NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21.1
Stage 1-21. Feelings Going Too Far
Every single day has been painful.
My life isn’t mine.
It was stolen for the sake of my father and the Revetzenka family.
My dreams of marrying someone I love, my irreplaceable friends—everything.
But now, I have something to look forward to.
“…Phew… alright.”
Hiding in the shadow of the pillar, I adjust my tie perfectly, crafting the ideal image of Karen Revetzenka that everyone expects.
No one wants the weak and uncool me.
He was the only one who accepted me as I was back then…
“…Ouga.”
I call out the name of the friend who has been my emotional support all this time.
The reason I could endure the painful days was the possibility of seeing him once I enrolled in the Magic Academy.
Ouga Vellet.
I love how he lives true to his own sense of justice, without caring about what others think.
He saved Riche, who was being bullied for being a commoner, and rumors say he’s been working hard on purifying troubled areas, even saving an orphanage.
He hasn’t changed at all since the day he saved me.
After a month of observation since enrolling, I was finally able to speak to him.
It’s not because I was too scared to take the first step, afraid he’d act like he wasn’t interested. Not at all.
“Good morning, Ouga. It’s such a nice day, it makes you feel like it’s going to be a fun day.”
I spot him on his way to school and approach, pretending it’s a coincidence.
This has become my recent routine.
“………”
Heh, I get it.
It’s only natural for him to act cold.
I deserve it, after what I did.
For the hurt I’ve caused him, I’ll take some pain too. If that’s what it takes to earn him forgiveness—
“Good morning, Karen. You’re shining as bright as the sun today.”
“…………What?”
A dumbfounded sound slips from my lips without thinking.
“But you’re right, Karen. It really does feel like the start of a great day. I got to see you first thing this morning.”
“………”
“If we have the chance, let’s talk again. See you.”
He pats my shoulder lightly and walks off with a smile.
W-Was that… a dream?
Did Ouga… compliment me?
Was he happy to see me?
I softly touched the spot where he patted me.
The faintest trace of warmth lingers.
“Ouga…”
My heart starts pounding wildly.
The feelings I thought I had put to rest are still alive, deep in my heart.
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“Ahaha… did you see that, Mashiro? Karen’s dumbfounded face?”
“Yeah, I saw.”
“As I thought, my prediction was spot on. Alice, keep an eye on Prince Arnia’s movements from now on.”
“Understood.”
The girls seemed satisfied with my flawless performance.
Although their gazes feel strangely warm, like doting mothers watching over a child’s growth… no, it’s just my imagination.
“I will not allow myself to be politically exploited.”
Yesterday, when I realized Karen was planning to use me as a pawn in her scheme, I immediately countered.
Approaching her first is just one part of that plan.
Karen can’t refuse. After all, her goal is to make the flirtatious crown prince jealous.
Me making advances plays right into her hands.
“Alice, don’t you think Ouga is kind of cute?”
“Ouga-sama has had little experience socializing with others his age, due to worldly affairs. As his servants, let us continue to watch over his growth. Besides…”
“Besides?”
“Perhaps he sees beyond what we can comprehend. After all, Ouga-sama possesses a compassionate heart and the ability to act upon justice.”
“Ehh… really? Maybe… yeah, maybe…”
The girls are whispering among themselves, but I don’t eavesdrop.
They must be impressed by my ridiculously handsome performance.
For now, I’ll keep executing this plan.
The goal is for Karen to decide she can’t handle me anymore and withdraw.
Once that happens, the student council’s surveillance will be lifted, and I’ll have killed two birds with one stone.
As expected of a genius. I’ve already won, hahaha!
Feeling great early in the morning, I stride confidently into the classroom.
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