"Sensei........"
After the morning class was over, I was called out by Teresa with a deathly pale face.
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
The always jovial Teresa was unusually quiet today.
"Do you have some time?"
"Yes, of course," I said.
I was about to sit down in the chair there, but I was stopped by her.
"Here's a bit......"
In other words, it was something she didn't want others to hear about.
"I understand."
I took Teresa's hand and teleported to the cafeteria on the second floor of Sagami Co.
The cafeteria in the second floor was made through substantial remodeling of terrace that was on the rear side of the company. It's considerably crowded in summer, but no one in their right mind would eat there in winter. That was why the second cafeteria was closed during the winter.
"Wait a moment. I'll bring you your lunch."
"Uh-huh."
I walked down the stairs to the first cafeteria on the first floor.
I waited for Teresa to open her mouth as I ate my lunch. Finally, she started to talk.
"I see. So your aforementioned matchmaking date has been decided."
"Yes."
The always lively Teresa was that much depressed today. Undoubtedly, she wasn't enthusiastic about it.
The reason was probably the first matchmaking candidate she had mentioned before.
"Have you tried to talk with Count-dono or your mother?"
Teresa shook her head.
"Why?"
"Because... I feel like I'm losing to that guy."
What are you doing, keeping such stubbornness that isn't even worth a penny? This old man really can't keep up with the thinking of kids.
"Then I think it should be fine to talk with them now and decline it? To be honest, your selfishness is too late to be of much concern."
"But, my mother would bring that topic to my older sister if I refuse. I don't want to cause any trouble for her."
"Older sister? If I'm not wrong, weren't you the only daughter?"
"Oh, un. My cousin's sister. We used to play together often before."
"I see, so? I thought you didn't want to accept this marriage interview. Why are you worrying about your older sister now?"
"Well, you are right, but......"
She wasn't being clear at all. Her pompousness was always strong and in a sense, she was the easiest to understand among all students.
"Then, can't you just accept this marriage interview and reject it after that? Matchmaking isn't betrothal, after all. Your mother wants you to go on a matchmaking only, but she doesn't expect you to get engaged or to be married."
In the first place, matchmaking was a place to make that decision.
"That's right, but....."
She was being hopelessly indecisive.
Sure enough, it was too heavy of a package for me to give love advice to an adolescent kid.
"If the candidate is someone you hate, it's alright to reject. I'll advise Count-dono to respect your wishes as well."
"But—"
She tried to say something, but I waved my right hand.
"Don't worry. I won't be doing anything bad. You can do what you always do. Rather than that, hurry up and eat, or we will be late for afternoon class."
"Am I that much selfish?" Teresa said discontentedly, puffing out her cheeks.
"I can't deny that you are a rash person. Don't your parents usually give you the same kind of advice?"
"Boo—"
Pouting, Teresa took a deep sigh. I really hoped she would act more lady-like. She had an attractive appearance, and if only her behavior was cured, I was sure she would be very popular.
I ignored Teresa's glare full of criticism and gulped down the cold soup in the wintry weather.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Today I visited a mansion in the third district of the imperial capital.
Conventionally, local clans had strong influence in the third district, and the quarters of local clans, banquet hall, as well as low class official or superior and commoner's quarters were attached.
Here?
A four story brick mansion. This was quite a palatial residence in this district. This must be the [Shirouan], which was a communal residence owned by the Macburn frontiersmen and other powerful families. (T/N : not a direct meaning for this word, but shirouan’s meaning by individual words is Purple Hall Hermitage)
"It doesn't matter. You must have your reason, right?"
"Yes."
Teresa nodded slightly. Maybe it was because I knew about her usual wild personality, it really looked awfully out of place when she was so meek.
"Then you don't need to apologise. I will not apologise either."
In any case, I didn't even know why Teresa was angry.
"What's that? So weird," Teresa giggled at my remark. It seemed like she had finally become her usual self. As she began to open up to me, I shifted the topic of conversation to the trivial matters of everyday life.
I was completely absorbed in talking with her.
Most of the conversation was just nodding and listening to Teresa, but it was the first time I had ever had such a long, in-depth conversation with her.
Once Teresa stopped talking, she studied my face intently.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"You definitely don't understand the goal of this meeting, right?"
"Isn't it the party organised by Count Hartwig-dono for your relatives? But well, I'm really honored that an outsider like me has been invited here. Yes."
Sagami Co. and Count Hartwig were important business partners. That was why, these were my honest words.
At my bland reply, Teresa, who was looking at me with half-closed eyes, closed her eyelids and let out a sigh.
"Sure enough, I expected something like that."
"Do you know that your attitude towards me, treating me like I'm disqualified as a human being, is slightly hurtful?" I said such an absent-minded thing.
"Yes-yes, I think you are just fine as it is. I understand your aloofness, and I wouldn't be able to handle it if I got upset about it all the time."
"That's a terrible thing to say."
"Naturally."
Saying this, Teresa stood up. It should be about time for the closure. As I was about to stand up from my chair, she was looking straight at me.
"What's the matter?"
I couldn't help but ask when I saw Teresa's earnest, unclouded face staring at me.
"There's something I want to tell you, Grey, when I graduate from the Magic Knight Academy."
"I can hear it even now, though."
"That's not good. I know very well that my desire wouldn't be fulfilled as it is right now."
"I see. Then I will wait for your graduation."
I didn't know what her motives were, but she might have found something in graduating from the Magic Knight Academy. It was also quite possible she had found a new dream for the future or something like a goal. As a teacher, I was happy and proud of that.
"Thank you. I will do my best. I will do my best to the best of my abilities."
"Yeah, I have expectations from you."
The only thing I could do was watch over students attentively and cheer for them.
"You know, Grey, I have been taught a spell by my elder sister recently. Can I try it?"
Teresa clasped her hands behind and smiled mischievously. This was the usual Teresa at her best. I was sure she must have come up with a new prank.
"Okay."
"Then, close your eyes and don't open them unless I say so."
"Why?"
"Just do that."
I shrugged my shoulders and closed my eyelids, as she was more forceful than ever. Most likely it would be fortune telling or something. Girls seem to like that kind of ritual. Well, I'd go along with that as much as I could.
"..........."
I could sense Teresa gasping for air.
She put both of her hands on my shoulders and the next moment, I felt a soft touch on my lips.
"....!?"
The unique sweetness of the touch brought my grey brain to a temporary emergency stop, unable to move a single fingertip. I just kept my eyelids closed to keep my promise to Teresa.
In my blank mind, I could feel her separating away from me.
"You can open your eyes now."
I opened my eyelids just as I was told to see Teresa, her face flushed red like a ripe apple.
"........."
I stood there, stunned, unable to comprehend the situation.
"We are even with this. Well, then, don't forget your promise."
Teresa rushed out of the terrace as if to escape.
[I curse the unreasonableness of this world!]
As Mura's sobbing voice reverberated in my head, I just watched her back in silence.