A Straight Fastball
How should I handle this situation? Just who the hell is Irina, anyway?
Looking closely at our students, it's like no one wants to admit they're from a romance fantasy, so they're all the type to beat around the bush. But Irina is unexpectedly frank and direct, even while standing on the romance fantasy stage. Among them, she's second only to Zikrinde, the most honest one who's broken free from the mold in that line. Of course, she's not as surprising as Irina.
But that's exactly what makes this the biggest problem. She didn't beat around the bush. I can't dodge it either. She seems to have picked up a bit on my sad vibes already, so I have to answer honestly. Not completely, of course. Just within the limits I can allow.
"Our class president."
"Yes."
"Where did the class president pick up on that vibe? I don't get why you'd think I need worrying over."
Her sharp pink lips twitched at that.
"Because I know someone with a similar face."
True to form, she cut right to it. But I didn't mind.
"Is that so? To look like me, it'd take quite a bit of personality investment, wouldn't it?"
"I wouldn't know about that far. Even this is just my impression.... But doesn't someone who has something to say but can't quite say it have that kind of face?"
She clasped her hands demurely and glanced up at me slyly. I'd never paid proper attention before, but this girl with her chiseled features was a real beauty in her own right. Not quite on Sion's level, but she had her own striking charm.
"Lately, Brother Reph has had exactly that expression."
"Reph? You mean the class president of Violet Flower Class?"
"I definitely mentioned it before? How much do you know?"
"Yes, but that's where the story ended. Has something happened between you two lately?"
At that, Irina hesitated for a moment, pouting. No surprise there. For a girl who hates losing and hates rejection even more, bringing up Reph—who could be a weakness—was no easy task.
"...It should be fine. He's my professor, after all."
She muttered it just loud enough for me to hear, then opened her mouth as if steeling herself with a big decision.
"Truth is, Brother Reph and I don't get along that well."
"Is that right."
"Of course, it's all one-sided on my end. Going further from what I told you before.... He didn't even want me coming to the academy. So he arranged a marriage proposal to block my path."
Finally hearing it straight from her mouth. To be precise, less "blocking her path" in a negative sense, and more an overzealous attempt to protect her—someone too kind-hearted to protect herself properly. Because Reph, heir to the northern duke's macho mindset, always tries to unconditionally shelter those in his fold. He doesn't mind not being understood; he just resolves to do it anyway.
Irina, though, apparently saw it as an outrageous overstep she couldn't accept.
And hearing that, I was genuinely shocked. Even after getting close to the original heroine, she'd never breathed a word of this to anyone. Let alone anyone else. This girl.... trusts me more than I thought.
"So that's why things soured. But you're saying Reph has a face like mine because of that?"
"No way. When I started blowing up at him one-sidedly.... On one hand, he was at a loss, but on the other, he was busy looking down on me with that steadfast posture true to himself...."
"Busy how?"
"Lately, it's shifted in another direction."
I nodded along, and she fidgeted with her hands.
"Now he just keeps an awkward distance altogether."
"He didn't before?"
"No. Until recently, when we'd pass each other, he'd at least awkwardly ask after my well-being. Muttering things like "You don't have to push yourself." But now, even that's gone."
"Overprotective before, totally unresponsive now."
"Exactly. And that constant expression he wears is just like yours, Professor."
"...Like he has something to say but can't."
"How do you understand so perfectly? ...Hehe, talking with you is so comfortable."
From original knowledge, Reph always means well toward Irina.... So that troubled look is probably just an intensified version of floundering around an angry little sister. And as I saw during that epic pad lip battle I refereed, Reph was purely, genuinely awestruck by Irina's remarkable growth.
So. This distancing from Irina is probably him feeling conflicted that his view of her as someone needing protection was dead wrong. He needs time to accept it himself. And he's floundering because he wants a chance to speak, but there doesn't seem to be one.
"I thought I'd done pretty well. I have no idea what he expects from me."
"You said I might be the one needing worry, but somehow I'm ending up as Irina's counselor here."
At that, Irina's eyes widened like a rabbit's, and she gave an awkward grin.
"I don't know why either. Whenever I talk one-on-one with you, Professor, it always turns out like this."
"...Well, anyway, the worries you're carrying aren't anything too special."
"Huh?"
"I have an older brother figure like you do, and he always tells me to trust him."
"Hmm...."
"But I can never be fully honest with him, so I always feel like I'm failing that trust. Our positions are reversed, really. Unlike you, Irina, I'm in Reph's shoes."
She was pouting, oblivious that Reph was in that state—which struck me as a bit cute. So I started sharing some real-life wisdom, but Irina looked surprised, like it was unexpected.
"You have someone like that too, Professor?"
"Of course."
But no need for her to know now. Sir Laval.... Well, someday, if Irina's wish comes true and she rises to prominence in the north alongside Reph, she'll learn in time.
"But class president, from that perspective, there's something you can do. And it might not be so bad."
"Is that so."
"Yes. Definitely. That awkwardness is just him holding back out of concern for you. He doesn't hate you, that's for sure."
"........."
"Isn't that actually better? It's a sign your relationship is about to progress. No need to worry too much."
At that, Irina's faint smile bloomed fully. That flower-like smile she'd shown at the training ground last time. I hadn't solved it for her, but she seemed to have found some peace.
"As expected, Professor—you're so eloquent!"
"And I'll tell you one more good thing."
"Something good?"
"Do you know that Reph, who you think ignores you, came to watch your duel?"
Irina nodded.
"Of course I do. I have ears."
"Then, do you know.... what reaction Reph had then?"
But Irina couldn't know this part either. Because back then, with her eyes turning beast-like in focus.... she wouldn't have had the spare attention for the stands. No way she'd scrutinize Reph's reaction in detail.
"What was it?"
She swallowed hard.
"When our class president held a blade to Zikrinde's throat, that guy's jaw dropped."
".........!!"
"Like he'd seen something utterly unexpected. Something he couldn't even imagine. Pure, unadulterated admiration as he watched you."
"...Professor!"
Sure, I wasn't the only one who saw it. But as I said, Irina doesn't share her story with just anyone. So only I could tell her this.
And for Irina, how would one line like that feel? Massive intel, right? I'd just strung together guesses and mutterings. But this info was the key to understanding why Reph was acting awkward.
"—Professor, Professor."
"Yes."
"If you keep teaching and something doesn't sit right someday. Or if you're not satisfied with the current situation...."
"...Yes?"
"When that happens, please come to the north without hesitation?"
What was this now?
"I've been to the north plenty in my prime. Why say that?"
"It feels like having you with the Pernov family would be like gaining a thousand troops."
"A fine house like yours doesn't need someone like me."
"The more good things, the better."
"Why do you rate me so highly?"
But at my roundabout refusal, Irina grabbed my left hand firmly with both of hers, pulling it down to her chin. Then, eyes sparkling, she said,
"I think I need you, Professor."
"Pardon?"
"You always look out for me. I've never met a man like you."
.........
....
Clear and pure intentions.
"I.... have no idea what this is."
Me neither, kid. Me neither.