17 - First Outing

"How's your condition today? You sure you're really okay?"

"Yeah, I'm all better now! I can do this!"

I could see Piarot's clenched fist trembling as she said it.

'...If it were that easy to get better, no one would ever suffer.'

Alright, time to give her a gift of confidence.

"Come here."

I skillfully wielded the magic engineering hairdryer. All thanks to experience. After looping back over a hundred years, you end up doing every odd job imaginable. Festival makeup booth gigs, assistant to a hair designer for noble ladies. They hated it but still entrusted themselves to my hands.

No problem.

"Just lift your head a bit."

Her tangled black hair transformed under my fingertips into silky satin waves.

Next, the most important part.

"Close your eyes."

"O-okay."

Tap, tap, tap.

Truth be told, the first time I saw her, I thought she was the ultimate decadent beauty. Sunken cheeks from malnutrition, dark ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠circles from sleepless nights, sharp eyes born of distrust for the world. Like a princess from a kingdom on the brink of ruin.

But taking care of her taught me the truth. Those were marks of survival.

'But from now on, it'll be different.'

I laid down a base matched to her skin tone and naturally covered the dull dark circles.

"Done."

Finally, the outfit I'd prepared. Instead of her signature black gothic dress, I slipped her into a pure white sundress. And to protect her pale skin from the sun, a wide-brimmed rattan hat...

Ta-da.

"Whoa......"

Piarot stood before the full-length mirror, mouth agape.

Her jet-black hair contrasted strikingly with the pristine white dress. Below it, her slender neckline and delicate collarbones peeked out. Her never-sun-kissed pale skin looked almost transparently mystical. Her red eyes sparkled like gems, and without the dark circles, her eyes brimmed with vitality.

In the mirror stood not a gloomy witch, but a refined noble lady fresh from convalescence.

'Gah!! So cute!! So pure!!'

She clasped her hands in awe, gazing at her reflection.

"Evan... thank you. Is this really me?"

"Heh, it's all because you're pretty, Piarot. Original is unbeatable."

"Ah... really..."

Whoosh—peach-pink flush bloomed across her pale cheeks at my praise.

Yes, that's it.

"Shall we go, princess?"

I gallantly offered my arm. She shyly linked hers through it.

We stepped out the door and walked side by side down the fresh-scented forest path. Warm sunlight filtered through the leaves.

About ten minutes in, the murmur of voices swelled like waves from ahead.

The forest's edge. Beyond lay 'society,' where others' eyes would reach.

I instinctively slipped my arm free from hers.

"Ah......"

Piarot looked up at me with wide, startled rabbit eyes. Hurt and anxiety swirled in them.

She reached for my arm again, but I gently stopped her hand.

"Just a moment, Evangeline-senpai."

"But..."

I halted and met her gaze.

"We can't pretend to be lovers in front of people."

"......Why?"

"Think about it. All those rumors I've been spreading around school."

I calmly explained. The groundwork I'd laid to wash away her witch stigma. The noble lady who selflessly healed a cursed commoner.

That's her new image now.

"But if we show up arm-in-arm and announce we're dating? All that noble sacrifice of yours goes to waste. People will see me as a gold-digging opportunist who seduced you, or you as some eccentric with weird tastes."

"I don't care."

Piarot shook her head firmly.

"I don't care what others say. As long as I have you, Evan. I don't want to hide it."

She clutched my sleeve, voice breaking.

Dirty trick, but no choice—one option left.

"Sigh... alright, I'll be honest."

I sighed, feigning vulnerability.

"I'm... scared."

"Huh?"

"You know, all those guys hitting on you since enrollment."

Her eyes trembled. She remembered. Wolves eyeing her beauty and family background. From immature noble classmates to lecherous professors.

"If they find out we're dating, whose way will their envy and jealousy turn to?"

"......!!"

"I'm a powerless commoner, F-rank work-study student. If their malice pours on me... honestly, I don't know if I can handle it."

"Ah......"

The realization that her presence might endanger her loved one drained the strength from her grip.

"S-sorry. I didn't think that far."

She bowed her head, tail metaphorically tucked.

'Perfect.'

But carrot after stick only—relationships need balance.

"And more than that..."

I stepped closer, whispering in her ear.

"Public dating is exhausting. Too many eyes watching."

"......?"

"I want to be alone with you... without anyone interrupting."

I gazed deeply into her eyes, landing the finisher.

"Secret relationship. A secret just for us... can you keep it?"

"Se-secret... relationship?"

The words ignited her imagination. Her dying expression bloomed with excitement.

Our secret. Forbidden love hidden from the world. The thrill and exclusivity hit her fantasy spot-on.

"Y-yeah!! Let's do that!"

Face red, she nodded vigorously. Gone was the gloom; now she sparkled like a spy movie heroine.

"Promise? Outside, we're just senior and junior."

"Yeah! Leave it to me, junior!"

She clenched her fist dramatically. I chuckled, stepping back to a proper distance.

"Then, shall we go, Evangeline-senpai?"

We emerged from the forest onto the bustling streets.

Swoosh.

The familiar academy pavement appeared. Right ahead loomed a massive guide sign.

This massive academy city divides into two main zones.

Our destination: B District, naturally.

"Oh, senpai. Shops have changed a lot in two years. I'll guide you."

"Okay..."

We headed to the commercial district.

Weekend crowds filled the streets. Lively music, delicious food scents, laughter. Peaceful scene—but a battlefield for our couple.

"Huh?"

"Whoa?"

"Whoa, check that girl. Insane vibe."

Passersby's gazes magnetized to Piarot. Wide hat brim and bowed head couldn't hide her. The white dress's slender silhouette and innate elegance stole eyes.

I feigned casual, activating guide mode.

"Look at that window, senpai."

A high-end boutique with pastel dresses on mannequins.

"That style would suit you perfectly. I'll buy it for you when we have time."

"Ah... y-yeah. Thanks..."

Her eyes sparkled. Even flattery felt good.

"That's a stationery store now. Used to be a bakery that went bust last year. Only place for pens."

"I see..."

"That alley has killer skewers."

Chatting away, we reached our goal: a large grocery with fresh veggies and meats.

'VR clicks were handy for scouting.'

Medieval fantasy blended seamlessly with modern shops.

"You've been shopping here?"

"Yeah..."

She nodded faintly at the sign.

"Always... sneaking in at dawn or night when no one's around..."

I pictured her two years skulking like a stray cat. My chest ached.

I squeezed her hand and said brightly.

"No more night runs. Daytime, bold and bright. Fill the cart!"

"Yeah!"

Ding-a-ling—

The store buzzed with weekend shoppers—students and outsiders.

Piarot instinctively shrank, head down.

I gripped her hand reassuringly and launched improv theater.

"This way, Lady Evangeline."

"La-Lady?"

She peeked up, startled. I winked just for her.

Shoppers' eyes turned our way. Rare black-haired elegant beauty and her attendant—unmissable.

"Anything special you'd like, Lady Evangeline? Special dinner tonight."

"Uh, anything... Evan makes is fine."

Her voice was tiny. But 'Evangeline' lit the fuse.

"Did she say Evangeline?"

"No way, the rumored witch?"

"Shh, they might hear. Watch it."

Murmurs rippled like waves.

"Veggies here, sauces there, miss."

"O-okay..."

Piarot half-soullessly trailed me, head down.

'Better wrap this quick...'

I shoveled ingredients into the cart.

Then, a grating voice from behind.

"Hey, that's her, right? The witch and her... lackey slave."

"Yeah... rumors check out? Only one Evangeline in the world."

'Only one?'

Odd twinge, but not now.

I raised my voice to redirect.

"Senpai, drink? Wine pairs perfect with steak."

"Drink?"

She looked up reflexively. Under the brim, ruby eyes and unreal beauty flashed.

Air froze.

"Gasp!!"

"Insane..."

"Dude, see that? Drop-dead gorgeous."

Beauty trumped witch fear. Mood shifted.

"Hey, hold up."

"Why? What're you—wait! Dangerous!"

A burly male student strode over, blocking us.

"Hey, you. Lady Evangeline?"

"......"

Piarot jammed her hat down, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eyes on floor. Trembling like a leaf.

'Ugh, some shitty marquis's spoiled punk?'

I stepped in front, polite but firm.

"Sorry. Lady Evangeline is busy. Later for business..."

My intervention twisted his face ugly.

"Shut it. Dog barking while owners talk."

He ignored me, shoving his face at her.

"Hey, Evangeline. Remember me? Paiman Hof. The leg you broke..."

Flinch. Her breath hitched.

Damn, of all people—that guy! Trauma triggered.

"Compensation and apologies were handled at the family level back then. Let's drop it."

I warned lowly. But his eyes rolled back.

"Shut up!! Commoner trash butting in!!"

Thud—!

He shoved my chest hard. F-rank me flew back into the cart.

Crash!

"Ah......!"

My groan halted her shakes. Slowly lifting her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠head, under the brim—

Her eyes flickered, then blazed cold crimson.

[Evan's Sage Note]