episode_0020

Entering the Concentration Management Department was not just for studying.

If I’m the only member, it’s natural for me to become the head.

And as the head, I could determine the direction of the club, which means…

I could customize everything else as I pleased, as long as I didn’t change the club’s main purpose.

“Haha.”

“Lia is definitely very cute, but why does she sometimes seem upset?”

If you ask me that, I don’t know how to answer. Shasha.

“Anyway, it wasn’t that bad of a story.”

I needed to study the areas where I lacked.

This was not a choice, but a necessary element.

But if I had to study anyway, having the ability to adjust the environment as I wished was a huge advantage.

“…If rumors spread that you joined the Concentration Management Department, there will be people who criticize you.”

Derren seemed slightly worried as he said that, and I shrugged in response.

I know it well.

Children are innocent.

And innocence is usually closer to evil than good.

If they find out that I’m lacking compared to others, I’ll probably start hearing unpleasant stories.

But, you see.

“Even if I’m a fallen noble, I would hear the same things even if I didn’t join.”

Since my background is what it is, I receive fear from commoners and disdain from nobles.

Adding the label of Concentration Management Department head won’t change anything.

“…Are you worried?”

“I’m not worried, that’s why I’m saying this.”

If you pay attention to every bad thing someone says about you, you won’t be able to live in this world.

Let the criticism flow past, listen to the good, that’s what it means to be an adult, a member of society.

“…Well, if you can’t read or write, there’s not much you can do.”

Derren shook his head and reached out to pat my head gently.

“…If someone bothers you, tell me.”

“…Okay.”

Is this his way of protecting me?

…It’s not very dignified to rely on the power of another child when dealing with other children, but…

“…Then I’ll rely on you when the time comes. Being friends means this, right?”

In living life, pride is just a trivial thing that can be trampled on at any time.

If I were to offer help, I wouldn’t refuse.

Bashfully, I smiled and took the hand that was resting on my head and gently lowered it.

The warm body temperature of a child felt nice.

Pulling my hand back blushing for a moment, it seemed like he was shy like a child.

“You seem embarrassed.”

“…Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Among friends, this level of physical contact is normal.”

Ah.

“…Ah, you don’t have any friends? Is that why? Don’t understand? Huh?”

Derren growled with a frown, and I pretended to be scared by his threatening posture, making a groaning sound.

It seems like the prince can’t hide his personality too well.

I’ve been feeling this since the last time.

Not only Seina, but Derren as well, seemed to have different personality traits described in the novel.

It could be attributed to mood swings, but the Derren I know had a cool personality.

Is this also something that changes with time?

I’m not sure.

There were too many parts that were omitted and skipped in the novel, so reading the novel didn’t mean I knew everything.

That was one of the many reasons why I didn’t blindly believe in novels just because I read them.

“Anyway, today’s schedule is over quickly.”

Stretching my arms up to the sky, yawning, I complained about fatigue.

Actually, nothing much happened today, but maybe I was nervous because it was the first day.

Quite exhausted, I leaned on Seina’s shoulder without a word,

Seina subtly avoided me, almost causing me to fall over.

“…You’re so mean.”

“Ria, do it to me, not Seina. Don’t make Seina uncomfortable.”

As Shasha scolded me while pinching my cheek, I couldn’t help but think that Seina was the one to blame in this situation.

If a friend is tired and leans on you a bit, it’s only natural not to push them away.

Even as I puffed out my cheeks, I followed Shasha’s lead and leaned on her, and she naturally embraced me.

“…Shasha, you’re really kind.”

“It’s okay because you’re cute.”

Shasha smiled like a fool, as if it was nothing.

Being called cute by a 10-year-old girl was quite unexpected.

I never thought about it when I said it myself, but hearing it from someone else made me slightly embarrassed.

As I looked at Shasha with a chubby face, Seina timidly spoke up.

“I’m sorry for avoiding you… But, Ria, you keep trying to smell me, so I get scared…”

Ah, so that’s why she avoided me.

“…Pervert.”

Shasha winced slightly as she pulled my cheek, but I had my own excuse.

It’s fascinating how a person’s body can smell like flowers.

“…Ugh, it’s not the fault of the person who smells, it’s the fault of the person whose body smells like flowers.”

“A typical remark that only a pervert would make.”

I pursed my lips at Deron’s blunt words and bowed my head.

If he’s going to be that harsh, I won’t have anything to say.

“…Ugh, I’m sorry.”

“…It’s, it’s okay.”

Since the person involved said it was okay, I guess I’m not at fault anymore.

Straightening my hunched body, I approached Seina.

“By the way, have you thought about it?”

“…Y-yes?”

“I asked if you wanted to have grilled chicken today.”

It was a topic we discussed during class.

There was a new grilled chicken restaurant in the merchant district that looked really good.

Shasha said the food there wasn’t good, but if we bought the ingredients, she could make it taste better.

“…Can I, can I eat with you…?”

“There’s nothing stopping you, in fact, eating together will help us build friendship, right?”

People become friends when they fight, and they become closer when they eat together.

And of the two methods, I prefer the latter.

“…T-then, excuse me.”

Seina timidly nodded her head.

Feeling closer to Seina now, I smiled brightly with joy.

Today, while eating grilled chicken together, I’ll have to tell Seina various things about Deron.

What he likes, what he dislikes, and so on.

Since I’ve succeeded in becoming friends with them, it’s now my role to subtly push them forward from behind.

The plan is going smoothly.

“…Aren’t you asking me about it?”

As I happily imagined the future, Deron looked at me disapprovingly and muttered under his breath.

Is this jealousy from a child, I wondered, but I chuckled and took a step closer, whispering.

“…We’re going to eat at the girls’ dormitory, are you coming…?”

“What…?”

“…You seem to have a mischievous side, don’t you…?”

Well, maybe he’s a bit mature for his age, but by this age, it’s not uncommon to have a strong interest in sex.

It’s not such a special era to get married in your late teens, even though he’s only 10.

So it’s not strange for his sexual interest to show up early.

“…You’re going too far.”

Whether his face turned red from embarrassment or anger, I couldn’t tell,

But if I keep teasing him, I might end up getting a knuckle on the head.

If I keep getting that, I might really not grow tall, so I’m subtly worried.

“It’s just a joke, just a joke.”

“…That’s going too far.”

Just whispering in close proximity was enough to cause a stir.

Lightly licking her lips, she pulled out a candy from her pajama pocket and handed it to Deron.

But still, since we’re friends, it felt like we should share something delicious between ourselves.

Even though it wasn’t the large candy bar she had bought before, it was a much smaller candy. The taste was just as good, and since it was a premium item worth 1,500 lire each, she hoped he wouldn’t feel disappointed.

“That’s my favorite flavor, so please don’t be too disappointed… We can share it next time!”

Whether male or female, stepping foot into a dormitory that didn’t match their gender would result in a whopping 30 demerit points.

This was a rule of the academy that even a prince couldn’t avoid.

In my own way, I was trying to protect the prince.

“I’m not particularly disappointed.”

If I wasn’t disappointed, I wouldn’t have said anything in the first place.

Trying to hide her weak side like a child throwing a tantrum seemed cute, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Don’t laugh.”

“Okay.”

Now she even controlled my laughter.

She’s a tyrant, a real tyrant.

She stuck out her tongue slightly and tilted her head.

If she’s so prickly, she might end up without any friends. Maybe I’m having some bad thoughts.

We chatted for a while and then parted ways, getting ready to cook with Sasha as dinner time approached.

The grilled chicken Sasha made was delicious.

After enjoying the meal, I subtly approached Seina with a question.

Her guarded expression seemed to signal to me that now was the time.

“…Seina.”

“…Yes, yes?”

Look, normally she would lean back when I approach her, but now she’s just staying still.

If I ask a question now, there’s a high chance of getting an honest answer.

With the most innocent expression, I casually asked my question.

“Do you love the prince?”

“…No?”

Huh?

“…While it’s true that I like the prince, I, I haven’t developed any romantic feelings.”

“Why not?”

“…Yes, yes?”

Why no romantic feelings?

This is why things went wrong from the start.