Ch.213213. Stupid Senior (3)

Renias, who felt like her body would twist like a pretzel from embarrassment.

Having realized just how bizarre that scene must have looked, she was now internally screaming non-stop.

‘Ugggh…! How did this happen agaaain…!’

Just like at Dube Hall, Senior Senia did it again this time.

“My, my, these things happen. You two are close, after all.”

At those words, Renias jumped off the bed like lightning and tried to explain, but Senia lightly touched her lips with an index finger.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. But we’d like to have a little chat with Junon too. Would that be alright?”

“Se-Senior Senia…”

“Hmm? Ah, don’t worry, I’m not going to talk about that.”

That makes it even more suspicious!

Renias lowered her voice with a tearful expression.

“P-please don’t talk about that? I’m begging you…!”

“Hmm~? What exactly am I not supposed to talk about?”

“What you mentioned earlier… at, at Dube Hall!”

“My. Just like that, without any filter?”

Renias pleaded tearfully for her not to mention that incident, and Senia promised she absolutely wouldn’t bring it up, asking her to relax and give them some time.

When asked to wait outside, Renias shook her head so vigorously she was practically vibrating, cold sweat streaming down her face.

She must have been extremely anxious, as she stretched out both arms to block the way, clearly having no intention of leaving.

Charlotte, watching from the side, just tilted her head in confusion, wondering what was going on.

“You must have a reason for staying with Charlotte, right? Don’t worry and just give us a moment alone.”

“B-but…”

“Junon! I have something to tell you. Can I—”

“A-alright!! But absolutely don’t talk about it. Understood?!”

Despite her stubborn refusal to leave, it was only a matter of time before Renias gave in.

Only after covering Senia’s mouth and extracting a promise did she finally agree to step aside.

But… she couldn’t help feeling anxious!

‘Ahhh… why did I do such a thing just minutes ago…!’

To get a promise from her senior, she had grabbed her head firmly with both hands to prevent her from escaping.

That was her intention… she had taken that posture to get a clear answer from her evasive senior, but to others, it definitely wouldn’t have looked that way…!

Shifting her gaze to the two people watching from the doorway, it was truly a scene perfect for misunderstanding.

It looked as if she had pounced on her senior, pulling her face close and embracing her, and worse yet… doing this to a senior who had just woken up and couldn’t resist…

Aaaaargh…!

“That’s just being a pervert-!”

Whoosh—Renias’s face flushed bright red.

And then came the scream.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized how indecent the scene must have appeared, and overcome with shame, the girl turned into a rabbit, unable to contain her scream outside the hospital room.

Then the door to Junon’s room opened once more.

“Hmm. If you’re too noisy, we won’t be able to talk either, so you probably understand what I mean. Renias?”

“Eep…!”

“Hehe. I won’t say anything. It’s so reassuring having you by my side~.”

At the sight of Senia returning with a grin after giving that warning, Renias once again kicked at an imaginary blanket in the air.

Just wait. Just wait…!

When their conversation is over, she would definitely explain that it wasn’t like that at all…!

Outside Junon’s hospital room, steam was practically rising from her.

***

I’m not entirely sure, but I can tell something happened in this hospital room based on conversations I couldn’t hear.

The girl who was just angry at me turned stiff as a stone, then stretched out her arms as if to block something, before finally giving up her position as if she’d been knocked out.

And judging by the screams that followed…

Senia, what on earth did you say to Renias?

“Hmm. Now we can finally get our conversation going.”

“…What did you say to her outside just now?”

“Hmm? No, no, I just asked for a bit more time. I have quite a lot to talk about. For example, about how your face was buried in her chest until just now?”

Senia smiled like a fox plotting something mischievous.

It’s suspicious, but… I should clarify that part first.

“Renias had reason to be upset with me.”

“Upset? Come to think of it, I think I saw tear marks. Don’t tell me you did something to that sweet girl?”

“Just to avoid misunderstandings, I’m a patient right now. I can’t even move a finger properly.”

“Gasp, then before that?! My goodness, I never took you for that type!”

“Hey…”

This woman is trying to paint me as some kind of pervert. If someone had overheard, I might have been immediately labeled a sexual harasser, handcuffed, and sent to prison.

What are you doing in front of Charlotte, who’s just turning her head in confusion, not understanding what’s going on?

Sigh. If I respond, she’ll just dodge around and keep teasing me. Better not play along.

“Charlotte, surely Senia didn’t just come here to tease me, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Aw. I was hoping to tease you more.”

At Charlotte’s confirmation, Senia clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“Originally, Aris should have been here too. But… as you know, she…”

“Yes. I must still be a burden to her. I felt it since the faction battle.”

“Then you probably have some idea why we’re here to talk to you?”

Senia, Charlotte, and though she didn’t come, Aris too was supposed to be here?

If these three people were looking for me… it must be about that letter.

“For us, coming to see you was only natural.”

“Thanks to you, Senior, I was able to come back to my senses… that’s why we came.”

I can’t bow my head enough times to express my gratitude for providing information in advance and bringing the Lakan tribe as reinforcements.

Moreover, Charlotte even teared up, thanking me for stopping her rampage twice.

The two of them had come to express their gratitude.

“Aris too, though she’s not here. And Michelle as well.”

They seem to have asked Senia to convey their thanks for helping them.

‘Thanks, huh…’

Seeing them express such sincere gratitude made my chest ache a little.

I sent that letter only to minimize casualties based on my experience from before the regression. Nothing more.

It was only natural to provide information in advance, knowing that the Tembris Party would inevitably face the distorted Pimpert.

It didn’t feel right to receive thanks for something like that.

“No need to thank me. It was pure luck this time. Everything just happened to align because I met the Lakan tribe.”

I shouldn’t get any closer to them. That principle remains unchanged, so I put up a wall.

From my perspective, I only acted to reduce the Empire’s losses.

After learning about Pimpert and the Sacred Emperor, I moved to minimize the damage.

And… I knew the Tembris Party couldn’t fall apart.

To achieve my ultimate goal of survival, Tembris needed to remain intact, which is why I pushed myself so hard.

Like that… I pushed away their goodwill, making excuses to myself.

“Well… if that’s what you say…”

My single remark immediately made the atmosphere awkward. Senia, who had been joking around, now wore a sour expression. Charlotte wasn’t much different.

“What happened after I collapsed?”

I barely managed to change the subject.

However, whatever was said afterward didn’t register. Though unintentional, I was letting their words go in one ear and out the other.

My complicated feelings must have shown on my face, as Senia, perceptive as ever, remarked:

“Rest. Sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

I must have been quite obvious.

Senia concluded the conversation, saying there was no point in continuing such talk with a patient.

Charlotte was the same. Seeing her hang her head in apology, I could guess what I had done.

“Um…”

“We’ll talk next time. In your current state, rest should come first.”

I felt conflicted. I couldn’t even maintain a poker face.

“Let’s go, Charlotte.”

“Yes. We’ll be going now, Senior.”

With the sound of the door sliding, the footsteps of the two gradually faded away.

I should feel relieved. I should feel better now that these uncomfortable people are gone, but instead I just feel more burdened.

“Haah.”

In truth, those two… no, including Aris, those three.

If the Empire is to maintain its full strength going forward, it would be easiest if Tembris handled all the upcoming incidents.

And I remember each of those incidents in detail.

In other words, it’s like this:

Just as resisting Pimpert’s mental interference magic was crucial in this subjugation, I could pass on key information to the three of them to ease their burden in resolving incidents.

The best scenario I can think of right now is undoubtedly this method.

It has all the advantages, and since it’s information from before the regression, events will inevitably flow that way unless a major variable appears.

So I wondered if I should share the information and ask for their help.

‘I thought… it might have been okay to bring it up.’

Blaming myself for being so hesitant, I reconsider.

The two already know that I remember the past completely.

If I were to mention regression as well… they would be even more convinced. I could have presented some simple evidence to prevent accidents in advance.

I think I’ve been reluctant to make contact with the Tembris Party, which is why those words wouldn’t come out easily.

-Slide. Slide.

‘Huh?’

Meanwhile, the closed door opens again. But… why is it being pushed so gently?

Wondering who it might be, I turn my head to see a silver rabbit approaching timidly.

Looking closely, steam seems to be rising from her face.

The culprit is obvious.

‘Did Senia say something to her again before leaving?’

Come to think of it, it was Senia who asked Renias for some time.

And Renias screamed outside after Senia said something to her…

‘Why are you toasting this sweet girl like that? Sheesh.’

I thought it was strange that Renias, who had been outside the hospital room, came in a bit late. She must have heard something from Senia again.

She did the same thing when asking me questions earlier. She created misunderstandings by slyly asking why my face was buried in Renias’s chest, so she probably teased her in a similar way.

“Don’t worry too much, Renias. That Senia, teasing people with her way with words is her daily routine.”

Saying that, I raised my hand to pat her head. Renias seemed to enjoy head pats more than I expected.

However, this time she suddenly avoided my touch.

Fidgeting as she sat back in the chair, Renias…

“S-Senior… I, I’m not a pervert, okay? It just happened to turn out that way…”

With spinning eyes, she repeated that she wasn’t a pervert, not even aware of what she was saying.

I couldn’t help but facepalm at that moment.