Chapter 17

I, Reika Kishōin, have been entrusted with the task of being a spy, or rather, an errand boy, by His Majesty the Emperor...

After that, the Emperor made everyone in the salon leave the room. Once it was just the three of us—me, the Emperor, and Enjō Shusuke—he started a strategy meeting.

"First, what did you hear from Aira?"

Ugh, his gaze is so scary...

I want to run away.

"About the plan to teach her a lesson..."

"Why did you hear that from Aira?"

"In the English class, when I accidentally met Aira, she asked me about Mr. Higashikuni's condition, and I told her he didn't seem well, so she told me about Miss Yurie's feelings."

Scary, too scary. Please don't glare at me~

I even called her by her name for the first time.

I stumbled because I was so nervous.

Please, someone, help me~

"Why are you spreading rumors about people?"

You're right.

Anyone would feel bad if they heard rumors about themselves.

I might not survive until the protagonist enrolls...

"Come on, don't scare her so much. She's trembling."

Hee, and Shusuke Enjō smiled at me.

Can I trust that smile?

"Shut up, Shusuke."

"Anyway, isn't it normal for the whole academy to be talking about what's happening with Gaya now? Right, Kishōin-san?"

Don't put me on the spot like that.

Even if I agree, I absolutely can't.

Even if it's the truth.

"Shusuke, you..."

"Isn't Yurie's information what Gaya wants? If you want it, you should ask nicely instead of threatening. I could ask Aira if you want."

Please, please, do that.

And get me out of here as soon as possible.

"No way. Aira won't talk to Shusuke. We'll use this girl."

"Yeah, that might be true. Kishōin-san, can you do it? Specifically, how angry is Yurie, and when does she plan to forgive him? Gaya, anything else?"

"Does Yurie even plan to forgive him?"

"Hmm, since she said she's going to teach him a lesson, I don't think it's a complete breakup. If Gaya shows how much he's regretting it, Yurie might forgive him."

"Right!"

He suddenly perked up.

Maybe he's simple-minded?

Oops, I shouldn't think that! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Please don't glare at me~

Maybe the Emperor can read minds.

"Alright! When is your English class?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"Huh, it's still a few days away. Why don't you go to the middle school now and ask Aira?"

Don't be ridiculous.

"If you do something rash and get caught, Yurie will get even angrier. It's better to wait until the day after tomorrow."

"Hmm, you're right. It's not good to make her angrier."

When Yurie's name is mentioned, he listens so obediently.

He really is simple-minded.

"Alright then. Kishōin-san, I'm counting on you."

He smiled brightly.

Are you ignoring my will? Is that it?

"You! What's your name again?"

"Reika Kishōin..."

Really? It's fine though.

"Alright! Kishōin! Fulfill your mission as a spy!"

"Hmm"

What kind of spy is this? Just an errand boy, right?

The Emperor, who had completely perked up, went to get some snacks, saying he was hungry.

"Though it's not me" — who said that? I did.

I have no eye for people, it seems.

How can I call this "me"?

Why can this person, whom I've barely spoken to and whose name I'm not even sure of, use me so casually?

Maybe I should tell Yurie through Aira.

He's threatening innocent female students and using them as errand boys.

...No, no, no, I shouldn't lose it.

If I do that, I'll definitely be killed. Definitely.

"Good luck, Kishōin-san. If you succeed, Gaya will be grateful to you."

"I don't admire him..."

In the face of such unreasonable treatment, I couldn't help but let out a whisper of my true feelings.

I left my admiration for the Emperor in a past life.

I was a slightly otaku girl who admired two-dimensional characters.

To me now, the Emperor is a symbol of destruction, and I've never admired him.

"Huh, really? But you often look at Gaya, don't you? I thought you liked Gaya. Look, your friends are always hanging around us."

What kind of logic is that? And he knows I've been secretly observing them.

"Because you two are so noticeable, my eyes are drawn to you. If it bothers you, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful."

I need to pull myself together.

If it weren't for the Emperor's intense gaze, my giant cat would come back to life.

I won't lose to just Shusuke.

"Since that's all, I'll be going now. Goodbye."

I want to leave this den of evil as soon as possible.

I want to curl up and run away as fast as I can.

"Okay, goodbye. Be careful."

Shusuke waved at me kindly.

As I was leaving, the Emperor, who had been walking in while eating a cookie, saw me and said,

"Oh! Errand boy, work hard!"

He's calling me an errand boy...

Isn't it supposed to be a spy? A spy.

Words are the source of disaster.

I feel like crying.

Throughout history, spies who fail their missions are eliminated by their organizations.

Which will be my tomorrow?