6. Golden Sun

6. Golden Sun

Priscilla woke up from her bed, feeling a considerable amount of restriction. It was an uncomfortable sensation that seemed to grip her body, as if she were being held or tied down by something.

‘What is this…?’

She was sure she had changed into comfortable pajamas before falling asleep, so what was this indescribable stuffiness surrounding her body?

Moreover, something soft and squishy was pressing against the back of her head, and a fluffy, soft sensation was wrapping around her waist.

Yes, like… a tail.

‘Tail…?’

In her drowsy state, Priscilla’s thoughts, which were slowly picking up speed, finally managed to break through her sleepiness and form a guess.

‘No way…’

No, that’s impossible, isn’t it? Priscilla tried to deny it, shaking her head despite having a firm assumption in her mind.

But then, as Priscilla’s movement touched something surrounding her…

“Ugh…”

“Hiiik?!”

A groan that flowed from the top of her head, right at the crown of her head, tickled Priscilla’s ears. The strangely ticklish sensation made Priscilla flinch and jump up from her spot.

… She tried to stand up.

Squeeze, then, an astonishingly strong arm grip held Priscilla, and Priscilla, collapsing from her awkward posture of trying to stand, was helplessly pulled into the embrace of a white furball.

What’s more, she was held in crossed arms as if not to let go this time, so Priscilla had no choice but to wait for Skadi to wake up, unable to move an inch.

White fur, perky ears, and a tail swaying around her waist. The panting breaths brushed rhythmically past Priscilla’s ears, and the sweet scent emanating from the fur-which felt strangely familiar-began to confuse Priscilla’s senses.

With her sight, touch, hearing, and even smell filled with the white wolf, Priscilla, coupled with the sleepiness from just waking up, desperately sought a way to escape with her extremely confused mind.

However, Skadi’s tightly locked arms were not something a weak mage could easily break free from.

Unfortunately, her staff was propped up against the wall far away, so Priscilla, unable to use magic, had no choice but to wait for Skadi, who was hugging her tightly, to wake up.

While being forcibly made to smell the addictive scent of the tail.

——

“Did you sleep well?”

The feeling of hugging Priscilla was wonderful. Thanks to Priscilla’s soft, smooth skin, which was different from my sister’s cozy scent, I was able to spend the night very refreshed, even without my sister.

Priscilla, who had woken up before me while I was getting myself together, blushed brightly at my question and replied.

“Sleep well? W-why on earth were you in my bed!”

“At home, I always slept hugging my sister, so I couldn’t sleep because she wasn’t here. Besides, isn’t it common for girls to sleep in the same bed?”

“Not at all-“

I also needed to get up soon, so I adjusted my clothes and wagged my tail. In the process, my tail accidentally brushed against Priscilla’s nose, and Priscilla, about to say something, firmly closed her mouth.

“What?”

“… No, it’s nothing.”

Hmm.

It seems Priscilla was flustered because I secretly got into her bed last night. Indeed, even if it’s common for people to sleep together, anyone would be surprised if someone was sleeping behind them all of a sudden.

“Priscilla, I’m sorry for sleeping with you without saying anything.”

“It’s okay… More importantly.”

“More importantly?”

Priscilla gazed intently at my waist.

As I wagged my tail, Priscilla’s eyes swayed back and forth with it. Priscilla then opened and closed her mouth a few times in that state, and finally gave up speaking and closed her mouth tightly.

There are two ways to make people angry: one is to stop talking mid-sentence…

That’s enough. Well, there must have been something she found difficult to say.

“Priscilla.”

“Yes?”

“Want to wash together?”

“…… No!!!”

I asked, hoping today might be the day, but I was rejected coldly again.

Still, I feel like it might be possible, so if I ask for a few more days, I think I’ll be able to wash with Priscilla.

Hehe…

That day, Priscilla stared intently at my tail while drying it. I don’t know why. Perhaps it was just my imagination.

——

Today is the long-awaited first day of classes at the Academy.

No matter how much I dislike studying, the first day of every semester is always exciting, so I was also walking along the road, wagging my tail with excitement.

A cool spring breeze, different from the biting cold wind of the North. The scarf wrapped around my neck fluttered gently as if it too felt good.

There was no particular reason for wearing a scarf in this weather. Even though the temperature was normal, I constantly felt a chill from somewhere.

It wasn’t an extreme cold, but since the school uniform fabric was thin, I couldn’t help but wear a scarf like this when trying to endure it with sheer grit.

Where on earth is this cold air flowing from?

… Anyway.

The class I have to take today is Swordsmanship Basics A.

Unfortunately, since Priscilla is a mage, we don’t have any overlapping classes. It was a shame that I couldn’t take classes with my friend, but…

It’s okay. I can just make more friends.

I intended to make friends anyway.

And while I’m at it, I’ll think of a way to improve the relationship between Priscilla and her sister.

Passing by students who strangely avoided me, I walked along the path for a few minutes and finally found the lecture hall.

Fortunately, there was no disaster like getting lost this time.

Creak, the lecture hall door opened. The noisy lecture hall suddenly became quiet, and all the students stared at me. As I slowly turned my head and scanned the lecture hall, I saw cold sweat on the students’ foreheads.

Hmm.

Although it seemed like everyone had hit the pause button and frozen, they had probably been chatting amicably just moments before.

A burly male student. An ordinary female student. Or a slender male student… There were all sorts of people, but they all had one thing in common: they were gathered around one person.

And the person at the center of it all-

“… Golden Sun?”

Golden hair, tanned bronze skin, and a school uniform with the buttons carelessly undone. It was as if the term ‘Golden Sun,’ which I had heard so much about in my past life, had been materialized into a person.

… Or is it a woman?

I couldn’t make eye contact because of the bangs that fell to cover her eyes, and while the body shape seemed feminine, it was also somewhat androgynous, making it impossible to guess the gender.

The only part that might suggest gender is that he’s wearing school uniform pants. So, he’s probably a man… I guess.

Women wear school uniforms with skirts.

I stared intently at Golden Sun, then dismissed my doubts and found a suitable empty seat to sit down. As I did, the female student next to me flinched and exclaimed.

“…”

It seems the Academy students are all rather timid. Why do they all startle so suddenly?

Did they see a bug, perhaps?

I don’t like bugs either.

The thing I’ve had the hardest time adjusting to since reincarnating in this world is bugs.

Even though it’s the North, where it’s so cold it feels like your skin will freeze off, bugs are buzzing around as if they think they’re monsters.

It would be one thing if they just flew around, but sometimes they try to get into my ears or into my tail and tickle me… Bugs and I are sworn enemies.

Just thinking about it makes me angry.

“Hoo…”

Oh dear.

Thinking of bugs, I found myself frowning without realizing it. Calm down. At least there are no bugs visible here right now.

Don’t forget your purpose. Today’s goals are to make friends. And, as a bonus, to find a way to solve Priscilla’s worries.

First, I took out my sword, which was bothering me, and placed it on the desk. Although it’s a sword I always carry, it’s inconvenient to have it at my waist here.

Thump, the sword landed on the desk. Then, after taking a deep breath, I greeted the student next to me with a friendly hello…

I was going to greet them…

But the seat next to me was already completely empty.

Where did they go? Weren’t they right next to me a moment ago?

Swish, I scanned my surroundings with a bewildered gaze.

As my gaze moved further away, I finally spotted the face I was looking for. The girl from the seat next to me, who had been trembling moments ago, had moved far away and wasn’t even looking this way.

And not only that. Not only my seat, but the seats in front, behind, and diagonally in all directions were all empty and desolate.

What on earth is going on?

Is this how one is supposed to sit in the Empire as a matter of common sense? I seriously considered grabbing anyone and asking.

Just then, someone walked up to me and extended their hand.

“Hello?”

Blonde hair. Tan. Disheveled clothing.

It was Golden Sun.