Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Kuina on the Verge of Tears
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Kuina Rosly was utterly dejected.
To be precise, she was always a bit down in the dumps, but today there was a reason for it.
'Student Elric didn't even mention the club to me when he started it...'
It would've been one thing if it were just any club. But the Fusion Major Research Club? She wasn't just interested; it was practically her minor field of study.
Of course, she and he had only met face-to-face once. Still, their conversation about academics last time had been truly enjoyable. She'd thought their souls connected.
'I want to research with him too...'
He would surely lead fascinating research based on all sorts of creative ideas, just like before. Yes, he was a genius far beyond her, so he probably didn't need her help.
And she could barely even speak properly. A club leader's supervising professor who couldn't make eye contact or hold a conversation? She'd avoid someone like that too.
'Ahh, in the end, I'm...'
Maybe she just wasn't cut out for being entrusted with anything important.
Kuina's mood plummeted from the mantle straight down to the inner core. With Maria Sian absent—the one person who could lighten the atmosphere—the lab only grew gloomier by the second.
She plodded along with her research alone, her face slumped, eyes misty as she pored over her notes.
Bang—!
"Professor! Elric Raishion and, uh, what's your name?"
"Ch-Chloe Fabian."
"Chloe Fabian, head of the Fusion Major Research Club, is here! She wants you as the supervising professor!"
At that moment, Maria Sian flung open the door to Kuina's lab, panting as she shouted. Kuina's head whipped around.
"R-Really...?"
Kuina's teary eyes turned toward the trio.
"Y-Yes! She said she was heading straight here after class anyway! I ran into her on the way and brought her!"
"Ah, ah... So that's what happened..."
The problem she'd agonized over for hours resolved in an instant, and Kuina Rosly's mood skyrocketed. She even smiled—a rare sight—as she welcomed the three.
"C-Come on in... Th-The lab's a bit messy, but..."
Of course, she still couldn't quite meet their eyes.
'She wasn't seeking me out; she got dragged here without knowing why...'
But Elric didn't point it out. He could sense Kuina Rosly's intensely gloomy aura from a mile away when they entered.
And honestly, there was a bigger issue.
'She researches dressed like that, huh...'
Her lab coat hung loosely, as if she'd thrown it on mid-experiment, revealing what was practically underwear beneath. Both exposed her voluptuous figure without restraint. It was provocative in a completely different way from Asuka Sirun's style.
Hm, well, research calls for comfortable clothes. With that thought, Elric averted his gaze.
Chloe seemed to notice too. She hesitated for a moment before flashing a bright smile and boldly approaching Kuina.
"Yes, Professor! I've heard so much about your reputation for ages. I was going to ask you anyway, and your senior kindly brought us here!"
"Ah... I-Is that so... Um, your name...?"
"Chloe Fabian, the only daughter of the Fabian Count family from the Sisly Empire. I just enrolled in Spirit Studies."
"Ch-Chloe Fabian... I-I heard you're the club head...?"
"Yes! Hehe, I got interested in Fusion Major Research despite my shortcomings. I created the club myself because I wanted to dive in and study it."
"I see...?"
Again. Kuina Rosly's eyes changed once more. Unable to stop talking, she locked eyes with Chloe and launched into an epic debate.
"Phew, success..."
Watching the two chat excitedly, Maria let out a sigh of relief beside them. Elric glanced at her.
"That girl's got good instincts, huh? Bright, energetic, smiles a lot. I like her."
"Does she now."
"Yeah. Oh, clubs need support staff beyond just the supervising professor, right? I'll handle that, so keep it in mind."
"Understood."
He'd been worried the mood might sag with just Kuina Rosly around, but Maria Sian made it reassuring. Elric nodded with a relaxed expression.
"By the way, your club lineup is impressive. Sisly Empire's crown prince and princess, Hyer Grand Duke's eldest son, Kesan Kingdom's Sirun Duke family's son and daughter, and you, Elric."
Thinking about it, it really was. Most of the academy's highest nobility were in this club.
"It is."
"Hmm, I hear the Sisly prince, Hyer Grand Duke's son, and Sirun Duke's son are all smitten with that bubbly girl. True?"
No, wasn't today the first day? How did rumors spread so fast? What had these guys been up to without me? And how vast was Maria Sian's network?
"...Who knows."
"What, you don't care about that stuff, Elric? You're just like our professor in that way."
"Should I?"
"Yeees, of course our great and mighty Lord Elric has no interest in others' love lives~"
Despite Elric's characteristically snarky response, Maria stuck out her tongue playfully and brushed it off smoothly. Not that it was his place to say, but her cool demeanor subdued everyone regardless of age or gender—yet this woman wasn't fazed. She was no ordinary person.
"Wow, she clicks with the professor too. Not as well as you, but she follows along great. I get why all those big shots are into her."
"Lady Fabian has that kind of personality."
"What, you two aren't close? 'Lady Fabian' instead of her name? I heard she personally recruited you for the club. The others went to her."
"...How do you know that?"
"Ahem, don't underestimate a Houser Academy alum's connections."
No, that was less 'alum' and more 'you' specifically, Elric thought, but he just nodded. No need to add more.
"Anyway, she asks you to eat together, join the club—doesn't that mean she's into you?"
Maria poked him teasingly with mischievous eyes. He responded with a dry laugh and a shake of his head.
"No."
"No? Why not? Wouldn't hurt to consider it once."
"Lady Fabian is just naturally sociable. I keep to myself and don't mingle, so it must've bothered someone as welcoming to freshmen as her."
It was similar in the original story. Chloe was the quintessential school-wide social butterfly. There were even descriptions of her arriving early just to greet everyone on the way, or she'd be late.
Her friendship with Elric had formed naturally too. Because that's how it was in the original.
'I don't remember the details—maybe they weren't specified, or they've faded from memory—but it was probably something like this.'
A socially inept Elric wouldn't have approached her first.
"...Hmmm~"
For some reason, his words rubbed Maria the wrong way, and she narrowed her eyes at him. He neither met her gaze nor elaborated, just stared straight ahead silently.
"I see. You'll have your hands full."
"??"
Who, what hardship? But Maria said no more and approached Kuina and Chloe, calling out.
"Professor! That's enough! You'll kill the underclassman!"
"Huh? Oh, oh, s-sorry, I got carried away..."
"N-No, haha."
Our kind, sociable Chloe waved it off with a grin, but she looked exhausted at a glance. Yeah, Kuina's nerdy conversation style was a lot to handle.
"Anyway, shall we start with signing the club application? Everyone's busy."
"Ah, yes, here..."
Chloe pulled out the form from her pocket. It was surprising she had it on her—and that Maria knew about it. Where did she even hear that?
Only after Kuina Rosly as supervising professor and Maria Sian as assistant signed did it wrap up. Kuina looked like she wanted to talk more, but Maria shoved Elric and Chloe out.
"Alright, see you at club time next week! Rest up, underclassmen!"
"Yes."
"Ah, yes! Goodbye, Senior, and Professor!"
Click—slam!
In a flash, the two were outside the lab. Glancing sideways, Chloe looked a bit dazed, like her soul had partially fled.
Hm, not his fault, but somehow feeling like an unintended cause pricked his conscience a little. Elric cautiously spoke up.
"The professor has... unusual passion for her research."
"Y-Yes?"
"Just something to know. It'll help with club management."
"Ah, yes, Young Lord! Thank you."
At Elric's words, Chloe finally beamed. It eased his mind a bit.
"Then let's go. You must have things to do, Lady."
"Ah, yes!"
Chloe hurried after Elric, who had started walking. She glanced at his back ahead of her.
'So cool...'
He'd just given advice for her sake. He was truly a warm person.
How could someone like this have a reputation chillier than the northern tundra? Sure, his expressions and speech were cold, but Chloe could see it—the soft, warm nature beneath.
How could someone be so brilliant in studies, overflowing with talent, and have such a kind heart? Was it even allowed to exist?
'Mom was right—there are lots of great guys in the capital!'
Of course, plenty had been kind to her from the start, and there were great guys—specifically, the Sisly prince, Hyer heir, Sirun Young Lord, etc.—but Elric Raishion perfectly matched what her mother called a "great guy."
'Ehehe, gotta get closer!'
Chloe giggled and trailed happily after Elric.
And the following Wednesday.
The day of the first club meeting arrived.