Volume 3: Chapter 10 - First Confession

"Um… Robert."

"Hmm?"

As I was walking down the hallway, intending to go to D Class, I stopped because I heard someone call my name.

It took real courage for someone to still call my name at this point.

I turned my head and saw a girl from the same class. I remembered her name was Elise…

What was her family name again? I forgot. I'm not good at memorizing long foreign names to begin with, and it's impossible to remember all 30-plus people in Class A at once.

It's already good enough to remember the first names of all the girls. Boys… is there a need to remember them?

"You are… Elise?"

"That's right! I'm so happy you remembered."

"No, no, it's nothing major. Is there something you need?"

Elise seemed a bit nervous, her eyes darting around, unable to focus on me.

"Um, could we speak somewhere private? There's something important I want to tell you."

"Is it not convenient to talk here?"

"Yes."

Something important? I couldn't think what it could be. Did I have any connection with her? Or did her family have any connection with the Anglus Family?

Never mind, I'll hear her out first.

"I understand. Where would be a good place then?"

"Please follow me."

So I followed Elise out of the teaching area, turning left and right, deliberately keeping a good distance so as not to make witnesses suspect our relationship. Then I found that Elise had led me to a secluded spot.

To the left was a wall, to the right was the back of a building, and in front was a large tree, perfectly forming a secluded place with three sides obscured from view.

Unless one deliberately came here, ordinary people would not pass through such a place at all. Because the entire school covered a vast area, there should be quite a few secluded places like this.

I remained vigilant the entire time, thinking someone might be hidden behind the large tree or on the other side of the wall, but I didn't sense anyone's presence. Could they be masters of concealing their aura?

No, I couldn't rule out the possibility of Elise acting herself. After all, since she could enter Class A, she should possess decent strength among her peers.

How would she attack? Magic? Swordsmanship? Hidden weapons? Or were there traps set here?

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Oh, right. If she used magic, she could also attack from above or burst out from underground. I couldn't relax my guard in those directions either.

"Ro...Robert, your gaze is so scary."

"Is it? My apologies."

Elise had already turned around and was facing me. So far, I hadn't seen her make any suspicious moves.

No, inviting me to such a secluded place was suspicious in itself.

"So, what exactly is it? You can tell me now, right?"

"Yes… yes…"

Elise stammered, looking a bit hesitant. Could it be that… delaying was her main objective? For what? I didn't have any urgent matters that required me to rush.

I stared directly into her eyes, but still couldn't get any definite information, which made me feel a bit annoyed.

"If there's nothing, I'll be leaving first."

At times like this, if I showed impatience, she should be compelled to speak.

"W-wait a moment… I'll say it right away…"

As expected, Elise clearly became anxious, and it seemed she finally made up her mind as she opened her lips and spoke.

"I… I like Robert. Could you… go out with me?"

"Huh?"

I froze on the spot.

I didn't mishear, did I?

It was a confession! This development was too clichéd. Was this some kind of romantic light novel?

My first reaction was that it was a honey trap. But there was indeed no one else around. Could she be using recording magic. But isn't that an advanced spell that only rank 5 and above can use. She shouldn't be able to use it.

Besides, she should know that my family is Anglus Family. Could she do something so reckless?

Or was it a confession punishment game? Was she forced by others to confess to me?

No, I had been observing the interpersonal relationships in Class A all day, and I didn't feel that Elise had such a malicious relationship with other classmates. Moreover, that righteous and kind Princess Yumina wouldn't allow bullying problems to occur in her class, would she?

The least likely possibility was love at first sight. How could someone fancy a boy like me? I am now synonym with villain. Associating with me would only cause her reputation to suffer as well. Has she not considered that?

"I'd like to ask first, what do you like about me?"

"Your appearance is my type."

"I see. I understand."

No one would be unhappy to be complimented on their appearance, and it sounds reasonable at first listen.

But Elise was lying, because she hadn't looked at me directly since just now. Although it could be explained by shyness, the emotion I felt was that she was avoiding me seeing through her lie.

She didn't like me but still confessed to me. So now there was only one answer left: she was interested in the Anglus Family family behind me. If she could establish this connection, her status would also rise.

For her future, dating the son of a great noble was the right choice for her, but choosing to confess now was not a wise choice because her intentions were too obvious. A 12-year-old girl might not be able to consider so much.

I now carefully observed Elise's appearance. Although she wasn't as beautiful Yumina, she was still a very cute girl. Although she had other intentions, she wasn't planning to harm me, so her nature wasn't bad.

In modern society, no such cute girl had ever confessed to me. Being confessed to for the first time should have been a happy thing…

if it weren't for these circumstances, I probably would have tried dating her. After all, she seems to be a bit silly in her own way.

"I'm sorry, I can't go out with you."

"I… I see."

If I chose to go out with her for my own selfish desires, but ultimately couldn't give her what she truly wanted, it would only hurt her more.

In the end, it would turn into the behavior of a scumbag who leads someone on and then abandons them. I can't do that.

A school romantic comedy will not happen to me.

Or so I thought...

...

"So he still got into Class A. How lucky of you Robert? All my plans were for naught."

Shadows covered the ground, hiding the light, only exposing a glass filled with red wine which was gently stirred in the air.

"The bargaining chip I prepared for Lia is gone just like that. It's truly a pity."

"But this is just the beginning. Enjoy your school life slowly, Robert. I am looking forward to your growth and ...Lia too."

"Next time you come, I hope you can still see Lia the same way."

"Hahahaha..."

The shadow stretched far and wide, bringing a chilling coldness akin to an Evil darkness