Chapter 24

Tweet―tweet―

I woke up to the sound of chirping birds outside and the sunlight streaming in through the curtains.

Another day had dawned.

Honestly, one day without sunlight wouldn’t hurt.

I swear.

It was a bit annoying that another new day was starting, but with a frown on my face, I sat up in bed.

The world always moves forward like a stream, regardless of my will.

Once again, I had to head to the Academy.

The Academy, where one less person awaits me.

Sitting groggily on the bed, I muttered to myself.

“No need for a lunchbox… I guess.”

Honestly, it’s become a hassle to do things for others.

I no longer wanted to sacrifice my time to win someone else’s favor.

And truthfully, everyone’s business was over, so there was no reason to continue pointless actions.

In the case of Rusika, I wouldn’t have any chance to talk to her at the Academy anymore.

What happened on the way home yesterday was all genuine.

I couldn’t quite imagine how much she would hate me now, but one thing was clear.

Until Rusika approaches me, we were merely strangers.

I could possibly take the initiative to apologize first to restore the remaining friendship… but I didn’t really want to.

I was getting mentally tired, and I didn’t have the energy to pour out anymore.

As for Seldienne, the connection that linked us was a battle of egos during our meals.

It was a relationship that had persisted precisely because neither of us wanted to lower our pride, each wanting to have the last word in the feast, so if I were to drop my pride first, that would be that.

This didn’t require permission; it was just within my freedom.

Since we hadn’t met with any friendly feelings, it wouldn’t matter if I abruptly severed the connection.

Maybe she’d be pleased having won the war of pride and could finally stop the hassle of entertaining a commoner.

I had that expectation.

Above all, I was fed up with the discrimination I faced each time we met.

In the case of Perjena, I hadn’t visited her often and she preferred being alone, so there was no need to worry.

She had told me to just show my face sometimes, so it wouldn’t be a problem to skip the lunchbox.

And Haidiera… well…

“She’ll manage just fine on her own.”

She wouldn’t reject whatever I did, so let’s exclude her from this discussion.

In conclusion, this is what it came down to.

I could now do whatever I wanted freely at the Academy.

Tirisia, Rusika, Haidiera, Seldienne, and Perjena—

I wouldn’t care about anyone’s thoughts or feelings. My time was entirely mine.

It felt both annoying and refreshing.

Like I was stuck in a muddy pit, but finally broke free from the chains that bound me.

“Well then… shall I go?”

I forced myself to shake off the lingering drowsiness and got up.

*

“I had a fight with Rusika.”

While heading to the Academy with Tirisia, I casually threw that comment out.

“Huh? Why?”

Surprised, her aquamarine eyes shot towards me.

“Well, I guess it’s hard for her to comprehend that we broke up.”

“Ah…”

Understanding what I meant, Tirisia nodded.

“Yeah… Rusika could definitely feel that way.”

To the sulking Tirisia, I needed to make a point clear.

“Especially since she’s really mad at me. Don’t go meddling around trying to mediate. Let her think about it alone, okay?”

“Well… but shouldn’t we explain it to Rusika so she can understand?”

Tirisia fidgeted her fingers, looking anxious.

But I shook my head firmly.

“She won’t understand. Because what she wants is for us not to break up.”

“Ah…”

“And that’s impossible. You’ll eventually have to reveal that you’re going to see another guy pretty soon.”

“That’s…”

As I brought up the sensitive topic, she lowered her head and softened her voice.

That’s right. Now that we had officially broken up, Tirisia could openly reveal Kerg Durakal’s presence.

Although some more time was needed, neither she nor that guy would likely continue their relationship only as shadows.

Especially Kerg; a guy like that would surely want to flaunt his achievements to the world.

So while it was impossible for Tirisia to clear up Rusika’s feelings, I asked her to hear something definitive.

“Or can you honestly tell Rusika you broke up because you cheated on her?”

“……”

Silence.

Tirisia couldn’t lift her head and quietly awaited my next words.

I wasn’t trying to tease her, but frankly, there was no way she could argue her corner.

Exhibiting that kind of indecision didn’t help either.

“See?”

I didn’t want to keep staring at her like that, so I shrugged and sighed.

“Right now, Rusika’s feelings are beyond what we can deal with, and luckily, it’s me she hates, not you, so just stay out of it. We don’t want to stir things up even more.”

What I said yesterday about Rusika’s true feelings wouldn’t help Tirisia’s case at all right now.

The most it would do is just pile more guilt onto her conscience.

“…That’s true.”

Tirisia seemed to realize she couldn’t meddle and nodded at last.

“I’ll try to make an effort to cheer her up later. So for now, leave it to me, and focus on your stuff, okay?”

“…Yeah, got it.”

With that agreement made, we quietly continued on our way to the Academy.

This was the start of the first day after the official breakup.

*

As expected, upon arriving at the Academy, I felt the gazes of many around me.

In the corridors, the classrooms, even the restrooms.

I could hear whispers among the crowd present all around.

“Did you hear? That guy… he broke up with Bruerd.”

“All that chasing, and he finally gave up, huh…”

“Well, what was bound to happen has happened. How could a commoner compete with Bruerd…”

The news of the heartbroken top celebrity at the Academy had spread among most students already.

The source was probably… Seldienne’s gang.

Despite Seldienne herself, her aides wouldn’t miss out on spreading such juicy news.

The pitiful end of a commoner who dared to covet the daughter of a great noble house.

Well, they probably spread it around like that.

I didn’t care how they distorted my image; in this situation, their malice oddly worked to my advantage.

Thanks to that, the entire student body now knew that Tirisia was single.

So if Kerg Durakal showed up later, no students who were late to the news would mix things up with needless gossip.

In front of everyone, naturally.

Commoner Erto would quietly step back, and Kerg Durakal would take his place.

This whole process might unfold rather hastily, but as long as the order was right, no one would raise an eyebrow.

No one would think Tirisia cheated.

Everyone would see it as proper that commoner Erto got dumped.

And beside Tirisia would stand the chairman’s only son, a person no less dignified than Bruerd.

For now, this was all I needed.

Rusika’s rage was slightly unexpected, but everything was set without major issues.

Now all that remains is… to use my time for myself and quietly watch over Tirisia.

And to keep an eye on Kerg Durakal.

Regardless of how those two end up, it was my final role to watch until the bitter end.

*

Ding―ding―ding―ding―

The bell rang, signaling the end of the morning lectures.

It was lunchtime.

Since I decided not to bring a lunchbox from now on, I headed to the cafeteria to grab a meal alone.

While blending in with the crowd heading to their respective dining spots, I turned the corner of the hallway and—

“Oh.”

“Ah.”

I bumped right into a girl with cherry blossom-colored twin tails.

“…”

Following her orders, I stayed silent and simply gazed at her face.

“……”

Rusika paused for a moment, seemingly wanting to say something, but—

“Tsk.”

She clicked her tongue and brushed past me.

Well, expecting a change of heart in just one night was asking too much.

Nevertheless, judging by her expression, it seemed she didn’t have absolutely nothing to say, so I decided to leave her be until she decided to speak up.

Sighing, I continued on my way when suddenly—

Thump―

Someone abruptly grabbed my shoulder from behind.

“Huh?”

I turned around, and there was a huge shadow looming over me, at least a head taller.

“Hello, Haidiera.”

I greeted her while glancing up at her bangs.

“It’s, it’s nice to see you, Lord Erto.”

“Still sneaking around like a ghost, I see.”

“A-are you going to eat?”

“Yeah. Just going to eat in the cafeteria today.”

As I shrugged, all of a sudden, a glowing smile appeared on Haidiera’s gloomy face.

It was a chilling smile, reminiscent of a ghost breaking into a grin.

“Is that so? Well, it’s perfect timing! Please join me for a meal.”

“Huh? Is something up?”

“There’s nothing special…”

As she spoke, Haidiera presented a lunchbox wrapped in exotic cloth.

“Today, I prepared something for Lord Erto.”

“Huh?”

I had never heard her say she liked cooking before.

What’s going on?

I tilted my head in confusion but nodded nonetheless.

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