There’s a girl in a rural elementary school who doesn’t have someone else in the same grade as her . The closest thing is a boy two years older than her . He didn’t hate her and listened to her stories, and he also teaches her how to study .
He will be her first love .
「My situation is the same as that girl, I guess . 」
「What? Who’s the girl? 」
「Since I didn’t have to interact with many people, I think I am mistaken between affection and love . 」
「So, what are you talking about? 」
I let Linus, the neighbouring kingdom’s spy escaped, and I also used the same route to escape .
When I returned to the academy, I thought with a cool head, and I concluded that I misunderstood my feelings for Patrick .
Right now, I’m speaking to him . I’m so embarrassed I didn’t say the last part . Naturally, it didn’t make sense, and he couldn’t understand it, so he asked me what I’m talking about .
「Etto, I told you I wanted to be friends with Patrick . 」
I muster up my courage to say that, and he replied with a tone of disappointment .
「Did you never thought that we’re already friends? 」
「Eh? 」
「We are friends already . 」
Combined with his appearance, his answer made him look even cooler .
No, such a person didn’t exist . There must have been something behind it, I won’t get tricked .
「I’m not going to attack Remrest, but I’ll defend from it if it’s necessary . 」
His hometown lies along the border . I’m sure the Count Ashbaton territory’s utility is immeasurable .
「Considering your distrust about other people… Will it become a bad influence?
I’m ashamed to have to repeat this, I won’t take advantage of Yumiela’s strength . In the first place, I don’t want to do that myself, and I know if that’s happening, you will run away . 」
Patrick says as he stares fixedly into my eyes . Even when his face began to turn red a little, he keeps looking at me .
「Even if you became Level 1, I’ll still stay by your side . 」
「It’s okay . I can raise my level from the start again . 」
「That’s not… haa . 」
Patrick sighed heavily .
Is it embarrassing to raise your level again? Well, I can understand if he feels embarrassed .
「Right, I want to tell you something . Someone wants to meet and talk to you . 」
How unusual, it’s not every day Patrick tried to introduce me to someone . Do they know me?
Right now I’m in a good mood, so I’ll meet with anyone and let’s have a conversation .
「Sure, who would you like me meet? 」
When I asked who I should meet, Patrick seems to have a hard time answering me .
「I know you don’t want to see him and didn’t trust him, but he’s reflecting on it… 」
Who? Tell me quickly .
「…His Highness Edwin . 」
When I heard the prince’s name, it suddenly gave me a terrible feeling .
In the school parlour, this is the room that used when the principal summoned me . And now we sat face to face in silence .
The prince doesn’t seem to like to start talking . He supposed to speak when he’s the one who wanted to meet me, especially when he asked Patrick for help .
「So, what’s the story? 」
It was unusual for him not to bite when I asked, when he’s ready to answer, he opened his mouth in a determined manner .
「…I’m sorry . 」
「Eh? 」
「I’m sorry for my disrespectful behaviour to Miss Yumiela . My assumption was wrong, and my stubbornness also didn’t help at all . 」
My thoughts stopped when I heard his words . He keeps saying his piece even with my confusion .
「From the start father already explained to me that there’s no way you can be the Demon King . I dare say myself understand what it means .
But I couldn’t bring myself to admit what I said was wrong . And all those conversations around me, I only heard things that were convenient for me .
Due to my immaturity, I must have caused trouble for Miss Yumiela . It would have been unpleasant . I’m terribly sorry about that . 」
There’s no anger when I heard Prince Edwin’s apology, it was just a feeling of resignation that I wasn’t a child .
He wasn’t the only child; every student in the academy are basically children . They’re swallowing all those groundless rumours, rejecting those who stand out being conspicuous and the minorities .
Because the class leader dislikes me, everyone just ignores my existence . What I experienced here could also happen in Japanese senior high school .
「Why the sudden apology? 」
I questioned what the reason for the sudden change of mind was .
「I listened to Patrick . 」
Patrick? Why did you mention his name here? Speaking of which, he was also the one who told me the prince want to meet .
Prince Edwin continues to answer my question .
「Patrick told me what Miss Yumiela said . That’s your strength is based on efforts that are incomparable to us . I’ve been hearing everyday stories about you, and I finally understand that you were an ordinary person .
I was blind to believe that I was making the most effort, but deep down in my heart, I was scared that you weren’t normal .
I know it sounds like a poor excuse . And how selfish is this, but can you forgive me? 」
「I understand his Highness situation . I was also aware that I lack common sense myself . Please treat me well . 」
I don’t know whether to forgive Prince Edwin or not, and it’s not that I don’t want to get along with him, nor do I want to retaliate . I don’t think this will change my behaviour in particular .
「I’d like to do something to make up for my mistakes, is there anything that I can do for you? I’ll try my best to make it happen . 」
「Then, will you allow me to accompany to the subjugation of the Demon King? 」
Every time he did something, my peace became distant, so I don’t need anything else . If possible, I don’t want you to get involved as much as possible .
「Ah, just like what Patrick said . 」
Prince Edwin looks satisfied . What did Patrick tell him?
「Your Highness, may I ask a question? What did Patrick have to say about me? 」
I hope I can ask this much . I’m worried to hear it .
「He said that Miss Yumiela has no interest in power and fortune, basically a good-natured person with a strong personality and even though you have a bad reputation you didn’t give up . 」
It was way more than I expected . There’s just one thing that worries me .
「Basically… What do you mean? 」
「Patrick said that… Sometimes your mind and behaviour are strange but you are a good person . 」
…I knew it, I shouldn’t have said anything . The prince, who felt my gaze, explains .
「I’m answering your question sincerely… 」
You can’t help but be serious in a strange place . Somehow, I found out what Patrick thought about me…
When Prince Edwin finished with our discussion, he left the room, passing Principal Ronald who came in .
「How was your talk with His Highness? 」
「I thought he was a different person . It’s not his body double, right? 」
When I gave him my honest impression, he gave me a wry smile and said .
「It’s been a strange year, from the start Prince Edwin was a well-informed and flexible child . I’m relieved that he finally opened his eyes . 」
「Well, I can cooperate and help to raise his level, will he managed to take care the Demon King? 」
I can’t help but feel grateful to Patrick for his intervention, and I might be able to spend a decent school life .
「However, the other three are still being their usual self . 」
The other three that being mentioned here would be Alicia and the two capture targets .
「It would be good if his Highness could convince them… 」
「I did that, but it’s not working . Alicia-san is stubborn, and the others are blind to her . So, I decided to intervene by forcing Alicia-san, even if she didn’t want to level up .
But, I’d like to ask is this okay? As long as she didn’t die, it’s fine, right? 」
That stupid prince, since you apologize, I wanted you to persuade the others . Looking back a little, I feel the same way .
I don’t mind with Alicia’s power levelling since I’m the one who suggested it to the principal earlier .
Alicia may be a little bit more reasonable if she learns the fun and joy of leveling up .
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