Overwhelming Emotions and the Directionless Princess
"There..."
"I'm sorry!"
A conversation I'd had once before was repeating itself.
The only difference this time was that the one bowing her head was Lee Ji-ah.
I had no idea why Lee Ji-ah was apologizing.
After all, I was the one who'd started it.
"Ever since then, only you keep popping into my head, Do-jun... I thought I was okay, but the moment I see your face, I think of it again... I just can't control myself. My body gets so hot, and when I come to, I've done it again... Hnngh."
Lee Ji-ah, rambling incoherently, started twisting her legs together.
I had a pretty good idea what was going on.
"I... I don't know why I'm like this... Hah, I said we should start as friends... but I... I..."
Lee Ji-ah hung her head.
Her feelings didn't make much sense to me.
Why was that something to apologize for?
"Alright, calm down first."
"Hic, I'm sorry!"
With those words, Lee Ji-ah shoved me, knocking me over.
In the end, we went two more rounds before we could have a normal conversation.
"So, basically, I'm the only thing in your head, and you can't do anything all day?"
"Yes..."
She looked ready to crawl into a mouse hole and hide.
A little more waiting, and she'd probably drill a hole in the floor to escape into.
I, on the other hand, was rather pleased.
This was exactly the kind of person I wanted.
"When did it start?"
"That... from the first... the very first time..."
The first time?
That time, for sure...
I glanced at the back of my hand, which had been emitting a faint glow.
The light on the back of my hand had already faded, but the translucent window appeared normally.
(...)
3. Resonance
- Emotions rise. Emotions do not fall.
(...)
Aside from Touch of Pleasure and Thousand Changes, number 3 was now visible.
The ability... was way too good.
I didn't fully grasp what "emotions rise" meant, but judging by Lee Ji-ah's state, the effect was incredible regardless.
It must mean her feelings for me deepened just by seeing me, even if I did nothing.
The problem, though...
Lee Ji-ah was still fidgeting restlessly in front of me.
It was nice, but it felt too much.
We'd known each other less than two weeks, and she was at the point of pouncing on me without thinking?
Overkill.
Not my taste.
This wasn't some game where you collect one-night stands.
Prism Arts wasn't that kind of game.
It was supposed to feel more like real dating... that tingling, drawn-out romance.
"Let's find a way to fix this. It must be uncomfortable for you, right, Ji-ah?"
"No! I'm not uncomfortable at all! If anything..."
That wasn't her feelings.
It was fake emotion created by my ability.
That wasn't what I wanted.
"I'm the one who's uncomfortable with this. Well, then..."
If I didn't stand up first, this conversation would never end.
As I left Lee Ji-ah behind, I felt her persistent gaze clinging to my back.
Fortunately, the newly revealed option called Resonance could be turned ON and OFF.
I didn't know if switching it off would erase all the built-up emotions or just maintain what was already there, but if I suddenly showed up and asked, "How are you now?" it would be as good as confessing that I'd been the cause of her weird behavior all this time.
Best to avoid her as much as possible and check back later.
When I returned to the practice room, the lecture seemed to have ended early, with only a few cadets scattered about.
No reason for me to stick around either.
I headed to the cadet cafeteria, which offered free meals, to grab lunch.
That's where I ran into a familiar golden-haired princess.
"Ah! Do-jun!"
"Hello, Latynia. Eating here?"
"Yes."
We sat facing each other.
Only after sitting did I realize it was the same spot where I'd sat with Lee Ji-ah last time.
Latynia's tray had a surprisingly modest meal.
"That's unexpected."
"What is?"
"Your meal is so simple. For a princess of a nation... Mmph!"
"Wait! That's a secret, remember?"
Latynia clamped her hand over my mouth mid-sentence.
The soft, small hand covering my face didn't feel bad at all.
Should I lick it a little?
"Kyaa! What are you doing?"
"Sorry, reflex..."
"Hmm... Since I covered your mouth first, I'll let this one slide. So, what were you saying?"
Was it okay for a princess to be this nice?
"I said your meal is simple."
"I can eat good food anytime back home. This feels fresher to me."
"I see."
Not simple—novel.
That made sense. She was a princess; she had to keep up appearances...
I was satisfied with that explanation, but Latynia's reaction was odd.
Her lips twitched like she had more to say.
"Shall we eat?"
"Ah, yes..."
Now she was openly disappointed.
I couldn't figure out why a princess like her was so emotionally transparent.
"Sigh... Do you have something to say?"
"Besides being fresh, I actually like it!"
I wondered what she'd say, but it was just commoner appeal.
"Got it. Message received on the commoner appeal."
"It's true..."
After finishing our meal, Latynia and I headed to the lecture hall.
"What afternoon lecture are you taking?"
"Understanding Other Races. It's better to take classes with people I know."
That explained why our paths kept aligning.
But I hadn't seen her in yesterday's lecture?
"We didn't cross paths yesterday during lecture time."
"Well, I got lost yesterday. Prism really is as huge as the rumors say."
Running into her near the library reading room was a miracle.
At this level, her sense of direction was a talent.
Once we got a bit closer, suggesting we travel together might work.
We arrived at the lecture hall a little early, thanks to the company.
Despite the time buffer, many cadets were already seated, chatting in groups.
I spotted Lee Ji-ah in the distance.
...Best to ignore her for now.
"Hey, Ruphus. Brought the lost lamb."
"Hey... Oh, with Latynia. I figured you'd get lost again and miss this class too."
"Then why didn't you look after her?"
"Latynia needs to get used to it. Can't have someone guiding her forever."
Wouldn't it be better to say that when she's not around?
Latynia looked displeased, puffing her cheeks.
See? You should care about those around you.
"I said you can just call me Latynia..."
Her complaint was about something else.
I couldn't understand why she cared so much about titles.
"Come on, Latynia, don't sweat it. Titles don't define everything, right?"
"Even you, Do-jun..."
"Anyway, heading to that reading room again today?"
"Yeah. Wanna come?"
"Seems like it. Got something I'm curious about."
"Can't give you my little sister."
I never asked for her.
Though I'd gratefully accept if offered.
My interest wasn't there anyway. I needed to dig into exactly what happened in the past.
I couldn't tell how much of what I'd seen at the Hero Association exhibit was truth versus propaganda.
I hadn't uncovered anything yesterday.
We chatted as a trio until the instructor arrived, but I felt a gaze from somewhere.
Turning toward it, my eyes met Lee Ji-ah's, seated far away.
...Pretend I didn't see.
Not the time yet.
The lecture start time passed, but the instructor still hadn't shown.
Just as doubts crept in about whether this class was even legit, the instructor finally entered.
His confident stride despite being late was praiseworthy.
"Hm, quite a crowd."
The instructor's first words came with a peculiar expression.
His gaze over the room... was he satisfied?
I was a bit curious how this instructor would run the class.
The syllabus was all vague fluff, impossible to predict.
Indeed...
"This lecture is Understanding Other Races. With other races and humans mixed in this room, go chat. Dismissed."
The instructor left those words and exited the room.
Progress from yesterday, but still too embarrassing to call a lecture.
"Is this class... okay?"
"Yeah. Wonder if it'll keep being like this."
I actually preferred it.
I chose this class to meet lots of other races, and this setup was perfect.
The issue was that with this abysmal quality, everyone might switch classes.
Meeting Ruphus and Latynia was already going as planned, but...
Heroines were better in numbers.
Hard to romance multiple at once with my personality, but building familiarity helped.
Even later encounters would be easier with that "Oh, we took class together back then!" shared bond.
"I like this class. What about you?"
"I only signed up because of Latynia, so no real choice."
"What's that got to do with this class?"
"This building's the closest to Latynia's dorm. And since it's the hub for other-race research, no other human-friendly classes besides this one."
That explained why this building had so many other races.
Secret like that.
"But getting lost even that close..."
"Yesterday you made it to the reading room with us, then got lost. That's some talent."
"Um... I can hear you..."
"Saying it so you can hear."
"Hing..."
Latynia shrank back.
Pitying her, Ruphus jumped to her defense.
"Don't badmouth Latynia. She didn't want to get lost."
"Do people get lost on purpose?"
"Er... yeah?"
"Defend me more!"
"It's fine. She'll get over it eventually. Or head back home."
"I don't want that."
"Better than getting lost here, no?"
"Well... then..."
Latynia hesitated, about to say something.
"If Do-jun... went around with me..."
"Anyone could do that, not just me. Ruphus or... Ruphus..."
Ruphus was the only one coming to mind.
But Latynia shook her head, apparently not a fan.
"No Ruphus. He has to protect Ara."
"Still, why me..."
"I felt it from the first time I saw you. You're kind, reliable... and handsome."
The last words brushed past my ear like a whisper.
I couldn't fathom why she rated me so highly.
I'd just guided her because she seemed lost.
Either her standards were ridiculously low, or there was something else...
Either way, not bad for me.
"Then, lunch together, afternoon class, then here? Just till you get familiar with the paths."
"Yes! Please take care of me."
Latynia grabbed my hand with both of hers and beamed.