Reincarnated as a Mob in an Otome Game, but the Characters Were Worse Than I Expected, So I Crushed Them All and Destroyed the Story - Chapter 32: Mob Gets Invited Over

Chapter 32: Mob Gets Invited Over

“(H-Hey…!? What the hell is going on here…!? Do something…!)”

Hank, sitting next to me, leaned in and whispered desperately.

In front of us were teacups and an assortment of beautifully arranged tea cakes.

And sitting across from us at the round table—

Charlotte and Alicia.

…How did we end up in this situation?

For that, we need to go back about thirty minutes—

◇◆◇

“Hey, what’s it like in Class A?”

“Huh? Where’s this coming from all of a sudden?”

Hank and I were walking together when he suddenly hit me with that question.

Ever since I moved up to Class A, we naturally had less time to hang out.

But since we were still roommates, we still spent plenty of time together.

Our friendship hadn’t changed—we got along just fine.

“I mean, come on. It’s not every day you hear about a commoner making it into Class A. I can’t help but be curious.”

“Ah… well, yeah. That makes sense.”

For a second, I considered telling him, “Jessica’s there too, you know?”

But I really, really didn’t want to think about her.

Even mentioning her name left a bad taste in my mouth.

So instead, I just gave a vague response.

Hank did have a crush on her once, but judging by his attitude now, he had completely moved on.

Honestly? I was relieved.

If he had been blinded by love, there was a real chance he wouldn’t have believed me—

Even if I told him Jessica was a manipulative, two-faced snake.

Love makes people stupid.

“Well, it’s not exactly a great place, you know? The nobles are always on edge, obsessed with politics, family reputation, and power struggles.”

“Ugh… just imagining that makes me sick.”

“I’d gladly switch places with you.”

“Yeah, no thanks. I’m perfectly happy in Class D.”

Hank shook his head so hard it looked like it might fall off.

Man, you don’t have to be that dramatic.

“Didn’t your old man send you here to build connections? Wouldn’t being in Class A make that a whole lot easier?”

“No way. That place is terrifying. Sure, being in Class A might help our business, but I can still get what I need in Class D.”

…Yeah, that first part definitely slipped out by accident.

I guess for commoners, Class B is probably the sweet spot.

Even Hank—whose family runs a successful business—felt out of place in Class A.

If my parents found out I was placed there, they’d either think I was joking and laugh it off—

Or pass out on the spot.

“Well, surprisingly enough, I think I can actually handle it… or so I thought…”

I trailed off, freezing in place.

Because right in front of us—

At the center of a beautifully maintained garden, surrounded by blooming flowers—

Sat two elegant young ladies, enjoying tea at a neatly arranged table.

Behind them, a single maid stood silently, her presence both refined and imposing.

(W-What the hell is this…!? Since when do nobles hold tea parties in random open spaces like this!?)

And the fact that I recognized everyone at that table only made me want to run away even more.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my short time at this academy, it’s that you should never get involved with nobles unless absolutely necessary.

And now, with Hank here, I had no way to avoid getting dragged into something.

Worst case scenario? I get completely swept up in whatever nonsense is about to happen.

Best case scenario? …Actually, there is no best-case scenario.

Hank, still oblivious to our impending doom, was chatting away with a smile.

I had no idea what he was even talking about—none of it registered.

“Hey, what’s up, Edward?”

“N-Nothing… it’s nothing… More importantly, why don’t we, uh… head to the library?”

“Huh? Now? That’d mean going all the way back the way we just came.”

“I-It’s fine! Let’s just go!”

I grabbed Hank by the arm and started pulling him away.

Too late.

“Oh? I thought I recognized someone—turns out it’s you.”

“Ugh…!?”

She noticed me…!?

I did nothing wrong!

I just wanted a peaceful, uneventful day… Was that too much to ask!?

“H-Her Ladyship Charlotte…!”

“Hah? Who are you? A commoner like you has no right to address me by my first name.”

It must have slipped out without thinking—Hank had called her by name.

Charlotte’s sharp eyes narrowed instantly, her expression darkening.

Man, she’s ruthless as ever.

I sighed and patted Hank lightly on the back.

This was gonna be rough.

“Lady Maxwell, I apologize for disturbing you. We’ll be leaving right away.”

“…No, actually, you got here at the perfect time. Join us for tea.”

“…Eh!?”

“You don’t mind, do you?”

Charlotte turned slightly, directing her question to Alicia Hamilton.

Alicia, the one being addressed, let out a small, wry smile.

“I don’t mind. It’s not like we were discussing anything confidential.”

Considering that the Hamilton family was originally part of the Maxwell faction, it wasn’t strange for Charlotte and Alicia to have tea together.

Though in the original storyline, Alicia would eventually break away from the Maxwells, side with the royal family, and convince her father to support Jessica…

Y’know, classic friendship-driven political maneuvering.

“So, there you have it.”

“Uh… I really wouldn’t want to intrude…”

“Do not make me repeat myself.”

“I would be honored to join you.”

Without hesitation, I sat down in the seat that had been prepared for me.

Charlotte was seriously terrifying…

[Master… that was kinda pathetic…]

(Shut up. Rule number one—never argue with someone above you. Keep your head down, stay quiet, and survive. That’s just common sense for any corporate drone.)

[I don’t know what a corporate drone is, but I already hate that kind of common sense…]

Picking a fight with nobles for no reason at all? Yeah, no thanks.

What would that even accomplish?

Besides, I needed to establish at least some kind of working relationship with Charlotte.

At the very least, a ceasefire.

There was no point in fighting her twice.

“So, uh, I think I’ll be taking my leave now…!”

“(Wait—! H-Hank!? Are you seriously trying to run away!?)”

Was he really about to ditch me and bail!?

Not happening.

“Um, L-Lady Maxwell. If it’s not too much trouble, could Hank join us as well? I mean, sitting here alone with two noble ladies is a bit… intimidating…”

“…!?”

“A commoner, too?”

“Well, if we’re being technical, I’m a commoner as well.”

I shot Alicia a subtle glance.

If she was anything like her original self, she’d understand my intentions—

And sure enough, she gave me a knowing smile.

“Lady Maxwell, if he’s a friend of his, I see no issue with it.”

(Yes!)

Alicia had mentioned before that she wasn’t fond of excessive status divisions.

So I figured if I nudged her a little, she’d back me up.

“…Fine. But he can stand behind your seat.”

She allowed him to stay—

But not to sit with us.

Seriously, this girl never wavers.

Then again, considering her personality in the original story, the fact that she even allowed him to be here at all was shocking enough.

“(Damn you…! I’m never letting this go, Edward…!)”

“(Sorry, but if I’m going down, you’re coming with me.)”

Ignoring Hank’s silent grudge, I turned back toward Charlotte and Alicia.

Honestly, being seen here with them felt like the kind of thing that could spark all sorts of nasty rumors.

But Charlotte wasn’t the type to care about what others thought—if anyone had a problem with her, she’d just crush them with sheer power.

And Alicia? Given her stance on equality, she probably didn’t see an issue with having a commoner at the table.

If anything, they likely preferred this open setting—

Rather than meeting in private and having to deal with suspicion or pointless speculation.

“So… why exactly was I invited here?”

“I have a question for you. You… had some kind of run-in with that pink-haired girl, didn’t you?”

Her question was so blunt, so directly on target, that I completely froze.

—Yeah. There was no dodging this one.

─────────────────────────

[Afterword]

I had my sixth-grade sister draw Charlotte for me.

Since I have absolutely no artistic talent, her drawing skills are way better than mine—

But man, getting outdone by a younger family member really stings.

By the way, I didn’t tell her that Charlotte is a hopeless masochist.

Someday, I think it’d be really cool if we could create a light novel together as siblings.

…But considering she has no interest in becoming an illustrator, that’s probably just wishful thinking.

—Kazuki Sano