I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 12

Lunchtime.

I walked alongside Ray and Max, heading toward the private room on the upper-noble exclusive floor—a place that had, at this point, practically become my second home.

Since we had arrived separately this morning due to a school event, this was my first time seeing Ray since yesterday afternoon… probably.

I say probably because, in the past, there have been times when I wasn’t aware of Ray’s presence, but he was very much aware of mine.

For example, a few weeks ago, I found an adorable town cat near the dormitory park and spent quite a while playing with it.

The next day, Ray smiled and said, “Hehe, Patrick, you like cats, don’t you? We have one at the ducal estate. Would you like to come visit?”

I was so terrified that I started trembling on the spot.

I told Ray to at least say something when he saw me, but honestly, at this point, I might have just gotten used to it.

Like when I was on the training grounds and felt someone staring at me—only to look up and see Ray watching from a classroom window.

(If our eyes met, he would always wave.)

Or when I was secretly about to indulge in an extra whipped cream parfait at the cafeteria, only to find Max sitting next to me—eating an even more whipped-cream-loaded parfait.

(If our eyes met, he would smugly smirk for some reason.)

…Honestly, getting used to being followed like this probably isn’t normal, but as a weak noble, adapting is my key to survival.

I’ll just be grateful for my high adaptability and accept it.

Inside our usual private room, after the ever-smiling waiter had left, Ray was the first to speak.

“Pat, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

With his brows drawn together in an apologetic expression, Ray looked genuinely remorseful.

I doubt there’s a single person in the world who could refuse forgiveness when faced with that face.

Was I… really worried?

The other day, I had wondered whether Ray was only spending time with me to change the future.

That feeling of unease still lingered.

“It’s fine… So, um… have you two talked things out?”

“Yes. I couldn’t let my circumstances continue to trouble you. I told Maxwell everything.”

Ray admitted this with a complicated expression, and beside him, Max gave a confirming nod.

“I mean, I thought dying and rewinding time sounded ridiculous, but everything Raymond said matched up exactly with the original game scenario. At that point, I couldn’t not believe him.”

Although he still looked slightly skeptical, Max folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.

It seemed that, along with revealing he was a reincarnator, Max had also completely dropped his usual polite noble act.

“I never imagined Maxwell would be a reincarnator. And when he claimed this world was part of an otome game, I naturally found it hard to believe… But then, he somehow knew details about my past life that only I should know. I couldn’t deny it.”

Hearing their exchange, I finally let out a breath of relief.

Oh, thank goodness.

If these two were working together, then things would definitely be fine.

That meant my role as a mere background character was over.

From now on, I could enjoy the quiet, uneventful school life I had originally wished for!

Welcome, normalcy!!

Goodbye, unpredictable mysteries!!

With a newfound sense of peace, I took my time savoring my lunch—today’s dish was Chef’s Special Pasta: Transforming the Dreams of Tomorrow into Shrimp.

I figured this might be the last time I’d get to eat Chef’s Special meals, since they were only available when dining with Ray and Max.

A shame, but sacrifices had to be made.

One day, when I rise in the world, I’ll take my younger brothers to the royal capital and make sure they eat all the delicious food they could ever want.

To do that, I need to stay focused and seriously devote myself to my studies!

…But the truth is…

After talking with Lady Violetta yesterday, I realized—I don’t want her to suffer such a tragic fate.

Even if it was to change the scenario, I didn’t want to become Max’s enemy.

If Ray was only spending time with me to change the future…

I didn’t want that either.

It was time to step back.

I had gotten far too involved.

Ray and Max belonged to a completely different world from mine.

If I didn’t distance myself before it was too late—

Without realizing it, I had become trapped in those dark thoughts.

And then—

Right in front of me, an upside-down, blond, handsome face suddenly appeared.

“Uwaaaaahhh!! What the—AAGGHH!!”

“Pat?!”

“Rick!!”

Letting out an unintelligible scream, I toppled backward out of my chair.

I mean, seriously! A face!

A face just appeared out of nowhere!!

I had been trying to reflect on my feelings, to drown in a little melancholy for a moment—

And then this! This kind of abrupt return to reality was way too aggressive!!

“You… Can you see me?”

…………

Ah.

Ahhhhhh.

Yeah.

My part in this story isn’t ending anytime soon, is it?

Welcome back, unpredictable mystery.

You certainly didn’t take long to return.