I'm Really, Really Happy to See You!!!
I'm Really, Really Happy to See You!!!
Professor Flare was caught entirely off guard. Eight years after carrying out her last contract, its very subject—Yune—sat among her students.
She quickly composed herself, turned back around, and began writing her name and the course title on the board.
Flare traced letters onto the magical tool—a mana-infused surface that made every stroke visible—and used the moment to calm her tangled thoughts.
-Scratch, scratch.
'Young Master Yune was eight years old back then. He must have long forgotten a nobody mercenary like me.'
The contract that had brought Flare to Yune eight years ago was brief, a single job. Unlike a dragonkin like herself, humans lived through years that were long enough to erase such a memory—she knew that well.
Flare assumed that a high noble's son, who had met a hired mercenary only briefly for treatment as a child, would never remember her. She had no idea how deeply she had influenced Yune during his bedridden childhood, nor that the dragonkin named Flare had become someone he could never forget.
-Stare.
'...No. He hasn't forgotten, has he?'
When she finished writing and looked back, Yune was leaning his arms on the desk, eyes wide, staring straight at her. His expression was naked joy and delight, as if to say he had never once forgotten her over all those years.
Yet even as his lips twitched with the urge to call out to her, Yune kept his mouth shut. He knew perfectly well that this was a lecture, and shouting right now would trouble everyone—especially Flare.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
'Honestly. Still so considerate, aren't you. I thought a high noble would have grown at least a little willful, but you've grown up sweet. Maybe the inside hasn't changed as much as the outside?'
She had seen enough in under five minutes to sense that his gentle nature remained unchanged.
Then her gaze shifted to the two women seated on either side of him: Chloe and Nibuer.
'...One is my employer, and the other—a butler?'
First, Nibuer: an elf who had secured her this academy professorship while she was stuck—through no choice of her own—working as a high-ranking appraiser for the Magic Tower.
That Nibuer would attend the same lecture as the Nordkirchen Grand Ducal House's youngest son and even sit so close beside him—she could understand that. Nibuer was called the Dagger of Nordkirchen. It wouldn't be strange if Yune favored her greatly.
But seeing Chloe, a beastkin, pressed right up against him as well stirred a small unease in Flare's heart.
'...They're both non-humans. Could it be that the young master has developed a taste for non-humans? Because of me?'
Flare was genuinely worried that she might have given Yune "certain tastes."
But she couldn't exactly interrogate him about it now. She decided to just start the lesson.
'I can always speak to him afterward.'
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Flare, a visiting professor from the Fire Magic Tower, and I'll be teaching Fire Element Theory."
She launched into her introduction and course overview. Yet her eyes kept stealing glances toward Yune, because he kept staring at her.
Inevitably, their eyes met several times. Every time their gazes locked, Yune smiled with his eyes as if to say he was glad to see her, and she had to fight desperately to keep a fond smile off her own face.
'Honestly. You're still so full of affection—even toward a commoner like me.'
At present, as a high-ranking official of the Magic Tower, she did hold a position that commanded more respect than a mere commoner. But when they had first met, she had stood before him as a lowly mercenary of no account, and her attitude had been rather brusque.
And yet Yune, despite being a noble, had treated her purely as an equal with no discrimination based on rank or race.
The purity that had struck her so vividly back then—when she'd believed all nobles were the same—had not faded even after eight years. A strand of joy bloomed in her heart, like an older sister watching a little brother who had grown up well.
'Honestly. You really grew up sweet and kind. Good boy.'
* * * * * *
Her surprise at seeing Yune was brief. Flare's lips curved in a pleased smile as she continued the lecture overview.
"Once you've all studied Elemental Studies enough... you'll be able to do things like this."
-Fwoosh.
When she demonstrated a high-tier magic spell she had prepared, gasps of admiration burst from the students.
Even freshmen who knew little could instinctively think, 'This professor's got some real skill.' It was an elegant yet dazzling display of flames.
But only one person in that room recognized the true worth of the magic right away.
And that was Flare's very first disciple—the one who, because of her, had been receiving advanced magical prodigy training ever since—Yune, whose skill in magic alone could already earn him a place in the Magic Tower.
'Incredible. A quadruple cast of the same element? That's my sis Flare for you!'
Yune's eyes sparkled brighter than anyone else's in the lecture hall. Bright enough that even Flare, who had cast the spell, briefly wondered, 'Was it really that impressive?'
"Ahem. Anyway. The very foundation of elemental magic is Elemental Studies. The advantages of majoring in Elemental Studies are countless. Collaborative research with other labs...."
Flare began reciting the promotional talking points she had prepared. After explaining a bit more, she slipped in her real ulterior motive right at the end.
"And currently, my lab is recruiting undergraduate researchers."
-Stir, stir.
The very phrase "undergraduate researcher" set the lecture hall buzzing. Flare deliberately ignored the reaction and continued.
"Any cadet who wishes to major in Elemental Studies or wants to experience a higher magical research process, please apply. I'm confident it will be a good opportunity. I realize you may not have decided yet, but if you do become interested, please come see me at any...."
But her explanation was cut short.
-Flash.
Because the moment Yune heard those words, he beamed brightly and shot his arm straight up.
"...Huh?"
-Murmur, murmur.
Even though the lecture wasn't over yet, the room began to stir.
"Uh, Young Master Yunes? Are you saying you're interested in becoming an undergraduate researcher...?"
-Nod, nod.
When Yune bobbed his head eagerly at Flare's question, the murmuring swelled uncontrollably and rippled outward in waves.
The reaction was only natural. This wasn't a desperate commoner looking for employment—it was a noble, practically the pinnacle of high nobility, Yune himself, stepping forward to take on a mere undergraduate research position.
Even Chloe and Nibuer, seated beside him, couldn't hide their agitation and stared at him... but Yune's upright arm showed no intention of coming down.
"A-ahem, let's end today's lecture here. Yune—no, Young Master Yunes, I'll escort you to my research lab."
* * * * * *
After the lecture, we followed behind Flare sis toward her lab.
Chloe was my personal butler, so her trailing after me was a given. Nibuer said she was worried about me and would tag along, or something like that.
As soon as we stepped into the lab and the door closed behind us, I immediately ran to Flare sis and threw my arms around her.
"Sis Flare!!"
-Glomp.
"Y-Yune, Young Master?!"
Nibuer and Chloe practically jumped in shock the second I hugged her. But I had no room to care about that—I just kept greedily soaking up my sis's warmth.
'Sis... sis... sis...!'
-Nuzzle, nuzzle.
Every time I buried my face and rubbed against her, my sis's unique scent and the heat of her body stirred my memories.
The raging fever—and the body that had been cold as ice despite it. The person, no, the dragonkin who had healed that like a lie.
Pressing my face into my sis's chest brought back those days so vividly—back when I'd snuggle in her arms, listen to adventure stories, and drift off to sleep. I forgot to speak and just basked in her warmth.
...Though, unlike back then, she was wearing clothes now, so I couldn't feel that pleasant, smooth skin-to-skin softness. That was my only complaint.
-Stretch.
"Y-Young Master. Just a moment...!"
After nearly ten seconds of bliss, my sis gently but firmly took hold of my shoulders and eased me back. Only then could I check her expression.
"Honestly... Young Master, you haven't changed at all, have you?"
She wore a smile that was faintly troubled yet inwardly happy. It matched my memory of Flare sis exactly. That was when the joy of our reunion finally hit me fully, and I bounced in place as I spoke.
"Sis! I'm so happy we met again! Really, really happy!! Do you still remember me?"
"...Honestly. How could I forget? Someone like you, Young Master. You're really something."
"Woohoo! I've wanted to meet you this whole time, sis!!"
I was literally hopping up and down, making a huge fuss. Flare sis just chuckled "hoho" as if she had no choice but to indulge me.
And then...
"...What on earth is going on? Do you know anything, Lady Chloe?"
"No. I'm just as lost..."
Chloe and Nibuer exchanged awkward glances, completely clueless. Well, they had only met me after Flare sis left, so of course they wouldn't know who she was.
I meant to explain to the two of them who this person was, but...
'Sorry, I'll explain just a little later!'
My heart was way too overwhelmed to calmly explain right now. I decided to let this happy excitement pour out just a little longer. All the longing that had piled up over the seven years we were apart. All the feelings I carried for my sis.
"I'm REALLY, REALLY GLAD TO SEE YOU!!!"