Chapter 263: …Come Show Your Face Already!

By the time the academy came into view it was past eight.

When Croana, Sharle, and I came back to the academy, one carriage was parked in front of the main gate.

We looked at each other, tilted our heads, and went through the gate. Ryudo and Maar were introducing Lucy and the others to Roy.

...Nn? Ryudo-dono looks a little troubled... is something wrong?

As we came closer Roy noticed me, let out a small breath as if relieved, and smiled.

At the same timing Lucy and the others, and the Ryudo couple, noticed me and smiled too.

Looking well, not only Ryudo-dono but Maar-dono was smiling wryly. I tilted my head and spoke to Ryudo-dono.

"Ryudo-dono, you look like something is troubling you?"

"Raide-dono, no... well. I did not think Roy had this much substance."

"...Aah. Lucy and the others, is it. I think they are good partners who support Roy."

"...Kufu, kukuku! You really are a sly man. If you answer that fast I have no choice but to believe you."

Believe or not, anyone who sees Roy and Lucy and the others on ordinary days would think that.

During training with Lucy, studying with Sheelin in the library, practicing magic with Runen, studying herbs with Konru.

That close look was just like a married couple. When I told the Ryudo couple that with a smile, they laughed with troubled faces.

...Did I say something to be laughed at?

Seeing Roy and Lucy and the others turn bright red, I did think I had gone too far, but an honest impression would hit the Ryudo couple harder than a lie.

Maar-dono came up to Lucy and the others, smiled, and started saying something. Ryudo-dono put a hand on my left shoulder, grinned, and spoke.

"I heard from Roy. I leave Felica to you."

"Yes. About that matter I will come to greet you again soon."

"...Understood."

At the end he gripped my left shoulder hard, turned on his heel, and boarded the carriage.

Maar-dono squeezed Lucy and the others’ hands, lowered her head lightly to me, and boarded. As if that were the signal the carriage started moving slowly.

I stood beside Croana, watched the carriage grow distant, and spoke.

"I did not think they would stop at the academy."

"Same here. And the air around them looked clear. Thanks to you, Raide?"

"Not me. Roy’s strength. Roy changed the Ryudo couple himself."

When I said that Croana smiled happily, floated softly in the air, looped both arms around my neck, and clung to me.

So it would not burden her body I put my right arm under her rear. Croana sat on that arm and kissed my right cheek as she was.

"We are blessed, are we not?"

"Aah. I truly think so."

I smiled and answered Croana, kissed only the left side of her neck, and pulled my face away. She happily nuzzled my head.

Roy and the others were heading to Filim Fountain after this to ease their fatigue. I cautioned them not to let their guard down just because it was in front of us, and saw them off.

I did not tell Ryudo-dono, but I heard Roy has one more lover candidate. I wonder what face he would make if he heard that?

I walked toward the principal’s office where Erika, Fia, and Lea were waiting, still holding Croana.

On my left Sharle walked close enough that our shoulders might touch, explaining the wings.

After she and I had been together her body had felt heavy for a little while and she had rested. Furlin and Miina had been the same, she said.

"So that is why I could not see you... from next time, contact me at once, will you? If it had been serious I would not forgive myself. I would go mad."

"No, that is not it. The body feeling heavy is... um."

"...Nn??"

When I said that a little down, Sharle smiled wryly and flapped both hands in front of her chest as if insisting it was different.

No, but... a heavy body means she felt unwell, right?

I tilted my head as if asking with my eyes. After worrying, Sharle put her mouth to Croana’s ear, flushed lightly in embarrassment, and murmured something.

Hearing that murmur Croana first made a cute blank face and stared at Sharle, then little by little smiled in that troubled way, and they nodded to each other.

Nnn...? Is it different from the unwell I am thinking of? I had been seriously thinking about how much to hold back when I am with my lovers...

Seeing me, Croana smiled with a troubled face, put her mouth to my ear, and murmured, "A maiden’s day, you see."

I looked at Sharle with a blank face. She lowered her face, embarrassed, and started fidgeting.

Oops? This may have been something I should not press...

I hurriedly apologized to Sharle, who still had her face down. Even in the somewhat dark academy I could tell her cheeks were red.

"No. The way I put it was bad as well, so it is fine. But with this I... I, and Furlin and Miina, can conceive."

"Ah~. May I work at it?"

"Of course. I cannot think of anyone but you, Raide-sama. Only... I want to spend a little more time with you, so I will signal when the time comes. I do not know about the other girls, though."

"Aah. Understood. I will wait."

When I said that with a smile she kissed my left cheek, looped her arm through my left arm, and pressed close.

While we climbed the stairs she started explaining in detail what happened when the wings increased.

When Sharle, Furlin, and Miina had their maiden’s days at almost the same time, the fairy living quarter had actually been in an uproar.

Fairy folk look no different from humans, but their body structure, their ecology, differs.

For example they grow by absorbing mana, and if their wings are torn off they can never form wings again.

And the biggest difference is lifespan. They can spend a long time.

Even so, for fairy folk a maiden’s day does not actually exist.

Not knowing what to do, Sharle and the others excused themselves to Relia and Tia, manifested Tetrin, and asked.

They did not tell Relia and Tia because the fairies talked it over among themselves, decided it involved fairy secrets, and hid it.

Tetrin, manifested and asked, was apparently quite startled. In a rush she taught the fairies how humans handle it.

I am sorry, but of course she would be startled. She comes out looking forward to a drinking seat, and then she gets a consultation like that...

According to Tetrin there was no precedent of joining with a human while still having wings. Even Tetrin held her head, they said.

Remembering that time, Sharle kept laughing happily.

"A message from Tetrin to Raide-sama. I want to solve your mystery, so come show your face already! She said that while holding her head."

"...I will show my face before we go to Santony. If I do not, what comes after looks scary..."

"Kus. Yes. Please."

Walking the third-floor hall Sharle nuzzled my left shoulder. The faint scent of a spring breeze was pleasant, and my heart eased.

Croana, who had been listening, smiled. "When I am with you, Raide, I cannot help having fun." I kissed her lips as a reply.

I knocked on the principal’s office. When a reply came Sharle opened the door and I went in still holding Croana.

I reported the result to Erika, Fia, and Lea. They smiled happily and thanked me for the work.

I sat on the sofa still holding Croana, buried my face in her neck, enjoyed the scent, and let out a breath of relief.

The feel of Croana’s hand stroking my head with a gentle, caring touch felt good.

A lot had happened, but it was truly good that we managed.

From the look of Roy and the Ryudo couple, it seemed to be heading in a good direction too.

At that rate the two hero-related events left would work out somehow.

...Even so, today I got a little tired.

Erika

Raide looked unusually tired, clinging to Croana and being stroked.

While glancing at that I spoke in a low voice to Sharle, who was narrowing her eyes and smiling affectionately as if checking the talk from just now.

"Sharle-san, about what we heard... would it be bad for Raide-san to head to the living quarter now?"

"Yes. As you guessed, Erika-sama. For a while we cannot let Raide-sama through to the living quarter. Um... I think he would be attacked."

"I thought so..."

Sharle smiled with a troubled face and nodded. At the answer she had expected, Erika smiled as if fed up.

In other words, what we know now is that joining with Raide puts them in a state where they can conceive.

If he were a human the fairies thought nothing of, it would not have been a problem.

But Raide has strong credit and trust from the fairies. If we slip there may even be girls who hold affection like Sharle and the others.

I folded my arms, let out a small breath, glanced at Raide-san, smiled with a troubled face, and asked.

"Do you think Raide-san has noticed this?"

"I wonder... he looks a little tired today, so there is a chance his head is not working."

"Just in case, I will share it."

"Yes. Please. I was thinking of going to see Nimi-sama later as well, so please send word that way too."

"Understood."

We nodded to each other and looked at Raide, who Fia and Lea had started holding as well.

I honestly think it is amazing how problems happen and he comes back having solved them, but the reward, or rather the information he brings home, is always outside the standard and troubles me.

...I have gotten a little used to it. That is on me too.

But... that aside, he worked hard today as well, so later I will praise him and take care of him too. Erika decided that in her heart.