72 – 72. No, really?
Surveillance.
Someone is watching us.
The moment I realized this fact, my interest peaked, intensifying the detection of magic.
How sophisticated and secretive was the surveillance that I failed to notice?
“Hmm?”
And soon, I felt disappointed.
As I tilted my head, I looked at Eris, who still had a very serious expression, with questions in my mind.
The current magical aura I felt was from Eris entering the classroom, Kenichi in the front row, his partner Sento, and Minami already diligently working in the student council room far away.
Including even the faintest presence, it was the level of magical energy inherent in the souls of some teachers in the staff room or patrolling the corridors.
It was quite unusual to sense magic from regular high school teachers, but what Eris Betelgeuse referred to as surveillance was a different matter.
“This has been happening since the beginning of the semester.”
So, trying to catch on now was quite belated. In a way, it was admirable.
Even Sento, who was adept at detection and manipulation, failed to notice such discreet observation.
At least to call it surveillance, it had to be to that extent, I thought. The new energy within the school was so subtle and weak that it seemed almost too much to call it ‘surveillance.’
…No, it was more than obvious.
Slowly, a presence emerged behind Eris with sluggish movements.
A pink jelly-like form that looked like it would feel great if poked and prodded vigorously – the appearance of the observer.
With a slow, sluggish movement, a pink, jelly-like entity peeked over Eris’s shoulder.
The pink jelly seemed like it would make a squishy sound if poked – it winked at me.
In such an incredibly charming appearance, I tilted my head with a puzzled feeling.
“Isn’t it a bit tacky after all?”
“Uh, what did you say?”
Eris Betelgeuse momentarily stiffened, as if questioning whether there was a supervisor or connection.
But nothing changed.
Feeling like I was tapping a stone bridge several times, cautiously approaching to analyze the feeding structure, I confirmed once again that it was indeed a shoddy feeding structure.
No matter how many times I repeated, the result remained the same.
“Then, is there something else besides this?”
“Uh, not really.”
With an expressionless face, I continued to lock eyes with the pink jelly creature and transmitted insight to Eris.
“Hmm, it seems like there’s no need to be cautious. I don’t feel like being watched at all.”
Oh, was it actually a trap?
As I stroked my chin, exchanging glances with the pink jelly, Eris Betelgeuse raised a hand to my left shoulder with a troubled expression.
Thanks to that annoying hand, the cute pink surveillance vanished from sight.
“Oh.”
“Stop staring. It’s awkward.”
“Oh, sorry. Just looking shouldn’t wear it out.”
“If you keep staring like that, it really might wear out, so I’m telling you to stop.”
“Oh, come on.”
Honestly, I was a bit surprised.
Did they think I was some ultimate weapon emitting red lasers from my eyes?
It’s not like I could shoot lasers from my eyes…
“Hmm? Come to think of it, it might be possible.”
Should I try it?
It might seem ridiculous, but it felt like it would be a lot of fun if I actually did it.
But since there was nothing to incinerate at the moment, I decided to hold back on shooting lasers.
“So, what exactly is it?”
“Well, this-“
Eris Betelgeuse, who seemed about to speak, suddenly stopped.
She had sensed not only the surveillance on her shoulder but also the countless gazes in the classroom.
From Eris-followers mostly consisting of female students, to Sawamura Sento next to her (whose eyes narrowed from the moment Eris whispered), and even to Kenichi and Hotaru enjoying a melodrama right before their eyes.
Especially Ichinose Hotaru, who enjoyed gossip, tilted her upper body and gleamed her eyes.
“So what’s the deal? What were you two whispering about? Why tell someone to stop looking?”
“…”
The blonde high school girl, who had just returned to school, seemed uncomfortable with the atmosphere.
Gradually furrowing her brows, she soon approached me with a displeased expression and whispered.
“I’ll tell you in a bit.”
In her much closer gesture than before, I caught a whiff of lavender.
Eris’ pink jelly on the shoulder met her gaze and squinted.
It was summer.
I was able to hear the whole story after all the classes were over and I sat down at the cafe.
Eris, who had been plagued by gazes until escaping school, collapsed wearily on the table.
“…I didn’t expect the kids to welcome me back after missing for a few days.”
“hahahaha, seems like you’re popular. It’s the truth of the world that everyone loves children, young and old alike.”
“Is that so…? Well, children?”
Eris, who suddenly raised her head with a frown, looked at me with a puzzled expression.
It wasn’t that surprising, considering I had seen that expression too many times before. I felt somewhat relieved.
With a sly smile, perhaps unable to spit out the words due to her blonde hair like the Japanese girl, Eris sighed and collapsed back onto the desk.
“Sigh, I’ve grown up, so why is everyone treating me like a child?”
“hahahaha, Eris, are we not minors? Haven’t we grown up yet?”
“…Please shut up.”
It seemed that along with mastering magic skills as she grew older, her sharp curse words had also developed.
On the other hand, Pink Jelly tilted her head upon hearing the curse and looked at the tired face of Eris.
With very small, round eyes, she looked like a pet staring at its owner.
Eris, with a subtle expression, began to speak to the creature.
“…You may be cute to call it surveillance, but still, you need to be careful.”
“Uh, what do you mean by being careful with this cute friend?”
“You, earlier, said the food was mediocre.”
“Hmm, I’m starting to like it bit by bit, feeling like it could be a good pet. Of course, structurally speaking, the food may be mediocre but-“
“My master created this.”
Was she trying to alleviate the burden in my heart?
Eris, who had been staring at my smiling face, suddenly triggered a mine.
After a moment of silence, exchanging glances and thoughts, I wiped the sweat off my forehead due to the heat.
“Hmm, I see.”
“…”
“It’s no wonder that such an amazing person created this cute food, expecting a creature to come out. Oh, it’s adorable.”
“It’s too late to make up for it now, isn’t it?”
From Noble mtl dot com
Seemingly having regained some energy, Eris Betelgeuse, with her upper body raised, continued the conversation while stroking her golden hair.
“I missed a few days of school, but I really went back to England after a long time. It was really a long time. The unnecessarily gloomy London streets, and parents who opened their eyes.”
After saying that much, Eris gently nodded her head with a fresh face.
“…It was a fair trade, an acquired potion, but still, I should express my gratitude.”
“But you don’t seem grateful at all?”
“Anyway! Thanks to that, I had a good time with my parents, had conversations. Thank you!”
“Hmm, you’re welcome.”
It was almost like poking her in the side, but the gratitude of the blonde little one was precious.
“…I had a lot to say and got tangled up. I met not only with my parents but also with several other people there. They came to see me for various reasons, as the suddenly awakened child of a great mage, a promising figure in the industry, a precious disciple.”
“So, you were popular even there.”
“Just shut up.”
“Yes.”
“If there’s a meeting, there’s conversation going back and forth, no big deal, I thought, but well…”
Eris mumbled absentmindedly.
“Our dad, after having a serious talk with the teacher, suddenly started saying strange things. Saying Japan is dangerous, very anxious, so don’t go back there. It’s better to stay here.”
“…”
“Well, more strange creatures come out here than in England, but I don’t think it’s a country where you can’t live at all… Anyway, since I kept insisting on going back, that’s why these creatures are here as a condition.”
Kyuu, a pink jelly wiggled.
The blonde wizard explained, looking at the creature wiggling on the table.
“As you said, most of its functions are shabby. It remains persistent, but lacks combat power, only able to detect danger. If a hostile atmosphere is created around, my magic power rises sharply, or a certain level of alcohol consumption occurs, the alarm will go off immediately. Pa-ahh.”
“Oh.”
“The teacher is a greater wizard than dad, able to move temporarily between continents. It’s a story based on consuming astronomical time and cost for the magic circle.”
“Space, teleportation?”
“Yeah, but it’s considered highly inefficient even by the Grand Wizard’s standards. It’s much cheaper to fly by fighter jet. Coming here to the extreme of inefficiency. If I’m in danger, he’ll come to save me. Quite zealous.”
Eris, who spat out as if disgusted, looked at the pink creature with a tender expression.
“…I’m all grown up now too.”
Certainly, it’s a burdensome yet joyful thing when someone dedicates everything to come to your rescue.
Kyuu – as if knowing nothing, the liquid monster tilted its head, the blonde wizard chuckled and then turned to me.
“Anyway! That’s why I warned you, not knowing when or where you might stray. If you do something strange, the teacher and dad might mistakenly think you’re a villain and fly to Japan.”
“Ehh, a villain? I wanted to do good, I’ve never done anything bad.”
“Is that a lie?”
“No, it’s true?”
“Uh, a lie.”
Eris’s expression of disbelief became hurtful, but there’s nothing to be done about it.
Innate or acquired, this appearance cannot be changed now.
Shoulders shrugged, I, who was trying to alleviate the sadness, suddenly brought up a story more curious than the creature’s identity.
“So, what was the reason then?”
“Huh? What reason?”
“The reason for coming back to Japan. You have family in England, a base there, so what’s the reason for coming back even with the surveillance creature.”
“…Well, I haven’t graduated yet… and I’ve made quite a few friends.”
Eris hesitated, and I interjected with a smile.
“Maybe to see me-“
“I’ll die, seriously.”
Eris, looking serious, sighed, then raised her gaze to the café ceiling, but suddenly widened her eyes.
Whether some funny thought crossed her mind, she smiled slyly and looked straight at me.
One corner of Eris Betelgeuse’s mouth raised, she touched her chin and muttered softly.
“Well, since you’re a friend too, it might not be completely wrong.”
“Oh.”
It was summer.