Chapter 35

The class ended. This time, I felt a sense of accomplishment, and there were even students enthusiastic enough to ask questions.

However, I felt apologetic and had to turn them down.

"I'm very sorry. Please allow me to answer your questions another day. Today, I need to talk to Kot."

With that, I apologized to the group of three girls, and I could see Airu's face fall.

Airu, pouting, was hurriedly pulled back by Liz and Bell.

I should probably talk to them again later. With that thought in mind, I left the classroom to follow Kot.

"Excuse me?"

As I called out, Kot turned around with his usual gentle smile.

"Yes, is there something you need?"

The sparkling smile made me hesitate, but I had just turned down Airu's question, so I couldn't back out now.

"I need to talk to you."

Determined, I said this, and Kot tilted his head.

"Talk? If it's an invitation to dinner, I'd be delighted."

"No, it's not that."

After denying it, I looked straight at Kot, who had furrowed his brows, and asked.

"Kot, are you hiding anything from me?"

I asked with a hint of suspicion, but Kot laughed as if he couldn't help it.

"Hehe! Aoi-sensei, in my country, that line is famous for getting the person you like to turn around..."

"To the person you like? Why would you say it like that?"

When I asked, Kot prefaced his answer with "I'll give you a cliché response" and brought his hand to his chest.

"I'm not hiding anything. Is there something you've misunderstood?"

I didn't know how to respond to Kot's answer.

"I..."

Just as I was about to say something, someone barged in like the wind and tackled Kot in the stomach.

"Ugh!"

The slender Kot let out a muffled sound, stumbled, and the intruder turned to face me.

"Excuse me, I need to talk to my brother! I'm taking him with me!"

It was Airu.

With her cheeks flushed, Airu shouted and dragged the coughing Kot away.

Then, her two friends ran past, apologizing.

"Wh-What...?"

Caught off guard by the storm of events, I could only watch the four of them leave in a daze.

"That's suspicious."

When I reported this, Eliza and Strass, who were having lunch with me, exchanged glances.

Now that I think about it, Kot's behavior and words were out of character. Could he have been trying to avoid my questioning?

As I pondered, Strass scratched his head in exasperation and said,

"No, it's probably just your imagination."

Looking at Strass's response, Eliza laughed in a troubled way and explained.

"Airu really respects her brother, Kot."

"That's good."

When I responded, Eliza shook her head and sighed.

"No, it's a bit excessive..."

"Huh?"

"Kot is a rare noble who treats everyone equally, regardless of their status. He's gentle and looks like a prince from a story, so he's very popular."

"I see. That profile would attract a lot of female students."

He seemed to be more than just a good young man. Given that he's in the advanced class, he must be skilled in magic too.

For Airu, he must be a source of pride.

"But, what does that have to do with anything?"

As I asked, both Eliza and Strass quickly turned away.

"What is it?"

I asked again, but neither of them answered. Of course, given their personalities, they weren't being malicious.

Is there some secret they can't tell?

"Well, it's not my place to pry into other people's affairs."

Thinking that, I backed off, and Strass stood up, pointing outside the cafeteria.

"Aoi, you've only been at the academy for a short time. It's not unusual to run into people by chance."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

As I raised an eyebrow, Eliza laughed and stood up.

"He's telling you to follow him."

We moved towards the courtyard, and the number of people gradually decreased.

The south side of the academy has many laboratories and specialized facilities, but there are also small park-like spaces.

Especially in the back, the greenery increases, and there are garden-like areas.

"By unspoken agreement, the back is used by the advanced class. And this corner to the west is mostly used by people from the Cort Highland Federation."

Pointing to a small space in the back, Eliza chuckled and said, "I guess people from the same country like to gather together," while looking through the trees for something.

"There they are. Airu and the others."

"Wow, that's unusual. Kot is there too."

"Airu must have dragged him along."

Listening to their conversation, I also peered through the trees. Sure enough, the four of them were there, facing each other and talking.

Straining to listen, it seemed that Airu was questioning Kot.

"Brother, you seem to be quite close to Aoi-sensei, don't you?"

"Is that so? I want to be close, but we haven't talked much yet."

"Are you planning to take Aoi-sensei to Cort Highland?"

"No, no, that would be difficult. But I do think she's a better magician than any in Cort Highland."

"Brother, you shouldn't be friendly with her if you have such ambiguous feelings. What will you do if she thinks you're engaged to her? I've seen many noble children cry because of your carelessness. Please be more careful."

Airu, in a tone I've never heard before, earnestly listed Kot's faults. Liz and Bell were smiling wryly in the background.

On the other hand, Kot, seemingly unaware, tilted his head and smiled in a troubled way.

I see. Given his high status and royal-like position, it's no wonder girls would fall for him.

Many of them must have fallen in love and been heartbroken.

He's quite a heartbreaker.

"Huh?"

Then, I finally realized a significant fact.

Airu thinks I have a crush on Kot.

"A-Aoi...!"

Ignoring Eliza's attempt to stop me, I quickly approached the four.

"A-Aoi-sensei!?"

"It's bad! She's going to run, Airu!"

Liz and Bell were frantically moving around.

Airu, with a determined look, stood in front of me.

"Aoi-sensei, I'm really sorry! Kot doesn't see you as a romantic interest! I know it might seem like he's being flirtatious, but please don't hold it against him! It's all because Kot is too wonderful!"

Airu said this with a serious face, and she really looked apologetic.

Holding my head, which was starting to hurt, I looked at Airu.

"I don't see Kot as a romantic interest."

"Eh?"

Airu's face showed shock at my response.

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