Three days had passed since the meeting ended.
There was only one week left until the Fall Festival at Caldera Imperial Academy. It was truly just around the corner.
However, I had no particular reason to hurry. The theme for the festival booth we were going to run had already been decided as a haunted house, and the preparations and budget execution for that were being handled well by Daniel and Vivian.
We had even gone together to purchase some props needed for the haunted house, so the only thing left for me to do was submit the receipts and budget usage statement to the Academic Affairs Office.
I could almost hear the muffled voice of Chief Charlotte in the Academic Affairs Office, who had been overwhelmed with busyness due to the upcoming event, but unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to help.
All I had to do was do my best in my own position, rather than bothering Chief Charlotte by offering to help.
So, what I had to do right now was…
“Hmm…”
I gazed blankly at the three small envelopes in my hand. I shook them a bit, held one up for close inspection, and even ran my fingers over the seams of the envelope for no particular reason.
It was an old-fashioned envelope. Since it was prepared directly by Caldera Imperial Academy, they must have spent a considerable amount of money on it.
“Professor Lucio. What are you pondering so deeply about?”
The person who approached me was none other than Professor Esther Garrett, who had come to chat in my office without saying a word. Her clear eyes, like a scoop of the Milky Way, soon turned towards the envelope I was holding.
“Ah… The staff invitation… Haven’t you distributed it to the people around you yet?”
“Yes. I’m a little… bothered by it.”
The staff invitation was given to faculty members working at Caldera Imperial Academy, and when they handed them out to acquaintances they wanted to invite to the Fall Festival, the people holding the invitation could enjoy all festival booths and activities for free.
Of course, the cost for the festival booths wasn’t that expensive, but the perspective of the person receiving it mattered. It was, in essence, a type of welfare benefit for staff.
“Have you already used yours, Professor Esther?”
“Ah, yes. I gave it to my younger sister and friends.”
“…I see.”
And now, with only a week left until the Fall Festival, I still had not used the invitation. It wasn’t that I couldn’t think of anyone to give it to.
“Priest Peter, Priest Camilla, Priest Matthew…”
Among the priests I had at least some acquaintance with outside the academy, these were the ones I could consider inviting. Even so, they were quite far from the Holy Empire, so I doubted they would actually come even if I sent them an invitation.
“Of course, excluding the Adelhaid Duke. As for Jericho… we’re not that close, so let’s not narrow the gap too much. As for Chief Curbin… let’s just not mention it.”
The three I just thought of were not particularly close friends either. If I were to be picky, Nina from the Imperial Knight Order seemed to have developed some degree of friendship with Sub-priest Sofia, but to me, we were practically just acquaintances.
At this point, there was only one name that came to mind.
“Colonel Meijhem…”
The last time I met Colonel Meijhem was at none other than the Imperial Mausoleum.
That day, when I was pushed to the edge, taking Sub-priest Sofia with me. It was the first time I had seen Colonel Meijhem so angry.
It was quite possible that I would return the favor of Sub-priest Sofia’s kindness with a wound, so looking back, it wasn’t surprising that Colonel Meijhem was angry…
Still, since I hadn’t seen him since then, it felt a bit awkward to suddenly send him an invitation.
“Professor Esther. May I ask you one thing?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I have someone I want to give the invitation to, but if it’s simply my fault that my relationship with that person has become awkward… I don’t know what to do.”
“Hmm…”
Professor Esther started to scratch her cheek in thought. I wasn’t necessarily asking her for a proper answer.
Perhaps I wanted to involve someone completely unrelated to gain some comfort once again. Thinking that, I felt my conscience prick every time I met Esther’s clear gaze.
After a moment of deliberation, Professor Esther raised her finger and spoke.
“Well… isn’t it alright?”
“…Really?”
“Yes. If the reason you made the mistake first, Professor Lucio, you should have the courage to approach them to apologize. I think that’s right.”
“……”
I nodded heavily and set the envelope with the invitation on one side of my desk. When I was alone, I would send the invitation to Colonel Meijhem.
I would send one to Colonel Meijhem, one to his wife, Melissa, and then for the remaining one…
‘…Is this okay?’
Suddenly, a sense of doubt about my life up to now washed over me. Were there really so few people around me that could be called “acquaintances”?
Up until now, I had not been particularly dissatisfied with not having acquaintances. The issue was that I didn’t have anyone I could legitimately call a friend.
That fact struck me as particularly bitter. The only person I could call a friend, someone with whom I was relatively close…
‘…Cesar.’
I bit my lip tightly. I felt a deep sigh escape me involuntarily.
All the people I had formed connections with were met on the battlefield. I didn’t want to recall what had happened to them.
Cesar was one of the few people who survived all the ones I could call friends, formed during the Great War.
But, such a Cesar was no longer here.
Besides Cesar, if I were to name someone I absolutely wanted to take to the academy festival…
‘Helena.’
Helena had mentioned the festival a few times. She said the fireworks event on the last day was so beautiful and suggested we go see the festival together someday…
“…Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue without realizing it. Gathering my swirling thoughts and my tangled emotions, I slowly tried to calm my breathing. Professor Esther cocked her head to the side as she watched my demeanor.
“Are you alright? Why are you suddenly…?”
“It’s nothing. Just… yes. Nothing at all.”
“Is that so? Hmm…”
“……”
Now that I think about it, Esther was also there when Cesar took his own life.
At that time, it seemed that Professor Esther had also been shocked, as I recalled her showing some degree of confusion.
That was only to be expected. If someone’s head exploded from a bullet right in front of you, there wouldn’t be anyone unaffected. I opened my mouth towards Professor Esther.
“Professor Esther. Now that I think about it…”
“Yes?”
“……”
And then I quickly shut my mouth. I stared at Professor Esther’s eyes for a moment, and then avoided her gaze that seemed to hold the night sky.
“…It’s, nothing.”
“…What’s with this uneasy feeling?”
Professor Esther squinted her eyes and looked at me, but I thought there was no good reason to bring up unnecessary topics. I decided to refrain from mentioning Cesar in front of Professor Esther.
As time passes, it will be completely forgotten. Since Professor Esther likely had not experienced a similarly intense event as I had, she would probably forget soon enough.
So, until then… if I could just bury it.
‘Then, everything should be fine.’
Upon reflection, I realized I might have been too indifferent towards Professor Esther. After being assigned to the academy, she was the first to approach me, and she was also the first to establish a friendship with me.
Now that Cesar was gone, if I were to name someone I could call a friend… it would probably be Professor Esther.
Of course, the reason I was currently troubled was that I had to impose the condition of being an outsider, but that was that.
“Professor Esther.”
“Yes? Did you call?”
“Um… about the tea you gifted me earlier, I’m enjoying it.”
“Oh my. Is that so?”
Professor Esther nodded with noticeably brightened expression. Having succeeded in shifting the topic of conversation for now, it was my turn to continue the dialogue.
“Yes. It seems to be good tea, both in aroma and flavor. Next time, I will repay you.”
“If you enjoyed it, then I’m happy… but how do you plan to repay me?”
Professor Esther edged closer. The gap between us had narrowed more than before, and a subtle fragrance tickled my nose, whether it was her natural scent or perfume.
“I’m not sure if this might be a bit rude, but if there’s anything you wish for…”
“Then… could you be free this weekend?”
“…This weekend?”
It was a somewhat unexpected question. I was talking about repaying for the tea I received, and I didn’t understand why she was asking about my time.
“If it’s this weekend… yes. I have no urgent matters or prior commitments.”
“Hehe…”
Professor Esther fell silent. Her lips, which were gathered sweetly, flickered for a moment before her night sky-like eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Then, would you like to go out together this weekend? I think that would be enough to repay for the tea…”
“…Are you sure that’s all right? You don’t have to compromise. It could be something a bit more expensive…”
“No, I prefer that.”
Professor Esther’s attitude was so resolute that I could only nod in agreement.
Suddenly, I caught sight of slightly tousled hair. I rubbed my hair with my hand and thought.
There was no particular ulterior motive in going out together, but still, there was a level of courtesy to be observed.
It would be a mistake to make plans to go out with someone else and then sloppily head out alone; I had been appropriately warned by Sub-priest Sofia regarding that.
‘If I go out this weekend, I guess I should do something about my hair.’
I would probably need a bit of help from Sub-priest Sofia.
—
*
– Clink.
As the quiet darkness settled in the room, the light from the lamp began to spread out in all directions. A slender finger, which had been feeling along the walls, swiftly brushed up the hair of its owner.
“Haah… I’m tired…”
Professor Esther blinked her sleepy eyes and stumbled her way directly to the bed.
After work, taking a bath had become part of her routine, but sometimes, after a strenuous day, she didn’t even have the energy to do that.
Flopping onto the bed, half-closing her eyes, Professor Esther desperately resisted sleep. She still hadn’t changed her clothes or taken a bath.
In this way, engaged in a bizarre struggle with sleep while lying on the bed, Professor Esther suddenly let out a strange giggle.
“Hehe… Haha…”
If someone who knew Professor Esther had seen her like this, they would have likely thought, “Did I mishear that?” Her laughter was strange.
And the reason for that laughter?
“Weekend, outing… Hehe…”
It was none other than her outing promise with Professor Antorelli.
Professor Esther tightly shut her sleepy eyes and vigorously rubbed her face against the soft bed. The pleasant fragrance wafted out and tickled her nose. Even that seemed to give her feelings wings.
It had been over seven months since they first met. The only progress they had made was simply having lunch together as lunch mates, and Professor Esther, who had once intended to take her time gradually approaching, belatedly realized that there was no time to be leisurely.
‘…I was too complacent.’
Since the first time they met, although she thought his appearance suited her taste, the longer they spent time together, the more she felt she wanted to protect him.
Outwardly maintaining a stoic demeanor, he still thought of the students first while pretending to be careless, which she found appealing. His inherent thoughtful gestures were endearing, reminding her of experiences from her childhood that she cherished even more.
In a society becoming as desolate as to scarcely find manners, she admired his efforts to guide students with the right values… Professor Esther appreciated that.
And all these “appreciations” accumulated to form her current feelings of “liking.”
Unconsciously, Professor Esther smiled brightly.
“Hehe… By the way, what should I wear?”
Even as she felt drowsy and sleep was creeping in, what occupied her head was the worry about what to wear for the weekend outing.
Then, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
“Will Professor Lucio put in a bit of effort this time…”
The only memory she had of seeing Professor Lucio dressed up was when he presided over the Sunday worship. She appreciated that look, of course.
“…Even now, he looks pretty good…”
Ultimately, it didn’t matter whether he dressed up or not. The aspects she liked about him encompassed more than just his outward appearance.
“Hehe…”
Esther Garrett, a professor of the 1st year Illusionary Magic Department at Caldera Imperial Academy, 26 years old, with no experience in romance.
The sweet emotions she nurtured were very much alive.
