This Is How We Meet
Is it really okay to go?
It’s fine. Hurry up, Karl. It’s guests who came to find you. Selena had a tough day today too.
Really, can we go? Can you four handle it yourselves?
Ah! I can! I can! Please! Stop worrying and go quickly!
With that, I felt even less at ease. These bastards.
If I tried to hold them back from leaving, they’d probably shake me off with a “Yeah!” and be gone in an instant.
A sigh escaped me, but thinking of Lavrenti waiting made me realize I couldn’t delay any longer.
From the uniform I saw earlier, it looked like they’d come right after discharge. Asking them to wait longer as fellow veterans was an unforgivable heinous crime I couldn’t ignore.
Let’s go, Selena. We’d better not be too late.
Yeah! I’ll go!
But why was Selena coming along with me? It had started because of her request.
Karl! The favor right I mentioned! I’ll use it now! I’m going with you too!
The words I’d left for Selena while leaving the booth for a bit to deal with the Gganfs.
If you grant my favor, I’ll grant you one of your favors later.
She wanted to use that one-time favor right to meet Lavrenti.
Then, would she have said “Yeah, then that’s it!” there?
Actually, I was going to do that, but my conscience stopped me. Honestly, isn’t that a bit unfair?
I don’t know her well, but she was the one who tried hard to comfort me.
With that comfort, I was able to set down the heavy burden for a moment and feel relieved.
It didn’t sit well with me to calculate and end it like that, as if Karl had been cut.
No, Selena.
Eh, is it not possible?
That’s not it. I was going to say to go together even if you didn’t say that.
Honestly, I felt a bit guilty towards Selena.
Think about it. These guys will be here with graduation deferral at least until next year’s first semester.
On the other hand, our diligent and well-planned Selena had already completed her graduation scores long ago.
That means this festival is her last academy autumn festival to enjoy.
Moreover, previous festivals ended in a day due to the Luzens war.
So, Selena hasn’t enjoyed a proper festival during her 4 years at the academy.
And I took away the first and only chance to truly enjoy the festival.
If taken, I must compensate. That’s only natural.
...Damn. Suddenly, recalling that I lost 2 years of youth in my previous life and got military service in return.
Anyway. For that reason, it stung my conscience to use the favor to meet Lavrenti together.
Rather, if I had volunteered first to go together, there would be no such thing.
By the way, it would be good to see the festival night view too.
Since it’s the first festival after the war, it’s quite splendid.
When night falls, fireworks every day, and the sparkling lights that decorate the entire academy.
Occasionally, these things make one think of the battlefield... but I try to ignore them.
Pretty, isn’t it?
Eh, yeah! It’s really pretty!
Selena, who had been walking a little apart, secretly came closer.
T-t-that is. Ah, ah! I heard that the magic research department side had a lot of hard work!
Oh. So that’s why it’s so splendid. Is it a kind of talent donation?
They said they’ll give extra points to the group that worked the hardest!
...
As expected. Even in this, the academy’s coldness is maintained.
My god. They even think of using festival preparation as points. Professors must be demons!
Me too?
The autumn festival?
Me? No! Why would I be the first for the festival...
I heard that until now, due to the war, it was done on the day itself, and as simply as possible.
With my words, Selena also understood and let out a sigh “Ah-ah.”
Then, with the look of remembering “Yeah, that’s how it was for 3 years.”
Sorry.
Why all of a sudden?!
Perhaps for Selena, it might be the first and last “real” festival. She had graduation preparations ready and time left. Suddenly, I made her work the whole festival period.
This is hard to put metaphorically... like making her work all 3 days left after discharge?
Wow. Thinking this way, I feel like a real bastard.
No way, Karl! Absolutely not! I just said I’d do it because I wanted to!
But...
Don’t say that. Then I’d feel even more sorry. I really just wanted to help Karl. If Karl does that, it would be very troublesome for me.
Yeah. I said I’d help with good intentions, but apologizing there isn’t right.
Rather, thank you. It’s only right to say I’ll repay the favor someday?
T-t-that is... I didn’t intend to... like this... pray...
What?
Ah, n-no! Nothing!
Selena, who was flustered, came a bit closer. Then suddenly crossed her arms.
Selena?
Hmph! It’s because there are too many people! T-this is to not miss it!
It doesn’t seem like there are that many people...
Shut up! Anyway, there are a lot, right?!
That’s another thing. If missed, it won’t be forever, but for a while.
By the way, since I haven’t gotten used to the academy geography yet, if I get lost, I might be at a loss for a long time.
Karl. I’m asking because I’m curious.
Selena, who had been silent for a while, suddenly slowed her steps and opened her mouth.
T-that... graduation deferral.
Graduation deferral?
So... ah, ah! Yeah! Schlippen and Wilhelm. Alexander and Joachim!
The Four Idiots? Why are those guys suddenly.
Graduation deferral. Did you hear about it too, Karl?
I did. Of course I did. Even directly from their own mouths.
Even thinking about it now is absurd. No, how are academy students getting graduation deferral by confusing their own lecture scores.
Rather, if they got F grade for failing exams or skipping classes, I could understand. Sometimes everyone wants to skip studying!
I heard. I immediately scolded them with “These pathetic things!” right after hearing.
Being put on graduation deferral... d-doesn’t like it? Like being stupid or something?
Of course not. No, why would they get deferral. Even the reason is too absurd. They say they attended classes diligently and their exam and assignment scores are not bad. No reason for deferral, but they got it by confusing scores. Those shitheads.
If those kids were my subordinates, I would have given them a storm of scolding.
With that spirit, can they do well in the remaining military life? My juniors would try to eat them up.
Hiiik...! Again, shitheads!
But why is Selena surprised?
Ah? Ah, n-no! Nothing!
Ah. Maybe Selena was shocked too? That makes sense. That must be the reason.
Since she came to the last semester of graduation without thorough management like herself. How pathetic as a peer.
Sigh. Those four idiots. Selena is graduating, but what the hell are you four trying to do!
“Those shitheads.”
Again, shitheads! Not just idiots, but shitheads! My god. My god!
‘W-won’t this be bad? If I do this, I’ll become a shithead too?!’
The fact that these four could still be with Karl next semester made me envious.
That feeling became stronger from the earlier part of Karl’s mouth, “first and last festival.”
First and last festival. Exactly, the first and last academy autumn festival I can enjoy with Karl.
I graduate in spring next year, and Karl is still an academy student. Continuing to enjoy festivals.
And beside him, other pretty girls laughing...
Ah, no!
Selena? Why are you like that?
That’s what I don’t like. I really don’t like it! I don’t like it! As expected, maybe it’s better to have just one more year.
Not 2 years, not 3 years, exactly one year. If I can just delay graduation for that time...
Ha, but! But! I don’t like deferral! It says shitheads!
I asked just in case, but as expected, deferral is stupid?! I don’t want to be stupid!
I don’t want to be stupid, but I don’t want to be the stupid one that Karl recognizes even more!!
Ah. There she is. Hey! Lavrenti!
Far away, a red-haired woman waving her hand is visible.
Neat military uniform. Medals on the chest. And very pretty appearance.
I checked Karl’s face with slight suspicion, but no faint blush or anything.
...Good. If so, what should I do? That was a concern.
Master. Ah, who is the person next to you?
Introduce yourself. This is Selena Ifreet. 4th year graduating student at the academy. My peer. Selena? As I said earlier, this side is Lavrenti. A comrade I met by chance while in the military.
Nice to meet you. I’m Selena Ifreet.
When I extended my hand, the woman who is Karl’s comrade smiled brightly and shook hands.
Lavrenti! You are a noble, right? Please speak casually! Ah, by the way, Master was also a noble, wasn’t he? I forgot for a moment!
At that time, both of us were in miserable condition, so it doesn’t matter.
Master is cool enough then and now!
Stop with the strange talk. Lavrenti.
This woman, probably has feelings for Karl, right? Otherwise, she couldn’t smile like that.
Enemy. Especially, the one who has the same military camaraderie I can’t understand for life.
If I use that part as a weapon and strike at Karl, will I have any chance against me...
By the way, Master. This Selena... ah! Is she perhaps your fiancée?
Eh?
...Eh?