I didn’t have particularly great memories during my school years. sigh But I didn’t have especially bad memories either. I just went to school like everyone else, graduated normally, and my grades were neither outstanding nor terrible. Still, I think I managed to make some friends.
But I never got a girlfriend.
I was an otaku, and my friends were otaku too. We didn’t often go out together on trips, but we did gather for related events, used our pooled money to buy manga, or swarm into internet cafes after exams.
Yeah, those memories were definitely trivial compared to the experiences I had here in the academy. They weren’t so vivid I could remember exact dates, plus only a handful of those friends were still in touch. Some I barely remembered their faces or names.
But perhaps because we were all teenagers in school, being here oddly brought those times back to me.
“It’s goodbye for a while.”
The first to speak up was Charlotte.
It was the same here; we finished school early during exam periods. Since we were done, we immediately gathered and wandered around.
We didn’t have much to do outside of school, so we spent time sitting in a café drinking tea and eating parfaits. In the midst of that, we shared such trivial daily conversations that I barely recall them; we laughed and chatted.
It felt like no time had passed at all, yet the sun quickly dipped below the horizon, painting the sky red.
“Are you going back to Lutetia?”
“Of course. I’m a princess of Velbur, after all.”
To Alice, who seemed a bit regretful, Charlotte said with a gentle smile:
“But we can meet again soon. Vacation isn’t that long, after all.”
It was a little over a month of vacation, so unless something special happened, we’d meet again when the second semester began.
However, thinking about it again meant that after graduating, it would be hard to meet again.
If only Charlotte weren’t a princess but just someone noble from Velbur, maybe she could visit Rondarium for a few days a year. We could drink tea leisurely, catch up on life for a few days, and then part ways.
The reverse would be true as well.
But Alice and Charlotte were both extremely important figures in their respective royal families. Although it hadn’t been officially announced yet, Alice was a strong candidate for the next emperor, and Charlotte didn’t have any brothers or sisters.
“…”
Maybe because of those thoughts, Alice’s expression grew a bit somber.
…If the story proceeded as in the original, these two would become enemies. Of course, Alice would confront the emperor to end the war and unite again, but that joy wouldn’t last long.
Charlotte, gazing at Alice, suddenly extended her hand.
“Well then, let’s meet again after the vacation. If you ever visit Lutetia again… I’ll make sure to show you that Velbur’s food is much more delicious and varied than the Empire’s.”
Alice laughed only after seeing Charlotte’s intentionally boastful remark.
And, holding Charlotte’s hand, she replied:
“The Empire’s cuisine is developing too. Come back in about ten years. By then, I’ll serve meals that even someone from Velbur won’t easily dismiss.”
Charlotte shrugged lightly.
“I’ve heard that Rena is also heading back to her autonomous state.”
“That’s right. I’ve already packed my bags.”
When I asked, Rena replied in a firm stance. She wasn’t in short sleeves even in this weather. It felt like she thought wearing light clothing would diminish her soldier spirit.
Of course, that didn’t mean Rena wouldn’t get hot.
Having lived in a cooler area even during summer, this weather was probably not easy for Rena to endure. In fact, her nape was slightly damp.
“I’ll make sure to improve my skills so that I won’t hold the Crown Princess back during the second semester.”
It seemed that Rena was still dwelling on our trip to the dungeon without her last June. She didn’t overtly show she was upset, but it seemed she thought, “It’s only natural I was left out because my skills weren’t enough.”
Rena wasn’t by any means someone with poor grades.
“Um…”
As Rena was speaking, she suddenly made a cautious sound, and I was a bit surprised. It’s not often that Rena shows this side of her, especially not so openly in front of others.
After hesitating a bit, Rena looked at me and carefully said:
“Can I write you a letter?”
I almost burst out laughing at that moment.
To be honest, Rena hadn’t done much that would make her admire me. The only thing I could think of was running around the training grounds in front of her, which apparently made a strong impression on her.
She had already developed a sense of admiration towards me after hearing accounts from the battlefield, and that moment solidified it. She’d actually seen how I fought firsthand.
“Of course,” I replied, and Rena’s mouth curled up slightly.
*
I didn’t feel it necessary to see the two off all the way to the train station. With the academy vacation going on, it would be packed, and having two princesses show up would pretty much cause chaos.
Charlotte would be taking the guest seat, while Rena was on the relatively less crowded northern train, but they would end up at the same station. If there wasn’t likely to be an incident near the academy, I wouldn’t expect a princess to travel among common people without heavy escort.
The airships weren’t being used for civilian purposes yet, and although passenger planes were being developed, they weren’t yet commercialized. So, regrettably, we made our farewells within the academy.
“Well then… I’ll take my leave too.”
Mia Crowfield spoke in her usual somewhat timid voice.
“Thanks for all your hard work. I really benefited from your help.”
“N-No, it’s nothing…”
Mia blushed and lowered her head at Alice’s words.
And then—
“…”
She looked at me with a somewhat complicated expression.
“Thank you for everything.”
With that, she bowed again.
She didn’t have a staff in her hand. It wasn’t like students could wander around the academy grounds with weapons just because it was the last day.
But the blue jewel shimmering at the end of that staff was still what I had given her.
Thinking about it, it was a jewel I hadn’t managed to obtain by this point.
If I considered that, I could understand why she was making that expression.
“Thank you for your hard work,” I said, bowing my head as well. She showed a moment of astonished expression before quickly turning and jogging away.
“Oh, you really don’t have to say goodbye to me.”
With a slightly bittersweet feeling watching her back, a light male voice caught my attention.
When I turned around, I found Jake standing there, accompanied by a loyal maid.
“We’re planning to stay for another day before leaving.”
Despite the presence of the two princesses, Roti shot a disapproving look at Jake, who was moving rather casually. But Jake didn’t change his attitude at all.
“Even so, we should at least say goodbye.”
Alice said.
“We’re planning to leave today too.”
“Oh, really?”
Jake had a look that seemed to say that since they were all in the same capital, there was no need to rush with the farewells, and Alice shrugged in response.
“Since we’re in the same capital, it’s more convenient to finish things quickly, right? Plus, even if we leave first, the stuff can wait for a while.”
It wasn’t like we’d be packing it ourselves anyway.
“Is that so?”
Jake probably wanted to spend at least another day with Roti here.
“Well then, I guess we should say our goodbyes in advance. Thanks for your hard work. See you in the second semester.”
“Make sure to come back as a slightly more serious man in the second semester.”
At Alice’s words, Jake just laughed cheerfully.
*
“W-Well then…”
Leo said with a very tense expression.
“As the next head of Grace’s Estate, I would like to invite the two princesses to our territory.”
“…”
Alice looked at Leo with a somewhat incredulous expression and said:
“You really don’t have to be so formal. Even among nobles, if there’s a friendship, you can just say it casually.”
“U-Um, is that so…?”
“No, I mean, that’s not quite right,” Alice sighed deeply, and Claire brushed her face.
“Well, since I’ve been formally invited, we’ll accept graciously.”
With a playful expression, Alice stood up, lifted the hem of her skirt with both hands, and said, “We’d be delighted to accept your invitation.”
Then she slightly bent one leg to the back, and without bowing her head, just slightly bent her knee to elegantly show her appreciation.
It wasn’t surprising to see Leo’s face turn even redder.
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