I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 13

“Please… If you can see me, could you at least respond?”

A strikingly handsome figure—semi-transparent and exuding an undeniably noble aura—was looking at me with tearful eyes, pleading.

Sigh.

Is this what my life is now? Just one bizarre encounter after another?

“I haven’t spoken to anyone in years… I’m at my limit. I feel as if I’m about to be consumed by the darkness of solitude.”

There’s something about the way he phrased that that gives off some serious warning signs, but…

I can’t help but sympathize.

Being completely ignored and wandering unseen for years…

That level of isolation must be unbearable.

I hesitantly glanced back at him.

Prince Chrisford—formerly just a beautiful ghost but now with a name—was looking at me with hopeful, teary eyes.

Ahhh, no.

I can’t just ignore this.

“…I can see you.”

At my response, Prince Chrisford’s face lit up instantly.

Oh no.

I feel a new stalker being born.

“H-Hey, Rick! What’s wrong?! Did you hit your head?!”

“Don’t panic, Maxwell. I’ll call the school physician immediately… No, I’ll carry him there myself. That’ll be faster.”

Ray suddenly tried to pick me up.

I immediately bolted.

Nope, nope, nope—if Ray carries me like that, I’ll end up with a whole bouquet of roses floating behind me!!

“I didn’t hit my head, okay?! I swear! I’m completely fine!!”

As I desperately dodged Ray, Max suddenly joined in, and the whole thing turned into a chaotic mess.

Meanwhile, Chrisford simply chuckled and said,

“Haha, you seem to have far too many knights around you. Looks like we won’t be able to have a proper conversation here.”

…Excuse me, what?!

Nope.

That definitely wasn’t just my imagination earlier—he really is trouble.

Maybe I responded too quickly.

I should’ve thought this through…

“I’ll visit your room tonight. We’ll talk properly then—about each other, of course!”

What?! No, wait!!

But before I could protest, Prince Chrisford gave me a dazzling smile and vanished into thin air.

“Rick! He was really there, wasn’t he?! The ghost prince?!”

Ghost prince?!

“What kind of ridiculous nickname is that?!”

Ray grabbed my shoulders and shook me violently.

H-Hey! Stop that! Ray, you don’t realize how strong you are!

“The ghost prince,” Max explained nonchalantly, “is one of the love interests—Prince Chrisford, the second prince of this kingdom.”

“WHAT?!”

◇◇◇

After school.

I found myself in the exclusive lounge for high-ranking nobles, escorted by Ray and Max.

After our chaotic lunch break, Ray had insisted I explain everything immediately, but I somehow managed to calm him down and push it to after school.

This lounge was on an entirely different level compared to the common student lounges.

The sofas were so plush that I couldn’t help bouncing on them a little.

“Having fun? Because we’re about to start,” Max said.

He pulled a small, box-shaped device from his uniform pocket. With a low buzz, a white screen of light projected in front of us.

This was a magic tool—one that allowed users to write text and draw images using their own mana, much like writing on a chalkboard.

Not only that, but it could save everything written on it. Naturally, this meant it was incredibly expensive.

“I compiled all the data I know, along with everything Raymond told me about his past lives, into an easy-to-read format. Let’s go over it together.”

The screen displayed a massive amount of neatly organized information, complete with diagrams and charts.

Wow.

Max is insanely good at this.

“First, let’s confirm. Raymond, your number one goal is saving your sister, Violetta. That’s correct?”

“Yes. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”

Max nodded and adjusted his silver-framed glasses before turning his gaze to me.

“My goal is to not break the game’s scenario. That’s my personal belief as a dedicated fan—respecting the developers. Not to mention, I also don’t want to risk throwing this world into chaos by messing with the storyline too much.”

So… saving the world is just secondary to his gamer loyalty?

I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile at his unwavering conviction.

“And you, Rick? What’s your goal?”

“Huh?”

My goal?

But I never had one to begin with.

I was dragged into this.

“I… I don’t really know. At first, I just wanted to graduate safely. That hasn’t changed. But… I also think I’d like to help you both however I can.”

Saying it out loud made me feel embarrassed.

Compared to their firm convictions, my resolve felt so weak.

The truth is, I could have cut ties with them if I had really wanted to.

Instead, I used my social status as an excuse to stay by their side.

As I stared at the floor, lost in thought, Ray gently placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“I know I dragged you into this, Pat. But just hearing that you want to help means a lot to me.”

Then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he flashed that dazzling smile of his.

I mentally put on my sunglasses of self-preservation.

Meanwhile, Max reached over and gave me a few pats on the head.

“That’s good enough. Honestly, you’re too nice, Rick. It’s kinda worrying.”

…Somehow, I feel like I just got comforted.

For some reason, both of them started pushing cookies toward me with a “Here, eat.”

I munched on them as Max moved beside the screen and continued speaking.

“Raymond wants to save his sister. I don’t want to destroy the scenario. And Rick wants to help us.

That means there’s only one path forward.”

Standing next to the screen, Max turned around with a devilish grin.

“Starting now, I’ll explain all the requirements and steps needed to clear the Eternal True Ending!

You’d better be ready, because this difficulty is SS-rank insane!”