Is This the Strategy of Switching Sides?!
“Really, you’re not coming with me? Lenny?”
“I want to go. I want to go with you, oppa. I really want to go so much!”
“It’s because it’s Karl who’s right there. Not just that, but he’s basically the lead in this imperial New Year greeting ceremony. I wanted to see that sight with my own eyes so badly!”
“But… I held back. It was still too early. Yeah. Still not yet.”
“I’ve only just, really barely, held Karl’s hand. I don’t want to mess it up by acting too hastily there.”
“Slowly. A little at a time, one step at a time. I really have to be careful so that another wound doesn’t form.”
“More than anything, the attention I receive should be poured entirely onto Karl. I don’t want to share it with anyone.”
“And there was a lot I had to do. There’s the onsen trip preparation, but the most important thing is, of course…”
“Graduate school. And… the master’s thesis topic.”
“It makes my head spin just thinking about the thesis topic. What am I going to do. How am I supposed to do this.”
“My advisor said that during the three-year program, I should enjoy the studies with a genuine passion, not just for the sake of it, so it’s good to choose a topic that interests me.”
“Of course, since I’m going to decide, it would be even better if it’s a field I’ve been interested in during my academy student days.”
“The thesis topic… It’s not just to get a master’s degree. It’s a topic where I can truly be interested, show enthusiasm, and write with all my best effort.”
“It was difficult. Up until now, I had only been focusing on my studies while aiming to graduate from the academy.”
“I never imagined that I would be troubled by such things.”
“…It’s a little regrettable that I did something so foolish. Uuuu!”
“It’s difficult…”
“While I was worrying about that part, the imperial New Year greeting ceremony was completely forgotten from my mind.”
“After that, I locked myself in my room for a day, worrying, but no good topic came out.”
“You seem to have a lot on your mind. Lenny.”
“Oppa showed a wry smile, looking at me with both pride and pity.”
“Think about it slowly. There’s still plenty of time.”
“But I’m worried that if I take it easy, it might be too late.”
“That could be. Hmm. It’s really difficult. Being a graduate student.”
“Yeah. Sometimes I wonder if I did something unnecessary now.”
“…Well, but since I got something like Karl, I guess I have to accept it gracefully.”
“Where is oppa going?”
“Yeah. I’m going to see the conscripted soldiers who received support from our family. Today, it’s the person I mentioned earlier… ah. Hmm. Ahem.”
“From oppa’s reaction, it seems the person I’m meeting today is probably that person.”
“Lavrenti.”
“For some reason, she was called Lavrenti instead of her real name by Karl, a red-haired woman.”
“I heard she was active in the Luzens war like Karl. She also received a medal like Karl.”
“…It’s a bit frustrating. Right now, I’m still called Selena by Karl. I’m hoping that someday ‘Lenny’ will come out of Karl’s mouth, little by little.”
“The good thing is, from how Karl acts, it doesn’t seem like he’s treating her as a woman.”
“He said it was just a short time of less than a week. After that, he said he never met her again. In Karl’s eyes when he said that, I couldn’t see any other intention.”
“That made it even more concerning. Karl might still have a big affection for Lavrenti.”
“From such a short meeting, what could have been so intense to make her feel that way?”
“Is it because she calls him master, wants to walk the same path, and her eyes are full of goodwill?”
“Lenny. Let me say this again. This is definitely not something I did on purpose―”
“Oppa. I want to meet that Lavrenti person instead.”
“No… what?”
“I’ll go instead.”
“Lenny, you don’t mean―”
“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything rude.”
“As the young lady of the marquis family, I know how to maintain at least that much etiquette, oppa.”
“I just want to tell that woman one thing.”
“Now, Karl and I are not just any relationship.”
“* — For that reason, a reunion between Selena and Lavrenti took place.
“…”
“…”
“Both women were silent for a while. Only awkward silence hung in the air.”
“Selena didn’t know how to start talking, and she was curious if Lavrenti still had feelings for Karl.”
“Lavrenti was surprised because the young lady of the marquis family came out instead of the lady, and it turned out to be Selena, whom she had met before.”
“After all, the first thing to say should be what oppa should have said first.”
“Oh my. Is this the younger sister of that person Selena-nim? If this happens… Did she plan this from the beginning?”
“They were staring at each other’s eyes for a few more minutes. Finally, Selena spoke first.”
““…For now, I’ll apologize first. Lavr. I suddenly came out instead of oppa.”
“No. Selena-nim. I’m a little surprised, but… actually, it doesn’t matter which one of you came out.”
“That’s right? Then, first, receive this.”
“What was offered was a certificate that Selena would pay all the academic fees Lavrenti had to pay instead.”
“From academy registration fees to graduation, a promise to support everything needed.”
“It’s an honor to be able to help someone who bravely fought for the Empire. Oppa also asked me to convey this message. Don’t worry. Lavr. You definitely have the qualifications to enjoy this kindness.”
“Thank you. Selena-nim. And please convey my thanks to Lord Deonic as well.”
“I will.”
“Well, the original purpose is done. Now, I guess I just need to finish the personal matter.”
“Actually. There’s another reason why I came to this place today. Lavr.”
“Another reason?”
“Yes. The other day, you said to me, right? That Karl and I are not related at all.”
“Selena’s question, Lavrenti nodded her head.”
“What was my answer back then?”
“You said it’s not related at all.”
“That’s right. Yes. I definitely said that. But…”
“Selena, with a slight smile on her lips, stared at Lavrenti and spoke.”
“Now it’s not that. Lavr.”
“Selena-nim?”
“It’s not ‘not related’. That’s the opposite.”
“Saying it’s the opposite…”
“We decided to officially date. It hasn’t been long, but anyway, it happened that way.”
“…”
“Probably, Selena didn’t know. And she probably won’t know in the future.”
“When she said that just now, the light in Lavrenti’s eyes as she stared at her instantly went out.”
“It was the kind of eyes she would show when she was a sharp shooter in the past, aiming at the Luzens elves, holding her breath, and pulling the trigger.”
“…Should I congratulate you?”
“It’s not a stage where I can be congratulated yet. Later.”
“I see. Then, why are you telling me this?”
“Because I need to correct it. That Karl and I are not unrelated.”
“Lavrenti, who couldn’t possibly not know the true meaning of what Selena is saying now.”
“Unfortunately, Karl is currently dating me. So, if you want the only, one and only side seat, you should give up now.”
“Even if you can’t give up, I hope you don’t cross the line, because the first one is mine.”
“It’s a bit sudden.”
“Thanks to you. If it weren’t for Lavr, I would definitely still be just staring at the situation. Thank you.”
“Thank you? Is she fanning the flames of a burning house now? Is she mocking me? It seems like it’s correct though?”
“Lavrenti unconsciously reached out to the side and tried to grab something.”
“If it were before, she would have had her sniper rifle, her former comrade, but now that she’s retired, it’s natural that nothing is in her hand.”
“Don’t misunderstand, Lavr. This is neither mocking you nor provoking you.”
“From my perspective, I can’t believe it at all.”
“If I really thought that, there would have been many more dramatic ways.”
“I drank a sip of the prepared tea. Ugh, it’s all cold now. It’s cold.”
“I won’t interfere. I won’t stop you. Instead, you should also keep your line.”
“…What are you saying now.”
“Unfortunately, with my current self, I don’t have the right to suppress or monopolize Karl. If it were three years ago, maybe. But now, I… what should I say. I’m just a lucky passenger who just got on the second carriage.”
“Lavrenti couldn’t understand at all what the woman in front of her was suddenly saying.”
“Just a moment ago, she was saying she was dating like she was telling someone ‘Don’t covet my man.’
“Now, she’s suddenly saying she doesn’t care if she approaches Karl. She just hopes you don’t cross the line.”
“There’s something. Selena-nim. I don’t know what it is, but.”
“It’s quite difficult to understand with my current self.”
“You’ll understand someday. For now, that’s it. Honestly, I’ve given you a lot of leeway. I can’t do more than this, Lavr. This is a gift given because you’re a hero who eagerly fought for the Empire and a comrade who experienced war like Karl.”
“…”
“Lavrenti’s two eyes, which had heard up to that point, finally began to regain some life. At the same time, the unconscious gesture of looking for the gun also faded and disappeared.”
“It was the moment when 93 official sharp shooters of the Empire changed the definition of Selena, a woman, from ‘enemy’ to ‘something other than an enemy’.”
“Of course, I can’t fully relax. Lavr. So, this onsen trip should be kept a secret.”
“I wonder how far the line Selena-nim has set. I’m going to be a senior and junior with my master at the academy soon, after all.”
“She might snatch away Karl’s heart at any moment when she relaxes! Or, seeing the situation, she could aim for gaps and turn Karl’s heart back to my side!”
“Although officially, it has entered a truce, behind the scenes, the two women were still in the middle of war.”