Back to Everyday Life
About a month had passed since the grand festival. Inside the student council president’s office—
“That covers the handover. Do well, then, Lutenen.”
“C-can I really manage it…?”
At Milia’s words, the boy standing before the desk answered in a tense voice.
He had bright navy-blue hair and an uncertain air about him. Large horn-rimmed glasses framed a pair of dark silver eyes that left a lasting impression.
His name was Lutenen Tenenbaum.
He was the boy who would succeed Milia as student council president of Central Academy.
“You’ll do fine.”
“I-it’s an honor…!! Th-then I’ll be going…!!”
Milia offered him a faint smile. Lutenen bowed deeply to her and left the office with stiff, awkward steps.
“Will he be all right…?”
Schwarz’s voice carried a note of unease. Having assisted Milia at her side for three full years, he knew better than anyone that the president’s seat was no easy burden.
“He’ll be fine. He may not look it, but he’s a surprisingly strong-willed boy.”
Milia answered with another soft smile.
“Besides, it’s not my problem anymore, is it?”
“Well… that’s true.”
Schwarz gave an awkward little laugh at her playful tone. Since they were both leaving soon, what did it matter either way?
“Nnngh…!! It’s finally over…”
“You’ve worked hard, My Lady.”
With a long sigh, Milia stretched her arms high and rose from her seat. Schwarz inclined his head lightly toward her.
“Thanks to you.”
Milia let out a quiet chuckle and cast one last look around the student council office—perhaps for the final time. So much had happened over those three years, yet all of it was already becoming the past.
“Shall we go eat?”
“I’ll make the arrangements. Do you have anywhere in mind?”
When Milia turned and asked, Schwarz bowed his head in reply. At the same moment she stepped up beside him and slipped her arm through his as naturally as breathing.
“Whatever you choose is fine.”
“How about the restaurant we visited after the martial arts tournament?”
Once, that sort of closeness would have left him flustered and red-faced. No longer.
I love you too, My Lady. Truly.
Now that he had confirmed her feelings, there was no reason left to keep his distance.
“Good idea. Let’s go there.”
A faint blush colored Milia’s cheeks as she nodded at his suggestion.
And so the two of them set off down the empty corridor where not another soul could be seen.
After the events of the ball, their relationship had undergone a dramatic change.
In the past, whenever Milia initiated any sort of physical affection, Schwarz would be the one who grew embarrassed. Now the roles had completely reversed.
It was Schwarz who actively closed the distance, and each time he did, Milia was the one left flustered. Anyone who had known them well before would have had little trouble guessing what must have happened between them.
“D-don’t touch that… I’ve got so many calluses…”
“Is that a problem?”
Schwarz tilted his head with a puzzled look at her shy protest. The calluses on her hands held a special meaning for him.
“N-no, it’s not a problem, but…”
“I love even this side of you, My Lady.”
They were the marks of how tirelessly she had trained to keep her promise to him. That, too, was precious in his eyes.
“Haaauuugh…!!”
At his answer, Milia’s face turned scarlet and she let out a sound that defied description. How could he be so shameless? Only a short while ago he had been too hesitant even to approach her, and now a single confession had turned him this bold.
“Until just recently you were dithering around like a complete softy—why are you suddenly so forward…?”
“Because things are different now.”
Schwarz smiled faintly as he watched her trail off.
“Ugh…”
Milia turned her head away with a sulky expression and idly fiddled with the straw in her glass. The initiative had completely shifted to him, yet she found she didn’t mind it at all.
“You’re such a tease.”
“As if you’re one to talk, My Lady.”
She had teased him mercilessly until now; it was only fair that he return the favor. With that thought, Schwarz gave a low chuckle.
“Your meal is ready!”
At that moment a waiter’s voice rang out, and a single plate of food was set between them.
“It’s been quite a while since we had this, hasn’t it? Smells amazing~”
The savory aroma made Milia’s eyes sparkle with anticipation as she prepared to dig in.
“…”
Watching her, Schwarz turned to the waiter with a puzzled frown.
“Um… is this everything?”
“Pardon? Is something wrong?”
The waiter tilted his head at the question.
“We ordered two portions…”
There were two of them, so there ought to have been two plates. Yet no matter how he looked, only one sat before him. Had something gone wrong in the kitchen? The mystery was solved almost at once.
“The young lady asked for everything to be served on a single plate.”
“…?”
At the waiter’s matter-of-fact explanation, Schwarz turned toward Milia in bewilderment.
“Heeheehee.”
She stuck her tongue out just a little and gave a soft laugh.
“My Lady…”
Only then did Schwarz understand. He let out a short sigh. No wonder the portion had looked a bit large for one plate…
“What’s the big deal? Don’t tell me you hate it?”
“It’s not that I hate it, but…”
“Then it’s fine. Here. Say aah~”
With that she speared a plump shrimp on her fork and held it out toward his mouth.
“M-My Lady!?”
Even though the waiter had not yet left, she was being so forward that Schwarz’s face filled with panic. Milia only smiled at him mischievously.
Your turn to suffer a little.
That was the look she wore, and Schwarz could only manage a helpless laugh.
“Come on. Say aah~”
“Nngh…”
Seeing she had no intention of backing down, Schwarz gave a low groan. There was no helping it…
With another short sigh he accepted the shrimp she offered and ate it in one bite.
“Is it good?”
“…Yes.”
He nodded in answer to her question. Truthfully he was too embarrassed to taste much of anything, yet he had no choice but to reply that way.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
The waiter left with a perfectly professional tone. Schwarz thought he might have heard a soft “tch” just then… but surely he was imagining it. He turned back around.
“Mmm~ So good~”
Milia was eating with the happiest expression in the world. Watching her, Schwarz smiled faintly and began his own meal.
“Come to think of it, Sister Arze told me seafood pairs wonderfully with white wine.”
“I’ve already told you, My Lady. Alcohol is forbidden.”
In the middle of their meal her casual remark made Schwarz’s expression turn stern. He knew all too well what happened when she drank. Last time they had been alone, so the damage had been manageable. Here, however, the restaurant was full of other diners. If Milia started making a drunken scene, he was certain he could never handle it. No—before that, he might simply die of embarrassment.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to drink.”
As if she had read his mind, Milia grinned at him.
“You mean that?”
Schwarz narrowed his eyes at her.
“I mean it.”
Only after receiving the confirmation a second time did he finally exhale in relief.
And so the meal came to an end.
“Haa… I’m stuffed.”
With a contented sigh, Milia stepped out of the restaurant. A cold wind greeted them at once.
“Ah… Achoo!!”
She sneezed loudly and sniffled, rubbing her nose.
“Are you cold?”
“Yeah… a little.”
She nodded at his question. Spring was nearly here, yet the air still held a lingering chill.
“Would you wait just a moment?”
“Hm? What are you doing?”
She tilted her head as Schwarz unwound the scarf from his own neck. Then he carefully wrapped it around hers.
“Ah…”
“Please be careful. Catching a cold would be terrible.”
He smiled gently at the soft sound she made.
“…”
“My Lady?”
Seeing her eyes go wide with surprise, Schwarz cocked his head. Had he done something wrong?
“I-it’s nothing! Th-thank you!”
A moment later she waved her hands frantically, her voice flustered. It was so unfair, she thought with a quiet sigh. Every time she believed she had finally pulled ahead, he would overtake her again in the blink of an eye. Perhaps that simply meant she had fallen for him completely.
“There’s no need to thank me. It’s only natural.”
Schwarz lightly stroked her hair as he spoke.
“Shall we head back now?”
“Yeah…”
He took her hand and asked. Milia nodded slowly and began walking at his side.