Chapter 13

Under the shade of the podium, Haidiera and I exchanged glances for a moment.

“If what I saw isn’t just a figment of my imagination… can you tell me why?”

“Haidiera…”

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soft sound.

The surrounding noise faded away, and my mind honed in completely on the girl in front of me.

A fleeting dilemma crossed my mind.

What’s okay to say and what’s not.

If she had figured out there was something wrong with me to this extent, trying to deny it now seemed pointless.

After all, she was already sure about it inside.

Above all, pretending everything was fine when someone was genuinely worried about me wasn’t courteous.

“That’s…”

I made my decision and decided to speak the truth to her.

“I’ll let you know when the time is right.”

Not a denial, but a postponement.

That was my answer.

“Give me a little time to think. It won’t take long.”

Since breaking up with Tirisia was something I’d have to reveal in front of everyone sooner or later, it was just a matter of timing.

But before confirming that fact publicly, I needed to reach an agreement with the person involved, so for now, I acknowledged there was a problem but asked for a little postponement.

Of course, I had no intention of disclosing the true reasons behind Tirisia’s infidelity.

The only truth that others could know about was simply that Tirisia and I had parted ways.

I believed that Haidiera’s concern about my change stemmed from that deeper issue, but that disgraceful content had to remain buried in darkness.

This was for Tirisia, but fundamentally, it was for myself.

If I wanted to achieve my goals in any direction, I needed to maintain a calm and detached mindset and watch everything unfold.

So while it was uncertain if Haidiera’s question would be resolved, I was sorry that what I could share was only a small part of the whole story.

Even that required a bit more time.

“Really, I’m sorry.”

“Is that so…”

Upon hearing my answer, Haidiera let her bangs fall back down.

The strange pressure emanating from her dissipated, replaced by a gentle smile.

“I suppose you still need a little more time, Lord Erto.”

“It really won’t take long.”

“No need to apologize. This isn’t a matter of force; it’s just concern. I will simply wait until Lord Erto gathers his courage.”

“Then… I’ll say thank you.”

“Instead, I would like you to remember one thing, Lord Erto.”

“What is it?”

Haidiera reached out her hand over the lunch boxes, as if asking for a handshake.

I naturally placed my hand over hers, alternating between her face and palm.

Crunch—

She had a surprisingly strong grip.

“No matter what you think or choose, I will always be by your side as a friend. Don’t bear everything alone. Please remember there’s a place here where you can lean on when times are tough.”

“Haidiera…”

Though she often seemed like a timid girl, in moments like this, she was truly a solid and strong-willed friend.

I smiled gratefully and shook our intertwined hands up and down.

“Yes, I’ll definitely remember. Thank you sincerely.”

“……”

After sharing a warm moment, Haidiera suddenly noticed our clasped hands and awkwardly cleared her throat before withdrawing.

“Uh, ahem! Good, good! That’s exactly how it should be! Haha… I got a bit too wrapped up in what I was saying and acted embarrassingly…! How rude of me! Lord Erto!”

“Why are you suddenly blaming me? You’re the one who reached out first!”

“I-I don’t know about that! I didn’t say a word to grab your hand! You’re the rogue playing with a lady’s feelings, Lord Erto!”

“…Alright, I’ll let it slide.”

Compared to the adorable complaints from Rusika or Seldienne, this was utterly charming, so I laughed off the situation.

“Anyway, let’s hurry and finish eating. It’s getting cold.”

“Oh, right. We spent too long chatting during the meal. Eat up, Lord Erto. I’ll join you.”

“Eat a lot. I prepared all this just for you.”

“Hoo?!”

Haidiera flinched, her body jerking as she put rice in her mouth, speaking in a small voice.

“B-but, is this seat going to be a daily occurrence…?”

“Well, since Tirisia isn’t here, it seems like I’ll be alone for a while, but I don’t want to impose on others and ask them to join me all the time. I’m just planning to eat alone after the greetings.”

“Hmm… so that’s how it is? Uh-huh…”

Haidiera’s mouth twitched oddly. It was a strange atmosphere that made it hard to tell if she was smiling or plotting something devious.

“W-well then, how about this?”

“About what?”

“After everything I have planned is over, if no one approaches you first, I-I will be happy to fill in the empty seat anytime. Just let me know.”

As she said this, Haidiera wore a shy smile. It was the kind of expression a cat makes after accidentally meeting the eyes of a surprised fishmonger.

Hmm, why is she cautiously saying such good things?

I nodded without hesitation.

“Of course, I’d love that, but if that’s the case, why not just eat together every day instead of waiting for no one else to be around? Isn’t that a hassle?”

“W-well, that is…?!”

Haidiera wriggled her fingers in front of her massive chest.

“If I just naturally take the spot meant for Lord Bruerd every day, it would surely draw attention…! I might attract the disdain of other noble lords or spark some bad rumors…! That kind of position is too much pressure for me…”

“Well… I doubt anyone is going to care where Tirisia is, or who’s sitting next to me.”

I may look like I’m basking in the spotlight next to Tirisia Bruerd, the most famous person at the Academy, but in reality, I was nothing more than a mere baggage she dragged along; if left alone, I wouldn’t draw a single glance.

The interest directed towards Tirisia followed her wherever she went, leaving nothing for me.

Isn’t there no problem with that?

Then Haidiera lowered her voice and whispered secretly into my ear.

“W-well, to be honest… I fear that desiring a seat next to Lord Erto might attract resentment from others… since I’m just from a powerless, minor family from afar… such an audacious act is something I should avoid…”

“Huh?”

That was genuinely baffling.

It sounded like she was saying there were people eagerly vying for my attention.

Someone who would harbor resentment just because they wanted to share my lunch?

Weird… as far as I know, there isn’t anyone like that.

I raised an eyebrow and asked the giant girl next to me.

“Who exactly would want to eat with me? I don’t think there’s anyone.”

“……”

Haidiera, mouth full, finally swallowed and spoke in a calm tone.

Her tone was as firm as someone calling out their move in a game of chess.

“Do you really believe that?”

“…?”

I had no idea what she was going on about. It puzzled me greatly.

*

After finishing our meal tinged with slight seriousness, we bid each other farewell for the next lecture.

Before waving goodbye, Haidiera asked me a question.

“L-lord Erto, are you still going home together with Lord Bruerd every day?”

“Huh? Ah, yeah. We usually travel together to the Academy. Otherwise, it’s hard to see each other’s faces. Lately, he’s been quite busy with all sorts of things.”

What’s keeping him busy…? No need to explain that. In truth, I don’t really know myself.

Haidiera nodded while smiling, seemingly relieved.

“I see… I’m glad to hear you and Lord Bruerd are still keeping close during all his busyness.”

“Well, it’s kind of second nature now. We’ve been inseparable childhood friends even before we started dating.”

At those words, Haidiera’s smile faded slightly.

“Nothing in this world is guaranteed, Lord Erto. Surely, there’s someone’s great effort behind it. It’s important not to forget its value.”

“Hmm… that’s a good point.”

Though I didn’t know who she was directing it towards, her words felt different to me now.

I had taken it for granted that Tirisia was by my side for so long.

And I learned just how wrong that thinking was in the worst possible way not long ago.

Nobody is guaranteed in life.

I wonder if it was me or Tirisia who forgot that value.

I don’t know.

But I hope one day I can find that answer clearly.

Perhaps that answer will help fill the large void in my heart.

“I learned a lot today; I’ll keep it in mind.”

I waved goodbye with a smile, and Haidiera returned the gesture with a pleased, slightly sinister smile of her own.

*

Before heading to the next classroom, I returned briefly to the male dormitory to store my empty lunch box.

The dorm was a multipurpose building with large baths for showers after training, and personal rooms to store belongings, where students could study or take breaks during their free time.

As I reached my personal room, ready to grab the doorknob, I noticed a small piece of paper wedged under the door.

“Huh?”

What’s this? A letter?

Picking up the paper to check, I noticed it bore an antique seal stamped with wax, resembling letters commonly used among nobles.

There were plenty of nobles inside the Academy, but who would bother with leaving a letter instead of just coming personally?

Since there are no postal workers within the Academy, this meant someone personally slipped it in.

Who? Why go through all that trouble?

“Oh, wait.”

As I examined the seal, I recognized a family symbol I had seen quite often.

“…”

Frowning, I stepped into my room, tore open the seal, and unfolded the contents of the letter.

There were two sentences written in large, precise letters that seemed to express pure rage.

[To ignore you is simply unacceptable!]

[I’ll be waiting in the garden at lunch!]

……

Eek.

---