Facing the Envy of a Thousand Eyes!

I stood in front of my mirror, checking out my plain black hair and regular looks. I looked just like any other high school student you'd find anywhere.

I practiced my expressions, trying to master the art of the background character smile.

I went through different faces, from happy to sad to scared. I had been working on this for a long time, and I wanted it to be perfect.

I muttered to myself, "And now, the worried look... like this." I adjusted my face, trying to show genuine concern. It had to be just right.

Suddenly, a throat was cleared behind me, and I turned to find Kaori gazing at me with a stern expression.

"Ehem... Ced, it's time to go."

"A-ah, okay!" I snapped out of my self-reflection and joined them.

However, it was evident that they were not pleased with my background character appearance.

"Ced, didn't we tell you? We won't let you become a background character," Luna emphasized.

"Ced, didn't I say you'd be the prince and I would be your princess?" Kaori added.

"I'm a bit frail, so I'm not quite what you expected."

Of course, I was lying. The ability to deceive and act weak or helpless is one of the key components of being a background character.

But it seemed that Luna and Kaori couldn't be fooled. Luna, with a hint of annoyance, crossed her arms and spoke.

"Hmph! Ced, no matter how many times you try to act weak, you won't deceive us."

I sighed and accepted my defeat. It appeared I couldn't deceive them, and Kaori and Luna seemed rather excited. Before they opened the door to leave, Luna's hand halted in mid-air.

"Kaori, have you perfected your facade?"

"Yes, I'm all set. And how about you, Luna? The cold and distant demeanor toward boys and your role as the Student Council President?"

Luna nodded, confirming her readiness to put on that facade. She cast a brief glance at Kaori, who, without words, grasped the unspoken agreement between them. Kaori's face broke into a smile, as if she had flipped a switch, instantly transforming her demeanor.

The competitive Kaori, who had been at odds with Luna, disappeared, replaced by a friendly and approachable version.

"Luna, come on, just open the door already!"

Finally, Luna nodded, and she swung the door open. Our journey began as we left the Ouran Academy Dormitory Building behind, making our way to the Academy Building. As we proceeded, the eyes of other students couldn't help but linger on us. It was rather embarrassing.

After all, I had always strived to be a background character, so why was I suddenly becoming the center of attention? The inquisitive gazes from my classmates felt overwhelming, and I found myself staring at the floor, desperately trying to escape from the spotlight.

Luna maintained a leader's presence, her demeanor cold and aloof, particularly towards the boys who gazed at her with longing eyes.

She embodied the true image of the Student Council President at Ouran Academy.

She was stern yet always maintained a warm and confident demeanor. I remembered the first day of school when she delivered a speech with grace, combining both authority and approachability.

On the other hand, Kaori was the complete opposite, exuding friendliness towards anyone who even glanced in her direction.

She greeted people with a wave of her hand and a charming smile, an effortlessly inviting approach.

It was fascinating to witness how they each maintained their roles as named characters.

We reached the staircase and began to ascend. Each step echoed with our footsteps, and we reached the second floor. Once again, we were met with curious stares from fellow students.

We walked with their facades firmly in place, and as we approached our classroom's door, Luna turned the handle. What awaited us inside was astonishing—our classmates, with their eyes fixed on Kaori and Luna, and then on me, but their gaze wasn't one of admiration.

Instead, it was filled with jealousy, as if they were waiting for an opportunity to confront me.

They seemed to want to interrogate me, asking questions like, "What's your connection to them?" or even straightforward statements like, "You lucky guy, did something happen between you and Kaori and luna?" Their eyes were intimidating, to say the least.

I took my seat near the window, and before I could even settle in, Renjiro and Kenta swooped in like a pair of wild bees.

Their faces were demanding an explanation, and it seemed like they were buzzing with curiosity.

"C-ced, how incredibly lucky are you?!" Renjiro stammered, as if he'd just seen a ghost.

"Lucky? No, it's not..."

"What?! Ced, it's beyond lucky! Do you even realize how many boys would kill for the chance to be roommates with those two beautiful ladies?" Kenta chimed in.

"I had no idea," I replied in a monotone voice.

"Ced, you're as clueless as ever," Kenta remarked.

"Yeah, you really are, Ced," Renjiro added.

I was well aware that Luna and Kaori were popular girls, and for a male background character like me to share a room with them was something many boys would envy.

Even so, I just smiled and decided to change the subject.

"Renjiro, what happened between you and Miharu?"

Renjiro's face contorted, as if he'd rather forget their first night with Miharu.

"...It didn't end well, Ced. She's strict."

"Haha! Renjiro, did you really think you could win our bet?" Kenta taunted.

"At least I've progressed to Step 1, unlike you, Kenta, who's still stuck at Step 0," Renjiro countered.

"Where's your harem of one, two, or three girls now? Can't even charm a girl like Miharu?" Kenta fired back.

"Kenta, just you wait. Some girls are just more reserved, and Miharu happens to be one of them. But when that icy exterior melts, it will be my opening."

I couldn't help but intervene, sounding like any other background character trying to join in the conversation.

"How do you plan to melt that ice? Are you going to become the sun that warms her heart, waiting for the right moment to shine?"

Renjiro suddenly became suave, pulling out a pair of glasses and placing them on his nose. He struck a pose, exuding the air of a genius. This guy... He began to speak with a theatrical tone.

"Ced, prepare to take notes because you're about to receive a free seminar on how to charm a girl, even a cold, reserved one."

I decided to play along and brought out my notebook and pen, feigning naivety. I was amused by the possibility of later addressing him as "master."

"Ced, do you really believe Renjiro here? I mean, he hasn't proven anything yet. He's still stuck on Step 1," Kenta commented.

"Silence, Kenta. You dare speak; you're merely on Step 0 when it comes to getting a girl."

Kenta was effectively silenced, and Renjiro continued his free seminar, still in his cool genius persona.

"First, when dealing with a girl like that, who's cold and doesn't want guys to get too close, approach her gently. Make her feel comfortable in your presence, not rushed, as if you're not just another aggressive suitor. That's the key. Once you've melted her heart a little, she might start seeing you as an exception."

"Alright, Master Renjiro."

Renjiro seemed delighted by my use of the word "master." He adjusted his glasses and continued.

"That's it, Ced. Call me 'master' one more time."

"Master Renjiro, please teach me the second step!"

And for some reason, Luna and Kaori glanced in my direction, and I could guess what they were thinking. It was the first time they'd heard me seek advice on how to charm a girl. But don't get me wrong, girls, this was all part of playing the background character—adapting to whatever came my way, even if it meant seeking advice on dating techniques.

"The second step, Ced, is for when the first one fails. Plan B is for those times when the girl doesn't fall for your gentle approach. What other girls might find attractive is if you're handsome. Your looks can make a girl's heart race. With just one look, if you're handsome, her heart will start racing."

"Are you saying that merely a gaze can set her heart racing?" I questioned, feigning innocence.

"That's right! When her heart starts racing, seize the opportunity, Ced! Confess your feelings immediately. After that, her mind will be in disarray, unable to come up with the typical excuses, like focusing on her studies or seeking her family's approval. We call this technique the 'Mind Stopper Technique.'"

"Mind Stopper Technique...?"

"Yes, Ced, the Mind Stopper Technique. With your confession, you'll paralyze her mind, leaving her unable to think logically, as if her eyes were marked with a heart."

"That's so cool!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, isn't it cool?"

The Mind Stopper Technique, also known as the "Just Confess Immediately and Her Heart Will Overwhelm Her Mind" technique, The latter description might be more accurate, but Renjiro's naming skills were top-notch. I was impressed. I couldn't help but voice my approval.

"And now, the third step, Master Renjiro?"

"That's right, Ced, the final... No, the final and ultimate technique that I will teach you." Renjiro adjusted his glasses again, and they gleamed even brighter.

Meanwhile, most of our classmates, particularly the girls, secretly watched us, much like Kaori and Luna, who conversed with their friends at a distance, but their furtive glances toward me were apparent. Renjiro continued, maintaining the suspense in his tone.

"The final technique will be..."

For a moment, Renjiro paused, and the anticipation in the air was palpable. Everyone leaned in to hear his revelation.

"Run away if those first two steps don't work."

"What?! Is that it?" I blurted out.

Was I just scammed? Well, at least I hadn't bet any money. Our classmates started talking again, leaving the three of us.

Kenta playfully grabbed Renjiro in a headlock, choking him, and said, "We were serious, Renjiro! You only gave us two techniques!"

Renjiro struggled for breath as Kenta's arm tightened around him.

"But the suspense was good, right?"

"Yeah, it was good, but people might hate you, you know?" I commented.

"Yeah, but creating suspense was a nice touch, even though you ultimately disappointed everyone," Kenta added.

"K-kenta, release me... I can't breathe."

Kenta released Renjiro, and then he muttered, "Renjiro is an idiot."

"But, Renjiro, have you ever applied these steps yourself?" I asked.

Renjiro froze, much like Miharu, who was sitting nearby and had turned her attention to our conversation. Eventually, Renjiro responded, "U-uhh... umm... ye-"

He couldn't bring himself to say yes, not with Miharu glaring at him sternly. So, he settled for "...no."

I sighed and turned my gaze to the window, where the wind rustled through the trees.

Kenta chimed in, "Renjiro, you seem awfully tense."

"N-no, it's just... I'm worried about the math quiz. I didn't study, so I'll go back to my seat."

"Well, Renjiro, we both failed then. I didn't study either, so we're even," Kenta remarked.

"Your dream of being an honor student is like starting from scratch, and it never happened," Kenta teased, delivering a stinging blow to Renjiro's ego.

Renjiro seemed hurt but muttered, "Kenta… you're still as harsh as ever..."

Kenta laughed, and Renjiro returned to his seat, grabbing his math textbook. Kenta, on the other hand, had a peculiar habit of intentionally aiming for a low score on quizzes.

Was he just being stupid, or was he embracing the role of a background character?

As I continued to gaze out the window, lost in thought, the math teacher walked in, and we all hurriedly took our seats. Renjiro might have been too late to study, but at least he had a great excuse.