It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 78: If Your Hobbies Match, You Can Become Friends

“Levin Lindol! I won’t allow you to make a move on him… on Zeke!”

A strong wind blew behind the school building.

As if it were a violent gust refusing to let the conversation end here.

The one who appeared was Toprak Seiran.

A country that has the entire vast southern desert as its territory.

He was the prince of the Seiran Kingdom, a great southern nation no less than the Caarlaan Kingdom.

It’s a mystery why he’s at this school, but that doesn’t matter right now.

More importantly, what did that guy just say?

He said he won’t allow anyone to make a move on Zeke, right?

This is a really simple question but… why?

Levin and I froze with question marks in our heads.

However, against Toprak who was walking steadily closer, Levin moved first.

“Wait, what does that mean?”

Levin pointed at Toprak while glaring.

In response, Toprak laughed with a somewhat mocking face. “Ha…”

“I’ll say it so even an idiot like you can understand. While Zeke is a prince with the worst reputation, he’s not like the rumors. He’s definitely not someone you should mess with. Get lost.”

“Huh? Why do I have to be told that by you? A guy who usually just sits in the back of the classroom like a statue.”

“Because I’m the one in class who acknowledges Zeke the most. The reason I sit there is just because I wanted to watch Zeke from behind.”

“What?”

Huh, is that so?

Shocking truth.

Mr. Toprak, could it be you were my fanboy!?

In that instant, RUSTLE… the bushes shook.

Behind the two who were arguing, I caught a glimpse of familiar brown hair and a small body.

I’ll stay quiet since I’ll probably get scolded later if I direct hate that way, but apparently someone is eavesdropping on this scene.

Some idle person named Stella who has no friends in class so doesn’t get invited to promises or hangouts, and is stalking Toprak.

…I bet that girl likes secretly listening to conversations.

Anyway, let’s listen to their conversation now.

“So what, you came to stop me thinking I was going to pick a fight with Zeke?”

“Of course not. I came to say you picking a fight is wrong.”

Isn’t that indirectly coming to stop a fight…?

What, so you’re on my side?

“I’m saying I should be the first in class to pick a fight with Zeke. Newcomers should wait their turn.”

“Huh?”

You’re going to pick a fight with me? Why!?

“A newcomer!? …Well, even if you’re the prince of Seiran, here we’re the same classmates. Let me be clear—this guy is pretty strong. Not only is his swordsmanship considerable, but his magic should be quite skilled too. After all, his teacher is Rubert, the best knight in the Lindol Principality.”

“I’m well aware Zeke is strong! How much do you think I’ve been watching!”

“I don’t know how much! Besides, I’ve been watching too. Thinking he’s completely different from the rumors…”

Wait, aren’t these two praising me together?

Maybe I could mediate right now?

Like in shoujo manga—don’t fight over me… something like that.

I cleared my throat once, made another sound in my throat, then stepped forward.

“Um… you two, calm down. How should I say this, being praised so much is embarrassing… I’d like you to stop fighting over me any more— ‘Shut up!'”

Whaaaaat!?

I thought now was the time to mediate, but they yelled at me in unison!?

Isn’t that too unreasonable!?

“First of all, why do you have such a bad reputation! It’s pretty serious that it’s reached the Lindol Principality. Furthermore, domestically it’s even worse—what’s going on!”

“I agree. Zeke, your infamy has reached even Seiran. Isn’t someone spreading it? While it’s inevitable and can’t be helped that baseless rumors fly around about the country’s top, you should at least make an effort to suppress them.”

Now they’re both blaming me.

What, are you two actually friends?

“I see, is it this bad because you haven’t suppressed it? —Still, Zeke really is smart, right? For all that, it’s poorly done, or rather, are you just indifferent to your own matters?”

“Zeke should be smart. He answers anything the teacher asks fluently. And Levin Lindol just said something accurate. I’ve always thought so too—aren’t you interested in yourself? …Hmm, then I’ll lend you a book I have. A book about mythology passed down in the Seiran Kingdom.”

“Oh, a book about Seiran mythology? There aren’t many such books in Lindol, so I’m curious. Good idea. Zeke, you should borrow it. By the way, what’s it about?”

“The protagonist is a beautiful god named Narsos. It’s a story about a god who lost his lover and falls in love with himself reflected in oasis water.”

“What’s that? How does that relate to him… no, you mean he should like himself a bit more? That’s perfect for him.”

“Exactly. How about it? I brought it all the way to this country, so shall I lend it to you?”

“I don’t need something like that!”

Because that’s based on Narcissus, a god from modern Greek mythology, not Narsos!?

The fact that “the figure reflected in spring water” was subtly changed to “the figure reflected in oasis water” to match the national character made it extra irritating!

“‘Something like that’? Don’t mess with me! When I kindly proposed it thinking of Zeke, what do you mean ‘something like that’?”

“No, but that’s… wait, why did you go to the trouble of bringing that from the Seiran Kingdom?”

“Because it’s my favorite book!”

“Whaaaaat!?”

Favorite book!?

Come to think of it, in the game this guy was definitely a narcissist who loved himself and bragged annoyingly often.

Ah, is that it? Because his favorite book is that, he was influenced and became like that?

“Why are you so surprised? Is something strange?”

“No, ah… it’s not strange. Yeah, not strange. But I’ll pass on that book.”

Was it bad to deny something he’s calling his favorite book? But honestly, I don’t want to read it…

I tried to appease him while gently refusing, but then Levin started getting angry.

“Zeke, look. Why are you refusing the favorite book that Toprak Seiran is trying to lend you thinking of you? He’s a good guy acting with you in mind. Why don’t you at least read it lightly? Actually, I’d like him to lend me that book after Zeke.”

Levin is actually defending Toprak!? And you want to read it!?

I was surprised by this unexpected situation.

But Toprak crossed his arms and smiled with his mouth corners raised.

“Oh, Levin. You get it. Alright, I’ll specially lend it to you before Zeke. Read it to your heart’s content.”

“Really!? Thank you. Then in exchange, I’ll also lend you my favorite book I brought from my country. It was recommended by my attendant maid, but when I read it, it was very helpful. It was an opportunity to reconsider my immature self.”

Huh, Levin has a favorite book too?

Are these guys unexpectedly cultured?

Or is it upper-class education?

“Hmm, what kind of book?”

“It’s a romance manga called ‘Talking with You.'”

Kimi Osha! Of all things, a harmful book…!

…Don’t their favorite books have way too much quirk?

Read something more normal.

“A romance manga, huh? I’ve read ones sold in Seiran, but I haven’t read ones from this country.”

“That’s a waste. Try reading it. In exchange, lend me various Seiran books.”

“Hmm, fine. Zeke, sorry but is it okay if I lend you the book later?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Yeah, later is totally fine.”

I gave an empty response, but without seeming to care, the two got excited talking about books from their respective countries.

Leaving me, the intended protagonist, behind.

Wait, do you guys remember what you came here for? You don’t, right? Whatever…

In the end, I left the excited two behind and went home.