19. Later
War Minister Boss Ashim (whose name and surname I know) had clearly told me not to talk about this too much. It didn't need to be kept secret, but I should be careful not to blurt it out everywhere. Preferably in a measured way. If possible, it might be best not to mention it at all.
Having served in the military for a while, I naturally agreed.
What's the point in bragging about something good? It would just draw unnecessary attention anyway.
What I wanted right now was nothing but a peaceful academy life.
But I, and even the minister, had forgotten something at the time.
The next day, the newspapers that poured in like a flood made me let out a silent exclamation without even realizing it.
Right. There was the press. Oh my, I had forgotten something that important.
No matter how much you try to block other things, you can't stop the eyes, ears, and hands of the journalists.
The very first article carried content that anyone could easily understand. It was a decent enough article, I thought, for carrying the crew's valor.
But after that. The real thing started to come out slowly.
Whoa. Ease up. This is too sensitive a topic, you reporters.
I understand the drive for scoops, but at least keep the line. Each department is losing personnel!
Admirable! Our army! Wonderful! Our young men!
Whoa. This guy is going to get promoted soon. Even if not, he'll get a good score.
An officer who personally stepped up for the empire's citizens? If we just let this slide, what kind of country is that?
Of course, we'll promote him like crazy and make him do even higher things!
It's pretty satisfying to see someone who suffered alongside me being treated well.
Yeah. This is the level we need. If something like this happens again later, we can stand firm and resolute—
The newspapers were saved. Lieutenant Megi... you didn't do it all by yourself, did you...
This poor returning student is already struggling enough with the Medal of Honor and the Four Idiots...!
My head was throbbing, so I jumped out of bed and went for a walk.
If this gets out, tomorrow my juniors will be chasing me around like crazy.
They'll definitely call me the elf killer or the judge. For sure.
...I guess it wouldn't be bad to become famous. But the reason I became famous isn't really anything special.
From my perspective, military life isn't a shining memory I want to pull out.
I wish it could just stay buried with me, but it's constantly being forced out!
"Karl."
The real culprits of all this mess—the Gganf and the Four Idiots.
While sitting on a bench, fuming about them, a familiar voice came from behind.
"...Selena?"
"Can I sit for a moment?"
"Eh? Eh. Of course. Sit, sit."
This bench is a student common area. What permission do I need?
"..."
"..."
To be honest, it's really uncomfortable. So uncomfortable that I might go crazy.
Just sitting here brings back the things I did at the time.
Selena, who was in a daze from the confession attack. Selena, a freshman who couldn't even enjoy freshman life.
After all that piling up of irritation. That guy went and did a "public confession" right there.
'Only when it's just the two of us like everyone else. Crazy. Why in front of everyone?'
Given that, it was only natural that Selena would hate me.
At the time, Selena had been pretty cold. So I took a bigger shock.
Why is that? When someone who always smiled suddenly gets angry and serious, that memory lasts forever.
Probably at the time, I felt even greater shame there.
Of course, I don't resent Selena. Not even a little lie. Really.
It was only natural. Looking back, the one who provided the cause was me.
No one told me to confess. I did it because I liked her.
I knew Selena's situation clearly and still added pressure to it.
'I didn't even insult her personality by rejecting her.'
And I ran off to the military because I was rejected. That was also my doing.
So there was no reason at all to be angry at Selena.
"Karl."
So was that why. Now that I really think it's fine...
"I... can you forgive me?"
I sat down beside Selena, who said that out of the blue.
Stupidly, I just let out a sigh of "Eh?" and that was it.
*
A few days ago. When I visited the TA room, Senior Marcus said this.
"Heard the news? That guy suddenly enlisted as a private."
"Four of them? Senior?"
"Schlippen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim. Those guys."
I had heard that four people suddenly disappeared. I knew they took a leave of absence.
But that they enlisted as privates? The moment I heard that, it hit me. This has to be...
"Karl, that kid must have been dumped. Anyway, he's not in his right mind."
Hearing that, my chest gave a sharp twinge without me realizing it.
The immature time. The moment I thought being loved was natural.
The past where I dumped my unwanted negative feelings on someone else.
Karl was the victim because of me. He took a big wound.
But he smiled and backed off. He said he understood and even encouraged me.
And he enlisted as a private, went to the battlefield, and saved his older brother there.
He must have suffered a lot too. He thought of others before himself.
'The opposite of me, who thought of himself before others at the time.'
Whether it was coincidence or something else, it didn't matter.
What was important to me now was that the embarrassing past came back so clearly.
And the other thing was that I had also realized I had other feelings.
I suddenly felt uneasy. A feeling I had never experienced before.
The academy life had only half a year left. Then it would be graduation.
Of course, I could meet Karl outside too. But it wouldn't be in this pure feeling.
Only meetings filled with all kinds of political and external elements would await.
I didn't want that. I wanted to resolve the beginning that got tangled up because of me, somehow.
Since Karl came to me first, maybe this time I should approach him.
Apologize to the immature me of the past, and as an excuse, explain my situation at that time.
Wouldn't that give me at least one chance?
'Eh.'
Was this a prank from the heavens? Or a chance given to me by the gods?
It was a weekend, not even a weekday, yet I met Karl exactly at the academy.
"Can I sit for a moment?"
When I came to my senses, I was already talking to him.
I only realized later that Karl might be uncomfortable with me.
So I said it and was in the middle of regretting it a little.
"Eh? Eh. Of course. Sit, sit."
Karl accepted my words without any hesitation. Really, without any hesitation.
Same as back then. Even though it wasn't because of him, it was exactly that moment when I poured everything out to him.
I had hurt him that way, yet Karl smiled and backed off without a care.
Probably after chewing on his shame and pain alone, he enlisted as a private.
He himself said he wasn't, but there must have been a reason. For sure.
Because of me. He had to suffer hardships he didn't need to.
Yet Karl, even in the midst of it, thought of others, not me.
That's how he saved countless people, including his older brother.
Karl was a hero. But he didn't show it. Rather, he was ashamed.
I knew the reason. He hadn't tried to become a hero.
For someone else. The Karl I knew was that kind of man.
"Karl."
So I had to say it.
Now it was his turn to have a moment for himself.
"I... can you forgive me?"
"...Eh?"
"Actually, I have to say this."
Without realizing it, I spilled out my whole story in front of Karl.
Honestly, I hated you so much. I was so fed up that I enlisted in the military just to get away. It wasn't because I was crazy or anything. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had received so many confession attacks that I couldn't even enjoy my freshman life. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, but I treated you coldly anyway.
Haa. Saying it like this makes me look even more foolish. Apologizing for forgiveness while making excuses.
I felt too pathetic myself, but my mouth moved regardless of my will.
In the middle of it, Karl, thankfully, didn't just listen silently. He agreed with me.
So that I wouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed. With that kind, good image of before.
"So... I want to apologize for treating you so coldly and hurting you. And I want to apologize for the suffering you went through because of it."
"Karl. That's..."
"I said it wasn't because of me. But that's not true. I know too. Somehow, even a little, I was a reason. The hardships you didn't need to suffer, the pain you didn't need to feel. I did it and you went through it because of me."
Karl didn't deny it this time. He listened to me silently.
While feeling guilty about the fact, hearing the truth made me a little relieved.
"So, sorry, Karl."
"..."
"There's no other reason. Ah, that... there might be other reasons. Anyway... Can I ask for your forgiveness?"
It was tense. My heart was burning. What answer would Karl give?
"That's obviously..."
Just as Karl was about to answer, his face suddenly hardened noticeably.
"Selena."
"U-uh?"
"Later."
He stood up from his seat with a serious expression.
And without looking back, he turned and walked away.
"Ah..."
My eyes suddenly filled with tears. I still can't receive forgiveness—
"Over there! There! Confirmed! Karl Adelheit Sergeant!"
"Sergeant! Sergeant!! First in the Empire Daily! Please give us a word!"
"Do you think the Empire and Elves' harmony is possible? Please answer!"
"Please give your opinion on the current national security!!"
"Short interview, please! Sergeant Karl Adelheit!!"
Eh... what is this? What's going on...?