…Thus, in the library.

Despite the fact that it was still early in the evening, not a single librarian could be seen. To reserve it for a private tutoring session…

Isn’t this just power abuse?

“We rarely have the opportunity to be alone.”

“Kyururun.”

Even so, Bruno—the blue yandere—who had arrived ahead of me, bowed before smiling with his eyes.

“I see. I welcome the opportunity, as well.”

—Nobody said that.

…However, due to my “setting”, I couldn’t argue.

Thus, I pretended to agree and sat across from him. When I was about to show him my textbooks, Bruno moved to sit beside me.

“Then, which part do you not understand?”

—Speaking of which, how am I supposed to answer?

…No, more importantly, it wasn’t like I had trouble comprehending the lessons in the first place.

If anything, rather than studying, I’d like to assess his situation and figure out why he became a yandere… Again, how was I supposed to do that when all I could say was, ‘Kyururun’?

“Jii—(stare)”

“What’s the matter?”

So, I stared at him. In turn, Bruno awkwardly averted his gaze.

Ooh, “It’s rude to stare at people like that,” Is that what he’s trying to say!?

“…Hold on for a moment. I’d like to find a more suitable place for our first kiss.”

“Gakkari.” I slumped my shoulders.

Suddenly, a notebook caught my attention.

—With this, I might be able to…

I picked up a pen and wrote on the edge of my notebook.

[Has anything strange happened recently?]

“…I see. Certainly, this is one way for communicating.”

To Bruno, who saw my message, I nodded. “Koku-koku.” Then, he began to lift his pen as well, but after realizing that there was no need for him to write, he smiled wryly and rubbed his chin.

“…It’s strange. Indeed, I think that fate is strange. Why are Lumiere and I related? Well, it isn’t like we can’t get married, so there’s that.”

—I haven’t heard of that?

Besides…

[No, not that.]

After that, I wrote again.

[Any changes in your surroundings lately, Lord Bruno?]

“Is it about how I began to notice your cuteness?”

[Other than that—!]

“Haha, are you embarrassed?”

Bruno asked to me at my sudden sharp reply.

…Ugh, enough about that.

When I shrugged, ‘Yare-yare’, Bruno spoke firmly.

“As expected, you’re referring to my stepsister.”

[Irene?]

“That’s right. Ever since she came, the situation in the house has changed a lot.”

To be frank, the rumors circulating around the Yattermen family weren’t that nice.

Apparently, for some time now, his family hasn’t been getting along. “—On other hand, the Lamneria family…”

At parties, everyone, including the servants, participates. Not only that, during the weekends, the whole family would drink together to appreciate their hard work.

…Naturally, minors—including me—would drink juice instead.

As for me and Silver, we’d be overtly engaged in thumb wrestling tournaments to the point of having tendonitis the very next day.

In any case, Bruno—who seemed to have grown up in a more conventional household than mine—smiled wryly.

“Personally, I think it’s a positive change. My parents haven’t been fighting as much recently. The other day, I returned home for the holidays and experienced the so-called family reunion for the first time. I never had such a delectable meal before.”

[…Then, should you assume such an attitude towards your stepsister?]

“That’s a different story!”

Almost instantly, Bruno slammed his fists against the table. I reflexively stiffened, but Bruno’s anger didn’t subside.

“Even if she’s family, I can’t simply forgive her for interrupting my precious rendezvous with Lumiere! Had the law not forbad it, I would’ve beheaded her on the spot!”

“…Uruuru.”

—This guy’s dangerous!

…The stepsister who’d just been transferred was executed simply because she spoke to her older brother at the cafeteria. As if I could stand living in such a country… In the first place, even if it was a joke, someone who could casually spout such a thing shouldn’t be allowed to stand above other people…!

—Seriously, I need to do something about this…

In the worst-case scenario, if I didn’t inform his father about his change and consult with the king, he might actually overthrow the nation! Certainly, I—who had the weird idea of mimicking a Burikko—shouldn’t have a say in it. Still, if possible, I’d like to settle this peacefully…

Bruno, who misunderstood the meaning of my words, caressed my cheek with unnecessary gentleness.

“Ah, I must’ve terrified you again. May I refresh my mind for a bit?”

“Kokkuri.”

—Suddenly, I feel so tired…

When I nodded without hesitation, Bruno said, “I’ll be right back.” and left. As he reluctantly gazed at me, I smiled, and he waved. After the door had closed, I exhaled.

“How tiring…”

If only Silver were here… I’d ask him to brew some tea.

…I wonder what he’s up to?

As I pondered for a moment, I stretched, trying to relax. Then, as I mulled over the newly acquired information, I reached a conclusion—

—Didn’t I cause all of this?

Until now, Bruno had always been serious. I’d rather not overthink it, but what if Bruno’s preference for a Burikko triggered everything?

As the saying went—‘Love is blind.’ Perhaps, that was why he became unhinged.

…To the extent that he neglected the warmth of the family that his stepsister had worked so hard to nurture.

“In other words, it’s truly my fault—”

When I kicked the ground, a certain notebook fell off the table. Good thing no one was there.

Bruno should be back soon. The fallen notebook belonged to him. The gruff yet detailed list of notes caught my eyes.

—What on earth is this notebook!?

Without as much as an afterthought, I read it.

…Because in that notebook, a plan to assassinate the crown prince—Redmond—was written in detail and divided into many patterns.

…Wasn’t he, just joking—?

As I flipped through the horrifying plan, I saw that some words were written particularly roughly…

[I lose.]

[Lose again.]

[How is my correct answer wrong!?]

[If only he weren’t here…!!]

“…Did you see it?”

From behind, an arm slid towards my desk.

—it belonged to Bruno Von Yatterman, the man who owned the notebook.

---

***T/N: Bluh it was death note.

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