I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 7

“Are you two really fine just sitting here with me?”

At my question, Lord Raymond and Lord Maxwell exchanged glances—then, for some reason, both casually averted their eyes.

“That’s an interesting thing to say, Patrick. Sure, I’m interested in the saintess, but it’s not as if I personally wish to get close to her.”

“Indeed. As class representative, I recognize the importance of assisting a transfer student with her transition, but that doesn’t mean I intend to treat her any differently than necessary.”

Their responses were… perfectly neutral and noncommittal.

Tilting my head, I took a bite of my sandwich while pondering their words.

Hmm…

So they’re keeping their true thoughts to themselves in front of each other.

The Problem

The biggest issue here is that neither of them knows the other’s secret.

Lord Raymond has no clue that Lord Maxwell is a reincarnator.

Lord Maxwell has no idea that Lord Raymond is reliving his life through death loops.

Naturally, I’ve never mentioned it to either of them.

Partially because it’s not my place to say, but mostly because, until recently, I had been extremely skeptical of their stories.

Or rather—I was about 90% convinced they were both insane.

But Angelica’s arrival today changed everything.

Now, I couldn’t dismiss their claims so easily.

The Solution?

I’d been thinking about this for a while, but if everything they’re saying is true, then these two should be working together.

Lord Raymond wants to save Lady Violetta, a villainess with almost no redemption routes.

Lord Maxwell wants to protect the game’s scenario at all costs.

At first glance, their goals seem to be in direct conflict.

But then there’s that one thing.

The “Eternal True End.”

If they both aimed for that, their objectives would completely align.

Honestly, I don’t care what they do.

I just need them to set aside their differences, join forces, and unlock that Eternal True Ending.

That way—

• • The noble ladies swooning over them would rejoice.

• • I would finally be free.

• • And I could reclaim my peaceful student life.

A win-win-win scenario.

Thus, as of today, my new mission is clear:

“Bring these two closer together.”

Operation: Matchmaking Begins

“S-So, you know… lately, we’ve been spending a lot of time together, huh?”

“…What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“Well, that’s true, I suppose.”

Though slightly puzzled by my sudden comment, both of them nodded in agreement.

Good.

Now I just need to steer the conversation in the right direction.

“Ahem. What I mean is, maybe we should try to deepen our bond a little more? You know, really open up to each other? If we do, I think the ‘Eternal’ will start coming into view…”

“…Patrick, are you feeling alright?”

“…Pfft.”

Okay.

Maybe that was a little too forced.

Lord Raymond looked genuinely concerned, while Lord Maxwell was trying very hard not to laugh.

They really do have completely opposite reactions to everything…

The Unexpected Interruption

“Ah! Lord Patrick!”

Lunchtime ended without much progress, and as the three of us were making our way back from the courtyard to the main school building, a light, bell-like voice called out from the hallways.

Angelica.

She hurried over, her footsteps light and quick, but then suddenly halted when she noticed the two high-ranking nobles flanking me.

Realizing her mistake, she quickly bowed.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were with—”

“It’s fine.”

Though Lord Raymond’s response was short and polite, his expression remained completely unreadable as he looked down at Angelica.

Ah.

Right.

To Lord Raymond, Angelica is “the root cause of everything.”

Meanwhile, Lord Maxwell’s response was so mechanically polite that it almost felt scripted.

“Ah, Angelica. Is there anything you need assistance with?”

I see.

This must be how “low-affection love interests” behave in the game—before the heroine raises their affection points.

“Ah, thank you! But I’m fine! Everyone in class has been really kind to me, and I even had lunch with them!”

Looks like Angelica managed to fit in with the class on her very first day.

…I’m jealous.

“Um… um, Lord Patrick.”

Angelica whispered hesitantly while tugging at my sleeve.

“Hm? What is it, Angie?”

“A-Angie?!”

At the sound of my casual response, Lord Raymond and Lord Maxwell both let out a startled exclamation.

…Huh?

What?

Why?

“Patrick, addressing a lady by her nickname so suddenly is… well, rather hasty, don’t you think?”

Lord Raymond spoke with a hint of bewilderment.

I mean… she asked me to call her that, so I just went along with it…

Ah, I see.

From a high-ranking noble’s perspective, that must be too informal.

Where I’m from, using nicknames is pretty common, so it didn’t even cross my mind that it might be unusual.

“I apologize. I suppose I still have some countryside habits. In my territory, it’s quite normal. I’ll be more mindful from now on and—”

“No!”

Just as I was about to correct myself, Lord Maxwell, who had been deep in thought, abruptly cut me off.

“This works perfectly. Patrick, you did say you wanted to deepen our friendship, didn’t you? Very well—starting today, you shall call me ‘Max.’”

Lord Maxwell grinned, clearly letting his real personality slip through despite the public setting.

“Then I shall be ‘Ray’!!”

Lord Raymond jumped in immediately.

…

Yo-yo-you…

YOU EXPECT ME TO CALL YOU THAT?!

I am just a poor baron’s son from the countryside!

There’s no way I can address a duke’s son and a marquis’ son so casually!

This is something I can only do with Angelica because our social statuses are relatively close—why don’t they understand that?!

“N-no way! Do you even realize how vast the difference in our status is?!”

“Hahaha, don’t worry about it. Status doesn’t matter within the academy. We are all equals here.”

Lord Raymond flashed a refreshingly confident smile.

…

Oh.

So that’s what it was.

The so-called ‘equality’ of the academy, which I had always thought was complete nonsense, suddenly made sense.

It wasn’t some noble ideology about fairness.

It was just a convenient excuse high-ranking nobles used whenever it suited them.

This school really is a microcosm of society.

As I slumped my shoulders in resignation, Angelica clapped her hands together in delight, her face radiant with excitement.

“How wonderful! I’ll be in your care from now on, Ray, Max!”

“…”

“…”

Angelica…

You’re strong.