The Struggle of a Weak Aristocrat in a Different World Our Domain is Surrounded by Large Aristocrats

C62: Claire, you too?!

I walked quickly to the classroom, managed to get seated before the bell rang, and breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that the teacher hadn’t come to class yet. Because of my haste, I felt a heat welling up inside me that I hadn’t felt when I had been walking fast, like a heat wave, and I began to sweat.

“You seem to be in a hurry. That’s not like you, Chris. What’s wrong?”

A clear, beautiful voice came from next to me.

“Nothing in particular.”

To be honest, I didn’t need to use honorifics anymore, but I did use honorifics for anyone in the class who might ask.

“Hmm. Well, that’s good. More importantly, the princess was at the school first thing in the morning when it opened, do you know anything about that?”

She looked a little frustrated at my respectful tone, but then regained her composure and asked.

“Lady Americia?”

When I turned to Alice, for some reason she was looking at me and beaming. She seems to be itching for something. Hmmm. Why does she look so happy?

The only reasons I can think of for coming to school early is that I hate my house or I was looking forward to class and couldn’t wait to get here…….Today, there was nothing to look forward to in the class, which was no different from any other day, and if you didn’t like the house, you wouldn’t look so happy.

“Yeah. She was walking around Chris’s seat, while looking at the door all the time, and she’s looking at Chris a lot right now.”

“It’s true that her gaze is fixed on me, but I really don’t know why.”

Mist brought her face close to mine and stared into my eyes, trying to confirm the truth. Normally, when someone brings their face close to mine, I would reflexively pull my face away, but she didn’t even make me react that way; in fact, she almost pulled me in. After all, Mist’s face is good, isn’t it? But only the face.

“It seems that you really don’t know. You never know what might happen.”

What’s going on? No way! That problem was solved yesterday! That’s right! This morning, when I was worried about Alfredo, I suddenly felt much better! Thanks for reminding me!

“Mmm-hmm. That’s right! I think I might have something!”

“Huh? You’re in a good mood all of a sudden, even though you seemed upset.”

“Hahahahaha! Mist knows how to joke! It’s no wonder you’re in such a good mood, being involved with Lady Americia!”

Just as I said that, I heard a bang, like something falling and hitting me. I looked towards the sound and saw Alice lying on her desk. Her ears, peeking out from her beautiful blonde hair, were as red as tomatoes.

You’ve been listening, Alice…….The classmates turned to look at Alice to see what was going on. Just then, the door of the classroom rattled open and the teacher walked in.

“What are you looking at? Lady Americia are you okay? Call a doctor quickly!”

As soon as she looked at Alice, the teacher became distraught and began to bark out instructions. The students, too, were caught up in the momentum and moved to follow the instructions. Then they rushed towards Alice, weaving between the desks.

Alice was not able to cope with the suddenness of the situation, opening her eyes and mouth agape.

“Americia-sama, are you all right? We’ll have a stretcher to carry you out soon, so please wait a little longer!”

Alice looked puzzled for a moment, but finally understood the situation and replied while waving her hands in the air.

“……No, no! I’m totally fine! I’m totally fine!”

“How kind of you to take care of us so that we don’t have to worry about you even though you’re in pain! Damn it! I can’t do this! The stretcher has just arrived! I’m here to help you!”

“Listen to me! I said I’m fine!”

“Get Lady Americia on the stretcher! All right, let’s go, boys! We’re in a hurry, but make sure we don’t shake her! And you guys have to study today!”

“Wait! I’m fine!”

A female student put Alice on a stretcher and several students and teachers carried her away. It’s pathetic, isn’t it? Alice. Only silence is left in the classroom. And after a while, I hear a whispering voice that I don’t recognize.

“Do you think Miss Americia was sick today?”

“I’m sure. Normally she wouldn’t talk like that.”

“I guess the reason she was hanging around your seat was because she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go home or stay in school.”

“I think the reason she came first thing in the morning was because she wanted to get to school before her condition worsened.”

Hmm? Is that really what I think it is? Well, whatever. Although I felt some discomfort, I abandoned the thought due to my lack of interest.

The classroom shifted from sneaking around to normal volume conversation. Finally, some people started to walk around, and the classroom was filled with lively voices.

In the midst of all this, I was alone, reading my history textbook. It’s self-study, you guys. Self-study time is not playtime! It’s not that I’m studying seriously because I don’t have anyone to talk to. I’m a serious person by nature. It’s not because I don’t have anyone to talk to…….

“Mr. Chris.”

“What’s happening? Mist!”

I was approached by Mist, who had been chatting happily with some people earlier. Hmm. I can’t help it. I’m supposed to be studying, and she’s talking to me. I don’t know what to do, so I’ll just talk to her! I didn’t want you to talk to me, you know!

“I’m sorry to say that you answered my question with such a twinkle in your eye and such eagerness…….”

“What?”

“Oh. Well, I’m…….”

Mist pointed her finger at me and then walked away towards the members of the group who had just been chatting. I looked in the direction of the pointing finger and saw a beautiful black-haired woman approaching, her face red and moving like a robot, almost making a cracking noise.

……Now, let’s go to the bathroom. I was about to walk away and pretend I didn’t see her, but she stopped me.

“Hey, Chris! Good morning!”

Thank you for your sudden greeting without any context. And you’re still calling me by my name? Huh…..

“Lady Alcala, good morning. How can I help you?”

“I had the courage to call you……”

Claire is blabbering on about something.

“What can I do for you?”

“Uh-oh? Yeah. Um…”

It looks like Claire is in a hurry, and for the first time now she’s starting to think about what she needs to do.

She hates herself as much as Alfred does. As Alfred had told me this morning, she wouldn’t come to see me if she had nothing to do. I guess she’s trying to remember now. There was a short pause, then Claire’s face suddenly lit up and she opened her mouth.

“Have a study session with me!”

……Claire, you too?!