Chapter 22

“What?”

A myriad of emotions flitted across the faces of everyone seated around the table.

The most prominent one was ‘confusion’.

Forget everything else; their expressions screamed that they could not comprehend why I had said such a thing.

Even Tirisia and I exchanged puzzled glances after an unexpectedly long silence.

“What did you say? Say it again.”

The first to break free from the shock was Rusika.

Leaning towards me, furrowing her brow, she asked.

I calmly repeated what I had said.

“Tirisia and I have broken up.”

“Huh…?”

Rusika stared at both Tirisia and me in disbelief.

Next to speak was Seldienne, sitting in the middle of the noble trio.

“Broken up? Since when…?”

Haidiera’s usually boisterous voice was now oddly subdued.

She didn’t look as bewildered as Rusika, but she certainly wasn’t pleased either.

She appeared genuinely curious about this unexpected situation.

It was a bit surprising; I thought Seldienne would be dancing with joy upon hearing the news.

“It wasn’t long ago. We broke up recently.”

“Is that so?”

Miou and Jury, sitting beside her, looked like they were about to burst out laughing at Seldienne’s expression.

Yeah, that face was exactly how I expected this bunch to react.

The news that a noble and a commoner’s goofy romance had come to an end seemed worthy of popping champagne and throwing a celebration.

The next to speak was Perjena, who posed the most fundamental question.

“Why?”

Seated with her legs crossed, she glared at Tirisia with a slightly angry look.

“Why did you break up?”

Yes, that part was the most important issue of the day.

The reason Tirisia and I had split up.

Everyone’s eyes were on me, eager for an explanation of the matter.

I took a moment to breathe and mentally reviewed the answer.

Of course, I would provide the reason Tirisia and I had agreed upon beforehand.

Though it would be a far cry from the actual truth.

The truth.

That Tirisia had cheated—a harsh revelation.

Exposing that ugly truth in front of everyone would not happen.

That kind of revenge was not the solution I was looking for to reach my desired conclusion.

I wanted to see where Tirisia’s chosen path would lead her.

Completely untouched by my hands, in its natural state.

No interference, no revenge, no distortion—just passively observing.

What kind of happiness she might find after choosing to leave me behind.

I wished to witness that ending from the closest vantage point.

Like an audience member seated in the front row, without stepping onto the stage.

That’s why I would weave together a fabricated story in front of everyone now.

Essentially just as I had told Kerg Durakal.

I would never let my actions ruin Tirisia’s future.

I vaguely recognized that this behavior was abnormal.

Some would see it as utterly incomprehensible and a meaningless sacrifice.

From a common-sense or just an average person’s perspective, everyone would want revenge on Tirisia and that guy.

After all, nobody wants the cheater to find happiness; that story would just be frustrating and annoying.

It was only natural to want to smash things if possible.

Especially if you’re the one left all alone after being tossed aside. No, it must be done.

It would’ve been as easy as exposing their dirty laundry in front of others and appealing to ethics to completely destroy their social reputation.

But as someone who was an old childhood friend of Tirisia Bruerd, someone who loved her more than anyone else, I wanted to give her one last chance.

I hoped she would find greater happiness than she had left behind at the place she had chosen for herself.

My final affection and consideration was to wish she would not regret the path she had selected.

The very act of praying for her happiness came from my doubts about whether it was even attainable.

I truly don’t know.

Can Tirisia really find genuine happiness in that guy’s arms?

At least in my mind, such a future did not come to light. Just darkness and the abyss.

If I had to guess the odds, they seemed painfully low.

That’s why I had to watch carefully to see what Tirisia pulled from that dark veil.

I couldn’t allow the attempt to fail from the start. A complete conclusion must be reached.

This could be seen as a gamble or a bet.

Instead of flipping the table, Tirisia had to achieve what she wanted.

If she couldn’t, then what would remain are only two deeply wounded individuals.

Beyond that, something surely horrible awaited.

And thus, I opened the curtain on this staged play.

“First, I hope everyone understands this. We’re not parting on bad terms. We’re parting on good feelings and going back to being ordinary friends. Right, Tirisia?”

When I looked at the silver-haired girl, she nodded solemnly.

“Yep… that’s right. It’s not like we fought or anything… I think we understood and accepted each other’s positions. Erto is a good person, and we decided to stay friends like before.”

“Position difference? What kind of position difference?”

Still stuck in shock, Rusika asked with a slack expression.

“I’ll explain, Tirisia.”

“Okay…”

I was the one who primarily created the excuses for this breakup.

So, it would be easier for everyone else to accept if I did the explaining instead of Tirisia.

I looked at the blonde girl sitting beside me and said.

“Actually, I was the one who first suggested we return to being friends.”

It was the truth, after all.

“You did?”

Seldienne frowned and questioned.

“The biggest reason I decided to break up with Tirisia is that I thought we weren’t a good match. I’m just an ordinary commoner, and Tirisia belongs to a noble family. At some point, I realized we weren’t suited as a couple.”

“That’s sudden.”

“Maybe you were right, Seldienne. Nobles and commoners can’t be together… it’s not strictly accurate, but Tirisia and I definitely live in different worlds.”

Seldienne’s expression turned complex, something hard to describe. It twirled with joy and embarrassment, creating a mixture that was neither here nor there.

“I struggle to keep up with the life of someone from the Bruerd family, a noble. If we continued as a couple, I felt like I would someday block Tirisia’s path.”

At that, Perjena bared her teeth as if to chide me.

“So you’re saying you’ve lost confidence, huh? You little punk.”

“I think it’s important to admit when you’re wrong, Senpai. I don’t want to become a burden in Tirisia’s life. She can meet someone better, someone great.”

“Huh…?”

With her one eye open, the senior glanced at Tirisia after hearing my words.

“Hey, you little girlfriend. Are you okay with this? If this guy is talking nonsense on his own, say the word. I’ll set him straight myself.”

“I…”

Her jade-colored eyes turned towards me.

I nodded to her, conveying that she should speak as promised.

Tirisia’s gaze dropped to the mat beneath us, and in a calm voice, she began to speak.

“Erto is precious and a good person to me. But… I don’t want him to feel burdened while he’s beside me and to end up living a painful life because of that. So, if Erto wishes, I believe it’s better for us to return to being friends like before.”

“…I see. If that’s how you two feel, then it’s understood.”

Perjena turned slightly to the side, as if indicating she wouldn’t pursue it any further.

Shall I wrap things up?

“Everyone, do you think this is enough explanation for the reasons behind the breakup? Once again, I’ll say it was on good terms, and we’re returning to friendship, so nothing is going to change much. Just treat us the same as before.”

There were no more requests for further explanations, but no one stepped forward to agree either.

“B-Brud Bruerd…”

Suddenly, Haidiera, who had been quiet at the back, spoke up towards Tirisia, whom she usually found daunting.

“Yes, Aicydel.”

Tirisia looked over with a gentle smile.

Her hands tightened around Haidiera’s shoulders, causing her to flinch.

“I just want to ask one thing…”

“What is it?”

With a rustle, the presence from behind grew larger. Haidiera straightened her back and took a seat.

The question that came from her was a simple one.

“Are you really okay with this?”

Huh?

This girl, she didn’t stumble over her words at all.

In fact, her tone held a significant weight.

Tirisia glanced briefly at me, then nodded.

“Yes, I’m fine. We decided this together with Erto.”

“Understood. I will respect your decision.”

Saying that, Haidiera released my shoulder and stood up.

“Well, my business is done, so I’ll be taking my leave now… I’ve actually been feeling quite anxious since earlier…”

“Oh, go on then, Haidiera.”

With a hand on her stomach, Haidiera hurriedly walked away.

“I should get going too. Lunch hours are nearly up, and all these stares are stabbing at me. Take care.”

“See you next time, Senpai.”

Following that, Perjena waved as she walked out the entrance.

“Miou, Jury! We should take off as well.”

Seldienne, leading her subordinates, got up, casting a final smile our way.

“Oh-hohoho! So the commoner finally understands their place! Are you satisfied, young lady?”

“Lord Elconja’s foresight was correct!”

“Truly a wise noble lady!”

“Can you guys just leave quietly?”

Waving off the nobles as they made their quick exits, I turned to the last remaining guest.

“Rusika, what are you thinking?”

“Not much. I’m leaving.”

The expressionless girl got up, muttered a quick farewell, and departed swiftly from the stage area.

Now it was just Tirisia and me left on the large mat.

“…I said it now.”

With a mix of relief and exhaustion, I managed a wry smile.

“So, officially, we’re not a couple anymore.”

Tirisia wore the same expression as I did.

Thus, the two sat silently on the grass for a time.

*

And after school,

“Hey, you loser.”

“Huh?”

The one who came looking for me was Rusika, still unable to hide her confusion.

“Today, come with me. I’ve already told Tiring.”

“Uh, why?”

“I have something to say.”

Her tone was different from usual, so I nodded, puzzled.

The girl with bright, cherry blossom-colored twin tails had an intensity in her eyes that held no traces of mischief. She was filled with raw anger.

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