“Ha….”
Shirud let out a deep sigh.
He had lost track of how many times he had sighed already.
The reason was simple: today was the day of the Academy’s exam.
It wasn’t that he was particularly worried about the exam.
After all, his mother, Serena, didn’t care much about test scores.
However, the biggest problem was that even people who usually didn’t come to school had to show up for the exam.
That’s right.
Luke Irushi would come to school.
Should he consider it a blessing?
Ever since that conversation they had last time, Luke hadn’t come to school.
He could think of many reasons why, but that wasn’t what was important.
What mattered was the fact that “Luke would definitely show up at the Academy to take the exam today.”
Shirud couldn’t help but worry about that fact.
So, it couldn’t be helped.
The boy he had misunderstood as dating due to his own assumptions was actually homosexual, and he learned that Luke didn’t harbor any romantic feelings for him at all. Ever since discovering this, Shirud had been kicking his blanket every night while recalling Luke’s words.
“If I had to choose an ideal type, a woman like Renie Arinseia would be great.”
Women.
Women.
Women.
The word kept circling in Shirud’s mind.
That was how shocking it was to find out that Luke liked women.
“Who would have imagined that Luke was homosexual….”
But why hadn’t Luke told him that sooner?
If he had, Shirud wouldn’t have been left to misunderstand everything by himself!
“Of course, he wouldn’t be able to say that so easily…”
Shirud shouted inwardly, but soon found himself resigned.
To be honest, who could easily admit to being homosexual?
Even though people in this age possessed a more enlightened mindset than in previous eras and marriage among beastmen, humans, and elves was no longer strange, homosexuality still occupied a different realm.
Societal perception wouldn’t be favorable.
So it probably made it impossible for him to say it.
Even if he were in Luke’s position, he thought he would feel the same.
Once he had that understanding, another thought occurred to him.
“Why did I say those things to someone like Luke!”
What? Did that mean he could now talk easily with girls? Did he find some enjoyment in the subject of magic?
Did he not want a falling-out?
Thinking back now, every single line he said felt so embarrassing that he could die!
He wasn’t in his right mind back then!
And above all, “Isn’t it good that the Third brother is bigger than me!”
In retrospect, that could only be seen as a problematic statement!
That statement sounded like he was overly concerned about being shorter than others!
At this age, it wasn’t that special for an elf man to have this height!
Well, okay, he was on the shorter side among elves…
But that was because he had the blood of a high elf, who lived longer than other elves, so his growth was slower—he absolutely was not short!
“…”
Shirud closed his eyes for a moment and tried to clear his cluttered mind.
And then, once again, a sigh escaped him.
“Ha…”
If it were up to him, he didn’t want to come to school at all today.
However, not showing up for an exam was something that even Serena would not easily forgive.
Even if he felt insecure about the exam, running away was not an act fitting for a man.
When put that way so decisively, he had nothing to say.
In the end, Shirud had no choice but to shuffle his feet toward the Academy.
“Well, at least I’m glad I didn’t see Luke on the way to school…”
Originally, Luke wouldn’t come to school this early.
But the world rarely goes as one wishes.
Thud!
“Ugh?”
“Shirud! It’s been a long time! What a coincidence running into you on your way to school!”
Shirud was startled by the sudden impact around his waist, which caused his normally bent posture to straighten up.
However, what surprised Shirud wasn’t the shock to his spine.
“Lu, Luke?”
“Why is Luke here at this time?”
Seeing Shirud’s surprise at Luke’s earlier arrival than usual, Luke, looking quite delighted, laughed refreshingly.
“Walk tall! You don’t want to look smaller than usual, right? Hahaha.”
“Ugh. W-What are you talking about? Mind your own business.”
Shirud replied gruffly while avoiding Luke’s gaze.
When he saw Luke, he felt that embarrassing history bubbling up again.
Moreover, being told he looked smaller than usual?
Could it be that he was implying what he said back then?
In that brief moment, Shirud’s mind raced with thoughts.
“By the way, why did you come so early today? You don’t usually do that.”
“I just finished my morning preparations a bit early.”
Could it really be because of such a ridiculous reason…?
As he was about to grumble in his mind, he realized it was actually a pretty reasonable explanation, so he dropped it.
“Oh… I see.”
“Right.”
“…”
After those words, an awkward atmosphere settled.
It felt as if he were in a situation with a girl who had confessed only to be rejected.
In reality, it had just been a misunderstanding.
No one had confessed or been rejected, but…
“…”
He had no idea how long the silence had gone on, so Shirud glanced at his wristwatch.
Oh, but thinking about it, checking his watch wouldn’t tell him how much time had passed.
He hadn’t looked at the clock before meeting Luke.
“I feel like I’m becoming really dumb…”
Shirud thought he had become foolish.
If he could, he wanted to flail his arms and legs and wish to disappear, but that would be too conspicuous, so he could do nothing.
Instead, he straightened his back.
It wasn’t because he looked smaller than usual.
Um, if someone were to ask why he did it…
“…”
In any case, it didn’t matter.
Luke, seeing Shirud avoiding his gaze, tilted his head in confusion.
How many times can this kid’s expression change in a few seconds?
“But why are you so flustered? Is it really that strange that I came to school a bit early?”
“Not really… t-that’s not it. Just a bit surprised…”
He didn’t want to admit he was surprised to see the person he didn’t want to see, but it was a fact that he was quite surprised.
“If so, I apologize for surprising you all of a sudden.”
“…It’s fine.”
Shirud roughly accepted Luke’s apology while rubbing his back.
It still felt like the spot Luke had hit was sore…
“…Huh? It doesn’t hurt anymore?”
At Shirud’s flustered voice, Luke laughed heartily as if it were amusing.
“Hahaha! So, did your back feel better?”
“…Now that you mention it, I guess it does…?”
“Right? From behind, your shoulders looked so slumped that you seemed weak. So, I just gave it a slight push on your blood points.”
Shirud suddenly revealed curiosity at the unfamiliar term.
“Blood? What’s that?”
It was advanced medical knowledge that would normally not be shared easily, but Luke couldn’t help but respond to the cute question from his disciple.
“Oh, blood refers to a type of magical treatment that uniquely developed in the Eastern Continent a long time ago… Hmm. Are you perhaps interested in blood points?”
Shirud remembered Luke’s lengthy and elaborate explanation about past constellations and quickly shook his head.
“No, I’m fine. I’m not really interested.”
“Hm? That’s too bad. Knowing about it can change how your body feels.”
Luke waved his hand and opened and closed his fist, smiling.
He really looked enjoyable.
What in the world could be so fun…?
“Ha.”
Shirud suddenly thought he might have been staring too intently at Luke’s face and hurriedly turned his head.
He felt like he almost lost himself in that laugh, and inwardly berated himself as he clenched his fist.
And watching this, Luke thought, “What’s wrong with Shirud?” but suddenly let out an “Ah!” and covered his mouth.
“I’m sorry; I promised to be careful with my laughter.”
At Luke’s sudden awkward tone, Shirud questioned cautiously.
“…Huh? What do you mean by that? Being careful with laughter?”
Luke answered casually.
“Oh, that’s because I recently realized that my appearance is too cute for others to see. Because of that, I thought I shouldn’t let out laughter at just anyone. So I decided to be careful with it, but here I am smiling unconsciously again.”
“…Huh?”
Somehow, Luke was suddenly saying something very narcissistic…
The following statements were even more outrageous.
“It’s a real problem. I’ve gotten into the habit of smiling thoughtlessly so often that I keep making these mistakes. Even if I try not to smile, I end up doing it. That can’t be helped, can it? Hmm.”
“Ah, I see…”
Shirud’s eyes, which had cooled down, turned toward Luke.
Had he suddenly eaten something weird?
Was Luke always like this?
However, Shirud was astonished by what Luke said next.
“Maybe that’s why such a disaster occurred. I wonder if it’s my fault that you fell in love with me back then…”
“Ugh!! Noooo!!! Be quiet!!!”
In the end, Shirud had no choice but to flail his arms and chase Luke away.
