I Quit the Harem Scripted for Me

The host's voice rang out from the front of the hall before I could make sense of the comments.

"Next, let's welcome our student council president, Cassidy Spencer, to deliver her speech to the freshmen," he said.

Applause erupted in the hall. I was sitting in the center of the first row, but Cassidy didn't notice me. Her gaze was trained on the right side of the hall as she stood on stage.

A male student in a worn-out uniform was sitting there. He had refined, handsome features. His skin was pale from lack of sunlight. His back was ramrod straight as he pursed his lips. His gaze was cool and unyielding in the face of everyone's scrutinizing stares.

He calmly averted his gaze when he sensed Cassidy's eyes on him, looking at the other side of the stage.

[There's so much yearning in Cassidy's eyes!]

[The male lead's pride must have taken a hit. He hates the special privilege that wealthy heiresses have more than anything else.]

[Jasper is going to go crazy out of jealousy soon and rush forward to give Micah a hard time!]

I followed Cassidy's line of sight and looked over at the right side of the hall. Millie Tiller and Sierra Porter were sitting on either side of the male student.

Millie was the captain of the fencing team. She had a short temper and usually couldn't sit still, but at that moment, she was quietly holding the male student's bag for him.

Sierra's head was buried in a book of competition materials. There was a glass of warm water sitting at the corner of the table. The temperature of the water was probably just right for consumption.

She'd done the same for me in the past because I had a weak stomach and couldn't drink anything that was too cold. However, at that moment, she was showing her attentiveness to someone else.

I averted my gaze. A year had passed since we last saw each other. It seemed that they had learned how to take care of others during that time.

It didn't take long for Cassidy to wrap up her speech. She descended from the stage and walked toward the male student, asking, "Does the uniform not fit you, Micah?"

"It fits just fine," Micah Lyon answered in a low voice. "It's just worn out from how many times I've worn it."

"I'll get someone to prepare a new set for you."

"No need," he said stiffly, rejecting her suggestion without hesitation. "I have a part-time job after school. I can earn my own money to buy it."

Millie frowned, saying, "It's just a uniform. There's no need to be so polite with us. You're a grown man. You don't have to be so stubborn."

Sierra looked up and added, "The school provides financial aid for impoverished students. You can apply for it. There's no need to feel embarrassed."

Micah's jaw tightened in an instant. "Thank you, but I don't need any charity."

Cassidy frowned before she turned to look at me. The familiarity had disappeared from her eyes, leaving only wariness. "Jasper Hobson."

"Did you need something?" I asked, looking up at her.

"Micah just transferred here. He's not familiar with the school, so don't give him a hard time because of some baseless rumors."

I glanced at Micah, who was behind her. He didn't shrink back at all when he met my gaze.

"I'll return the position of student council vice-president to you since you're back, Jasper," he said coldly.

Cassidy's frown immediately deepened as she swiftly shielded him behind her. "Micah's stubborn and prideful, Jasper. Don't give him a tough time just because you're the heir of a prestigious family.

"He was the one who did all the hard and tiring work for the student council when you took a year off. He's not someone you can bully as you please."

"Drop the high-and-mighty act, Jasper," Millie chimed in with a scoff. "We're at school. No one's going to bend to your whims."

Only Sierra remained silent as she sat there and adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. However, her gaze was also glued to Micah.

Countless comments rapidly scrolled across my vision.

[Jasper must be so mad. After all, he used to be the center of everyone's attention.]

[He always treated these three exceptionally talented women as his possessions. He's probably going to lose his temper soon now that they're protecting someone else.]

[I'm waiting for Cassidy, Millie and Sierra to slap him in front of everyone after he loses his cool out of jealousy.]

I quietly looked at Cassidy, Millie, and Sierra. I had my doubts when I saw the comments for the first time. But after coming face-to-face with their wary behavior and cautious gazes, I finally confirmed that the comments were true.

They had found someone new to fawn over when I took a year off to travel overseas to treat my illness. A poor, stubborn replacement who shared some resemblance with me but was as sturdy as a weed when it came to his will to survive.

I didn't lose my temper like the commenters were expecting me to. I also didn't ask them why they'd had a change of heart. I just felt bored.

Cassidy's frown deepened further as she looked at me, looking like she was bracing herself for my impending tantrum. However, I just brushed past her and made a beeline toward the stage.

The principal was standing on the stage and preparing to give his speech. When he noticed me ascending the stage, he was briefly stunned before he exclaimed, "Mr. Hobson! What are you—"

I didn't beat around the bush and grabbed the microphone from him. "Greetings, everyone. If I may have a minute of your time."

The raucous noises in the hall immediately quieted down as everyone in the hall turned their attention to me.