By Zephyria 
Calypse was silent for a long time. His gaze didn’t leave me.
There was no way for me to know what he was thinking. I could only watch him silently examine my face, set down what he held as if to throw it, and press down on the joints of his fingertips.
They were slender, long finger joints. The anxiety and impatience that descended from his thin shoulders pooled at his fingertips. As he needlessly tried to peel off nonexistent hangnails, I called out, “Professor,” to him.
Only then did Calypse stop tormenting his hands.
After a moment of silence, Calypse spoke. The thick, cloying emotion in his muffled voice felt strange, tickling my ears.
“I have no intention of parting ways.”
“Then why did you say that?”
Professor Calypse seemed to want to drive me out. Seeing him bite his lip in distress, I couldn’t help but sigh.
As he fell back into thought without a reply, I turned my head and glanced at the clock. I hoped I wouldn’t be late for the throwing knife technique class.
Professor Calypse stared at me for a moment before sinking deep into the chair he was sitting on.
“…I understand what Walter said, but let’s clear up the misunderstanding first.”
He began by saying that he knew better than anyone how much Walter Orgen liked him.
Was he suddenly bragging about himself, or was he afraid I would take his child away? I was so taken aback I couldn’t speak.
My expression must have been peculiar. He raised his voice.
“It’s not like that…!”
“Yes, please speak.”
“…If Walter Orgen makes a foolish choice because of love… you’re saying it would all be my fault. A person cannot be fully responsible for another person’s life. When you eventually part ways with him.”
His eyes were dry, and his complexion was pale. But his voice, unable to be hidden, was wet.
“…I hope he doesn’t regret even the time he spent with me. Walter is young, and a knight of outstanding skill. If he could do what he wants, and just give a little of his remaining time to me, that would be enough… Then, at least, I wouldn’t become his regret.”
“You said you have no intention of parting ways.”
“Is that for me to decide?”
I closed my mouth. Calypse nervously pressed his brow and the inner corners of his eyes. I checked the time once more and asked.
“You’re not being forced, Professor Calypse.”
“Yes. Young Master Ernhardt’s help is, of course, absolutely unnecessary.”
“Even help from someone other than me?”
Professor Calypse let out a short sigh and ran a hand down his face. Deep exhaustion, which he couldn’t hide, was etched on his features.
I wondered if he secretly needed help but hesitated because I was too young. I examined him carefully. Calypse blocked my gaze with a firm statement.
“If I weren’t a professor, I wouldn’t have bothered trying to make my love acceptable to the Young Master.”
“…Mm.”
“No one, including Young Master Ernhardt, needs to interfere.”
Seeing his guarded demeanor, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
“If things go well, I might be able to graduate early.”
“…That’s likely.”
“If Senior Walter goes to the Yuil Mountains first, it could be a good opportunity for me too.”
“…What?”
“Because I am young and have good looks.”
I smiled. I didn’t like pretending to steal and eat a child’s candy, but I knew well how to bring together those who were suffering in silence.
Just like the mother and father of this life, I could clearly see these two agonizing only in their hearts.
I lowered my eyes. I didn’t bother to suppress the smile that escaped.
“I have my next class, so I’ll be going now.”
“….”
Calypse didn’t say another word. But his astonished gaze didn’t leave me. It was so absurd that I couldn’t stop laughing.
The next day, during advanced swordsmanship class, Walter Orgen hugged me from behind.
“Junior!”
“Yes.”
“Junior, thank you so much. No, what did you say? What happened?”
“That’s what I should be asking you. What happened?”
“He said he’d look for other work in the capital instead of being an inspector? He said he’d look into good places.”
I could barely contain my laughter. I laughed out loud.
Walter, excited, said he loved me and lifted me up, spinning me around. I patted his shoulder to calm him down. Walter hugged me tightly and then let me go.
“Let’s talk about the details later, let’s make time. I’ll buy you something really delicious.”
“Yes, let’s do that. And next time, don’t do anything so strange.”
“Of course, of course. Absolutely.”
“And cut down on the swearing.”
“Ah… Yes, absolutely. Anyway, thank you, Mika.”
Walter’s beaming smile didn’t fade.
Rubel, who had been watching him blankly, sidled up and gently patted my shoulder.
A faint smile still lingered on my face. The child looked at me curiously and said nothing, so I asked.
“Why?”
“No, Senior Orgen… When did you become so close with Senior Orgen?”
“Something happened.”
It wasn’t something to discuss outside. I looked at Walter, who was hopping around happily.
Today, Walter had shown his full strength for the first time in sparring. It seemed like a declaration that he would no longer hide his abilities. It wasn’t funny. He was so happy. A few children who hadn’t known Walter was hiding his skills were surprised.
I thought this quiet one was better than that guy running around like a mudskipper, and patted Rubel’s back.
“I hope Senior continues to grow like this.”
“…Because I’m cuter?”
“Yes.”
Rubel moved his pretty lips, hesitated, then nodded in agreement and rubbed his chin and cheek against my shoulder.
As I stroked his soft hair, my chest felt heavy and full.
Yes, what did it matter if he was a man or a woman? Such were the laws of this land, and they were so distressed for each other.
Either way, I felt relieved knowing they would live happily together from now on.
❖ ❖ ❖
Friday of the third week of March.
Cedric’s Potion Making Practice was replaced by a practical report.
I passed the Imperial Genealogy quiz without much trouble, having become quite accustomed to it.
For Practical Sword Arts, the practical exam was the same as last year’s. Douglas and Boulder were still engrossed in their Circulating Qi practice.
There were only three subjects with actual exams.
The World Geography exam was essay-based, but Rubel provided predicted questions, so I did reasonably well.
The Basic First Aid exam was easier than expected, and I received a good grade.
I was already excited thinking that once I took the Introduction to Monsters exam this afternoon, the midterm exams would be over.
The other children felt much the same, chattering about what they would do after finishing their Friday exams.
I hadn’t forgotten my promise to go to the botanical garden with Rubel, so I brought it up before the child could feel disappointed again.
“When do you have time, Senior?”
“After the Introduction to Monsters exam, I have fewer classes next week… But, will you only play for one day?”
“Yes?”
“Today is the day the night market opens. If it’s okay with you…”
“Wow, are you going to the night market today, Senior?”
A voice suddenly cut through Rubel’s enthusiastic words. It was Bill Brown. I smiled at his familiar habit of sticking his head forward first.
Since when did everyone start sticking their heads at me? I stroked his rough scalp and patted his broad shoulders.
“I was thinking of going. Why?”
“I’ve never been to the capital since I entered the academy. Can I go with you?”
“Sure.”
He had been a well-behaved child for nearly a month, listening well and training diligently. I was used to Bill Brown burrowing into my embrace, his large shoulders hunched, so I answered without hesitation.
Lately, Rubel had also been trying to be nice to Bill, so it would be fun to all play together.
That’s what I thought when I replied, but Rubel didn’t answer quietly, which made me wonder.
“Senior?”
“No, …it’s nothing. I think I left something in the Martial arts training ground. I’ll be right back.”
“Yes?”
I knew perfectly well that the swords and shields used in intermediate swordsmanship class were put away after class, so what could he possibly have left behind?
After lunch, I had to study for the exam and then take it. There wasn’t much free time, so I was just bewildered.
I hesitated, wondering if he really had left something behind, and didn’t immediately follow. Shayden slung an arm over Bill’s shoulder and gestured towards me.
“Go ahead, Mika. Good luck on your exam.”
“…Uh-huh. Thanks.”
After saying goodbye to the children, I returned to the Martial arts training ground. At first, I was bewildered, but then I remembered the child’s pale face and became worried. Even though it wasn’t my fault, I felt like I had done something wrong.
About halfway back, I saw Rubel sitting alone on a bench. Without hesitation, I walked towards him.
The child, who I knew was fully aware of my arrival, kept his eyes on the ground and wouldn’t look up, which felt stifling.
“You said you left something behind.”
“…I guess not.”
It was an obvious lie. I sat beside him and checked the time. There was enough time left for lunch, so I didn’t rush.
I gently patted his shoulder. Rubel quickly hid his face with both hands.
“…I feel like an idiot.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just… I feel so stupid.”
“I feel that way too.”
“…Young Master Ernhardt, why?”
“I just don’t understand why Senior is so upset.”
“….”
The child’s white ears turned bright red.
Suddenly, I felt an urge to touch these petal-like ears, but I knew I shouldn’t do that while the child was upset. I suppressed the urge and gently patted his back.
Watching his dark head, which was breathing softly and silently, made me smile.
“So, why did you run away?”
“…It wasn’t running away.”
“Senior.”
“….”
Watching the child desperately hide his face, another smile escaped me. I had a feeling I knew the answer without even hearing it.