episode_0044

Seina was in a state of confusion, which led her to misunderstand me.

Although she unnecessarily picked on me, bringing up things that didn’t need to be said, it was better to deal with it decisively rather than half-heartedly.

After all, I was the one belittling myself.

It was no big deal.

Not only in this world, but also in the society of reality, it was common sense to lower oneself when faced with someone higher than oneself.

It was a matter of common sense, and I considered myself a sensible person.

I leaned my head on Seina’s shoulder and chuckled softly.

Seina sighed and gently stroked my head.

＂Lia, you’re really a strange person… overflowing with self-esteem yet your pride is at rock bottom…”

“Understanding the subject well.”

I believed that I had a more advanced brain than the barbaric residents of this world.

This must be high self-esteem.

However, apart from high self-esteem, the environment I was in demanded that I abandon my pride, so I did.

Self-esteem and pride were two different things.

Seina was looking at me properly.

I chuckled and leaned closer to Seina, enjoying the faint scent of roses.

There was still time left before lunch was over,

I hopped off the chair and reached out to Seina.

“Can you come with me for a moment？”

“W-where to?”

“To the library!”

Deron would probably look after Shasha until club time, but since Shasha was actually harassed during club activities, I needed to go and check it out myself.

“If you’re too lazy, I’ll go alone.”

“N-no, I’ll go with you.”

Seina took my hand and got up from her seat.

We walked in step for about 10 minutes.

We arrived at the academy’s public library.

As well as students, professors also used it occasionally, so it was very large in scale,

It seemed like we would have to struggle to find the book we wanted, but we weren’t here to find a book, we were here to find a person, so it didn’t matter.

I confidently opened the library door and stepped inside.

The strong smell of wood greeted us first,

Then, apart from the space for people, I felt overwhelmed by the densely packed bookshelves.

“If we’re not careful, we might get lost.”

I wasn’t exaggerating.

If you put someone with a poor sense of direction in a library, they might get lost.

“There was a fool like that last year.”

A voice came from between the bookshelves, and I squeezed Seina’s hand a little tighter and walked towards the voice.

“W-who are you?”

A guy with dark green hair and glasses, was flipping through a book and spoke.

“You’re probably looking for the person.”

“M-me?”

“You came because of Shasha, right? Lia, isn’t that right?”

I nodded quietly, even though I didn’t know how he knew, the conversation seemed to be progressing quickly, so I nodded obediently,

The guy put the book back on the shelf and looked at me.

“Behind you, Seina Yeongae… right?”

“Uh, hello….”

It was comfortable not to have to introduce ourselves since he already knew before we said anything, but it was strange.

“Are we that famous?”

“Indeed.”

I was taken aback by the positive response to his casual remark.

I took a step back, hiding behind Seina and peeked my face out.

“It’s not that strange. The rumor of a fallen noble who travels with a prince has spread throughout the academy.”

“H-how do you know it’s me?”

＂There’s no one in the academy with sky-blue hair except for the rumored protagonist.”

So that’s how it is.

“…What about Seina？”

“I heard she took down a 4th-year student from the Magic Research Department, so I was interested.”

Hmm, interested.

I stared at the guy in front of me.

Dark green hair, lifeless eyes, and even glasses.

In fact, I had a hunch because of the information I had heard.

The sub male protagonist.

A disciple of the Dark Tower doctrine.

That’s the guy standing in front of me.

But, being a sub male protagonist and a disciple of the Dark Tower doctrine didn’t interest me much.

Even though I knew I would meet the sub male protagonist if I went to the library, there was only one reason I had changed my steps.

“Thank you for helping Shasha.”

I came to say these words.

When someone helped my friend in a situation where I couldn’t, it was enough for me to express my gratitude, so I bowed my head and greeted him.

“There’s no need to thank me, I just didn’t want to see it.”

The guy shrugged his shoulders lightly in response.

It wasn’t just empty words.

I already knew that this guy was far from being in his right mind.

Being a disciple of the Dark Tower doctrine but hitting nobles because he felt bad about commoners, it was clear that something was twisted about him.

“Still, I’m grateful, so… I brought some food, would you like to have some?”

Of course, even if his personality was twisted, the fact that I received help from him wouldn’t disappear.

I rummaged through a paper bag and handed him the most luxurious item I received as a gift from the same grade kids, a black lemon pie.

I wanted to eat it myself.

But it was awkward to express my thanks with words, so I endured it and brought it along.

“…Food is prohibited in the library.”

The guy stared at me silently, then moved his hand to the short bamboo stick at his waist.

Afraid that I might get hit if I did something wrong, I carefully put the black lemon pie back into the bag.

“…But I won’t stop you from giving it to me.”

What am I supposed to do?

He must have noticed that my gaze was strange.

He tried to reach for the bamboo stick again, but I made my eyes polite, and only then did he reach out his hand, saying it was okay as long as I didn’t eat it.

Actually, it seems like it’s not allowed to bring food in.

He just seemed to say something extra because he wanted to eat it.

“Close your eyes politely.”

“Yes….”

It was tiring to be overly cautious, but I was indebted to him for his help.

I smiled as widely as possible and stayed quiet. The guy seemed to notice something and spoke up.

“…You’re attracted to sweet things when you use your head.”

“Do you not crave sweet things when you don’t use your head?”

“I’ve heard rumors about you, but why don’t you try using your head a little?”

Scratching my cheek because it seemed like he heard rumors about the Concentration Management Department, I observed the guy quietly.

Maybe it was because of what he said, but even after receiving the black lemon pie, he didn’t eat it and just stared at it.

Feeling awkward, I spoke first.

“It’s still lunchtime, and it seems like there’s no one in the library. Would you like to go out and eat with us?”

There was no response, but the guy silently took the black lemon pie and left the library, which was a more definite answer than words.

I met Seina’s gaze for a moment, and we both made a bewildered expression, then followed the guy.

“He’s a strange person.”

“…Yes.”

See, Seina doesn’t even deny how strange he is.

I knew his personality was messed up, but I never imagined he would show such behavior over a piece of food.

“By any chance, do you like lemons?”

The best I can imagine is something like this.

I don’t really know, but oh well.

It’s better to be weird than bad, so I had no complaints.

How long did it take？

I returned to the place where I sat with Seina and ate lemon bread.

Sitting on a chair, holding a black lemon pie in my hand, the guy who took a big bite raised his eyebrows slightly.

It’s tastier than I thought.

…I thought it was worth 50,000 leaves for a piece.

Approaching hesitantly.

＂…What?”

“Well, I did offer it, but can I just have one bite?”

With a desperate heart, I forced out a tear with both hands clasped together.

I know it’s pathetic to say this after giving it to you,

But when else will I get to try something like this?

My family may be rich, but that doesn’t mean we’re rich enough to be considered wealthy at the academy.

“…Just have one bite.”

“Hehe… thank you.”

Although I show signs of regret, I also want to taste it a little bit with a clear conscience.

Approaching closely, I took a bite of the black lemon pie handed to me by the guy, and

I smiled happily at the much sweeter taste than regular lemon pie and pinched my cheeks with both hands.

“This is delicious!”

“…Do you like lemons?”

“Very much. …By the way, what should I call you….”

“…Call me Ashul.”

“…Do you like lemons too, Ashul-nim…?”

This information is not in the novel, but just in case, I asked the question, and Ashul nodded.

In response to that answer, I sat next to Ashul and stared at him with shining eyes.

“…Lemon dessert! It’s delicious, right?!”

“…Well, it’s true, but please stay a bit away.”

“Isn’t it amazing that there are people who don’t like the taste of lemons?!”

“…Wait, go away…!”

“Whether it’s strawberry flavor or banana flavor or chocolate flavor… they’re all just sweet and lack uniqueness, but lemons have their own unique taste, which is why I love them so much!”

“I get it! You’re too close! Fix your clothes!”

“…Wow, I didn’t expect to meet a lemon enthusiast here!”

Smiling broadly, talking about lemons.

Seina was sitting next to me, but suddenly she grabbed my sleeve.

Turning my head to look at Seina, I soon realized that she was looking at something, so I shifted my gaze to that place.

I noticed Shasha and Deron looking at us with shocked faces.

“…Um, well….”

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air.