Chapter 18
“Each Their Feelings, Each Their Position”
The Royal Capital – Rozelia Central Academy.
That morning, Kai Cross entered the classroom with his usual energy.
“Morning, y’all. Today everybody gets two candies each. Y’all did real good yesterday.”
But the students’ reactions were strangely distant.
Yesterday’s “incident” — the series of events that had occurred in the magical strata — had spread throughout the entire capital in the blink of an eye.
Already, he was no longer seen as “just a teacher,” but as “the hero of knowledge from another world.”
◆◇◆
“…Sensei.”
During the break, Filia Estrea called out to him quietly from the corner of the classroom.
“Sensei… you’re going back, aren’t you?”
“Back?”
“…To Earth. To your world.”
Kai stared for a moment at the candy in his hand.
(Back, huh…)
He had been trying not to think about it.
He didn’t know how to return, and even if he did, “what would happen once he was back”?
“I don’t know. But y’know…”
“Since I came here, every single day’s been so intense. Way shakier than a train in Osaka.”
“…I see.”
Filia didn’t say anything more.
She simply gripped something tightly in her pocket.
◆◇◆
That afternoon after class.
Lutia von Valenstein was alone in the rear courtyard of the school building, practicing sword swings.
(After being protected so much, after being saved so much, I still haven’t given anything back.)
(He’s the “teacher,” and I’m the “student” —)
“But I… I love Kai.”
The moment she whispered it, she felt her cheeks flush hot.
And the one who heard her was Prince Leon.
“Then just tell him honestly.”
“…L-Leon-sama…!”
“I never imagined you’d actually ‘fall in love’ with someone.
But… the way you are now, you could probably stand beside him.”
“…Do you really think so?”
“…No. I don’t want to think so.
The idea of him taking Lutia from me, honestly—makes me angry.”
Lutia didn’t back down even a step.
“But I’ve already decided.
I don’t want to be the ‘noble’s daughter’ who stood at your side—
I want to be ‘just Lutia,’ standing beside Kai.”
Leon quietly nodded with gentle eyes.
◆◇◆
That night.
Kai sat on the dormitory rooftop, letting the night wind blow over him.
A full moon hung in the sky, and the distant lights of the capital twinkled.
(Should I go back, or should I stay—no.
Wherever I am, the question is: can I still help someone?)
Just then—
A single set of footsteps.
When he turned, standing there was—Lutia.
“…Kai, I need to talk to you.”
Her eyes were steady.
There was none of her usual arrogance or prickly attitude.
“When I made that ‘contract’ with you, I honestly thought I was just ‘playing around.’
Even I didn’t want to believe it was ‘love.’”
“But I was wrong. I really… love you.”
“Even if you’re just a teacher, even if you’re just a commoner, even if your Kansai dialect is weird…”
“It has to be you.
You’re the one who throws yourself into ridiculous things to save someone,
and still smiles through it all—it has to be you.”
Kai looked at her silently for a single beat.
Then, quietly, he pulled a candy from his pocket.
“…This is your favorite flavor, right?”
Lutia looked at the candy she received and smiled faintly.
“…You’re unfair. That’s exactly what makes you such a problem.”
“Then I’ll stick by you for every bit of trouble I’ve caused… is that alright?”
At those words, Lutia’s cheeks turned red.
And she gave a small nod.
◆◇◆
Meanwhile—
In the corner of the old library wing.
Where no one could see her, a single girl once again faced a sheet of stationery.
Filia Estrea.
(Sensei… you’ve already become someone special to someone else.)
(But I’m not giving up.
I want to tell you my feelings, properly.)
This time, the letter she wrote in tiny handwriting was truly one she intended to “give” to him.
