Hiatus Notice: Updates will continue once the author returns.The Start of a New Sester
The long, long winter break had finally co to an end.
It felt like the start of the new sester would never co.
Ti had flown by without even realizing it.
"......So much has happened."
It had been an eventful two months.
I doubt there was a single student who had a more eventful break than .
A soft smile graced my lips.
It was a strange feeling.
Just a few days ago, I hadn't given much thought to the end of the break.
But now that the day had co to leave for the Academy, I felt a twinge of regret.
A quiet thought crossed my mind.
"It would've been nice if I had... a little more ti."
If only the break had been a little longer, maybe I could have done more.
It was only recently that I had finally untangled the knots in my life.
Perhaps I could have even enjoyed a truly relaxing vacation.
-Heehee! I'll show you what a real snowball fight is, brother!
-H-hey, wait a minute... Isn't using ice magic cheating?
Having a snowball fight with Ariel, bundled up in her winter hat.
-It's been so long since we've had such a peaceful tea ti... I really do feel most at ease by Raiden's side.
-As do I, Your Highness.
Enjoying tea ti with Lucy in the garden, surrounded by blooming winter roses.
-Your drinking seems to have improved. But don't overdo it, too much alcohol isn't good for you.
-Heh... You're one to talk, Father.
Sharing a drink with Father late at night.
-Apples are not round at all... That's because they crunch when you bite into them.
-......Oh my.
Exchanging silly jokes with Gilbert and his otherworldly sense of humor.
-Is it alright for to stay by your side like this...? I feel like I'm taking up too much of your ti.
-I have plenty of ti for you, Lady Margaret. Please don't worry.
Taking care of Margaret, who was still not fully recovered.
-Young Master, you shouldn't sleep on the sofa like this.
-I'm just so drowsy... Just let lean on you for a bit.
-...Just for a bit, okay?
Sitting side-by-side in front of the warm fireplace, basking in the comfort of each other's presence.
Just picturing these scenes brought a smile to my face.
And that's why I felt a tinge of sadness.
But it was alright.
There was always a next ti.
I had promised not to run away or disappear anymore, so there was plenty of ti.
There was no need to rush.
"Next winter break... maybe we can all go on a trip to the beach house."
I muttered to myself, a smile playing on my lips.
As I calmly painted a picture of the future, a familiar voice calling my na reached my ears.
"Young Master? It's ti to go."
It was Rachel.
I nodded silently and started walking.
The carriage was waiting for us.
It seed that Lucy and Ariel were already on board.
Urged on by Rachel, I stepped into the carriage.
"We'll be back soon, Father."
"Take care."
A brief exchange between father and son amidst the bustle.
After making eye contact with the rest of the staff, I boarded the carriage.
-Neigh!
The carriage started moving imdiately.
As the horses picked up speed, I watched the mansion grow smaller and smaller in the distance.
I pushed down the lingering anxiety in my chest.
The feeling of lancholy soon blossod into a flower of fondness.
I didn't look back.
After all, this was a ho I would always return to.
Now was the ti to move forward, towards a new chapter.
***
"We've arrived."
The carriage ca to a gentle stop, and the coachman's voice announced our arrival.
We stepped out of the carriage.
The Academy building ca into view.
It was as grand as any city, yet not overly crowded. As magnificent as the Duke's mansion, yet not overly ornate.
It was a truly impressive sight.
A sense of familiarity washed over as I started walking.
"...It's been a while."
It had only been two months since I was last here.
Yet it felt like I was returning after years of being away.
As I walked slowly, letting the winter breeze wash over , a mory from the past echoed in my ears.
-Oh my! Young Master...! Look outside! It's huge!!
-Yes, yes, I know, now please sit down. What if you get hurt?
-I'm fine! I always practice my balance so that I can be the perfect attendant...! Huh?!
The day I first stepped foot in the Academy, guided by my status window.
Despite trembling with anxiety and worry, the mory of that mont, filled with hope and determination for happiness, was vivid.
Had it really been half a year already?
I let out a breath, realizing how quickly ti had flown by.
I wasn't the only one feeling a strange sense of nostalgia.
The others, walking alongside , seed to be having similar reactions.
"You're right, it has been a while."
"It feels weird, brother... I hated the thought of school starting again, but now that I'm here, it doesn't seem so bad."
"They've repaired everything so well, haven't they? I'm sure it was a ss when we left for break... The Academy's ability to recover is amazing."
We walked on, quietly observing our surroundings.
The Academy looked as good as new, as if the invasion three months ago had never happened.
In fact, it seed even more pristine than before.
As I was lost in thought, admiring the scenery, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Well, well, well! Look who it is!"
A friendly yet annoyingly flippant tone.
I recognized who it was imdiately and turned around, his na already on my lips.
"Golden Boy...?"
"Long ti no see, Maniac!"
Golden Boy waved casually.
The blond boy sauntered towards us with his usual swagger.
It seed he had also returned to the Academy for the start of the sester.
We had just happened to run into each other.
Seeing his face after so long...
I stared at his signature blue eyes for a mont before clicking my tongue.
"......This is bad."
"Hey! What's with that blatant reaction?! Don't look at like I'm so kind of nuisance!"
"What are you talking about?"
"That hurts! It's been ages! The least you could do is greet properly!"
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Argh!!!"
The blond, tanned idiot threw a tantrum.
I couldn't help but smirk at his childish behavior.
"......Hmm?"
"What is it now?"
"No, it's just... you seem different. Your complexion looks a bit brighter."
"Does it?"
I tilted my head and touched my face, but it didn't feel any different than usual.
I couldn't tell.
Well, it didn't matter. It wasn't like my complexion had worsened. If anything, it had gotten better.
I brushed off his comnt and asked him a casual question.
"How was your break?"
"It was alright, I guess. Nothing much happened. Just visited so distant relatives."
"Hmm? Didn't you say you were an orphan last ti?"
"So what if I'm an orphan? Can't orphans have relatives? I'm still human!"
"That's not what I ant..."
As far as I knew, he didn't have any living relatives.
Maybe I was mistaken.
As I pondered this, his incessant grumbling interrupted my thoughts.
"Yeah, that's right, our dear noble wouldn't even consider a common orphan to be human, would he? It's so unfair! In my next life, I'm definitely going to be born a noble..."
"Just shut up already."
"Oh my~ You should listen to our Young Master, you know?"
"..."
Had he lost his mind over the break?
My forehead throbbed.
I pinched the bridge of my nose before raising my hand high in the air.
And then, I brought it down swiftly.
My target, of course, was Golden Boy's back.
-SMACK!!
A resounding crack echoed through the air.
Golden Boy's body went rigid.
His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened.
A mont later, his signature shriek pierced the air.
"Argh!!"
He jumped up as if he had been burned.
But I wasn't done yet. I swung my hand a few more tis.
-SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
With each satisfying thud, Golden Boy flinched.
"Ow! Ow!! Okay, okay, I'll stop ssing around, just stop hitting !!"
Why was he whining?
He knew he was going to get beaten up anyway.
I was determined to teach him a lesson for provoking and then chickening out.
"Gah!"
So noisy.
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