Chapter 59

Gil is a heavy guy.

"By the way, Gil. When I started talking about my past life, you didn't doubt it at all, right? Why?"

She asked this as they were just stepping out onto the square between the boys' and girls' dormitories. Gilbert turned to look at Cecilia, who had stopped.

"What? Did you want me to doubt it?"

"Well, not exactly, but if I were in your position, I probably wouldn't have believed it so easily."

"Well, I did feel something was off, too."

"Something was off?"

Hearing this for the first time, Cecilia tilted her head.

"Sis, when you were about six, you predicted your engagement to the prince, right?"

"Huh? Did I?"

"Yeah. Back then, it wasn't clear whether the prince's fiancée would be you or the daughter of the Wills family..."

Now that he mentioned it, that might have been the case. But it was probably just a casual conversation. Cecilia was six, and he was probably around five, yet he remembered it so well.

"Also, when Donny first came to our house, you called out his name even though he hadn't introduced himself, right?"

"Um..."

"And you often said things that made no sense, like 'cup noodles' and 'smartphones.' Then you suddenly said you wanted Hans to train you, and when I asked why, you said, 'I don't want to die!' It was all so bizarre..."

"Ahahaha..."

Cecilia let out a dry laugh. She had thought of herself as careless, but she hadn't realized it was to that extent.

"Well, there were other things that felt off, and I thought you were hiding something. Then came that big reveal. And you even said you wanted to attend the academy in disguise. At first, I really didn't know what to do."

Seeing his exasperated expression, Cecilia smiled wryly.

"So, did I surprise you?"

"More like I was taken aback."

"Taken aback?"

"I was thinking, 'Who is this person, and what have they been told?'"

Hearing this unexpected response, Cecilia's eyes widened.

"You didn't believe my past life story!?"

"Of course not. How could I believe someone who suddenly starts talking about their 'past life'? ...And you, of all people, are the most naive, flower-headed, air-headed person I know. There was nothing but reasons to doubt you."

Hearing this matter-of-factly, Cecilia's lips trembled. Ignoring her, he continued with his usual sarcastic tone.

"But once it started, everything you said turned out to be true, so I had no choice but to believe it."

From the way he spoke, it was clear that he had only started to believe in Cecilia's 'past life' recently. Until then, he had been going along with her out of concern.

Realizing this, Cecilia's thoughts came to a halt.

"But if that's the case, you helped me even though you didn't believe what I said, right?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

He had helped with the procedures for her to attend the academy, the preparation of a fake identity, and the male uniform, among other things. If he hadn't believed her, there must have been a reason for his help.

"Because that's what you wanted, right?"

Hearing this as if it were the most obvious thing, Cecilia tilted her head in confusion.

"Even if there was no reason and it felt off, if you said you wanted to attend the academy in disguise, I would have helped. ...That's the only reason."

"Really?"

"I'm soft on you. I'll help you with anything you want to do."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

Nodding as if it were no big deal, Gilbert made Cecilia burst out laughing. She thought he was joking.

"But, overthrowing a country is probably too much, right?"

"...Do you want to?"

His response, devoid of any hint of a joke, made Cecilia freeze.

"...Can you?"

"Well, I can't say for sure until I try. ...Do you want to?"

"No, it's fine..."

She shook her head, feeling a bit scared, even though she thought it was a joke. If she ever plotted to overthrow a country, it would be a steep decline for both her and Gilbert.

Just then, a high-pitched voice called out from behind them.

"Sorry, did you wait long?"

They turned to see Lean in a dress. It wasn't a low-cut one like for a ball, but a modest, high-necked design that Cecilia had prepared for today. Lean's participation was also due to Cecilia's insistence.

(I want to set up the conditions as much as possible...)

After confirming that no one was around, Lean put on her heroine face. The face that appeared was that of her best friend, Lean Lazaroa.

"Really, on a day like this, I wish they would increase the number of helpers!"

Leaning her hands on her hips, Lean pouted. When such events were held at the academy, it was common for the maids employed by the academy or those called from home to help the girls dress. Lean had apparently been helped by the maids at the academy, but due to a shortage of staff, she had to wait a long time.

Seeing Lean in a dress for the first time, Cecilia exclaimed.

"You look amazing! So cute!"

"Right? I'm cute, after all."

Lean proudly puffed out her chest. She was indeed cute, but her tendency to say such things about herself made her both lovable and a bit disappointing.

Lean then shifted her gaze from Cecilia to Gilbert.

"You can compliment me too, you know?"

"...If you want me to compliment you, you need to be worth it first."

In an instant, the air between Lean and Gilbert dropped to sub-zero.

Cecilia looked back and forth between them, flustered.

"Just compliment women easily. That's why blind, heavy men are..."

"It's not my problem. Besides, I don't like people who expect compliments for being just above average."

"Stop it! Why do you two always fight like this?"

Cecilia interjected, breaking the tension. Since she had revealed to Gilbert that Lean was also a reincarnated person and her past life's best friend, their relationship had become like this. Before, they had little interaction, good or bad, but now they bicker over small things.

Of course, they could also have more discussions as a group now...

"It can't be helped. The timing just doesn't work out!"

"You were good at being friends with someone like this."

"Stop it! I can't choose between the two of you!"

Holding her head, Cecilia said this, and both of them looked at her with exasperated expressions.

"Of course you don't have to choose. You're so silly."

"I don't intend to interfere with your friendships, so don't worry."

(...These two are actually quite similar, aren't they?)

They often get along like this.

Tired of the conversation with Gilbert, Lean swished her skirt and pointed her toes towards the garden.

"Cecilia, remember, this favor comes at a high price."

"...Okay."

Nodding dejectedly, Cecilia saw Lean's well-shaped lips curve upward.

"Then let's go and tackle the twins. Prince."

"Ahaha... Thank you."

Taking the extended hand, Cecilia followed.

Volume 2 of the manga will be released on December 28th!

Please look forward to it!

I want to read more about Cecilia in Mr. Akiyama's illustrations! (Selfish desire)