Seeing the affectionate atmosphere of the new couple on their first day, Ravi’s expression darkened rapidly.
The same went for Lenis and Elfin, who were eating at a different table.
Well, it made sense—just yesterday, their own love had ended, and now, they were watching the man they liked end up with their rival.
Of course, it would make them feel sick.
Unaware of the turmoil in those three hearts, the new couple, Bryden and Celine, picked up their food and searched for a table.
When they noticed me sitting across from Ravi, they hurried over in my direction.
“Hey, Alvis! Are you bothering Ravi again?! Today’s graduation day, and yet, even on the last day…!”
A tall, handsome young man with long black hair.
As expected of the protagonist of a romantic comedy, his looks alone gave him an advantage.
In the future… no, not even the distant future—very soon, he was destined to become the Holy Knight chosen by the Light.
He was the main character of the original light novel Loveholic and the protagonist of its sequel game.
Hearing Bryden criticize me, I felt a little put off.
Who did he think I was fussing over and trying to console? Not that I was doing anything wrong, but still…
Either way, I had already set things up, and now it was my turn to step back.
Since they had come over, all I needed to do was leave.
That way, the three of them—Ravi included—would have a chance to talk.
If they got a chance to talk things out now, perhaps it would prevent a situation years later where they ended up fighting.
“I thought maybe you’d change your attitude just because it’s the last day,” I said.
Celine looked down at me and scoffed.
“You really never change, do you? Just get up and leave already. You’re making Ravi uncomfortable. What are you doing, getting in the way of her meal?”
“I wasn’t getting in the way. The atmosphere felt gloomy, so I just stopped by to lighten the mood. But this works out well—since you two are much closer to her than I am, now you can be the ones to keep her company—”
▶ You have received a Stage 1 Rebound.
Thud—
Just as I was about to leave Ravi in their hands and get up, a sharp pain struck my stomach.
I clutched my abdomen.
What now!? I literally just set things up so Ravi could have an honest conversation with them!
Are you telling me that was the wrong choice? That I shouldn’t leave Ravi with them?
But if I just leave things as they are, I have no idea how things will turn out later. T
here’s a high chance it’ll end up like that garbage ending from the JOAT game…
‘Damn it… We’ve already passed the ending of the original Loveholic! How can they just throw this at me with no hints?!’
Breaking into a cold sweat from the pain, I desperately tried to rethink my strategy.
It was now clear that leaving Ravi with them was the wrong choice—that was what the Stage 1 Rebound had just confirmed.
I quickly adjusted my approach.
“—I was going to ask you to keep her company, but now I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“The reason our little rabbit lady has been looking so down since this morning. You two… are officially dating now, aren’t you?”
I pointed at the new couple, and their faces turned red as they nodded.
At that moment, Ravi’s expression darkened even further, and I seized the opportunity to push the couple away.
“In that case, don’t you think you should step away for now? Bryden, even as an outsider, I could tell how much you meant to Ravi. If someone that important to her is standing right in front of her with his new girlfriend, have you even considered how she must feel?”
“Huh?! I-I mean…”
“I know you’re closer to Ravi than I am, but right now, it would be better if you two left. Don’t sit here smiling while making things worse for her. Just go somewhere else and enjoy your meal.”
Realizing how inappropriate their actions were, even the couple seemed a little ashamed.
With awkward expressions, they got up and moved to another table.
Before leaving, Celine gave Ravi an apologetic look and muttered, “I’m sorry, Ravi…” But Ravi didn’t meet her gaze.
Now, only Ravi and I remained.
This time, no stomach pain.
So… this is the right choice? I’m supposed to be the one directly taking care of Ravi?
Ravi still wouldn’t look at me, but she did manage to express her gratitude.
“…Thank you.”
“You must feel awful right now. I won’t bother saying things like time will heal or it’ll be okay—I wouldn’t understand what you’re going through anyway.”
“Yeah, that’s actually better.”
“Not that any words would comfort you right now, but this is your graduation day. When they record this moment in the memory crystal, you’ll regret it forever if you’re making that face. Try to cheer up, even if just for that moment. Want some macarons? Sweet things help a little.”
“Heh, that’s unexpected. I never thought you had a serious side, Alvis. I always assumed you were nothing but a shallow, carefree idiot.”
“You really just said that to my face? And on graduation day, no less? If you were going to realize it, you should’ve done it sooner.”
“Well, at least I realized it now.”
Her expression relaxed slightly.
She sliced her salad, took a bite, and finally, for the first time, looked me in the eye.
“But Alvis, are you feeling unwell?”
“Hm? No, I’m fine.”
“It doesn’t seem like it. Just now, when you were talking to Bryden, you were sweating like crazy.”
“Uh… that’s probably just because I got a little nervous facing him… You know how he’s always been scolding and beating me up.”
“Lies.”
Ravi cut me off immediately, and I closed my mouth.
“I’m a Bunnyfolk. I can tell just by the scent whether someone is sweating from nerves or from pain. Alvis, you’re in pain right now, aren’t you? Where does it hurt? Judging by how much cold sweat you’re breaking out in, this doesn’t seem like something minor.”
Damn it, I forgot that Bunnyfolk don’t just have great hearing—they have an excellent sense of smell too.
As I racked my brain for an excuse, I decided to make up something plausible.
“Ugh… Well, I guess there’s no fooling a Bunnyfolk’s nose. But can you keep this a secret from the others?”
“Yes.”
“I have a chronic illness. Some kind of rare disease, though even I don’t know the name. Occasionally, it causes sudden bouts of pain like this.”
“What?! But I’ve never seen any signs of that in the past three years…”
“That’s because I didn’t want anyone to see me like this, so I’ve been managing it carefully. But I guess since today is the last day, I let my guard down. I must have miscalculated my medication dosage.”
Even though I had just made it up on the spot, the lie sounded surprisingly convincing.
After all, the pain did strike out of nowhere, so it wasn’t entirely false.
“Th-then, are you okay? I had no idea you had an illness like that…”
“I don’t even know how bad it can get. That’s why, while I was at the academy, I tried to enjoy my youth as much as possible. That’s why I kept flirting with you, Celine, Lenis, and Elfin all the time. Well, I got rejected by all of you, so I guess it was a complete failure. If I had known things would turn out this way, I should have lowered my standards.”
“Wait, why am I included in that? I get the other three, but…”
“What’s with that attitude? Why shouldn’t I have pursued you? In my opinion, you’re one of the most outstanding women at this academy. Honestly, I never understood why Bunnyfolk face so much discrimination.”
That part was my genuine opinion.
I mean, how could people discriminate against natural-born bunny girls? That’s insane.
Aside from the rabbit ears, they looked just like humans.
If anything, Bunnyfolk were even better than regular humans.
That much was just common sense.
As I noticed other students gradually leaving the cafeteria, I hurried to finish my meal and helped Ravi up.
“I’ve taken up too much of your time. The graduation ceremony is about to start, so I should get going. You should come, too, once you’ve settled your emotions. It’d be embarrassing to be late on the last day.”
“Huh? Ah… Yeah…”
Thankfully, the stomach pain didn’t return before I left.
This should be enough to smooth things over, right?
Once Ravi regains her composure, she’ll be able to face Bryden again.
Good job, me—Alvis!
Meanwhile, Ravi sat alone, reflecting on Alvis’s words.
Nothing about what he had said felt like a lie.
For the past three years, she had only thought of him as an eccentric guy who shamelessly hit on her, Celine, Lenis, and Elfin.
But today, for the first time in three years, she saw him in a different light.
He had always been an overwhelming presence—storming into situations, causing chaos, and making things lively.
But today, he felt more like a gentle breeze.
He had noticed her sorrow and approached her first, just to keep her company.
He had realized that seeing Bryden and Celine together was painful for her and had subtly pushed them away.
And, most of all, he had shown a clear sense of goodwill toward Bunnyfolk.
Someone who was supposedly suffering from a chronic illness had ignored his own pain just to comfort a heartbroken friend.
That wasn’t something just anyone could do, and she knew that without needing anyone to tell her.
Her drooping rabbit ears perked up slightly.
If only he had been like this from the beginning…
For the past three years, she had barely paid him any mind.
But now, after just a few minutes of conversation, Alvis had left a much stronger impression on her than ever before.
To be continued…