Chapter 134

A serene smile and an elegant demeanor.

It was her public facade.

So, I couldn’t judge Hiresia’s true state based on that alone.

What mattered was why she appeared here.

A mere coincidence?

It could be.

But was it just my imagination that she seemed to want to confirm something?

“Indeed, senior.”

I responded with a smile.

No matter the situation, I must remain calm and composed.

And there wasn’t really an issue, right?

Elaine and I weren’t that deeply involved yet.

We were more than just friends, but still friends.

However.

‘…I do feel guilty.’

I had just told Hiresia yesterday that we should get to know each other better, and now I was flirting with another girl. It made me feel uneasy.

This is the problem when a game becomes reality.

It’s one thing to deal with game characters, but juggling multiple women with feelings and lives pricks at my conscience.

There’s no choice.

I had to think of myself as the protagonist of a harem story and control my mind as best as I could.

“Hello, Senior Hiresia.”

Elaine greeted her politely.

Come to think of it, what was their relationship at this time?

I don’t think they had much interaction.

“Yes, Elaine. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your meal. Please, enjoy it without minding me.”

Hiresia spoke gently.

Judging by their interaction, it seemed they were just ordinary seniors and juniors.

Hiresia used honorifics even with her juniors, but with close juniors, she was more casual.

She spoke comfortably with me even in front of others.

But I seemed to be the only one she treated that way.

From this, it was clear that Elaine and Hiresia were just ordinary seniors and juniors.

“No, you’re not interrupting at all.”

Elaine waved her hand dismissively.

“But, senior, what brings you here?”

I asked.

“Oh, I came to try some dessert.”

Hiresia glanced around before continuing.

“But it seems the only available seat is here. Is it okay if I sit here, Elaine?”

Why ask her…?

It’s not like we reserved the place.

And who would say no to such a question?

“Huh? Of course, senior. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Elaine, looking a bit flustered, answered with wide eyes.

“Thank you.”

Hiresia sat at the empty table next to ours.

And indeed, it was the only available seat.

It must be a coincidence, not something planned.

“Hmm… I’ll have a milk tea and a cheesecake, please.”

Hiresia ordered simply.

She didn’t need to ponder over the menu since, for her, anything but meat was the same.

And that meant she wasn’t here just for dessert.

‘Please, just let it go.’

I wanted to plead, but I understood her feelings.

She considered us to have moved into a romantic relationship.

Which was true.

So, it would be strange if she wasn’t bothered by me being alone with another girl.

“Are you two in the same class?”

Hiresia began her probing.

I sighed internally, knowing this was coming.

To keep juggling multiple relationships, I needed to get used to situations like this, but it was still difficult.

Especially being caught between two girls.

“Oh, no, we’re not in the same class. We’re in different classes, senior.”

Elaine, still oblivious, answered.

I hoped she would remain that way, but it seemed unlikely.

…I could see Hiresia’s facade starting to crack.

“Oh, I see. That’s strange. I thought you said you were keeping promises with your classmates…”

Her enchanting silver eyes glinted as she subtly questioned me.

Senior, your true nature is starting to show.

…Please, act more professionally.

“Huh? What did you say…?”

Elaine, puzzled, tilted her head.

Of course, she wouldn’t understand. That was meant for me.

I had no choice but to step in.

“Haha, senior. Friends aren’t limited to classmates. Elaine and I have been friends for nearly two years. Right?”

“Huh…? Oh, yes, that’s right.”

Elaine nodded, still confused.

…Sorry, it hasn’t been two years.

“Oh, what a lovely friendship.”

Hiresia smiled.

Her smile lacked soul, senior.

…Please put some soul into it.

“Thank you….”

Elaine, with slightly shaky eyes, responded.

She seemed to sense something was off.

Her fork had stopped moving.

Senior, she’s too poor to enjoy her dessert comfortably.

Don’t you feel sorry for her?

“Oh, I must have said too much. Please, enjoy your meal without minding me.”

Maybe she understood, as Hiresia said that.

Just then, her ordered milk tea and cheesecake arrived.

Slurp.

Hiresia took a sip of her warm milk tea.

Then she spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I really dislike being disturbed while eating. But I didn’t consider your feelings, Elaine.”

Hiresia’s sincere confession seemed to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Elaine seemed surprised by Hiresia’s honesty.

“…I didn’t know you had that side, senior.”

“Is it surprising?”

“Yes, I thought you were almost perfect, senior…”

“Haha, no one is perfect. We all have our flaws, don’t we? Including me.”

For once, the conversation was heartwarming.

I felt a bit warm inside too.

It was clear that Hiresia felt a bit guilty for intruding, despite her curiosity.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have said all that.

Of course, if she found out we were actually flirting, her eyes would turn on me immediately…

The conversation continued warmly for a while.

It would be nice if it ended like this.

But it wouldn’t.

“What kind of relationship do you two have?”

Hiresia suddenly asked.

Elaine’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Huh, what do you mean? We’re just friends…”

Well done, Elaine.

You answered smoothly.

“Yes, we’re friends.”

I quickly added.

We’re friends, so please give up.

“Oh, really? You two look so good together that I thought you were a couple.”

Hiresia probed again.

“L-Look good together? No way…”

Elaine blushed.

No, don’t blush!

I screamed internally, but she couldn’t hear me.

Slurp.

Hiresia finished her milk tea in one gulp.

Her eyes glinted strangely.

Sweat trickled down my back.

“No, I mean it. You’re both so good-looking.”

Thanks for the compliment… but please stop overdoing it.

I’m not handsome enough to be mentioned alongside Elaine.

I have a clean face but an unapproachable vibe…

It seems I have rose-colored glasses on.

But that’s not important now.

“Especially Elaine, you’re really beautiful. You have a face that would pass any meeting.”

…Where did you learn that phrase?

And when someone as blessed as you says that, it feels off.

Don’t you realize that?

“N-No… You’re too kind… You’re the one who’s truly beautiful, senior…”

Elaine, though embarrassed, seemed pleased.

It was nice to hear such compliments from one of the academy’s top beauties.

I was glad she didn’t misunderstand.

Even though Hiresia was probing, she wasn’t the type to say such things with malice.

Her beauty made her more cautious.

Still.

Hiresia stopped probing and quietly tidied the table.

It seemed she didn’t sense any deceit in Elaine’s earlier response.

Nor in my behavior.

“I heard you and Max did great in the mock battle.”

“Oh… It was thanks to a good strategy, senior.”

“Haha, you’re humble. I hope you continue to be good friends and support each other.”

Hiresia stood up.

Thank you, senior.

“Have a good time.”

Finally, the storm passed.

* * *

“Uh, um…”

Elaine hesitated, looking uncertain now that we were alone.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Well…”

“Go ahead.”

“What’s your relationship with Senior Hiresia?”

I knew she would be curious about that.

With Hiresia acting so differently from usual, it would be strange if Elaine didn’t find it odd.

There was no way I could answer truthfully, so I had to give a plausible explanation.

It was the only way to clear things up neatly.

It was better for the future as well.

“She’s my mentor.”

I decided to throw in a bit of truth.

The truth is the best way to convince someone.

“Your mentor…?”

Elaine looked puzzled.

It would be strange for her to understand how a fellow student could be a mentor.

“You know?”

“Hm?”

“My archery skills have improved tremendously. It’s all thanks to my mentor.”

“Oh…”

Finally, one of the mysteries about me seemed to click into place for Elaine, and she blinked in surprise.

“So that’s why. Because of that relationship…”

She muttered as if she finally understood.

“What do you mean, because of that?”

“Oh… I thought Senior Hiresia was particularly interested in you. I thought she might have feelings for you.”

“Cough.”

Women’s intuition is sharp.

Hiresia had been quite forward, after all.

Anyway, it was good that I mixed in some truth to make my explanation more convincing.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been convinced so easily.

“…Even I’m not that popular. Being liked by the legendary high elf would be too much for me.”

Sorry, but that guy is me.

“No, I think being her archery student is impressive enough.”

That’s true.

I’m the only one.

“Did you enjoy your meal? Shall we get going?”

I quickly changed the subject, worried that I might slip up if we talked too long.

* * *

“I had a great time today.”

As we parted ways after lunch, I said.

“Me too.”

Elaine replied.

Her happy expression showed she was satisfied with the time we spent together.

That was enough.

There had been a bit of an unexpected incident, but it seemed we got through it without any problems.

“Take care. See you next time.”

Just as we were about to part with our final goodbyes.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“Are you attending the ball?”

Elaine asked.

Come to think of it, tonight was the night of the Changsung Ball.

The highlight of the Changsung Festival and its grand finale.

The problem was, I still hadn’t decided who to choose.

…Honestly, it’s such a difficult decision.

“Yes, I plan to.”

“I see.”

Elaine nodded.

Then, with a slightly trembling voice, she said.

“I’m planning to attend too.”

…Hey.

Saying that with such an expression is unfair.

Anyone would think she decided to attend because of me.

In that situation, how guilty would I feel if I chose another girl…?

Ugh, being a playboy isn’t easy without a certain mindset.

No… no.

I need to stay strong.

We’re not even in a relationship yet, so I don’t need to feel responsible.

“That’s great. It would be a shame to miss such a special event that only happens once a year. See you at the ball.”

I said with a smile.

“Yeah. See you then.”

Elaine smiled back.

* * *

And so, I was left with just one more festival appointment.

The most troublesome one.