The Battle for the Friend Spot
Iris and Estelle were acting so much like regular girls that I kept forgetting this was a class-ridden society. Just when I'd start thinking it was an ordinary world, some reminder would pop into my head and throw me off. This time, it was slamming into me right in front of my eyes—no way I wasn't going to be rattled.
Still, I had to keep my head straight. With Lina showing up, she might slip right back into her original friend role, but the problem was that I was still holding that spot.
"Isn't it natural to use 'nim' for someone you have a lot to learn from and who's amazing? People in the Empire seem to judge everyone purely by status, no matter how great they are. But that's not how it is in the Holy Empire."
No, Lina was the one picking the fight, so why was Estelle saying that to Iris like she was provoking her?
"Even in the Empire, it's natural to use 'nim' for someone you have a lot to learn from and who's amazing. You can tell just by how I do it, right?"
Iris sounded seriously pissed, but Estelle was just grinning like she was enjoying the whole thing.
That girl was having a blast. No surprise there—she's got that kinda twisted streak.
"Who knows? Didn't Lina just say that? That calling a commoner 'nim' is some weird rumor."
"That's just because no one knows how outstanding Theo-nim is!"
"I agree with that, but to think you'd get this kind of treatment. It'd be great if you could come to the Holy Empire with Theo-nim soon. It's not a place where everything's decided just by status…"
"Don't talk nonsense! Theo-nim's staying in the Ermunt Empire!"
No, here they go fighting over something stupid again.
"Hey, hey, both of you, cut it out…"
"Please, both of you, stop…! This is my fault! If you keep arguing in the hallway like this, it'll ruin not just you two but the reputations of both empires…!"
I was about to say something similar, but looks like Lina, being in the close-friend position by default, thought the same.
"…Lina."
"Y-yes, Estelle-nim."
Unlike me, who was relieved thinking I could hand over my spot, Estelle looked seriously displeased—her face was way darker than when she'd been teasing Iris earlier.
"Don't interrupt Theo-nim. I'm really pissed off right now?"
No, that was why?
"I'm fine, Estelle."
"No, even if you say you're fine, I'm not! You're my precious friend…!"
That precious friend spot might get taken by Lina now that she's here, though.
If that happened, I'd just tone it down, stay out of the spotlight, graduate smoothly, and head home to farm. Inheriting the family business is important, after all.
"You could be friends with Lina too—no need to miss out because of me."
Ah, she winced when I said her name. Lina was so steeped in noble society that getting closer seemed impossible, which was a shame. As her biggest fan, I'd love to wedge in just a little and befriend her if possible.
But this might be harder.
"Ah, th-that was rude of me. I didn't know he was your precious friend. Then… could I call him Theo-nim starting today too?"
She'd been scowling every time I said her name, but now she wanted to call me Theo-nim? She must really want to get close to Iris and Estelle.
Well, that's how it's supposed to go. Plus, in a class system, it's normal, so it's hard to say she's just a bad person.
"…Do whatever. But don't get too close… No, never mind."
Iris started to say more but stopped. Unlike Estelle, who wears her heart on her sleeve, Iris keeps some things inside. She had more to say—I'd ask later.
"If you call him Theo-nim politely and serve him properly, I'll allow it. If you want to win us over, do it right, Lina."
"Ah, Estelle-nim, come on. It's not about winning you over—I just want to be friends with you two…"
"Same difference, right? Don't worry, now that I'm at the academy, I plan to make tons of friends. Whether you're one of them depends on how you act toward Theo-nim."
Wow, yeah. That's Estelle—spits out whatever's on her mind without filtering, so people call her rude. For the first time, she felt exactly like the game's Estelle.
"…I know I was rude from the start, so you might not trust me, but I can treat Theo-nim… and both of you well, so please don't judge me too harshly."
"Fine, we'll watch."
"I agree with Estelle. We'll see."
Normally they'd be at each other's throats, but with a common enemy, Iris was siding with Estelle.
No, girls, you're destined to be besties—don't do this…
"S-sorry. Iris and Estelle can be a bit much."
"…No, I get why you'd feel that way. Right now, your feelings are fixed on him… I mean, Theo-nim, so it's understandable. But I think that attention could shift in an instant."
Ah, so she's saying to watch herself or get dumped in a heartbeat.
"Yeah, sure. Could happen. Hope it's you, Lina."
But since I wouldn't even be at the academy without Lina originally, it doesn't hurt much. If they ditched me and felt free, that might be better.
Though it'd sting a little. Watching them fight over me was fun.
"True. I think we'd get along great, you two and me."
"Same here. I think we'd mesh well."
Disappointing, but it's time to return to my original place. As long as Lina fills it well, the worst ending won't happen.
That's why there's no need for me to meddle between them.
Lina had been feeling weird for a while now. She kept throwing shade at Theo.
"Yeah, sure. Could happen. Hope it's you, Lina."
And he'd say stuff like that.
"True. I think we'd get along great, you two and me."
"Same here. I think we'd mesh well."
And more like that.
What the hell? Who is this guy?!
Everyone wanted to befriend Iris and Estelle, yet he responded to her declaration of taking his spot like he'd hand it over if she wanted. It made no sense.
"…If I stand by their side, no one would care about a nobody like you—is that okay?"
Even when she snapped extra viciously.
"Yeah, that's fine."
He stayed perfectly calm, unfazed. Lina's confusion only grew.
"Theo-nim! Why are you only hanging with Lina?! That's my spot!"
"Estelle, shut up—that's my spot!"
"Iris can't even land a proper hit, so what makes you think you can stand there?"
"…You wanna fight? No ranks, let's go, Saintess."
"Hey, you two fighting again? This is the academy hallway! Everyone's watching—no stripping ranks, that's crazy…!"
Iris and Estelle weren't as close as Lina thought. And the most absurd part? They were rivals fighting over a commoner like Theo.
Why do they like that guy that much…? He's decent-looking, sure… Looks? Is it the face…? Well, he is handsome… But he's still a commoner!
Lina couldn't wrap her head around it.
"A-alright, let's head to class. We're all in Class A, right? Come on~ Lina, you too. You're in A, yeah?"
"Ah, yes. I am."
It irked her that Theo was looking out for her, but at least she'd be walking with Iris and Estelle—maybe it'd look like they were friends. She hurried to Iris's side.
"How about we all visit my viscounty sometime? It's blowing up as a tourist spot lately."
Maria Viscounty was surging as a travel destination. Unlike the capital or elsewhere, its cityscape was stunningly beautiful. No beaches or special attractions, but the scenery itself was the draw.
"I've heard more people are visiting Maria lately… But with classes just starting, trips might be tough."
"Ah, yeah. Fair enough."
Iris's sharp reply left Lina deflated.
"Oh, Maria Viscounty. I've always wanted to go. Heard the city's gorgeous."
"Ah! Me too! Classes make it hard now, but let's plan a weekend trip together?"
But the second Theo said he wanted to go, Iris flipped.
What the hell…!
Lina was just pissed at the scene.