Chapter 2

After playing with a black-framed cat for a while at the entrance of the temple, I walked into the chapel at the back of the building.

I knelt before the large, pure white statue of the goddess and offered my prayers.

Or rather, it was more of a confession...

I shook my head and made sure there were no priests around before confessing in a low voice.

"I said the heroine's uniform was 'smelly' today... Even though she told me to, it was still a verbal assault. I'm sorry for saying such degrading words."

When I finished speaking, the cat that had come over meowed.

It seemed like a comforting timing, so I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you. I'll do my best so you can live a peaceful life. If Luluna chases me, I'll run as fast as I can."

"Meow."

It responded again.

I chuckled and stroked its fluffy head.

This cat always wanders around the school with a composed face.

No matter what people say, like "What a strange pattern!" or "What a cold cat!" or "Go away!" it acts as if it doesn't care.

It's a mysterious cat, both carefree and dignified.

I really liked this black-framed cat.

I might have even admired it a little.

If I could be as cool as this cat and get through Sebastian and Luluna without any trouble...

Every time I see them, my stomach hurts... It's so pathetic...

While I was thinking about this, a priest other than the elderly man entered the chapel.

It was a middle-aged female priest with a gentle face.

The female priest spoke to me in a soft voice.

"Lunchtime is almost over."

"Ah, I'm sorry. It's already that time?"

I stood up, holding my stomach.

I gave the cat one last pat and ended my confession time for the day.

■

Ten days later.

The villainous lady was body-checking the heroine in the cafeteria.

"Kyaa! Lady Melusia, what are you doing...!"

At the same time as Luluna's high-pitched scream, the lunch plate she was holding flipped over.

The food scattered and heavily stained her uniform.

Of course, Sebastian was there, witnessing my crime perfectly.

It was perfect timing. ——It's sad that I'm not at all happy about it...

I looked down at Luluna and delivered my lines with plenty of emotion.

"Oh, Lady Luluna! You're here? I didn't see you at all. For a noble lady, you have no presence, don't you? Plain girls are disliked by men, you know?"

I felt I was the plain one, but...

I was ordered to say it, so I had no choice.

Yes, all of our lines are predetermined.

Not just the lines, but where, when, what actions, and what expressions to use are specified in terrifying detail.

I receive a paper with everything written in detail beforehand and memorize it desperately to carry out the bullying.

If I make even a small mistake, I'll upset her, so I'm always trying my best.

The concentration required to memorize in a short time is incomparable to studying for exams...

(Oh, I can't space out... What's the next line...)

I looked at Luluna's uniform.

Her jacket and long skirt were soaked with the overturned soup.

"Oh dear, the uniform is drinking the soup."

"Lady Melusia... That's terrible... It was a gift from my father..."

"Melusia!! Apologize to Luluna...!!"

Seeing Luluna, who looked like she was about to cry, Sebastian shouted.

(I would apologize if I could...! Oh, I feel bad for the overturned food...)

I wanted to cry, but I held it in and got into character.

"Oh ho ho! Is a newly risen baron's uniform so expensive? Oh, how pitiful."

"Melusia, you...!!"

"Stop it, Sebastian! I'm fine...! I was the one who couldn't act like a noble, which made Lady Melusia angry... It's my fault!"

Luluna stopped Sebastian and shed a tear.

Sebastian hugged her shoulder and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

I delivered my final line.

"Well, I'll be going. Have a good lunch. Oh ho ho ho."

Laughing, I left the cafeteria gracefully.

When I got to the hallway, I ran away with all my might.

I was about to cry.

(That handkerchief... It was the one I gave him for his birthday the year before last...)

I chose the color that would suit Sebastian after half a day of deliberation.

I never imagined it would be used to wipe the tears of his cheating partner.

It's not so much sad as it is empty, making me want to cry...

I ran to the temple and rushed into the chapel.

The elderly priest at the entrance looked surprised, but I wanted to skip the greeting today.

I'm sorry, but I don't have the time to chat with anyone right now...

I slid in and faced the statue of the goddess.

"Goddess... I wasted food earlier... I stained Luluna's uniform and the cafeteria floor. I'm really, really sorry."

At the foot of the goddess statue, the usual black-framed cat was there.

It approached me, meowing as if to say it was okay to pet it, and lay down on the floor.

I gratefully took its fluffy belly to get some energy.

"You're so kind... Graduation will be here before you know it, so it's okay. I can still keep up as the villainous lady..."

"Meow."

The cat's belly fur was fluffy and warm as always.

After petting the cat for a while, I suddenly noticed a piece of paper sticking out of my jacket pocket.

This paper was the instruction from Luluna.

I had been confirming the performance until the last minute this time.

I had forgotten I had stuffed it in my pocket.

"I have to burn it... The incinerator is far away... If I go now, I might not have time for lunch..."

I muttered to myself while looking at the paper I had taken out.

—And the cat snatched the paper from me as it played around.

"Ah! Stop! No, that's not good!! You'll get burned too!!"

I chased after it in a panic, but the cat ran away.

Please, don't let her find out about this mistake...

I prayed to the goddess statue again.

■

Ten days after that.

The villainous lady was body-checking the heroine again.

"Whoa!!"

I did it so boldly that I even let out an ad-lib shout not in the prepared script.

The location was a corner of the school grounds.

By the pond in a garden with flowers of various colors.

I body-checked Luluna, pushing her into the pond.

With a big splash, Luluna fell into the pond.

The water splashed more than I expected, and I got wet too.

Maybe I was a bit too forceful with the body-check.

Worried, I peered into the pond.

She immediately started her lines.

Good, she seems to be okay.

"Why...? Lady Melusia... Why would you do such a thing...! Did I do something wrong again...?"

"Oh ho ho! I'm sorry! I was in a hurry and bumped into you—... Ouch"

I was about to continue my usual high laugh and lines when Sebastian grabbed my shoulder hard.

"That's enough...!!"

Sebastian raised his hand.

—Oh, this is bad... He's going to hit me...

Just as I flinched—

"Meoww!!"

With a threatening cry that split the air, the black-framed cat flew over.

The cat leaped at Sebastian's shoe, and he lost his balance in surprise.

"Whoa!? What is this thing!! —Ah..."

Splash.

Again, a large splash of water flew up.

(Oh no...! I didn't expect such an accident... What should I do!? What should I do next!?)

I glanced at Luluna, and she was glaring