Chapter 24

I realized that my school life was progressing in an incredibly intense flow, and I came to the school's fountain seeking a moment of peace.

There is a huge fountain right between the south side of the school building and the main gate. I had seen it from a distance several times, but when I got close, it gave me a different impression.

The water rose high, and it felt like the temperature was a bit lower in this area.

"Wow!"

I followed the water's peak with my eyes and shook my head a little.

"Oh?"

The fountain calmed down temporarily, and I noticed a woman appearing diagonally across from it.

...She was crying.

The fountain shot up again, hiding her figure once more.

I was sure that she was one of the four right-hand women who were with Eliza, a woman named Mayri May.

She was the one who had called me "Gero." I didn't have a good impression of her.

The fountain calmed down again, and her figure reappeared.

She was definitely crying.

...I must have seen something I shouldn't have.

The fountain rose again, hiding her figure.

Should I pretend I didn't see anything and leave?

Yeah, that's probably best.

Getting involved with someone who dislikes me would only lead to trouble, especially when the person is a crying woman.

There's bound to be a complicated situation waiting for me.

The fountain calmed down again, and her figure reappeared.

"Ah," "Ah,"

Our eyes met.

We stared at each other in silence for a while, and the fountain blocked our line of sight.

I saw her, and I made a sound, so I couldn't just run away quietly anymore.

I walked diagonally along the fountain towards Mayri May.

"Hey," I tried to greet her with a smile. I had to act like an innocent boy who knew nothing.

"...sniff"

She only sniffled, giving no response.

Well, maybe the sniffle was her response.

Her eyes were red from crying. She must have been crying for a long time.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, trying to sit next to her as naturally as possible.

"...sniff, don't sit next to me."

Did she notice?

"Did something happen with Eliza?"

It was a vague question, but it seemed to hit the mark. I could see her body clearly tense up.

"It's none of your business."

I see, then I'll leave.

I want to go! But I can't!

"Don't say that. I'm not a stranger to Eliza. If something's wrong, I can talk to Eliza for you."

"What do you know about Lady Eliza! Don't meddle!"

She rubbed her teary eyes and spoke in a harsh tone.

Eliza, to put it simply, is a tough woman. I know that well, but I didn't realize her right-hand women were so tough too.

Do they not know that balance is needed in this world?

"Eliza, you know, she often crosses her arms, closes her eyes, and looks scary, but sometimes she's just thinking about dinner in her head."

"That's not true!"

"Also, she claims her favorite food is chiffon cake, but she actually likes potato and butter the most."

"That... that's not true... No, actually, that might be true."

"Furthermore—"

"Enough! Don't belittle Lady Eliza anymore!"

"I'm not belittling her; I'm just sharing what I know."

Mayri May looked somewhat regretful.

I still have more knowledge about Eliza, but she doesn't seem to be able to take any more.

"Eliza is just a human like us. There's no need to treat her as special and worry so much."

"You can't understand Lady Eliza's nobility."

"Well, don't say that. If something's wrong, just tell me. I have time."

"...I've insulted you before, yet you're being kind to me."

"I have a big enough heart for that."

So, "Gero" was an insult, huh.

"Maybe you like me?"

"No!!"

Despite her tears, her mind seems to be in a different place.

"...I was removed from my position as one of Eliza's right-hand women."

That's why I didn't see Mayri May among the four right-hand women before.

"Why?"

"Because I was judged to lack the ability to serve Lady Eliza."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"...I was placed in Class E during the entrance exam. The other three were safely placed in Class A and continued as right-hand women. My replacement is also from Class A."

...Class E.

How should I react?

"Class E is tough."

"You're insulting me too! Yes, I'm just Class E. Just a woman from Class E!"

"Don't get so angry. It's just a matter of improving. Take it as a challenge from Eliza to improve! That's how you should see it, right?"

"There's no way! I made a mistake talking to you!"

She turned her face away after shouting.

I must have really upset her.

She started crying again, and I felt really bad.

I didn't mean to upset her.

The atmosphere became awkward, and the sound of the fountain was the only thing I could hear clearly.

Was it the highest it had ever been today?

"...Was it fun being one of Eliza's right-hand women?"

"...Whether it was fun or not doesn't matter."

"That's not true. If it wasn't fun, you'd be happier not being one."

"Not everyone can live by their feelings like you."

"But it's important. If it wasn't fun, you should be happier now that you're not one."

"...I'm not happy. Even when I was with Lady Eliza... it wasn't fun, but it was my purpose in life and my identity."

"Then find a new purpose."

"There is no such thing!"

Finally, she turned to face me, her expression serious.

I stood up gently and extended my hand to her.

"Join my club. We don't have a set activity yet, but we're building the club's building. It's surprisingly fun. You could channel your frustration into this."

"I won't go! I have no interest in such things!"

"Don't say that. Come and see once. There are female members, and building something together is really fulfilling."

"...I won't go."

Seeing her bow her head, I slowly walked away, calling out to her over my shoulder.

"The construction is happening on the north side of the first-year dormitory. You can come anytime."

"...I won't go."

"I'll be waiting."

"..."

I heard a muffled voice from behind me.

I couldn't make out what she said, but I could say one thing for sure.

She must have said, "Don't come!!"