CH 210

[First Contact]

Despite the brief fight, the birthday festival proceeded smoothly, everything considered.

As we were walking on the main street…

“Oh, working hard at work already, are we? I’m impressed.”

Someone called out to us. It was Reina in a knights’ uniform.

“Reina?! What are you doing here?”

“Hey, isn’t it obvious from these clothes? I’m on duty, duh.”

Oh, I guessed considering how lively the festival was, they had to use every personnel available, even a newcomer.

Then again, Reina had excellent grades, and more importantly, she was strong.

If it was just a mess caused by some thugs, she should be able to take care of it easily.

“You seem to be doing your best too, Tayte.”

“Yes!”

“Glad to see you’re fitting in well, Kleine.”

“Y-yesh!” Kleine’s voice squeaked.

That reminded me, I did hear that she admired Reina. She had been a big fan of her since she had been a first year.

However, her admiration tended to get a bit over the top she occasionally fought with her girlfriend(?) Melia. At these times, Kleine would always be the one to lose the argument and apologize. I was surprised when I heard it. You’d think Kleine held the power in their relationship given that she was bold while Melia was a shy girl, but it was actually the opposite.

By the way, it was Cornell who provided me with this information.

“Barrett,” After finishing her conversation with the girls, Reina’s gaze turned to me. “How are you finding working at the student council?”

“…It’s tough, if I’m being honest, but at the same time, it feels rewarding.”

“I see. That’s good. Well, I figured you’d do well, but Abel’s kind of worried.”

“Sir Abel was?”

“He might not show it much, but he thinks of you as his own younger brother. The student council president is a really important position. He’s worried you’d be crushed by the pressure.”

To think Sir Abel cared so much about me… in the original story, Barrett was the cause of his demise, so I was really moved I didn’t know what to say. It was never mentioned, but maybe Sir Abel secretly wished for Barrett to turn a new leaf in the original story.

“Well then, I need to get back to patrolling, so see you guys later.”

Reina left in a good mood.

Coincidentally, the main street became more bustling with people, then.

There was going to be a costume parade, apparently.

“There are a lot more people suddenly.”

“Let’s make sure we don’t get separated!”

“I agree with you on that, but how?”

“Like this!”

In response to Kleine’s question, Tayte’s answer was—to hug my arm.

“This way, we won’t get separated!”

Tayte spoke confidently, but there was one big problem.

“Um, Tayte? In that case, I’d have to hug Barrett Albers’ arm too…”

“Eh? Ehhh?!” Tayte started trembling when she realized the shocking truth.

I guessed I should help her out…

“How about you hold Kleine’s hand and I hold your other hand, Tayte?”

“I… alright…”

You didn’t have to look so sad.

Anyway, Kleine also accepted this compromise—but right then, someone passed right beside me, and as they did…

“Reina Albers seems happy. Is it because you didn’t kill her fiancé, Abel?”

They whispered so to me.

“?!”

I immediately turned around, but they had already disappeared among the crowds.

“Kh!”

“B-Barrett? What’s wrong?”

“Sorry! I found someone suspicious, so I’m going to chase them!”

“W-wait!”

I started running, ignoring Tayte and Kleine’s calling me.

I didn’t see their face… but as we had passed by each other, I’d caught a glimpse of their long black hair that reached their waist in the corner of my eyes, and from their voice, they were clearly a girl.

…Most likely, it was the girl who had come into contact with Tayte before. ‘The One Who Knows the Truth of This World’.

I desperately chased after her to find out who she really was.