An oasis is a fertile or green area in an arid region. A place where water was abundant within a desert. A haven, a place of refuge and relief.

The main stage of the otome game "Lovely Happenings", this royal academy, might as well be a desert to me. With Aria, the heroine, here, I can't let my guard down and must be on constant vigilance if I don't want to be framed and fall into one of the many bad endings "Alterisa" had.

"Ufufufu~ Risa-sama~ Please have another bite~ Here you go. Aaaaaaaaah~"

"Aaaaaaaum~ Mmmmm~! It's so delicious~ THank you, Evelyn~"

"Ah! That's not fair, Evelyn! I was supposed to be the one feeding Risa-chan next!"

"Alterisa-sama~ Here, please try this one as well~ Aaaaaah~"

"Aaaaum~"

"Ah! Even Noir!!! Hm? Ah! Illya, why are you trying to sneak past me again?!"

"H-Hauuu... B-But, I-I want to feed Alterisa-sama as well!"

"Gnununu... But I was supposed to be next!"

"H-How immature... We are students of the Royal Academy. Please maintain your dignity and act accordingly."

"...Celine, you're not that convincing when you have already prepared a bite for Risa-chan on your plate."

"K-Kuh!"

But... If the royal academy is a desert, then this must be my oasis... An oasis of beauties...

If someone saw what's happening here, I'm sure they'll cry rivers of blood in jealousy and envy.

What a sinful woman I am, monopolizing the academy's greatest beauties to myself~ Well, I don't feel guilty~

With a table full of various kinds of desserts and tea Anne and Maria-chan prepared as well as some desserts the girls brought, we enjoyed the morning together in my dorm room.

I was a bit worried that some of them might not be able to join since it's so sudden. But it seems like that worry was for naught. They all came here fairly quickly and were all very excited to have this little girls' gathering.

With a fragrant tea in my hand, I watched the girls talk to each other very amicably. They seemed to be competing for some reason, but I guess that's just how they get along.

They're all graceful and elegant ladies of nobility, but when we're not in public, they'd become just like any other girls their age. And seeing them like this makes me so happy. It feels like we're not only friends because our families have close relationships with each other, but true, genuine friends.

As I was falling into a daze, I noticed Evelyn silently moving her chair towards me. And when we're super close, she began to whisper.

"Risa-sama... Are we perhaps the first guests to be invited to your room?

"Hm? If you don't count Lu-nii as a guest then... I guess you are."

A beautiful smile bloomed on her face, and for a second I can swear I saw blue flowers blooming from behind her as well.

"Hm~ I see~ Ufufufu~ It's an honor, Risa-sama~ May I also invite you to be the first guest to my room~? I will prepare a lot of snacks that you love~"

Ooooh~ A sleepover at a friend's dorm~? That sounds like a great idea~!!!

"I'd be happy too~ I'll look forward to it, Evelyn~"

"Yes~!" "Ah! Evelyn is being sneaky again! No fair! Risa-chan has to visit my room too!!!"

"M-Me too! I-I will prepare a lot of snacks for Alterisa-sama!"

"U-Uhn! I have several novels I would like to share with you, Alterisa-sama! I will send an invitation to you as soon as possible!"

"I-I'll also prepare some tea and snacks for you as thanks for today, so y-you should come and visit... B-But don't get the wrong idea, okay?!"

"Uhn~"

Ufufufu~ Looks like I'll be sleeping around in these girls' room more than I would my own~

After finishing my cup of tea, I took a deep breath and prepared myself.

There was a reason why I invited all of them here today. It's to tell them about my situation...

"Everyone... May I have your attention?"

All the girls immediately quiet down and looked towards my direction, their faces showing confusion and wonder.

"I invited everyone here today to make a request. Some... situations that have arisen recently have made me uneasy if I were to wander around the academy alone."

"Eh? Why? Are you targeted by a bad guy, Risa-chan?!"

"No. If I were, I wouldn't be so worried since I have Iris with me."

I looked towards Iris and smiled at her, causing her blush. Cute~

"It's... something different. Which is why, if it is not too much of a bother, I would feel better if one of you could stay with me at all times while I'm in the academy. If I were to be with at least one of my most trusted friends, I would feel safer."

All the girls went quiet, and for a second I almost felt afraid that they would reject it.

"I-Is it too much to ask...?"

Ah... My voice... I failed to control it. I tried to keep a steady voice, but I failed to hold back my inner feelings.

And as soon as I said that, the girls all became flustered.

"T-That's not it, Risa-sama! Of course we would love to spend even more time with you!"

"Yes! I would love to spend my time in the academy with you, Alterisa-sama!"

"That's right! Being with Risa-chan is more like a reward!"

"U-Uhn! I would love to spend more time with you, Alterisa-sama!"

"T-That's right! What sort of misunderstanding did you arrived into, i-idiot..."

Ahh... So they don't mind spending time with me... That's a relief...

"We were just thinking about what might cause your plight, Risa-sama. Hm? Could it be..."

Evelyn held her chin with her thumb and forefinger and crossed her other hand under her heavenly pillows.

"Does it have to do with the golden-haired commoner who approached Raeven-sama during our tea time in the garden, Risa-sama? I saw you starting to act strange and turning pale at the sight of her... Ah, it seems like I was right."

Just by recalling that memory, I unintentionally went pale once again and my hand began to tremble. And the moment I realized what I did, I let out a sigh.

"Yes... It has something to do with her. But I can't elaborate any further. I'm sorry..."

"I see..."

The girls all looked at me with worry as silence fell upon the room before Illya spoke up.

"U-Uhm... I've actually heard some rumors about her..."

"Eh? Rumors?"

"Uhn. I heard it from a girl in my class. She was the daughter of the Marquis ruling that girl's hometown, and apparently, the golden-haired commoner had a truly depraved personality. She had stolen the lovers of her friends and even had multiple lovers at once. She's always flaunting her beauty, exploiting males, and living a life of debauchery."

Illya continued.

"I was truly surprised when I heard it and didn't believe it at first, thinking the academy wouldn't give such a person a scholarship. However, after knowing that she possesses an affinity to the light element and seeing her behavior during our tea time, I could confirm that all her words are true."

My eyes widened as Illya continued to speak.

I mean... it's all true, but I didn't expect such rumors to already proliferate a day after the matriculation ceremony.

A noble girl... Daughter of a Marquis... Could it be?

No, there's no other girl aside from her! It must be Amelia-sama's daughter, Camelia! Is she spreading those rumors so no guys would be fooled by her?

What a good girl~

"How appalling... To think such a person would be in this royal academy... Even if she has affinity to the Light Element, there needs to be a limit!"

"That's right! How could such a nasty girl enter the academy!"

"I agree... However, it'd be difficult to have her be dismissed from the academy because she possesses a scholarship. Unless she did something outrageous enough that the academy couldn't turn a blind eye on her..."

Eh? N-Noir? Is it just me or are you insinuating something?

No!!! You can't do anything to her! If you do, you might get framed and be on the losing side!!! She's the heroine!!!

"Everyone. I appreciate your concerns. But, I don't wish to trouble anyone or have anyone be dismissed from the academy. All I wish is to be with my best friends while I'm in the academy so I can feel relieved."

"Risa-sama..."

Uhn... This is better. I don't want them to do or scheme anything against the heroine. If she's a reincarnator and knows the events to start conquering the capture targets, then she must also know the tricks, schemes, and bullying plans Alterisa and her goons used against her.

If these girls tried something like that and get caught, they might be blamed for harassing and bullying her, and I don't want that!!!

I won't let my sweet, angelic girlfriends be stained by that heroine!!!

"I understand! I shall accompany you every day, Risa-sama! If you wish, I-I can also m-move into your room~?"

"Ah! Your'e being sneaky again, Evelyn! Risa-chan, I will accompany you! Don't worry about them, we'll have fun our own way!!!"

"No!!! Alterisa-sama will spend her time with me! I-I will also accompany her even after we return to the dorm! T-There are a lot of r-romantic novels I would like to read together with Alterisa-sama!"

"I-I will not back down on this! I wish to be with Alterisa-sama as well! Alterisa-sama, I'm trained with the sword and I was even praised by Roland-sama for being talented! I can protect you along with your knight!"

"U-Uggghh... A-As your f-friend, I also have the duty to protect you. So you need to stick with me, you got that!"

"Everyone..."

Aaaaahh... These girls are the best!

"I love all of you~!!!"

Right after I said that, the girls suddenly piled onto me into a massive group hug. And the morning tea time turned into an entire day of hanging out together, even until the sun went down.







AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!