After Starting a Thread as a Reincarnated in an Unknown Otome Game, I Got Caught in a Battlefield of Beauties - Chapter 34: Alto, Seriously...

Chapter 34: Alto, Seriously…

“Huff… Huff… Damn it. I’m so late… I need to apologize to Aria…”

It was lunchtime the day after I helped Aria.

Because of the long-winded and boring lecture from our balding teacher, the class had run 15 minutes late. I hurried back to the classroom, stuffed my books into my bag, and got ready to head to the cafeteria.

Damn it… You’ve got to be kidding me.　

Who uses a 30-minute lesson to talk about hair growth magic, something none of us are interested in?

If he brings up the same topic again, I’ll use all my connections to file a complaint.

By the way, our lunch break is supposed to be one hour, but it took me a few minutes to get back to the classroom after class ended… which means about a third of it is already gone.

Seriously, give me a break.

“—Oh, Alto.”

“Eh, Leticia? What’s up— oh…”

Just as I was about to rush to the cafeteria where Aria was waiting, I unexpectedly ran into Leticia.

And she was carrying two lunch boxes.

…This… one of them is for me, right?

It has to be.

Is this one of those otome games?

I’d believe it if someone told me this was a dating sim.

As I was lost in these unnecessary thoughts, desperately trying to hide my panic, Leticia tilted her head curiously.

“What’s wrong? You’re sweating…”

“N-Nothing… haha… By the way, those lunch boxes…”

I was already at least 15 minutes late and had the misfortune of running into Leticia at the worst possible time. I forced a smile to hide my anxiety and tried to change the subject.

Leticia blushed slightly and started fidgeting.

“This… this is your lunch, Alto. I made it myself, so it might not taste as good as others… but don’t worry! It’s not so bad that you can’t eat it!”

“I’m not really worried about that…”

Is this really happening to me?

To someone who’s been an unpopular introvert for so long?

Honestly, I’m really happy.

If I had to describe how happy, I’d say I want to jump up and shout for joy right now.

—If only it weren’t today.

I know it’s 100% my fault for not telling her yesterday.

It’s not Leticia’s fault at all… but the timing is just bad. If it were any other day…

It feels like I’ve run into my girlfriend while going to meet a secret lover. Even though there’s nothing between Aria and me, she just wanted to thank me for yesterday.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just explain everything?

And why not eat both lunch and at the cafeteria?

Realizing how pointless it was to hide anything, I felt foolish for being so anxious. Hiding it would only make things worse if she found out later.

“Uh, Leticia? There’s something I need to tell you…”

“…What is it?”

“Actually—”

Just as I was about to explain about Aria—

“Hey, did you hear? That commoner who got the top marks is running around the academy looking for a guy.”

“Really? Even with the Second Prince and General Walter’s son around?”

Two female students passed by us, and their conversation made me stop mid-sentence. Guilt washed over me.

…She’s definitely looking for me because I’m late.

She seemed so diligent and kind… It’s so unfair that rumors are spreading because of me.

“—Alto?”

“Yes!”

“What were you going to say, ‘actually’?”

“Oh, about that… Actually, yesterday I—”

“Sir Alto!”

I heard Aria calling out to me. As I watched Leticia’s eyes grow colder, I started sweating profusely.

Why does she always find me at the worst times?

It feels like this is all orchestrated by some higher power.

I turned awkwardly towards the voice, like a rusty machine, and saw Aria with a beaming smile. 

But her gaze quickly shifted to Leticia standing next to me. She trembled slightly, then forced a smile, masking her true feelings.

“I-I’m sorry… Please don’t mind me, Sir Alto, Lady Leticia. You two should—”

“—Wait a moment.”

Just as Aria, with her awkward smile, was about to leave, Leticia’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Um…”

“You can stay here. But more importantly—”

Leticia’s icy gaze pierced through me, her dark smile making me tremble. I couldn’t even muster a nervous smile.

Leticia gently touched my cheek and leaned in close to my ear—

“—You’re going to explain exactly what this is about, aren’t you, my unfaithful Alto?”

“…Yes.”

She whispered in a chilling, low voice.

Forum readers… I might be dead even though I did nothing wrong.

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