Friend

“…He eats well.”

Orca looked at Leo with weary eyes.

At first, she seemed extremely displeased about eating with Leo, but that didn’t last long.

As she watched the staggering amount of food disappearing into Leo’s mouth, those feelings apparently vanished.

Rather than displeasure, she seemed purely fascinated by the spectacle before her.

“Teacher, can you really afford this…? You said you’d treat us, but looking at this, the bill must easily exceed hundreds.”

“Don’t worry. The teacher has more money than you’d think.”

“…Is that so?”

Though Orca started worrying about my finances, I remained confident.

I still had plenty left from exchanging the gems the Principal gave me.

Truthfully, spending that money solely on myself felt somewhat-no, considerably burdensome…

But using it here didn’t feel wasteful at all.

The Principal probably wouldn’t mind it being spent on feeding students…

“Did a beggar crawl into your stomach? Why are you eating so much?”

“Hahhh. I suppose I do eat a bit more than average.”

“A bit…?”

Orca stared at the mountain of seafood remnants piled beside Leo.

Though staff kept clearing them away, there was no sign of reduction.

“Normally, I eat like everyone else… Hoo. But occasionally, I need to eat like this.”

“Need to?”

“Because of the artifact’s power.”

I opened my mouth to satisfy Orca’s curiosity.

“The artifact he possesses requires the user’s life force as tribute.”

“How does Ophelia Teacher know that…?”

Oops.

I’d accidentally answered for Leo without thinking.

It just slipped out when familiar subject matter came up…

Wiping cold sweat, I answered Leo’s question.

“Students’ special circumstances are documented. I tend to memorize information about standout students.”

“…I see.”

“Yes, yes…”

Fortunately, Leo didn’t question my excuse and refocused on his food.

Looks like my excuse worked, thank goodness…

Glancing at him, he didn’t seem eager to explain further himself.

Rather than discomfort, he radiated pure desire to keep eating.

Since he wasn’t the type to avoid talking about his benefactor, I decided it was fine to explain to Orca.

“Accordi-I mean, according to records, Leo received that armor from his benefactor.”

The silver armor worn over his slightly oversized academy uniform.

That armor was an artifact.

When Leo was young, his village burned down for unknown reasons.

A passing knight had apparently saved Leo, who nearly died that day.

To save him, the knight gave Leo part of the artifact armor he wore, which saved Leo’s life.

When Leo later tried to return it, the knight had already disappeared.

Unable to return it, Leo began wearing the armor constantly while idolizing that knight.

…That was Leo’s backstory.

“Huh…”

“But artifacts aren’t always beneficial. The one Leo possesses grants power at the cost of taking something in return.”

That something was life force.

This was why Leo never grew.

Because most nutrients he consumed went to the armor.

Young Leo kept wearing the armor out of admiration, and having his life force drained stunted his growth.

By now, he’d passed the age where growth was possible.

…Though judging by in-game dialogue, Leo probably wouldn’t have removed the armor even if he’d known the truth as a child.

Regardless, this artifact’s power forced Leo to periodically binge eat like this.

His regular meals couldn’t replenish all the expended energy.

The community called this Leo’s “refueling” phase.

Like putting gas in a car, they said.

“…So that’s why he eats so much?”

“Essentially. Hoo… Thank you for the meal, Teacher.”

“You can eat more. Doesn’t look like you’re full yet.”

“I do have some conscience, Teacher. I think I’ve already eaten more than enough to be burdensome.”

Leo finally stopped eating and bowed his head toward me.

…What’s with that expression?

I haven’t done anything worthy of such admiration.

“Your willingness to make significant expenditures for students is admirable.”

“…You’ve got some nerve.”

“Don’t worry, Orca. I can cover the cost of what I ate.”

Huh? Wait…

I was planning to pay for the meal?

“Um, I’ll handle the bill-“

“I appreciate your concern for students, Teacher, but you shouldn’t. As a newly appointed teacher, your funds must be limited. No need to overextend yourself.”

Leo smiled gratefully but refused my offer to pay.

He must be worried about my finances.

Such a good kid. Knows how to consider others.

Though he was clearly regretting eating such expensive food internally, he kept smiling.

Probably worried showing weakness might offend me?

This excessive consideration matched Leo’s in-game portrayal perfectly.

…While also being completely oblivious.

Student, your teacher is seriously rich…

“…So? Why’d you come?”

“Huh?”

“You came because you had something to say, right? Watching you eat was entertaining, but we should talk now.”

“Ah, right. That.”

“Did you forget, shrimp…?”

“Oh, right.”

“Why did Teacher forget too…?”

Well, you were eating so impressively.

I got so absorbed in watching that I forgot our purpose.

Come to think of it, Leo did have something to say earlier.

Leo also seemed to remember only after hearing this, scratching his head sheepishly.

With an embarrassed smile, he approached us and bowed deeply.

Not to me-to Orca.

“I apologize.”

“Wh-wha…?!”

“I came to apologize for that day.”

Leo bowed again to the flustered Orca.

With genuine remorse.

“I’m sorry for lecturing you without understanding the full situation. You must have felt terrible. I’m reflecting on it.”

“Te-Teacher…?”

Orca looked helplessly between Leo and me, but I chose not to intervene.

This was between them.

My involvement wouldn’t be right. They should resolve it themselves.

Maybe I should even leave…

But I didn’t want to. I was curious about their conversation.

I never expected Leo to come apologize to Orca.

Was this due to the changed prologue outcome?

“After hearing you chased people away not to threaten students, but because you hated being stared at like some strange creature, I wanted to apologize properly.”

“…”

Orca kept shifting her gaze, clearly uncomfortable receiving an apology.

This situation must feel alien to her.

Whenever something bad happened, she’d always been blamed first.

Even for things she didn’t do, she’d faced constant accusations and insults-far more familiar with condemnation than apologies.

“Will you accept my apology?”

“Uh, um…”

In that sense, this was good.

Though adorable, Orca’s social skills were rock-bottom…

It was hard to imagine her making friends at all.

But what about Leo?

The boy who dreamed of knighthood while idolizing his childhood savior remained immature despite his small stature.

He often judged wholes by parts, believed lies easily-still needing to grow.

But this also meant he quickly acknowledged mistakes and tried to improve.

And lacking bad experiences with Demon Possessors, he was perfect friendship material for Orca.

Hang in there, Orca.

Accept this apology and you can become friends…!

“…Hmph, it happens all the time. Don’t worry about it.”

“R-really…? Did I hurt your-“

“Ugh, annoying! I said don’t dwell on it, shrimp!”

“S-so you accept my apology?”

“There’s nothing to apologize for, you idiot!”

…I left the restaurant after witnessing that scene.

If I stayed longer, I might ruin the mood with strange noises.

Honestly, I was so happy I couldn’t control my expression.

Others might be staring at me weirdly.

Exiting, I casually spoke to the employee at the counter.

“Please ring me up. Include what that male student ate too.”

“Understood.”

Perhaps because Leo ate so much.

The receipt amount was astronomical.

…This could buy a used car.

And Leo thought he could pay this alone?

With no money to his name…

Such pointless consideration…

“…You seem happy. Good news?”

The employee watching me examine the receipt asked quietly.

So I had been obvious.

I smiled brightly at the question.

“I just witnessed someone I thought would never make friends gain their first one.”

“That must be wonderful.”

“Absolutely.”