CH 54

“—Then, I’ll ask you to do so on that day.”

After school that day.

I said my goodbyes in the hallway of the ‘Trois’ class and turned on my heels.

Well, I guess that’s all I can do. The rest is up to him…

Now, I had to go meet Lumiere. Since it was my last day, I happily bought some snacks. But as I didn’t want her to get too plump after eating doughnuts every day, I bought cookies with lots of dried fruit in them.

I hope she’ll be happy with them…

As I was walking down the corridor, there was a sudden tug on my arm.

“—Eh!?”

I was pulled behind a secluded staircase. In the dim light, a man’s long, silver, hair shone from the backlight. As both of his elbows trapped me against the wall, I could see his lapis lazuli eyes from up close.

“To not be able to defend against this kind of situation, you still have a long way to go, Lelouche.”

“…Your Highness Zafield, please don’t corner me while saying something like that?”

We were at a distance where our noses were likely to touch. Thankfully, the other party was His Highness Zafield. Otherwise, it’d have been impossible for me. Popular with the girls, His Highness Zafield was handsome like usual—as such, it was bad for my heart. When I averted my gaze, His Highness Zafield leaned to my ear and chuckled.

“…What a relief, you still see me as a man.”

“I always think of you as a gentleman.”

“Why did you skip today’s training?”

“Oh, did you wait for me? My apologies.”

As usual, it was common practice for young ladies to pretend like nothing happened. However, my hand trembled as I held the paper bag. It was obvious that I was behaving strangely.

“Hey, where did you go with my brother today?”

“We took a stroll around the city for a change of pace.”

“Even though you’re no longer engaged with him?”

…He had a point.

After he had pointed it out, I was amazed by my own shallowness. Still… I wanted to forget everything else and make memories. I knew it wouldn’t make sense. No matter how much I tried to cut them off, they were still the few, closest, people I had.

Did you know? That includes you too, Your Highness Zafield…

“In truth, I’d have liked to invite His Highness Zafield out, as well.”

“If that’s the case, then why didn’t you invite me? I would’ve gladly skipped school if Lelouche had asked.”

“But you told me a great lie, didn’t you?”

…I’m angry with you.

His Highness Zafield chuckled. When I thought that he had finished laughing, he slammed his fist against the wall right above my head. Involuntarily, my shoulders flinched, and I dropped the paper bag.

He mercilessly screamed at me.

“—Yes! That’s right!? From the very start, I’m a big liar!! Is that why you discarded me!?”

“…Don’t raise your voice, please. Even if it’s after school, it’s not like there are no people—”

“—Are you worried about the implications!? What, is it because it might affect my brother’s reputation!?”

“…That’s not what I’m saying. But he hasn’t officially accepted the annulment of our engagement.”

It was too late to salvage my own reputation. But if things went on like that, His Highness Zafield would suffer the consequences, as well. By trying to assault his brother’s fiancée, his future engagement could be affected. Besides, even if we were childhood friends, there was no excuse for such a close distance.

However, I didn’t think he’d understand that at the moment.

His Highness Zafield scoffed at my words.

“But in the end, you still prefer him, don’t you? The day after tomorrow, you’ll ask my brother to escort you!”

“…No. I’ve just turned him down again.”

“Ha? What do you mean by that? Don’t lie to me by saying that you have someone else you like.”

“That’s not exactly a lie.”

“Then, who is it?”

I looked up at His Highness Zafield. Both his fervor and frustration left me no choice.

“—Nameless.”

“…Nameless?”

“Yes. ‘Nameless’ Sunset.’ Surely, you’re familiar with him?”

“—Don’t mess with me!!”

Nevertheless, I got yelled at once again. I wasn’t joking… What should I do? I was truly at a loss. How was I supposed to convince him?

Suddenly, something hot dripped on my cheek. I was confused. We were inside the academy, it shouldn’t have been rain. When I finally lifted my face—I saw that His Highness Zafield’s azure blue eyes were overflowing with tears.

“…Don’t play around with me, Lelouche. Don’t you know how I feel about you?”

Due to his tears, I involuntarily told him.

“I… am destined to die the day after tomorrow.”

“…What?”

“So, I have no intention of reciprocating anyone’s feelings. I shall dedicate my whole being to god.”

As if taken aback, His Highness Zafield blinked profusely.

…That’s right.

For saying something like that, I fully expected that no one would believe me. It was a matter of course.

…But why?

It made me want to cry, too.

However, that’d be selfish of me. I slipped out of his loose hold and picked up the paper bag.

“Then, I shall excuse myself. Lumiere is waiting for me.”

When I tried to leave, I could hear him mutter.

“…Do you love my brother that much?”

It’s not like that.

It’s different.

But of course, my voice didn’t reach him.

I quickly headed to the usual empty classroom and closed the door behind me. Upon seeing me, Lumiere, who had opened her textbook, sat up in worry.

“…Lady Lelouche?”

After taking a breath, I smiled at her.

“I’m sorry for being late. I bought some sweets. Would you like to eat them together?”

That day, I went to the storage room belonging to the swordsmanship club before returning home.

As one could imagine, keep a sword with me during class or in my bag was dangerous. Therefore, I stored it properly when I wasn’t using it.

The reason I dropped by the warehouse was to take it home with me.

“…Now, where is it?”

It was a small sword that I especially chose. No one from the swordsmanship club would’ve ever used it, but I couldn’t find the sword anywhere.

“…Hey, about the thing you said earlier—”

“—What? Did I say something strange?”

During nighttime. Of course, I also bought god some cookies. However, many of them had crumbled. Yet, god still ate them without saying anything.

Then, while eating, god bashfully remarked.

“…That, you’re dedicating yourself to god…”

“Fufu, isn’t that a common answer?”

“T, that’s right! It’s something that priests often say! Hahaha…”

“Still, those were my honest feelings.”

“Fwah—!?”

Fufu, god blushed.

Usually, I’d have been astonished by the gap in character, but I had become accustomed to it. At the same time, I was also elated.

“More importantly, you seem to have had fun today. You also have a talent for shooting—”

I spoke to god about the things we did in the city and what we ate. God listened to my innocent talk and give appropriate responses. I was most grateful for that.

Because until the end of my life, I wanted to keep smiling.