Chapter 15

"Second, I like you."

In the quiet school cafeteria.

After I finished my beef bowl, Main said something like that.

Her words, which ruined the pleasant aftertaste of the meal, made me a bit irritated.

"Hey, what's with that condescending attitude? I'm the number one man in the world (planned)."

When I retorted, Main beamed.

"That's exactly it, Second! I've never talked to such an 'open person' before...!"

With a dreamy expression, Main seemed to drift into her own world.

"I was looking forward to attending the Royal Magic Academy, thinking that the class differences would disappear, but everyone still only sees me as the second prince. Whether in the palace or at school, I am nothing but the second prince. The only person who really sees me for who I am is my mother..."

"Hmm, it's a common story, isn't it?"

"Se, Second-sama!"

Sylvia nudged my side. Oops, did I say that out loud?

"No, it's fine, Sylvia. I like that about Second."

"But, that's still very rude."

"Someone who, upon learning I'm a prince, immediately asks, 'Are you gay?'—there's no politeness left."

"..."

Sylvia was speechless.

I drained my cold drink and opened my mouth to get to the point.

"By the way, Main, do you know where the magic books are?"

"Well, if they're in the school, the First and Second types are in the library. The Third type is also in the library, but you need the librarian's permission to borrow it. And the Fourth type—"

"Wait, wait, wait. Is there a Fourth type here too?"

"No, the Fourth type is stored in the palace. I've only seen it once."

"I see..."

It's a shame. If there were a "Fourth type" magic book here, I wouldn't have to run the high-level dungeon to get the drop.

"Second, do you want to read it?"

"Yeah. I want to read the Second and Third types."

When I answered immediately, Main asked with interest.

"Are magic books rare in Jipang?"

"...Yeah, they are. Rare."

Damn, I forgot about that setting.

"Hey, just a quick look is fine. Just to see what they're like, right?"

I tried to bluff, but I stammered. No good.

"Hehe, no need to get so flustered. I'll show you the library properly later."

"A, ah, thanks. I appreciate it."

Phew, safe.

"Shall we go then?"

Main stood up and began our tour.

"This is the library. It's already closed."

The afternoon tour of the school building by Main was incredibly thorough, and by the time we reached the main dish, the library, it was already dark.

Indeed, there were many impressive places like the gym, the field, and the grand hall that made me say "Wow," and I did think it was good to have the tour.

However, Main's explanations were way too long. Even though I repeatedly said I wasn't interested in things like how many years old the building was or who built it, she kept adding trivia with "By the way, by the way."

I could understand why Main was the top of her class. This guy must be a knowledge maniac, a prince who can't help but accumulate knowledge.

"The library is open to all students of the Royal Magic Academy, so please use it as soon as possible. By the way, the head librarian used to work at the Royal Grand Library and is an excellent woman whom the principal personally recruited—"

There it goes again!

"Ah... Okay, okay, this way, crazy prince."

I put my hand on Main's back, who couldn't stop with the trivia, and gently guided him back.

Sylvia, who was clearly fed up, followed with a tired expression.

"Main, how are you going back?"

When I asked, Main looked around and said,

"My ride should be here soon..."

"My ride has arrived."

Suddenly, a maid in a maid's uniform appeared from nowhere. What the heck?

"I had a lot of fun today. See you tomorrow, Second, Sylvia."

Main waved and left with the maid.

"Phew. I feel relieved."

"That's my line..."

Sylvia, who heard my mutter, clutched her head and reacted with a hateful expression.

"Second-sama... I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, 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