Lifting Yune Up
Lifting Yune Up
The morning after the Academy entrance ceremony banquet.
The moment I stepped into the lecture hall, the gaze of every single classmate locked onto me.
-Murmuring and stirring.
The lecture hall instantly buzzed with commotion.
When even the Crown Princess reacted with surprise, hand flying to her mouth, I let out a deep sigh.
I'd expected as much, but seeing it in person still stung.
-Hushed whispers.
"See? I told you people would talk. What if they call you immature?"
"There isn't a noble bold enough to insult us. They're probably just shocked because you're so handsome."
'No. No matter how I look at it, they're shocked by our posture.'
The reason our classmates were so startled was simple.
I was currently cradled in Kir's arms, princess-carry style.
The youngest son of the Grand Ducal House, showing up to his very first lecture being carried by his fiancée. If I were them, I'd probably be gaping too.
The reason I ended up entering the lecture hall in Kir's arms stemmed from what had happened that morning.
* * * * * *
Unlike me, Kir follows a separate curriculum for successors, but we attend the morning history lecture together.
Maybe that was why. Kir came looking for me first thing in the morning, offering to escort me to the lecture hall.
-Knock, knock.
"Yune, can I come in?"
"Kir? Yeah. Come on in~."
-Creeeak.
"Good morning... Huh?"
With the implicit permission of the knights and servants, Kir had marched straight to my room like an unstoppable force.
Her eyes went round the moment she saw me.
"What are you doing this early?"
"Leg massage. I accidentally fell asleep on the sofa last night, and my thighs are killing me, you know?"
Kir was surprised because I was sitting on the bed, relentlessly kneading my thighs.
But even under Kir's gaze, which plainly asked 'What is this guy doing?', my hands didn't stop.
My very first class with my peers. There was no way I could walk into that lecture hall on legs wobbling like a newborn fawn. That would be mortifying.
"The leg muscles won't loosen up... Hnnggh!"
-Squish.
I started kneading my legs with all the manly grip strength I could muster.
But the tightly knotted muscles refused to relax.
...Whew. Can't be helped.
"Hey, Kir? I have a favor to ask."
"...You want me to massage you?"
"Oh? How did you know?"
"Because a massage from a frail man could never be effective. Even earlier, you were just pressing with your knuckles."
"Th-that's because the angle makes it hard to apply force, okay? I'm not that weak, okay? And since I'm a manly man, I'll get even stronger in the future, okay?"
"Good grief. He gets like this sometimes, I swear. Fine. Fine."
When I asked her to massage me, Kir suddenly claimed I was too weak.
When I bristled and denied it absolutely, Kir just sighed and shook her head as if she had no choice.
"But, if that's the case, the infir...."
"Hm? What was that?"
"Ah, nothing. Alright. I'll massage you. I have to if Yune asks me. We're friends like no other, after all."
"Thanks, Kir~! You're the only one I can count on!"
She'd started to say something but then stopped, and strode over to massage me.
Kir's palms aimed for my thighs...
And soon, Kir seized my thigh.
-Dig in.
"Ow!?"
...With excessive force.
Startled by the sudden powerful pressure clamping down on my thigh, I let out a shrill scream.
"Kir, that's way too hard! I thought my leg was going to break!"
"...That hurts? Then how about this much?"
"Hnngh... it's still a bit strong...?"
"......This much?"
"Ah. That's just right. If you knead it like that, I think it'll loosen up."
After a few more rounds of trial and error, Kir began the massage with exactly the right amount of pressure.
"Having someone else do it really is better than doing it yourself... When I did it, the angle made it hard to apply force. Thanks, Kir."
"...I'm the one who should be thanking you."
"Hm? What was that?"
"Nothing."
Kir kept her hands moving continuously, though she furrowed her brow like someone committing a sin.
With my legs spread to make it easier for Kir to massage, I fully savored the refreshing massage.
"Ah, ngh. Right there... even the inside."
"...."
"Th-there! It hurts but feels so good...! Kir, keep going...."
"...Yune. You're not doing that on purpose, are you?"
"Huh? Doing what?"
"Good grief. No."
Kir's massage continued for a few more minutes.
At some point, Kir's face grew steadily redder, and she finally pulled her hands away, saying, 'I really think I won't be able to hold back if I go any further. This is it.'
Once the massage was over, my legs felt significantly better.
Smiling, I gave her my thanks.
"Thanks, Kir! You really are the only one! I'll massage you sometime too! Just say the word!"
"Sure. Anyhow. Can you walk now?"
"Wait just a sec? Hup."
Kir smiled brightly, her eyes asking if my legs were better now.
When I took a step or two to check, the remaining pain shot a stinging signal up through my hip to my brain. My legs trembled too.
It was clearly improved from before the massage... but I'd gone from a newborn fawn to maybe a two-day-old fawn?
It was still impossible to manage a manly gait, so my expression darkened on its own.
"Might still hurt a bit. Haa. This is a problem."
"Really? ...Then I'll carry you to the lecture hall!"
When I said it still hurt too much to walk, Kir offered to carry me all the way to the lecture hall.
'Show up to my first class with my noble peers looking like that...? No way.'
"That's a bit much. What would the others think if they saw?"
I showed reluctance. No matter what, I didn't want to be seen from day one being carried in by a woman in front of my peers.
But Kir just laughed as if she had an ulterior motive and stuck close to me.
"It'll be fine, I said. Other people will see it and think, 'Wow, they must be really close!' The Crown Princess will be impressed too."
"...You think so?"
"Of course. Besides, you'd have to run not to be late now. Can you run on those legs, Yune? Earlier, I saw them trembling."
"Ugh... Fine. Then I'm counting on you, Kir. Thanks as always."
"Yeah. Leave it to me."
After that, reluctantly swayed by her persuasion, I entrusted my body to Kir.
Naturally, she slid her arms under my back and thighs and lifted me.
In that pose known as a 'princess carry,' my eyes clouded with dissatisfaction.
"Do you have to hold me exactly like this? Wouldn't a piggyback ride be fine too?"
"Then it'd be hard to run. Just bear with the embarrassment a little. Isn't a manly man's characteristic that he doesn't know shame?"
"...Fine."
'Tch. Why did I have to go and say something like that back then....'
* * * * * *
And so, Kir carried me to the lecture hall.
But...
-Buzzing chatter.
The room instantly became noisy the moment we appeared.
Even the Crown Princess, who had been seated with her chin propped on her hand, flinched in shock.
The Crown Princess immediately rose and approached us.
"Yune...!? Kirschblüte? What in the world is this...?"
'...Tch. That Magical Girl Wand is as relentless as ever, right from the first day.'
From the higher vantage point, the wand buried between the valley of her chest was even more glaringly visible, and my expression nearly soured.
Of course, making that kind of face the moment I saw the Crown Princess would be discourteous. I tried to get my expression under control, but...
"Good day to you, Crown Princess."
"Yes. Kirschblüte. More importantly. Why are you carrying Yune?"
"Ah. It's because Yune said his legs hurt. As his fiancée, I had no choice but to carry him."
"Then the solution would be to stop by the infirmary and receive treatment from a priest, would it not?"
'...Oh, right.'
At the Crown Princess's remark—'Since there are many priests at the Academy, why didn't you stop by the infirmary on your way?'—I ultimately failed to manage my expression and made a dumbfounded face.
'Now that I think about it, the Academy did have an infirmary, didn't it...? Mom had impressed upon me over and over to go straight to the infirmary if I felt even slightly unwell. I completely forgot...!!'
Dismayed and gaping, wondering what all that painful hand-gripping massage was even for.
Kir, who had also apparently forgotten, widened her eyes slightly in admiration.
"Now that you mention it, you are indeed correct. My fiancé Yune looked so pitiful struggling that I simply couldn't think that far. Truly, you are a wise Crown Princess."
"...Kirschblüte, I do not believe you are someone incapable of thinking of such a thing."
"I apologize for failing to meet the Crown Princess's expectations. Be that as it may, it's almost time for the lecture to begin. Yune and I will take our leave and prepare for the lesson. Yune? Where do you want to sit?"
"......Anywhere."
"Alright. Then let's sit right in front. You'll be able to see well."
"Yeah...."
My mind went blank at the thought of having done something so stupid, and I even forgot to greet the Crown Princess.
And so, Kir set me down in the seat next to her.
Soon after, the lecture began.
* * * * * *
"...And so, I will conclude today's lesson here."
-Clap, clap, clap.
The history lecture ended more quickly than I thought. Did it only take about twenty minutes?
The moment class ended, Kir, who was glued to my side, naturally placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Yune, how was your first Academy class?"
"I was looking forward to it, but it feels like it ended too quickly."
"Tradition dictates that the first class finishes this quickly. Anyway, I'm surprised you were looking forward to history?"
"Yeah. I like history. It kind of feels like a legendary adventure story, I guess?"
"I knew you had an unexpected side, Yune. Still, I'm glad you probably won't find it boring."
"Yeah!"
We fell into a friendly, easy conversation.
While we were doing that, the Crown Princess, who had been sitting alone to our right, quietly approached.
"Ahem. Ahem, ahem."
"Crown Princess. How may we be of assistance?"
Kir greeted the Crown Princess on my behalf when she coughed conspicuously, as if wanting to be acknowledged right away.
The Crown Princess cleared her throat a few more times before speaking to me.
"Yune. I believe I heard earlier that your legs were hurting. Are they perhaps still in pain?"
'Ah, seriously. Why is she talking to me about pointless things....'
Apparently still concerned about me saying my legs hurt before class started, the Crown Princess asked with worried eyes if I was okay.
Normally, I would've responded pleasantly since I appreciated her concern, but...
The pink jewel embedded between her breasts was silently screaming again today.
So I subtly averted my gaze out the window and spoke coldly.
"...Thanks to the Crown Princess's concern, I am better."
"That is fortunate indeed. Still, one can never be too sure, so during the free period, I shall escort you to the infirm...."
'Oh, come on.'
But the Crown Princess seemed intent on clinging endlessly.
I lightly poked Kir's side with my elbow, signaling her to do something about it.
Knowing very well that I was averse to the Crown Princess, Kir immediately stepped in.
"Crown Princess. Your offer is a great honor, but how could we possibly entrust such a trivial private matter to the Crown Princess, who is so busy with both official and personal duties. I, his fiancée, will take him to the infirmary."
"No. I have an important matter to discuss on the way, so please do not refuse."
"An important matter? May I ask what it is?"
"...Kirschblüte. It concerns you as well."
"......?"
'An important story for me and Kir? Ah. Don't tell me.'
"A matter you must discuss with Yune and me from the start of the semester. Does it, by any chance, pertain to the Student Council?"
"Yes."