EP.165 That Painful Name, Summer Break
The room that was once cluttered with books is now empty.
The floor, which had been covered with papers containing all sorts of magical formulas, is now clean.
"Achoo."
Having finished cleaning her room, Tisha wore a somewhat satisfied expression.
Though she'd be back in two months, it's better to leave things clean when departing.
While daily cleaning might be tough, occasional cleaning like this is quite refreshing.
Above all, she had just received news that Kyle had returned.
By tomorrow at the latest, she would be heading back to the North.
'Both the Saintess and the Princess are gone. Though I'm sorry to them both...'
The original plan was to stay at the Academy during the break.
She had intended to find, research, and improve more magical formulas while here.
Not only were materials plentiful, but the resources here were incomparable.
But recently, she heard some very concerning words.
"It's vacation, right? When Kyle isn't bound to the Academy. He'll be returning to Jonathan. I'm planning to go with him then. To Kyle's hometown."
The Imperial Princess is going to Jonathan. Using the vacation period! To be by Kyle's side!!
'No. I can't let her stay close to Kyle.'
She's someone that even Princess Elga of Littorio was wary of.
If such a clever woman was cautious, there must be good reason.
Actually, there wasn't even a need to investigate. Tisha herself found out not long after.
'To become his possession... To think the Imperial Princess would say such things...'
She's definitely not someone who would maintain basic boundaries like Elga or the Saintess.
She'll probably try to accomplish her goals as soon as she gets to Jonathan.
And her methods won't involve even a moment's consideration.
'And... I can't be the last one.'
The Imperial Princess, and recently the Saintess too. Both of them have met the Baron of Jonathan.
They've already met the head of Jonathan, Kyle's father!
It's quite apologetic to Elga, but there's no choice.
They say people always remember the first and the last.
If she couldn't be the first, she at least shouldn't be the last!
As it happens, she had been staying in the Empire's North.
And Jonathan is located at the edge of that northern region.
Their return routes overlap to begin with. Just like when they came to the Academy, they could travel together.
Along the way, she planned to carefully suggest something to Kyle.
If possible, could she stay at Jonathan for a while?
The reason... well. She'd need to think about the reason from now on.
'Maybe I should go meet Kyle first.'
She heard he had received a formal invitation from the Littorio Grand Duchy.
She wanted to ask what happened there, what conversations took place.
More specifically, yes. She wanted to know if anything had happened with Elga.
But she didn't have the courage to ask that directly.
Not yet, they weren't officially a couple yet. They were somewhere between friends and lovers.
She wanted to progress that relationship a bit during this vacation.
That was precisely why she wanted to leave the Academy and follow him to Jonathan.
"...!"
"...!"
As she turned the corner toward the garden, she heard a familiar voice.
It was Kyle's voice. Just hearing it brought an involuntary smile to her face.
"Kyle..."
What Tisha saw as she stepped outside calling his name was...
"Doing that makes things difficult for me, doesn't it?"
"Y-yes, it's difficult."
"And yet you were still doing it?"
"I'm sorry! My thinking was short-sighted! But this was the only way I could express my gratitude..."
"If you're grateful, just train harder. Understand, Nell?"
"Yes! I'm sorry!!"
Kyle stood with his arms crossed, clicking his tongue.
Nell was in front of him, being punished in a squat position.
"Hey, Kyle. Why am I being punished too?"
And Ian was there beside Nell, also in a squat position.
"Punishment? Ian. Do you really think this is punishment?"
"Huh? Isn't it punishment?"
"Your mindset still isn't right. At times like this, don't think of it as punishment but as lower body overload training. You should be grateful for getting free exercise."
Ah, what? It wasn't punishment? We're supposed to be grateful?!
"Now, again. Ian. Are you being punished right now?"
"...No. This is training for improvement."
"That's right. Now, let's stay in this position for another 30 minutes."
30 minutes?! Tisha blinked in shock.
Hold that position for 30 minutes? Isn't that a bit harsh even for training?!
After debating whether to step in, Tisha finally chose to do so.
"Kyle!"
Kyle turned his head as Tisha entered the garden.
Given his lack of surprise, he must have known she was nearby all along.
"Oh, am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all. I was just having Nell and Ian do some more lower body work."
"I see! But, they both look a bit exhausted... Since I have something to discuss with you, maybe we could take a break?"
Was she concerned about their suffering?
No, this really isn't punishment. It's unfair. This is good for lower body overload!
Kyle sighed and gestured for Ian and Nell to stand up.
"Wait here. I'll be back after talking."
"Understood! Um, then Ian, how about a quick sparring match?"
"It's time for upper body work, but I suppose that wouldn't be bad."
Nell happily went to get wooden swords at Ian's words.
Glancing at them, it seemed Ian had no idea that Nell wasn't a man but a woman.
First Leto, now Ian too - is being oblivious a passive trait of male leads?
"Kyle. There's something I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"This might be a strange question. Um, about Nell... Is Nell really a man?"
The words "No, that's not right" rise up to just below my throat.
Since it will be discovered eventually, I wonder if I should just be honest about it now.
'...No. When you learn someone's secret, you must keep it no matter what. No matter how trivial it may seem.'
If you're not confident you can keep a secret, then you shouldn't hear it in the first place.
And if you do hear a secret, you shouldn't reveal it to anyone.
That's proper manners. The minimum courtesy owed to someone who has shared their secret.
"That's quite an odd question. It came rather suddenly."
"Yeah, it was a bit strange, wasn't it? I'm sorry. It just seemed a little unusual."
"Well, there are people like that, you know. Men who look feminine, or women who look masculine."
"Ah... yes. That does happen. I understand."
"So let's just observe. Unnecessary misunderstandings could end up hurting someone."
At Kyle's words, Tisha lets out an "Ah!" in realization.
Then she makes an extremely apologetic expression, saying her thinking was short-sighted.
Though ironically, Kyle is the one who should really be apologizing.
"By the way, Elder Neil is running late."
"Elder Neil? Who is that...?"
"Ah, Tisha wouldn't know. Remember when I went west recently? Where I met my father and the children from my home territory?"
"Right, I remember."
"Elder Neil was one of the people accompanying my father and the children. My father and the children returned, but the Elder had some business to attend to, so he came to the Empire with me."
That business being to seek out someone he fought during the past war with the Empire.
Though they were enemies then, enough time has passed that they could almost be called comrades now.
Above all, they never harbored hatred for each other, but rather held mutual respect as warriors.
That's why both Elder Neil and Commander Priscilla's grandfather...
naturally looked forward to and were excited about meeting again after decades.
'According to the letter that arrived before, they finally met, but there's been no news since then.'
I hope nothing's wrong. I can't help but worry.
No, let's not think unnecessary thoughts. No news is good news, as they say.
Besides, Elder Neil isn't the type to act recklessly; he shows restraint befitting his years.
Kyle pushed aside his concerns and stopped walking.
"So what did you want to talk about? Surely this isn't all."
"Ah... well... um..."
It seems it will take some time before she can get the words out.
While Tisha was deep in thought, Kyle considered doing some exercises near the bench.
But after thinking about it, he decided against that idea.
Instead, he just sat on a nearby bench and quietly watched Tisha.
"Um, uh... Kyle."
"Yes, Tisha. I'm listening."
"Um... actually. You know how I said I'd spend the break at the Academy?"
"Yes, you did say that. You said it would be better for your magical research than going home. I understand. The Academy library has vast resources, and during breaks there are no lectures to attend, no annoying assignments, no mandatory exams. Staying at the Academy would be beneficial for you."
Kyle nodded as he finished his explanation.
Then he asked, 'But why bring that up?'
"Actually, I'm thinking of going north this break."
"Ah. You're going to your usual place? What about your plans?"
"I realized I could probably accomplish everything even without the break! And I've already checked out the really necessary books from the library that I can return after classes resume."
"Aha. Well, the journey won't be boring then, since you're coming along."
Kyle's bright smile made Tisha have to press down on her chest.
Why are you like this, heart? Don't act up. I haven't even gotten to the main point yet.
"Do you enjoy having me around?"
"Of course. Just think about it. Having to travel home with those two."
Kyle pointed to where Ian and Nell were exchanging sword strikes.
They weren't inherently bad or vicious people.
They just had an odd tendency to constantly bother Kyle.
"Ugh. It's awful just imagining it. I might faint from stress on the way."
"No way. Kyle isn't that weak of a person."
"You never know about life. Even the strong can fall when their spirit is weak. Anyway, it's nice that we're going the same way. Where will we part ways? At the Northern Border Command?"
"...No."
"Then where?"
Tisha takes a deep breath before carefully parting her lips.
"We won't part ways. I'll stay with you."
"What?"
"Kyle. I... I want to go to Jonathan. Will you let me?"
First Ian, then Nell, and now Tisha too.
The number of guests was suddenly increasing.