Unaware that I was utterly dumbfounded, Reysir and Vigdis were chatting together, engrossed in a discussion on the topic of why it’s so difficult to make new friends at this point in the middle of the second semester.
Then, suddenly, Reysir’s expression shifted to one of realization, and he began to glance at me.
“It’s true that I’m in a situation where it’s hard to get close to other kids right now, but that’s not why I want to be friends with you! And it’s definitely not because I think you’re easy to take advantage of! The more I get to know you, the more I feel you’re a genuinely good person, so I want to know you better.”
“Plus, since we have similar tastes in reading, we could share hobbies, and talking with you is pretty fun. Also… for some reason, I just feel like I shouldn’t leave you alone…”
That last sentence—’could it really mean he’s worried I’m being exploited by others like some pushover?’
‘Is it even possible to be that clueless?’
But I couldn’t argue with him.
If I insisted I wasn’t a pushover, Reysir would just counter with explanations of why I was, and that voice of his would inevitably reach the ears of the background extras watching us now.
Rumors about Karvald being a pushover would spread in no time.
So instead of nitpicking the last sentence he said, I decided to focus on the entire dialogue.
“Why the sudden excuses?”
“I just don’t want you to misunderstand that I’m treating you lightly and that’s why I casually suggested we be friends. You’re hesitating because you’re too worried about me, so if we don’t clear up that misunderstanding, you’ll only get hurt, right?”
“But I said I’m not worried.”
“Then what is it?”
“…”
“If you have nothing else to say and you’re just denying it, why even bother?”
“Why else? Because I can’t admit it.”
Suppressing the urge to respond, I pressed my lips tightly together.
Reysir stared at me with a strangely serious gaze before cautiously speaking again.
“But, you know, I actually do care about what others think. Everyone’s still pricking up their ears trying to eavesdrop on our conversation, aren’t they?”
“If you’ve realized that, then give up on being friends with me.”
“Have you always lived your life this way, constantly being in the spotlight? No, that’s not it. This isn’t attention—it’s just an invasion of privacy.”
His voice, tinged with frustration, rose enough for others nearby to hear as he looked around sharply, as if telling the other students to reflect on themselves.
He actually looked pretty heroic in that moment.
“You must have been living on edge, worried about every single thing you did. It must have been suffocating. Even though you’re from a Dukedom family, you’re still just a student our age…”
It wasn’t a grand speech.
Yet the other students looked guilty, quietly turning away or awkwardly changing the subject to the taste of the food they were eating, deliberately withdrawing their attention from us.
‘So this is the power of the main character’s words in this world. Is this some kind of protagonist aura?’
But if it were the original owner of this body, it’d be different.
Had Karvald Austri heard Reysir’s words, he’d probably be genuinely moved, protagonist aura aside.
Sympathizing with the hardships that no one else had recognized and that he himself had taken for granted—
Because Reysir was the first person who treated him not as a scion of a Dukedom but as a peer.
But since I’m not the real Karvald…
‘This guy is always trying to trigger some touching event. Hopefully, he’s not planning to keep this up until he successfully unlocks the friendship route.’
Before feeling moved, such thoughts came first.
Still, since I’ve had to play someone else’s character ever since I possessed this body, I always have to be conscious of other people’s perspectives.
Reysir’s words did stir a faint ripple inside me.
But ‘just because others don’t pay attention to me doesn’t mean I can live true to myself,’ right?
Unable to hide my uneasy feelings, I looked at Reysir with a troubled expression.
I saw his face falter with embarrassment.
“S-sorry. Did I presumptuously pity you and upset you…?”
“Do I look upset right now?”
“No, no. It’s just… you look kind of confused.”
“Is that so…”
Expressing pity toward me and scolding the onlookers to stop staring so much was a natural reaction for someone confused and flustered.
So no one could find my expression strange, which was a relief.
“Anyway, since it’s my fault you missed the timing to make friends, it’s only right that I take responsibility.”
“Does that mean… you’ll be my friend?!”
“No, I just mean I’ll join you for meals until you actually make real friends.”
Knowing Reysir’s persistent nature, he would find some way to match meal times and sit with me no matter what.
So it’s better to set the condition of ‘until you make friends.’
“I usually eat lunch around this time on weekends, too. For breakfast and dinner, I arrive at the cafeteria around 7 AM and 7 PM respectively. I won’t wait if you’re late, so show up on time or don’t.”
“Got it. I’ll make sure to be on time.”
“Also, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, I have dinner with a certain professor in the basement. But since the exam period is coming up, the professor will be busy, so this week and next, I plan to eat on the third floor instead.”
“Dinner with a professor…? Planning to become a research student or something?”
After kindly sharing all these details, Reysir shot me a sarcastic remark.
“I’m only getting help because of the Sky-Blue Aether thing.”
“Can I ask what kind of ability that Aether has?”
I could’ve dodged the question like when Tridric asked before, but since it was him, I decided to answer.
That didn’t mean I was opening up to Reysir, but I knew he could see my skills whenever he wanted.
‘Better not tempt him with curiosity! I don’t even know what my status window says yet since I haven’t awakened. If by chance it shows my real name instead of Karvald Austri’s, and Reysir sees that, it’d be a huge problem.’
“…It can make it rain.”
“That’s an amazing ability!”
“…”
“Why did you suddenly go quiet?”
“I told you the ability, what else should I say?”
“Are you shy because I complimented you?”
“I just have nothing else to say.”
Knowing Karvald’s personality, it would be impossible for him to thank someone after a compliment.
At the same time, pretending it’s no big deal would also clash with his character.
If I bragged about being great, it’d only look like I was puffed up by praise.
None of those responses fit Karvald’s character.
‘The real Karvald probably just ignored compliments quietly, thinking it was all flattery… which it probably was. I’m just acting based on that character analysis.’
Yet Reysir looked at me with a sympathetic gaze.
He must have mistaken my gratitude, apologies, and refusal to accept praise as rudeness.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“What do you mean by misunderstanding?”
“…I don’t want to say it out loud here.”
“So that means what I’m thinking is right?
“Didn’t I just say it’s a misunderstanding?”
Unfortunately, Reysir never cleared the misunderstanding.
Thankfully, instead of teasing me about it, he changed the subject.
“Speaking of which, the midterms are next week. Hailga and I decided to study together in the library this evening. Do you want to join us?”
“I’m sure you’d be persistent even if I refused outright.”
“So you’re going to say yes right away?”
“Not exactly. I just want to explain why. I filled all my elective classes this semester with practical subjects. The only required theory class is History and Ethics, which I already mastered before entering the Academy. So I don’t need to study for the exam separately.”
That was half a lie.
Karvald really had mastered History and Ethics through advanced study, but since Karvald and I aren’t the same person—
I’ve been studying steadily too, so I shouldn’t do badly.
But to be certain of ranking high, I should study more.
“Maybe I should arrange my schedule like that next semester…”
Reysir muttered with a fascinated expression.
Knowing he has no ‘next semester,’ I had nothing to say.
I just tried not to show my bitter expression.
“Vigdis, what about you?”
“Huh? Me?!”
“Yeah. I said ‘you all’ just now. Karvald said no, but…”
“Really… is it okay for me to join?”
***
While I nonchalantly continued eating, Reysir invited Vigdis to join the study group.
She hesitated but looked pretty interested.
Noticing that, Hailga smiled kindly and spoke warmly to her.
“Of course. As long as you’re comfortable, come study with us.”
“Thank you..! I’ve always wanted to study with friends like you. Ah, we’re not friends yet, though…”
“What’s so special about being friends? If you eat together and study together, that’s friendship.”
“Hailga!”
Vigdis, who had struggled to make even that ‘not-so-special’ kind of friend, was deeply moved and eagerly said the name of her brand-new friend.
I sighed silently inside as I watched.
Now that she’s friends with Hailga, it’s only a matter of time before Vigdis gets close to Reysir.
“Please just call me Hailga.”
“Ah, okay, Hailga… then will you call me by my name too?”
“Hmm~ Actually, I’ve wanted an older sister since before, so I’d like to just call you ‘sister’ if that’s okay.”
“No problem at all…! I’ve always wanted a younger sister too! I only have a younger brother…”
Again, I must emphasize that Hailga’s attitude is all an act.
‘Maybe she truly wants a sister, but considering they just met today, it’s more likely she’s setting boundaries.’
The way Vigdis looked so happy and clueless about that—
Watching her innocent reaction, I wondered if I should give her a heads-up later or not.
“Um… I also… I can join the study group too…”
Suddenly, Liolikin butted in.
‘Did he think ‘you all’ included him too?’
‘Or did he realize he wasn’t included but rushed to throw out a line so no one would notice he was being left out?’
Reysir’s expression shifted to one of mild discomfort.
He allowed Liolikin to sit next to us during the meal but seemed reluctant to make time to study with him.
Hailga still wore a gentle smile.
“Oh! By the way, Karvald Austri must have had a really tough time. Being harassed by people watching your every move, dealing with awful people trying to take advantage of you, and if that person even lacks the conscience to know when to butt in or not, really…”
“cough cough!!”
That was clearly a jab at Liolikin.
Sensing this, Liolikin fell silent and shrank his large frame.
‘So who was the one who just coughed?’
As Hailga’s line showed, it was Vigdis coughing.
She was probably stung by the word ‘exploitation’ used to criticize Liolikin.
It’s well-known that Karvald had obsessed over Vigdis.
So no one would think she approached Karvald to use him.
But the problem is that it’s just as famous that Vigdis can attend the Academy only because she’s engaged to Karvald.
“…”
Reysir’s gaze on me was piercing.
It was the look of someone pitiful and sad, who thinks willingly being exploited is the only way to have relationships.
If I tried to say it was a misunderstanding now, it would only repeat the conversation we just had a few minutes ago.
So I said this instead.
“Judging by how relaxed everyone still looks, I guess they don’t have afternoon classes today, just like me.”
It’s already time..! I should get up soon.
“Vigdis, I’ll tell you about the study group later.”
“Yes..! See you at dinner then…”
“…”
Hailga, Vigdis, and Liolikin all got up from their seats at my words.
Reysir, meanwhile, was busy stuffing food into his mouth, having only eaten half because he was so engrossed in the conversation.
I leisurely played with my chopsticks in front of him.