156 – Each of our paths (2)
I can feel the warm body temperature all over my body.
“I heard that Tsumei is going along under the pretext of being her teacher, so I don’t think she’ll be too worried.”
Is the pounding heartbeat mine or Beatrice’s?
Once you see my heart pumping endlessly, I guess I’m infallible.
I hope it’s not just me.
It may not be something worth saying out loud.
“Still, Dragon Emperor, you have to face the dragon that was thought to be dead, right? “Do you know if a really dangerous situation will come?”
I am clearly hearing what is being said, but why does it feel like the voice itself is hovering in my ear and then dissipating?
I thought the cause might be my condition.
“That’s right.”
Of course, Beatrice’s voice was also trembling.
It seemed like they were trying to hide the condition, but it was just obvious.
Perhaps she and I were not very good at keeping her agitated feelings from being revealed.
In addition, isn’t the tremor getting worse?
Wouldn’t it be better to separate before a really awkward situation arises? As I was thinking about that, I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to separate.’
My face suddenly gets heated by the embarrassing sentiments that I think about and scatter alone.
“If possible, come back without getting hurt.”
Anyway, in the meantime, Beatrice continued to speak steadfastly.
As if I had to say this even if I was trembling.
“…… Even if you get hurt, I will treat you as long as you come back well. Please don’t suddenly die somewhere without me. “There is no way I can save a dead person.”
She expressed such small concerns, and I could only nod her head.
Because her voice was shaking too slightly to give a proper answer.
I felt like I wouldn’t get my money back if I said something pointless, so I just kept my mouth shut.
I tried to ignore the feeling of self-destruction that occurred to me due to my unmanly appearance.
“Ha.”
That was about it. Beatrice let out a long breath as if she had been holding it in, and blinked her eyes once.
Am I about to fall now? The moment I think that.
“Why don’t you hug me a little more? “You coward.”
Beatrice did not back down, but rather took one step forward.
So, she buried her head deeper into my chest.
“…… !”
My body had no choice but to naturally stiffen. I couldn’t react, and even if I did, what would it have meant?
Unless I needed to shake it off, it was best for me to just stay still like a statue.
However, it seems that Beatrice did not like my passive attitude.
Her “Arms were stiff. Who said you would hug me first, really…….”
The grumbling voice seemed to contain a slight sense of disappointment.
I wish it was an illusion, but I guess it wasn’t.
Now that I think about it, it was too late for me to realize it. For someone who proudly offered to hug me, I kept holding my outstretched arms in the air.
It was so awkward.
I let out a deep, deep sigh inside.
‘You idiot.’
A feeling of shame and embarrassment came that was different from before.
Why should I say that I felt so pathetic?
If this was going to be the case, why did I even bring it up in the first place?
As I said, there were no real assholes.
“… ….”
I had no choice but to hesitate just a little bit before bending my outstretched arm back inward.
So that I can hug Beatrice, who is in my arms.
I was truly embarrassed, but even so, I felt like I would regret it later if I didn’t act now.
I thought I should just close my eyes and hug him.
‘…… ‘This is really going to drive me crazy.’
Of course, embracing Beatrice like this didn’t mean I wouldn’t regret it.
It’s a regret with a slightly different direction.
I am concerned about stiff movements.
Wouldn’t it have felt awkward?
If it had already come to this, I would have felt at ease if I had shown at least a little trustworthiness.
My regret is that I could not do that.
“Look, if you do it, you can do well.”
But should I say that I am glad that Beatrice seems to have accepted it satisfactorily?
She laughed and started tying my shoulders and waist a little stronger, like a vine.
‘How long are you going to stay like this?’ … ?’
I had a question in mind, but I wasn’t courageous enough to say it out loud at this moment.
The sound of the heart, body temperature, and the soft touch of the girl that I can still feel.
It feels like blood rushing to her head.
This is not an easy situation to endure.
But I endured it. I endured it. With the thought of just holding on for now, I closed my eyes and calmed my racing heart.
I moved my lips alone for a moment, then tried to get a word out with difficulty.
“…… “It’s Riche.”
“Yes.”
“How long are you going to stay like this?”
It was a question I asked very carefully, but Beatrice didn’t seem to understand my true meaning, ‘Isn’t it time to stop?’
Or, you’re just trying to pretend you didn’t understand.
She had buried her head and then slowly lifted her gaze.
Golden eyes without any further agitation turn towards me.
“Why?”
And says: Two short syllables. Question.
I paused for a moment.
“Riche?”
“Why are you asking that? “You don’t like doing this?”
Beatrice also responded immediately to my reflexive call.
Her sharp eyes glanced at me.
I couldn’t stop the unintentional cold sweat from flowing.
“No, that’s not it… ….”
“If not that, then what?”
“… ….”
“What do you mean?”
Why are they preventing me from speaking at all? Scary. I think this is my first time seeing him like this, and it felt fresh.
“…… No, it’s just that I have some time left before I leave. “I thought there was no need to do this already.”
Anyway, I tried to package my words well and get them out there.
Actually, there is still about a month left until the 2nd week of the club’s free period.
Anyway, there is no reason to be like this already. I was definitely the one who suggested the hug first.
“Hmm… ….”
Beatrice let out a meaningful snort at my reasonable(?) Story.
Is the emotion contained in her eyes looking at me annoyed or convinced?
Maybe it’s both.
I understand, but it also annoys me.
“Well, okay.”
So, she nodded her head as if she understood for the last time.
And the distance is widened to a very slight, almost microscopic level.
Of course, her arms and hands that hugged me didn’t loosen. Same goes for me.
This means that the distance was not widened that much.
Beatrice just stared at me again from a little distance and licked her lips once, looking very nervous.
‘Yes…… ?’
Before I even understood the true meaning of that gesture.
“That’s right.”
Things really happened suddenly.
No time is given to respond.
“It would be okay to leave a mark in advance, right?”
For a moment, her eyes showed a sign of determination, and her arms that hugged me with a little more strength went into them.
And the next moment.
“… ….”
I was in a state where I couldn’t even give a proper response anymore.
The cause was not something else.
‘This kid is real.’
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It’s simply that I couldn’t get my voice out in that state.
My lips were blocked.
‘…… It’s crazy, really…….’
I closed my eyes in a state where my reason was paralyzed. A reluctant response, but what can you do?
The thing has already happened.
My carefully extended hand gently brushed Beatrice’s pure white cheek.
*****
One month was not a short time.
It may vary depending on the situation.
At least, if there is something to do, it would be nice to say that you are given enough, if not overflowing, time to prepare for it and calm your mind.
“… ….”
Of course, there were always exceptions.
This is exactly what Tsumei is now.
She had tidied up her flowing pigtails and had already undone the robe that resembled a wizard’s that she usually wore.
It’s a slightly more active outfit.
I wore a slightly wide gray shirt, and instead of the skirt I usually wear, I wore shorts this time.
Is that what common adventurers wear?
Anyway, it could be said to be Tsumei the Exterminator’s proper activewear.
Because I was stuck at the academy for so long, I didn’t actually use it much…….
‘Carsilion.’
Nowadays, the role of the academy’s ‘dean’ has lost its meaning.
In any other case, she would have fulfilled her duties as dean without being forced, but in this case, the situation was different in many ways.
Tsumei gritted his teeth as he thought of the Dragon Emperor Carsilion, who had now become the only target of his pure anger.
This time, Helena, who was by her side, had no intention of stopping the journey.
“Please take care of yourself.”
She only spoke to Tsumei.
If it’s obvious, it’s an obvious greeting.
But as far as she was concerned, it was her sincere concern and concern for Tsumei.
Because she knew even though other people did not know.
How strong and deep are Tsumei’s feelings about the fall of the dragons and the death of Seline.
And if the culprit is right in front of you, what kind of things can Tsumei do?
I didn’t know. That’s why I don’t stop you.
I couldn’t stop it this time.
So the best she could do was say a few words of concern. She was encouraging and supportive at the same time.
Should I say it is fortunate?
At least for this trip, Helena was well aware of the one brake that could keep Tsumei from running wild with her emotions.
“You’re not moving alone, are you?”
Helena spoke to Tsumei with her serious attitude and expression, and Tsumei also could not help but ignore her words and ignore them.
She shook her head hesitantly.
“Well, that’s right.”
“If you know what, please prioritize the safety of students as much as possible. “Isn’t that the dean’s role?”
Helena had no intention of overlooking the shortcomings that her Tsumei showed.
She was going to leave anyway, so she had to use this opportunity to do something right.
Even if something happens, I hope his superiors will come to their senses.
I hope there is a braking device for that, so that the existence of students will not be forgotten.
“Ah, okay. Okay. I originally had no intention of getting the kids involved, but I will always consider their safety my top priority. “Stop nagging.”
In the end, Tsumei raised the white flag due to Helena’s endless words.
She had no intention of forgetting the existence of herself and her students.
She knew it well. The purpose of this journey is not to deal with the Dragon Emperor.
Be as invisible to the solvent as possible.
And, first of all, to interfere with the training of the Sea Dragon Corps, which the Dragon Emperor considers as one of the backbones of his plan.
That was all. You shouldn’t expect more than that.
After Tsumei had finished organizing her thoughts in her own way, she took one last look at the woman standing next to her.
She is a confidant she can trust more than anyone else.
One of the teenage great wizards, the witch Helena.
Tsumei smiled slightly.
“You know, Helena.”
And then talk to him. In a very cautious voice.
“If I don’t come back. Oh, of course, the students will return safely no matter what happens…….”
Avert eye contact. Because I didn’t have the confidence to face it.
That’s because what I’m going to say from now on is exactly that.
Tsumei pursed her lips for a moment, then closed her eyes tightly, as if she had made up her mind, and then turned to Helena and continued her words.
“At that time, you really took my place… ….”
“Yes, that’s it.”
“…… Academy, huh?”
Of course, Helena had no intention of listening to such nonsense from Tsumei.
Her purple eyes glared at Tsumei with unusually strong emotions.
“I won’t listen to that. “While it’s time to build meaningless assumptions, just think about coming back without a problem.”
“…… No, but. “Helena.”
“I thought you said you wouldn’t listen?”
Tsumei tried to say something more, but she was stung by Helena’s coercive force this time and had no choice but to close her lips again.
She hesitated, looking at Helena’s eyes.
“…… “I didn’t mean to make you angry, but this.”
And Helena let out a sigh at the small voice that followed.
She looked down at Tsumei bitterly as she touched her forehead once.
“I know that. It’s not like I’m angry or anything like that. “I just, I just.”
She paused briefly, then added just the slightest bit of seriousness to the way she looked at Tsumei.
With her wry smile, Helena bent her knees halfway and brought Tsumei to eye level.
“I just hope you come back safely. “Please understand my former student’s concern about his teacher.”
“… ….”
Seeing Helena carefully holding her hand and speaking her words, Tsumei could not say anything more.
She just nodded, avoiding her gaze, as if she understood, but still felt a little embarrassed.
After a short hesitation, Tsumei soon let out a short voice.
“Okay. “I’ll be back.”
“…… Great.”
Helena also did not hold on to Tsumei any longer than that.
It was because a boy was walking from the other side.
Tsumei looked at the boy first, followed by Helena.
Her eyes shed a very faint light.
‘…… ‘I have that much energy.’
Thinking is not something else. I was just looking into the boy’s inner self through the eyes of an archmage.
And there.
‘Even if you can’t do it, you’re on the same level as me. ‘Maybe, even more than that.’
There was a dragon that was already completed.
Helena thought.
I still have concerns, but it’s a journey where I can’t not worry.
Even if one problem arises -.
‘If only the dean and that boy were together.’
Isn’t it true that we don’t have to face even the worst situation? Isn’t it possible not to face it?
Helena laughed as she made that decision.
Yes, no matter what she is, what she has to do now is her constant worry and concern for Tsumei.
This time, I will have to protect the academy on behalf of the slayer who will be away for two weeks.
It was time to work as acting dean once again.
Helena bowed her head towards Tsumei one last time.
“Have a nice trip, Dean.”
And add a little bit.
Finally, one word.
“The academy will be well protected by the disciples.”
Damn… My heart went eeeeiiiii