episode_0023

After leaving the academy and walking for about 10 minutes, the surrounding area became deserted as the students heading home scattered in their own directions.

A tree-lined street at sunset with only the occasional person walking in the distance.

Lucica and I have been walking around there quietly without saying a word since we left the academy.

The gentle noise of leaves rustling in the breeze was unusually loud.

It had been a very long time since I had gone back alone with someone other than Tirisia.

“… ”

I glanced at the twin-tailed schoolgirl walking next to me with her mouth shut.

What is the matter that makes you so cold?

The expression on his face when viewed from the side seemed to be filled with considerable dissatisfaction.

I guess something must have changed in his mind because of the breakup between Tyricia and me.

Since the three of them had known each other for a long time, there must have been some parts that were hard to accept even if they had parted ways on good terms.

I had to hear exactly what she was saying, but it didn’t seem like a good idea to start a heavy conversation with Lucica, who seemed uncomfortable with her situation.

It might be better to lighten the mood with some light chat first.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been together like this.”

“… Yeah. Right.”

When I honestly told her how I felt right now, Lucica nodded in agreement, although her expression did not change.

Before I started dating Tirisia, the members of the group that went home were me, Tirisia, and Lucica.

Since we had been friends for a long time, it was natural for her to always be there between us.

But ever since I became romantically involved with Tirisia, Lucica started to distance herself from the two of us.

I chose to act differently during lunch time or on my way home like this.

The reason, he revealed, was that he did not want to be an obstacle between the two of them.

Both Tirisia and I wanted her to behave as she had done, but Lucica was stubborn and did not easily change her mind once she had made a decision.

I think perhaps it was Lucica’s own conviction.

It must not have been easy for him to distance himself from the friends he had always been with.

But more than those feelings, she was concerned about the future of both of us.

Although he was always there to praise Tirisia and put me down, the person who actually supported and worried about our relationship more than anyone else was a girl named Lucica Lapisle.

So, I can roughly guess why you’re angry.

“Until last year, there was a time when it was normal for three people to go around talking.”

Then and now, as I looked up at the fluttering leaves of the street trees and spoke as if reminiscing, Lucica also looked in the same direction.

“That’s right. Back then, this way home was one of the joys I secretly looked forward to every day.”

“That’s right. Because the three of us were talking about what happened at the academy that day, we were about to split up.”

Lucica’s expression relaxed slightly, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips.

“Wow… It was fun. Hanging out with you, Tirisia, and Erto.”

“Same. In fact, I still want to play like that now.”

The only time Lucica would say my name and Tirisia’s name in full was when she was really serious.

Then an even smaller voice came out from the small lips.

“So really… I stepped back to cheer you on with all my heart.”

“… ”

“Why did it turn out like this?”

With firm words, her pink eyes turned towards my face.

“Lucica… That’s… ”

“Do you know why I made that decision?”

I tried to explain, but Lucica cut me off.

Since what I would say would probably be a repetition of what I said during lunch anyway, my attitude was to just keep quiet and listen to what I had to say.

“… Why?”

When I asked in a low voice, Lucica shook her head again, looking far ahead.

“That’s not because Erto Nega is the right person for Tirisia.”

“… Yeah.”

“Of course, I’m not saying that Erto is a bad person… but I always said that. She’s the only daughter of one of the most noble families in the country, and she’s a perfect person with no flaws in looks, skills, or personality.”

“… That’s right.”

Perfect. The word stuck in my throat like a thorn, but I listened to her story in silence.

“If Tirisia wanted to, she could have a political marriage with the next head of another noble family. Maybe that person would become a great pillar of the country in the future.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Do you know how much Tirisia, who carries the honor of the Brewery family on her shoulders, has to give up to dream of a future with an ordinary man who is not that special?”

Lucica wasn’t trying to discuss class like Seldianne was right now.

Before class, each person’s position, location, and feelings.

Tirisia and Erto are simply comparing what they have in their hands.

“… I know that too.”

Of course, these were things I also understood from the beginning.

Because it wasn’t just that I became lovers with Tirisia because I was swept up in adolescent emotions.

I, too, stood at the starting line determined to overcome all those gaps.

It’s not that I was in the closest position to Tirissia Brewery with a half-hearted attitude.

“… ”

At my honest admission, Lucica looked regretful.

But the words that kept coming out of her mouth contained the harsh reality.

“Erto, you are definitely a good person. However, you are not the kind of man that fits Tirisia.”

“Then… why did you cheer for us… no, me?”

Why did you deny my position like this and then act in the opposite way?

As I stared into her face with eyes that hoped to hear her true feelings, a warm smile returned.

“Well, that’s why I wanted to cheer for that kind of Erto.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been watching you from the side. The way you look at each other. That’s why I know. The person who Tirisia feels the warmest and most comfortable with is always you, Erto.”

“… Me?”

“The fact that Tirisia chose you means that she wanted you that much. She needed you, Erto. A kind person who is always by her side… that is.”

“That alone… seems to contradict what you said.”

“Of course, that’s not all. The biggest reason I cheer for you, Erto, is because I believed you would overcome all the gaps with Tirisia.”

“What?”

My eyes widened at the sudden acclaim.

It was quite shocking to me that such honest words came out of Lucica’s mouth, which was always full of sarcasm and criticism.

“Tirisia is a child in a noble position, but she is also a child who must guard a lonely position. Many people are afraid of dealing with her.”

As she said that, Lucica tapped my chest with the back of her hand.

“However, you, who grew up as a childhood friend, didn’t think of Tirisia as the princess of Brewery, but simply looked at her as your friend Tirisia. Not a relationship of mutual benefit, but as a normal person to person.”

“That’s… In a way, isn’t it an escape from reality? It’s just a loose way of thinking where we’ve forgotten each other’s differences.”

Lucica nodded as if agreeing with my rebuttal.

“If you keep thinking about that forever, then yes. But Erto, you chose to develop a deeper relationship with Tirisia. That choice is not a decision that can be made without considering other backgrounds.”

“That’s right… ”

When I heard it, it seemed as if Lucica had understood my determination from the beginning.

I was starting to understand her sincerity.

“The person who treated Tirisia as a person, while at the same time knowing the child’s family and status, and chose to take a step forward. That’s you, Erto. Isn’t that right?”

Lucica looked at me with eyes filled with encouragement and warmth.

Of course, everything she said was true, but right now, I couldn’t stand that gaze.

“Lucica, I… ”

“After watching the whole process from the side for a long time, I wanted to believe. That Erto Nega was someone who truly had the will to dream of a future with Tirisia. That he was someone who would overcome the gap between them and make Tirisia happy.”

“… ”

“Tirisia wants you, Erto. Erto, you want Tirisia too. What more do you need? You deserve it. No matter who denies your relationship, I wanted to believe until the end. If there is a match made in heaven, it is definitely this. This is the biggest reason why I support you, Erto.”

“Lucica… ”

“Do you understand my feelings? Erto.”

“Yeah, very well… I get it.”

Yeah, I understand.

The reason Lucica took a step back and watched Tirisia and me.

The determination to keep the audience’s seat and send applause to the stage, even at the cost of giving up one’s own pleasure.

I truly knew all about it now.

But―this conversation won’t end here.

“Then, based on what we just said, I’ll ask you, Erto.”

Tadah!

Lucica ran a few steps and stood in front of me, blocking my path.

Her pink eyes and my eyes meet.

The face of the girl I was facing was filled with anger and heavy determination.

“Don’t break up. Withdraw.”

Coincidentally, the place we stopped was right in front of the fork in the road where we each went to our own homes.

As if the answer at this moment would decide the relationship between her and me.

“Lucica… ”

I took a deep breath and came to a conclusion that had already been decided.

“I’m sorry.”

I know what Lucica is thinking that is stopping me, but

I’m really sorry, and I’m really sorry, but

Her request was now beyond my ability to grant.

That’s impossible.

The fact that Tirisia and I will not break up… that we will date again, will never happen in this world again.

It was already a problem that had left my hands and flown beyond the peace.

That’s why I shook my head.

“That can’t be.”

“… ?”

A great agitation surged through her pink eyes.

“Why.”

Short question.

I just gave you a pointless answer there.

“That’s what I said at lunch. I have nothing more to say.”

“Erto… You… You… !”

The oil of agitation and doubt turned into a huge flame at the spark I flicked.

“Seriously… Is that your conclusion? You won’t regret it?”

She asked, suppressing her anger as if giving him one last chance.

“Yeah. I don’t regret it.”

“Ha… !”

Dismissal, dismissal,

An uncontrollable red electricity surged from Lucica’s entire body.

She shouted at me, her face burning with anger.

“I was wrong about you! I didn’t know you were such a pathetic guy!”

“… ”

“Erto, I believed you could do it! I truly believed you had the will to overcome all difficulties…!”

It was a cry of despair from the betrayed.

“You’re going to run away now? Is that all you care about Tirisia?”

Every word she says hits my heart like a slingshot.

But that couldn’t turn the impossible into possible.

All I could do was shake my head with a dry face.

“Stop it. My answer doesn’t change.”

“You really…! What kind of mind did I have…!”

Lucica approached quickly and raised her palm.

I just closed my eyes.

“This… !”

…

… …

Since the shock didn’t come even after waiting for a while, I opened my eyes again.

“Ah… ”

There was a poor girl with her eyes full of bitter liquid.

Gritting his teeth and trembling his hands,

A weak-hearted girl who can’t even bring herself to hit me with all her heart.

“This… This… !”

“… I’m sorry.”

Finally, I apologize to her,

slap!

Finally, a sharp blow struck my cheek.

A shock that wasn’t that strong, more of a sadness than an anger.

“Black… ”

Lucica took her hand away, turned her back on me, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and muttered quietly.

“I’m really disappointed. Don’t talk to me again. You piece of shit.”

“… Yeah.”

So she ran across the fork in the road and disappeared in one breath.

Left alone under the street trees, I stood there blankly for a moment, looking up at the sky.

“Haa… ”

It’s going to rain a little.

It was a damn clear day.