After Starting a Thread as a Reincarnated in an Unknown Otome Game, I Got Caught in a Battlefield of Beauties - Chapter 32: Huh, Hardcore Fan?

Chapter 32: Huh, Hardcore Fan?

“—There’s really no one here, huh?”

“Well, the only people who come behind the school building are either loners or those who are disliked.”

Sadly, I belong to the latter group. 

Despite all my efforts.

As I wallow in my sadness, Maika sits on a nearby bench. 

I really wonder why there’s a bench in a place like this. Maybe the person who designed this school was a loner too. 

Well, it works for me—ah.

I stop walking toward the bench. 

Maika looks at me curiously.

“…What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to sit?”

“Ah, no… I’ll eat standing up, it’s fine.”

“?? Well, if that’s what you prefer, that’s fine.”

“Ha, haha…”

I laugh awkwardly, feeling relieved inside that she didn’t press the issue.

I hadn’t thought about it before, but sitting next to a girl here, eating lunch together, would definitely look bad. 

It would totally look like we’re a couple from the outside.

That was close… I almost got scolded by Leticia.

Fortunately, I realized it just in time, so Leticia won’t get mad at me. 

Barely avoiding the crisis, I stand and eat my rice ball.

Of course, the rice ball is homemade. 

Leticia suggested having the family chef make it, but I politely declined, thinking it would draw too much attention.

“By the way, Alto, why is everyone so afraid of you? I missed the magic class, so I don’t know.”

“Yeah, I didn’t see you there.”

Honestly, I didn’t have the luxury to notice at that time.

“Exactly! That’s why I want to see the Dark Spirit.”

“Well, it’s fine with me…”

“Really!? Yay!!” 

Maika’s eyes sparkled with innocent joy as she looked at me.

Seeing her excitement, I called out to Hecate, who resided within me.

[Hecate, can you come out?]

“…What?”

“Ooh… huh?”

“…What’s wrong?” 

Hecate responded to my call but appeared strangely low-spirited, making me a bit worried. 

Maika, initially thrilled, now tilted her head in confusion at Hecate’s gloomy appearance.

“Alto… is she always like this?”

“No, she’s usually noisier and more annoying.”

“…That’s harsh, My Contractor…”

“Hecate!? Where did your usual noisy and annoying energy go? What happened!?”

This isn’t like Hecate at all! 

Did I do something wrong!?

As I was thinking that, Hecate nodded slightly and glared at me with resentment before speaking.

“—… Think about how it feels for me to witness everything between you and Leticia…”

…Ah.

I widened my eyes as Maika stared at me and Hecate glared at me accusingly—

“I’ll leave you two alone, then!”

I chose to make a strategic retreat immediately.

“…Phew, I managed to escape before it got too awkward… but now, where should I eat my lunch?”

I mumbled to myself as I walked alone through the school.

By now, Hecate and Maika might be stuck in an awkward situation together.

Well, both of them are good at socializing, so they should be fine.

As I left everything behind, I could hear the cheerful laughter and chatter of students enjoying their lunch break. 

It was the worst sound for a loner like me.

“Must be nice… I wish I had guy friends…”

I became friends with Maika, but it’s different with a girl. I want a guy friend I can joke around with. 

Not that it’s likely, given how feared I am.

“Even so… there’s no one in the main building.”

This school has various buildings: the main building, the old building, three student buildings, a research building, a teacher’s building, and a magic arena, among others.

The main building has several lecture halls used for large classes, and the entrance ceremony was held in one of them. 

It also houses the principal’s office and the student council’s office, where I often have business.

Because of the principal and the student council, regular students rarely come near this building, especially during break times.

…

“…Why not just eat here?”

If Leticia wants to eat together, we can use this place without drawing too much attention. 

How did I overlook such a perfect spot? 

Here, we won’t get caught unless something extreme happens.

Trying not to get too excited, I quickly looked for a place to eat my rice ball. 

There’s still more than 30 minutes left, but I need to hurry, or lunch break will end before I can eat.

“But honestly, other than the student council room, I don’t know any other places…”

As I thought this, I noticed a small, empty classroom with the door slightly open.

It was about the size of a typical high school classroom from my previous life.

“Oh, this is perfect!”

I hurried to the empty classroom and peeked inside.

“Whoa… this is nostalgic…!”

It was a bit dusty, clearly unused for a long time. 

Chairs and desks were scattered around, and a piece of chalk was lying on the chalkboard’s ledge.

It felt like being transported to modern Japan, giving me a sense of nostalgia.

“This is great! I’ll start eating here from now on.”

But… I’ll have to do something about the dust.

I decided to get a broom from the locker at the back of the classroom—

“—This place will do.”

Suddenly, I heard the voices of some female students, and I instinctively hid in the locker. 

I don’t even know why I hid. 

Seriously, who are they… their timing is awful. 

Now that I’m hiding, I can’t just come out. I hope they leave soon.

As I was thinking this, three noble-looking girls entered the classroom. 

The girl at the back was pulling another girl by her hair, dragging her inside.

…Huh??

“Hurry up and get in! Someone might see us!”

One of the girls yelled hysterically.

Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve seen everything.

Just as I was thinking how troublesome this situation was, one of the girls said something shocking.

“—You’ve been getting too full of yourself lately ha, Aria!!”

Oh boy… is this for real?

Wasn’t there supposed to be no violence for the next three days? 

Yet she’s being dragged by her hair.

As I stood there, bewildered, the conversation continued.

“t-that’s not true…”

“It is true! I heard you’ve been getting close to His Highness and other noblemen recently! A commoner like you getting friendly with noblemen while ignoring me is unacceptable! Therefore… I will personally punish you!!”

“p-punish…?”

As a frightened Aria murmured, one of the girls pulled out a pair of scissors, likely used for sewing, from her pocket.

“With this, I’ll make a mess of your hair!”

“s-stop—”

“Man, that’s some serious jealousy.”

“Who—Who are you—Hiii!?”

Seeing me suddenly step out of the locker and speak up, the girl let out a pathetic scream. 

The other two girls beside her also turned pale and started trembling.

Come on, no need to be that scared… Well, whatever. 

Ignoring my hurt feelings, I addressed the girls.

“—Should I call Leticia now? Or… do you want to get beaten up by me?”

Sorry, Mr. Hardcore Fan. 

This situation was so infuriating that I couldn’t help but intervene. 

Apologizing inwardly, I glared at the girls in front of me.