A Bike Ride Home with Estelle
I couldn't help but be startled by Estelle's sudden question about the academy. What was this about...? She didn't seem to know I was planning to go there. If she did, she wouldn't ask like this—she'd focus on us enrolling together.
Estelle was the type who was incredibly straightforward and honest, never beating around the bush with what was on her mind. That got her enemies sometimes, but it also charmed others. It was part of her character.
"The academy, out of nowhere?"
"Yeah, you know I'm heading to the academy next year with Her Highness the Crown Princess, right, Theo?"
"I know."
It had been huge gossip—practically the whole world was buzzing about it. And even without that, as someone possessed into this game, I knew the script. For the story to progress, those two had to meet, and since the academy was the main stage, that's where it'd happen.
"Then you must know I'm not exactly a free person?"
"Not free?"
...Thanks to Estelle constantly bringing up settings that didn't exist in the game, the confusion was always mine to deal with.
"Yeah, I... No, never mind. That's not something to tell someone I just met."
She had a point. Why trust a stranger with something like that? But wasn't this situation the same? What did she see in me to teach me magic and crash at my house? Duncan's trust probably helped, but I was just some village nobody she'd met today. Disciple number one, maybe...?
"I don't get it, but whatever. Tell me whenever you're comfortable, Estelle."
I wasn't going to push her to spill everything. Get too nosy, and things could go south fast. Plus, she looked kinda down, making it awkward to pry. Things I'd dismissed as "just a game" were turning real, right in front of me. It felt less like a game and more like actual life, so I was getting cautious around people.
Honestly, yeah. If I wrote it all off as fake, my family—the one I'd grown to love—would be fake too. I didn't want to think that way. Even if it was some fabricated world, this moment I was living was real.
"Anyway, let's head home, eat, and think it over. You know this time of day gets sentimental, right?"
"Mm, true. Watching the sunset always does that. But is it really okay for me to come?"
"Yeah, I checked with Mom earlier."
This world had a class system with nobles, so I almost forgot sometimes—but it was definitely modern. Too modern to ignore. Everything around us was advanced, even holographic smartphones more cutting-edge than my old world.
"Whoa, that's an expensive model. Your parents must've splurged."
It was way too fancy for a country kid. I'd kept it because lazy old Theo had begged for it—not because I'd asked. Sure, it felt like freeloading off my parents, but ditching a perfectly good phone for a cheap one? That'd be the real mooch move.
"Yeah, I had my immature phase."
"I see. We all do."
I half-expected a jab about how recent that phase was, but surprisingly, she let it slide. She wasn't that mean. Weird—I wouldn't have pegged her for tons of enemies with an attitude like this.
"By the way, how far is your place from the village?"
"Oh, six bus stops. If we miss the last one, it's a hour-and-a-half walk."
A car or bike would help, but we were too broke for that. I'd left my bike home today anyway. Even with it, without mana, it'd still take an hour.
"Ah, got it...? Hope we don't miss the last bus."
"Yup, missed it. Gotta walk."
Estelle scowled at my words. I was pissed too—just one minute late for the final bus.
"Ugh, so an hour and a half on foot?"
"Normally, yeah. Hang on."
I hated walking, my parents would hate it, and Estelle clearly did too. Time for plan B.
"What're you doing?"
"Borrowing a bike."
No rental shop, but I knew the market folks. Promise to return it tomorrow, and they'd hook you up.
"Estelle, you can use magic, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then thirty minutes tops. Ma'am! Can I borrow this bike?"
I'd seen only the veggie shop auntie inside earlier, so I called out.
"Oh, Theo? Sure, take it."
"Thanks! Back tomorrow!"
"Errands ran late, huh? Missed the bus."
"Yeah, last one left. See you tomorrow!"
I grabbed the bike, and Estelle looked puzzled.
"One bike for both of us?"
"Yup, only one available. And I can't do applied magic."
Separate bikes? I'd take an hour; she'd zip in thirty and beat me home. Plus, no more bikes—folks were closing up, and this was just their delivery spare.
"Let's go. Hop on."
"I'll sit up front?"
"If you're back there, just handle the mana flow."
"Mm, back it is."
"Suit yourself."
She'd basically drive with mana anyway. Why the back? No clue, but whatever—the driver's call. I hopped on first.
"Let's roll."
Estelle's heart fluttered at Theo's simple "Let's roll." Something had to be wrong with it. And choosing the back seat? She was driving with mana anyway—why back there?
If I'm in back... I can hug Theo's back...?
She recoiled at the realization.
Crazy, what am I thinking? We're just teacher and student!
Sure, two young people in repeated cozy situations—feelings weren't weird. But.
Theo doesn't even seem interested. Why entertain this nonsense?
He showed zero signs of liking her back. At best, new-friend vibes. The way he treated Duncan, villagers, her—no difference. If anything, warmer to them. Long-time bonds, sure.
"Estelle, you going?"
"...Theo."
"Yeah?"
"Just call me Estelle. Casual."
"Oh, got it. Alright, Estelle. Ready to go?"
Was -ssi too distant? She'd blurted it out. Wanted him to drop it too, but his "let's go" threw her, and she mumbled awkwardly.
"Uh, y-yeah. Let's go."
Theo pedaled off. She focused mana to ease his effort—and her chance to say "Call me Theo casual" got swallowed up.
For someone who lived by speaking her mind, this was historic.