Ch.164164. Broken Past (6)

*Whoosh-*

As the gentle stream of water pours over my head, I close my eyes and let it wash away today’s fatigue.

“Phew.”

My body finally relaxes.

After teaching two class periods, I really have no time to spare.

Those kids. They were quite serious.

My prediction was that after splitting into two factions and experiencing friction, they wouldn’t easily come together again.

-“Don’t back down, no matter what!!”

But to my surprise.

When I recreated the situation exactly as it happened, they united with fierce determination.

Though it was just a field recreated by activating the Talbert Arc, the momentary frozen students expressed nothing but anger.

“They couldn’t put up much of a fight, but… their resolve is commendable.”

Those eyes, filled with determination not to repeat the same mistakes.

Starting with the class president and vice president, not a single one of them backed down.

If I could teach them, I would have opened a book and picked up chalk out of respect for that resolve.

But that’s impossible.

“How can I teach you when the teacher you want isn’t me, but Aris?”

All I can do is repeatedly remind them of that situation to bolster their determination.

That’s what I did today, and yesterday too.

When they couldn’t fight anymore, I gave them breaks, made sure they ate, and repeatedly rewound those memories for them.

Today, watching those kids pushing themselves, I casually threw out a question.

What are you all moving forward for?

And what came back was,

-“Because… this time is precious to us! We need to prove the value of what we learned from you, teacher!”

A fierce determination to prove the worth of this time.

Not many students wanted to continue their studies in the isolated area of Sirah.

-“To be honest, I was skeptical. I thought maybe nothing would change. Because there hadn’t been much difference before.”

They called themselves members of the Tembris Party—a grandiose name.

But they wondered if attending these lectures would actually change anything.

That’s what they confessed.

Nevertheless. What approached these unmotivated students was a single female student full of humanity.

-“The lectures weren’t particularly helpful… but feeling that human imperfection made her seem like a familiar older sister from the neighborhood.”

When explaining something, if someone pointed out a mistake, she would stammer and read from her cheat sheet as stiffly as if reading a dictionary.

If someone hid that cheat sheet before the lecture, she’d sweat profusely and get everything wrong.

And if someone teased her about not actually knowing the material?

-“Y-you think I can’t lecture without that?!! I’ll show you!!”

She’d get all huffy with wounded pride.

She’d grab a piece of chalk firmly, trying to explain something, but end up saying incorrect things without realizing it.

Her eyes would spin in confusion, visible to everyone.

Everyone would burst into laughter, but anyone in that class could immediately recognize Aris’s personality.

A bit foul-mouthed but actually an adorably clumsy big sister. A familiar older sister who was fun to tease by poking at her pride.

That was the impression the kids had of Aris.

“…”

My body is clean now, and as I leave the bathroom, I look at the class roster.

There are clearly more students now. But not a single absence. Perfect attendance, every day.

Regardless of the lecture content, they sat there to meet Aris.

Aris’s unique friendliness reopened the hearts of kids that had been tightly shut by frustration and resignation.

That’s the conclusion I could draw from the attendance sheet.

“Sigh.”

I cannot do it.

But you could, couldn’t you?

For that, should I bring you here myself?

“…”

-“You pushed Senia away with your own hands. She won’t come back. You abandoned your comrade!”

-“Then what about Michelle, who closed her eyes like she died over there!! She closed her eyes after you fed her that, and hasn’t moved since!!”

-“Ha, you… expect me to believe that?”

I can still hear Aris’s condemnation replaying in my head.

Recalling Aris’s torn voice as she mercilessly bloomed lotus flowers to corner me, I had no choice but to get dressed again and open the front door.

I need to walk somewhere to clear my head.

‘That path.’

A small trail suddenly catches my eye.

It’s not a place with particularly good memories… but now my feet naturally lead me there.

It’s a small hill path so overgrown that I have to push through thick vegetation.

Walking up that hill, there’s a rock that looks like it could fall at any moment.

‘It was here even back then.’

Even though I’ve returned to the past, nothing has changed.

Clunk. Clunk.

Sitting on a nearby tree stump, I tap the rock, and it wobbles just the same as before.

I once thought I wanted to be like this rock, always returning to its original position like a roly-poly toy.

Whenever my thoughts were jumbled in Sirah, I would always come tap this rock.

Wondering if there was a way to go back, just like this rock that always returns to its place when touched.

-“What? You’re saying I’m like a rocky mountain?”

-“Come on… in my eyes, Junon, you’re more like a rocky mountain. Then what am I? At best, just a rock. Since I’m sturdy.”

-“Even if people call me a great mountain or a massive mountain, you’re the biggest mountain in Tembris. Even if others deny it, this is true.”

-“A rocky mountain might not be enough. But that’s right. You’re much more amazing.”

Why am I remembering this now?

It’s nonsense. It was sophistry then and still is now.

-“Please, Junon. Now… you’re the only one who can lead the people of the principality, including Tembris.”

“…”

I climbed the hill as if drawn to it, tapping the rock, hoping my confused mind would calm down a little.

But it seems to have become even more complicated.

…I shouldn’t have come.

But I was already not alone.

“Senior Junon, isn’t it?”

When I turned around.

A man with an impressive height and a distinctive gait was calling my name.

***

They say that great strength is accompanied by dignity and appearance.

I never understood when people said such things. Was it because I was always with the Tembris Party members?

But now I felt I understood clearly.

Those silver-white eyes looking at me are extraordinary.

When people awaken their unique magic, they usually manifest colors externally—in their hair, eyes, beard, etc.

Occasionally, there are special cases.

Cases where the color of magic visible on the outside doesn’t unify into a single color but manifests in dual colors.

They are undoubtedly powerful.

Michelle with her red hair and blue eyes is a prime example, and Goden or Princess Ophelia also fall into this category with their contrasting colors.

However, among magic colors, there’s one particular color emitted by those with especially tremendous magical power.

That color is white.

A white filled with radiance, like Renias’s hair.

The person who just called my name has such magic in his eyes.

“…Aren’t you being too cautious?”

“Isn’t it stranger not to be cautious of someone who followed me without making any footsteps?”

“That’s true.”

He scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.

“Actually, I came looking for you with a purpose, but when you suddenly went outside, I ended up following you. I apologize for that.”

“So that’s what it was. Then what’s your business?”

“I was asked to deliver this letter.”

He took something out of his inner pocket—a sealed letter.

“Aris Mackenheim. She asked me to deliver it.”

“…What?”

I wondered what this situation was about, but he simply approached calmly and handed over the letter.

Under the sealed wax, illuminated by moonlight, I could see the name.

The sender was undoubtedly Aris Mackenheim. And the recipient…

‘It’s me.’

Junon.

That’s what was written.

“Was there nothing else?”

“Well… there was, but it’s difficult to say right away. I think it would be better for you to read this first rather than me telling you now.”

“Alright.”

The letter is filled with writing.

But here and there, the pen seems to have trembled, leaving crossed-out lines.

Not just lines, but the handwriting itself shows signs of shaking, with visibly crooked letters that lack proper centering.

The content…

“…”

I’ve only read a few lines, but I don’t think I need to read more.

“You don’t seem to have read it all. Is that okay?”

“I’ve read enough.”

“…I see.”

“You mentioned there was something else? What is it?”

“Here, she asked me to deliver this one separately. She said not to give it to you if the mood turned bad after reading the first letter, but…”

“I’m fine, so it’s okay. I’ll read it, just give it to me.”

“Yes, then.”

…What’s this? This doesn’t seem like Aris wrote it.

“Ahem. She would like you to reply to both letters briefly. Though that request comes from Senior Senia, not Senior Aris.”

“From Senia?”

Ah. Come to think of it, she went to Lebrant, so her destination is obvious.

The Tembris Party clubroom. If she went there, the only person who would have time right now would be Senia, who always maintains good grades with room to spare.

‘It must have been Senia who reported Aris’s condition. She would have been in contact with Michelle.’

Actually, the class reorganization for Aris’s class seemed to happen unusually quickly.

The students did send piles of petitions asking not to split the class, but such matters usually don’t get resolved in a single day. Especially since it’s now connected to the faction battle.

In the midst of all this, for the reorganization to happen and a new educator to be assigned, there needs to be permission from a guardian or proxy, with no other proper procedure available.

‘Senia must have intervened there as a party member. It doesn’t seem like she told Michelle about it.’

Well, at least now I understand why this letter came.

Aris wouldn’t have come up with this idea on her own… given the circumstances, it’s right to assume Senia consoled Aris.

‘What remains is…’

A reply.

Without much deliberation, I quickly wrote a reply and handed it over. Since it contained nothing that needed to be hidden, I didn’t conceal it.

He looked quite surprised.

“…Is that all?”

“Yes. Just deliver this.”

No longer needing to look at this rock, I went back down the hill.

***

“Heeeng. I’m so bored-.”

Renias rubbed her face against the table with a bored expression.

She looked so bored. Just seeing her drooping silly hair and slowly puffing cheeks made it obvious.

“This is all Maria’s fault! Hmph!”

“Young lady.”

“What-! I want to see how the faction battle progresses too.”

Glint.

The maid, Maria, slightly raised her glasses and gave a sharp glare, making Renias flinch.

“Tch. What’s wrong with going to watch the faction battle…”

“I never stopped you, did I? It’s just that you threw a tantrum and refused to participate in the normal way.”

“That IS stopping me!”

Renias stood up abruptly to protest.

“Asking me to dress up with fancy decorations and a dress like at the Shute Victory Celebration? Isn’t that too much?”

“It’s stranger for you to just go there casually like you’re going out to play. Would it be so bad to dress up prettily like that time?”

“Ugh. It’s just uncomfortable and draws attention. How is that the normal way to participate…”

She closed her eyes tightly, as if the memory still gave her goosebumps.

Watching her, the maid inwardly sighed deeply.

‘Sigh. When will our young lady ever be honest?’

As a woman, there’s a desire to dress up. The maids who had been closest to Renias all knew that she had such desires too.

However, she was particularly dishonest about her appearance.

‘Young lady, you’re not the little mistress…’

She could decorate herself with colors other than purple.

She could grow her hair longer and wear dresses that suit her well.

Whenever Renias finished her preferred styling, Maria always got the same feeling.

That she looked exactly like her deceased mother, Reynesia.

Once, Maria had carefully broached the subject with Renias.

-‘Hehe. I just like this, that’s all.’

What came back was a smile that didn’t seem like a smile—an unnatural one.

Though she made sure not to ask the same question again, it still wasn’t something that could be dismissed as a mere happening.

Although Renias disliked it, Maria’s repeated attempts to change her styling weren’t just out of pride as a servant.

‘Young lady…’

Though Renias seemed to be conscious of her mother, Maria could only sigh each time, finding no proper solution.

“I’m back.”

“Ah, Ron!”

As Ronellion appeared, Renias’s hair perked up.

Since it was obvious she would ask how it went, Ronellion immediately answered.

“Well… I’ll allow it.”

“Huh?”

“Really?! You’re not lying or anything?!”

“Yeah.”

But for some reason, permission was granted.

“A-are you sure you’re not mistaken, young master? Allowing Renias to…”

“I’m talking about permission to watch the faction battle. Maria.”

“Wahahahah! Justice prevails-! See, Maria? I did nothing wrong.”

“…”

As if this was completely unexpected, Maria covered her mouth with her hand.

She hadn’t anticipated such a change in attitude from someone who had been negative about it since Renias first proposed the condition.

“Ah! This is just between Ron and me! Don’t look at me like that.”

“Do you think I’m like you, young lady? More importantly, we need to decide what you’ll wear.”

“Ugh… I never said I’d dress up that much! R-right?”

Ronellion, the cause of this attitude reversal, stepped between the bickering Renias and Maria to add a comment.

“It would be good to choose something. They’re having some kind of eve festival there too, so you should have separate clothes for that day.”

“What? Hmph…”

“Is that so? Well then, let’s see what would suit you best.”

Maria started holding clothes up against Renias’s body again.

Knowing that complaining more would only make the maids work harder, Renias resigned herself and headed to the wardrobe.

Left alone, Ronellion muttered to himself while watching Renias’s back.

“If it’s someone like him, it should be fine, Reni.”

Until now, the only person Renias had opened her heart to was perhaps Ophelia at most.

But an unexpected figure had suddenly appeared and was drawing out Renias’s true face.

As family, Ronellion hoped that Renias wouldn’t get hurt after opening her heart.

So after meeting the person Renias had been watching so intently, the result was:

It didn’t seem like his twin sister would get hurt.

He even concluded that this person was worthy of being mentioned frequently.

That’s why he was willing to entrust her.

Because he might be able to break the mask that was eating away at Renias.