Ch.195195. Invisible Mask (1)

In this world, there are things that grow abundantly.

Like weeds with tenacious vitality that keep growing no matter how much they’re trampled, or magical beasts that form and disappear according to the cycle of mana.

But it’s not only visible things that grow abundantly.

“…”

I could tell just by looking at their sidelong glances.

Those are seeds of doubt and distrust growing among humans.

“Senior, don’t feel too upset. It’s all just a misunderstanding, okay?”

Right beside me, as if telling me not to mind such things, she firmly held my hand.

Her gaze was also distinctly different from theirs.

“Even if others act like that, just ignore them. I was right there with you, so I know everything. I would never blame you, senior.”

Perhaps feeling that words alone weren’t enough, she released my hand that she had been gripping tightly.

Then, standing on her tiptoes,

“There, now you can’t hear them, right?”

She covered both my ears with her hands, using them as earmuffs to block out the unpleasant things.

Even without claiming innocence, I thought how fortunate it was to have such a reliable ally.

Nevertheless, I took Renias’s hands and lowered them.

“Senior…?”

The smile she had been forcing faded into anxiety, and waves of confusion crashed violently in her pretty eyes.

She had a worried expression, concerned that I might give in to negative thoughts and despair.

If that’s what she’s worried about, it’s fine.

“We can’t stay like this forever. We have lectures to attend later. And when are we going to eat?”

Even without her shielding me, I was already filtering out what I heard.

“Ah, right. We were on our way to eat. Yes, yes. You’re right, senior.”

Her emotions were completely transparent. I could feel her uniquely gentle heart coming through.

I didn’t particularly care about the piercing gazes. No, to be honest, I wasn’t bothered by them.

Not everyone in the Empire believed such rumors.

“Should I get you the usual today?”

“Yawn, why are you two coming so early when I’m still cleaning?”

“Hey now. Is that any way to treat customers?”

“Ow…! Auntie, they really did come too early!”

There were people who had returned to their daily routines as if they no longer cared about rumors.

Although they seemed to avoid mentioning the recent incident, the familiar faces hadn’t changed much.

Still, the presence of Renias right beside me was the strongest of all.

Was it because she had covered my ears to block out the bad words?

I couldn’t hear them well. The voices whispering behind us, inflating rumors and slandering.

“Ah, Auntie… hmph.”

“Pretty girls need to eat well, don’t they?”

“Mumble mumble… you know I don’t like this…”

Seeing her unexpectedly caught being picky with her food and getting scolded, yet still chewing away and naturally continuing the conversation, my gaze couldn’t be drawn elsewhere.

She’s such a fascinating girl.

Sometimes she’s just like a rabbit, but on the battlefield, she’s the goddess of victory known to all.

In reality, she’s a schoolgirl with diverse emotions, showing both meticulous care and clumsiness.

Watching Renias like this from beside her makes all complicated thoughts fly away, just like now.

That’s why her presence feels the strongest to me.

“S-Senior. This absolutely isn’t because I can’t eat it…?! It’s because you were sick… hehe.”

“Trying to sneak past by using me as an excuse? No way. You need to eat a balanced meal.”

“Heeeng. This tastes so bad…!”

Just watching her like this strangely puts me at ease. That’s why I find her so fascinating.

After finishing our early breakfast.

Before returning to the dormitory, I suggested that Renias go home as she couldn’t fight the drowsiness that came with her full stomach, her eyes already closing.

“Well, you already sleep a lot, and now you’re out this early.”

“Mmm… but I’m fine…”

What’s fine about it? She keeps rubbing her eyes because she can’t keep her eyelids from closing.

However, Renias kept shaking her head, refusing to go back.

In the end, as she tried to take a sip of coffee to stay awake, she fell asleep sitting on the bench.

“Senior…”

Somehow it felt like déjà vu. There was definitely a similar incident on the first day of the faction battle.

I set down the coffee she was holding, as there was no one left to drink it. I now had someone to carry.

I didn’t move her right away. Instead, though it’s a bit strange to call it a substitute, I sat beside the sleeping Renias and said a few words to her.

“See? You were about to collapse from exhaustion.”

It was obvious even at a glance that she was drowsy, so why was she being so stubborn?

That made me feel both sorry and more grateful.

“I appreciate your concern, but you don’t have to go that far. I won’t just stand there and take hits like yesterday.”

Also, I roughly knew that things could escalate further if this continued.

Back then, the Tembris party was everything, and I didn’t see anyone else around. No, perhaps there was no one else around.

The seniors and juniors who had dropped out due to status and position oppression. The classmates who had studied together. The comrades who had fought on the same battlefield.

People who exist now but didn’t before the regression.

And… if there was the biggest turning point for me, it would be this lovely girl who has become everyone’s idol, now mumbling in her sleep right in front of me.

“In a way, I feel like everything changed after meeting you.”

I muttered this while gently fixing the stray strands of hair of Renias, who was sleeping with her head on the bench.

Suddenly, the fidgeting Renias smiled contentedly with a “hehe-” and pressed my hand against her cheek.

Worried that she might be pretending to sleep or might have heard me, I checked anxiously, but she was definitely in dreamland.

“Sleep like that and your mouth will get crooked. Come on, get up.”

“Mmm.”

When I grabbed her shoulders to straighten her posture, I could see she was struggling.

Even trying to wake her up, she was staggering considerably. Thinking she might hit her head on the bench, I quickly let her lean against my shoulder.

After a brief moment of consideration, I realized there was no other option.

“Oof.”

Rather than leaving her to sleep in an uncomfortable position, it would be better to send her home quickly so she could rest properly.

So, I had no choice but to pick up Renias in my arms once again, just like before.

Being like this somehow reminds me of that maid who was giving me looks… I wonder if she’s somewhere around here?

“…Of course not.”

Renias isn’t that heavy, but it’s awkward to just stand here like this. I can’t let her sleep on the bench all day, and I have my own investigations to do.

So I need to find someone to leave her with…

Taking her to my dormitory room would be easily misunderstood, so I need someone official.

I guess I’ll have to look around for an employee of the Lantana ducal family, even if it’s a bit troublesome.

If all else fails, I could take her to the student guidance office when they open.

“So here you are, Junon.”

“Professor Dalia?”

Despite saying “here you are,” Professor Dalia’s eyes shifted downward slightly. She must have noticed the sleeping Renias.

This is perfect timing.

With Renias in this state, Professor Dalia would be the ideal person to connect with the Lantana ducal family. I thought it would be perfect to leave her with Professor Dalia and be on my way.

“Renias can sleep in my room. But more importantly… I’d like to have a word with you.”

“A word?”

“Your supervising professor was originally going to tell you directly, but he’s been busy lately. There’s something he hasn’t had a chance to mention.”

My supervising professor would naturally be Professor Muniher…

Coming to find me in the morning. And a professor coming to see just one student.

I have a feeling we’re about to have quite a complicated conversation.

***

Slurp.

Professor Dalia took a sip of fragrant coffee, exhaling hot breath. I didn’t particularly want anything to drink, so I asked for water.

Then, as if not satisfied, Professor Dalia added another spoonful of coffee, brewed it again, and finally sat down on the sofa.

“Now my head’s finally clearing. I was so surprised earlier.”

Well… I’m not sure if such bitter coffee is necessary, but I can understand.

There was a small “incident” as soon as we arrived here.

Professor Dalia occasionally prepares a bed here for overnight work, she says.

A bed sounded perfect given Renias’s condition.

So we laid Renias down and were about to start our conversation when, as soon as I let go of her, Renias suddenly grabbed my neck and wouldn’t let go.

I unintentionally gained a new piece of knowledge: a person can suffocate when their face is buried in a woman’s chest…

At that point… Professor Dalia, who had gone to the kitchen to make coffee, came running in asking what was happening.

At first, not understanding the situation, she spiked my back, but when I sent desperate signals with my eyes begging for help, she finally realized what was going on.

After assessing the situation, the female professor gasped and helped free my face from Renias’s chest.

Even at this point I was exhausted, but what was bitter was seeing Professor Dalia turn her face away and shudder.

Annoyed that she was laughing while I had nearly died in such a bizarre way, I couldn’t help but speak up.

-‘Is it appropriate for a doctor to laugh at someone who nearly died? Huh?’

At that, she finally burst into laughter with tears in her eyes,

-‘S-sorry… pfft…!’

She showed me how difficult it was for her to hold back her laughter.

The “incident” that could have resulted in a fatality(?) ends here.

Our junior, who could have sent someone to the afterlife in her sleep, is now sleeping on the sofa, hugging a teddy bear tightly with her head on my thigh.

Given the situation, I might as well ask.

“I know I shouldn’t ask this, but… is Renias’s sleeping habit always this bad…?”

“Cough, cough. COUGH!”

…Why are you choking on your coffee again, Professor?

I’m complaining because your student almost died.

“Ahem, well, it’s fine since we caught it early, right? It’s already been resolved…”

Is the situation really that funny to you? I nearly died, yet you, a professor in the medical field, a person with the title of doctor, laugh like that?

Saying that again would only make her laugh more… I’ll keep quiet.

“Hmm, ahem! Let me address that point first—yes, Renias does have bad sleeping habits. She’s been like that since she was little.”

“Since she was little?”

“She’s my friend’s daughter. I know because we’re basically like aunt and niece. Ah, he’s the same.”

Now that I think about it, she once almost called Professor Muniher “uncle” before correcting herself.

I wondered why, but now I understand the reason.

“She often has nightmares when sleeping, and I’ve had to comfort her many times when I visited.”

“So she must have had a nightmare at that moment.”

I didn’t know there was such a story behind her sleeping habit. It might not happen often, but if the same situation arises in the future, I should help her sleep peacefully.

“…She hasn’t told you anything?”

“Pardon?”

Professor Dalia uttered something significant.

Hasn’t told me anything?