Chapter 18

When I arrived at the cram school, Aizawa-kun greeted me with his innocent smile.

Compared to those two dark individuals, Aizawa-kun's smile is so genuine.

Ah, so soothing...

"What's wrong? Are you tired, Kishoin-san?"

"Well, yeah, a lot has happened."

Indeed, a lot has happened.

I was supposed to spend my time with the Emperor as smoothly as possible, but unexpectedly, I was appointed as his errand girl.

What am I even doing?

"I see. Are you okay?"

No, I'm not okay at all.

But I can't involve this pure Aizawa-kun.

"If I fail my mission, please pick up my bones..."

"Huh?"

To begin with, even if I asked Aira-sama about the Emperor's orders, would she really tell me?

I'm close to Aira-sama, but would she tell me that much?

But if she doesn't tell me, what will happen to me?

Will I be called an incompetent errand girl?

Well, that's fine, but I don't want my position at the academy to worsen because I'm seen as someone disliked by Tatsuya Kagemi.

Moreover, since I was given the spy mission in front of the other members at the salon, they probably know I'm his errand girl now.

...I might soon fall to a lower rank in the school hierarchy.

Ah, my bad imagination just keeps growing.

"Hey, Kishoin-san. Do you want to eat this?"

"Huh?"

What Aizawa-kun took out of his bag was a individually wrapped financier.

"My mom told me to eat it if I get hungry. Maybe eating something sweet will cheer you up."

Aizawa-kun said this with a smile.

Aizawa-kun!!!

What a good kid. You're an angel!

You're so different from those two!

I'm glad I can be friends with you!

"Thank you, Aizawa-kun!"

The financier I received from Aizawa-kun really did cheer me up a bit.

I even thought about sharing my secret Tirol Choco kinako mochi flavor with him.

Finally, the day of the English class arrived.

Since that day, I hadn't shown my face at the salon, but when I left the classroom after school, the Emperor looked at me with a (you know, right?) expression, so I responded with a (of course!) look and quickly fled to the entrance hall.

At this point, there's no choice but to obediently be his errand girl.

After the English class ended, I was eagerly waiting for Aira-sama.

I had already told the Kishoin family that I would be a bit late, so it was fine, but the problem was when Aira-sama would arrive.

If she came right at the end of the class, there wouldn't be time to talk.

I couldn't wait for her class to end, of course.

Please, Aira-sama, come quickly.

It seemed the heavens were on my side, as Aira-sama appeared fairly soon.

"Aira-sama!"

"Oh, Reika-san. Good evening."

Ah, Aira-sama, I'm so glad.

"Actually, there's something I want to ask you, Aira-sama!"

"Ask me? Me?"

Since I didn't want to be overheard by others, we decided to talk at the end of the staircase.

"It's about Yurie-sama."

"Yurie?"

Aira-sama looked puzzled.

"Y-Yes. How angry is Yurie-sama with Kagemi-sama, and when does she plan to forgive him?"

Since time was short, I asked directly, but Aira-sama looked even more puzzled.

"Why are you so interested in Yurie and Tatsuya? You waited for me just to ask this?"

Of course, it's suspicious.

I, who am not particularly close to Kagemi, am asking about their relationship. It's natural for her to react this way.

Am I just being nosy?

"I don't know what you're up to, but if you're just poking around for fun, it will make Tatsuya even angrier."

I've already made him angry.

And it's on Tatsuya Kagemi's orders.

Should I tell the truth?

But if I do, I won't get any information as a tool of the stalker Kagemi.

Hmm...

Seeing me hesitate, Aira-sama narrowed her eyes.

"Did Tatsuya say something to you, Reika-san?"

What!

How did she know!

Does Aira-sama have the same mind-reading ability as the Emperor?

"Um, well..."

But should I admit it honestly here? Or should I struggle?

"Ah, I see. You were probably told to find out about Yurie from me, right?"

Exactly!

Aira-sama is amazing. How does she know everything?!

"That guy hasn't repented at all. He probably doesn't understand why Yurie is angry. I want to tell you to ignore what Tatsuya says, but I understand that you can't, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

I nodded vigorously.

"Alright. I'll ask Yurie for you. I'll tell her that threatening people who don't want to be involved and using them for your own purposes will only make her angrier."

"That's..."

I, a coward, can't say such a thing.

"Hehe. But I have a class next, so I'll ask Yurie when I get back... Of course, it would be too late by next week's English class, right?"

"I don't know, but probably..."

The Emperor, who couldn't even wait until the day after tomorrow, can't possibly wait a whole week.

"Alright. Do you have a cell phone, Reika-san?"

"Yes."

I don't use it much, but I carry it for safety because it has GPS.

So when I go to the convenience store during break, I leave it in the classroom to create an alibi.

"Then let's exchange addresses. I'll send you an email when I talk to Yurie."

"Really?!"

Wow, I got Aira-sama's address!

Actually, Aira-sama, with her short, androgynous appearance, is more popular than any of the boys.

Many students have a crush on her, and there are even rumors about the beautiful princess Yurie-sama and the noble knight Aira-sama who protects her.

...And I, too, am one of those who secretly admire Aira-sama!

That's right! I'm not infatuated with the Emperor. I admire Aira-sama, the knight of the peony!

Not out of self-importance! Those tyrannical two!

But, in the end, it's just the whining of a coward who can't even complain to the people involved.

But that's fine.

At least, it seems I can accomplish my mission.

Aira-sama understands my situation and seems willing to help.

And I even got an unexpected reward, Aira-sama's address, which makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Well, let's go home.

Today, my brother is staying late at the cram school, so it's boring.

I wonder if he'll keep me company tomorrow?

Lalalala...

With my worries resolved, I left the English class in high spirits, only to see Tatsuya Kagemi standing with his arms crossed in front of a black car.