Chapter 8: Not Interested, Sorry.

//Not Interested, Sorry.//

Free Time, still in the third day of Magical Studies.

I have to deal with the three princes during this part of my alternative route, as much as I'd hate to intervene in their ways, it's gonna be essential if I want them to notice and think positively of me, maybe even have a mutual friendship along the way(Unlike my one-sided love for Emie-sama). Yet, it's still much of a pain, is it not?

I notice Peter-sama, Klain-sama, alongside Alec-sama outside the student council room, likely to be discussing something related to the upcoming quarterly exams. Prince Peter and Alec seem to be more engaged in the conversation than Prince Klain, he's probably thinking about it too, though. I approach them solo, as Erika-chan and Louiz-sama our currently doing their own thing. Eri is having a little picnic by herself under the tree in our grassy fields; and Louiz-sama said he's been painting something in his dormitory, and 'cannot wait to show me'. Whatever it is, I shouldn't be thinking of right now, because I have some work to do.

I approach the three princes, with a high pitch I greet them.

"Good morning, Peter-sama, Klain-sama, Alec-sama!"

"Oh, hello there, Ms. Collins. Do you need anything?"

"Yes, I have a question, may I ask when is the quarterly exams going to commence?"

"The 27th-30th of May, just the usual."

Peter-sama, a student that's been enrolled since kindergarten expresses with ignorance, I can't take these kinds of people seriously.

"It looks like you're eager to initiate with reviewing early, aren't you? That's a very respectful trait of yours, Aiko Collins."

Alec-sama kindly compliments just by looking at my behavior, very confidently empathasized with me. I guess this is one of the moments to take note whenever situations like these occur in the future. After all, Alec-sama is very enthusiastic with learning psychology.

"Oh, and Aiko Collins, was it?"

"Ara, what is it, Klain-sama?"

"I heard you've been making good efforts on Ms. Emie Couture, I'm rooting for you!"

A faint voice in the distance shouts,

"I HEARD THAT, PRINCE KLAIN!"

"Ahaha, my deepest apologies. It's just that I think the of you two would make a perfect match."

Hm? Klain-sama knows about something, doesn't he? And this behavior is slightly far off than in the game. And just to make things clear, Klain-sama is Emie-sama's childhood friend. He's pretty cruel in teasing her, but it just gives me more ideas to do the same. I should thank him when the time comes. But how does this affect the relationship between the player and capture targets all-together? It generally doesn't end well with Emie-sama, in the game. But I think it'll be futile in my alternative route, because I'll protect her, with all my heart. Klain-sama is generally that quiet person in the black, that is pretty cool when you get to know him. I personally took his route first, since there was no yuri coded into the game. It was a disappointing moment, but still expected, unfortunately.

As the princes walked back inside the student council room, Emie-sama and her followers were aiming for me with a frustrated face, I knew I was in trouble.

"YOU, COMMONER!"

"Ara, what is it, love?"

"Could you not be disrespectful and refrain from speaking so familiarly with these nobles?! You're no match compared to them!"

Emie-sama absolutely thinks I'm planning something, therefore her subconsciousness taking over and not even commenting on me calling her 'love'.

"Hmm.. then why does Emie-sama let me?"

"..."

"You.. don't speak to Emie-sama like that! You lowly commoner!"

She gets close up my face, her gaze is wicked. I immediately lose composure and turn to my back.

"Ara..?"

"Hah! I knew you'd react like that, you're just too predictable, commoner!"

Ouch, and that was followed by a profuse cackle. To add insult to injury, Emie-sama.. touché.

"As expected from a lowborn like you, fufufu!"

"I guess I'm just too 'low' for somebody like you, Emie-sama.. I understand, I'll stop bothering you with my affection, I'm sorry."

"Wait.. commoner.."

HAH! All according to plan! I always knew she had this soft place in her heart for me! Furthermore, she never goes too far when bullying me, it's mostly verbal insults about being commoners. So I always had this in mind!

I turn my head around and speak to her with a mischievous smile.

"Ara, what is it, Emie-sama?"

"..Ah..fufufu! You fell for it! Do.. you think I would actually regret something as factual as that?!"

"Ah, as expected from Emie-sama, you truly are a woman that's one of a kind."

"Grr...!"

She definitely got stuck in a pickle for a second there, this impure reaction proves the case furthermore!

[Skipping to later, it's liberal arts class]

I notice a seemingly younger female outside on the bench, with two girls surrounding her. At first it looked to me like three friends talking with each other, pleasantly. But something was very wrong.

Her face was saying that everything is wrong. I excuse myself and run outside at full speed.

I turn the corner and see the young girl kneeling down on the ground now. These two were up to no good. I run and push them away, relentlessly trying to get to this girl.

"What do you think you two are trying to do to this young lady?!"

The blonde girl responds,

"HAH? COMMONER, why are you here!?"

"Emie-sama..?"

"Yes! I certainly am Em-"

That was uncalled for, I didn't even notice. Nonetheless, she was still trying to bully this poor young girl.

"Emie-sama.. you're shameless. How could you do something like this? Why not, instead of bullying this defenseless girl, you saved your words for me?"

"..What are you even talking about, commoner?! That is my little sister!"

"You mean.. this girl is y-"

"Erm.. Ai-neesan.. can you please unhand me? You're suffocating me.."

I held her tight in my arms, but her face was in between my chest. It was unquestionably an act to be arrested for. I'm sorry, Emie-sama. She also knows my name, I wonder how..

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. What's your name?"

"M-my name is Melanie Couture, I'm 8 years old, and youngest sibling of the Couture nobility..!"

Ara ara, I've just committed a crime. No matter, I think Emie-sama did not think much of it. Still, this was a surprise at the very least!

"Oh, I'm glad to meet you! But how did you know my name?"

"I heard it from Emie-neesan! She says your name alot!"

"My, Emie-sama. Is this true?"

"Naturally, because she has seen you before. And she witnesses me interacting you from time to time, so it's not what you're thinking of right now. Remember, don't get your hopes up."

She said trying to maintain composure, it's probably because she can't mention "verbal abuse" around Melanie-chan; understandable, and impressive for someone like Emie-sama.

I ask her about why her little sister was kneeling down.

"That? that was her trying out the new shoes mom and dad sent here. Why, did you think it was some form of bullying, too?!"

"...At first glance. As I said, I'm terribly sorry yet again, Emie-sama. I won't fail you again, promise."

"Well.. Melanie, go back to your classroom, at once."

"Okay, nee-sama!"

Harsh.

"Now that that's over.. Shall we go back to class then, commoner?"

"Walking beside Emie-sama, I'll more than gladly accept."

"What a pain.. grrr..."

"..."

"Emie-sama"

"What do you want now?!"

"I love you."

"I know, so refrain from repeating the same things over and over, Aiko Collins."

The day went normally and as usual. At the end I got to recollect in my mind who that little girl was. But most importantly, Emie-sama said my name, the second in the book. Just her being like that already made me get pumped up today. I love this girl.

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Upcoming Chapter 9: Interacting With Princes