episode_0072

Hearing a sound, I momentarily raised my head, but that place was the sky. Ah, right. He, in any situation, does not look down on himself. No matter how much he stutters and shows a lack of confidence, he respects and trusts himself. Lowering my gaze slightly, my eyes met his, who was in a low posture matching my eye level. As if he had just run here, he was slightly out of breath and soaked in sweat. Black eyes visible below his wet, matted hair, soaked by the rain. Though he gave off a slightly dark and hollow feeling, his appearance was overall gracefully handsome. Such a him, when, was looking at himself with a warm smile like mine. Ropel Teufel. And the man I had feelings for. He is also the object of love I just lost. “H-how did you… get here…?” I had hoped it was him, and even expected it, but I still couldn’t help but be surprised. Of course, during that time, there were many instances where he found me like a ghost wherever I was, but those places were all places I frequented. But now, this place is not any special place. It is merely a damp, dark space where I just ran to wherever my feet took me, to escape a reality I didn’t want to face. …No, in fact, that might not be important. The truly important fact is that he is here. That is all. “What’s important about that now. What are you doing here? Elly.” His figure, like a dream, opened his mouth with a worried look. And with a touch of his hand stroking his rain-soaked hair, he lets me know he is not an illusion. My appearance right now is absolutely not one I should show Ropel. The dress I had prepared was soaked and dirtied by sweat, rain, and mud. Even the makeup I had taken the trouble to prepare since morning was washed away and blurred by tears, leaving my face hideous. I must quickly cover my face and get away from him. I must do that. I must do that, but… Far from turning away, I want to take in his face beside me with my two eyes, even just a little more. Merely having him in front of me makes it feel like tears will burst out again. Not due to sadness, but due to joy and gladness. Trying hard to compose my emotions, I opened my mouth. “…Why… why I’m crying… you’re not… not asking…?” “Haha… Even I can understand this situation.” “…Is that so…?” “Rather than that, this is something you dropped.” Looking now, in Ropel’s hand was a small ceramic object, held tightly and preciously. It was the ceramic object he and I had made together, which I had just dropped and caused to break. Seeing that it still had cracks and gave off a subtly fragile feeling, it seemed he had gathered the broken pieces and, albeit roughly, reassembled it using low-level magic. ….This was possible because he was the type who, despite having no talent for magic normally, had learned several useless magic spells. “It’s the only precious thing we made together, isn’t it? Even if it’s a temporary fix, I tried my best. Hmm… It would be good if I had some adhesive, but I don’t have any on hand right now. But in this state, you can fix it neatly again later, so don’t worry.” Saying that, he placed the ceramic object back in my hand. And covering my cold hands with both of his, he wrapped them warmly. Afterwards, he came from in front of me to my side and sat down there. Straightening his back diagonally against the direction the rain was falling, he took the rain for me. And for a moment, silence settled between the two of them. Ropel was waiting for me to speak first. There might have been a way to ask from his position, but he didn’t want to rush me. It was his quiet consideration that I often felt when I was with him. “…W-we’ve known each other for quite… quite a long time, haven’t we…?” Finally, mustering my courage, I spoke in a tearful voice. “Of course, thinking about it, you’re the first friend I made after entering the academy. Come to think of it, it’s already been 3 years since we met~ Indeed, time flies.” “..Th-that’s right… Wh-when we first met… it was… it was chaotic…” “Haha, indeed, a terror incident right after entering the academy, both you and I were busy running away.” “..Th-that time, I was really th-thankful…” “What are you talking about, I’m more thankful. If it wasn’t for your potion, I wouldn’t even be here now.” “Ev-even if it wasn’t just that… I was always thankful for you… My… my academy life too… fri-friends too… I was thankful for you for everything…” Was it because we exchanged such trivial words? My emotions began to settle a little, and my tears started to stop. I took a deep breath. “…Ropel, you noticed, didn’t you?” The smile I saw on his face looked a little bitter and distant. “…I… I’m ready to listen now…” “…Elly? You clearly saw me and Lilith just now, right?” I quietly nodded my head, affirming his words. “Thank you for answering. Then, having seen that, you ran away from that spot as if escaping and were crying in a place like this. Uh… so, it might be a misunderstanding, and it might sound strange, but… Elly, surely you wouldn’t… me…?” For some reason, this time he understood the situation properly. Despite being the type who would never entertain the thought that someone might like him, even to death. More than that, how should I answer here? Should I deny his words, or affirm them? It’s a situation no one could possibly deny or avoid, but if the other person is Ropel, it’s different. Even if I give some far-fetched reason, if I deny it, he will believe me. He would believe me genuinely, not just pretending out of politeness. He would scratch his head awkwardly and blush. But. …Let’s just say it. I already know what Ropel will answer and what he will do regarding my feelings now. But… but still, I must express it clearly now, here. “Yes, that’s right. I like you, Ropel.” It is an expression without a hint of hesitation or falsehood. To the extent that I still stutter even at a time like this, I am not weak. “Ever since the year I first met you at the academy, I’ve consistently, always liked you. Even when you met and ate meals with me. Even when you met Lilith and went on dates together. Even when you met Seraphina and were busy training together. Even when you… associated with other women for whatever reason. Even when you sometimes recklessly pushed yourself too hard. I have always loved only you, only you.” This time, I straightened my back and met his eyes. Ropel also did not avoid my gaze and clearly met it. “I like you, Ropel, please go out with me.” The endlessly dark and damp sky was already shining brightly and fair before I even noticed. . . . What happened after that unfolded very naturally. Ropel politely rejected my confession and apologized for his behavior up until then. Saying that he had done many things that could cause misunderstandings recklessly, and that he hadn’t noticed my feelings until now. It was truly a reaction typical of him. And then, he returned with his lover who appeared soon after, Lilith Tistina. Of course, there was a small commotion. Lilith hit Ropel’s back, scolding him, saying she was surprised he suddenly ran out, and lectured him again, asking why he didn’t take the umbrella she had, saying he would catch a cold. He was just begging her for forgiveness and flustering. And after turning around and apologizing and saying goodbye to me once again, he left the place holding Lilith’s hand tightly. That sight felt truly bitter yet envious. Yeah… but what should I say… is it just a feeling? Lilith’s expression, as she glanced at me once while leaving, looked a little displeased. Her thinly opened eyes were even sharp, to the extent that it made me feel a little scared. But even so, I wasn’t greatly bothered by it. Because regarding his and her relationship, I shouldn’t interfere anymore. I formally confessed to him and was formally rejected. Considering his personality and the situation at the time of the confession, the outcome was obvious as looking at water. But if I were to say I didn’t expect it for even a moment, it would definitely be a lie. Even so, how should I put it, my chest felt subtly relieved. I expressed all of my true feelings to Ropel, whom I had loved all along, and heard his answer directly from his own mouth. With this, it seems I can finally, for the first time, be a little more upright towards him. At least from now on, we can remain friends and continue to be together. By the way, what should I do from now on? I chose the object of my first love, and chose so wrongly. To think I fell in love for the first time with a person so charming, kind, and incomparable to anyone else. From now on, no matter who I see, they won’t catch my eye. Perhaps I might live alone until I die. Hahat. I felt pathetic and funny thinking such thoughts about myself. But I have no choice but to compose myself. That alone is the right thing to do for myself, and for him. Ropel was the first to extend a hand to me, trusted me, and helped me move forward. It is natural that I should not do things like interfering with such his love and happiness. …But still, I can’t erase the feeling of emptiness in a corner of my heart. For the time being… I think I should focus on research a little. While I’m at it, I should discard the countless unhealthy drugs I manufactured with the intention of using them on him. … The nutritional supplements mixed with ‘special herbs’ that I decided to send periodically, I should adjust the ingredients and send them again. From now on, it seems it would be good to attempt something a little more constructive and productive. With those thoughts, as I entered the villa of the Gremlina family, that is, the mansion where I reside, there was an unexpected person there. A woman sitting proudly among the restive servants in the reception room. A person I had absolutely not expected to meet here. The Lady of the Tistina Ducal Family. Lilith Tistina.