I knew it.
It was a major event, after all.
At around this time, I knew that Aten Terst would be transferring here.
But not to this class.
‘You have to go to the classroom Aster is in!’
Why would I know that?
Because when I played as Aster, I saw it happen.
Aten later becomes an important comrade of Aster’s.
A character with a large role who sometimes becomes the heroine as the game progresses.
But she came to my class.
There's no named character in this class.
A place where there's only me, a character known as the 'Human sloth Frondier'.
Jane said with a stiff smile, as if trying to appease us.
“Well, I’m sure you all know, but Lady Aten is the third princess of Emperor Terst. But don’t worry about things like that here, everyone. Just be friends, okay…?”
Teacher, you’re being way too cautious.
You sound like an elementary school teacher trying to calm the kids down.
Of course you would be.
Although there is no distinction between nobles and commoners in Constel, royalty is a different story.
Not just a cousin or relative by marriage, but the Emperor’s daughter.
Even if you understand Constel’s doctrines, it’s not easy to treat them casually.
The students were all gaping in amazement and couldn’t say anything.
‘……?’
But wait a minute.
I feel like Aten is watching me.
I hope it’s just that our eyes met briefly as she was looking around, but ever since she entered the room, our eyes have kept meeting.
[We’ll meet up sometime soon.]
……Philly’s text message pops up in mind.
No, it can’t be.
No matter how quick-witted Philly is and how good she is at politics, would she really try to get her daughter involved with me just because of a quiz?
Haha, no way.
“So where should I sit? Is there an open seat?”
Aten pointed straight at a seat when Jane asked.
“Can I sit there?”
It was the seat next to mine.
Aten said without batting an eye,
“I like the window seat.”
* * *
‘Frondier de Roach.’
Aten thought.
She was originally planning on transferring to Constel.
But she hadn’t expected to be assigned to a specific class.
Then yesterday, her mother Philly said,
“Aten, you’re going to be put in the same class as Frondier.”
“Who’s that?”
“Frondier de Roach. He’s known around Constel as ‘Human Sloth Frondier’.”
“……That doesn’t sound like a good nickname.”
Philly simply smiled at that.
……When Mother smiles like that, it usually means she’s pleased.
“When you get there, be sure to get to know everyone in the class. Including Frondier.”
“……Do you want me to make friends with the other students so it won’t be obvious that I’m approaching Frondier?”
“Aaah! Aten, that’s not what I meant at all.”
But that’s what you said.
Aten sighed.
Even when talking to her own daughter, her mother was too guarded and evasive.
I guess it can’t be helped, since her political habits have rubbed off on her conversation with her daughter.
“What do you want me to find out?”
“The Dragon Heart.”
Aten raised her finger.
"Find out everything Frondier knows about the Dragon Heart."
"The Dragon Heart...? Frondier knows about it?"
"Yes, he solved a quiz about it."
Aten sighed deeply.
I don't know what it is, but you've played some strange trick behind the scenes again.
"Aten, you're not having bad thoughts about your mom again, are you?"
"No, of course not."
"Right? That’s just like my daughter."
"I don't know what it is, but you've played some strange trick behind the scenes again, that's all I can say."
"Aten! Being too honest can hurt! Really, when you were little, you were so cute, but now-"
After that, Philly whined about various things to Aten, but Aten just let it slide and now can't remember.
During class, Aten glanced at Frondier.
"...Hmm, he really does look sleepy."
His face was languid.
She had thought the same when looking at her mother, Philly, but Frondier felt a bit different.
Frondier's languidness had something, a dangerous scent to it.
It's hard to tell what he's thinking, and he doesn't give off an impression of being either good or bad.
Basically, with a poker face, his languid expression seems relaxed.
‘If he had some skills, he would have been a frightening enemy.’
But, from what I've heard, he's lazy and incompetent.
Not that it's a big concern.
‘He's doing nothing.’
I heard Frondier always sleeps during class, but he's awake.
Maybe that information was outdated.
But even though he's awake, he's doing nothing.
He seems to be looking at the blackboard and the teacher, but he's not taking notes or checking the book.
‘So the laziness is real.’
Is it progress that he's not sleeping?
‘Now then.’
Now I need to get close to Frondier and get the information.
Aten recalled what her mother had said.
"Frondier de Roach is unpopular because of his low reputation. He's never had a girlfriend."
"...And?"
"So, if you just nudges him a little, he'll fall right over. You are known for your beauty even in the royal palace. A boy with no immunity to women will be easy pickings for our daughter!"
Hmm.
I see, just a little nudge.
Remembering Philly's words, Aten waited until the class was over.
After class, during the break.
Now all she has to do is nudge Frondier to make him fall for her.
...But.
During the entire break, Aten remained frozen in her seated position.
Only blinking occasionally.
Already possessing a pale and outstanding beauty, she really looked like a doll sitting like that.
It was so peculiar that Frondier even looked at her.
Aten was spending this crucial time for her first approach to Frondier, but there was an unavoidable reason.
She was deep in thought.
‘...How do I just nudge him a little?’
Unfortunately.
Unfortunately, Aten Terst had also never had a romantic partner before.
