Chapter 6

I like cute girls. I really do.

I love the soft feeling when I hug them, their blushing faces are adorable, and the way they look at me while calling my name is truly earnest and endearing.

So, at first, I thought I could handle it.

In my previous life, I was in the drama club, so I was confident in my acting skills. I was also confident that I could perfectly emulate the ideal male character from otome games. Although not as a romantic interest, I love girls, and being favored by them wasn't entirely unpleasant.

But, this current situation, where I have no private time at all, is honestly too much!

Cecilia was running away.

From junior students who brought her snacks.

From classmates who persistently touched her.

From seniors who tried to lure her into bed at every opportunity.

"Ugh, I can't take it anymore! Seriously, I can't!"

She was running away.

It had been two weeks since Cecilia's incident in the auditorium.

The female students' enthusiasm for the "prince chosen by the knight" (??) had reached its peak. Cecilia had no private time at all, as she was constantly chased around. No matter where she went or what she did, someone was always with her.

Naturally, in such a state, strategy meetings with Gilbert had not taken place since then.

Even without private time and always on edge, Cecilia managed to endure at first. She knew their enthusiasm would be temporary and that things would return to normal after a while. However, as the days piled up, Cecilia reached her limit and ended up in this situation where she had to run away.

"Cecil-sama, please wait!"

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry right now!"

Shaking off the pursuing female students, Cecilia fled to the courtyard. Hiding behind a bush, she watched as the girls who had been chasing her passed by, saying, "Where did she go...?" in a troubled voice.

"Finally alone..."

Leaning against a tree, she murmured.

"I need to get Lean to fall in love with someone, but I can't do anything in this state."

Since Cecilia had received Gilbert's vote, she needed to get Lean to fall in love with someone and obtain the treasure weapon. Fortunately, Lean and Cecilia were in the same class, making it easier to take action. However, in the current situation, she couldn't move even if she wanted to. It would be best if Lean took the initiative, but so far, there were no signs of that. Instead...

"Would you like to go on a field trip with me, Cecil-sama?"

"Can I sit next to you, Cecil-sama?"

"Can you show me how to solve this problem, Cecil-sama?"

Cecil-sama, Cecil-sama, Cecil-sama, Cecil-sama...

For some reason, Lean paid more attention to Cecil than to the target character. From Lean's perspective, Cecil was a knight and thus a target, but in reality, there was no Cecil route, and Cecil didn't even exist.

"I want to be cold to Lean, but that would just make me relive Cecilia's life as Cecil..."

Many of Cecilia's deaths were due to "harming Lean." If she neglected Lean while pretending to be Cecil, it felt like she would receive the punishment Cecilia was supposed to receive, but in Cecilia's form.

"Well, the first three romance events happen regardless of affection, so I can think about it after they're over..."

"Meow!"

"Meow?"

Interrupted by a meow from behind, Cecilia turned around.

There was a small kitten there, with short legs and a mix of brown and black fur. It was a cute little kitten that could barely walk.

"Wow! So cute!! Is it a Munchkin? It's so fluffy!"

"Meow"

The kitten didn't mind being picked up and seemed to be quite affectionate.

When she pressed the kitten's white belly to her face, it smelled like the sun.

"Oh, you have a little injury on your paw. Did you get cut somewhere...?"

"Wait a moment." Cecilia searched her pocket and pulled out a light pink handkerchief.

She then wrapped the handkerchief around the kitten's bleeding paw.

"There, all done! We should visit the infirmary later. They might have some antiseptic! Oh, but I remember that human antiseptic isn't good for cats..."

"Meow?"

"Let's ask Mr. Mordred. He's a knowledgeable character, so he can probably answer any question!"

"Meow!"

When she stroked the kitten's nose, it pressed its head against her hand as if rubbing against her. So cute.

"Ah, so soothing! What I needed was this! This little kitten! Alright, let's give you a name! Hmm..."

At that moment, voices came from the other side of the hedge where Cecilia was hiding. One was a cute, bell-like voice, and the other was a commanding baritone.

She recognized both voices.

Peeking through a gap in the hedge, Cecilia saw Oscar and Lean looking at a rose together.