The Prince Wants to Pair With His Fiancé - Chapter 4

《Natsume’s point of view → Kaname’s point of view → Natsume’s point of view》

 

It was the morning of the second day of school in the second semester.

Kaname came to pick me up in his car early in the morning.

I hurriedly got ready and went out to the front door, where I saw an unfamiliar young man standing behind Kaname’s right side.

The guy had short black hair, intense eyes, and a sharp, handsome face. He was a slender and striking guy, and he was wearing the same uniform as me, but who could it be?

“Good morning, Nacchan.”

“Oh, good morning, Kaname. Who’s that behind you?”

“This is Shimada Misumi, and he will be Nacchan’s bodyguard starting today.”

Suppressing a yawn, I directed my gaze towards the unknown, strikingly handsome man, who Kaname then identified as my assigned bodyguard.

“Wow, seriously?”

We only talked yesterday, but he already had a bodyguard lined up. Talk about being prepared!

“Saegusa handed over the personal information to Kanade yesterday, and we can guarantee his identity and skill.”

So that means father has been informed too.

My father hadn’t said anything to me that morning. If that’s the case, it’s probably all pre-planned, so there’s nothing I can say about it.

Really, the alpha in front of me is way too good at maneuvering things behind the scenes.

I think what he said and did yesterday was probably a part of Kaname’s plan all along.

“My name is Shimada Misumi. Starting today, I will be at Natsume-sama’s side as his bodyguard. I will also be serving as a guard for the two of you within the academy, so I look forward to working with you.”

“Aah, I look forward to working with you.”

With that, Shimada bowed politely, and I hurriedly bowed my head in return.

“Regarding Shimada, from today onwards we’ll be in the same class.”

“Isn’t that an abuse of power?”

I glared at Kaname lightly.

No matter how you look at it, if transfer students were to enter an advanced class one after another and be constantly around each other, it would seem unnatural. It’s odd and would make one feel uneasy.

“Maybe so.”

“That’s right! It’s obvious.”

Kaname didn’t say it explicitly, but he chuckled and uttered words that sounded like affirmation.

Sighing, I realized that this was definitely going to result in the use of force, but Kaname urged me to go, and we got into the same car.

“You caused a commotion in class yesterday, so I really don’t want to go to class today.”

A day has passed, and while I’ve somehow managed to fix the personal relationship between Kaname and I, what happened in class is another story.

Still, I can’t accept that my situation in life will change so quickly. It’s not wrong for me to want to live my daily life peacefully.

If possible, I want to stay as quiet as possible.

“Really? I’m looking forward to it though.”

‘How carefree,’ I inwardly cursed.

He was an extraordinary man, irregular just by his very existence, and he didn’t seem to care what other people thought of him.

Worried about the future, I gave Kaname a warning.

　

“Don’t do anything in front of everyone today.”

“Hmm, I’ll do my best for now. But, I didn’t do anything particularly amazing yesterday, did I?”

He said nonchalantly. When I said, “We kissed,” he replied, “It was just a greeting.” When I said, “You hugged me,” he replied, “It was just a friendly hug.” No matter what I say, I can’t help but feel like I’m hitting a wall.

“Let me live a peaceful student life!”

Saying that, I puffed out my cheeks and looked out the window.

“But it’s so comfortable.” Compared to yesterday, the air-conditioned car interior is way more comfortable during the summer.

Nioumiya Academy is a school attended by many children of famous people.

Many parents drive their children to and from school, and there is a parking space for school buses next to the main gate. Today, I was driven there by car, which was a world of difference from yesterday’s walk.

When we arrived at the academy, the door was opened from the outside. I stepped out onto the ground and stretched. Today, too, the temperature had easily exceeded 30 degrees Celsius since morning, and the sunlight was intense.

“Tokura-san, thank you for bringing me here this morning. I appreciate it.”

“No, it’s my pleasure.”

He bowed his head with a gentle, friendly smile. I also bowed my head to Tokura-san, Kaname’s bodyguard, to express my gratitude.

“Tokura, I’ll contact you again on my way back.”

“Got it. Be careful on your way.”

Kaname nodded at Tokura-san’s reply and turned back to me.

“Well, let’s go, Nacchan.”

He naturally held out his hand, but I immediately slapped it away. What, are you trying to hold my hand so openly?

“A peaceful student life! Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“What a shame. I wanted to hold hands with Nacchan.”

“I’ll never do that at school!”

“Then let’s hold hands somewhere other than school.”

He responded with a friendly smile, but I couldn’t help but frown at his lack of understanding. At this rate, I couldn’t help but feel anxious about the future.

Does Kaname have no concept of embarrassment?

“No.”

Kaname was always the type to openly show his affection for me, to the point where I was able to immediately point out his own thoughts.

Being swept up by Kaname like this, my routine has been completely thrown off since yesterday.

Even if you tell me to accept it right away, I can’t just switch gears so quickly.

For the past four years, my surroundings have been quiet and peaceful, without any major upsets. If possible, I want to continue living a peaceful student life like this.

That’s what I thought…

Already, the stares are painful.

As I walk, I click my tongue at the feeling I’ve been experiencing for the first time in a long time since yesterday.

As I walk alongside Kaname toward the classroom, the stares I receive from those around me are extremely cold and painful.

I shift my gaze to Kaname walking beside me.

Considering that my gaze is directed diagonally upward, he may have grown a little taller since we last met. With his back straight and walking briskly, Kaname looked like a prince, and it was easy to see why everyone was captivated by him.

He’d always attracted his fair share of attention in the past, but now the attention he attracts has a different tone than before, and I sense flattery and enthusiasm.

The people who were staring at Kaname shifted their gaze to me, wondering who the person next to Kaname was.

Even without hearing it, I could imagine the hushed conversations that followed, and it’s not a very pleasant feeling.

To make matters worse, the handsome Shimada was following behind Kaname and I. I wonder what kind of picture we make.

Yesterday, I thought I would be able to protect Kaname from the insects like a repellent, but that wasn’t the case.

It was like I was constantly at the center of a whirlpool, and if anything, it felt like I was the one being eliminated like a bug.　

Thinking that, I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Nacchan, is something wrong? Are you okay?”

Kaname asked me with concern, perhaps hearing me click my tongue or sigh.　

“I just remembered how popular you are.”

Before he went abroad to study, even before he entered middle school, he attracted people regardless of whether they were alpha, beta, or omega.

Back then, there wasn’t as much of a height difference between Kaname and I as there is now. We were at the age where we wanted to play, so we were always together.

After all, I thought we were best friends.

When I was next to Kaname like that, people often commented on the difference in our social status and position.

Maybe it was because we were children, but unlike now, I used to rebel against those comments and complain, standing proudly next to Kaname without backing down.

But four years have passed since then, and I feel like our relationship has become a little vague since we separated.

I couldn’t gauge the distance between us over the past four years.

“Nacchan, are you okay?”

Before I knew it, I had fallen silent. Kaname peered into my face.

“Nacchan, only look at me.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Don’t worry about what other people think. Just think of them as extras.”

I understand what he’s saying, but I can’t quite swallow it. Even if he tells me not to worry, I can’t handle the way that other people make me feel.

“Don’t look at anyone else, only look at me. Don’t forget what I said yesterday.”

Saying that, he gently pats me on the head as if to comfort me.

Not knowing how to respond, I can only manage a bitter smile.

When I arrived at the shoe rack, still feeling somewhat bitter, two students called out to me from behind.

“Natsu, good morning.”

“Good morning!”

I turned around, saw who it was, breathed a sigh of relief, and replied.

“Kashiki, Fujiyan, mornin!”

The students who greeted us were Kashiki Hiou and Fujiyan, aka Fujita Kokoro.

They are classmates and, in fact, have been mutual friends of mine and Kaname since elementary school.

We’ve known each other for a long time, and when Kaname was around, the four of us used to hang out together a lot. Even after Kaname went abroad to study, the three of us continued to hang out together, and to me, they are what you might call my “partners-in-crime.”

“Shinomori too, good morning. It’s been a while, but I see you guys are still hanging out together, huh?”

“Shish, you caused a commotion earlier in the day yesterday, didn’t you?”

Fujita shows a malicious smile as if teasing me.

He must be referring to what happened in class yesterday. Ugh, even though I’m really sensitive about it, he mercilessly pokes fun at my weak spot.

“Shut up! I didn’t do anything wrong.”

I retorted to Fujiyan, pursing my lips.

“Good morning. It’s been a while, Kashiki and Fujita. I’m sorry I went home early yesterday without saying goodbye.”

Kaname smiled at his friends, whom he had not seen in a long time.

As they exchanged light conversation for a while, a quiet voice came from behind them.

“Kaname-sama, I apologize for interrupting your conversation. I have been called to the staff room, so I will leave you two for a moment. Is that okay?”

Kaname nodded in response to Shimada’s question.

“Oh, I see. Kashiki and the others are here too, so it’s okay.”

“I understand. Then I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Shimada bowed politely, turned on his heel, and left the room.

“I don’t recognize that guy. Who is he?”

“Nacchan’s bodyguard.”

Kashiki asked, looking at the man he didn’t know, and Kaname answered casually.

“Ah, I see!”

The two of them raised their voices in unison as they looked at Shimada, nodding in understanding.

“Hey, why are you two nodding like you understand?”

“This means we’re finally free from being Natsu’s protectors. Right, Fujiyan?”

“I agree.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

When Kashiki spoke, Fujiyan nodded in agreement.

Seeing the two of them in such harmony, I puffed out my cheeks.

How unfair! Thinking that, I left everyone behind and walked ahead toward the classroom.

“Now now, don’t get so angry.”

Fujiyan came alongside me and walked while trying to calm me down.

Kaname and Kashiki followed behind us with wry smiles, lagging slightly behind.

　

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Kaname’s point of view

“You guys really made a huge commotion yesterday. I got a notice this morning that you guys got engaged. I bet everyone else is freaking out about the news.”

Kashiki, who was walking beside him, said that.

“Yeah, maybe so.”

The Kashiki family is also what you might call a family that’s been established for a while now.

They’ve been famous in the ironworking and railway industries for a long time, and they’ve had a long line of leaders. Because of their work, they’ve had a pretty long relationship with the Shinomori family.

Since they contacted the community, it’s not surprising that the Kashiki family already knew about yesterday’s engagement.

“It’s just a formality. The engagement itself was four years ago, so it’s nothing new.”

“That’s true. Since you weren’t here, it wasn’t widely known, but for us, it’s nothing new.”  

Kashiki and Fujita both knew about our engagement four years ago because we had told them.

“But a bodyguard… will it be coming soon?”

“Probably soon. I’m back, so I think it will be sooner than expected…”

“Yeah.”

  

When I answered his implied question, Kashiki nodded as if he understood.

  

“While I was away, the two of you took good care of Nacchan, and I’m really grateful for that.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ve known Natsume for a long time too.”

  

Four years ago, when I left Nacchan behind in Japan, I bowed my head to the two of them.

While I was away, I had to leave only trustworthy people with Nacchan.

When I went abroad to study, there was nothing I could do about the physical distance, so I bowed my head to Kashiki and Fujita and entrusted Nacchan to them for his safety at the academy.

The two of them kept their promise and protected Nacchan carefully for four years. I am eternally grateful to them.

“This is finally the beginning of everything. But don’t push him too hard.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Kashiki is an alpha who has a mate.

In that sense, he is also my senior, and I can say that he understands my feelings better than anyone else.

As an alpha, Kashiki cares deeply about his omega mate, to the point of being blindly devoted, and has openly declared that he has no interest in anyone else.

Otherwise, why would I place an alpha next to Nacchan, who hasn’t yet found his mate?

In fact, in our class, the only alphas are me and Kashiki.

“Actually, when it comes to being in heat, all sorts of things can go wrong. It’s probably a good idea to have a bodyguard nearby for personal protection.”

He might be remembering the last time his partner went into heat. Kashiki raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

“So, Shimada was it? Is that okay?”

“Shimada is a beta, and he’s also undergone special training for when omegas go into heat.”

Kashiki nodded in understanding upon hearing that.

“I see. Maybe I should assign one to Miwako too.”

“If necessary, I can talk to Tokura and have him introduce a good bodyguard.”

“Hmm, I’ll think about it. But it’s almost time for Miwako to be mine anyway.”

Once you turn 18, it is generally legal to get married.

Kashiki’s mate and fiancée, Miwako-san, has decided to marry him once he turns 18.

It would be ideal for an alpha to keep their mate to themselves.

“That’s quite enviable.”

As we were having such a trivial conversation, a voice called out from above.

“Hey, hurry up!”

Fujita called out to us from the landing at the top of the stairs, and we said “Okay” and increased our steps.

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Natsume’s point of view

Finally, Kaname and Kashiki caught up with me and Fujiyan in front of the classroom door.

When the four of us entered the classroom, all eyes were suddenly on us. I thought that entering together would ease the attention a little, but instead, the fact that the four of us came together made everyone immediately surround us, wondering what our relationship was.

Perhaps they thought that if they did so, they might be able to get closer to Kaname themselves.

“Shinomori-kun, nice to meet you.”

“We didn’t have a chance to talk yesterday.”

“What? Did the four of you know each other?”

“Ah, did you go to the same elementary school? The same middle school?”

“You guys are close. That’s nice.”

“I heard you studied abroad, Shinomori-kun. That’s amazing.”

“Yeah, that’s cool.”

“Actually, I’m really curious about your relationship with Sasazuka-kun yesterday. What’s going on between you two?”

“Oh, that’s exactly what I wanted to ask! Are you really engaged?”

“You were kissing and hugging each other so naturally.”

Wow, it’s amazing… The rapid-fire conversation and the crowd of people.

I was stunned for a moment by the momentum.

I was jostled and almost pushed out of the circle, losing my balance. At that moment, someone grabbed my arm.

“Nacchan, are you okay?”

“Ugh, mmm…”

As I was pulled by the arm and looked up, I saw Kaname’s worried face looking down at me.

“Sorry, can we talk later?”

Kaname said to the gathered crowd, then turned back to me.　

“Nacchan, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. But it seems like everyone wants to talk to you.”

Everyone was looking at us intently.

I didn’t know what kind of expression to make at a time like this, so I smiled awkwardly and replied.

“I want to talk to you, Nacchan. Let’s go.”

Saying that, Kaname took my hand and led me to my seat.

“Well, I guess that’s it then.”

Fujita said, and Kashiki waved his hand, breaking up the circle of people.

When Kaname led me to my seat, he knelt down and brought his face close to mine.

”Nacchan.”

He took my hand as he called out to me, but for some reason I didn’t feel like pulling away.

His long fingers, warmer than my own, gently rubbed my hand.

For some reason, I felt a deep sense of relief from the warmth and touch Kaname gave me.

It seemed that I had been more tense than I realized since morning.

Softly, gently, from the tips of my fingers to my thigh, I let him touch me as he pleased, and the coldness of my fingers gradually mixed with his warmth, becoming the same temperature.

“Haha, that tickles.”

“Mmm.”

I let Kaname enjoy himself as he pleased, and then Kashiki and Fujiyan arrived.

“Has Natsu calmed down now…?”

“Yeah, he seems to be okay now.”

Kaname nodded to Kashiki and let go of my hand.

I felt a little reluctant to let go of that warmth, but I didn’t say anything.

“With so many people gathered, we can’t rest. For now, let’s act as a barrier for them.”

“Yeah. It’s pretty rough.”

Considering how we were tossed around, the two of them were probably willing to lend a hand as a barrier. I thought it was nice of them.

“But still, being swarmed like that, it’s like being treated like a rare animal, right?”

“Rare animal.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Fujiyan’s words.

Well, yes, the gathering of people was amazing, but… a rare animal…

“A rare animal? Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

Kaname smiles wryly as he looks at Fujiyan.

Only he could say something like Kaname is a rare animal in front of them. We’re all good friends so we can tease each other like this.　

“Yeah, but it’s so true, isn’t it?””

“Well, as long as Nacchan keeps me, I don’t care if people call me a pet or a rare animal.”

Everyone laughed lightly at that.

While laughing, my ears might have turned a little red.

A little while later, homeroom began, and Shimada, accompanied by the homeroom teacher, was introduced to everyone.

Well, those who understand will understand. An unnatural transfer student.

From that day on, Shimada’s constant presence by my side and Kaname’s side only fueled the rumors in the class, but that’s another story.