The Echoes of a Double Date
The double date is still vivid. It refuses to fade from my mind. The crescent moon illuminating the world with its bright light. The biting cold that forced most people to wear gloves and scarves. And, the monumental first snow of the year. In that narrow, cramped alleyway, Shirai and I confessed to Yuren at the same time.
If I recall correctly, there was an urban legend that if you confessed in a narrow alleyway on a night with the first snow, your love would surely be fulfilled. Shirai and I must have been so innocent back then. Shirai confessed that she had regained the eyesight she had only dreamed of thanks to Yuren’s help, and that was why she had fallen for him. I was certain I would win. Yuren and I were childhood friends of over ten years. I didn't think I would lose to a friendship of mere years.
"Sorry, Judith."
For a moment, I thought I had misheard. I wanted to ask, 'This is a hidden camera show, right?'
"Shirai, I don't know when it started, but... I like you."
Right in front of me, he returned the confession to Shirai. It was humiliating. I grew to hate Shirai. The moment they embraced, I fled the alleyway. My heart felt like it was being torn apart, and the overwhelming surge of emotion brought tears to my eyes. Let it all go. Never see those two again. I had heard that if you are physically distant, your heart will drift apart, too. My love for Yuren, my hatred for Shirai—I would erase them as quickly as possible and move on. But that was never going to be easy. A decade-long unrequited love had been shattered by another woman. Unable to contain my pent-up frustration, I stopped walking in some unknown place and sobbed uncontrollably.
He had restored Shirai’s sight. Just how much must he have liked her to go as far as creating a panacea? I had tried to deny it until the confession, but now I had no choice but to admit it: Yuren Stardust liked Shirai, not me. The more I thought about it, the more my heart withered. I indulged in meaningless fantasies—would the result have been different if I had begged just once?—and as thoughts of deep regret filled my mind, my crying grew even louder.
"Are you crying?"
Then, a voice I knew all too well reached my ears. Mate Daylight, the man who was like a savior, having resolved my family issues. I had hidden it until now because I felt guilty, but I had even harbored trashy thoughts, deceiving you by wishing you were Yuren instead. He sat down and sincerely comforted me as I wept. Even when I was so consumed by sadness that I stayed holed up in my dormitory all day, he would skip classes just to come find me and comfort me. If I showed even the slightest sign of a fever or a cold, he would tie an ice-filled towel and place it on my forehead. If I shed tears thinking of Yuren, he would come to my side and pat my back.
You didn't have to be a fool to know. Ah, he likes me. To have my body and heart, he had solved my family problems, cooked for me, and even skipped classes to be my companion. It was cute how he would walk on eggshells whenever I showed even a hint of a bad mood. His face was a passing grade, he’d fixed my family situation, and I felt like this man would make me happier than that guy who had abandoned me for another woman. The moment I decided to put thoughts of Yuren behind me and try to seduce him, everything flowed exactly as I had imagined. Whenever I was the first to hold his hand, his ears would turn bright red, and I could feel his arms trembling even if I just linked my arm with his and pressed my chest against him slightly. Every time that happened, I would tease him more, and as a new love blossomed, our relationship grew closer. To the point where that guy—my first love and childhood friend—no longer crossed my mind. I was certain I would be happy for the rest of my life. That’s what I thought.
"..."
Awakening in the dormitory, Judith first checked the alarm clock by her bedside. 5:00 AM. It was an early hour, before the sun had even risen. Judith felt a sense of relief and lay back down in bed. She pressed her head into the pillow and pulled the blanket up to the top of her head. The moment she closed her eyes, the words of a girl began to circle in her mind.
- Is there anything he hasn't done for you?
"..."
- He’s the one who stepped up to solve your complicated family issues and even canceled important plans to celebrate your birthday.
This is a dormitory room at Lumeris Academy. Naturally, no one but the occupant can enter. Yet, the auditory hallucination, as if someone were whispering in her ear, kept circling in her head.
"...Shut up."
Judith squeezed her eyes shut and covered both ears tightly with her hands, leaving no gaps. Anything to escape this terrible hallucination.
Countess Judith and Young Master Yuren. It is said that both have skipped class today. By now, Princess Nypia is probably sneering in the student council room. It’s a perfect excuse to narrow the standing of the first-years. The dissatisfaction of the first-years, who have been banned from the school store, is immense. Most of the first-years blame Yuren and Judith, but there is no small amount of public opinion supporting them. Something about it being a "romantic escape." Most of the defense comes from those who find it romantic and pleasant to look at.
Where Young Master Yuren and Countess Judith go to play is none of my business. However, if Yuren, the top student of the swordsmanship department, acts like this from the day after the entrance ceremony, it is extremely troublesome for me as well. A person who should be setting an example for other students is skipping class just because he wants to go play. Yuren Stardust is a figure who forms the two great pillars of the first year alongside Erpin von Herta. His academy life naturally has a huge impact on the standing of the first-year class.
Lumeris Academy cafeteria. A place where students of all grades gather to eat. I watched the incredible scene at the table next to me and took a bite of a sausage.
"Erpin, can't you do something? Please?"
"A ban on the school store from the day after the entrance ceremony is too much. It’s not like we did anything wrong."
"I-I, even if you say that to me..."
"You're a genius mage. If you tell them to lift the store ban, the student council president won't be able to say a word."
"You’re our only hope now. To think the Young Master we trusted is skipping class to go play with the Countess..."
"The first year is ruined... We’re truly a trash generation..."
"I-If... if I have time, I'll try to suggest it."
I had deliberately sat close to Erpin. I knew this would happen, and I wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation. As expected, my concerns had become reality. Aside from that, the biggest problem was Shirai on my left, who was acting like a baby.
"Mate, hurry. Hurryyy."
Shirai sat there with her mouth open like a baby bird. She was demanding that I feed her, using the excuse that her mana circulation wasn't working because she wasn't feeling well. In the cafeteria where all the students of Lumeris Academy were gathered. The rumor had already spread throughout the school. That there was a man among the first-years whom the Saintess Shirai liked. I understood her feelings, but it was difficult to accept such demands in a situation where so many eyes were watching.
"I think you should eat by yourself."
"Okay..."
Surprisingly, she accepted it obediently. You could see the disappointment on her face, but right now, that person is the priority.
"Erpin."
"Ke-Keh!"
When I approached and spoke to her, she flinched and was terrified. Naturally, her gaze was directed at the spoon, not me.
"Sorry to talk while you're eating, but I have a favor to ask."
Erpin is someone who doesn't just find conversation with men unfamiliar; she actively avoids it. Naturally, I expected her to put down her tray and run away.
"W-What is it...?"
It wasn't just a little surprising; it was impressive. The day had come when Erpin von Herta would talk to a man.
"I feel like this is a bit sudden."
"I-It's okay."
She says it's okay, but seeing her hand holding the spoon trembling, I feel a bit sorry for her. Just like that time.
- I was dumped by Yuren.
"..."
Forget it. It’s a past that has already turned into bubbles. I sat next to Erpin and pleaded earnestly.
"When you're done eating, let's go somewhere with me."
"...Uhh... Huh??"
"I have someone I know, and I need to find them by the afternoon."
I have a place in mind. The place where Judith and Yuren are likely playing.
"W-Why do you need... me...?"
"Well..."
Because if it doesn't work, I have to solve it with force. I tried to interfere as little as possible between the two, but skipping class to go on a date is an error in the situation itself. I have to go find them right now and bring them back. At this point in time, the only first-year who can beat Yuren is Erpin. But it’s hard to say that straight out.
"Just because you came to mind."
"..."
"Can't you do it?"
Seeing her still trembling, I knew it was hopeless to expect an acceptance. I should just consider the fact that we had a conversation as a huge step forward. It was the moment I left my seat after leaving a short final greeting.
"I'll... do it."
A response I couldn't have imagined yesterday reached my ears.
"I don't know what it is... but I just have to follow you, right?"
"Yeah, you understood perfectly."
Two pairs of men and women meeting in one place. It reminds me of the time we had our first double date.
- Judith, look over there.
- Yuren and... Shirai?
- You guys came on a date too. If it's okay, do you want to hang out with us?
- Is this a double date? I wanted to try this!
I knew. At that time, Judith was looking at Shirai with envious eyes.
'Must be nice to have your wish fulfilled.'
I wonder just how happy she is right now. It is time to go and see Judith's face with my own two eyes.