I’ll Live A Long Life to Adore My Absolute Fave—Currently My Stepbrother!

With the auditorium buzzing with activity, the entrance ceremony began right on time.

After the speech of the headmaster, which was so long that it made me feel as if I was going to fall asleep, it was time for the address by the president of the student council. His Highness the Second Prince stepped up to the stage and spoke in a clear voice, saying at length how he would support us from now on and that we should do our best. 

Afterwards, the remaining members of the student council appeared on stage.

“Here are all the ten members of the student council who will support all of you, the new students.”

Amongst them, stood Brother’s nemesis1—Adrian. His body became even bulkier from before–it felt like he was ready to join the knights at any moment. As per usual, despite ranking first and second, Brother and Bruno refused positions in the student council. Right at this moment, both of them should be sitting at the back of the rows as regular students.

After the introduction of the student council members, the teachers responsible for the new students were introduced, and then the school nurse appeared on the stage. He had an amiable face and a friendly manner of speaking. 

Yes, he was one of the capture targets, who was supposed to be a school nurse in the senior high—the setting of the otome game. As I watched the stage in astonishment, somehow I thought I caught a glimpse of the school nurse looking at me.

.

Since the only thing on today’s agenda was the entrance ceremony, I didn’t have to return to my classroom, instead, I rose from my seat and looked for Brother. I heard that this year Brother and Bruno were in the same class, so I darted my gaze around, wondering if I could find either of them. 

There, a boy who sat beside me called out, “Hey!”

I glanced in his direction, trying to guess who he was, then he squinted at me and asked, “You were the one who came to the class with Mr Saliente, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

When Brother’s name was brought up, I was on guard–was he also charmed by Brother’s coolness? We both stared at each other probingly, and then I heard someone calling my name from behind me.

I happily responded, “Brother!”

As he saw me standing still at my seat, it seemed he had come searching for me instead. I had completely forgotten that my classmate was talking to me; I reflexively turned my head in the direction where Brother’s voice came from. Brother had his arms open wide, I almost ran to him but halted in place.

Uh, we were in public, there were still a lot of people around. Sven had reminded me that it was not proper to be clinging on Brother in front of outsiders, as if I were to do that, it would bring shame to Father and Brother. 

As I froze abnormally, Brother’s shoulders shook while trying to suppress his laughter.

“What a pity. So Alba won’t jump into my arms in the academy.”

“Orsis, don’t say outrageous things.”

Behind my giggling Brother stood Bruno.

“Brothe—” “BRUNO!”

I heard the voice of the classmate beside me, but our voices overlapped and I didn’t catch what he said. I turned to him with an apologetic expression as I had cut him off, but he looked displeased, wearing a frown on his face.

“Alba, congratulations on starting your first day of school! You look so good in your uniform. Do you properly carry your medicine?”

“Yes, Sven prepares it in my pocket every day. I tend to forget it.”

“Pull yourself together. You’re already a junior high student.”

“I’ll do the best I can!”

When I said this with a sharp salute, Bruno’s mouth curved up in a smile for a moment. Then he quickly returned to his normal face and looked at the classmate beside me.

“Also to Joule, congratulations!”

“I don’t need any congratulations from you.”

My eyes popped out in surprise from my classmate’s words.

Now I remembered, Bruno had mentioned before that he had a little brother the same age as me. I’d never expected that this boy would be him.

Their facial features weren’t exactly similar, but if you told me they were brothers, then I would notice that their sharp eyes—inherited from their father—were indeed alike. Over the years, Bruno’s eyes appeared to become even sharper; I secretly thought it was due to nearsightedness that caused him to squint lately. So that was genetics at work? It was not near-sightedness after all? Then I wondered when he would start wearing glasses like in the game.

My mind trailed off for a bit there, but the stinging voice of Bruno’s little brother returned me to my senses.

“Even if you see me in the school, please don’t say hello to me. I’m not free enough to play with you, hmph!” Bruno’s little brother warned with his eyes narrowed in disapproval before he glanced at me and quickly averted his gaze, as though he had no interest whatsoever.2

Brother broke the tense atmosphere, “I’ve heard that your relationship as brothers is not close, but…”

“He’s getting more and more cheeky every year. Compared to him, Alba is really so cute.”

“Well, he’s my little brother.”

“I know that. I won’t meddle between you two!”

Brother flicked Bruno’s forehead as the latter watched his little brother leaving.

.

The next day, I entered the classroom to see my classmates already flocking in groups. Apparently, families belonging to the same faction usually had their children interact since they were small. Throughout their childhood, they held tea parties and other events where they got to know each other and became close.

I had never attended such occasions so I had zero friends as of now. To kill time, I found a random chair to sit on and opened a book I borrowed from Brother.

When Brother first entered school, I heard that he also opened books to avoid being spoken to. Speaking of which, when I first started having my weekly lunches with brother, I happened to see him reading. I got overexcited, almost getting hit by a seizure, and had to be remonstrated by Sven.

I just couldn’t help myself; the scenery where Brother was holding a book in his hands was just too divine. Just remembering it could make my heart thump wildly… Oh no, oh no, that was close. I dug into my pocket for Bruno’s candy and once I was sure it was in place, I took a deep breath and calmed my palpitating heart.

Bruno’s little brother was chatting with a few other students. He seemed nothing like the cold person I witnessed yesterday; he was smiling like anyone his age. When I looked at his face like that, his smile was indeed similar to Bruno’s.

.

My morning class ended after textbook distribution, self-introductions and orientation. For lunch, Brother apparently had prepared them at the usual salon, so I said my farewell to the others and left the classroom. I walked with a fast pace—careful not to run—down the familiar hallways towards the salon.

Midway there, I walked in front of the teachers’ lounge and saw a face I knew across the hallway. As I stopped in my tracks, the other party also realised my presence and casually waved at me.

“Hey ya, Orsis’s lil brother! It has been a while. It makes me at ease to see you all healthy. Congratulations on your first day of school!”

“I listened to your speech yesterday. Thank you for your wonderful words.” 

When I replied in a sober and respectful manner, the student council president in front of me—His Highness the Second Prince—chuckled happily.

“When you greet me like that, you really make me feel that you’re indeed Orsis’s little brother. Neutral and non-committal, as if there’s a wall between us. In the end, I never managed to break down that steel wall of Orsis’s even after a few years together in junior high.

“Well, Brother is always perfectly on guard.”

“Ah, I’m happy to see you the same as ever. Have fun at the academy!”

“Yes, thank you.”

He ruffled my hair into a mess and said goodbye before he nimbly walked away. 

His Highness didn’t give off such a vibe before he became the student council president, but now he was clearly closer to his socializer self in the game.No one would doubt his position as the main hero; he was upright, had a good personality, was sociable and he had nearly no flaw whatsoever. Currently, he was turning exactly into that character. 

The only thing that felt off was the fact that he was walking by himself. Ah, that reminded me! Ever since Brother’s nemesis visited our house for an apology, I think I haven’t seen them together.

Although they were still working alongside in the student council, was he removed from His Highness’s list of close aides? After all, the people in the student council were basically decided by their results at the academy. I remembered that Brother’s nemesis also had excellent results.

After watching His Highness’s back for a bit, I rushed off to the salon—I couldn’t wait to have my lunch!

chocolala: Alba also seems to forget he’s now in a ducal family that never has problem with money, but everyone is cute pitying Alba for his slow growth…Other than Orsis, Alba’s presence already affected other capture targets’ lives, can’t wait to see the appearance of the supposed MC of the otome game!
voeaki: ;^^ i hope alba can make some more friends his age… so he can develop his harem <3

 

 

Footnotes

In the raw, Alba calls him Tenteki-kun. I don’t remember if this is how he calls him before, but since I’ve tl-ed it as Brother’s nemesis, I guess I better keep it constant, but nemesis-kun sounds cute too, lolEh, you were the one who first talked to Alba though…