The Double Date
Lunchtime at Lumeris Academy runs from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Exactly one hour and thirty minutes. I have to track down Judith and Yuren before the break ends. It took me about three minutes just to persuade Shirai.
"Can’t I come with you?"
I didn't think it was possible to take care of Shirai, who is blind, while also looking after Erpin. The excuse about being considerate of Erpin’s shyness was just that—an excuse. In reality, I don’t have the confidence to manage both of them at the same time.
Lately, I’ve been struggling with my thoughts regarding Shirai. The distance between us, the physical contact, and all that. If Shirai hadn’t turned a blind eye to the church’s business, I wouldn’t have been able to get into Lumeris Academy, and just yesterday, she healed my punctured wrist. She did so while pushing her holy power to the limit.
The incident at yesterday’s orientation has already spread throughout the school. Most students didn't think much of it, as Professor Cheren’s orientations are always like that. However, the rumor that a male student had his wrist pierced by an arrow from a girl in a black robe—that made even the seniors gasp. And the fact that the Saintess had recklessly used her holy power to seal the hole in my wrist only added to the buzz. In truth, the students’ interest isn't focused on Judith or Yuren, but on me and Shirai.
There are two reasons I’m accompanying Shirai. One is that I owe her too much, and the other is that her aide, Yihua Cloudrain, is not on the Lumeris continent. Today, the screening for special entry permits to the Lumeris continent concludes, and tomorrow, those who pass will receive their permits. Aide Yihua will arrive on the Lumeris continent in two days. I plan to start distancing myself from that point on.
"With... the Saintess..."
"You're too quiet. What was that?"
"Are you... c-close with the Saintess?"
Erpin and I haven't walked far from the school gates; we’re wandering around the city near the academy. Cafes, restaurants, amusement parks, arcades, shopping malls, aquariums, museums, concert halls, and so on. Among the students, it’s known as the Lumeris Entertainment District. Perhaps because it’s lunchtime, there are quite a few students around. It’s not exactly rowdy, but someone passes by every five seconds.
"That’s a vague question. We are close, yes."
Erpin just nodded slightly and stopped asking. Silence settled in again, and we walked for a long time.
"We're almost there. Sorry for making you do such a bothersome task."
As expected, there was no answer. Just a slight tilt of her head. In the awkward atmosphere, I stopped in front of an indoor archery range with its doors firmly shut. The building isn't very large. The curtains are drawn, so I can't see the interior, but it looks like it could barely hold twenty people at most.
"I-it's closed?"
Not a single light is on behind the curtains. A sign reading CLOSE is hanging all over the door. Rattle, rattle. It’s locked from the inside. It’s clearly a shop that isn't operating. But...
"Erpin. Use Psychokinesis to open this door for me."
"I-isn't that... a c-crime?"
I pulled on the door again. Rattle, rattle. No matter how hard I gripped it, it showed no sign of opening. It wasn't just the lock; it felt like something heavy had been shoved against the door from the inside to prevent it from being pushed.
Is there really a reason to skip class to this extent? It’s impossible unless they are emotionally unstable.
"Is the person... you're looking for... really in here?"
"Yes, I’m sure of it."
Erpin, who had been scratching her head with a troubled expression, seemed to make up her mind. She clenched both fists and extended one hand toward the door.
Whoosh—
Erpin’s entire body was engulfed in wind pressure, and her long hair scattered with tremendous force. Her two light-green eyes sparkled so brightly that I found myself wondering why she wasn't a heroine. The moment the red light surrounding Erpin’s body flashed, a crimson current flowed into the gap of the door, and I heard a click as the lock gave way.
Ultimate Magic: Psychokinesis
A higher concept of high-level magic. The final destination for every mage, and something that would earn you public praise if you mastered even one properly. Ultimate Magic. What Erpin is using is one of the ultimate telekinetic spells: Psychokinesis. The girl before my eyes uses Ultimate Magic—a realm others couldn't reach even if they spent their whole lives researching it—as if it were nothing. Furthermore, Psychokinesis is known to be one of the most difficult spells even among Ultimate Magic. Even though I already knew how incredible Erpin von Herta was, I felt it once again.
"I... cleared away all the large objects inside, too."
Erpin’s hair settled down, returning to its usual style that covered one eye. She was so beautiful that I couldn't help but think, Why does she cover it when she’d look much prettier with both eyes visible? But I didn't want to interfere with someone else’s hairstyle, so I swallowed the words that had risen to my throat and opened the door.
Creeeeeak...
At the eerie sound, like opening the door to a dilapidated abandoned house, Erpin hunched her shoulders and shuddered slightly. The problem was that she wasn't the only one startled. Judith Moondust and Yuren Stardust were standing there, sharpening the blades of their main weapons—two-handed swords—and taking a defensive stance toward the door.
"Erpin and..."
Judith shifted her gaze from Erpin to me and naturally closed her mouth. Yuren disarmed himself and let out a sigh of relief, and Erpin, unable to hide her embarrassment, looked at me with anxious eyes.
"The person you... said you were looking for... could it be...?"
"That’s right."
I walked past Judith and Yuren and grabbed the bow on the table. I spread my legs to shoulder width and loaded an arrow. I closed my left eye and released the bowstring; the arrow flew with the speed of a bolt, striking the target board with great force. The arrow was embedded in the outer yellow ring—a 9.
"How about we play until lunchtime is over? There’s nothing else to do."
My gaze turned toward Erpin, who had frozen like a statue. Understanding what I meant, her light-green pupils trembled like aspen leaves.
"Winning team gets to make a wish for the losing team."
*
"Step outside for a moment."
Judith grabbed my wrist and led me out of the archery range. She shoved me against the wall, trapped me with her arms, and leaned in. I could smell the scent of peaches from her long black hair. She must have put on perfume; as far as I knew, it was the scent Yuren liked. Her golden eyes were still brimming with intelligence, and her snow-white skin was glowing. Her haughty and cold facial features seemed to shine even brighter now that I had returned to the past.
I easily swatted away the hand Judith had placed on the wall and successfully escaped.
"What are you doing, all of a sudden? Shoving someone against a wall."
"Answer my question. You remember, don't you?"
This trashy Regression Book. I thought I was the only one who had regressed with my memories intact as a perk of being an 'isekai-er,' but it was all a lie. From Shirai to Sia Stella, and now Judith right in front of me. 'It’s finally here.'
Facing Judith directly, I became certain of the problems I had been agonizing over for so long. My relationship with the heroines right now is, quite literally, a mess. I can’t keep pretending to have forgotten my memories forever. Rather than struggling alone like this, it’s easier and faster to confess everything and get the heroines' help. Judith even knows why Kripto falls into corruption. If things go well, I might be able to solve this on my own. Most of all, it’s hard for me to maintain my rationality in front of Judith. It would be better for my mental health to just hit and run.
"Yeah, I remember. Even the part where you cheated on me with Yuren."
"Did Sia Stella tell you that? You always believe whatever she says, don't you?"
Judith crossed her arms, looking at me as if she were dumbfounded. "Be honest. Have you ever trusted me even once while we were married?"
"You have to do things worthy of trust for me to trust you. You wore that cherry blossom hair ornament Yuren gave you when you were young even at our wedding—how was I supposed to trust you?"
Even at this very moment, Judith’s side hair was decorated with a cherry blossom. Back then and even now, every time I see that cherry blossom, my blood boils. I wanted her to at least not wear it at our wedding. Truly. It wasn't like I hadn't told her; I had even begged her.
Judith let out a sigh as if the ground were collapsing.
"Is it just because of this? This? Would you feel relieved if I tore this to shreds?"
That sigh, mixed with irritation—I hadn't shown it, but I had hated it since long ago. Honestly, just facing her like this is exhausting.
"I have nothing more to say to you. Let’s just live our own lives."
"If that’s how you feel, why did you come here? In truth, you’re still worried about me, aren't you?"
Those words were the trigger that pushed my 'rage button.' Something I had been trying to suppress seemed ready to explode to the top of my head. The very fact that she could act so brazenly was beyond my understanding. But I endure. I must endure. I think of my mother’s longing face. I think of the painful memories from my days as a working professional. I recite the lyrics to the national anthem, which no longer hold much meaning for me.
'Hoo.'
Barely managing to suppress the urge to vent my anger, I let my reason, not my instinct, speak.
"Because of you two, the first-year students are banned from the snack bar. If you understand what that means, try to behave yourself."
"Banned from the snack bar? You mean the first-years' standing has been reduced?"
I opened the door to the archery range and went inside. "Yeah. I don't care if you two go on dates and play around. I just wish you wouldn't cause harm to others."
Yuren was demonstrating archery to Erpin, and Erpin was watching Yuren shoot, her mouth agape in wonder. 10 points. The arrow Yuren fired struck the exact center of the target.
"W-wow, you said you weren't confident, but you're amazing!"
"I just shot it as it flowed; I guess I was lucky."
To think he could already talk to Erpin so naturally, and a 10-pointer at that? Amazing! The life of a protagonist. Living as an extra in a world that favors only the protagonist—jealousy is inevitable. But what can I do? If I’ve transmigrated as an extra, I should live according to my station without acting out. Love with the heroines was too presumptuous. For me.