friend chapter 5

I screamed internally. Let me be clear, I absolutely do not like that crazy guy. I prefer someone kind and gentle. The reason I’m telling this lie is to protect Jade. Even Jade wouldn’t go after a friend’s boyfriend.

“Why? Since when? Have you even met him?”

“We met at the birthday banquet recently. I never thought someone so gallant and handsome could exist. It was love at first sight! Hahaha.” My voice trailed off into something resembling a monotone recitation as I lost myself in the lie. Fortunately, Jade seemed too shocked to notice.

“…No way.”

“Why not? What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re way too good for him. Frankly, the Crown Prince has a bad reputation. They say a body is carried out of his bedroom every morning.” Jade muttered, “I can’t let Luna have such trash.”

“That’s just a rumor. I’d rather believe in His Highness’s dazzling face than an unconfirmed rumor.”

“Is being handsome all that matters? If someone wants to date Luna, they have to be handsome, kind, capable… anyway, they have to be amazing. He fails on all counts.” Jade was completely blinded by her affection for me. Perhaps it was because we were each other’s only friend.

Jade and I have been inseparable since we first met at nine years old. Neither of us had any friends before then. We both knew each other by reputation as having “difficult personalities,” which is probably why we became friends so easily. It was an outsider’s bond, or something like that.

Still, Jade’s protectiveness was a bit much. I decided to take a drastic measure to prevent this from interfering with my plans.

“…That’s mean. You’re not even supporting me when I say I like him. All you do is badmouth Edward. He’s precious to me….”

Sniffle.

I put on my best crying act, burying my face in my hands and even shaking my shoulders. Jade looked utterly panicked.

“W-Why are you crying? Okay, I’m sorry. Crown Prince Edward is yours! Are you happy now? Don’t cry.”

With my face still hidden, I grinned. Just as planned.

***

My last night at home passed. I woke up early and boarded the carriage to the academy. The scenery outside the window changed rapidly. One moment, it was the open city, and the next, a dense forest.

“Magic carriages are so convenient.”

Cain was right. The carriage we were in was a magic carriage, far more expensive than a regular one. It was inscribed with a teleportation magic circle. After traveling a certain distance, the magic activated, instantly transporting us closer to our destination. The carriage would travel until the magic needed recharging, then teleport us again, bringing us steadily closer. That’s why the scenery kept changing so abruptly. Thanks to this, we could travel in two hours what would normally take two full days by regular carriage. Two hours from the south to the capital! Money is definitely a good thing.

“So? How does it feel to go to school with your awesome older brother?” Cain, who was sitting next to me, suddenly slung an arm around my shoulder. His sparkling pink eyes were unnerving. What was he doing? It was creepy.

With a disgusted look, I shrugged his arm off.

“Don’t pretend you know me at the academy. It’s embarrassing.”

“Hey, that hurts. I’m a model student, you know.”

“Who was it that got suspended for property damage?”

Cain whistled, looking away. Then, fiddling with his cherry-blossom pink hair, he muttered something incomprehensible about “If it wasn’t for that guy, I wouldn’t have gotten caught.”

“….”

Jade, sitting opposite us, didn’t even glance our way. She stared pensively out the window, her chin resting on her hand. She’d been like this ever since I confessed my love for Edward yesterday. I thought my superb crying act had worked perfectly. She’d occasionally sigh and say, “Well, he is handsome…” with a resigned expression, then suddenly turn fierce, declaring, “No! Luna is much prettier!” She was a strange one, my friend.

After an hour’s journey, we arrived at the academy. Cain, a second-year student, left for class. Jade and I headed towards the Great Hall for the entrance ceremony.