[A Brief Separation]
On the dorms’ yard.
It was especially lively today.
It was because the winter break finally started.
Most of the students were going to welcome the new year at their homes, so the place was crowded with carriages with which they were going to ride to their hometowns, and the students were busy loading their luggage.
That included Jarvis and Andrei. Raul, who was going to remain at the academy, was there helping them voluntarily.
Of course, Tayte and I were no exception.
“Young Master! Please, let me carry that-meow!”
“Nah, I’ve got this, Priim.”
Priim got worried seeing me carrying a big bag.
Marina and Rebecca, on the other hand, were relaxed, having gotten used to my behavior.
It reminded me of when I first came to the dorms… they treaded so carefully around me back then—courtesy of the original Barrett—so I had a rough time calming them down. I almost couldn’t believe how far we had come.
After a while, the Ehrenbergs’ carriage arrived as well.
“Barret, let’s meet again the day after tomorrow♪.”
Tayte had been sorting out her luggage with Eureka, but upon catching sight of me, she immediately ran up to me and said so.
Her expression was as bright as usual—but I didn’t miss it. There was a hint of loneliness in her eyes.
“Tayte…”
I took Tayte’s hands into mine.
“B-Barret?!”
“Tayte… it’s only for two days, but I’m going to miss you, verily.”
“! So am I!”
Tayte felt the same, after all.
Looking back, we had always been together at the academy.
As we would only be apart for two days, I thought I’d be okay, but… I was kind of depressed thinking that Tayte wouldn’t be around for a little while.
As I was thinking so, Marina came over and informed me that we were ready to depart.
“Well, Tayte… we’re going first.”
“Yes♪ I’m looking forward to seeing you at the party ♪.” Tayte smiled again.
It was a genuine smile, came from the depths of her heart, and her eyes were overflowing with radiance.
“Beautiful…” I muttered while looking at Tayte waving at me after I got into the carriage――and then I noticed my three maids, who were also in the carriage, grinning at me.
“…What?”
“““No, not at all!!!”””
They looked like they got something to say… but well, I knew what it was, more or less.
To save myself from embarrassment, I hurriedly changed the subject.
“By the way, what about Reina?”
“Young Mistress still has work to do at the student council and she can’t return yet.”
“Huh? But she says she’s going to attend the party!”
“I believe she is. With her fiancée, Sir Abel.”
Yeah, that sister of mine wasn’t one to break her words.
And knowing how in love she was with Mr. Abel, she would definitely have him accompanying her to the party
Right then, the winter landscape of the academy town came into view beyond the window of the carriage.
“Time flies so fast…”
When I first arrived at the academy, the trees were lush and full of vitality.
But now their leaves had withered and their branches were bare.
The seasons had changed, and so had my reputation—while thinking about such things, our carriage left the academy town towards the Albers’ mansion.
