The next day, Earl entered his class to a strange scene.
The Prince of Ofrain, Mark- the man with a princely exterior but a dog's mouth was engaging with the heroes. More specifically, Kayo in particular.
Taking a second look at her, the Japanese girl was truly a looker. She had perfect skin, clear eyes, and an elegant aura.
The strange part was not of them engaging together. The Ofrain Kingdom did summon them over after all. What was strange was the overly flirty behaviour of the prince.
"Have you thought my offer through?" Mark smirked as he lifted Kayo's chin with his fingers. "Accompany me for lunch today, won't you?"
There was an obvious look of discomfort on the Yamato Nadeshiko's face, and Iori was helpless to interfere.
"You are a vile man." Iori insulted with disgust.
"So what? If anything, that's what makes me more charming. Wealth, status, looks, charms. It seems like I got everything!"
"You shouldn't rough a woman up like that." Earl casually spoke up as he pulled Mark back. Not only did the prince have the mouth of a street dog, he also felt like one. Earl felt the need to change his gloves afterwards.
"Huh? Do you have any issues with the way I am courting this wonderful lady over here?"
"It seems like you are not taught to speak up from the faraway land you came from." Earl glanced at Kayo. "Would you like me to speak up for you?"
"Tell him, Kayo. It's none of his business, is it?" Mark joined in a low tone.
"Sorry, Earl. I really can't implicate you-"
"It seems like the answer is yes." Earl cut her off. He internally laughed at the drama he was about to cause. "Mark. Did you know? Kayo has a boyfriend. She's already taken, you see. I reckon her boyfriend wouldn't like you harassing her this way."
"Huh?" "Huh?" "Huh?"
Kayo, Iori, and Mark collectively let out voices of confusion at Earl's bold statement.
"It seems like the boyfriend is here. You better watch out, Mark." Earl looked to the door.
At Earl's cue, the door opened, and Shin walked in with his usual clueless face.
"Come here, Shin."
"What's up?"
"It seems like your girlfriend is being harassed."
"Huh?"
"See? Now let's leave these two lovebirds alone, Mark." Earl casually wrapped his arm around Mark's shoulder and dragged him out.
"You cowardly bastard! When did you get your hands on her!?" Mark profusely cussed on his way out, helpless against Earl's grasp.
"..."
"..."
The heroes speechlessly watched as Mark was taken away.
"Umm, can someone fill me in?" Shin finally spoke up after breaking out of his confusion.
"What do you think? Same old. Prince Mark asking for Kayo to be his queen and stuff." Iori answered.
"Mhmm." Kayo subtly nodded.
Shin immediately grew hot-headed. Anger filled him, which immediately simmered down. He was helpless. He had no power. The other party was a prince, while he was just some random guy who got transported into another world. "And what happened..?"
"Earl helped us out; weren't you paying attention?" Iori let out an aspirated sigh.
"He said we're a couple," Kayo spoke, not daring to look at Shin. She had implicated so many people because of her inability to speak up. But who could blame her? Thrown into this foreign world all by herself, her only backer was the Ofrain Kingdom. What could she possibly do on her own as a woman in this medieval magic world with no supporters? She could only tread lightly despite being uncomfortable with the prince's advances.
"But isn't this kinda exciting?" Iori suddenly let out a strange smile. "This is straight out of a melodrama. You guys can pretend to date to avoid that creep! Then eventually, you both will fall in love for real and then become conscious of each other! Then the fake relationship will fall apart, and you will avoid each other! And then! And then! You guys will have a heart-to-heart talk and kiss and become real lovers!" Iori placed her hands on her cheeks as she swooned in her fantasies.
Shin and Kayo, at this moment, mutually agreed to ignore her without a word. However, they could barely meet each other in the eyes.
Shin grew red because what Iori said could really become reality!
Am I really worthy of her..?
Bam!
Shin smacked his head back to reality.
"Shin..?" Kayo called out in a meek voice.
"Y-yes?"
"What I was saying earlier, are you okay with that?"
"What you were saying earlier?"
Kayo grew beet red at the prospect of having to say it again, but she was determined. She had already implicated enough people, might as well go all the way! "B-boyfriend. Can you p-pretend to be my boyfriend?"
S-S-She's so CUTE!!!
Shin felt like several years of his lifespan were lost from how fast his heart was beating.
"Y-yes, please take care of me." He instinctively reached out for a handshake.
Kayo was led by the momentum and shook Shin's hand without thinking much about it.
"Pffftahahaha. You guys are so awkward and cute!" Iori teased from the side.
"S-so what should I do as your boyfriend?" Shin scratched his face. "Sorry, I've never done something like this before."
"So you're a virgin." Iori quipped. "It's alright; we knew."
Iori was promptly ignored once again.
"For starters, y-you can sit next to me."
And so, they sat next to each other, subtly feeling each other's warmth while being completely red in the face.
Earl sat in the back, watching this cute scene with Luka.
"Why did you help them out?"
"I thought it would be a shame."
"A shame?"
"Unique Magic, you know about it, right?"
"Yes, it's something exclusive to them." Luka narrowed his eyes.
"It probably wouldn't be developed to its fullest potential if Mark keeps bothering her."
"I see. You are quite devious."
"A little kindness goes a long way." Earl chuckled.