I Became the Villain’s Childhood Friend Chapter 44

 

“…Your hands.”

 

“I had an accident.”

 

“…”

 

As I faced the serious face of senior Oscar, I felt as if I had lost the use of my hands forever.

 

I replied with a small sigh.

 

“I’ll get better soon.”

 

Senior Oscar asked, glancing at my bag with a dark look on his face.

 

“Are you going home because you hurt your hands?”

 

I couldn’t say anything. Senior Oscar, who was looking at me quietly, seemed to think about it for a moment, but then opened his mouth in a cautious voice.

 

“…If you have any problem, you might feel better just by telling someone else.”

 

Although he looks like he would never listen to your concerns, he seemed to be a kinder person than I expected.

 

I thought for a moment and then cautiously opened my mouth.

 

“I’m planning to leave the Academy.”

 

“…Completely?”

 

When I nodded slightly, Senior Oscar’s face completely stiffened. After a while, he asked me.

 

“Can I ask why?”

 

“…Actually, I was forced into the Academy by my father. It doesn’t mean much to me.”

 

“But… being able to enter the Academy clearly means you have talent. The Academy will be a good stepping stone for you.”

 

That was a fact I also knew. However, to me it didn’t matter.

 

“Thank you for the advice, but I’ve been wanting to leave here for a long time.”

 

Senior Oscar, whom I thought would say more to what I said, didn’t open his mouth.

 

“…Then I’ll take you to the front gate.”

 

It was a little surprising. Senior Oscar took my bag and put it on his shoulder.

 

Then, wouldn’t it be okay to ask Senior Oscar to ghostwrite for me instead of Reynold?

 

I rolled my eyes for a moment and then cautiously asked senior Oscar.

 

“By any chance, Senior… if you don’t mind, could you please write me a letter of withdrawal?”

 

Was this a very rude request? Senior Oscar’s face became a little strange after hearing what I said.

 

“Why don’t you write it yourself…”

 

But instead of continuing his words, Senior Oscar looked at my hand and closed his mouth.

 

“…Let’s go.”

 

After gathering the necessary documents, Oscar and I entered an empty classroom.

 

His ghostwriting was very good. I let out a brief exclamation.

 

“Thank you. Ah, and it’s fine if you just take me here. You did the ghostwriting for me as well…”

 

The weight of my bag was considerable. It was a huge inconvenience to have him keep carrying that bag.

 

Senior Oscar seemed to think about what I said for a moment, then he handed me my bag.

 

“…Alright, I hope only good things happen to you in the future.”

 

“Same to you.”

 

I bowed to him and hurried into the professors’ office. Then a man sitting inside stuck his head out and asked me.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“Ah, I’m going to submit my withdrawal papers. Professor…”

 

“Please leave it in the box there. Your home will be contacted as soon as it’s approved.”

 

“Ah, can I change my address?”

 

“Yes, you can. Please write the address at the top of the withdrawal form.”

 

But at the moment, I’m in trouble because I haven’t decided specifically where I’m going to stay.

 

Can’t I use Reynold’s dorm room as the destination? And if it’s delivered to Reynold…

 

I feel sorry for bothering him, but maybe he’ll understand if I explain it well later.

 

I wrote down Reynold’s dorm number as the address.

 

It seemed like there were quite a few students besides me who didn’t like the Academy. I carefully placed my withdrawal letter on the pile of paper inside the box.

 

“…Thank you.”

 

“By the way, what is the student’s name?”

 

I answered simply.

 

“Danae Lerdonia.”

 

It was the first time my last name came out of my mouth since I came to the Academy.

 

***

 

I went straight to an inn near the Academy. I couldn’t leave the Academy yet.

 

I had previously told my family that I would stay in the dormitory during the vacation under the pretext of focusing on my studies, then Dad said that it was amazing and that he would come to see me during the vacation.

 

Although it wasn’t exactly good news, I missed Sylvester. Edin too, I wanted to see him anyway, even if I was disappointed.

 

Anyway, my plan was to stay here until my family came and then leave before the second semester started.

 

I had no idea that I would feel so relieved just by leaving the Academy. The best thing was not having to see Charis and Gloria’s faces.

 

Before summer vacation started, I spent some time alone.

 

After moving away from the original story, this world seemed a little more beautiful.

 

I sent a postcard to Reynold and Adele telling them not to worry. Because I couldn’t use my hands properly, I couldn’t write a long letter.

 

And Reynold didn’t say anything about the address being his dormitory room.

 

It was something I did on my own and I reported it without any consultation, so I had nothing to say even if Reynold was offended.

 

Seeing me apologizing to him, Reynold said it was fine and added that if something like this happens in the future, I can use his address.

 

…He put quite a lot of emphasis on not using others’.

 

Anyway, in the meantime, I ate delicious food and walked aimlessly.

 

Thus, I have some peace of mind.

 

As time passed, vacation came to the Academy.

 

As soon as summer vacation started, Adele and Reynold came running to me, probably because they were worried about me.

 

“Are your hands okay?”

 

Adele asked me with concern evident in her voice.

 

“It’s okay. Even if you don’t feed me…”

 

“No, I haven’t been able to take care of you for a while, so I’ll take care of you now

 

Adele was stubborn. I couldn’t help but put the piece of bread she had placed near my mouth into it.

 

Hmm, I don’t think this is a bad idea to be taken care of like this, is it?

 

“I want some soup too.”

 

I got thirsty just eating bread. Adele glanced at my words and spoke to Reynold, who was sitting in front of me.

 

“Now you feed her.”

 

“What?”

 

“What do you mean what. I have to eat too.”

 

Reynold looked disapproving at Adele’s words.

 

I felt bad looking at his face. I opened my mouth not to lose.

 

“Hey, I don’t like it either, you know?”

 

“Then don’t. Why are your hands hurt…”

 

“Did I get hurt because I wanted to?”

 

I got a little upset and tried to reach out and grab the spoon Reynold was holding. Then he pulled back his hand holding the spoon.

 

Didn’t you mean you didn’t want to feed me? I narrowed my eyes.

 

“Give it to me. I’ll eat it myself.”

 

“Ah, really?”

 

At that time, Adele, who had been listening to the conversation between me and Reynold, slammed her fist on the table.

 

“Please stop fighting!”

 

Reynold and I kept our mouths shut at her scream.

 

Adele huffed.

 

“Let me eat something!”

 

“Ah…”

 

I was going to try to make an excuse. I fell silent again under her murderous gaze.

 

Reynold clicked his tongue once and handed me a spoonful of soup.

 

I gave him a disapproving look, eating it.

 

“But when are you going to go home?”

 

This time Reynold asked, picking up the meat with a fork.

 

“I’m not going back, though?”

 

“…You sound so proud.”

 

“And Dad said he would be coming to Munit soon.”

 

Reynold, who was listening to me, nodded his head as if it was a good plan.

 

“What next?”

 

“I’m going on a trip.”

 

“…To where?”

 

“Somewhere.”

 

Reynold’s eyebrows narrowed slightly.

 

“No way… Is that your plan for the future?”

 

I answered confidently.

 

“It’s an independent trip. I can go wherever my feet take me.”

 

“That’s a great plan.”

 

Adele looked proud and patted my shoulder.

 

Reynold, listening to our conversation, quickly changed the topic.

 

“Anyway, are you really confident that you won’t regret it? This incident is only making a fuss for now, and it will definitely die down soon.”

 

That means the Crown Prince was involved.

 

Additionally, I had the problem of being the Duke of Lerdonia’s ‘illegitimate daughter’. I’m someone who can quickly become a source of gossip even for trivial matters, so how dare I ruin the Crown Prince’s grades.

 

Although there was no legal problem, people’s perception of illegitimate children was naturally not good. This applies regardless of whether you’re a noble or a commoner.

 

Although they weren’t pointing a finger at me outright, they naturally were making a fuss behind my back.

 

I can bear feeling someone’s gaze just by looking at me, but how much more can I hear a rustling sound?

 

At that moment, meat popped into my mouth.

 

“Don’t have strange thoughts and eat this.”

 

Reynold looked like he had said this for no reason. At his words, I immediately ate the meat.

 

***

 

Adele said that she stayed at her parents’ house and studied during the summer vacation.

 

So, as soon as I finished eating, I went to pack my things, but…

 

Why isn’t he going yet?

 

I glanced up at Reynold, who was still walking next to me.

 

“You’re not going?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Why?”

 

“If I go home, there won’t be anything to do. I’ll stay in the dorm and play with you there.”

 

Reynold stretched and answered.

 

“…I’m going on a trip, though?”

 

What on earth did you hear me say earlier?

 

Reynold paused for a moment. Then he tilted his head and asked me back.

 

“Was that real?”

 

“…I do lie a lot, but I’m really going on a trip.”

 

“What should I do here alone, you traitor?”

 

“How dare you call me a traitor when you said you would stay in the dormitory during vacation and didn’t even discuss it with me?”

 

Reynold quietly retorted to my muttering.

 

“Then did you drop out after discussing it with me?”

 

“…”

 

He let out a small sigh and continued.

 

“Rumors are just rumors anyway.”

 

“The problem is that the rumor is true to some extent.”

 

When I responded harshly, Reynold immediately frowned. I lightly shrugged my shoulders.

 

“It’s true that I ruined Senior and Gloria’s grades, and it’s true that I’m an illegitimate child.”

 

“Then is it true that you’re leeching off me?”

 

Reynold interrupted me and asked.

 

I answered calmly.

 

“That’s not it… No, wait.”

 

“…?”

 

“Did you know about our rumor?”

 

Reynold nodded at my question. Then he asked me back.

 

“You thought I don’t know?”

 

“…Not that, I mean, because you’ve never once said that.”

 

Reynold answered without changing his face, as if he was stating an obvious fact.

 

“No matter what rumors spread, we’re still friends and that won’t change.”