I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 25

“W-Wait, what!? I placed third in the end-of-year exams! Third!!”

“I got fifth! We did it, Lord Patrick!”

Angela and I practically high-fived in excitement.

Of course, I was thrilled about my own ranking, but seeing Angela’s improvement was just as satisfying. For someone aiming for the Eternal True Ending, this was a huge step forward.

Ah, but seriously—I had worked so hard this past year.

A duke’s son constantly hovering around me… then a marquis’s son… then a ghost prince… then a count’s son…

…

Now that I thought about it, I was always being followed.

Oh, and let’s not forget the kidnapping.

…

Yeah. My life was a mess.

But hey! At least today made up for it, right!?

Sure, my emotions were all over the place, but that was understandable.

After all, maintaining a top-five ranking at Edelstein Academy was practically a golden ticket to success.

My dear little brothers, your big brother did it!!

“Still, third place is incredible. As expected of you, Lord Patrick!”

“No, Angela, you’re the impressive one. You transferred in without any formal noble education, and you still placed fifth!”

“Well, I have lived this life twice, after all!”

“Oh, right, your second life! That’s—…Wait. Huh?”

◇◇◇

The academy’s courtyard, inside a small gazebo.

Angela had invited me to celebrate our results together after all our hard work.

Still riding the high of my ranking, I had followed her without a second thought—only to be blindsided by an earth-shattering revelation.

“Wait… Your second life!? So that means… Angela, are you a reincarnator too!?”

“Oh? So when you say too, that means there is one, huh? ♡”

Angela tilted her head slightly, flashing an innocent, charming smile.

I—I’d been played!!

◇◇◇

“So? There is a reincarnator, right?”

“U-Um… I’d like to invoke my right to remain silent on that matter…”

I avoided eye contact and hunched my shoulders, trying to make myself smaller.

If it were about me, that would be one thing, but I couldn’t just go around revealing someone else’s secret.

“Are you thinking, ‘I can’t talk about someone else’s business without their permission’?”

…A mind-reader!?

Wait—was she actually going to let this go!?

As expected of a saint!

I hesitantly looked up and nodded vigorously.

“So, it’s not you, Lord Patrick? Well, I did suspect it was either Lord Raymond or Lord Maxwell to begin with.”

GAH—!

This was bad.

The more I talked, the deeper I sank into this mess.

“Man, reincarnators have it easy! Having knowledge from another world is such a huge advantage. Even just basic first-aid techniques would be insanely useful!”

Angela casually sipped from a juice box as she spoke.

…Was it just me, or did she seem different than usual?

“Wait… So you’re not a reincarnator? Did you just say that to trick me into revealing something?”

I narrowed my eyes at her, my voice carrying a hint of accusation.

“I’m not a reincarnator, but I wasn’t lying. Don’t make it sound so terrible. I might phrase things in a way that leads people to certain conclusions, but I never actually lie.”

Something about her felt off.

“It’s true—I have lived this life twice. But I’m just a ‘past-life holder.’”

“A… past-life holder?”

That term referred to someone who retained memories of a previous life—but unlike reincarnators, who came from another world, past-life holders only retained memories of a prior existence within this world.

“So, you have memories of a past life in this world…?”

“That’s right.”

“W-Wait… then why are you suddenly telling me this?”

Angela rested her elbows on the table, clasped her fingers together, and gently placed her chin on top of them. With a sweet smile, she spoke.

“I just thought… Lord Patrick seems like someone I can trust. ♡”

“…The real reason?”

“Oh, come on! I told you—I don’t lie! I just thought it’d be nice to be real friends with you, that’s all.”

I had always thought Angela was difficult to read.

But at the same time, I had never seen her as a bad person.

She didn’t seem like the kind of saint Ray had described from his previous life—the one who deceived people and used them for her own benefit.

“Friends? I already thought of us as friends, Angela.”

“Mmm, and that right there is what I mean. Lord Patrick, you have an uncanny ability to slip into people’s hearts. I couldn’t tell if it was natural or calculated, but I’ve decided—it’s definitely natural. Of course, I also considered the possibility that you might be a reincarnator, which is why I tested you a little.”

And I had fallen for it—hook, line, and sinker.

Ugh, even after scoring so well on the exams, I suddenly felt completely unprepared to navigate the social circles of the royal capital.

“Cheer up, Lord Patrick! Simply put, I just wanted a friend I could be honest with.”

“But… why me?”

“Because you’re liked by both a duke’s son and a marquis’s son, yet you’re still this easy to handle and convenient to be around. That makes you the perfect… I mean, best friend for me! ♡”

…Angela’s honesty was surprisingly brutal.

“Well, I am the saint, after all. Plus, with the life experience from my past self, I have a decent amount of wisdom. You won’t regret being my friend!”

She puffed out her chest proudly.

This was… a lot to take in. My head was spinning.

“S-So, what if I talked to Ray or Max about this…?”

“I don’t mind at all! But in that case… wouldn’t it only be fair if both sides shared their secrets?”

Ugh! That was a good counter!

What was I supposed to do now!?

“As it stands, Lord Patrick, you’re the only one who knows my secret. So, I look forward to working with you even more from now on. ♡”

『…Ahem. I, too, happened to overhear all of that.』

A voice suddenly echoed from above.

Angela and I both snapped our heads up in alarm.

『The threads of fate are woven with mischief… No, but really… my apologies. In exchange, allow me to reveal a great secret—one that involves my unparalleled charm—』

“Ah, no thanks.”

Angela swiftly and decisively cut off Prince Chrisford, who—for once—actually looked uncomfortable.

…Ah.

I had a feeling that once Angela’s true self was exposed, she didn’t bother putting on an act anymore.