Chapter 271: Have Him Pick You Up…

Croana and Setenia headed for the principal’s office. I headed for the training ground where the students were starting to gather.

Setenia’s plans had apparently been at that man’s shop, but she muttered with disgust, "I do not want to see his face today."

Then she changed her plans to talk with Croana about Timil’s enrollment. Croana accepted that readily and they headed for the principal’s office.

She had said again and again that because of that man the reunion with me had become the worst.

Of course she would not want to see his face, and her feet would not turn toward that shop.

Being able to think of profit while showing that much disgust so openly is something I honestly praise.

As expected of someone who built a huge fortune in one generation. I am truly glad she did not become an enemy.

If she had I would not be able to stand the fear, and in the first place I do not feel I can win in the head...

Before starting training I told the students Micon and Scon had gone home early because they felt unwell.

Everyone looked truly worried about the two of them and asked a fair number of questions. I kept giving ordinary answers.

I could not tell them it was trauma, or that there had been an incident. I could not not answer either, so ordinary answers were all I had.

But in the middle of the questions the students saw me rubbing the back of my neck with one hand and smiled wryly... why?

Training ended on the light side so no one would get hurt, since Santony was also coming up.

While seeing off the students heading happily to Filim Fountain I explained to Erika standing beside me what had happened.

As the explanation went on, disgust showed more and more on Erika’s face.

Maybe she was remembering her own father...

Erika listened quietly to the end with her arms folded, let out a big breath, then opened her mouth.

"I do not think it will happen, but would it not be better to put adventurers on them as guards? As you said, Raide-san, a cornered idiot takes unexpected actions."

"I had thought of that too. When I get back to Rude Tavern I mean to ask if there is an adventurer who will guard them."

"That would be better. Haa... why are there so many idiots. I understand Setenia-san’s feelings."

To comfort Erika’s slightly down face I put one arm around her waist and pulled her toward me.

The other years that had been training on the ground were already gone, and we were walking along the academy wall, so I thought it was fine.

More than anything I wanted to do something about Erika’s sunken face. That was why I moved. But Erika smiled at me with a troubled face.

"Your feelings come through, Raide-san."

"Ah~, yeah..."

"Oh my. Rare. Are you embarrassed?"

"Well. Even I get embarrassed sometimes."

Erika smiled happily, stopped folding her arms, and pressed her body against me, pito.

Maybe because it was after training, Erika’s body was hot and the rose scent felt even stronger.

"I want to hold you tight," I said with a troubled smile. Erika pressed her chest against me, laughed, kus, and told me, "Please endure it."

When we were about to go through the main gate and out of the academy, a voice called from behind. Erika and I stopped and looked back.

Setenia had come out of the building and was walking this way. I smiled and answered.

Erika left my body, turned fully toward Setenia, bowed, and started introducing herself.

"Setenia-san, it is a pleasure. I am Erika, Elysia’s daughter. Please treat me well."

"Sorry my greeting is late. I am Setenia. I hope we can get along from now as well. ...Fufu. As expected of Elysia’s daughter? Most people who face me tense their faces, but you are terribly calm."

"That is because you give off a kind air, Setenia-san. Otherwise I cannot imagine a junior like me speaking this naturally."

Erika tilted her head a little with a glossy smile. Setenia came in front of us and smiled seductively with a troubled face.

From my side the two of them were so much that I felt like I would fade...

While I thought that, before I knew it Erika and Setenia were looking at me. I tilted my head and they laughed at me happily.

Not getting it I asked, "What is it?" Both shook their heads and laughed together like they had known each other forever... what really is it?

I rubbed the back of my neck with one hand. Setenia turned her face to me, smiled, and spoke.

"I would like to talk a little. Do you have time?"

"Time..."

If it is time I have it, but I am worried about Micon and Scon.

If I can I want to hurry home and see the two of them... I was thinking when Roll came up to Erika without a sound, told her something, and left at once.

I tilted my head watching that. Erika turned her face to me, smiled, and spoke.

"Both of them are calm now and seem to be helping at Rude Tavern. So please talk with Setenia-san. It has been a while since you met, has it not?"

"...Can you read hearts too?"

"Fufu. I can tell. I am your lover. More than that, Setenia-san, your ear..."

I hid my mouth with the tip of one hand and Erika laughed at me happily. I smiled wryly and scratched the hair at the back of my head lightly with one hand.

Erika glanced at that look of mine, whispered something to Setenia, then left at once, smiled glossily, and nodded.

Setenia looked a little startled at Erika’s smiling face, then smiled in that troubled way and nodded back.

...Women talking secrets always has color, whenever you look.

I fall into a feeling I could watch forever.

Maybe it was my imagination, but Erika also seemed to exchange looks with Furlin a little away and nod.

Erika

I was in the bath at Filim Fountain with Sateur and the others and, last, Folia-san.

Maybe because it is the hot season, a bath after training feels too good. I almost let out a voice unfitting a lady.

I soaked to my shoulders in the large tub, looked at the ceiling, and let out a small breath.

"Erika-chaaan, was it all right~?"

"...? Aah. Setenia-san’s matter?"

"Right right."

Minty-san had quietly moved beside me and asked with a troubled smile.

I noticed it was not only Minty-san. Sateur-san, Roll-san, even Folia-san were smiling in that troubled way.

I said, "It is fine," looked over everyone’s faces, and smiled.

It was my first time meeting Setenia, but I had heard from Mother what kind of person she was.

And when I met her she reacted like a maiden in love enough to glance at Raide. I cannot say I almost burst out laughing.

Ordinary people would not notice, swallowed by Setenia’s air, but after experiencing all sorts of things thanks to Raide-san I could meet Setenia with an ordinary sense.

That is why I noticed Setenia’s reaction at once and advised her, "Raide-san will give you the answer you want."

The only one who has not noticed is that Handful. I said that to the four of them, laughing as if fed up, and they nodded as if agreeing even while smiling wryly.

"Raide-san says it often, does he not. You do not know what will happen the next day. If we say that, we maidens are the same. Better to have the Handful pick you up quickly and spend happy days. That is decided."

"...Lately I cannot see Erika-chan as younger. What do I do~"

"Master is dense in odd places. But when he attacks he is terribly strong."

"I get it. At times like that you want to push a woman’s back..."

"The next day... huh."

Minty, Roll, Sateur, then Folia spoke in order and started laughing together.

While pretending to look over the four of them, Erika smiled sideways at Folia staring hard at the water.

You too, Folia-san? Do not keep consulting Mother forever. Ask the person himself.

Come to think of it. I decide to check with Folia something I thought of just now.

"Folia-san, has word of Micon-san and Scon-san’s circumstances gone around?"

"Eh? Yes, just now. Raide-san is doing cool things as usual..."

"Kus. That is the usual, which is why it troubles me. Then talk will be quick. I would like to ask you to guard the twins for a while. Will you take it?"

"Guard... can I think a little~?"

"As soon as you can would make me glad."

Folia nodded at Erika’s words and started looking at the ceiling with a thinking face.

This is as far as I can cheer. After this, manage on your own.

Tell your feelings quickly and have him pick you up... body and heart, like us?

Muttering that in my heart, I closed my eyes at how good the hot water felt and let out a breath.