Discussion
In the second month of fall, a new dormitory leader was selected, Leidyrune.
There wasn’t a single person who objected to his election, as the position required responsibility and leadership. In fact, it was more of a mystery that the unpredictable Axe was carrying this heavy responsibility.
After school, Cody and Zechs had gone to the capital to play, so Sheila was on her way to the library alone.
Of course, they also invited Sheila, but she just wasn’t in the mood, so she declined.
Going through the connecting corridor, the courtyard, which had been lively with flowers blooming in spring and summer, had completely changed to a more subdued color scheme. The lack of color in the scenery was like autumn, and it was very comforting.
“A new dormitory leader, huh….?”
Zechs was astonished at Sheila, who was terribly surprised for some reason. “Of course, the sixth graders will be graduating soon,” he said.
Sheila felt like they could be together forever, even with Seiryuu and Axe. Even though she understood in her head that it wasn’t so, she couldn’t get over it. This feeling of loneliness would appear whenever she was alone.
“――Sheila.”
As she stood still and in a daze, a voice called out to her from behind. Approaching her was the ever-fearless Leidyrune.
“Hello, Leidyrune-senpai. Ah, that’s right. Congratulations on your appointment as the new dorm leader.”
There was no one else in the deserted corridor. Sheila smiled comfortably without hesitation.
However, Leidyrune didn’t smile back and frowned suspiciously.
“What’s wrong?”
“Eh?”
“You’re not feeling well.”
“…..”
Sheila was deeply moved by the fact that they had become so close that even he could sense her mood, and at the same time, she focused on the qualities of the newly elected dormitory leader.
Leidyrune was firm, honest, and kind. If it was him, he might listen to Sheila’s childish worries without making fun of them.
With embarrassment, Sheila pursed her lips and raised her chin lightly as if she were scared of something.
“…. Um, can I ask you something strange? It’s a very personal question.”
“Personal….”
“Leidyrune-senpai? I’m sorry, was I being too brazen?”
“No, it’s nothing. What’s the matter? Tell me.”
Sheila tilted her head at him, whose cheekbones were slightly reddish, but she opened her mouth as prompted.
“Um…. Leidyrune-senpai, have you already decided what you want to do after graduation?”
In response to Sheila’s question, the upperclassman in front of her suddenly became sober.
“…. Turns out, it was a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? You’ve been acting a little strange since a while ago, haven’t you?”
“It’s nothing. Never mind.”
Sheila couldn’t help but worry about it because it was too unnatural, but she decided to let it go.
Leidyrune seemed to have regained his composure and quickly answered.
“I’ll undoubtedly become an advisor to my older half-brother, who will be the next Duke.”
“Eh?”
He sounded so casual about it that Sheila couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Aren’t you going to become a knight? I heard something similar before, but at the time you said something like, ‘It would be a good experience to know different workplaces.’”
When the training placements were announced, Sheila once asked him where he wanted to be assigned. He was someone who would surely become a knight if things went smoothly, so she liked him for showing no dissatisfaction with his assignment to the Patrol Corps.
Leidyrune brushed off Sheila’s confusion with a shrug.
“I was just using an analogy of what it would be like if I have the freedom to choose my profession. Are you going to give a serious answer in a place with so many people?”
“Um, that’s true….”
In addition, at that time, they weren’t as close to each other as they were now. It was a natural response.
“Unfortunately, there are only two capable people left in the Centrix family: me and my brother. The dukedom is vast, and the amount of work entrusted to us by His Majesty is enormous. There is even a possibility that one of us will succeed our father as chancellor. It is too much for my stepbrother to handle alone. We don’t get along particularly well, but for the sake of the lives of the people of the fief, I suppose it is inevitable.”
It was the first time Sheila heard that his father was the chancellor.
She learned from Claushezade that the chancellor was the highest-ranking person in the government. Certainly, if either of the brothers took on that task, they wouldn’t be able to take care of the fiefdom. It was necessary to divide roles between those who supported the country and those who supported the family.
Sheila understood what he meant. But….
“…. But even Leidyrune-senpai chose the knight department because he wanted to become a knight, right?”
Leidyrune smiled wryly at Sheila’s question.
“A student life is nothing more than a grace period until you reach adulthood. The students are free to do whatever they want while they are students because they are obliged to pursue their career path after graduation. I have already received a complete education, including from the civil service department.”
“Is that so….?”
Leidyrune’s hand rested on Sheila’s shoulder, who leaned on him weakly. She was made to understand that she would have to say goodbye to him in the not-too-distant future.
“There are a million things in this world that can’t be avoided. It’s not something you need to worry about.”
Leidyrune encouraged her with a mature smile, and Sheila felt pathetic. Even though he was the one who was having a hard time, he could afford to comfort Sheila when she was down.
‘I haven’t grown up yet. This person is the real adult….’
Sheila suddenly wondered if she could talk to him about her childish worries. But she was still aware of the palm of his hand on her shoulder.
The warmth that enveloped her made her feel like she could rely on him. Perhaps it was the fact that he knew she was a woman that made her feel relaxed.
At that moment, Sheila heard a roar of laughter in the distance. It was probably Axe since she could hear him talking about his muscles.
“――It’ll feel lonely. Soon Seiryuu and everyone else will be gone.”
A mumble spilled out unenthusiastically. But for some reason, Leidyrune’s smile faded.
“… Is it your feeling as an underclassman that you miss Seiryuu?”
“Eh? Well, you could say that, but I think of him as more of a friend.”
“Then, it’s fine. No problem.”
“….? What is?”
…. Little did Sheila know that the imposing young man was more childish than she had expected.
◇ ◆ ◇
Leidyrune coughed embarrassedly and walked away as if to escape from Sheila’s questioning. She was left slightly at a loss after having gone to the trouble of sharing her concerns.
Somehow, she didn’t feel like going to the library anymore, but how many times had this happened to her? She had never been able to go to the library.
“Ugh. In the end, I haven’t solved anything. What should I do….?”
But she was in no mood to go back to the dormitory alone. Someone suddenly popped up in Sheila’s mind. As if following the movement of her heart, she naturally started walking.
Sheila breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the rugged building. This was the only place where she could thoroughly relax.
The bleak entrance was a bit chilly due to the stone construction. In winter, it would change to a cold that would chill your body even more.
In order to block out the outside temperature, thick fabrics must be purchased and stretched around the room. Perhaps that person was indifferent to such measures.
Up the stairs, third floor. There was a resident there in the empty staff building.
He had silverish-white hair and peacock-colored eyes that changed color depending on the light. His beauty was as unrealistic as if he were a statue.
When Sheila thought of him, her cheeks naturally loosened. Even on a holiday, he would be there for sure.
Sheila knocked on the door.
“Excuse me.”
Sheila took the liberty of opening the door, as there would be no answer anyway. As usual, it was Claushezade who greeted her without even looking up. However, there was one thing that was very different from usual.
“――Why is Jornwerner-sensei here?”
