Chapter 113
Chapter 113
Episode 113
Student Council President.
A 2nd-year SSR-rank archer character and the only elf to appear in .
[SSR Elf of the Milky Way]
Latia Picea
Nationality unknown, identity unknown.
A mysterious race, with no one knowing where she lives or where she came from.
Nothing about her was revealed in the game either; the only backstory was that she came for the sake of cultural exchange.
The only other thing I could tell was that her personality was as good-natured as Arietta's. So I couldn't make a rash judgment.
"But then again, thinking of the accidents you have caused, wouldn't her personality change?"
"......"
If she put it that way, I had nothing to say. Although I resolved things relatively smoothly, to those who don't know the inside story, there couldn't be a bigger troll than me.
"......Still, it's too early to jump to conclusions. She's not that kind of person, is she?"
"Hmm, well, I only thought it was a possibility."
"Her ability......"
Come to think of it, that was it.
The question was how she passed through the wall without damaging it.
"What kind of ability does the Student Council President have?"
"Want to know? I have quite a bit of information on the Student Council President."
Ulla said, pulling a small note from her bosom.
Ah, I've seen that before.
It was definitely the princess's letter that Lucia had shown me before.
Does that thing come out every time I try to make a slightly unreasonable request, as if a credit card had exceeded its limit?
It's incomparably scarier than a monthly credit card statement.
"The Student Council President is an exceptionally famous person within Scientia, so I recommend you do the legwork yourself, Prince Oz."
"......I guess that would be better."
Whether it was well-intentioned advice, some kind of scheme, or simply because she was too lazy to work, it seemed better to follow Ulla's words and do the legwork myself for now.
"Oh! I see! Then this is advice from me personally, not as Tenebris. Go to the Disciplinary Committee."
"......"
Is there any reason for this girl to be so kind to me?
To be honest, Ulla and I are not close. Just barely acquainted.
Her current actions feel more like a personal favor than an attempt to build a smooth relationship with me as [Tenebris].
There's some kind of scheme here.
"Ah, by the way, this is also a personal favor."
Ulla's expression, unlike the unreadable one from before, turned somewhat mischievous as she spoke.
"The Saintess is here. She returned even before you did, Prince Oz."
I hadn't had much interaction with Ulla, but in this moment, there was one thing I knew for sure.
"You're grateful, right? You could enjoy a secret rendezvous with the Saintess right now~."
This girl definitely has a bad personality.
This is 100% a scheme.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Leaving the dormitory that had been a barren field, I crossed the forest and headed for the Disciplinary Committee office.
I was already suffering from phantom pain, so this was perfect.
With Arietta's divine arts, a mental problem like this could surely be alleviated to some extent.
Isn't she the Saintess?
"Oh."
Fortunately, Ulla's words weren't a lie, as just getting closer to the Disciplinary Committee office relaxed my mind to some extent. It was the influence of the immense divine power flowing from Arietta.
Having arrived at the Disciplinary Committee building after a long time, I stopped in front and pondered for a moment.
Should I knock?
I'm also technically a member of the Disciplinary Committee, but I hesitated because I have few memories of being active.
"Hmm......"
"What are you doing standing in front of the door, Prince Oz? Please come in."
"Ah, yes. Okay."
As I stood there, unable to make a decision, the one who saved me was Olivia Blue.
If she tells me to come in, I guess I have to.
I followed Olivia into the Disciplinary Committee building. As always, she was guiding me to Arietta's office.
But before that.
"I have something I want to ask, is that alright? Olivia Blue."
I mustn't forget my purpose. I came here to get information about the Student Council President, Latia.
As a fellow 2nd-year, she would know at least more than I do.
"No. It is not alright."
"......"
...I never imagined I'd be shut down at the entrance like this.
Now that I look at her, Olivia's speech and actions are stiffer than usual. Does she have a complaint about me?
What on earth is the problem?
Honestly, there are so many problems that I don't even know.
Come to think of it, didn't we come out and say we disliked each other last time?
Maybe she's just trying to be honest.
"Prince Oz. I dislike you, but I was thinking of making an effort to understand you to some extent."
"How admirable."
"Well, there's no need for many words. I will just say one thing."
Olivia Blue didn't even look my way as she opened the door to Arietta's office.
What appeared as soon as the door opened was pure white hair. A gentle smile. The refreshing scent of spearmint that tickled the tip of my nose.
And......
"I heard, that the Hero is a woman. Did you know, Prince Oz?"
From the very first words she uttered, I felt my breath catch.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"......This piece of trash."
Olivia's words, which came immediately after Arietta's question, felt like a dagger piercing my heart.
"You said she was someone who must be saved, that I was the only one you could trust, you asked for my help, and so I......"
"......"
The guilt is no joke. If she were to get angry outright like Eleanor, I don't know, but Arietta is the type to bottle things up, so it's driving the person watching her even crazier.
I can understand why Olivia called me a piece of trash.
Right now, my relationship with Arietta is more than friends, less than lovers. But right after establishing that relationship, I ran off to save another woman.
Even I think it's absurd.
I have a feeling I was so busy with various things at the time that I didn't think about the aftermath.
"Prince Oz."
Arietta said with an expression that looked like she was in pain.
"Many people complained about and criticized your actions, Prince Oz. They judged it as if you had deliberately deceived me and ran away."
"......"
"I hated that so much. I hated this situation where others were disparaging your good intentions, Prince Oz."
She was saying that she was tormented not by my actions, but by the people around her who judged me for them.
She was looking at the act itself, not the situation.
But she is human too.
"And while thinking that I hated that situation, I hated myself for doubting you in a corner of my heart......"
It's the same as what Olivia said before.
She ends up doubting someone and then hating herself for it.
"Arietta."
I wish she would just blame me. It's something I've thought about since before.
Even if there was some misunderstanding mixed in back then, this time it's clearly my fault.
"It is rather natural that you came to doubt me, Arietta."
Yes, what I need to do is not make lame excuses, but face it head-on.
This is also trashy, but......
"This is my fault. My weakness in leaving like a runaway without a proper explanation was my fault."
I could have explained a little more.
I could have asked for her help so she wouldn't misunderstand.
But I didn't.
I just got Arietta's cooperation with vague words.
If it were an unrelated relationship, it would be different, but between Arietta and me now, it was something that absolutely had to be done.
"Will you forgive me?"
"......"
Arietta's eyes widened as if surprised by my sincere apology.
Her mint-colored eyes, which were rarely seen, were revealed.
Since she was someone who tried not to show her eyes in front of others, I could tell how surprised she was.
But I could still feel a sense of hesitation.
Blaming others.
That very fact is unfamiliar to Arietta, who has been raised as a Saintess.
"You may reprimand me. Arietta. At least to me, it is alright to do so."
"Then......"
Arietta moved away from her office desk and approached me.
Standing right in front of me, Arietta carefully reached out her hand.
"Sir Oz. Would it be alright if I touched your face?"
The day our relationship was severed.
Just like back then, Arietta asked me.
There was only one answer.
"Yes, as much as you like."
She doesn't particularly remember people's faces through an act like this.
I didn't know back then. What the meaning of this act was. But now, I think I vaguely understand.
She is......
"It's warm."
She's checking for warmth.
She, who confirms the location of others through divine power, she, who cannot understand their appearance just by touching their face.
Through an act like this.
She's trying to indirectly feel a person's emotions.
When we first met, she told me I was cold. Thinking about it now, that must have been an expression of disappointment.
But it's different now. She said it was warm.
"Prince Oz. You have a fever. Is it a cold? Or is there another reason? I wonder whose fault this heat is?"
A mischievous question. Arietta smiled brightly and caressed my cheek.
She is a benevolent Saintess, but sometimes she shows her childhood self like this. Of course, since her childhood and now are different in many ways, I can't help but feel troubled.
"Well. Isn't it because it's still summer?"
"That's true. Still, it's much better than the winter that was only cold."
Her cool hand gradually cooled the heat. But even so, I couldn't erase the feverish feeling.
The distance was close. It was close last time too, but my mindset then and now were different.
"Really......"
Arietta's expression, which had been wearing a gentle smile all along, soon turned stern. It was like a look of scolding a troublemaker.
"Why didn't you tell me? Was there something you were hiding from me?"
"Nofing aw aww."
Arietta then pulled my cheek with the hand that had been caressing my face.
The heat that had risen to my face seemed to subside as if I had been jolted awake.
"Really?"
Arietta said in a teasing, rather than reprimanding, tone.
A gentle smile formed on her lips again.
"Was there no skinship or anything like that?"
"Yes, ......ah."
For a moment, the moment I kissed Lustitia flashed through my mind.
It was definitely just for a split second, but it seemed Arietta caught it. If she was like a scolding nun just a moment ago, now she's more like a strict instructor.
"There was, wasn't there?"
"......"
"Prince Oz?"
"......"
"Are you not going to tell me what happened?"
The strength of her pull on my cheek started to increase. It's still at a cute level, but it's obvious how upset she was.
"I'm sowwy, I'm sowwy."
All I can do was apologize.
How could I tell her that I kissed someone else?
Arietta pouted her lips and started pulling my cheeks hard. It seemed she was sulking.
"You said it yourself, didn't you, Oz? That it's okay to reprimand you."
"Yeees......"
"And yet you have no intention of telling me. Isn't that a little cheap?"
"......"
I have nothing to say. But how could I possibly say that?
I'm not brave enough to say in front of her that I was also taken by surprise.
"Shall I prepare for a confession? Or shall I give you your punishment right now?"
After playing with my cheek for a long while, Arietta, as if feeling sorry for pulling it herself, gently caressed my cheek and spoke.
Of course, the content wasn't gentle. I said she could reprimand me, but is it a lie detector right away......
"I will receive my punishment."
Honestly, even if I chose confession, I don't think I could avoid a future where I receive punishment.
"Then what kind of punishment should I give?"
Arietta, despite saying she would give a punishment, seemed not to have thought that far and asked for my opinion.
Such a cute person.
"Th-then, for now......"
After pondering for a moment, Arietta's face turned red, and she began to approach me little by little.
"I'd like to receive as much as that person received...... Is that okay?"
The hand that was caressing my face had long since moved past my neck.
A bold move.
She's semi-berserk. But I didn't feel the need to stop her.
And so, Arietta's lips, which had gotten even closer, were......
"B-but still, doing it on the lips is embarrassing, so."
They touched my cheek for a moment, not my lips, and then pulled away.
"Ah, yes......"
I felt let down.
No, well, Yes, I understand.
Arietta is pure, so she could never cross the line. I know. Besides, isn't she a Saintess? I didn't actually expect anything.
Really. I was just a little disappointed.
Really...... What a shame......
"I can't bear to watch this!"
But then, someone who seemed unable to tolerate even that appeared.
The one who kicked the door open with gusto, shattering the atmosphere along with it, was a girl with silver-blue hair and blue eyes.
"Ha...! Ha! What are you? What are you two doing? What are you doing in the sacred Disciplinary Committee building!! Huh? Isn't that the Saintess over there? Is it okay for the Saintess to be doing such things? Tell me!!"
Our attention seeker. It's Eleanor.
She roughly pulled us apart, half-talking nonsense.
"Ah, ugh, eek, uuuu......"
Arietta, as if a wave of embarrassment hit her late at the sight of Eleanor's appearance, faltered and distanced herself.
She couldn't say anything to Eleanor's accusations and just covered her face.
"Master, you too! You told me you would always be watching over me, and now you're looking away?!"
"......I sometimes like it when you spout one-sided accusations like that. I feel like my mind is finally at ease."
"Master, what are you talking about again......? Are you crazy?"
Whenever Eleanor spews one-sided anger at me, my mind paradoxically calms down.
Arietta is too delicate, and Eleanor is too rough.
If only the two of them were half like each other......