Chapter 360: Side Story — Autumn Scenery
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 360: Side Story — Autumn Scenery
“…”
Bathed in the afternoon sunlight, I sat beside White on a park bench.
In the midst of the awkward silence, White was busy nibbling on a pudding bar. I was too cautious to break the ice, and White remained just as silent.
This is so incredibly awkward…
Due to my mistake during the demonstration earlier, White had completely lost her usual confident demeanor. Although the magic demonstration itself had been a success, she had turned bright red and fled the scene in a hurry.
I should have just watched her with quiet satisfaction. I felt terrible. I had been apologizing profusely for a while now, but all I got in return was a faint, tearful mumble of, “It’s okay…”
I wish Merlin would show up.
After class, I had run into Merlin Astrea for the first time in a while. She greeted me warmly but then insisted she wouldn’t dream of interrupting my time with White, promptly retreating to hide in the bushes.
The eyes currently peeking through the shrubbery in the distance belonged to her.
I wanted to call Merlin over to break this heavy atmosphere, but I worried it might be rude to White. It would be as if a bodyguard were disrupting a private moment with my fiancée.
“Are you finished?”
“Yes…”
White took the empty pudding bar wrapper and trudged weakly toward a nearby trash can.
Flick.
She tossed the wrapper inside and stared blankly into the bin. Lost in thought, she suddenly lifted a leg and tried to climb into the trash can.
“White?!”
As she attempted to stuff her entire body into the bin, I lunged forward and pulled her back.
“What are you doing?!”
“Senior Isaac…”
When I turned her to face me, I saw her eyes glistening with tears in the sunlight. Gradually, White began to whimper like a lost puppy, finally sobbing as she let out her true feelings.
“I’m so embarrassed I could die…!”
“What?”
“Who am I to deserve this…? You must have thought I was pathetic, right? You probably thought, ‘Look at her, acting like that even after I graduated.’ That’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it?! Isaac, you’re my mentor…! You know exactly what kind of person I am…!”
“It’s only because you worked so hard to get where you are.”
White let out a self-deprecating chuckle and turned her head away, her confidence shattered.
“It’s just because of my bloodline that I got stronger… It was thanks to the power of the fairies. It was a shortcut…”
Well, I only became strong because of Ozma…
But now wasn't the time to bring that up.
“If you nitpick every little thing like that, there’ll be no end to it.”
“But still…”
It was a bit awkward, but in a way, I was relieved to see the White I knew crying like this. My heart softened, and a smile spread across my face. Yes, this was the White I remembered.
I pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. She let out a small, hiccuping sob but didn't resist my touch.
“I’m sorry for being so clumsy…”
“At least you’re self-aware.”
“Sniffle…”
I tucked the handkerchief away and gave her a bright smile.
“It’s okay. Watching you cry is honestly one of the greatest joys of my life.”
“…That was supposed to be comforting, right?”
“Probably?”
Maybe.
“Where’s your next class?”
“In Orphin Hall. All my remaining classes are there.”
“Let’s go, then.”
I walked with White toward Orphin Hall.
Rustle.
Merlin followed us, darting between bushes and hiding behind trees.
“Mind if I observe the class?” I asked.
“I’d prefer if you didn’t, but do I even have the right to refuse?”
“Just kidding. If I’m there, the professors might feel pressured. I’ll wait outside.”
“T-thank you…”
After White disappeared into Orphin Hall, I headed to a nearby shop and bought two drinks. I handed one to Merlin, who was leaning against a tree.
“You’re working hard.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Merlin gave me a formal, knightly bow.
“No need to be so formal. I’m just here as an alumnus. Calling me Lord Isaac like you used to is enough.”
“Still…”
“Please, I insist.”
“…Understood, Lord Isaac.”
Merlin accepted the drink, and I leaned against the tree beside her.
“Your duty as White’s escort will be over soon.”
“Yes, it will.”
“How do you feel? It’s been almost three years.”
“I’m not entirely sure.”
Merlin took a sip of her drink, her gaze fixed on Orphin Hall.
“It would be a lie to say I’m not sad… But aside from wanting to stay by Princess White’s side, I occasionally feel like I want to leave quickly.”
“Why is that?”
“Ever since you defeated the Evil God, life here has been perfectly peaceful. I think I’m better suited for the front lines—constantly moving, fighting without rest.”
“You certainly went through a lot before the Evil God was defeated.”
“Yes. The fact that such large-scale battles occurred in a place of learning was unbelievable to begin with… But now that the root of those events has been resolved and there are no significant dangers left, I think it’s time for me to move on. Of course, I intend to serve Princess White faithfully and complete my mission to the very end.”
Merlin had lived here at Märchen Academy solely to protect White. Whether she liked it or not, her mind was undoubtedly filled with countless memories of the girl.
“Still… I don’t know if it’s appropriate to have these thoughts while on duty.”
The corners of Merlin’s mouth lifted into a small smile.
“It was enjoyable. Truly.”
*
“Senior Isaac!”
As the day’s classes came to an end, the horizon glowed with the deep hues of sunset.
White approached me with a radiant smile, drawing the attention of the students milling about the academy. Realizing she was standing out, White stiffened, her expression turning awkward. She quickly tugged down her fedora to hide her face and hurried her pace.
Since it was dinner time, we stopped by a restaurant with private rooms in the academy’s shopping district. Merlin joined us, and as the three of us chatted happily, the sky shifted into a deep, twilight blue before we even realized it.
“Shall we visit that place again? It’s been a while,” White suggested during the meal.
“The Hydrangea Garden?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t you train there anymore?”
“I’ve been using the training halls lately.”
“Ahh… because it’s better for showing off your skills, right?”
“N-no, not at all! It’s just more efficient for training! Please don’t misunderstand…!”
White shook her head vigorously in denial. Merlin, quietly eating her meal, let out a soft, knowing laugh.
After teasing White a bit more, we finished our dinner and headed to the spot where I had once tutored her. It was a secluded corner of the Hydrangea Garden, featuring a lake that shimmered with the beautiful hues of natural mana at night.
“Hmm?”
Sensing mana nearby, White and I stopped and ducked behind a tree. Merlin kept her distance, watching from afar.
By the lakeside, the sound of ice elemental magic cutting through the night air echoed softly.
“Ahhh…! I failed again…!”
“Why do you think that happened?”
“I-I’m not sure?”
“Your mana output was fine, but the stroke composition was off. That’s why the form collapsed.”
A female student was receiving magic training from a male student who appeared to be her senior. Even though I was seeing them for the first time, the scene felt strangely familiar.
The male student reminded me of myself, and the female student resembled someone who had often cried but persevered through every trial.
As if by unspoken agreement, we silently watched the pair. I glanced at White; her gentle smile made my heart flutter. Her round eyes were fixed warmly on the two students.
Memories of the time we had spent together flashed through my mind. Now, it was their turn to create those memories.
“Shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
Exchanging soft whispers, White and I left the garden together.
The entire way back, White walked with her head slightly lowered, a persistent smile on her face. She seemed to be thinking the same thing I was.
When I cautiously reached out and took her hand, she flinched, her face turning a deep crimson as she looked down.
Swish.
She looked up at me with a startled, wide-eyed expression that was irresistibly adorable.
“S-Senior Isaac…”
“What’s wrong?”
“If you’re going to hold my hand, please give me a warning first…!”
Do you really need a warning for something like this?
“I wasn’t mentally prepared yet…” White muttered, though she quietly laced her slender fingers through mine.
Summoning her courage, her face turned even redder, like a ripe apple. A smile naturally spread across my face. Every word she spoke and every expression she made felt like a whisper of love.
With our fingers interlocked, we strolled through the Hydrangea Garden.
“Senior Isaac.”
“Yes?”
“If you were coming to see me, it would have been nice if you had told me beforehand…”
White averted her gaze, smiling with pure delight. Her trembling shoulders betrayed her excitement.
…Suddenly, I felt the urge to tease her.
“I didn’t come to see you.”
“What?”
Confusion instantly clouded White’s face. She looked back at me, her expression puzzled and hurt. She had clearly expected a sweet response and was caught off guard.
“Then why…?”
“I heard there was a reunion, so I came for that. I made plans to meet some old classmates.”
“Y-you didn’t come to see me…? No? Really?”
I gave her a bright, mischievous smile.
“I just stopped by to see you because I had some time to spare.”
“…”
White’s face froze. Soon, her eyes began to well up with tears. Finally, she burst out into a full sob.
“Why would you say thaaaaat…!”
How satisfying.
For a while, I had to comfort the tearful White, explaining that I had, in fact, come specifically to see her. I was quite pleased with her reaction.
White kept asking, “Really?” while gripping my hand even tighter. I couldn't help but laugh at her adorable persistence.
The streetlights cast a warm glow, illuminating our path. Leaves crunched beneath our every step. The late evening twilight and a refreshing breeze danced through the autumn foliage.
The autumn scenery of the academy, which I had once grown tired of seeing, looked simply beautiful today.