Chapter 32 - Volume 3 (2/2)
Although we seem to have wandered away from the story rather grandly, there are times when I am alone, but on this day someone came by chance.
“Yurushia.”
*Zawa*…… From the classroom, the usual stir occurred again.
“……Roderick-nii-sama”
As I called out the semi-official name for him, the girls of the class were all going “Kyaa-kyaa”. ……Why is that?
Rick-chan, the 11-year-old fourth grader, seems to be very popular among the girls who like those [Ore-sama]-type (TL: self-important) guys.
“………Pff”
“……What, are you laughing at me?”
Did you hear that? Did you hear it? But, because I am [Gentle], I didn’t join in his pace, breaking everyone’s dream states.
“Don’t worry about it, is something the matter?”
“………”
I mixed in a little of my [Tsun] mode and inclined my neck. Rick flinched a little, then uttered a small sigh.
“You… Are you safe?”
“…?”
… Is there something wrong with your head? That’s something impolite you’re saying there, you brat.
“For nii-sama to worry about me this much, how foolish.”
When I turned away from him with my real [Tsun] mode on, Rick forcibly grabbed my arm and turned be back around without flinching away.
“…… I did not say such a thing.”
He said, as he stared into my eyes scarily.
“…Also, to grip my arm so suddenly…”
“That’s because…… Yurushia is such an idiot!”
What the heck.
He’s not making any sense. As he’s gotten older, he’s gotten pushier. Although we are basically [Prince] and [Princess], do you not know what situation you’re in right now?
Actually right now, all over the class, I can feel everyone’s gazes… And now I’m another step away from getting along with the rest of the class.
“…Come with me.”
“…Ah.”
Did Rick also feel the weight of their stares? I was forcibly pulled out of the class by his arm.
Really, this child is way too aggressive. Although I agreed with him on wanting to leave that place immediately, he should apologize for using so much strength. Since Rick has gotten a lot bigger over these few years, the height difference is really big when he stands up, it’s a little bit scary.
From the classroom I can hear various voices going “Kyaa-kyaa” and “Ooh”, it feels like I’ll lose if I pay them any attention… I’ve really gotten used to this recently.
“Rick…… my hand hurts”
“… Ye… Yeah.”
We exited out to the corridor, and when I changed my way of speaking once we were out of the public eye, at least Rick let go of my hand. The part that he gripped is a little hot… Because the [Human] part of me has a weak constitution owing to being pampered, I have no pain tolerance, and tears accidentally came into my eyes.
“……As I thought, was it too hard?”
“…Eh?”
Rick muttered with a serious expression at my teary face.
What did you say, you child?
“You… Ever since you enrolled in school, you’ve been alone a lot…”
“Aah”
By any chance, are you talking about me being feared after the recent matter that happened in the dining room?
“… Rick, were you worried about me because of that?”
“Obviously.”
… I was scolded.
Well, I was being scolded for worrying someone with what I’ve done, I’m seriously weak to people who are actually angry… But when threatened with malice, my mind goes the other way.
“I’m… I’m fine.”
I turned away and muttered softly, it’s unpleasant being glared at.
To tell the truth, I’m not actually all that worried, but when thinking about a child that’s not even eight years old, it’s hard not to get worried when they’re being avoided by everyone around them.
While I was thinking such things with my head turned away, my shoulder was gently gripped this time. Hey… is your default action to grip me?
“I will come to see you again. …got it?” (TL: He uses Ore-sama here, which is a very pompous term to address himself.)
“……”
… Come again? What? …Eh? What do you mean by that?
Does the statement that you made before that you “worry for me like a younger sister” still hold?
I was stunned as Rick suddenly lightly wiped my teary eyes with his fingers before returning me to my class.
Rick is seriously very overbearing. Well, being [Overbearing] and [Selfish] , is something that I’m well accustomed to thanks to [Him]……
Wait, did someone instruct both Rick and Timothy-kun to do this?
But Rick… You narrowly escaped death just now.
That whole time, whenever Rick touched me, I would feel an intense bloodlust leak out from Tina who was on stand-by, it scared even me.
“………Fuuu”
I felt depressed when I thought of how I’d need to go back to retrieve my textbook from the practical class. It’s a giant pain.
Still, Rick has been really weird recently. Although he’s been a weird fellow from the start, despite my cold attitude towards him, he seems to be strangely overprotective and concerned.
It’s almost like he’s a boy in love messing with his crush……
……Eh? What…?
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Author’s Note: What’s this~?