episode_0183

-I will always be on your side.

Since that day. A small change also occurred in the relationship between me and the girl. To be precise, Emilia had changed. Perhaps I should say she became a little more dependent. Unlike before, when her atmosphere was always prickly, she now wore a rather gentle smile. That must mean she had found some peace.

-Where are you always trying to go? -You promised to always stay by my side… -Take me with you too.

How should I put it. It seemed her frequency of unconsciously clinging to me had increased. It felt as if the last sturdy wall had crumbled. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand.

-I wish you needed me too. -Just as I need you.

No matter how resolute her will. At her core, she was still just a girl who hadn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony. Having seen her family collapse and being left in an empty snowy field. As a child who hadn’t yet become an adult, she would have needed somewhere to lean on. And coincidentally, I was the one who had supported her back.

-Yuda.

A hand clutching my sleeve. That pitifulness was endearing and also saddening. It was as if I had encountered a self-portrait from a distant past. I simply held the vain girl and patted her trembling shoulder. The more I did so, the more Emilia burrowed into my warmth. I simply indulged her.

“Today too… I wish you would kiss me.”

It was the same this time. As I indulged her, physical contact naturally increased. After I kissed her forehead one day, she must have liked it, as she kept asking for it. Her face would flush bright red, her eyes would waver, and she would mumble with effort. There was no way I could refuse such indulgence. I simply hoped the vain girl would feel at ease.

“Of course.”

Because I wasn’t leaving yet. Until you could stand on your own again, I would remain by your side. You were no longer the sixteen-year-old girl who cried silently in the dawn. You could fly anywhere, as you were no longer bound. Therefore.

“If it’s your request, then gladly.”

That everything would be alright. I wanted to tell you. So that your days ahead would not be anxious. And so that you would not be lonely.

“Ngh…” *A gentle slide* I cupped her pale cheek in my palm. And then slowly, I brushed aside her long, blue bangs. Perhaps it was due to the slightly bitter air and the fresh scent of spring. The warmth from her forehead was conveyed through fingertips that hadn’t even touched it yet. As if drawing closer to that tenderness. *Kiss* I lowered my head. Beyond the gently brushing lips, a faint warmth lingered. At the tip of my nose, the fresh scent of the cool snowy field wavered. Only a short sigh remained on the vain girl’s forehead. Even though she had asked for it herself, the way she squeezed her eyes shut was so like her. I slowly pulled away.

“Lady.”

“Ah…”

Emilia came to her senses belatedly. After acting as if she had broken down for a moment, she then avoided my gaze as if sinking. Even amidst that, perhaps trying to uphold her pride, she couldn’t quite turn her back completely. If she was that embarrassed, she didn’t have to force herself. I let out a soft chuckle at her fresh innocence.

“Pffft.”

“Don’t, don’t laugh… What’s so funny?”

“Not at all. It’s just that I thought Lady Emilia was still a child.”

“What do you mean? We’re the same age, yet you suddenly treat me like a child…”

“It means Lady Emilia looks that youthful.”

“……You’re teasing me again, aren’t you?”

“Oh, you caught me.”

“You really…!” *Bickering sounds* The atmosphere returned to square one. I teased the sulking Emilia several more times. Our steps, which had paused for a moment, resumed walking along the path. Just as we were about to return to the dormitory.

“Shall we head back now? The others must be waiting…”

“Indeed. We were waiting, you see.”

“We wondered why you were taking so long.”

Familiar voices came from behind. I faltered for a moment, then turned around. At the end of my gaze stood a girl with orange hair and another with red hair. Both with cool gazes.

“So that’s how it was.”

“Hmm.”

The Fox and the Rose. The two appeared suddenly. Had they come out to meet us? Judging by the chillingly subdued atmosphere, it seemed they had witnessed everything. Irene had her arms crossed, and Elize wore a frosty gaze. As an aside, the Rose’s appearance out of her wheelchair felt alien no matter how many times I saw it. While I paused for a moment with such trivial thoughts.

*Squeeze*

“Lady…?”

Suddenly. The vain girl hugged my arm. And then, she naturally rested her head on my shoulder. Her dazzling blue hair cascaded down.

“……”

“Ha.”

Had they taken that as some kind of signal? Two pairs of eyes settled coldly upon us. Chilling gazes shot out and pierced me. Meanwhile, regardless of all that, Emilia showed no intention of letting go. Thanks to that, the uncomfortable atmosphere was entirely my burden.

“Lady.”

Normally, when the Fox and the Rose fought, I would either try to stop them or just quietly observe. But now, Emilia was directly throwing fuel into the fire. It was truly the dignified appearance of a proud warrior and guardian of the snowy plains. I couldn’t help but offer an awkward smile.

“The two of you… seem to get along well?”

“Though I’m not sure when you became ‘that’ close.”

The surrounding temperature dropped sharply. It was the chill of winter… no, the last cold snap announcing spring. After that, I had to offer explanations for a long time. Though none of them were believed.

***

Back at the dormitory. Even after I finished my explanations, I had to endure interrogation for a long time. I looked at the vain girl as if asking for help, but.

-It’s punishment for teasing me so much today.

She mercilessly ignored me. Is this why they say not to take in black-haired beasts [a proverb about ungrateful people]? Although the other party had blue hair, I came to understand the sorrow of my ancestors a little. Only after being tormented for what felt like ages did the Rose and the Fox stop their interrogation. They usually growled at each other so much, why did they only get along at times like this? I chewed on a morsel of unfairness.

“Still, don’t you think it would be better if you stopped seducing them?”

“What do you mean by that, Teacher-nim?”

“Hmm… Denying it now?”

“It’s unfair, I tell you.”

“I suppose so.” *Poke poke* Selena poked my cheek. She had been smiling brightly since earlier, as if greatly amused. Beyond our met gazes, her reddish pupils sparkled. It was a transparency that no longer held any hint of intoxication.

“Teacher-nim, you seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Of course.”

Sitting side by side on the sofa. In that living room, the sounds of daily life could be heard clearly. The children’s presence soon resonated with vitality.

-Lady, here, like this… -It’s better to chop it a bit finer. -Like this? -Ugh… Cooking is difficult no matter how many times I practice. -How can you be so good at it, despite being a commoner? -W-well, because I’m a commoner…?

In the kitchen, the villainess was being taught how to cook. And the protagonist was teaching.

-Why are you picking a fight again? -Are you bored again? -Weakling Princess. -It seems like you’re the one picking a fight? -Just a mere maid. -Elize. No bad words. -Irene, you too, don’t do that. -‘Maid’ isn’t really a bad word, is it? -Sister, why have you subtly taken her side since before? -Well. We ate snacks together. -The book said that if you share snacks together, everyone is a friend. -Between a friend and a younger sister… I can’t take only one side. -What strange book have you been reading now…?

Next to them, the Fox and the Rose were bickering again. Even the eccentric Princess-nim joined in. *Bustling* The gentle melting of daily life flowing by. Selena listened to it for a moment, then whispered as if relaxing. Her voice was unhurried.

“It’s so peaceful like this.”

“Though it is a bit noisy.”

“Peace isn’t always quiet, you know.”

“That is truly a wise saying.” With a gentle lean. Selena gently leaned her shoulder against me. She seemed to be savoring the leisure, as her eyelids were closed.

“Sometimes, I think it’s like a miracle.”

“A miracle.”

“I wonder if we’re allowed to enjoy such peaceful days.”

“Is there any reason why not? You’re enjoying it even now.”

“It’s thanks to Yuda Student. These are all stories you’ve cultivated with your own hands, aren’t they?”

“I merely watched.”

“I always feel grateful.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Peace. It was still a word whose meaning I couldn’t fully grasp. With the final act approaching, the future developments were difficult to predict. The Dean’s ominous prophecy also remained. Life, as always, was moderately unstable. However.

“I’ll have to try harder.”

I decided not to be anxious. Yes. Because these were stories I had cultivated. It was my responsibility to take responsibility for taming and relationships. Putting aside various distracting thoughts, I decided to focus on only one thing. The destiny I bore as a transmigrator.

“Even for all of you.”

For this world’s happy ending.

***

Night eventually arrived. The noisy presences subsided, and the dormitory welcomed the dawn. I was sitting in the shadows, toying with something. It was none other than the crystal ball connected to headquarters. A faint blue light seeped out.

-{Commander-nim.}

From beyond, the Vice-Commander’s voice could be heard. His stiff tone conveyed the main point.

-{The businessman.} -{The whereabouts of the target, which had been unknown until now, have been confirmed.} -{According to our informant, he headed to the ‘Apple Tree’ auction house.} -{Everything is as you arranged.}

Listening to the report in silence, I soon rose from the sofa. Outside the window, only deep darkness surged. A night where even a sliver of moonlight was hidden by clouds. I was smiling chillingly.

“Good.”

As planned. The target was entering the net. Covering my twisted lip-corners, I replayed the memories from a few weeks ago.

“I promised him I would make him pay, didn’t I?”

I wonder if he remembers clearly. I hope he’s so anxious that he can’t even sleep. With trivial sentiment, I whispered into the crystal ball. A single declaration.

“Then… shall we go catch him?”

One of the worst characters to appear in the original story. A prime example embodying the ugliness of adults. The enemy who burned the Fox’s village and drove my Teacher to death. I pronounced that abhorrent name as if chewing on it.

“The adults.”

The starless dawn. Now, it was time for the real hunt.