3 - Misaligned Destiny (5)
Celia's gaze fixed on me.
In her eyes, an indescribable longing that couldn't be hidden shone through.
I never thought I'd come to think this way about anyone other than the heroines.
Could it be that she truly had interest in me?
Em, anyway, since what I wanted was a harem, it was no problem.
"You don't have to be burdened. I hope you see me as a true friend, Adera. We can talk without hiding anything, interact without distance, as the one and only true friend."
It was a story that I had no choice but to misunderstand.
Who would ask to be friends like that?
It would be more natural to say 'You, become my friend!'
But despite that, my consideration of Celia's proposal was brief.
It was a promise that I might regret later, but to join the Omega Team, I had to accept it.
Even if it was a devil's offer, there was no other choice for me.
Adding to that my cowardly heart, I also wanted to show Novena and Hino, who abandoned me, that I was doing well.
It was just a usual jealousy-inducing tactic, but since I had nothing else to show, I had to use this body.
"Yeah, okay. I'll make the promise."
I accepted Celia's proposal, and ultimately I obtained the opportunity I wanted.
"Perfect! Then, from now on, eat with me, have tea time, play with me. You'll do that, right?"
"...Yeah. When I have time, I'll do that."
"Good! Let's go right away. Aren't you busy today?"
Asking other Republic students' opinions was just empty talk, and it was easily resolved.
Celia led me with a bright, worry-free expression, as if she was certain I could join the Omega Team.
Honestly, after that, it was quite a pleasant time.
Ah, right. Adera didn't have much financial leeway, did she?
The moment I entered the cafe, belatedly realizing I had spent all my money at the restaurant and become a beggar, I was hesitating.
Celia, as if knowing my situation, unhesitatingly paid for my share.
Not only that.
Adera likes sweets. Since it's cheap, the parfet here is quite good. Want to try some? I also crave sweets.
Adera has good skin and hair, and pastel tones make it look very soft, you know? When I first met Adera, I thought I discovered a person made of cotton candy.
Celia knew how to win a person's heart.
Completely different personality from the spirited heroines who could be seen as rude beyond blunt.
Even in modern times, such a personality would make one think to give up a spot next to me.
Recalling her cool gaze and worrying and being tense was already a past that I didn't even remember.
...Was I wrong?
To treat such a good person with caution just because of a bad first impression or because my 'feeling' was bad.
It wasn't a normal reaction.
After all, in a world where everyone ignores and hates me, shouldn't I accept at least one as my ally?
Such conflict began to rise.
So, continuing the conversation while outwardly appearing happy, inwardly carrying unspeakable worries.
"Ah, time's already up?"
"Yeah. Sorry, Celia. You must be tired."
"No! We're playing together, how can I get tired. Don't think so badly of yourself. Adera is more amazing than you think, right?"
"Hehe, y-yeah."
The moment the cafe outside was dyed in darkness, and students walking on the street noticeably decreased.
I belatedly remembered I had no place to return, and my heart became uneasy, but I didn't show it to Celia.
For the past few hours, it was really a time without any worries.
Since I had nothing to give back, I could only show a happy appearance.
I calmly accepted the time of parting with Celia while smiling.
"Take care, go in safely!"
No.
It was only me who calmly accepted the parting moment.
Celia grabbed me as I turned to leave.
"Adera."
"Yeah?"
She called my name in a tone unfamiliar, as if she was about to say something important, to the extent that the light voice so far was forgotten.
And then-
"Is it uncomfortable that I don't remember?"
"...Huh?"
She asked something that was hard to understand easily.
How could I know?
―Wooong, wooong, wooong, wooong
Or, had I made some mistake today?
My head spun in confusion in the sudden situation, thoughts pouring out without being organized.
So, in confusion.
Without being able to answer anything.
I rolled my eyes and faced Celia.
"Yeah, no. I asked too abruptly."
Celia just smiled softly, as if nothing happened, like at the cafe.
"I guessed because Adera seemed to see me as too unfamiliar last time, and it was right?"
I still couldn't answer, but she continued as if it didn't matter.
"Um, don't worry too much. I'll help you too. So, you don't have to hide from me. Since I understand well enough. Adera is not good at lying, right?"
Ah, yeah.
Yeah, that's right.
"...I don't like lying."
"That's right? So, don't try to hide too much. Hiding what you say is also eventually a lie."
Something, my head was foggy.
Maybe because I ate too many sweets at the cafe.
If I go in and rest, it might get better.
Celia saw me off wordlessly.
In the middle of a completely empty, dark park where no one or building could be found.
I slowly walked forward, staring straight at the void beyond.
The way back was dark.
* * *
Watching Adera's receding figure staggering away, Celia couldn't hide her pleasant smile.
"Huh, really. Adera is so cute."
She was about to collapse like that.
I don't know if her will was weak or if there was some hard thing in an unknown place, but it seemed okay to approach more actively from now on.
While thinking about future plans, watching Adera disappearing into the darkness.
"Director. There was a stalker."
A young man who appeared silently from somewhere threw the battered man.
"Yeah...? What kind of trash is this guy doing? A guy chasing after a girl's butt secretly."
Celia's gaze looking down at such a man was, unlike before, a cold, emotionless appearance that couldn't feel any emotion.
―Swallow.
The young man who reflexively restrained the man swallowed dryly and left the place as if running.
Celia, as if not caring about her subordinate's action, maintained her gaze on the stalker and began to examine his appearance.
"Hmm, it seems he tried to hide it. The expensive materials that can be used by those dark black ordinary noblemen wearing. So, he's not an ordinary guy."
There was no fear in Celia's actions.
Rather, whenever the stalker acted, she seemed to fight happily and shout 'self-defense' and slash the opponent.
The stalker, unconsciously suppressed by that momentum, had no choice but to accept his fate and resign.
Since he was caught, even if he escaped alive, he would be abandoned by his lord.
"Don't be scared. The one who should be scared now is not you, but Adera, right? I don't know what you're trying to do to that fragile friend. Anyway, I can't just send you back quietly."
Swoosh.
Celia took out a staff from her pocket and aimed the tip at the stalker's forehead.
And then, with ominous mana swirling, a beam of light shot out without the stalker being able to react.
"―――!!"
The stalker hit by the magic trembled all over, then his eyes rolled back, and he became a broken, insane-looking figure.
"Then, now you should willingly tell me your purpose?"
The natural question from Celia followed.
Normally, in such a situation, he would have chosen death, but the stalker started explaining his situation without feeling any abnormality, muttering.
In his statement, there were clear facts along with his subjective judgment and background.
"Huu, yeah? As expected, it was the prince, huh? That snake-like guy, just trying to read the atmosphere."
"Yes. That's right. He's a snake-like guy!"
Even though Celia had heard all the facts she wanted, she didn't remove the contemptuous gaze towards the stalker.
It was inevitable.
According to the stalker's story, the predecessor of the world's greatest genius swordsman Novena.
And that Novena had followed Adera without anyone noticing.
Not only that.
Novena, of course, gave way a hundred times, so there was little chance of a 'dangerous' moment.
But, in the situation where a 'noble man' prince, with the backing of a 'commoner woman' being watched.
Even just thinking about planning such a situation was a serious problem.
Above all, this stalker guy was thinking about watching Adera because cute, or wanting to have conversations.
It was serious, thinking about sneaking in as an excuse when showering or going to the bathroom, etc.
If left like this for a few more days, Adera would definitely suffer some unspeakable horrible thing.
"Then, I should give a warning."
The solution was simple.
Eliminate the stalker and destroy the evidence.
And to interfere with the prince's excessive interest towards Adera, bring in the other two forces.
"Okay, from now on, I'll give orders."
"Understood."
―Crunch, crunch
Celia, expressionless, crushed the fallen stalker in front of her.
And in a small voice, she spoke to the comrades who appeared from the darkness.
"Contact the chairman. Accelerate the preparations. Hang this guy visibly in the academy center."
"Attach shadow escort to Adera?"
"No. Don't show any interest at all. Don't pretend to know."
"...Yes."