I Was Reincarnated As The Older Brother Of A Villainess Destined to Die, So I Want To Change The Future By Raising My Younger Sister With My Own Hands. I Am The Strongest In The World, But My Little Sister Must Be The Cutest In The World - Volume 4 Chapter 2.5
The day after the club recruitment event. As usual, we headed to school, but the atmosphere around us was different from the day before. The strange looks directed at me and the lecherous gazes towards the girls, including Caron, had decreased. Instead, Orca and Nina were receiving curious and expectant attention.
“There goes yesterday’s…”
“They caused quite a commotion at the club recruitment event.”
“Their nicknames are not just for show.”
“I heard Foranada was amazing too.”
From the whispers I could overhear, it seemed that the details of the mock battle with the student council had spread overnight. The speed at which rumors spread among students is terrifying.
Even after arriving in the classroom, the attitude of those around us remained unchanged, if not more so.
“Yesterday was amazing! I was so impressed!”
“I couldn’t even see Nina’s sword!”
“I’m interested in Lord Orca’s magic too.”
“Me too! That was the ‘Road Spike,’ right? I still can’t believe they can pull off such stunts.”
The two of them were quickly surrounded by our classmates. Since our A1 classmates were at the same event, their reactions were somewhat expected.
I didn’t sense any malice, so there was no need to keep them at a distance. I won’t let my guard down, but for now, I’ll let them enjoy the attention. Besides, Orca and Nina seemed somewhat happy.
“Both of you look like you’re having fun.”
Caron also seemed to have the same impression and murmured so.
I relaxed my cheeks and nodded.
“It would be great if they could make some friends through this.”
“It should be easy for Orca.”
“Yeah.”
Orca has always had a personality that makes it easy for him to make friends. There’s no need to worry about him.
As for Nina… well, she has become more sociable since we first met, and she doesn’t lack social skills. I think she can make friends to some extent. I’ll keep an eye on the situation just in case.
“Both of you, make friends without hesitation.”
When I said that with a smile, Minerva gave me a sidelong glance.
“What’s with the condescending tone… I mean, the old-fashioned line.”
“And you’re calling it old-fashioned. I was just worried about their friendship, you know?”
Since Caron is a super bro-con and Minerva is a tsundere, I thought they might have trouble making friends. I’ll keep those concerns to myself since I might get hit by a magic spell if I say it out loud.
She continued to gaze at me with a frown, but eventually let out a sigh.
“It’s fine for you to worry about us, but what about yourself? Ah, n-no, I’m not saying I’m worried about you! It’s just… yes! It’s pathetic to have zero friends other than your fiancée, isn’t it?”
Minerva blushed and turned away, trying to make excuses to someone. As always, my fiancée wasn’t straightforward.
I smiled at her stubbornness and replied, “I think I might not be able to make many friends.”
“Why?” Minerva asked unhappily, while Caron looked curious.
Well, these two don’t really care, so their reactions are expected. But the public’s perception is not so simple.
I pinched my own hair.
“Firstly, because I don’t have any colors. Very few people willingly associate with those who are discriminated against. Especially noble individuals who take pride in their own magic.”
“Mmm.”
She probably has some idea. Minerva made a difficult expression and let out a frustrated groan.
On the other hand, Caron, who is somewhat unfamiliar with noble values, immediately countered without hesitation.
“There are people who recognize you, at least a few. And there are commoners too!”
“Yeah, your opinion is correct.”
I didn’t deny Caron’s words and nodded sincerely.
Knowing that not everyone in the noble society is strict towards those without colors, there are examples like His Highness Weimeray.
“But I am the current head. Unlike other students, I have a noble title. I think many people feel intimidated by that.”
The school rules state, “All students are equal, regardless of their status,” but outside the school, it’s meaningless, so it’s not effective.
In fact, these rules are more to protect the nobles than to protect the commoners from the nobles’ tyranny. They are like a justification, saying, “Even if your grades are worse than commoners, your family status won’t be affected because it’s an unofficial setting within the school.” It’s not a rule meant to protect commoners from noble oppression.
By the way, if a duel were to take place, it would turn into a public matter, so caution is required.
That’s why people hesitate to approach me, the Earl with higher status. If they were to incur their resentment on me, they wouldn’t know what kind of consequences they would face.
“My brother would never resort to such reckless acts!”
As I was explaining the situation, Caron raised her voice.
I’m glad she gets angry for my sake, but it’s not about how I feel.
“It doesn’t matter how he thinks. Just having that kind of power is enough to make people afraid.”
Before I could answer, Minerva opened her mouth.
I could infer from her expression filled with a sense of loneliness that she might have had a similar experience. Being a Duke’s daughter with many talents, it’s natural to assume that.
Caron probably sensed Minerva’s past as well. We didn’t say any more words about it.
Instead,
“In that case, let me spread the word to everyone. That my brother, and even Minerva, are not people who wield such oppressive power. Unwillingly, I’ve been called the ‘Sunlit Saint,’ so I should have some influence!”
She answered, turning away.
She had a slightly difficult expression on her face, but her cheeks were clearly flushed, revealing her embarrassment.
“Caroline…”
Minerva also seemed deeply moved by Caron’s consideration. Although these two are always fighting, they somehow acknowledge and care for each other.
They’re experiencing their youth… Ah, thinking like this makes me sound old-fashioned.
While smiling self-deprecatingly, I expressed my gratitude to Caron for her concern.
“Thank you. In that case, let’s aim for ‘Making a Hundred Friends for Everyone’ and give it our best shot.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Hehehe. There are many students in this school, so it doesn’t seem impossible, right?”
Both of them laughed at my joking remark.
The slight seriousness dissipated, and a calm atmosphere settled—or so it should have, but…
“It’s an interesting topic, isn’t it? Well then, may I volunteer to be the first friend?”
A female voice interjected into our conversation.
We were aware that someone nearby was observing us. But to approach us at this moment…
Internally, I felt bitter, but I turned my gaze towards the direction of the voice.
There stood a woman. Her beauty was breathtaking, radiating a noble aura even by just standing there. Her eyes, a profound pale blue, were filled with wisdom. And her golden hair was loosely tied into a single strand… There was only one person in this world who possessed these distinctive features. It was Princess Arianotte Esteria Yu Ali Catasit, the First Princess herself.