Chapter 104
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Girlfriend's Friend and Girlfriend's Little Sister -2-
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Let's imagine calling Chloe herself right here and having her sit down to spill her current worries. What kind of story would come out?
Top marks in theory and memorization subjects, but practical evaluations where everyone watches...
She probably agonizes over tensing up or rushing and getting disappointing results.
As the second daughter of a currently thriving noble house, she has no issues with food or shelter. Chloe feels grateful for her smooth, untroubled, and fortunate life.
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Worries about academy grades.
This issue can be solved if I just work harder, so most people would laugh and say it's hardly worth calling a worry.
Her relationship with her sister, once a mystery with no answers, has been mended. She's even made two good friends. Isn't her life at its absolute peak right now?
Going beyond reconciliation to seeing a precious person truly happy—what could be better than that?
'She looks so happy~'
It was truly wondrous and a real relief.
Her sister tried not to show it too much in front of others, but to Chloe beside her, it was obvious how delighted and joyful she was.
No friends around her were dating, it was her sister's first time too, and Chloe herself had zero experience.
So, her only references were books. Stories from romance novels or essays by famous people she'd read and absorbed.
Love stories across history and cultures tended to skew extremely one way or the other, but her sister's seemed to be on the good side. She prayed to the goddess, hoping it would continue just like this.
She was even prepared to visit the church she'd never been to, pray for her sister's safety, and donate every bit of her allowance.
She just wanted days like this to keep going.
Her sister's face as she left the mansion at dawn showed no fatigue, just pure relief. Chloe was genuinely happy for her.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes to see her off, she returned to her room and pulled out her uniform.
'I need to get ready without being late too...'
Doing it every day had honed her skills to the point where she could dress neatly even half-asleep.
"Mm..."
Her eyes fell on the black brooch on the vanity. After a moment's hesitation, she pinned it to her academy uniform.
Click.
The brooch her sister had given her.
No... the one from both the instructor and her sister was far too precious for someone like her. Its value made her hands tremble just thinking about it.
But following her sister's advice, who knew her skills and flaws, she'd decided to wear it at all times to prepare for any emergencies.
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"Pretty brooch. It suits you perfectly, Chloe."
"Ooh, you pull it off so well. If I tried that style, they'd just accuse me of stealing my sister's stuff."
Thanks to the two friends' sincere compliments the moment they spotted her brooch at the academy, the burden of it feeling like excessive ornamentation eased a bit.
Even though their departments meant separate classes, they naturally gathered at lunch, ate together, and spent time until the next lesson.
Tomorrow was her sister's boyfriend's... that instructor's practical class, and somehow facing him felt awkward.
The last class had gone smoothly—no differences, calling him "Instructor" as usual, no special personal guidance.
But trying to talk outside of class? Chloe still hadn't figured out how.
'...They're not married yet, so just calling him Instructor should be fine, right?'
Approaching out of nowhere and calling him "brother-in-law" would be jumping the gun. During the outdoor class, emotions had run strangely high, but she still couldn't fathom what courage had let her approach first and even ask questions.
- ...If you run into Roman, at least say thanks. It'll make him happy.
Even if he wasn't happy, basic etiquette meant thanking him for the gift, as her sister said. But starting a personal conversation? The title alone threw her off.
And then, lying alone in bed, she'd suddenly started fantasizing about her sister and him doing... couple things.
Maybe influenced by the romance novel she'd recently started? Imagining the two of them together made approaching him bluntly impossible.
If she went with these thoughts, she was sure to trip over her words or bite her tongue. Back home, she'd kick the blankets in explosive regret, repeating history.
'A-And if I slip up and their relationship gets exposed...?'
Officially revealed, it'd shake the entire empire—she couldn't handle that. She had to approach cautiously... and find a chance to talk to the instructor alone somehow.
He sometimes appeared at the academy even on non-class days, so timing existed. But the moment she tried to move, her chronic personality flared up like an illness.
'What do I even say to approach him...?'
Could a mere nobody like her approach a Platinum adventurer just because he was dating her sister? Outside class? Wouldn't he think her presumptuous?
She was the daughter of Count Dreitna and an academy cadet, but unlike her sister—one of the Empire's Five Knights—she had no achievements of her own.
In the eyes of a seasoned adventurer who'd seen it all, she might seem less than a flower in a greenhouse.
'N-No...! He's the man my sister chose...'
From class, she knew the instructor was cold and intimidating... but he wouldn't belittle her. Deep down, she knew this was just anxiety-fueled fantasy.
Streeetch—
She pinched her cheek hard, pulling it as punishment for slandering someone in her imagination, correcting her thoughts.
"Ow... it hurts..."
Rubbing her stinging cheek, she stole a glance at the instructor standing alone. She had no idea how much time had passed since she'd psyched herself up.
By the number of imaginary approaches in her head, she'd exceeded a hundred easily.
Even for ordinary people, approaching first was hard... and the instructor had this unique charisma that warped the air around him like her sister did, just standing there.
'M-Maybe I should prepare a script beforehand for the conversation...'
Sighing at the thought of scripting a thank-you back home, she turned away.
"Cadet Chloe Dreitna."
"Eek—!!"
He'd clearly been far off? As she turned to leave, the instructor was right in front of her, drawing an unladylike scream.
Luckily, no one around, or she'd have drawn stares in embarrassment.
"...Sorry. Wasn't trying to startle you."
Seeing his flustered face, she realized now wasn't the time to cover her mouth.
"Uh... s-sorry. For yelling so rudely..."
"No need for the cadet to apologize. Are you busy right now, by chance?"
If she had a schedule, she wouldn't have stalked like this. The swordsmanship department pair had classes, but she had a gap until hers.
Fearing a slip of the tongue, she shook her head first.
"N-No! Nothing until the next class..."
Scratching his scarred chin while staring into space, the instructor hummed thoughtfully before speaking gravely.
"Hm... I know it's sudden from the instructor too. But if you're not busy... could you spare some time? I'd like your feedback on the lectures."
Their eyes meeting repeatedly lately wasn't coincidence after all. Even dense as she was, she knew what this meant.
He was reaching out first to her, who'd been circling aimlessly, wasting time.
"...If my opinion helps..."
"Thanks, even if you're busy. I'll lead the way."
Showing a gentleness utterly unlike class, the instructor walked ahead.
'He can smile normally...'
An obvious fact for a human, but it brought small relief and wonder.
She'd seen him grin effortlessly in class, but this natural smile was a first.
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Clack-clack.
No talk during the walk.
But his pace—hands behind his back—was neither fast nor slow, perfect for following.
She thought they were heading out the main gate to an ordinary cafe.
'Huh...?'
No, the instructor led to a specialist dessert cafe. One so pricey even her allowance made her hesitate—she'd never been.
Ding-
Entering, guests filled it despite the odd hour. Eyes gathered briefly on his build and looks before scattering; she watched quietly from behind.
After chatting with a slightly flustered server, he beckoned her subtly.
This time, stares on her—she fixed her gaze on the floor, following his heels hurriedly.
Slide.
Guided to an elegant private room, her mind went blank as she creaked into the seat opposite.
The development so unlike her imaginings made her head spin.
"Order whatever you want, no pressure."
Peeking at the menu, the prices matched the reputation—far from ordinary.
"Uh... just the Earl Grey..."
"Drink only? No dessert?"
She noticed belatedly: since entering, the instructor's sharp speech had vanished, his demeanor softened.
"...Uh."
"Don't tense up. We're out of the academy—no need to call me Instructor stiffly. Not class... it's stifling for me too."
His self-deprecating chuckle eased the air a bit.
"Th-Thank you. Black tea's fine for me..."
"Alright... Suit yourself. They say the desserts here are famous. Let's at least taste. No big deal if not your style."
Calling the server for a dessert course, soon trays filled the round table with varieties.
Honestly, they looked tempting. She'd been cutting back lately.
Gulp.
Unknowingly, she swallowed hard—the sound echoed in the silence. Crystal clear to her ears.
'I want to die...!'
If there'd been a window, she'd have shattered it to jump. She'd said Earl Grey was fine, yet acting starved—impossible he hadn't heard.
Shame and humiliation like tarnishing her noble name burned her face.
Gulping nervously, she glanced up. The instructor wore a soft smile utterly unlike his usual self—like how her sister looked at her.
"No need to mind me. Eat freely. Tell me if you want more."