Chapter 81: Equal Chance

“U-Um, is it okay for a bit?”

““”????”’”

Just before diving into the long summer vacation, a certain young man approached Ishudo and the others.

These young men were not particularly close to Ishud, nor were they associated with Michela or Philip.

(Hmm? Ahhhh… I see, I see, that’s what it is.)

What Ishud had been thinking about a few days ago, finally unfolded before his eyes.

“Could you at least tell me whose guest you are? Otherwise, I won’t know who you want to meet either.”

“Ah, yeah. That’s right. Um… I have something to discuss with Ibuki-san.”

“Me?”

It’s currently lunch break, and I’ve already finished eating lunch. 

Since there’s still time until the lunch break ends, a little conversation shouldn’t be a problem.

“Well then, shall we wait in the classroom?”

“Yes, understood.”

Without delving further into why he needs to talk to Ibuki, Ishud moved away from the scene.

“Hey, Ishud. It’s probably about that, right?”

“Yeah, Phillip. It’s most likely about that.”

Gulf and Michela, with question marks hovering over their conversation. 

However, Michela’s expression soon showed understanding after a few seconds.

“I see, so that’s what it is.”

“Huh? Um… What do you mean?”

“Hahaha, well, that’s a typical reaction from Gulf.”

“Gulf can be a bit slow on the uptake.”

Phillip, who already understood the situation, whispered, and Gulf finally understood why a stranger suddenly approached them.

“So, that’s what it was. That’s why you were looking at Ibuki-san.”

“But it’s surprising. You’re forgiving so easily.”

“Is that so? Well, Ibuki is just a friend, not my girlfriend or fiancée, you know?”

Ishud and Ibuki had already become friends.

However, it wasn’t a relationship deeper than friendship but less than romantic involvement, and neither of them harbored romantic feelings for the other.

(It’s not like either of them had shitty ulterior motives, and everyone should have an equal chance, right~~~)

In this current life, Ishud was born into a noble family, blessed with good looks thanks to his parents being both beautiful.

However, in Ishud’s past life… he wasn’t exactly ugly, but he wasn’t particularly blessed in the looks department either.

He was just an average-looking guy with a face that would score fifty on a facial attractiveness scale.

Given such a past, Ishudo held an unusual perspective that equal opportunities in these matters would be preferable… a perspective that might seem odd to those who only knew him as Ishud.

“But what’s he going to do?”

“…Yeah, what is he going to do? Do you think he’ll just suddenly confess?”

“Isn’t that pretty risky?”

“But then, how else is he going to get her interested?”

“Just suddenly confessing to Ibuki-san… seems impossible no matter how you think about it.”

Michela, not disliking love talk, actively participates.

“Because there’s nothing that matches?”

“…In other words, that’s probably it. But I just thought there’s nothing about him that would interest Ibuki-san.”

“That’s the same thought as Ishud’s. But if he understood that… wouldn’t he go for broke and confess out of the blue, hoping for a miracle? It might be reckless, but it’s one way to go.”

“Normally, wouldn’t you start by becoming friends and gradually getting closer?”

While Michela didn’t have much romantic experience herself, she had built good relationships with the servants at her family’s estate, particularly getting excited about love talk with the maids, so… even though she lacked experience, she had knowledge.

“Back when we were still little kids, if it were in a social setting like the aristocratic circles, wouldn’t it be different? Depending on the household, even if it’s someone you just met, wouldn’t it be easier to become friends?”

“…So, does that mean in the end, we’re just one or two steps away from being adults? And in this current state, it’s not easy to just become friends?”

“Probably. I mean, now that we’re here, maybe we’re thinking that way, but can you really become friends with someone you’re not interested in?”

“Nope.”

Phillip’s immediate response.

Phillip approached Ishud, the maverick within the academy, out of curiosity, which led them to become friends.

The same goes for Gulf, but…Michela’s relationship with them was more like a fateful encounter.

“What about Gulf? It’s a bit tricky, right?”

“Yeah, it is… Yeah, it might be tricky.”

“And Michela?”

“Well, considering… I haven’t experienced it myself, but thinking about a maid who became friendly with someone only to be stalked by them, it’s not always easy to become friends.”

“Ugh, that’s terrible… It’s a classic case of kindness backfiring.”

Becoming friends with someone only for them to turn into a stalker.

Hearing that story, Ishud thought about what would happen if Ibuki ended up with such a clingy troublemaker… but no matter how he imagined it, all he could see was the future where the clingy guy would cleanly be cut off.

“Well, that’s the thing. Even if you try to get closer starting as friends, honestly, it’s difficult to reach the final goal, isn’t it?”

“…I understand the reasoning. But if you want to pursue romance… shouldn’t you put in the appropriate effort? Isn’t that just common sense?”

“Well, that’s probably because you’re an unusually upright noble. Considering that you’re enrolled in this academy, I don’t think you haven’t put in any effort at all, but haven’t you been walking forward with the thought that you don’t mind getting your hands dirty? Considering the parts of you that have been raised somewhat indulgently, can you really take such uncertain goals seriously?”

“Uncertain goals apply to everything, don’t they?”

“…I guess my analogy wasn’t great. Since Ibuki came as an exchange student, many guys have been casting interested looks her way. Yeah… toward Ibuki.”

“…I see, is that what you meant?”

“I’m just glad my point got across.”

Whether one wants to become a knight, a merchant, a blacksmith, or an alchemist… effort is necessary, but there’s no shortage of seats.

However, in terms of romantic interest, there’s only one seat next to Ibuki.

“I bet one gold coin that guy will suddenly ask her out on a date.”

“Then I bet one gold coin that he’ll suddenly confess.”

“Oh, you two. What do you think love is?”

“If you’re scared of losing, you don’t have to bet.”

“Ugh!!!”

As usual, Ishud easily provoked her, and in the end, Michela ended up joining the bet as well.

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