After I, a Penniless Noble, Entered a Fake Engagement with the Most Elegant Duke’s Daughter at the Academy, For Some Reason She Started Showering Me with Love - Chapter 09.2: Is “Kind and Honest” Really a Compliment for a Guy?

Chapter 09.2: Is “Kind and Honest” Really a Compliment for a Guy?

While I was still confused by all the strange attention around me, the class continued on as usual.

I kept feeling eyes on me the whole time, which made it impossible to relax—

But aside from the awkward stares, nothing else really happened.

Still, that silent pressure made everything feel unbearably tense.

Like I was sitting on a bed of nails.

It might’ve been the first time since starting at the academy

That I actually wished for class to end faster.

Of course, I couldn’t absorb a single word of the lesson,

And by the time lunch break finally came around,

I collapsed onto my desk like I’d just used up the last of my energy.

“…They’re still staring.”

Every time I heard my name whispered from somewhere in the classroom,

It felt like another weight was being dropped on my shoulders.

I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible—

But today, Yuri was supposed to come pick me up.

If I had known things would be like this, I would’ve gone to meet her instead.

As I sat there, feeling like I was losing health with every passing second in that room,

I suddenly heard someone call out, “Lord Crule,” and my head shot up.

For a split second, I thought Yuri had finally arrived—

But she never called me “Lord Crule.”

And the voice wasn’t hers either.

“Hyah!?”

The one who spoke was the same girl who greeted me for the first time this morning.

Startled by my sudden reaction, she flinched and pulled back slightly.

“Ah—sorry,” I apologized, though I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

She wasn’t the person I’d been waiting for.

“Is something wrong?”

“Um, well…”

The classmate girl’s eyes darted around nervously.

This was the first time she’d ever spoken to me—aside from that awkward greeting earlier.

She looked hesitant, but honestly, I was just as confused as she was.

Her blushing cheeks only made things more complicated.

Fidgeting with her hands in front of her chest, she kept glancing all over the room.

As I watched, wondering what was going on, she suddenly clenched her fists and looked up at me from below with wide eyes.

There was something in her gaze…

Like she was expecting something.

“If you don’t mind… would you like to have lunch with me?”

“Huh? Lunch?”

She nodded slowly, as if trying to suppress her embarrassment.

The blush on her face, the way she looked down shyly—

She really did seem like a girl in love.

…Wait, is that what this is?

Like, maybe she’s had a quiet crush on me this whole time?

And now she’s finally gathered the courage to ask me out?

That kind of overly hopeful, romantic daydream—

The kind I could usually swear would never happen to me—

Started creeping into the corner of my mind when suddenly—

“Hold it right there!”

A sharp voice rang out, making both of us flinch and jump in surprise.

What now!?

We turned toward the voice, and there she was—

Another classmate, clearly a noble lady from her appearance, standing up and striding straight toward us.

“I’m the one who’s supposed to have lunch with Lord Crule!”

“I was the one who invited him, you know!?”

The quiet girl from earlier—who had seemed so shy—now pressed her lips together in a firm line, standing her ground against the noble-looking classmate.

The two girls glared at each other, sparks practically flying between them.

And the person they were fighting over…

Was me.

A broke viscount.

That fact alone made the whole situation feel totally detached from reality.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, more classmates—who had been silently watching the chaos unfold—suddenly raised their hands one after another.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll go with him!”

“Me too!”

One voice after another joined in, and the classroom quickly descended into utter chaos.

It was like a full-blown auction.

And once the guys started joining in too,

Any fantasy I had about someone having a secret crush on me went out the window.

“…What is even happening right now?”

“—Honestly, I’d like to know too.”

As I stood there dazed, mumbling like this had nothing to do with me,

A voice as cold as a winter breeze brushed past my ear.

I froze in place.

My back went stiff, and a cold sweat ran down my cheek.

Sure, it was already chilly from the heavy rain outside,

But the chill I felt now was something else entirely—

A creeping cold that almost hurt.

My neck felt rusted into place, but I somehow managed to turn toward the voice.

And there she was.

Yuri stood at the edge of the room with a radiant smile.

But despite that beautiful smile,

There was a shadow under her eyes that told a very different story.

“U-Um… Yuri?”

“Would you care to explain what’s going on here, dear husband?”

I wish I knew.

But there was no way I had the courage to say that to her face right now.

All I could do was let out a quiet sigh of defeat.

◆◆◆

“So? Cheating on me?”

“No, I’m not.”

Dragged off by the collar like a misbehaving cat, I was brought to the rose garden.

The air was chilly, and the scent of wet soil clung to everything.

Rain continued to fall around us as Yuri gave me a cold, piercing stare.

With the dark, moody atmosphere on top of it all, I couldn’t help but shrink under the pressure.

“You sure are popular, dear husband. As your fiancée, I’m just so proud.”

“Your words and your expression don’t match at all.”

There was nothing “proud” about her face.

It was pure annoyance, no matter how you looked at it.

“I don’t get it either, okay? That nonsense started the moment I walked into class.”

“Maybe you’ve been flirting with every girl who walks by?”

“What am I, some sleazy pick-up artist?”

Sure, there were nobles like that.

Guys who’d flirt with anything that moved and call it ‘noble courtesy’ or whatever.

But I wasn’t that kind of guy.

I never had the time or energy to chase after girls anyway.

“You were the first person I’ve ever gone on a date with, Yuri. You really think I’ve got the guts to hit on someone else? Yeah, it’s pathetic to say as a guy, but I’ve got zero game.”

“So I was your first…”

…Wait, why is she getting caught up on that part?

She fell quiet for a second, as if chewing on the words,

Then let out a soft “Hmm,” her voice rising just a little at the end.

“Is that so?”

“What are you grinning about?”

“I’m smiling.”

Yuri’s expression finally softened, like her smile gently swept away the tension in the air.

I had no idea which part of that conversation hit the right chord for her,

But judging from her mood, it looked like she’d cheered up.

She even took a sip of her tea—despite it surely being lukewarm by now—

And quietly murmured, “It’s good.”

Though now, I was the one who felt like sulking.

“What, is it really that funny? The idea that I’ve never been approached by a girl?”

“You’ve got it all wrong. I actually think that’s a good thing. Really. It’s admirable. Honesty and sincerity are the most important traits in a man. So please, dear husband, I hope you continue to grow up just the way you are.”

“That just sounds sarcastic.”

“I’m praising you, truly.”

She said it with a straight face, but it felt like she was just calling me spineless in a nicer way.

Sure, sincere sounded like a compliment—

But wasn’t that the kind of word girls used when they couldn’t think of anything else nice to say about a guy?

Like calling someone kind.

I mean, I’m not saying I’m popular or anything…

But if I wanted to flirt, I could. Probably. Maybe.

I just didn’t have the time or energy for that.

…Yeah, this is exactly how guys who don’t get girls think.

Even just admitting that to myself felt depressing.

Still, if showing off how hopeless I was helped bring Yuri’s mood from winter to something closer to spring,

Then I guess it was worth it.

Even if it didn’t sit right with me.

“So, that means everyone’s finally noticed how kind and sincere you are, dear husband?”

“Okay, are you saying that on purpose now?”

“…Hm? What do you mean?”

With that innocent look on her face, I couldn’t tell if she was being genuine or just messing with me.

She probably didn’t mean it sarcastically—

But somehow, it still rubbed me the wrong way.

Maybe it was because Yuri was a noble too.

And nobles had this annoying habit of saying passive-aggressive things in roundabout ways while keeping up appearances.

“Well, whatever. There’s no way that’s true. They must’ve had some reason for suddenly acting all sweet toward me like that.”

“Oh? And what reason would that be?”

“…I have no idea.”

If I did know, I wouldn’t be this confused or bothered by all of it—

And I wouldn’t be stuck here, cornered by my fake fiancée with a smile that felt more like an interrogation.

“Nothing comes to mind? No reason why shallow girls would throw themselves at you, even though you’ve already got a fiancée like me?”

“…Still mad, huh?”

“I am always calm and composed.”

Really?

Because her mood swings lately were feeling pretty dramatic.

When we first met, she was still a noble lady through and through—

A little arrogant, sure, but graceful and composed.

Somewhere along the line, that image kind of… crumbled.

Sigh.

“And why are you sighing while looking at me?”

“Hmm… good question.”

“Hmm?” Yuri smiled at me, radiating pressure as if daring me to explain myself.

I quickly looked away and tilted my head, trying to think if there was anything I could connect all this to.

Something… anything…

I racked my brain—and then it hit me.

“Oh yeah, the dorm matron said something about a letter.”

She also casually asked if someone might be trying to assassinate me, but let’s put that aside.

The important part was the letter.

“I got one from my family last week.”

“And what did it say?”

“…I haven’t opened it yet.”

“…What are you doing with your life?”

Yuri gave me a flat, disappointed look.

I met it with a glare of my own.

“What?”

“Nothing?”

I could say it was because Yuri had been acting strange that day and I lost the chance to open it…

Or because, just this morning, I tried asking the dorm matron about it—only to be dragged off by Yuri before I got the chance.

I had a long list of things I could complain about,

But if she turned it around with a “So you didn’t even have time to open one letter?”

I wouldn’t be able to argue.

So I stayed quiet.

Instead, I sent her a silent glare of protest—

Not that it worked.

Of course it didn’t. This was Yuri we were talking about.

“So, let’s check the letter first.”

“I’ll wait here then.”

“…There’s barely any lunch break left, and it’s pouring outside, you know?”

“Take my umbrella.”

With that of course I’m waiting attitude, she made it impossible for me to say,

“I’ll just read it alone.”

So now I had to go there and back again—in this rain.

I looked out at the downpour hammering the ground and slumped in defeat.

“…I’m going.”

“Take care.”

Yuri waved at me with a small smile.

With her watching me off, I walked back and forth between the rose garden and the boys’ dorm,

Holding her cute, frilly white umbrella the entire way.

Once I returned, Yuri gave me a casual “Well done” that barely passed as appreciation.

We looked at the letter together—

And I went completely speechless.

Standing beside me, Yuri peeked over my shoulder and muttered softly,

“So that’s what it was.”

“A new gold mine, huh? No wonder they’re all so eager to cozy up to you.”

Even hearing it said out loud… it didn’t feel real.

A new gold mine…

I guess some dreams really do come true—

Even while you’re wide awake.