—And then, for some reason, I found myself holding hands with Irene inside the gazebo in the courtyard behind the academy building.

From there I saw Silver having tea with three ladies.

“’Hey, can I call you Milky? Hm, it isn’t your name? But when we’re together, I want to call you that. After all, it feels special.’”

“…Is he really saying that?”

Because of the distance, I couldn’t even hear what they were talking about.

…Thus, Irene did some lip reading and enacted it for me. It’s too accurate.

“I can’t guarantee 100% accuracy, but I believe that’s the gist of it. I mean, this is how aniki usually seduces women.”

“I don’t think it’ll work, though?”

“Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.”

Then, Irene pointed.

The young lady, who was referred to as ‘Milky’, blushed fervently.

…I truly didn’t understand.

“…But why is he doing this? Are they the ringleaders?”

“Hm, it seems that those girls aren’t amused by your antics, Lumie. But I’m not too certain, especially considering that Milky’s family business is supported by the Lamneria family. I don’t think she’s that foolish~”

“You’re surprisingly knowledgeable.”

In fact, a new mine had recently been discovered in Milky’s fiefdom. Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough money, but instead of asking for a start-up cost, we negotiated a contract for obtaining the mined ore at a bargain price.

Other than that, I recognized the lady besides Milky. Apparently, she had feelings for Prince Redmond, so we had a bit of an altercation after I enrolled.

—Maybe her unjustified resentment was the reason Silver approached them.

“Uh-oh, aniki seems to have started his next special move, ‘palmistry.’ He uses fortune telling as an excuse to hold a girl’s hand. Girls of that age are usually into fortune telling, right? Lumiere, if a guy approaches you and said, ‘Hey, want me to give you a reading?’ do be careful. Nine times out of ten, it’s just someone with impure motives.”

She’s getting off topic, but…

I stared at Irene as she enthusiastically continued to speak.

She told me all that because she was concerned about me. I didn’t think she was lying when she said that she wanted to be friends with me. To be honest, I wasn’t good with people like her. However, that didn’t mean I hated her.

Thus, I asked.

“Why… Why do you want to get along with me?’

“What, you’re asking that~?”

Smiling wryly, she put her finger to her lips.

“Well… the short answer would be because we’re relatives? Why wouldn’t I want to get along with a relative that goes to the same academy as me?”

She also added, “I won’t do anything malicious.”

I began to see that she was a thoughtful child. After all, I often heard that relatives would quarrel.

“Also, like I previously said, there’s no need for the heroine and the villainess of an otome game to hate each other. I mean, even if Lumiere isn’t a reincarnator, I don’t necessarily hate you to the point that I want you to be executed.”

“Hawawa—!?”

—I’m going to be executed!? Why!?

—Why did she suddenly mention something so chilling!?

Certainly, I’d been rude to my high-ranking peers by talking in ‘Kyururun,’ but that wasn’t enough of a crime to warrant an execution, right!? I mean, it wasn’t like I said anything rude—in fact, I only ever spoke in ‘Kyururun’! Furthermore, Prince Redmond shouldn’t be that short-tempered…

…Or was I being naïve?

I couldn’t help but overthink it. At the same time, Irene retorted.

“…Did that onomatopoeia become a habit?”

“…Once you get used to it, it’s surprisingly easy.”

“You should keep it in moderation~ Although you may be able to tempt some men, they’ll only see you as a toy… a pet. Men are fickle, I tell you. Even if they find you adorable, as things get difficult, they’ll just ditch you. In contrast, decent people will just stay away from the start. Either way, it won’t end well.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Even if she said it for my sake, it was very heartbreaking for me.

As my chest constricted with guilt.

“Well, how do I say this? Even if you aren’t a reincarnator, you’re getting roped into this as the game character is inevitable. As such, there’s no harm in cooperating since it’ll be a win-win.”

Irene scratched her own cheek.

“Also… I found myself liking Lumie quite a bit.”

Irene said that somewhat bashfully, which was adorable.

“You aren’t two-faced… You’re soo my type.”

She winked at me and I found my heart racing.

…Should I say, as expected of Silver’s little sister? She’s cute.

A-am I branching out?

While I was in a dilemma, Irene laughed.

“I’m not into yuri, so don’t worry! Actually, I’m into yandere!”

“Eh?”

When I was about to ask, Irene stood up.

“Oh, it looks like the event is about to start. Let’s move to the next place, Lumie!”

Thus, holding hands, we ran through the academy.

---

***T/N: As expected of Silver’s little sister

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