Chapter 42 – We’re Friends, Right?

Tap-tap, tap-tap

The breeze played with Pina’s fluffy tail, making it dance pleasantly in the wind.

Tap-tap, tap-tap

Her lips curled into an unconscious smile at the mingled scents of dewy grass and rich coffee wafting from the café.

Tap-tap, tap-tap

While the capital’s streets felt like chaotic battlefields, the academy grounds remained peaceful and warm despite the crowds.

As she walked, the squirrel beastkin Pina beamed at the name displayed on her Terminal:

[Eliaernes Eustetia]

Her once-empty address book now held its first contact. Though the name looked small on the wide screen, it filled Pina’s heart completely.

Eliaernes—likely the most beautiful person in Karela Academy. Eliaernes—who had defeated a Red Ogre in a single strike, like something from a fantasy. Eliaernes—fierce-eyed and rough-spoken, yet remarkably kind. Eliaernes—the strongest student not just in their year, but perhaps the entire school.

This morning, Pina had obtained her number.

Grinning brightly, she recalled their dawn encounter.

Early morning, when wind rattled her window and the scent of grass woke her.

Curious, she’d hurriedly dressed and followed the wind’s guidance.

Where the wind led her, she found corrupted wind spirits surrounded by grass spirits.

Perhaps they’d drifted in from outside? The wind spirit suffered from severe magi contamination.

But this posed no real challenge for Pina. She had the light. The Spirit of Light that embraced and nurtured all spirits.

Though it sometimes scolded her, grew angry, and could be frightening, the Spirit of Light was Pina’s savior and parent figure.

She’d immediately asked for its help. Though light’s power was weaker before sunrise, it held enough strength to purify this level of corruption.

After the gentle cleansing, the wind spirit had sprung back to life, nuzzling Pina’s cheek affectionately.

As she chatted with the gathering of baby spirits afterward, something changed.

All spirits suddenly turned their attention in one direction. Even those who’d kept their distance bounced toward the same point.

Pina knew why. She quickly hid behind a large tree, peeking around its trunk.

Her guess proved correct.

There stood a human cherry blossom.

Eliaernes Eustetia.

For reasons unknown, she was beloved by all spirits. Revered by all spirits. Even the noble light couldn’t help but marvel at her.

This wasn’t the first time. When she’d first entered the classroom, spirits had flown in from outside. Even those speaking with Pina had drifted toward her.

The Spirit of Light, which usually remained within Pina’s soul, had even separated a piece of itself to approach Eliaernes.

Dozens, hundreds, thousands of spirits surrounded her. Like spring incarnate, she brought cherry blossoms to the stark classroom—beautiful and radiant.

…Though her personality seemed difficult, scary, violent, hot-tempered, and prickly… her heart seemed kind.

It had to be, for the spirits to love her so.

…Anyway.

Pina had hidden behind the tree, secretly watching Eliaernes.

Until she got caught.

After weathering suspicions—including accusations about improper use of the tree—and offering explanations, they’d shared a quiet moment.

Then, at parting, she’d gathered her courage to ask for Eliaernes’s number.

She hadn’t planned to ask. But the Spirit of Light had insisted so desperately that she’d blurted it out. The spirit had promised she’d be safe anywhere near Eliaernes.

So she’d squeezed out courage she didn’t know she had and asked.

Though prepared to faint if met with “How dare you!” or a raised fist, Eliaernes had done neither.

Despite initial reluctance, she’d handed over her Terminal for Pina to save her number.

Despite seeming difficult, scary, violent, hot-tempered, and prickly, she truly was kind inside.

Grinning at the memory, Pina’s smile brightened as she bounced to an empty bench.

She pulled rye bread from her tail and began nibbling it bit by bit.

Then—

Ding-ding! Ding-ding!

Her Terminal rang.

[Eliaernes Eustetia]

“Eek, h-hic… hic?!”

Only wheezing breaths escaped her parted lips, not even reaching the level of proper sounds.

What’s happening? Why is she calling? Why not message? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?

Flustered, Pina gulped down her bread with milk and gripped her Terminal in both hands.

Thump-thump

Should I answer…?

But I can’t speak!

Still… I should… should answer.

She might glare at me like before if I don’t.

With a resolute expression, Pina pressed the green button.

[Pina.]

She opened her mouth to reply, but only wheezing breaths emerged.

[You don’t need to answer. I can see you.]

Eep! Eyes wide, Pina looked around frantically. Undeterred, Eliaernes’s sharp voice continued:

[See the café on your right?]

Café? Café? She looked toward where the rich coffee scent originated.

Through crystal-clear windows, she spotted Eliaernes instantly. No searching needed—a host of spirits circled her like a crown.

Pink eyes met hers. With a sultry smile, Eliaernes waved lazily and whispered:

[Come here.]

Though her expression was gentle and her gesture soft… Something felt terrifying.

Beastkin instincts pulled at Pina’s nape, warning of danger. But her heart and the Spirit of Light urged her toward Eliaernes.

Huff… haah…

Releasing a shaky breath, Pina tucked her bread back into her tail and hurried over.

Her short legs carried her quickly, even as she reasoned:

If the spirits love her, and the light that always protects me praises her so much… Surely Lady Eliaernes wouldn’t do anything bad to me.

***

“Eat.”

Pina’s head tilted.

“Instead of that dried-up rye bread, eat these.”

I gestured with a kind smile at the cake, brownies, madeleines, ice cream, and cookies.

For drinks, warm toffee nut latte.

No idea what toffee nut was, but figured anything with “nut” might appeal to a squirrel.

After hugging her tail and hiding her eyes for a long while, Pina finally reached out with trembling hands to take a madeleine.

She nibbled it cautiously, watching my reaction.

I passed her a brownie topped with ice cream, fruit-studded cake, soft caramel, sugar-glazed fruit, and chocolate-drenched banana.

Each time, she trembled violently, but soon surrendered to the merciless assault of sweetness.

Finally slurping down the last of her latte, Pina’s face had completely melted into blissful contentment.

Looking at her bright expression, I smiled warmly.

“Full?”

Nod-nod

“Good, right?”

Nod-nod-nod

“Want to eat like this every day?”

After blinking thoughtfully, Pina gave a careful nod.

Yurasia watched her adoringly, clearly enchanted. Stella seemed conflicted, perhaps sensing a kindred spirit.

Breaking her gaze from Pina, Stella shot me a what’s-going-on-here look.

She’d kept quiet as promised when I said I’d find another club member.

“Pina.”

Hm?

I picked up the paper and pen from in front of Stella.

“We’re friends, right?”

Not quite understanding, Pina tilted her head before typing on her Terminal.

[Friends? Me, with Lady Eliaernes?]

Tears welled in her eyes as she held out the device.

“Yep. Friends.”

I answered brightly.

She nodded furiously, crystal tears splashing onto the table.

Stella watched with pity while Yurasia gently dabbed Pina’s eyes.

I smiled widely and held out the paper.

“Now write your name here and add your seal.”

“Lady Ellie?!”

“W-What?! Wait…!”

Yurasia turned to me, shocked. Stella’s face crumpled as she glared.

But Pina, still wearing her pure smile, wrote her name without hesitation.

Then—

Crunch

“Pina?!”

“Hey, you…?!”

She bit her thumb bloody and pressed it to the paper.

“Whoa…”

Even I marveled at her twisted determination.

Though Stella’s healing erased the wound instantly, seeing Pina’s flesh and blood on the table…

The triangle of conscience in my heart began to prick.

“Hmm…”

I blinked at Pina’s face. She flinched at my sigh.

Under Stella’s you-trash glare and Yurasia’s that-was-too-far look, I scratched my cheek.

Still, explanations were needed. Though I’d planned to stay quiet, leaving things here would sharpen my guilt to a blade.

Of course, she couldn’t back out now after blood-sealing the form.

“Want more dessert?”

As Pina began to shake her head, I added:

“We’re friends, right?”

Her light brown eyes filled anew with tears as she nodded, face splitting into a pure, radiant smile.