“No matter how many people Yuna has killed, she is my friend. She was always the one who helped me when I was in danger. If I can’t even defend my own friend, how could I ever hold my head high?”
At my resolute answer, Olga Hermod looked at me with an expression of mild surprise.
“Is that so?”
Then, Olga Hermod’s staff emitted a flash of light.
Ah, so this is how I die.
That thought passed through my mind as I shut my eyes tightly, bracing for the end.
“If even the selfish student Johan says that, then it must mean something.”
“…Huh?”
But Olga Hermod spoke as if nothing had happened.
The light from earlier had merely released the bindings on Yuna. She now looked noticeably more at ease where she lay.
Had she been testing me? Or perhaps she wanted to confirm what kind of person Yuna really was…through me?
“Take her with you. And let her know I’ve already made her student ID, so she should stop sneaking around like a stray cat and start walking around confidently.”
With those words, Olga Hermod tossed something toward me. It was a student ID with Yuna’s name on it.
“…Is this really okay?”
“There’s no reason it shouldn’t be. I am an educator, after all. Even if I cannot lead someone down the right path, I shouldn’t be the one to block the way forward.”
Olga Hermod gave a faint smile and returned to her desk.
“I’ve witnessed many terrible things. I’ve seen children kill their parents out of hunger, and parents kill their own children just as often. That’s why.”
She was a mage who had lived through war.
And I knew she was a woman of deep character.
But I hadn’t expected this much. That she would let someone like Yuna….someone who could be considered a threat just by existing go without any further action… I hadn’t imagined that.
The fact that she even went so far as to make a student ID meant that she may have intended to embrace Yuna into the Cradle from the very beginning.
“That’s why I chose to be here. So I wouldn’t create more people like me. Not because I was drawn to this pitiful authority.”
I had underestimated Olga Hermod.
She respected and cared for her students far more than I had thought.
Yuna was a threat.
That’s exactly why she captured her.
But at the same time, Olga Hermod had the intention of reforming Yuna.
And after hearing my defense, she must have fully made up her mind.
“…Thank you.”
“I’ve already informed the dorm manager. If you ask, they’ll assign her a room. Once ‘student’ Yuna comes to her senses, let her know.”
“Yes.”
With Yuna still in my arms, I left the Headmaster’s office.
Olga Hermod remained at her desk, resting her chin on her hand.
She seemed deep in thought.
***
Was this truly the right thing to do?
Even though she had made up her mind, Olga Hermod still wondered.
Yuna was dangerous.
She was someone who tended to resolve most problems through murder.
Of course, the people she killed were those anyone would agree deserve it—
Those who abuse the weak by exploiting their power and authority.
She was a blade that spoke on behalf of the oppressed.
But that unyielding conviction could endanger everyone.
There was a big difference between turning a blind eye to someone’s behavior and accepting them.
Olga Hermod was someone who must protect the students of this Cradle.
“If your identity is ever exposed…”
It wouldn’t be just Yuna who ends up in danger.
Olga Hermod who overlooked her existence, Johan Damus who defended her, and everyone who becomes her friend from now on will be at risk as well.
Yuna had many enemies.
Even now, there were likely more than a few nobles out there still looking for her.
Among them were likely people who had lost friends, family, or lovers because of Yuna.
There were also those scheming to exploit her power for their own gain.
Could Olga Hermod truly hide Yuna? Could Yuna truly blend into this world? Could she truly conceal herself?
“…In the end, just like always, the only way is to deceive everyone.”
Olga Hermod let out a dry laugh.
As a master of magic, she had always lived by deceiving the eyes of others.
And she knew the answer.
Olga Hermod opened the drawer in her office.
It was filled with items, including the dagger she had confiscated from Yuna.
From inside, Olga Hermod took out a particular item.
“One day, we’ll have to believe that such a dreamlike illusion can become reality.”
Olga Hermod tucked the Clown Mask into her coat.
***
Olga Hermod had decided to show consideration for the students.
However…
“Ah… I’m a bit too busy to keep an eye on things. Johan, could you explain everything to her instead?”
“…HUH?”
“You brought her here, didn’t you?”
Apparently, she didn’t feel the need to show the same consideration for the faculty.
It was when I carried the dazed Yuna on my back all the way to the dormitory.
A woman who seemed to be the dormitory manager looked at me with a troubled expression as she handed the responsibility over.
“Let’s see… Her name was… right, Yuna. You and Yuna are close, aren’t you, Johan?”
“Uh… I suppose so.”
Just ten minutes ago, I had boldly declared my determination in front of Olga Hermod. Normally, I would have sensed the situation and denied it with a vague excuse, but I guess some of that brave Johan energy was still lingering inside me.
I ended up nodding without thinking when she asked if we were close.
“I’ve heard about Yuna’s situation. But imagine waking up in a strange place with not a single familiar face around. How do you think that would feel?”
“Wouldn’t she just stay quiet?”
“She wouldn’t. Johan, even if it’s a hassle, come up with a believable excuse.”
That stung.
“But… isn’t this the girls’ dorm? Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to just wander around?”
“Coming from the person who barged in and broke down a door last time, that really hits differently. For the record, the reason I’m busy right now is because I have to file a repair request for that broken door.”
“……”
Not easy.
She was incredibly skilled at shifting responsibility. Then again, not many who survive a year in the Cradle come out entirely sane.
“Well then, I’ll leave her to you, Johan. And wear this around your neck, just in case you run into another student while walking around. That thing might end up being your lifeline.”
“My lifeline?”
“Mhmm. If anything unfortunate happens, you could really end up dead. Kids these days are way too violent~”
With that, the dorm manager naturally slipped away.
I tried to stop her, but she was incredibly fast. Apparently, she was no slouch in terms of physical ability either.
***
Yuna’s room was simple.
Still, for a place she moved into so suddenly, it was more than decent.
Well-maintained, too.
“Whew…”
For now, I laid Yuna down on the bed.
Lately, I’ve noticed I’m starting to build some stamina myself.
Though I was still just as mentally exhausted as ever.
“Haah…”
I sat down on the floor and decided to wait until Yuna came to.
In this silent room, with only the sound of Yuna’s breathing, it was hard not to feel a little strange.
I pulled a book out of my bag in an attempt to do something, anything, to ease the awkwardness of being alone with her like this. Maybe it wasn’t a bad time to start studying for tomorrow’s test.
So I forced myself to read, even though none of the words were really sinking in. That was when Yuna began to stir as if she were about to wake up.
“Mmm…”
Geez, what kind of sleep habits were these…
Things were bound to get awkward soon, so I figured I should at least cover her with a blanket.
Just as I reached out to pull up the blanket she had kicked off—
Whoosh!
My vision spun for a split second, and suddenly, the ceiling came into view.
And then—
Thud.
I felt the bedsheets beneath my back and a soft, squishy pressure on my thighs.
In a certain sense, it might have been one of the best sensations imaginable, but under the circumstances, it was hard to be optimistic.
Pop!
Yuna’s fist landed right next to my neck.
It was a mechanical motion, like something her body was used to doing.
I felt the pad of her thumb brush against my throat.
With just a bit of pressure, she could’ve easily subdued me….or worse.
Thankfully, she seemed to come to her senses before applying any force. She titled her head and mumbled,
“Huh?”
“Uh… Yuna? You’re awake? Mind moving your hand?”
“Hi there!”
Yuna gave a goofy smile.
Only then did I feel a flicker of relief.
She had looked terrifying when she stared down at me while still half-asleep. But I remembered how unbelievably beautiful she’d been, too.
It was a treat for the eyes, sure, but not one I ever wanted to experience again.
“Where am I?”
“Yuna, listen carefully. I’ll explain what kind of situation you’re in right now. You probably have a lot of questions, but for now, just trust me and stay calm, okay? Got it?”
“Okay!”
“Good, at least you’re listening.”
Yuna sometimes feels like a cat and other times like a dog.
That’s part of what makes her so unpredictable…
Thankfully, Yuna listened to my story all the way through without much resistance.
And once I was finished,
She only said one thing.
“…So, I have a home now.”
Yuna gave an awkward smile.
She didn’t ask any other questions. Somehow, it felt like she already had an idea why Olga Hermod made that choice.
“Is it really okay for me to be here?”
“Who knows? But at the very least, the Headmistress must’ve decided it is.”
Still, she looked like she had a lot on her mind.
Well, it’s no wonder. She had been wandering without a place to call home…and now, she finally had one.
It must be an emotional moment for her.
“For now, just take it easy and think things through. Oh, what about your classes? Do you need to attend tomorrow?”
“Good question.”
“I don’t know either. Just ask the dorm manager later. It’s exam period, so she probably won’t tell you to jump into class right away.”
“Okay!”
“Then rest up. Take your time and figure out what you want to do.”
“…Mhmm, I will.”
I quietly stepped out of the room so Yuna could have some peace to think.
Not because I was trying to get out of anything.
“Whew…”
I stretched the moment I stepped out of Yuna’s room.
Well, that’s another day over. Honestly, with problems cropping up every single day, it was a miracle I was managing at all.
Still, it felt like I solved most of what came up today.
I could only hope that nothing would happen tomorrow.
I was trudging down the silent hallway when it happened.
“Good evening, Sir Johan.”
“……”
The moment I turned the corner, I coincidentally ran into Ariel who was standing quietly to one side of the hallway. Or… was it really a coincidence?
It felt more like she’d been waiting for me.
“Ah, yes. It’s a pleasure to see you, Lady Ariel.”
I stumbled over my words for a moment.
It was so sudden that I was momentarily at a loss for what to say.
Something felt off. Yeah—something was definitely off.
How in the world did she know I’d be passing through here?
“To run into you in a place like this…what a coincidence.”
“A coincidence?”
“Yes.”
Was she really going to pretend this was just a coincidence?
I suddenly remembered what Lobelia had told me earlier this afternoon.
She had warned me to be careful around Ariel. But what exactly was I supposed to be careful of?
Maybe that’s why I couldn’t quite read her expression right now.
It was only today that I finally understood another purpose behind that oversized witch’s hat of hers.
She hadn’t chosen it just to hide her ears; it seemed like she wore it to conceal her face as well.
“Sir Johan, I’ve been troubled by something. I wonder if you might be willing to listen?”
“…I’m afraid I’m pretty tired right now, so I should be going.”
“I see… What a shame.”
I tried to walk past Ariel as naturally as possible.
And I would’ve, too…if she hadn’t grabbed onto the hem of my coat.
“S-Still… I just wanted to say thank you, at least…”
There was nothing particularly strange about it. Judging by the slight tremble in her voice, she simply seemed embarrassed.
Just in case, I slowly turned around and studied Ariel’s expression.
Her face, partially hidden under that large witch’s hat, was blushing so red it was obvious to anyone.
“Um, I, uh… what I meant to say was, um, j-just a second. I’ll remember it soon. Gosh, what’s wrong with me?”
Unfortunately for her, I was not oblivious. Ariel Ether had feelings for me.
And that wasn’t strange, either.
I never undervalue the worth of what I’ve done.
I saved her, and to her, I would be the one who changed her life.
Yeah, I mean, it wouldn’t be that surprising if she fell for me.
And it’s not like I’m bad-looking, either.
This was all within the range of what I expected. Despite Lobelia’s warning, I had already anticipated things might turn out like this.
“Lady Ariel.”
That’s why I was able to handle the situation with relative composure.
It’s not that I dislike her feelings. But if I really got involved with her, not even ten lives would be enough to survive it.
“This sort of thing… makes me uncomfortable.”
I put up a wall right away.
“Eh…”
Ariel started to tear up.
It seemed to be working quite effectively.
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