”…… Hey, Alice.”
“What is it?”
“Why do you think Reina sat down and stopped moving?”
After exchanging a few words upon entering, she’d covered her face with her hands and frozen.
I could tell she was muttering something, but I couldn’t get close enough to hear.
“This is only my guess, but I believe Lady Milfonti is shaking with joy.”
“Basis?”
“Because if I were given such a welcome by Lord Ouga, I would shed tears from sheer joy.”
“I see.”
I was absolutely certain that was wrong.
I’d asked the wrong person.
But — incidentally — I’d learned something that would make Alice happy.
Mm, on the return to the estate, I’ll throw a grand celebration.
In any case, I can’t leave Reina like that.
I knelt down and extended a hand to her.
“You all right, Reina?”
“…………ds.”
“Hm? Sorry, could you say that again?”
“——That’s right! I’ve never had a friend before!! So I was overwhelmed with happiness at this kind of welcome and crumbled!!!”
“O-okay. Then that’s fine, I suppose.”
“It’s really true!? I’m not thinking about anything else!!”
Pressed back by an unlike-Reina Reina, I nodded along — got it, got it.
…… No, unlike-Reina is just my preconception.
To pretend to know Reina Milfonti when I don’t actually know anything is rude.
I’m glad to know she has a girlish side, unexpectedly.
“Heh heh heh. In that case, Reina, you may be in trouble going forward.”
”…… Ahem. Why is that?”
“Birthdays, graduation…… for many such anniversaries to come, I’ll be hosting celebrations for you. Even bigger than this. I’ll make you cry every single time.”
”……! Fufu, there’s no need for that worry. You won’t see me cry.”
“Oh. Quite some confidence. In that case, even if it kills me, I’ll throw something so grand you cry. By the name of Ouga Veret.”
Having regained her composure, Reina just gave a wry smile to my words.
Heh heh heh — that composed face has only so long to last.
The day I free her from Headmistress Milfonti’s black-corporate bonds, she’ll be weeping tears of joy.
For starters — the next event is Retirement Commemoration…… heh heh heh……!
“President Reina……”
“Why didn’t you tell us……?”
Mashiro and Karen each took one of Reina’s hands.
Their gazes were warm and gentle.
“Um, the two of you? What’s the matter?”
“As of today, we…… are friends.”
“If it’s okay with me, I’ll come hang out anytime!”
“Th-thank you.”
“Tonight, let’s chat a lot.”
“From now on, we’ll work at our jobs together too!”
“Me too, of course. Starting tomorrow, lunch will be all of us together. Alice — increase the dish count.”
“Yes, understood.”
”…… Beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Hm? Did you say something?”
“No. Just that everyone’s being so kind, I’m grateful.”
For someone saying that, her cheeks were oddly twitching……
…… I see. She said she had no friends.
Being the apprentice of that Milfonti.
She must have undergone blood-and-sweat effort. Naturally, there’d be no time to play with her peers.
So she isn’t used to this kind of closeness.
”…………”
…… Her chest probably didn’t develop because of the cost of the unhealthy life she’s been pouring into magic.
“Ouga-kun? Something bothering you?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Oh, close. They say women are sensitive to gazes on the chest.
I shouldn’t stare too much.
“All right, on to the main subject. The fun part of the party comes after Reina’s explanation.”
So saying, I sat on the sofa, and Mashiro and Karen settled on either side of me.
From here on, it’s a serious talk.
The earlier atmosphere dissolved; everyone’s expression tightened.
Reina took the empty armchair across from us, cleared her throat once, and spoke.
“First, let me explain why the Headmistress wants Ouga-kun and Miss Liche to that extent. There’s no need for roundabout language, so I’ll say it directly.”
“——It’s because she wants the two of you to enter the [Inter-Academy Magic Tournament] as part of a team with me.”
◇ Since the explanation of the Inter-Academy Magic Tournament is coming, I cut here. Short one this time.
In return, the next update will continue at this pace, so please wait warmly. ◇