Chapter 3 My Childhood Friend Is A Villainous Noble
Hey, it's Atami Akira (old name).
Right now, I'm Hiiro Merifar (new name).
If I introduce myself like that, it'll just confuse the other person, and I'll end up confused too.
In fact, I'm probably confused right now.
Hiiro Merifar. That seems to be my name now.
I'm 18 years old and a healthy guy. I have reddish-brown hair. My bangs cross like an "X," which is my charm point. I'm somewhere between a teenager and a young adult.
I'm tall with long arms and legs, but I have a bad face, a rough look, and a foul mouth──it's a triple threat.
Especially my eyes; they look really bad. When I looked in the mirror, I honestly thought, "Who is this punk?" Yet, my face is kind of plain. What is this?
But, but.
There are plenty of protagonists with bad looks and rough personalities these days. In fact, it's a popular genre.
And then there's the name Hiiro. Seriously, it's so close. Just a little stretch, and it fits.
Plus, I even have a cute little sister named Sara Merifar.
Ah, everything is set up perfectly.
No matter how you look at it, I'm the protagonist. Thank you very much, yay!
"Hey, big brother, you're acting weird today."
"Huh?" (Weird?)
"Because you're asking about me way too much. What's up? Did a high fever for 3 days wipe your memory clean?"
"Don't know." (W-what are you talking about?)
"Oh, whatever. It's fine."
Oh no, I'm sweating coldly inside.
I got a little carried away and asked too many questions, so now Sara is suspicious of me.
I mean, it's understandable. For a big brother, I shouldn't be acting like this, and she still answered me. What a good little sister. She cooks well too.
But I have my own doubts as well.
Not about Sara, but about myself.
"So why do I have such a foul mouth?" (Why am I so rude?)
"Huh? You?"
"Yeah, of course, it's me!" (No, it's me!)
"...Huh. Your foul mouth isn't something new, you know. It's strange."
Yeah, that's it.
The things I've been trying to say don't match up.
In fact, why do my words turn into such rough language? Honestly, it's a problem.
According to Sara, I've always had a foul mouth.
But sometimes, the nuances change too, which is even worse. This could lead to misunderstandings.
(I seem to have become the protagonist, but... there are unexpected obstacles.)
Since I can't express what I'm really thinking, conversations are pretty tough. It's clear that I'm going to struggle in the future. While finishing off the leftover stew that still had steam rising, I let out a quiet sigh.
"By the way, big brother, is it okay for you to be so slow? Sir Ruzure and Shouk are coming to pick you up soon, okay?"
"Pick me? Who the hell are they?" (Pick me up... and who are they?)
"Are you joking? You've known them for a long time!"
"Hmph, just some crappy connections." (Just childhood friends.)
"...If you think that, fine, but don't say it out loud. Especially not in front of Sir Ruzure... Oh, there's a knock at the door. Speak of the devil."
"?"
Why are you using honorifics? And what's a knock at the door?
Without a moment to clarify my doubts, Sara hurried me toward the entrance.
But, my childhood friend, huh? So, it's my childhood friend.
That's perfect. The main character always has a childhood friend.
In a rom-com, a beautiful childhood friend is a must.
Even in a classic battle manga, it's usually a beautiful girl or a handsome guy who understands the main character.
With my heart racing in anticipation, I followed the sound that echoed like a woodpecker tapping, and the door opened from the other side.
"You're late, Hiiro. I opened the door because the knocking went past 5 times."
"Sir Ruzure, I opened it."
"Shouk. Nobles shouldn't open doors themselves. That's a commoner's job."
"Yeah, yeah."
As soon as the door opened, I heard an unhappy first voice.
A blonde guy with a mushroom-shaped head wrapped in a luxurious cloak, and a short green-haired guy with a pointed nose.
Unlike my sister, the first impression of the two on the other side of the door was...
How should I put it? Clearly, they looked like...
"...A couple of punks." (They seem like trouble)
"Don't you say that!"
If we're just talking about looks, they perfectly fit the role of villains.
And side characters at that. What a lack of charm. Including myself.
Isn't it a bit unusual for a childhood friend? Well, maybe they have a good personality inside. I'm not disappointed that they're not girls or anything. Yeah. Really.
"Hey, what are you standing there for? And you, you're not even carrying any bags. Hurry up and get ready, don't keep me waiting."
"Huh? What the hell do I gotta get ready for?"
"...Are you still half-asleep? This is why commoners are so lazy."
Commoners, huh? This guy has a sharp tongue. Quite the casting choice.
Honestly, there's a bit of a gap between my expectations and reality, and it's a little depressing.
But then, one line from Ruzure instantly lifted my spirits.
"Of course, it's to get ready to go to the Knight Training Academy 'Valkyrie'."
Knight, Training Academy, huh...?
Hmm. Yes. Yes, this is a royal straight flush. We've hit the classic pattern.
Dear goddess, thank you. If I die next time, I'll serve you.
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