Chapter 101: In Place (1)

Leaving the cage thought to be eternal, taking clumsy steps toward a new story.

The autumn wind fluttered while holding wishes.

Leaves shattering into pieces.

As the disheveled season dyed the streets, just then running horse hooves left tracks over the maple leaves.

We were crossing a long-stretching road.

Clatter-.

Was it because it was high-class?

Not even a trace of noise existed from the rolling wheels.

It only advanced smoothly.

"......"

Watching the scenery passing outside the window.

Colors adding a piece of peace.

It was a scene where red and yellow blended naturally.

But separate from the peaceful atmosphere outside, only awkward silence circled inside the carriage.

I quietly observed the surroundings.

"Hmm."

The children were all equally quiet.

The rose turned her gaze away.

The Little Prince seemed somewhat cautious.

And the maid between the two princesses was sweating nervously.

The air was heavy.

'Should I say it's difficult?'

I chewed over a low mutter.

The invisible wall that existed between the children. Feeling that reality, a sensation of breathlessness arose naturally.

I sat needlessly tapping my knee.

'Well.'

Perhaps it was due to the long gap in their relationship.

The feeling of awkwardness was strong.

Having grown more accustomed to thorns than conversation by now, they might find this tranquility rather unfamiliar.

The mirrors they looked into after nearly 5 years were endlessly strange.

Especially in Elise's case.

Usually, she would have thrown out several insincere sneers with the purpose of pushing away her sister, but now sitting quietly made her feel strange.

You could call it a sense of disconnect from unfamiliar peace.

Though she tried to maintain an indifferent expression, her trembling green eyes proved her wavering.

I was silently watching their confrontation.

"...Um."

Suddenly breaking the silence.

The one who spoke first was none other than Charlotte.

Though the girl still seemed hesitant, her eyes didn't miss her sickly sister's appearance.

She briefly opened with:

"Are you feeling better? Are you recovering well...?"

Inevitably words worrying about her sister.

Timid as if watching for reactions.

The usual unpredictable 4D girl had disappeared, leaving only the Little Prince concerned about the rose.

It also meant her affectionate heart was particularly special.

"Eyes will be drawn when we arrive at the Academy. Tell me if it feels burdensome. I can handle it."

"......"

The will to be of help.

Her voice sank.

She held her breath for the cold response that would soon return.

However, unlike her ice-cold resolution, what reached her ears was an answer not sharp at all.

It was the rose's words:

"I got it... so take it easy, Sister."

Though her tone was still irritated, it didn't have thorns like before.

Usually she would have spat out curses first.

That alone was already a noticeable change, but what surprised the other two was something else.

Namely, the title the girl attached to the end of her sentence.

"Sis...ter?"

Charlotte blankly chewed over those words.

A full 5 years.

The title she couldn't hear since the rose became twisted.

Having been called "you" every time, a lingering attachment remained like a scar in a corner of her heart.

Perhaps she had missed her sister.

Because memories existed of when they were kind to each other.

"Ah."

Drop-.

A tear fell.

Was it joy?

I couldn't judge.

I only watched the flowing scene while wearing a faint smile.

The girl seemed to gradually soak in the wish she had dreamed of.

"Y-Your Highness... don't cry..."

Tanya wiped her cheeks with a handkerchief.

Even she couldn't hide her sobbing voice.

Having watched the two's pain from closest by, the girl had enough qualification to shed tears at that single title.

The carriage instantly filled with moisture.

I was appreciating each different reaction.

"W-wait... why is everyone crying and making a fuss?"

From the rose bewildered as if she hadn't expected this.

"Waaah...! Your Highness has changed!"

The maid finally burst into tears.

"......"

To the Little Prince silently wiping her eyes.

While feeling the intimate air, suddenly blue eyes met my gaze.

I smiled lightly.

Charlotte looked this way with a complicated expression.

Her lips seemed to mumble briefly, then soon pronounced barely audible words.

"...Thank you."

I answered calmly.

"Don't mention it."

Words returned as if it was natural.

The girl smiled faintly.

Mixed with gratitude.

It was a handful of freshness.

***

After arriving at the Academy.

For the rose's transfer procedures, we immediately went to find Class A's homeroom professor.

A woman steeped in fatigue greeted us.

"Master."

Long flowing purple hair.

Red eyes showing a dull light.

Even a liquor bottle she seemed to have no intention of letting go.

She was still full of gaps as ever.

Upon discovering me, she heaved a deep sigh and pushed aside the documents she had been processing.

She seemed to swallow words she couldn't speak along with alcohol.

"Phah... you've brought quite a big matter this time, Student Yuda."

Dark circles clear around her eyes.

Traces of staying up all night.

With the sudden news of the Second Princess's transfer, as the professor in charge of that class, she must have been hit with a bomb of paperwork.

As the person who dropped this thunderbolt, feelings of apology came first.

"I am ashamed."

"I wasn't trying to reproach you. Just that it seemed to exceed the scale I could cover up, so I spoke out of some elderly concern."

Of course, Selena didn't show it.

Rather, as if it was nothing, she only offered a few words of concern toward me.

"Student Yuda is really hard to understand."

"Saying that... yet you don't ask a single question this time either."

"That was our contract from the start."

"I feel guilty only receiving help every time."

"You don't need to mind. I've completed the procedures for transfer. I'll gather the related documents, so you may leave now."

"Thank you."

I received a lot of help this time too.

Even with the title of head teaching assistant, professors who provided this level of convenience were rare.

Though she seemed bothered by everything, she was still someone who took good care.

I left a brief thanks toward Master and moved my steps toward the outside where the children were waiting.

Until then.

"......"

A strange gaze followed behind my back.

***

Although it was a matter decided just four days ago, news of the transfer had spread throughout the academy.

The Second Princess who hadn't done any external activities until now.

Perhaps because she was a figure shrouded in veils.

It was a natural progression for attention to be drawn to news of her showing herself.

Thanks to that, we had to go around with subtle gazes attached.

"...I don't like it."

On the way to the assigned dormitory.

Suddenly the rose sitting in the wheelchair expressed her displeasure.

It was because of the eyes following wherever we passed.

It was already the outside world she was stepping on for the first time in 10 years, and with interest shown from here and there, she seemed to feel dizzy.

Detecting the atmosphere that had grown sharp by now, I soothed her.

"Please be generous in overlooking it."

"I feel suffocated... I want to rest in a quiet place quickly."

"As you wish."

Elise would know too.

The attention pouring now didn't stem from any particularly bad intentions.

The students were merely curious about news that hadn't existed before, and interested in a fellow student they would share academy life with from now on.

There weren't any particularly rude attitudes either.

The children not only didn't approach close, they didn't even think of making eye contact.

It was because of the atmosphere where cold wind brushed past.

'Is it because of the gloomy impression?'

Added to that.

Since she was glaring as if annoyed, children seeing her for the first time couldn't help but be scared.

They didn't know what might happen if they got on her bad side needlessly.

"The dormitory is soon."

I pushed the wheelchair gently.

As we were crossing the distance like that, suddenly there were voices reaching our ears.

"Y-Young Master...?"

"You!"

Familiar calls.

When I looked back, girls with pink hair and blue hair were standing side by side.

The protagonist and villainess who had now become best friends.

With thoughts of it being a long time, I gave greetings.

"It's been a while, both of you."

"You're back...!"

"Where were you and what were you doing to come only now?"

Regia showing a bright smile.

Emilia slightly furrowed her brows.

Two people expressing their welcome in their own ways.

Perhaps having heard news of my return, they were waiting at the path to the dormitory.

I spoke softly.

"I didn't expect you would come out to welcome me like this. I'm simply happy for both your hearts."

"We were waiting!"

"Don't include me too, would you? I simply went along with the commoner's fuss."

"But, y-you were the one who first brought up welcoming..."

"Don't add unnecessary words!"

"Eek... s-sorry..."

After sharing the joy of reunion briefly like that.

The children soon turned their attention elsewhere.

To the wheelchair I was pushing.

More precisely, to the rose sitting on it.

"Then this person..."

Words blurring faintly at the end.

Both seemed to know the existence before their eyes was a princess, perhaps having heard some news.

The children bowed politely while greeting.

"We greet the Empire's second star."

"W-we greet... the Em-Empire's second star."

Awkwardly flowing atmosphere.

Elise answered.

"I understand so get up. Please don't do this, it's burdensome."

The princess tried hard to accept greetings.

While watching enjoyably from one step behind, Emilia who had risen from her spot asked me.

It was words whispered barely audibly.

"What exactly happened during that time...?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't pretend not to know."

The girl was asking about the rose.

It was a natural question in a way.

The Second Princess who had never shown herself before.

They would have heard news of me suddenly being together beside her who had expressed transfer intentions.

It was worth being curious about.

What had happened.

Why I was pushing the princess's wheelchair.

What connection existed between us.

I showed a malicious smile and parted my lips with a leisurely attitude.

"Huhu... you're asking about the relationship between Her Highness and me."

I thought about teasing them a bit.

If I spoke here as if having an intimate relationship with the princess, wouldn't their reactions be pretty interesting?

While loading my chaos instinct with a grinning heart.

"Regarding Her Highness and me...!"

"I'll tell them."

"Eh."

Elise who had been quietly listening cut in.

"Your Highness...?"

"Be quiet."

Sudden intervention from the person herself.

The girl stepped forward and took over my words just as they were.

"This guy said."

The rose took my hand that had been on her wheelchair.

Then pulled it to her embrace.

The guided hand settled on the girl's stomach.

The contact that felt somewhat explicit made one feel warm temperature through thin cloth.

The eyes of the two watching girls grew large.

"That he would make me happy."

Words fully loaded with potential for misunderstanding.

At the sudden bombshell statement, I could only respond blankly.

"What...?"

No.

How could you say it like that?