28. Just Saying
In the academy, fourth-years or graduating seniors are usually divided into two groups.
One prepares for graduation relatively leisurely — though the reality is anything but relaxed.
The other is in a frenzy to graduate because they're on fire.
Among the latter, many are busy taking lectures they didn't hear in previous years.
Some enjoy the academy life, some put it off with "I'll do it later, future me!", or misread their scores and didn't take the required lectures.
The last case is especially pitiful, as they end up taking lectures with juniors and become good examples by giving advice and lessons.
For example—
"Karl. Let me see your notes for a bit. I missed this part here."
"...No matter how I think about it, it's ridiculous. 'Fill up general education scores in advance.' I remember that even if I forget everything else from the army. You kids. Why did you think general education scores were easy?"
The 4th years are sitting taking up space in the general education classroom full of 1st years.
In order: Schlippen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.
They look like perfect men from the outside.
From great families, top scores in their exams.
But the problem is that somewhere, their sanity is a bit off.
"Not easy, I just forgot, Karl."
"Could it be young man's dementia? Why would academy students forget that."
"Uh... isn't it like soldiers sometimes losing their guns?"
"In the army, we don't lose guns, Alexander. And if we do, on a rainy day, we'll get beaten like crazy."
Karl was howling, surrounded perfectly on all sides by the four idiots.
This is definitely not a romance novel but a comedy wearing the skin of a romance novel.
*
Schlippen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim. The four main characters from the novel.
Of course, the world in the novel is fictional, but this world itself is not fake.
The place where I live can't be fake.
Remembering the past doesn't change anything. I'm still Karl Adelheit.
For that reason, I had no reason to get close to these four.
Since being next to them doesn't make life bloom or return to the real world.
So, these humans live their lives, and I live mine.
But they keep sneaking up next to me and pestering.
"If I had known, I should have taken some lectures in 3rd year."
"What did you do back then."
"Uh... I made a club and spent a lot of time there?"
Suspicious. Really suspicious. What club did they make?
They wasted the most important 3rd year before graduation?
"It wasn't anything special. Just a meditation club."
"...Meditation club?"
Strange. When I heard the name, it sounded normal.
Hey, Schlippen. Are you really telling the truth? Meditation club, right—
"No, Schlippen. It wasn't meditation, it was chess club."
"...?"
Suddenly Wilhelm jumps in. Well, since he's one of the things he does to Schlippen, maybe he did it on purpose...
"Hey. Wilhelm. Your face looks really sincere."
"What are you talking about, Karl. I'm being sincere right now."
"So, you thought the club was chess?"
Why?
"At club time, I always played chess with those guys."
"...Wait. Wait, you kids."
The feeling is cold. No matter how I think, this needs to be confirmed.
"Alexander."
"Why, Karl."
"What club did you think it was."
"I thought it was horse riding club until 3rd year graduation."
"...Joachim, you."
"I was in the social dance club."
After hearing that, the whole story finally clicked.
It started with meditation club. But what they did was just fool around every day.
So time just flew by. Right?
Looking at this, it's a miracle that they made it to 4th year without failing.
They were good at studying, good scores, but why use that in daily life?
Why are they idiots in these corners. Are they testing my patience?
"My juniors. Please graduate this semester."
If you think about taking one more semester, it's terrifying, you'll want to go back...
"Ah! What should I do, Karl? It seems like it might be that way."
"...What?"
"I applied for all lectures this semester but the scores are a bit short."
"No... did you ask the professors?"
"I did, but they couldn't give a definite answer."
Enough. Stop there. If I talk more, my stomach will burst.
"More than that, Karl. How's it going with Selena?"
"After hearing about the graduation deferral, now this is the topic? Is there no more fresh, bright, fun story? Eh?"
"Ah, why. Because I'm curious. I'm curious."
"Noisy. No words. Get lost. Damn, get lost. You kids!"
Despite my intense gestures, these kids keep sticking closer.
And they light up with sparkling eyes, silently shouting 'Tell me quickly!'
"Why are you always like that. The one who got the girl first is me. Huh?"
"That's right. That's correct."
"But Karl. Even though you got the girl, you've been too close lately."
"That's right. It looks like it's causing misunderstandings to others."
"There might be a chance that Selena's heart has changed."
Usually we bicker, but when it comes to this, we hit it off well.
As expected, the four idiots! As expected, hydra!
"How many times do I have to say it. Among the ones I saved in the past, there was Selena's older brother, and Selena feels grateful for that. Since you guys seem close, that's because we cleared up the misunderstandings we had with Selena recently. That's all."
"Hmm."
"Huuuum."
Look at that. They don't believe it but why are they probing.
I know what answer you want, but I won't give it!
"Karl. Just saying. If Selena realized her feelings late, what would you do?"
"Huh?"
"Alexander, you idiot. Why are you circling around? Hey, Karl. So, what if I say Selena likes you?"
Does Selena like me? Why? No, if so, why reject the confession?
"...I already sorted my heart in the army."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Absolutely?"
"Absolutely."
"Wait, look into my eyes."
Wilhelm grabs my shoulder and makes eye contact.
It's awkward facing a guy like this.
"Not that. From my view, Selena is still there."
"That's what you think, not me. You guys still have lingering feelings, don't you?"
"Lingering feelings... lingering..."
"Well. I don't know if this is lingering or memories you want to erase."
These kids. Did they forget that they enlisted in the army because they got rejected in confession?
"Hey. You four."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
Suddenly mischievousness flares up. Thinking about it, these guys are just like me.
It's unfair that only I get it. Let you guys experience it too!
"So, if I really end up with Selena, what are you going to do?"
"Huh?"
"You all confessed to that girl because you liked her. Got rejected coolly. But if I'm with you and Selena is with me, how would your stomachs feel?"
The reality that the girl I rejected is dating my juniors.
This will definitely turn into discomfort or jealousy or something!
Can you guys handle that! If I do well, it's your stomach that hurts!
"I said it, Karl. If it were you, it would be okay."
"That's right. As long as it's not you, I understand even if you guys are with her."
"...?"
What's this? Suddenly all became adults.
The girl you like is flirting with another man?!
"Honestly, Karl, if it's you, I should give up one move."
"That's right, right."
No... is giving up that easy....
In romance novels, isn't the obsession male a must-have...!
"Hmm. Seeing you say that, it seems like you're pretending but there's something between you two?"
"Absolutely not."
"It's there, it's there!"
"No."
"It's there!"
"Damn! No! Why aren't you going away? Huh? Want to try twisting your whole body like in the training camp?!"
"Kiiieeeee! Sorry!!"
*
The old man, who looks ordinary anywhere in the empire, suddenly enters an empty alley, gropes around, pulls a ring, opens a door, and quickly jumps down to the underground.
'Watch this. You damn empire bastards. Soon I'll show you the true anger of the forest.'
His movements are too agile for an old man.
His ears are becoming pointed.