Chapter 47

"Lean! It's bad!"

"Oh, hey!"

Suddenly, his wrist was grabbed, and Oscar was thrown into the classroom. The momentum made it hard for him to keep his balance, and he ended up sitting on the floor. Before he could figure out what was happening, he was pushed down onto his back. Cecil loomed over him.

"---!"

He let out a soundless scream, his body stiffening. The scent of something sweet and feminine wafted from Cecil, who was pressing his head against Oscar's chest.

(This is...)

His head spun from the unexpected situation. After a while, he heard the familiar voice calling "Cecil-sama," and only then did he understand the situation. He was running from Lean. And this bizarre, foreign-like attire must be part of her plan.

(Still, why...?)

Oscar's gaze shifted to his body. The arms peeking out from the red satin dress were so thin and delicate, it seemed they might break at any moment. The large slit in the dress revealed white thighs, which were inserted between Oscar's legs. His heart raced wildly from the softness he felt against his thighs and the tightness of their bodies.

(Calm down!! He's a guy!)

He tried to convince himself. Unaware of Oscar's feelings, Cecil pressed his body even closer.

(---This idiot!)

"Hey..."

Unable to bear it any longer, he opened his mouth, but Cecil immediately covered it. Even if he were told to "shh!" with a serious face, he couldn't possibly comply.

(But if I make a fuss, Lean will find us...)

If she found them in this state, who knows what she would write or do.

Oscar swallowed the voice he was about to raise and bit his lower lip. Trying to count prime numbers to distract himself, but Cecil's breathing and the overly sweet scent kept interrupting his thoughts.

After a while, Lean's presence faded away. Cecil relaxed with a sigh.

"Phew..."

"...Cecil"

"Ah, sorry?"

"Just get off me..."

He managed to say this, his throat dry.

"Please..."

At that moment, Cecil seemed to realize his position and turned bright red. He started to panic, reacting like a naive girl. Oscar averted his gaze, unable to look at him.

Honestly, he couldn't bear to see it. If he did, he might start to think Cecil was actually a woman.

"Sorry..."

With a red face, Cecil got off Oscar. The exposed thighs occasionally caught his eye, making it hard to endure.

"Also, Oscar, sorry. I might have crushed something in your pocket..."

"That's fine! Don't worry about it!!"

His voice came out louder than he intended. Thinking he had been shouted at, Cecil's eyes widened in shock.

Oscar wasn't angry. He just didn't want to be noticed.

However, he hesitated to explain his state to Cecil, who seemed oblivious. Oscar took a deep breath and sat up.

This is a physiological reaction. It doesn't mean anything, and it can't be helped.

Despite this, a sense of guilt welled up in his chest, both towards Cecil and his fiancée, Cecilia.

"Hey"

"Sorry. Get out."

"Huh?"

"Please..."

Perhaps because of the firmness in his voice, Cecil started to look flustered, thinking he was disliked.

"If that's the case, Oscar, come with me..."

He unconsciously brushed off the hand that was extended to him. At that moment, Cecil's face showed a hurt expression, but Oscar couldn't find the words to smooth things over. He just muttered, "Sorry," and Cecil nodded awkwardly.

"Alright, I'll go. Really sorry."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Cecil slowly left the room. Watching his back, Oscar lay down in the classroom.

"Ah..."

Had he ever felt this much self-loathing before?

'So he's a guy, a friend. I have Cecilia, and that's it...'

His feelings for Cecilia hadn't faded. He had no intention of breaking off the engagement. However, the fact that he kept getting distracted by Cecil's actions only made his guilt worse.

"Ah, damn it!"

He angrily ran his fingers through his hair.

..◆◇◆

(Oscar was angry...)

Cecilia walked down the hallway with a sad look, unable to shake the image of Oscar's annoyed face.

(I thought we were getting along better, but I messed up...)

If someone was suddenly dragged into an empty classroom and ended up on top of them, they would be angry. Of course. Especially if their mouth was covered, their protests ignored, and their body pressed against. It must have felt heavy and unpleasant. Still, she thought Oscar had a lot of patience for not making a fuss until Lean left.

(I need to apologize to Oscar properly...)

As she walked down the hallway, she suddenly heard a familiar voice, "Huh?" She looked up to see Gilbert with wide eyes.

"Ah"

The moment their eyes met, Gilbert's expression turned dead. A flood of sweat broke out on Cecilia's body.

(Oh no, oh no, oh no!!)

He walked over and draped his jacket over her. The action was kind, but his expression was anything but. He was angry at his sister-in-law for her strange attire.

Her body started to shake involuntarily. She couldn't meet his eyes.

"Sorry"

"Let's go change your clothes right away, shall we?"

His smile made Cecilia want to cry—out of fear.

Thanks to Gilbert's suggestion, Cecilia managed to get away with just a standing pose in her uniform. Still, she was made to pose in strange positions and make incomprehensible expressions.

However, it seemed that wasn't enough for Lean, who, as she left, said with teary eyes,

'Remember this!'

She had spent all night preparing, and she genuinely felt bad for turning it down, but she just couldn't bear it.

Cecilia straightened her uniform and returned to the classroom. As she was leaving, she saw the classroom where she had brought Oscar, but he was already gone. She would have to visit the classroom later to apologize properly.

(Still, what should I do from now on? If Emily wakes up, everything will be fine...)

She thought seriously.

If Emily, Mordred's sister and the third candidate for the priestess, wakes up, Cecilia, Mordred, and Emily will all be happy. Of course, there's a possibility that Emily might not want to be the priestess, but in this country, the priestess is the highest position a woman can achieve, and it's a role that everyone aspires to. So, the likelihood of Emily saying, "I don't want to be the priestess!" is very low.

(But how can I wake her up?)

There seems to be no problem with her brain or body. So, what's the cause?

(The key must be in Mordred-sensei's route...)

Thinking this, Cecilia sat down. The classroom was a bit noisy, probably because it was almost the end of lunch break.

"How did it go, Cecil?"

It was Jade who asked. Cecilia tilted her head in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"The results of the midterm exams. They were posted on the bulletin board."

"Ah!"

Cecilia quickly stood up. The results of this midterm exam were crucial for her. She had to avoid a home visit at all costs.

"Be right back!"

"Ah, okay."

Leaving Jade nodding, Cecilia ran to the bulletin board.

Seeing the rankings, she let out a sigh of relief.

(Thank goodness...)

She breathed a sigh of relief. She was tenth in the grade, a slight drop from eighth last time. This should be enough to avoid a home visit.

(Still, everyone is amazing...)

The targets of her quest were all in the top ranks. Dante was the only one missing, but he probably found it too troublesome. 'If I can do it, I'll do it' is his motto.

(Gil is first. He's amazing...)

He had already completed all the studies taught at the academy by the time he was thirteen. His tutor had said, "I have nothing more to teach you" and stepped down. So, his reason for attending the academy is not for studies but to build connections among the nobility and to support Cecilia, who started dressing as a boy.

(Thinking about it, I really owe a lot to Gil. Really...)

For Gilbert, who had been in the social scene, building connections was not a big deal. He had many admirers and a fair amount of popularity among women, though not as much as Cecil. So, 90% of his reason for attending the academy is to support Cecilia.

(When summer break starts, I need to give him a proper break!)

Cecilia clenched her fist.

The summer break at Vruehel Academy is not very long, only about two weeks. However, because of its short duration, the game skips over the entire summer break period, so there are no character events.

(No need to dress as a boy! No need to worry about anything! It might be nice to spend some time alone with my brother!)

The thought made her excited. The plan to visit Cecilia's mansion with everyone had fallen through, and Lean was coming to the mansion for a couple of days, but otherwise, she could spend the time quietly with Gilbert. Cecilia thought.

However, this world doesn't work that way.

Oscar's monologue might not be suitable for a book. (laughs)