I Don't Like You Being Close to Others
"I don't like being close to other people..."
"My name is Nina. You're Eve, right?"
The girl was about half a head taller than Eve. She had a languid air about her and a crisp, no-nonsense way of speaking. Though they were clearly around the same age, her mature demeanor made her seem far more grown-up.
"First period is basic magic. You won't have a textbook yet, so we'll share mine today."
Nina naturally guided the awkwardly standing Eve, who followed close behind and took her seat. Or at least, she tried to.
What she hadn't anticipated was the wave of classmates who had been barely containing their eager curiosity. The moment Eve sat down, they surged forward like the tide.
The children crowded around her in a tight cluster.
"Eve, where do you live?"
"Why did you transfer to our school? It's so unusual~"
"I have some jelly—want some?"
It was like being swarmed by a hive of bees.
"Was that man waiting outside your father? He looked way younger than my dad!"
"Don't you think he seemed more like a butler? Right, Lucia?"
"What?! Ah… um… Oh! That's… Well, that's about right! Nobles like us always have butlers or maids attending us, after all!"
"Whoa, really? So that's how it is? Eve's family is noble? What's your name? Do you live nearby?"
Questions rained down from every direction, boys and girls alike. It was impossible to tell who was speaking. When Eve spun toward what she thought was a boy's voice, she found herself facing an entirely different girl.
Overwhelmed by the flood of attention, Eve froze solid.
"…Ah………"
She had never been surrounded by this many people before. The closest experience was enduring cold stares and lectures from adults at family gatherings.
This was unfamiliar territory. Little by little… her breathing grew shallow.
What had they just asked? She couldn't remember… House? Candy? Noble? Jelly? The person who came with her? Who had she come with…?
Her thoughts lagged by a single beat.
That's right—Simon. She had walked here holding Simon's hand.
So were they asking about Simon?
And noble? Just hearing the word made her stomach twist. Why would they assume she was nobility? She had to correct them quickly… tell them no. She couldn't allow any strange misunderstandings.
But the words refused to leave her mouth. That short, simple sentence lodged itself in her throat.
What should I do… what should I do…
The only lessons she'd received on speaking with children her own age came from the strict education forced upon her in the ducal household.
Her grandfather had taught her harshly.
'If the humans around you step beyond your control, you must say this.'
His instructions echoed in her ears.
In her panic, Eve unconsciously recited the lesson from memory.
"St… Stay back…!"
The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them. Telling them to stay back. She wasn't so oblivious that she failed to understand what the sudden silence meant.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Mortified, she pressed her lips tightly together.
I ruined the first impression…
Tears threatened to spill at any moment.
She had never properly made a single friend. The number of genuine conversations she'd had with anyone could be counted on one hand.
She fully expected laughter and mockery at her behavior.
But the children's reaction was nothing like what Eve had feared.
Someone let out a bright giggle first.
"She said stay back! Stay back!"
"Her pronunciation is so unique. Doesn't it sound like the nobles on the radio news?"
"Exactly! Like that news announcer lady! That northern accent!"
"Lucia, do you two know each other? Don't nobles meet at balls and things like that?"
"Huh?! W-well, um… I-I'm not sure…? It feels like we might have met… or maybe not…"
"What? You're a noble but you've never even been to one? Figures—the border barony really is backwater."
"I-I do have plans! I will! Father said he'd take me to a wonderful ball when I turn twelve!"
Eve could only stare in stunned silence. If Nina hadn't stepped in from the seat beside her, the world might have gone black before her eyes.
"…Hey, everyone. Stop crowding around her. Come back during break after class. You're making Eve uncomfortable."
With one short sentence, Nina swept away the chaos.
Most of the children withdrew, though clearly reluctant. A few pouted as they went.
"Nina, are you trying to hog the new kid all to yourself?"
"Didn't you hear the teacher? Eve is only here for today—she's not actually a new student. And the teacher specifically asked me to look after her."
"Tch… lame."
The grumbling boy returned to his seat the moment his friends called him, acting as if nothing had happened.
Nina let out a small sigh and offered her hand to Eve.
"Don't mind them. They're always like that. Ah… the teacher's coming in."
The first lesson was basic magic. Eve kept stealing glances at the textbook. She had studied magic back at the ducal house, but she had no idea how much she actually knew.
What if I can't follow the lesson at all…
The thought consumed her.
"By the way, Eve. Who was that person earlier?"
As if sensing her tension, Nina whispered from the neighboring seat.
"…Hm?"
"The one who came with you. Was that your father?"
"Simon?"
"Simon?"
"Um…… Simon is just Simon."
Nina tilted her head at the answer, then realized it was a man's name and gave a short laugh.
"You call him so casually—he must be your brother."
"He's not my brother……"
"Then?"
"Simon is……"
What should she say…? Eve hesitated before answering.
"The person who saved me."
"Saved you?"
"Yes. I was all alone."
"Alone? Where?"
"I don't remember clearly. It was a cold place. And there were many sick people."
"…Is that so?"
"My body hurt so much, I was cold and hungry, but Simon rescued me. If Simon hadn't been there… I might have died."
Despite the heavy subject, Eve smiled brightly. Nina could vaguely tell it was because she was thinking of this "Simon" person.
"…And then?"
"And then?"
"He's been helping you and living with you ever since?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Huh…?"
Eve tilted her head.
"It's strange."
"Is it strange?"
"Well, yes. People don't usually take in a complete stranger with no blood relation and live together."
"……You're right. I know."
Eve fell into quiet thought for a moment, then murmured as if to herself.
"So I need to figure out how to repay Simon. He only sent me today because he was thinking of me…"
Hearing Eve's small voice, Nina realized her misstep and gently corrected herself.
"Ah… um… I didn't mean it like that… I just meant that man seems incredibly kind."
"Yes, Simon is kind~"
Praise for Simon lifted Eve's mood, and she swung her legs happily under the desk. Then, a beat later, she objected.
"But Simon isn't an uncle."
This time her tone was firm. With a face that could have come from a storybook illustration, she pouted in protest. Both Nina and the boy beside them found their eyes drawn to her for a moment.
"Oh?"
Nina couldn't help letting out a small laugh at Eve's peculiar reaction. There was something about her that refused to be easily categorized. She's a unique child, Nina thought to herself.
*
…I hope everything goes well…
There was a quiet lounge in one corner of the staff room. After being shown inside, I let out a heavy, anxious sigh.
"Don't worry too much. Nina is the most responsible student in our class. She'll take excellent care of Eve."
Dismissal was at three in the afternoon. Part of me wanted to watch over Eve from a distance, but I knew I couldn't linger indefinitely. I had no choice but to wait obediently for the classes to end, just as the teacher suggested.
It was only then that I noticed the teacher was an elf.
She offered me a drink and asked, "Father, would coffee be all right?"
"Hm? Ah… yes, of course. Thank you."
The word "father" caught me off guard. The teacher's pointed ears twitched. Elves were sensitive to tone of voice—she wouldn't have missed the sudden ripple in my emotions.
"I'm sorry… It seems I've made a mistake."
"Haha, not at all."
"If it's not too forward… may I ask about your relationship with Eve…?"
"I'm temporarily looking after a distant relative's child. Eve has been living without knowing me until now, so it's like suddenly being taken in by a stranger of an uncle."
I made sure to add the explanation I'd prepared in advance. It was a necessary lie. Revealing Eve's true identity would cause far too many problems.
"That explains why you look so young. I did think you seemed a bit young to have a child Eve's age."
"I see. Thank you for your understanding."
We continued talking after that. Nothing particularly profound—just stories about Eve, the fact that I was raising her alone, and the various difficulties that came with suddenly becoming a parent. Somehow the conversation turned to my pharmacy, and the teacher smiled warmly, saying she would stop by someday.
"I'd rather you never have a reason to visit, honestly. Health comes first."
"Oh, that's true too. Hehe."
Eve's observation period lasted roughly three hours. By the time the coffee in our cups had been refilled and emptied twice, an unfamiliar bell rang to signal the end of classes. The sound of pounding footsteps came from overhead, followed by a teacher's shout: "Children! I told you not to run in the hallway!"
Some things really were the same no matter what world you were in.
"School's out," the teacher said with a gentle smile. "Eve's class should be finished too. Shall we go together?"
"Please."
I followed the teacher toward Eve's classroom. She was chatting with several children her own age. She seemed a little hesitant, but she was definitely exchanging words with them.
Eve, talking with friends her age. It was more than I had hoped for.
"Hello, Eve~ Did you enjoy—huh…? Whoa?!"
Just then the teacher's skirt caught on the railing and she began to tilt. I reflexively caught her by the waist and shoulder. The sudden, awkward position made her face flush bright red as she bowed.
"…Ah! Thank you. I nearly fell."
"I'm glad you're all right."
That was when my eyes met Eve's through the window. I gave her a small smile, and she hurried over with unusually quick steps.
"Eve. How was your day?"
"……"
The answer didn't come right away.
While I smiled wryly, Eve wedged herself between me and the teacher like a possessive kitten and gripped the hem of my coat tightly.
"Eve?"
"……It was fun."
"……Was it?"
"Yeees."
Her answer sounded the same as always. Yet she wouldn't meet my eyes, only tugging insistently at my clothes. It was almost as if she wanted to drag me away from this spot.
The teacher and I exchanged awkward smiles.
"She must be tired."
"It seems that way."
Did something happen…?
I tilted my head, but decided not to dwell on it. The school visit had borne fruit—Eve had made friends. For now, that was more than enough.