episode_0023

Since that day, whenever Ropel went to meet Lilith, Eligio began to follow him.

This was because the anxiety he felt in Lilith’s eyes as she looked at Ropel at that time still hadn’t been forgotten.

He meant the anxiety that Lilith Tistina might become his rival.

However, he only followed them around and did not interfere beyond that.

This was because Ropel himself had stated that they were just friends with Lilith.

However, what was anxious remained anxious.

Eligio followed them and meticulously observed their actions and reactions.

Ropel showed Lilith the smile he used to show her, and between the two, physical contact mixed with various considerations occurred.

Seeing the man she loved laughing heartily with another woman and going around here and there, her heart felt truly stifled and tormented.

Still, the fortunate point was that Ropel did not show feelings for Lilith beyond mere liking.

Of course, Ropel did perform many actions that seemed like flirting in his unique unintentional way.

For instance, saying there was a stain around her mouth after a meal, he would approach supporting her back with his sturdy hand, and lightly wipe it with his bare hand.

Or, each time they met, he would bring gifts that the other person wanted, as if he somehow knew.

These were actions that might make one think, ‘Is this man interested in me?’, but the person doing them seemed oblivious.

This was because he simply wore a pure, clear smile utterly devoid of ill will.

That’s why even she, who knew absolutely nothing about social life or friendships, could tell.

“Ro…Ropel really just thinks of Lilith as a fri…friend…”

Eligio felt relieved but also bitter.

Because the actions he showed Lilith were similar to the actions he showed her.

She became slightly gloomy, thinking that perhaps he also just saw her as a friend.

Still, thankfully, it seemed Ropel’s words that he was just helping as a friend were true.

The actions shown towards Lilith were all based on pure goodwill.

At least, assuming from his perspective.

Looking at their relationship from Lilith’s perspective… it was slightly ambiguous.

From the start, Eligio’s communication skills were the worst, and she couldn’t interpret each and every reaction of others in detail.

It was only exceptionally because she could observe Ropel frequently during her academy life that she could grasp it easily.

Peering into the emotions of a person named Lilith Tistina, whom she hadn’t particularly met before, was not an easy task.

But one single fact she could definitely know.

That she, Lilith Tistina, was enjoying her time with Ropel Toyfel more than ever before.

Eligio had often seen Lilith with Mark at the academy.

Her appearance, flustered by each of Mark’s words and actions, sweating coldly and being overly mindful.

Her face was smiling, but inside, a strange tension and anxiety were mixed.

She knew she liked the other person, but it didn’t seem at all like she was enjoying her time with him.

But now, if you look at her reaction, what is it like?

She seemed to feel comfortable with Ropel’s words and actions without any burden.

Even her bright smile was formed naturally, without the pressure of having to look good to the other person or any anxiety or tension.

Compared to how she is with Ropel now, her face looked much brighter and happier than when she was just trailing behind Mark.

Although Eligio had never deeply delved into dating or social life, she felt she could at least tell that Lilith had feelings for Ropel.

But she was soon planning to confess to another man named Mark, not Ropel.

While it was true that she felt comfortable with Ropel and enjoyed her time with him, that didn’t mean the fact that she originally liked Mark would easily change.

So Eligio decided to consider her thoughts on her.

Regarding whether Lilith would become a rival who would interfere with her love, aiming for her Ropel.

. . .

“Um…um, Ropel… that… help… helping Lil… Lilith Tistina… uh… how long do you plan to do that?”

As usual, Eligio and Ropel met during weekdays at lunchtime.

“Meeting and going around with Lilith every weekend? Why do you ask?”

“Th…That’s not it…! Li… Lilith Tistina l…likes Mark Viceosus and is going to confess, right…!

S…So, if Lilith and you m…meet often, Mark Viceosus might misunderstand and the da… date could fail, couldn’t it?”

“Well, yeah, that’s also true.”

Ropel nodded as if in agreement.

“Even so, there’s no way Mark would have a strange misunderstanding.

That guy, not only did he resolve the terror incident during the entrance ceremony, but he also personally solved the dungeon incident that happened a few months ago, didn’t he?

Since then, he’s been called all over the place, regardless of whether it’s a noble family of high standing or a knight order, etc.

That’s part of why he’s been so busy and couldn’t meet Lilith… but conversely, seeing Lilith and me together won’t cause any unnecessary misunderstandings either.

Still, I think scouting out a date location with Lilith will probably come to an end soon.

After all, this weekend Lilith finally succeeded in setting up a date with Mark.

Whether it succeeds or fails, meeting Lilith separately on weekends beyond this will probably be over.”

“…! Oh… I… I see…!”

Her dark face brightened up as if relieved.

“Anyway, Mark Viceosus, that guy is truly blessed.

To think he’s going to receive a confession from none other than Lilith Tistina!

He’s truly a guy to envy.”

“…En…Envy…?”

Eligio said in a cold, stiff voice.

“Of course, there’s nothing to not envy.

Lilith Tistina is famous among us male students.

Because she’s a ducal young lady, yet she’s kind and talks to students of lower status without hesitation.

That face, that personality! It’s a combination that all guys, including you, are smitten by.”

“Ro…Ropel… yo…you too…?”

“Of course I am! But… no matter how I think about it, she’s too high in standing for me to aim for.

Both her status and my unremarkable abilities… she’s too much for me.”

“Y…You think that way…”

“Well, on the other hand, Mark Viceosus not only defeated the leader of the Black Magic organization during the entrance ceremony, but also cleared the high-level dungeon that appeared on the assignment test day and resolved several other large and small incidents that followed, didn’t he?

In a way, it might be natural that Lilith likes Mark.”

“Uh… anyway… th… then this weekend, you won’t be going out with Li… Lilith…?”

“Well… that’s about it. But I think I’ll still follow along.”

“…Why…why?”

“Well, I also got somewhat determined and helped Lilith all this time.

In the end, I want to see with my own eyes whether her confession to Mark succeeded or failed.

I’m thinking of secretly following along without interfering with the two of them.”

“Oh… okay… fine… If it’s just that much…”

“But… Eli, you seem to be somehow concerned about me and Lilith meeting? Oh, perhaps it’s that? You too…”

“…! Oh… no, this…!”

“You’ve become curious whether Lilith’s confession will succeed, haven’t you?”

“…Huh?”

“Isn’t that right? There have been many large and small incidents recently, so you’ve become interested in a sweet story that’s appeared for the first time in a while, haven’t you?”

“…Ah…! Y…You’re right, you’re right! I… I’m also curious if Lilith will succeed…!”

“Hahaha, so you are too! Don’t worry, Lilith is a charming woman, so succeeding in confessing to Mark probably won’t be difficult.”

. . .

After that, when the weekend arrived, it became the day Lilith would confess to Mark.

Ropel met Lilith in the morning, encouraged her, and then, as he said, followed Lilith and Mark around, only watching from a step back to see if the date was going well.

And behind them, Eligio Gremlyna secretly tailed them.

To be exact, Eligio was also curious about how Lilith’s confession would turn out.

Because if her confession succeeded, it would be just like one of her rivals decreasing.

Conversely, if it failed, her love might possibly turn towards Ropel, who had helped her all this time.

Worried about that part, she even tailed them while avoiding Ropel, just in case.

After that, Lilith and Mark’s date proceeded smoothly.

Both were smiling, and especially Mark seemed to be enjoying this time very much.

Lilith already liked Mark, and the success of this confession depended solely on his feelings, so if things continued like this, her confession would succeed.

Considering the smooth progress of their date so far, the confession would probably succeed.

As the day grew dark, the two soon entered a restaurant with a good atmosphere.

Although she didn’t know their exact date plan, this was probably the last course.

Considering the smooth progress of their date so far, the confession would probably succeed.

Eligio soon felt relieved and started preparing to return to the dormitory.

But something unexpected happened.

This was because Mark Viceosus, not even Lilith Tistina, walked out of the store with all the strength drained from him, listlessly.

His spirit was drained, as if he had been rejected.

Seeing this, Ropel, who was watching, also seemed puzzled and soon approached Lilith, who had come out.

She couldn’t hear the conversation clearly, but from the circumstances, she could tell he asked how the confession went.

But Eligio couldn’t help but be startled by the action Lilith showed next.

Lilith’s face, which she showed as she pulled Ropel’s arm towards the inside of the store.

Her two eyes, fresh as if she had just realized her true feelings, yet dripping with affection towards the other person.

That expression was truly so bright and overflowing with love that even Eligio, who had been a loner her entire life, could recognize it.

That it was truly the face of a girl who had just realized her own feelings, who had fallen in love.

Eligio was certain.

Lilith Tistina.

She was a clear rival, aiming for her Ropel.