, but often enough.”

“···.”

This time it was Orca’s turn to fall silent.

Because it was true that she frequently got into trouble.

“Let’s see, last time you lost your temper during sparring practice and beat up a student…”

“That bastard started it!”

“Funny how you apologized first then.”

“Th-that’s…”

What else could I do?

The teacher who heard the news kept bowing apologetically as if it was her fault.

Seeing someone take blame that wasn’t theirs made her feel guilty by proxy.

“This time it’s really not me. I didn’t do anything.”

“Then why…?”

“Look behind you.”

“Behind? …Good heavens, what is that?”

Leo turned his head as casually as possible while maintaining their conversation facade.

“See her?”

“…Yes. What is Her Highness doing over there?”

“No idea. She suddenly started stalking me.”

Though unclear why, Stella had begun tailing her out of nowhere despite Orca doing nothing noteworthy.

With those black sunglasses and brown trench coat, was she imitating some spy movie?

If anything, that outfit made her stand out more within the academy grounds.

Especially since she was already famous – acting so suspiciously only drew more attention.

No way she didn’t notice all those stares.

“Hmm, alright. I’ll go ask her!”

“Hey! Wai…!”

“Good afternoon, Your Highness! Lovely weather we’re having!”

“Y-yes. Quite pleasant indeed.”

Before Orca could stop him, Leo approached the princess, startling the curious onlookers.

Who would dare speak so casually to Princess Stella while she was awkwardly trying to hide?

Everyone considered it fortunate if he escaped without being cursed out.

“Aren’t you hot? You seem to be sweating. Let me hold your coat.”

“…Thank you. It was rather warm.”

Contrary to expectations, no outburst occurred.

Far from showing anger or annoyance, Stella practically ripped off the coat and sunglasses to hand them over.

“Ahem… N-nice to see you. Have you been well?”

Orca stared blankly at the princess who immediately launched into forced small talk after disrobing.

…Was this idiot too nervous to approach me properly?

No way. A princess wouldn’t act so clumsily over something so trivial…

But judging by the circumstances, that seemed exactly the case…

Under Orca’s suspicious gaze, the princess’s face gradually reddened.

This brat…

“…”

“A-ahem! H-have you been well?!”

“Yeah, fine. …Why?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t ‘huh’ me. You came to say something, right? Dressed like that?”

“N-no… Just trying to set the mood…”

“…”

“What’s with that look?!”

What do you think? It’s the face of someone realizing they lost to this idiot.

“Setting the mood” led to this embarrassment?

Pretty pathetic for a princess.

“So? You had something to say.”

“Ah, yes… Very well. Since you dislike roundabout speech, I’ll be direct.”

“Good.”

“Won’t you become friends with me?”

“…What?”

Everyone’s thoughts ground to a halt.

To those who assumed the princess’s strange behavior must have some grand purpose, this sounded utterly absurd.

A friendship proposal? Nobody could have predicted this development.

“Ahem, what say you? Accept now and receive the exclusive Princess Special Dessert Course.”

“Wow, really?! I’m jealous…”

“Care to join as well? Opportunities to befriend royalty rarely include such bonuses.”

“Seriously?! I’m in!”

“You, you…”

This was ridiculous.

She’d assumed Stella had some ulterior motive, but this?

Offering friendship?

Well… people could ask to be friends.

But she’s the princess. Was all that suspicious behavior just to request friendship?

And targeting a Demon Possessor of all people?

“…Why me?”

“Hmm?”

“No offense, but my reputation isn’t great.”

“Simple. I find you intriguing.”

“…Intriguing?”

“Is that insufficient? I consider it reason enough.”

As if that made sense.

Even Orca, who cared nothing for academy politics or royal affairs, knew this would cause massive scandal.

Rumors would spread like wildfire.

She’d undoubtedly face even more annoyance than before.

“Sorry, but no…”

Just as she began voicing refusal-

Orca suddenly recalled her teacher’s constant nagging.

Make some friends. The teacher hated seeing Orca constantly fighting alone… that sort of lecture.

She’d always dismissed it as annoying.

…But maybe this was an opportunity.

“Fine.”

“Oh, splendid! Excellent choice, Orca. Shall we enjoy desserts while strengthening our…”

“No, later. Too many people watching now.”

“…Fair point. Very well, until next time.”

With no apparent agenda beyond friendship, Stella immediately turned and left. Watching her retreating back, Orca sighed.

The girl was far stranger than expected.

***

“Phew, success.”

Stella fanned her flushed face with her hand.

Though she’d anticipated this outcome, containing her embarrassment proved difficult.

“How do performers endure this shame daily… I must increase their salaries when I become Empress.”

Everything proceeded according to plan.

Teacher Ophelia had advised that Orca would accept friendship if directly approached.

Wear conspicuous clothing to draw Orca’s and students’ attention, then propose friendship under public scrutiny.

Though mortifying, this ensured rumors would spread about their unlikely friendship.

Bonus effect: lowering Orca’s hostility.

Even refusal would have served her purpose – continued pursuit would fuel more gossip.

Soon enough, this news would reach the Imperial Family.

They’d wonder what madness possessed her.

Perhaps assume exile had driven her insane.

Let them watch idly, clueless of her intentions.

That would be the calm before the storm toppling the Imperial Family.

“Ah, Your Highness. Your coat and sunglasses…”

“Keep them.”

“Pardon? B-but…”

“Take them!”

Yet the embarrassment remained unavoidable.

Stella’s crimson face refused to cool down.