-A Comrade!?-

The first class of the day and it’s Language class. At least it’s just introduction day. I was sitting in the back, near the windows. Lady Rium is sitting next to me. We had the chance to choose our seats, unlike my previous life where we have to sit in alphabetical order based on our last names. Language class is pretty much the same as the English class in high school.

I let out a yawn as I rubbed my eyes. The classes started at seven in the morning and ended at six-thirty in the evening. The school day of this academy lasts way longer than high school’s, actually, it was longer than any other school time I know of. We even have to wear uniforms like those of a private high school. This red blazer and black shirt were probably more expensive than any clothing I owned back at home. I should make sure not to get it dirty.

After an hour of language, we went to our next class. Since Lady Rium and I didn’t have the same second period, we had to split up. My next class was on the first floor, so I had to walk down the stairs. As I walked down the halls, people whispered behind my back. They said how ugly I was. How I don’t fit here. Which is ultimately true. In the novel, the only commoner to attend this school was Alexandra, which is why I find it strange. This character… Am I really just a side character?

Entering my Etiquette class, I was met with a crowd of people. It was very noisy. What is going on? I slowly made my way to the center of the class to see two girls. One was, of course, Alexandra who was on the ground kneeling and the other girl standing mighty tall with long black hair that ended with drills like any villainess character I’ve seen in anime or manga. Her sharp blue eyes looked down on anyone who was below her. Yes, one of the main characters, or better yet, one of the rivals of the protagonist in Fight for Love and Acceptance. She was Claudia Arcemet, daughter of Marquess Carlos Arcement.

“Do you really think someone like you can really be called my classmate?” Lady Claudia laughed. “You are nothing but a commoner!”

Ah, the scene where Alexandra first meets Lady Claudia. To think I’m actually experiencing it. This has to be the best day of my life. Should I intervene?

“You shouldn’t get so full of yourself, Alexandra. You don’t even belong here!”

“How can you be so mean…?”

“Sorry? What was that?” Lady Claudia glared at the heroine.

“N-Nothing…” Alexandra squeaked out.

I really want to intervene. I mean, my favorite character is literally standing before me. Yes, Lady Claudia is my favorite character in the novel. I have no interest in all those other male characters that fall for the heroine. Lady Claudia had a domineering personality that was full of pride and selfishness. While she’s mean and likes to threaten others, it’s actually her way to conceal her loving tender heart that could easily be overrun with jealousy. She’s the kind of maiden that won’t show her true feelings and would act like a brute. In other words, Lady Claudia is a tsundere. I’m a sucker for tsunderes.

Unable to contain myself anymore, I walked forward and stood next to the heroine.

“Oh? What is this? Another dirty rat decided to grovel before me? Quite the ugly one aren’t you,” Lady Claudia said.

The noble in front of me was tall. She looked like she was four inches taller than me, but… Glancing down at her feet to see the heeled shoes… Maybe she’s only about three inches taller in actual height without the heels. I’m only 5’2” in this world. So cruel. In my previous body, I was at least 5’6” when I was fifteen.

“Reiré?”

I looked down at Alexandra to see her eyes filled with confusion. Strange, I would have thought she'd be tearing up. “Don’t worry” I whispered. Turning to face the lovely Lady Claudia, I greeted, “Hello, Lady Claudia. My name is Reiré Norman. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I did a courtesy bow to show my manners.

Everyone seemed to be shocked by this. After all, commoners are rude and unmannerly.

“My, to think a commoner has manners. I’ll applaud you for that.”

“Thank you, Lady Claudia. I was personally taught by Lady Rium Bazanine.” I hope Lady Rium doesn’t mind me using her name.

“Bazanine?”

I gave Lady Claudia a sweet smile. “Yes. Lady Rium and I are childhood friends.” Letting her know of my connections to the daughter of a duke should help settle things.

Lady Claudia frowned as she stared at me. I met her gaze and kept the smile on my face. It seemed like I had won as she clicked her tongue and sat down at one of the desks in the front row.

Everyone else began to sit down as well. I looked down at Alexandra and offered my hand. “Are you alright, Alexandra?”

“Um, yes. Thank you very much,” she said as she took my hand.

“It was nothing. Let us take our seats.”

Alexandra walked to the back of the class. I would have followed her, but… I glanced over at the desk next to Lady Claudia, which was still open. I could feel my chest pounding as excitement shivered down my spine. I’ll most likely get into trouble, but…

“Wha-!?”

I sat down at the desk next to Lady Claudia and gave her a smile. “I hope we get along.”

She had a look of disbelief in her eyes as she stared at me. She probably thought I’d want nothing to do with her, but she thought wrong. I wanted to have everything to do with her. I hope I have more classes with her. This will be a fun day. No, I’m sure I’ll be having fun every day now.

The third class came along and I was in the ballroom with other students. Yes, I am currently attending Dance class, it’s a required course for all students. And what’s great was that Lady Claudia was also in my Dance class. Alexandra was nowhere to be seen, it seems like she was in a different class. I kinda wanted to speak with her, but I’ll see if we have any other classes together. Since we are both freshmen, there’s a high chance I have another class with Alexandra.

“I wonder if someone as ugly as you can even dance so elegantly?” Lady Claudia laughed, followed by everyone else.

I ignored everyone else and only smiled at her.

Lady Claudia doesn’t seem to like my smile much as she began to glare at me. “Do you even know how to dance?”

“No,” I answered.

“Oh dear, then no one would want to partner up with someone as unskillful as you. You truly are a lowborn commoner, aren’t you?”

Oh? I quickly raised my hand and cheerfully spoke, “Teacher, Lady Claudia is trying to say she wants to partner up with me!”

Lady Claudia gasped, “Excuse me!?”

“Oh perfect. We have an even amount of students but we have too many girls. Since Lady Claudia is so kind as to partner up with another girl, this works perfectly.”

I remember some of these classes that Alexandra took in the novel, but I was a little worried about it, so I asked Lord Raphael to give me a rundown. Apparently, in Dance class, you will be paired up with a partner and that partner will stay with you throughout the school year. Exactly like how it was in the novel. I’m pretty sure Alexandra got paired up with Prince Clovis during her first class of Dance.

“Once everyone else is paired up, you will have these partners for the rest of the school year,” said the teacher. “So please choose carefully.”

“What!?” Lady Claudia screeched.

I let out a giggle. “I hope we can get along, Lady Claudia.”

“I refuse to be your partner for the rest of the year!”

Ah, her face is totally red. “How cute…”

“Don’t mock me!”

Oops. Did I say that out loud? Ah, this is so much fun. As expected of my favorite character.