The Ugly Orc Strikes Back ~ Reincarnated as the Cruel Crown Prince of a Twisted Doujin Eroge with No Happy Endings, But as an Inexperienced Guy, Cruel Play is a Hopeless Challenge, So I'll Give My Best to Break the Flags and Strive for Survival ~ - Chapter 38: Occasionally Having Lunch on the Rooftop

Chapter 38: Occasionally Having Lunch on the Rooftop

“Hey, it’s been about a week, so maybe we should show up at the Information Guild?” 

In the morning courtyard, after my thirteenth dive, Ophelia leaned over my face and asked:

“Hmm… Maybe it’s worth going to check on the progress.”

“Right? Let’s go this afternoon after school then.”

With a delighted expression, Ophelia nodded in agreement.

She seemed unusually delighted about going out, considering she was usually focused solely on sword training.

I wonder if it’s because I’ve been accompanying her in training for the past week. On the other hand, Ilse’s mood has been quite terrible.

“…Ophelia-sama, Louie-sama and I will go to the Information Guild alone. Wouldn’t it be better for you to focus on your sword training?”

“Well, don’t be so uptight. I also want to have that frappuccino.”

Ophelia hasn’t learned from her previous mistakes at all. This is exactly why she’s called the “muscle-head heroine.”

“Ufufu. But I think it would be better for the six of us to go together this time as well.”

“Natalia-san, why is that?”

“I believe last time they were unsure about our relationship with Ludwig-san. If they recognize us as allies, it will make things easier for us in the future when we need their help.”

“Ah… You’re right.”

It might have seemed like we were just classmates the last time, but if they understand that we’re comrades who share a purpose and information, there are various benefits like being able to receive information even when I or Ilse can’t move.

“Understood. Let’s go with the six of us this time too.”

“Yes.”

The Sly Saint nodded with a smile.

So far, she doesn’t seem to have any ulterior motives or calculations, but I shouldn’t let my guard down.

More importantly…

“…”

“♪”

Contrary to the extremely displeased Ilse, Ophelia seemed to be in a cheerful mood, humming along. With Ophelia, it’s fine, but I should make sure to improve Ilse’s mood later.

I also don’t want the “Assassination End,” after all.

◇

“Ilse, let’s get going!”

“Yes.”

During lunch break, I took Ilse’s hand and hurriedly left the classroom. It would be troublesome if we got caught by Ophelia and the others.

“But… Are Ophelia-sama and the others not joining us for lunch today?”

“Well… Since we’ll be together after school too, how about having lunch, um, just the two of us?”

Yeah, recently we’ve been together with those four a lot, so there haven’t been many opportunities for Ilse and me to be alone. Well, this is just my selfish desire to be alone with Ilse occasionally.

Even though I’ve become more comfortable talking to Ophelia, the Sly Saint, and even Clarice, as a loner, Ilse is the one I understand the most. It’s just… being together with her brings a sense of calmness and security… 

Well, there are more heart-pounding moments than that, though.

“So, let’s have a meal together today.”

“Y-Yes!”

Good, it seems like Ilse is happy about it, at least.

I mustered up the courage, so if she had coldly rejected me here, I would’ve lightly dived off the roof of the dormitory. I’d probably be unscathed, though.

With that said…

“Wow, I didn’t expect there would be such a nice view here.”

Since Ophelia and the others would definitely bother us if we ate in the cafeteria, we bought some bread and side dishes from the shop and came to the rooftop.

Fufufu… They wouldn’t imagine that they’re here as well, I’m sure.

“Yes… It’s a refreshing blue sky, and the breeze feels nice.”

The gentle wind rustled Ilse’s indigo hair as she tucked it behind her ear.

I have to make sure she doesn’t notice that my heart is uncontrollably pounding at her casual gesture and beautiful profile.

“Well then, let’s eat.”

“Yes.”

I spread a handkerchief on the ground for Ilse to sit on and sat down next to her. 

What we bought from the shop was a baguette, a short French bread, and a salad with cream cheese, blueberry jam, broccoli, and edamame mixed with basil and olive oil.

“Louie-sama, here you go.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I received the thinly sliced baguette with a dagger knife and spread jam and cream cheese on it before taking a bite.

“Mmm! It’s delicious!”

“Yes… Today’s lunch is exceptional.”

Ilse nibbled on the bread with an adorable mouth. Well, just by gazing at her like this, I feel content and full.

But wait, can a gloomy guy like me, the “ugly orc,” be this happy? If another gloomy guy were to witness this, I’d definitely be floating naked in the river tomorrow morning. I need to be careful.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

“?”

Oops, that was bad. I looked around warily, so now Ilse is curious. 

She’s actually much more vigilant than me, so I should just stay quiet. Yes, let’s do that.

With such trivial thoughts in my mind, I took another bite of the bread.

“…Louie-sama.”

Ilse whispered in a low voice. 

Wondering what it was, I looked around cautiously.

“Isn’t that…”

Appearing at the entrance leading to the rooftop were the student council president, Eleonora, and Sophia.