I Became the Villain’s Childhood Friend Chapter 32

 

“You…!”

 

Without realizing it, I got up from my seat and approached Julia, yet Paige got in between, separating me and Julia, and asked me:

 

“So, are you coming in?”

 

“I’m not.”

 

Julia just smiled slightly, as if she had already guessed my answer. And Gloria’s face, standing next to her, was still rotten.

 

…It was complete contempt.

 

“Well, that’s a disappointing answer. Brother told me to treat you well.”

 

What kind of nonsense is that again?

 

If it’s Julia’s brother, he was the Crown Prince of this country. So, it means that he’s one of the male lead candidates. He and I have never seen each other in person before.

 

She added, as if to tell me not to think anything strange.

 

“Perhaps Madam Collin told him to treat you well.”

 

“…”

 

Since the Imperial Family and the Colin family are related, the Madam’s influence could certainly come into play, it’s possible… is it?

 

“If it’s a shame, should I just put your name up? You don’t have to do any activities.”

 

“Enough. I plan on joining a normal club.”

 

“Oh my, goodness.”

 

Julia, who exaggeratedly pretended to be surprised, quickly nodded her head at her companions with a cold expression on her face. The story was that the business was over, so let’s go.

 

Although I didn’t even say a few words, I felt like I had lost all my energy.

 

I slumped down on the bench with a tired face.

 

Either Reynold or Serik… I miss them.

 

I leaned my head back over the bench and closed my eyes. As I was enjoying the sunlight and recharging my energy, someone spoke to me.

 

“Excuse me… Perhaps…”

 

It was a girl with carrot-colored hair. I quickly straightened my back and sat down properly. Then I shook my head.

 

“Please don’t tell me that Julia tells me to come back.”

 

“O-Of course not.”

 

Adele hesitated and cautiously opened her mouth.

 

“So, I know you hate tea ceremony club kids, but…”

 

“You know, but?”

 

“Hmm… ”

 

Adele rolled her eyes and then closed them tightly.

 

“Can I sit next to you in class?”

 

And Adele’s next words were truly unexpected.

 

“What?”

 

Adele flinched as the tone of my voice rose before I knew it. She spoke quickly, probably because she was afraid of my answer.

 

“Of course, you can refuse if you don’t like it. However, I’ve wanted to become friends with you for a long time…”

 

“No, I don’t care that much.”

 

However, if there is anything to worry about…

 

I looked at the back of Julia’s head as she walked away for a moment and then carefully opened her mouth.

 

“Will Julia like it?”

 

“The Princess said it was fine. It was because of you that I joined the tea ceremony club in the first place.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Adele carefully sat down next to me.

 

“I wanted to get to know you ever since I first saw you at Chestain Mansion. And during last year’s debutante, I heard that you were entering the Magic Engineering Department and I tried to talk to you, but…”

 

There was a rumor like that going around during the debutante? At that time, I didn’t know that I would be entering the Academy.

 

“When I got up the courage, you were already gone.”

 

She smiled lonesomely. Perhaps the time Adele was talking about was the time when I escaped from the Imperial Palace with Reynold.

 

“Excuse me… you know, where did you hear that I was entering the Academy?”

 

“I heard from my father. Since you and I are of similar age, I think my father asked the Duke. My father… didn’t like me entering the Magic Engineering Department, so it seemed that he found a similar case among the nobles.”

 

She lightly shrugged her shoulders.

 

“Since you’re the daughter of a family worthy of joining the tea ceremony club, I thought you would naturally have joined the tea ceremony club. And Julia also said that you joined.”

 

“…She said something like that?”

 

Adele nodded cautiously. Her answer was truly shocking.

 

“If it’s fine with you, would you like to be friends with me?”

 

Well, it wasn’t a particularly bad suggestion for me.

 

I didn’t have any friends, and I thought it would be fun to hear about the tea ceremony club as well.

 

Moreover, Adele was a friend who I didn’t remember seeing in the original story. She was much better than being associated with the original characters. Maybe I’m stupid and just don’t remember.

 

“Alright.”

 

Adele smiled brightly at her answer.

 

***

 

After that, I quickly became friends with Adele. Same class, same timetable. We always hung out whenever we had the chance, so it was an environment where we couldn’t help but become close friends.

 

Adele, who was walking with me, asked me cautiously.

 

“You know… if it’s okay with you, can you introduce me to Reynold?”

 

It’s a bit shocking that Adele is interested in Reynold.

 

Adele looked at my face and must have thought there was some misunderstanding. She quickly shook her head and explained.

 

“Of course I’m not interested in a romantic relationship, but I thought it would be good to become friends with him too. Wouldn’t it be nice if we got to know each other?”

 

She was right. It was a good idea to find out in advance as there will be quite a few social events after graduation.

 

Additionally, Adele placed quite a bit of importance on her connections. Still, it’s strange that she hangs out with me instead of with the tea ceremony club kids.

 

“Then I’ll ask Reynold and try to arrange a place.”

 

Adele spoke in a firm voice.

 

“I’ll say it again, I’m not interested in Reynold.”

 

“…I didn’t say anything.”

 

“I’m afraid you might misunderstand. I have absolutely no intention of getting in between you.”

 

…Does Adele think me and Reynold are dating?

 

Before the question could be said out loud, Adele continued.

 

“Anyway, seeing as he’s friendly with you, I think he’s got a good personality too.”

 

I thought about it carefully and then nodded his head.

 

“He has a good personality.”

 

“See, I saw another person well…”

 

Adele stopped speaking and pointed somewhere with her finger.

 

“Danae, Reynold is passing by!”

 

Adele also had bright eyes. As she said, she happened to see Reynold coming out of the training ground. She said urgently, patting my back.

 

“Now is your chance.”

 

“…Should I go and ask him now?”

 

“Yeah! When there’s no one around!”

 

I was pushed by Adele and approached Reynold, who was hesitant.

 

It was the first time I had seen Reynold’s face since the day of the entrance ceremony. His department was different from mine, and the classroom where he took classes was far away.

 

When Reynol heard her shout, he turned his head towards me.

 

His eyes widened for a moment as he made eye contact with mine, and then he also approached me.

 

Reynold approached me and playfully tapped my arm.

 

“Why is it so hard to see your face these days?”

 

“That’s what I’m going to say, you know?”

 

I cleared my throat loudly and pointed to Adele who was waiting for me.

 

“You know, my friend wants to become friends with you.”

 

Reynold raised the corner of his lips as if he was proud of me.

 

“Oho, so you’ve already made a friend?”

 

“Of course. I have a good personality.”

 

As I smiled proudly, Reynold glanced at Adele and whispered to me. 

 

“But is she interested in me…?”

 

“Are you crazy?”

 

And Reynold’s partner had already been decided. There is no way I would introduce Adele to a guy like that.

 

Reynold seemed to have finally felt relieved at my words and smiled. Then he opened his mouth.

 

“Then let’s have lunch together today.”

 

“Hey. But…”

 

“Reynold! Let’s go play basketball!”

 

I stopped talking when I heard a voice calling Reynold from afar.

 

“Wait!”

 

Reynold waved his hand in that direction and then turned his gaze back to me.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“No, it was something uninteresting.”

 

“What… How boring.”

 

“It wasn’t a big deal, so go quickly.”

 

Reynold narrowed his eyes and continued to look at me.

 

When I raised my fist to indicate that he should hurry up, he took a step back.

 

Although he pretended not to, it looked like he had already made a friend.

 

Indeed, it doesn’t make sense that Reynold can’t be liked by people.

 

This scary looking guy is surprisingly kind. People used to be attracted to Reynold’s unexpected appearance. Moreover, since he was good-looking, it was easy for him to win the favor of others.

 

Because people are naturally drawn to beautiful things.

 

But Reynold couldn’t even get halfway before turning around and shouting at me.

 

“Meet me in front of the cafeteria at one o’clock today!”

 

After seeing Reynold leave, Adele came up to me and asked with sparkling eyes.

 

“What is it?”

 

“He said we would meet in front of the cafeteriaat one o’clock.”

 

Adele smiled as if she was glad to hear what I said.

 

I glanced at Reynold’s back as he walked away, and then walked to the next class with Adele.

 

***

 

“But aren’t you two dating?”

 

Adele’s bombshell announcement almost made me spit out the meat I was chewing.

 

As I started to chuckle after hearing the example, Reynold quickly pulled out a tissue and held it out to me.

 

“Now… What did you say?”

 

I pounded my chest with my fist and asked Adele.

 

Then Adele made fun of me, saying that my face had turned into a tomato.

 

“Hasn’t it already been ten years since we’ve known each other?”

 

“We’re almost family now.”

 

Reynold smiled kindly and answered calmly. But Reynold was probably just as upset.

 

I still remember.

 

In the past, when the madams asked us if we were going to get married, that was the day he got so angry!

 

Adele tilted her head as if puzzled.

 

“Then have you never seen each other as opposite sexes?”

 

“Nope.”

 

Reynold answered firmly.

 

“Rather than liking her, I would rather like a stone rolling on the floor.”

 

I went one step further. Then Reynold, who heard what I said, smiled and spoke.