[No title provided]
“Operation Drizzle is scrapped. Just showing him someone else’s actions isn’t enough, huh. It’d be great if something came up that could provoke a more dramatic reaction……”
The drizzle operation I’d devised to spark Polo’s interest in romance had ended in failure. He’d ended up feeling hurt, thinking I was pushing him away because I wanted to date a girl. Luckily, I’d managed to console his gloomy mood and talk him around, but the heroines wouldn’t let me off easily now that I’d pocketed their money and failed so spectacularly. The thought sent chills down my spine.
It’s fine. It’s still fine. If I quickly come up with the next plan, I can smooth over this first failure.
Those worries plagued me right up until swordsmanship class ended and I headed to the changing room to grab lunch. Just as I neared the cafeteria, I absentmindedly slipped my hand into my pocket and felt an unsettling emptiness. A bad premonition hit me. I patted myself down frantically, but my wallet was gone.
“Ah, Polo. I think I left my wallet behind. Go ahead and wait for me?”
“I’m good. Let’s go together.”
“Nah, I feel bad making you backtrack. I’ll grab it quick and catch up, so order for me too. I’ll pay you back later.”
“Okay~”
I turned back toward the men’s changing room for swordsmanship lectures. Each of us had assigned lockers, and no one would bother rifling through a lowly baronet’s like mine, so I wasn’t too worried as I stepped inside—but
Rustle rustle.
The sight that greeted me was someone rummaging through a locker.
A girl?
Her hair was far too long for a guy, and none of the female students in our swordsmanship class had hair that long. I pegged her as a pervert on the spot.
…But why does she look so familiar?
To me, who had zero connections with girls, that profile felt eerily recognizable. On a hunch, I crept up silently and whispered right in the pervert’s ear.
“……Lady Celine?”
“Eeeeek!!”
Celine was cute. This wasn’t just parental flattery; from the moment she could discern faces, everyone praised her looks unanimously. Naturally, she grew aware of her own cuteness.
By the time she learned to read, she’d noticed that in fairy tales, all the beautiful princesses ended up marrying handsome princes.
I’m the cutest girl in the world! So I have to marry the handsomest guy!
From then on, handsomeness became her top criterion for a partner. It evolved and refined as she grew, but looks remained eternally non-negotiable.
Of course, as the famed beauty daughter of Duke Euse, she’d fielded countless suitors from noble houses, but none met her standards, so she rejected them all.
Eventually, she reached academy age. With her sister set to inherit the dukedom, Celine enrolled to pursue her talent in magic—and there, she met an unexpected connection.
What’s that?! Is he even real?!♡
Like love at first sight, Polo’s otherworldly beauty ensnared her instantly. But that bliss was short-lived; Polo showed zero interest in her.
She dropped hints during introductions and tried subtle seductions in shared classes, but he barely glanced her way. Unlike the other students fawning over her status, wealth, and looks, his indifference sparked unprecedented frustration.
How can he ignore me going this far? Is he gay?! Or impotent?!
She sank into profound self-doubt. She wanted to command him to date her in her father’s name, but pride—as a noble and as herself—wouldn’t allow it.
Come to think of it, there’s always that one loser hanging around him.
Unlike Polo’s statue-like perfection, there was an utterly average guy always orbiting him. Realizing this, Celine immediately wrote him a letter, ordering his help to win Polo.
But learning the princess and saintess were after the same guy lit a fire under her. With their superior power and distinct stunning beauty, if they seriously pursued him, she might lose out. That anxiety—the lofty lady’s trigger for embracing absurd superstitions.
“Eeeeek!”
Oh. Quite the memorable scream. In the modern world, it might’ve inspired hit songs.
“H-how did you sneak up?! Make some noise when you walk! You scared me!”
“Was it that bad?”
I’d crept up to startle her, but not that much—she’d jumped like she’d seen a ghost. As far as I knew, our lady was a high-level mage. How focused was she to miss my mana approaching?
“But honestly, that’s what I want to ask. What’s a noble lady doing in the men’s changing room?”
“Th-that’s……”
Her eyes wavered; she knew this wouldn’t look good publicly. If she was doing this herself, it had to involve Polo.
“Trying to snag something of Polo’s?”
“……!”
Bullseye. Her face flushed crimson, like steam might erupt from her head.
I’d heard of sasaeng fans breaking into idols’ homes for souvenirs, but I never imagined it here—let alone from a noble lady.
“Lady Celine. This is a crime. Lucky for you it’s me who knows the situation; what excuse would you have made to anyone else?”
“Ugh……!”
“Why not send a servant? Someone of your station has plenty at your beck and call.”
“How could I ask someone to do something this embarrassing! And these things only work if the person you like does them personally!”
“Stealing someone else’s stuff voids any ‘meaning’—it’s just a crime.”
What stubbornness in such an odd place. Our lady’s always been refreshingly unlike other nobles; she’s fun to watch and tease.
“Anyway, let’s get out quick. Lunchtime or not, people do come in here—”
“Argh, it’s all soaked now.”
“!!”
“!!”
A stranger’s voice from the entrance. Without thinking, I scooped up Celine and crammed us both into my nearby locker. The single-unit design had just enough space for two if we pressed tight. Thankfully, her petite, slender frame fit without issue.
“Wh-what are you— mmph!”
“Shh—”
She started protesting in shock, but I clamped her mouth shut. Realizing the gravity, she settled for a very grumpy silence.
“Of all things to spill on my clothes during lunch…… So gross and sticky.”
From his words, he’d apparently stained his outfit eating and rushed back to change. Fabric rustled against skin briefly, then footsteps faded away.
No other sounds followed, so we emerged from the locker.
“That was close. You okay?”
“You…… you……!”
But Celine’s face was tearful, brimming with fury like she’d endured something unspeakable.
“Why do you keep taking my firsts?!”
“…………Huh?”
My fault? What nonsense.
“You stole Polo’s first seat next to him at enrollment! My first café date! And now this boy-girl locker scenario! You took it all!”
“No, wait……”
Polo sat by me because strangers everywhere; you called the café meetup; and this was me saving our asses from getting caught.
Her brazen victim mentality left me speechless.
“And you could’ve just shoved me in—why’d you climb in too?!”
“Oh. Yeah, that works.”
In the panic, I’d joined her without thinking. Why? Fear of guilt by association with a pervert, maybe?
“Ugly mug acting all cocky!”
“Hey. I’m not ugly—I’m average.”
Already self-conscious about my looks, her jab hit a nerve.
“I’d rather not hear that from a pervert sneaking into the men’s room to rummage lockers.”
“P-pervert?!”
“What else do you call it? What were you even doing?”
“W-well…… I heard if you tie your hair with your crush’s and carry it, you become lovers……”
“……You caused all this over that superstition?”
Lots of girls buy into weird romance myths, but I hadn’t pegged our lady as one.
“Anyway, just ask me. A bit of cash, and I’ll snag some quick.”
“B-but I heard it only works if you do it yourself!”
“Sigh…… Why bother? You shine just existing.”
“If it were just me, maybe…… But with the princess and saintess too…… He might not pick me……”
Her confidence seemed shot. Pretty as she was, against those two, it was a toss-up.
Seeing her vulnerable side after her usual haughty demeanor created a huge gap moe. I felt a twinge of pity for her hidden insecurities.
“The princess and saintess are stunning, sure—but so are you, Lady Celine. Like distinguishing rose, lily, and magnolia beauties. You each have unique charms; you’re not inferior. Polo values personality over looks anyway. Ditch the superstitions and lean into your strengths. Your bold confidence is super attractive. He’ll love it.”
“……Really?”
“Yes, really. Your Polo’s childhood friend guarantees it.”
She relaxed a bit, face softening.
“Got it.”
“I can’t officially pick sides, but I’ll do my best to help you win him. Don’t worry.”
Nod—
I checked outside; coast clear. I shooed her off quick. She seemed like she wanted to say more but glanced at me and scurried away.
Back at the cafeteria, Polo nagged me for being late. I bullshitted about escorting a sprained ankle to the infirmary and escaped, but feeling guilty for making him wait all this time, I treated for lunch.
“Haa……”
“What’s up, Mars? Circle stuff?”
“Nah, nothing like…… Wait, what’d you just say?”
“Huh? If it’s about circles—”
“Polo, you joined a circle just now?”
“No? I was gonna if you did?”
“Polo, you…… Let’s join one together—just you and me.”