How To Live As An Academy Extra Villain.

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02

A trembling hand clutching me, brown eyes filled with longing gazing into mine, and Iris' friend glaring at me as if she would kill me—it seemed I wouldn't easily escape this situation.

Cornered and surrounded by the two of them, it was particularly difficult.

No matter how I tried to shake her off, Iris's friend seemed determined not to let me go. Her name was Pamela, I think. I think I heard that she was Iris's friend from the academy.

What if this causes a scene?

"Ugh…"

As I exhaled, I felt a flinch from the fingers holding me.

Tears were now welling up in Iris's eyes, and Pamela's gaze at me burned even more fiercely; the sight of Iris boldly approaching a strange man like this was really quite disconcerting.

But running away wouldn't solve anything. I've been in this situation many times before, and maybe it's time for me to do something about it.

"Alright. I accept."

"Ah…!"

Iris's face lit up at my answer, and Pamela let out a sigh of relief at the sight.

Maybe this situation could be an opportunity. The changes happening on Eugene's side kept giving me a headache, but I had no way of knowing what was going on there.

But at least the person who could tell me about it was right in front of me.

I've grown somewhat accustomed to these recurring situations at least, no longer overwhelmed by the rush of emotions.

It'll only last for one song anyway, so I'll endure it a little longer…

Iris raises her trembling hand, offering her palm to me again, and this time I accept her invitation without hesitation. 

I could feel the warmth of her hand through the glove, even if it was faint.

Conveniently, one song had just ended and the next was about to begin. I led Iris back to the stage.

"Ari! Do your best! Fight!" 

{T/N – 'Fight' is basically a korean expression of all the best or do your best. If you have watched Korean dramas, you would be quite familiar with this term.}

I could hear Pamela's encouragement from behind. Iris was trying to shush her, but she couldn't stop glancing at me.

"Arh…"

The prelude to the song began, and we faced each other and greeted each other. As I approached her again and took her waist, she let out a soft moan.

Iris's trembling seemed to be even worse than before. This was even worse than Eugenia's. Iris was not the type to enjoy socializing, but she was definitely not unfamiliar with dancing or this kind of place.

"…May I ask you one thing?"

"…Ne-ugh, yes…of course…"

Startled by my sudden question, Iris seemed to bite her tongue slightly. 

"Out of all those people, why did you approach me specifically?"

"Ah…that's…" She hesitated for a moment, then suddenly answered urgently, as if something had come to mind, "Oh…ah! There was a feather stuck on your shoulder…I thought it was…peculiar…"

"A feather?" 

As I looked over my shoulder, Iris explained further.

"Th-that…it's gone now…it fell off earlier…"

"Ah…I see…"

"So…I just impulsively…talked to you…there's no other reason…"

No deeper meaning, just a feather? Perhaps one had fallen from the bird that landed on my shoulder earlier. I felt a little deflated when I heard her words.

But I still couldn't take her words at face value. It did seem unlikely she would impulsively approach someone just over a feather, especially with such desperation. The Iris I know would never behave that way.

I understand your skepticism about taking Iris' words at face value. It does seem unlikely she would impulsively approach someone just over a feather, especially with such desperation. The Iris I know would never behave that way.

Come to think of it, her behavior at the library the other day was also quite unfamiliar for Iris.

I don't know what it is, but it's clear that something has changed.

If I was the cause, she should have regained her peace of mind when she met Eugene. There are still things that don't make sense to me.

"…Lady Robinette. May I ask you another question? It may be a bit impertinent, so feel free to decline if you wish."

"…By all means…"

Iris nodded her head.

"By any chance…are you acquainted with the student named Eugene?"

"…? I know of him…I've tutored him in studies a few times…" 

My question seemed to bring a puzzled look to her face.

"He has been quite the center of attention lately… I was just curious… Earlier, it seemed many noble ladies held him in high regard…"

"…And your point is…?"

"I recognized the other two as celebrities, but do you know who the noble lady with orange hair might be?"

"Ah, that would be a student named Leta…I believe she was the heiress of a major Western corporation…Last time at the library, she helped resolve a dispute I was caught in, and perhaps that's when…"

Judging by the fact that it was at the library, it seems like Iris met Leta while tutoring Eugene.

Even though Patricia and Claudia were the same as before, Leta's early appearance was a definite irregularity. But when I heard Iris's story, it cleared up some of my doubts.

It was different from the original, but at least there was another reason. Leta and Eugene's early meeting was ultimately a result of the variable that is me.

I'm not sure if I should feel relieved or not, but…

"That…"

I was about to ask the most important thing, but the words were stuck in my throat and I couldn't get them out.

"…That, I heard that Lady Robinette is also quite…close to him…Do you happen to have a reason for coming here alone…?"

"Close? With who exactly…?" 

When she heard the words I barely managed to spit out, Iris looked even more puzzled.

"That rumor…no, Eugene…"

"No, no, absolutely not!" 

Iris suddenly looked utterly shocked, clutching me tightly with widened eyes.

"No…what do you mean…?"

"No, why on earth…would you think that…?"

"But I was told you've been tutoring him privately, helping him in various ways…"

"…While I am acquainted with that boy, we are absolutely not on such intimate terms to attend an event like this together…maybe it's Senior Patricia or Claudia…I have helped him with his studies a few times and that's it…"

"Why is that…?"

"…I can't tell you why…" Iris suddenly sealed her lips, lowered her head, and avoided my gaze. Then she mumbles something to herself, "…Could it be the same as back then…"

"…Pardon?"

"…No, but really…Please believe me…There is absolutely nothing between him and I…Do not misunderstand…"

Iris' whispers were almost pleading. Perhaps she was worried the rumor could tarnish her reputation.

"…My apologies. Please forget the questions I just asked…"

"…Yes…"

Silence fell between us again as the music was nearing its end.

While I don't know why Iris stopped tutoring Eugene, if that's the case, it would explain why his etiquettes and culture knowledge increased only slightly.

Of course, since he stopped studying in the middle, his level must have become ambiguous, just as Eugenia said before.

But why hasn't Iris gotten closer to Eugene like the other heroines?

While I became entangled with him under unfortunate circumstances from the start, Iris did not have such pre-existing tensions.

I wonder if meeting him earlier than originally planned was a significant variable, but looking at Leta, that was not necessarily the case.

Since Iris and I have also parted ways, and she did not seem invested in Eugene either, her current aloofness was somewhat understandable. Of course, her heart must be empty…

But if Iris simply drifts away like this, what meaning did my past decisions hold? Can that party really function well without her presence? At a glance, the dynamics between the others did not seem particularly harmonious.

Noticing my contemplation, Iris cautiously spoke up, "Then…may I ask you one thing as well…?" 

"…Of course."

"…Are you…in a relationship with the lady who came with you earlier…?"

"…Ah, she's a friend of mine."

"A friend…? But you seemed rather…close…"

For some reason, a puzzled expression crossed Iris' face at my words.

The music was now over, and we were parting ways. But she still seemed to have lingering feelings.

"Is it okay? You said it was one song, so I…"

"Wait…just a moment…"

"I'm sorry, but my companion is waiting. I really must go now…"

"Just a moment…wait, could you…!"

As I was about to turn, Iris reached out to grab me.

"Let go of my arm."

But her hand was suddenly grabbed by someone who appeared out of nowhere. Looking over, I could see an emerald-haired girl had returned to my side.

Eugenia shot Iris a piercing glare. While Iris' icy demeanor was formidable, Eugenia's presence seemed utterly unfazed.

"Class-A's Iris. Right? The one who tutored Eugene. You're going out with the guy you like, so why are you touching someone else's partner?"

"Eugenia? Wait a minute…"

Even though I spoke from the side, Eugenia kept her eyes fixed on Iris. And she squeezed her arm into mine even more tightly than before.

"…Don't talk nonsense. Like…that's not true…"

At Eugenia's actions, Iris, who had seemed momentarily confused, regained her composure. Her gaze fell on the point where Eugenia and I overlapped.

But something was strange about Eugenia now. Normally, she would have to hide timidly behind me to be normal; even though Iris glared at her with all her might, Eugenia didn't back down and retorted.

"This is my friend. Mine…! It doesn't matter who you're dating or what you teach. But not this one. Never."

"Yours…?!"

Shock spread across Iris' face at Eugina's words. I looked around, feeling the pressure from Eugenia. And then, I noticed something shiny in her drooping left hand.

I see.

It was a wide-mouthed, concave cup that had contained alcohol.

As the quarrel seemed to drag on, the attention of the people around us began to gradually turn to us. Iris's friend, Pamela, also sensed the atmosphere and approached.

"Don't touch other people's things carelessly. If you do this again, I'll really…Ugh?!"

Allowing the argument to escalate further would do no good for anyone. I urgently pulled Eugenia away, retreating from the scene.

Looking back, I saw Iris staring hopelessly after me with a dejected expression. 

"A friend…what did you do to him…"

* * * * *

"Are you alright?"

"…No, I'm not…"

"I told you that the wide glass contained alcohol. And you're a lightweight, aren't you?"

"…I didn't drink alcohol…I drank water…"

A space set up next to the hall. Eugenia was sitting on a chair in front of me. She seems to have calmed down a bit, but she is still full of dissatisfaction. Eugenia's face was flushed red.

Her earlier bold behavior was surely fueled by the effects of alcohol.

"Stupid…Edwin is stupid…I'm your partner…so why would you go with someone else…"

With blurry eyes, Eugenia continued to pour her complaints on me.

The alcohol clearly impaired her senses, but it seemed that she was quite sensitive to this kind of thing because of what she has been through.

Regardless of my situation with Iris, I could understand why Eugenia would feel hurt from her perspective.

"I'm sorry. I was insensitive."

"…I don't know…you started it first…why do you keep confusing me…really stupid…"

"Let's just rest for now…it's too much right now…aww."

"Heh…soft…fluffy…"

In the midst of airing her grievances, she suddenly started pinching and squeezing my cheeks vigorously.

At first I thought I should stop her, but I saw her expression relax and let it be.

After kneading my cheeks for a while, she finally released her hands with a satisfied look. She then closes her eyes and starts nodding off.

As I sighed and stood up, someone suddenly spoke up from behind me.

"Excuse me."

I turned around and saw a woman with a sharp impression wearing glasses. The woman seemed to scan me once, and then in a hard and businesslike voice, she stated her business.

"I am Angelica Chaisie, who serves the Master of Florin Palace. Young Master Edwin Reed. A most esteemed personage wishes to extend an invitation to you now. I implore you not to refuse their gracious offer."

If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02