The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 11
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11
“See? Cutting your hair makes such a difference. Thank you, big sister.”
“Oh, you look absolutely wonderful~! Our dear Heinrich.”
‘Tsk, you foolish boy.’
Sisrain and I exchanged quick glances—a silent signal to hurry—as we swept up the hair scattered across the floor.
Not a single strand of silver hair remained visible.
Fortunately, Heinrich was too absorbed in admiring himself in the mirror to notice.
‘A perfect crime.’
Sisrain and I locked eyes and nodded solemnly at each other.
I was beginning to feel our coordination improving. Then a thought suddenly struck me.
How wonderful it would be if Heinrich and Sisrain could become close friends the way we were.
“Hmm….”
After pondering for a moment, I raised my index finger slightly and spoke up.
“You two, have you ever heard the saying ‘a friend’s friend is a friend’?”
“….”
Sisrain regarded me quietly, while Heinrich opened his mouth, eager to appear clever.
“Of course. It means a friend of someone I’m close to becomes my friend too.”
“Exactly right! Our Heinrich is so smart!”
I clapped my hands in praise, and Heinrich’s chest puffed up with pride.
Without hesitation, I grabbed both boys’ wrists and forced their hands together in what resembled a handshake.
“So, why don’t you two become close friends as well? You’re both my friends, which makes you friends with each other.”
“….”
“….”
In that instant, both boys’ expressions twisted simultaneously.
Heinrich’s face screamed utter disgust, while Sisrain’s radiated subtle contempt.
‘…Do you really dislike each other that much? Children, honestly.’
But if things continued this way, they’d never grow closer. When would they ever reconcile?
This was precisely the moment when a reliable bridge-builder was needed!
I spoke with determination.
“You might actually become wonderful friends!”
“Sister, I told you. I won’t befriend someone so filthy.”
As Heinrich stared at Sisrain like he was a discarded bone, Sisrain looked back at him like he was an annoying fly and spoke.
“I don’t want to be friends with that silver-platter blockhead either.”
“What!? Silver-platter blockhead?”
Oh no, you two can’t do this!
If the situation escalated further, I had no choice but to deploy my secret weapon. The two had vastly different personalities, but they shared one crucial thing in common.
And that was….
‘They both follow me very well!’
“But Sisrain and Heinrich are friends I really care about! If you two don’t get along….”
I let my expression grow melancholy.
“I think I’m going to be sad.”
“…!”
Heinrich, who had been hissing like a cat, flinched at my words. It was as if he’d just witnessed his master crying loudly and uncontrollably.
Heinrich grimaced with an “Ugh,” then, as if he had no choice in the matter, released a long sigh and took Sisrain’s hand first.
“….”
Sisrain, whose eyes wavered with emotion as he looked at me, clasped his hand in return.
“If that’s how you feel, then there’s nothing we can do about it….”
“Don’t be sad, Anette.”
Watching the two little ones shake hands, I felt a sinister smile bloom within me.
‘Hehe. Sorry, you two little ones.’
It was all an act. Pure theater.
Had I just taken another step toward a happy ending?
With a bright, cheerful expression, I wrapped both my hands around their small, delicate fingers and shook them vigorously up and down with all my might.
“Yes, from now on we’re going to help each other and become even closer friends!”
‘Ah, how satisfying.’
Was it merely my imagination that everything was unfolding so smoothly?
“Oh right, you two should talk for a bit. I’m going to check on Julian since his nose keeps running!”
It would be nice if they could have a cozy reconciliation moment alone. Then they’d grow even closer. They’re still so young, after all.
Little children always bicker one moment and become fast friends the next.
I waved my hand cheerfully and smiled.
“See you later at the Dormitory!”
Then, humming a tune that came naturally to me, I left the Secret Hideout.
After Anette departed.
The boys, who had been quietly glaring at each other, simultaneously yanked their hands away as if burned.
Heinrich snarled.
“If you keep pretending to be friendly, I’ll kill you, you beast.”
Sisrain was equally unforgiving.
“You too. Get lost.”
It was the tragic collapse of a hastily constructed bridge of reconciliation.
* * *
The next day.
“Now then, the Apple Orchard has quite a lot of perfectly ripe apples, doesn’t it? Today is the day we experience farming!”
Mislin, the outdoor experiential learning specialist, beamed with her red hair and freckled face.
The apples, maintained by magical power, were already ripening beautifully and appetizingly, as if kissed by autumn sunlight.
A sweet and tangy apple fragrance drifted through the air.
“Remember, we only pick from the trees until they feel tired. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“Oh, and one more thing—using abilities or magic to pick them is strictly forbidden!”
The teacher made her instructions clear before departing.
‘Wow, these apples are really beautiful.’
I picked the red apples one by one, placing them into the basket with a cheerful smile.
Personally, this was a genuinely enjoyable lesson. After spending all my time in the Classroom studying subjects that gave me headaches, conducting outdoor classes under the warm sunlight left my chest feeling refreshed and invigorated.
The younger children seemed delighted too, their bright laughter bursting forth repeatedly.
Hmm? But Julian was standing beside me doing nothing, looking rather vacant.
“Julian, isn’t the apple-picking lesson fun?”
When I asked, Julian extended his chubby little hand toward me with a single apple resting on it.
His sky-blue eyes sparkled brilliantly.
“Teacher said if it’s hard, we can stop picking.”
Julian wiped his forehead with the back of his tiny hand and made a “phew” sound.
“It’s hard.”
‘Oh my goodness, how adorable.’
Oh dear, our little one picked just one apple and it was difficult?
I raised my fist and declared energetically.
“Then I’ll pick them for you, and you can have some too!”
“Yes~!”
I picked apples quite diligently for Julian’s share as well. Each time the basket filled with apples, I felt oddly satisfied.
I rubbed my nose thoughtfully.
‘Heh, maybe I’m actually a talented farmer?’
Truly, I’m an exemplary student who excels at everything except awakening. Hehe.
While I was giving myself praise and picking apples, I noticed Sisrain staring intently at an apple.
Even a philosopher making a great discovery wouldn’t wear such a contemplative expression.
…Is picking apples really something to be so serious about?
Still―
‘My little one is adapting well to class?’
I felt a natural sense of pride and affection welling up.
Just days ago, he was living in the Cave barely eating properly, and now he’s actually participating in lessons!
And outdoor lessons at that.
Feeling that he needed unlimited encouragement, I went over and smiled warmly.
“How’s it going?”
“Good.”
I checked Sisrain’s basket.
It was filled with only the most beautiful apples, arranged carefully and meticulously.
It looked just like a basket of jewels.
“Wow, Sisrain really picked such beautiful apples.”
Sisrain looked at me quietly and licked his lips.
“…Because I like beautiful things.”
“…!”
Why are you saying such things while looking at me, you charming little child.
Even at eleven years old, what would normally be an unremarkable comment somehow sounds like flirting thanks to his angelic charm.
“Hmm. I want to have the most beautiful apple here. Let’s compete! Whoever gets the most beautiful apple wins!”
“Yes.”
Sisrain smiled softly.
I spared no praise, lavishing compliments upon him.
“Sisrain, you really are excellent at picking apples. It’s impressive.”
“Sister, is picking apples well impressive?”
That was when Heinrich suddenly interjected with the question.
Showing no interest in this apple-picking experiential learning, he had casually selected a ripe apple and was crunching away at it.
“Of course it’s impressive!”
So couldn’t you be a little more diligent during class time?
“…I suppose so.”
Suddenly, Heinrich hurled the apple he’d been holding away and turned around. He seemed to mutter something like “It’s all over.”
…I had the distinct feeling I’d made a terrible mistake.
‘Still, it’s better than his usual lack of diligence in class.’
I was muttering this to myself when—
I spotted Sisrain, who had somehow climbed the tallest tree and was picking apples from its highest branches.
It was a special orchard managed by cultivation magic, where the apple trees grew as tall as bamboo.
“…Sisrain, you’re taking this seriously.”
Then I couldn’t afford to lose either.
I too did my best to select the most beautiful apples.
And then, moments later—
Sisrain leaped down from the towering tree.
“Ah! That’s dangerous!!!”
I was genuinely alarmed he might be hurt, but Sisrain landed safely from a tree many times his own height.
Ah, so that’s what an Awakened’s class ability is?
‘I feel a little sad now, having been proud of my talent for picking apples.’
Seeing my dampened spirits, Sisrain approached me directly and extended his hand, showing me what he had picked.
“…Wow.”
In that instant, I forgot my melancholy and gasped in admiration.
The apple, bathed abundantly in sunlight and gleaming brilliantly, was truly beautiful.
Its red, smooth surface possessed an almost lustrous sheen.
The fragrance was intense and wonderfully sweet—enough to make my mouth water.
And so the competition for “obtaining the most beautiful apple” was undoubtedly Sisrain’s victory.
Could it be that even in apple-picking, I as an extra couldn’t compete with an Awakened?
I spoke, feeling somewhat diminished.
“…It really is beautiful.”
“Take it.”
“Huh?”
The boy gazed at me quietly, his eyes a deep crimson like the essence of summer itself.
“This is the most beautiful apple here.”
I recalled what I had said earlier—that I wanted to have the most beautiful apple from this place.
So you picked it for me?
This beautiful apple, glistening like a star in the place closest to the heavens….
“But if you give this to me… won’t Sisrain lose the competition?”
At that moment, a soft, delicate smile—like early summer leaves—bloomed across the boy’s face.
“I don’t mind losing.”
“….”
“I’ll lose everything to Anette from now on.”
At those tender words, my heart melted like cotton candy.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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