“Whoo! Finally, it’s over!”
After submitting the answer sheet and stepping outside the classroom, Anne was the first to greet me with a shout. Anne’s excitement wasn’t about how many questions she had answered correctly but rather about the fact that the exam was finally over.
In moments like these, it’s better to pray silently that Anne answers one more question correctly and doesn’t fail rather than pointing out her mistakes.
Both Selian and Yuli, who had waited for me alongside Anne, seemed to share similar thoughts as they merely watched Anne without saying a word.
Selian and Yuli had already submitted their answer sheets much earlier than me, as they had left the classroom long before I finished pondering over the answers.
If someone were to ask what the difference was between Anne, Selian, and Yuli, all of whom finished early, they clearly don’t know Anne well enough.
Anyway, as Anne said, the entire schedule for the first semester is finally over. Now, until the start of the second semester in September, it’s a free period with no classes, assignments, or exams. I could already see some students heading back home, their suitcases packed and ready, leaving the dormitory. They sure act fast.
Of course, one could choose to stay in the dormitory. However, with no official schedules, it’s safe to say that hardly anyone would stay at the Academy unnecessarily.
“So, are you all going home? When do you plan to leave?”
As direct heirs to noble families, all three will likely return to their respective houses during the holidays either to rest or to follow their family’s plans.
“I’m going to rest today, then we’ll go once Ian finishes preparing. Most probably, it’ll be tomorrow or the day after.”
I’m sure the preparations that Anne mentioned involve various tasks that Ian is taking care of on her behalf, though she didn’t specify them. As usual, Ian will likely grumble while handling all sorts of chores for Anne.
“I already have a carriage and personnel sent by my family, so I’m planning to leave tomorrow morning.”
On the other hand, Yuli’s family had already sent a carriage and people according to the Academy’s schedule. I once heard from Professor Selen that Yuli’s father is very protective of her. While I can’t be sure just based on third-party information, perhaps sending people immediately was because he wanted to see Yuli as soon as possible.
“I’m not sure… I think I might return next week. By the way, what about El?”
Among the three, Selian was the one planning to return home the latest. Why only three? Well, I don’t exactly have a home to return to, now do I? Due to being kidnapped at a young age, I have no memory of my life before the assassin guild, so I don’t even know my true hometown. Also, the hometown of my current identity, Alicia, is a territory that was partially destroyed by demons and is still recovering. It’s not somewhere I can visit.
If I were to go, I might encounter someone who truly knows Alicia, which could cause problems. I managed to get away with it during the incident with Yuli, but expecting such luck again would be unwise.
Therefore, I have no plans to return home. Instead, I’m thinking of revisiting the assassin guild’s hideout where I was taken as a child and raised. It’s been a few months, so there probably isn’t much left, but the defenses might have slackened. If I’m lucky and some secret locations remain undiscovered, they might help me in some way—be it in money or anything else.
“I don’t really have anywhere to go, so I plan to stay in the dormitory for the entire break.”
Of course, I can’t tell them my real plan, so I brushed it off with a casual lie. It doesn’t particularly bother my conscience because the guild hideout is close enough to come and leave within a day. My search won’t take long, and even if it does, two days will be enough. In the span of a two-month holiday, a two-day trip is nothing more than a quick outing.
“Then, are you coming over as we talked about last time?”
We previously discussed this after the midterm exams ended. Considering I didn’t have a place to go during the holidays, they invited me to visit their homes. I certainly hadn’t forgotten. I just didn’t bring it up because it was a little awkward to be the one to initiate the suggestion.
“Of course. And it’s not like you’ll embarrass me for coming over, right?”
“There’s no way that would happen.”
“Then how about you come with me tomorrow? Since we’re all moving around anyway, wouldn’t it be better to do it together?”
“Sounds good. So, we head to Yuli’s place first, but where should we go after that?”
At my question, Anne quickly raised her hand and answered.
“My house!”
“Yes. Then we should visit our house last. You can relax at our home before returning to the Academy.”
“So, the general plan is set, and we’ll discuss the details over lunch?”
Considering students who are leaving for home early, the final test on the last day usually ends by late morning. Even if it ends in the evening, people can still leave the next morning, but it seems like the faculty likes to show they’re considerate.
Together, we enjoyed lunch and adjusted our holiday plans, specifically the schedule for my visits.
“So, I thought I’d let you know because it seems like I won’t be able to visit during the holidays.”
At the Magic Building 707, I apologized to Presia while drinking tea served by a bear figurine, much like last time.
“Will you not be traveling anywhere during the break, Boss?”
“Nothing special…”
I could already imagine her routine. Presia will no doubt spend the entire holiday sleeping on the couch in room 707. There are still occasionally some jobs from higher-ups that she takes on, and I occasionally visit to conduct experiments with her, but during the break, both her higher-ups and I will be gone.
“Ah!”
While seriously pondering whether to stay in the dormitory or visit my friends’ homes, Presia suddenly made a small sound as if remembering something.
“Speaking of which, the Emperor asked me to visit once during the break. I almost forgot!”
“…There are more important things you could forget, you know.”
Still, knowing she has plans keeps me from worrying that she’ll just lock herself inside her laboratory and sleep all day. In fact, given that it’s a visit to the palace, it’s certainly more than a day or two long, so that’s good.
But then again, I worry she might just sleep all day even at the palace, except when meeting the Emperor.
She’s probably not that lazy, right?
I hope not.
Since I’ll be leaving the dormitory from tomorrow, I made sure to pack everything up. Of course, no one will enter my room without permission, but just in case, I’ve packed some items that could raise suspicion into my bag, and I’ve hidden a few others securely.
After gathering things like change of clothes and personal items, it was almost time for the evening roll call. However, there was no announcement for roll call since many students had already left the dormitory, and the semester’s schedule ended with the last exam this morning. We were given some latitude. Come to think of it, on the very first day of the semester I left my dorm room not knowing there was a roll call and got scolded for it.
Tap tap
As I briefly reminisced about the past, a tapping sound came from the window. Without being startled, I opened the window, and Meow casually entered the room as usual. Ever since the first time Meow stayed in my room, it has occasionally visited to sleep on my bed.
“Meow’s come.”
Greeting the cat as it climbed onto the bed where it appeared to be baking bread, I petted it. Meow responded by slightly raising and then lowering its tail.
If it insists on giving curt answers, I can always find ways to amuse myself.
Pop
Using one hand to keep petting and the other that was idle, I lightly patted its bottom.
Pabababang
Naturally, one hit isn’t enough. Using wrist snaps skillfully, I delivered a rapid succession of pats.
Unable to escape by instinct, Meow even raised its bottom, as if to ask for more.
What once shocked Meow has now become something it enjoys, to the point it doesn’t know how to react.
Pahk
As always, after the bottom pats conclude, it insists on hitting my cheek once. Despite pretending to be haughty every day, it feels embarrassed showing its vulnerable side, so it does this, I guess.
After enjoying some bottom pats together, both the cat and I lay down on the bed.
“Still, I won’t be here starting tomorrow, so what should we do? Meow, don’t be upset if I don’t open the window for you. It’s not that I won’t open it; I can’t.”
I have no idea how it always finds its way to my room, but I’ll be out starting tomorrow. I can’t help but worry how Meow will feel if it comes and finds the window closed all the time.
“Nyaow”
However, Meow seemed to understand what I said and answered briefly before closing its eyes again. Come to think of it, Meow has always understood what I said. After all, circuses have gobulins that can read, so understanding cats can exist too, right? So, I guess I don’t need to worry about Meow.
Instead, I’ll make sure to bring a little something for Meow when I come back later.
