Actually, I could et Eleanor and Aria anyti I wanted to.
Since the door of the general store was connected to Erica Bright’s room in the staff dormitory, they could always use it to co here.
That was why I wasn’t really expecting to feel any dramatic excitent upon seeing them again.
However, seeing their faces now and feeling happy to et them again made realize that they were more precious to than I imagined.
Still, there were so things that I obviously couldn’t just brush off.
“Big Brother?”
I never imagined that soone would call “Big Brother,” so I was a bit taken aback.
As I raised an eyebrow and questioned it, Eleanor, who was running toward with open arms, suddenly froze.
Seizing the opportunity as a competitor was eliminated, Aria imdiately lunged at and hugged tightly.
“Professoooor!”
Just hearing her cheerful voice was enough to give a sense of relief. It reassured that she was living the life I had hoped she would.
If it were in the past, I would have stopped her from getting close without hesitation.
Back then, we were strictly in a professor-student relationship. Even if we saw our interactions as friendly gestures, there were chances others might have misunderstood.
Well, the Aria Rias I knew probably hoped people would misunderstand.
In any case…
Such concerns about societal norms or social positions no longer existed.
As the bright girl hugged , I found it easy to return the embrace.
Not expecting to accept her so readily, Aria let out a small gasp at first, but soon, she smiled happily and clung to even tighter.
“You sll like Findenai, but I still like it.”
“…”
Rubbing her face against my chest, her comnt felt oddly ambiguous for soone who was simply expressing happiness. But as long as Aria was happy, that was enough.
anwhile, Eleanor, hesitating at a distance, was watching cautiously as she stepped forward slowly.
“D-Deus! It’s been a while!”
She reverted to the manner she used to address in the past, probably assuming that I wasn’t too fond of being called “Big Brother.”
“I was a little surprised, but it’s fine.”
Obviously, it wouldn’t have been acceptable back when I was a professor, but now, wasn’t I just like an older brother figure to them?
As soon as I reassured her that I didn’t mind, Eleanor’s face lit up.
“Big Brother Shinwoo!”
And then Aria called out to .
Just when Eleanor should have been celebrating our bond growing closer, Aria stole the mont smoothly.
“Hey!”
Overwheld with various emotions, Eleanor shouted in frustration, but Aria quickly clung to my arm and rubbed her soft cheek against it.
“What? I’m just calling Big Brother Shinwoo, Big Brother Shinwoo! He’s older than , so isn’t it natural to call him that?”
“You little…!”
“But calling him ‘Big Brother’ makes us feel even closer. Right, Big Brother?”
“…”
Seeing Aria provoking a fight openly, it was clear that neither of them had changed one bit.
Eleanor looked like she wanted to pounce on Aria, but after glancing at , she chose to embrace instead.
Faced with the choice of either fighting Aria or greeting properly, it seed she decided to pick the latter.
“Big Brother Shinwooo!”
Then, she called out my na at the top of her lungs.
Upon seeing Eleanor’s expression relax, I gently embraced her, as if that alone was enough satisfaction.
Of course, since Aria was holding onto one of my arms tightly and refusing to let go, I could only use one hand.
“So, it was you who took care of the situation with the Bureau outside.”
“Yeah! I’ve spoken with Mr. Nicolay a few tis before!”
The Nicolay she ntioned was soone indirectly connected to as well.
Nicolay Foreman.
The one acting as the proxy ruler of the Clark Republic, following the departure of Magan, the dictator.
Back when I was imprisoned in Graypond, he attended the eting where the leaders of various nations had gathered.
At the ti, the Dark Spiritualist had subdued Coltman, the Dark Mage of the Jerman Kingdom and detained the leaders.
So in reality, I never actually t the man.
“I already asked him to designate this house as my vacation ho. It was Professor Erica’s request!”
So Erica had arranged for sothing like this for my sake.
She must have done it after I inford her about how I was mistaken for a drug dealer in Iceburn Village.
“And no matter what, they wouldn’t dare to recklessly search the villa of a princess from an allied nation unless they’re looking to die.1”
“…”
“Ugh, that was such a la joke.”
Aria grumbled from the side, interrupting the flow of the conversation.
Clearly embarrassed, Eleanor avoided eye contact and coughed awkwardly.
“Ahem, I was just so happy to see you again that I got carried away.”
“Seriously, she acts like this because everyone keeps worshipping her just because she’s a princess. No matter what nonsense she utters, they’re all like, ‘Oh yes, our precious princess!’”
“…”
“People probably laugh at her jokes even if she just breathes, so she keeps making them without sha.”
“S-Stop it.”
Eleanor’s face turned bright red.
Enjoying herself, Aria seed ready to continue teasing her.
“That’s enough now.”
Erica entered the study with her arms crossed.
Unlike earlier when she was wearing her yellow pajamas inside the study, she was now dressed in formal attire, as if preparing to give a lecture.
The Erica standing before us wasn’t her usual self around —at this mont, she had returned to her cold and rational professor mode.
“It’s ti to go. The afternoon lectures will be starting soon.”
“Already? But we just got here!”
“Ahem, Erica, I’m a princess. So, as my loyal subject, I hope you’ll overlook this just for today.”
Despite the complaints from Aria and Eleanor, Erica remained unwavering.
“Aria Rias, Eleanor Luden Griffin. While I appreciate your help today, you still have responsibilities you need to uphold as students.”
Erica shrugged and t my gaze. It felt like we were secretly exchanging signals.
“Rember what soone used to say all the ti?”
If you’re a student, act like one.
It was what I always told the two of them, and sothing I especially hoped these two, who were different from the rest, would adhere to.
They must have rembered my old words as they glanced up at .
I shrugged, signaling that they obviously had to go.
However, at the sa ti, I was no longer Deus Verdi, just soone they knew as an older brother.
“You can co visit after your classes are over. I’ll even have so snacks ready for you.”
My unexpectedly kind words made the two of them look at each other in shock.
“D-Did I hear that correctly?”
“I was just about to ask you the sa thing!?”
Now I understood what kind of image I had as Deus Verdi. Well, I did have a lot of responsibilities back then, so I couldn’t help but be a bit cold.
“You heard right. If there’s a specific snack you like, I’ll buy it for you.”
“W-What’s this? Is this a dream? C-Can we really co over to hang out soti?”
“There’s a door in Erica’s room, so as long as she allows it.”
It wouldn’t be a burden.
And it was not like they’d bring a whole group of students with them.
If it was just Aria and Eleanor, I could always make ti for them.
“Then! Then can I bring my older brother next ti?”
Orpheus Luden Griffin?
“He’s my close friend too, so of course.”
That wouldn’t be a problem at all.
He probably went through a lot of stress because of , so it’d be nice to share a drink with him.
By then, I hoped I would have finished my research on ntal bodies so I could drink and get drunk with him.
“I-Is today our birthday or sothing? You’re granting every wish! Then, Big Brother Shinwoo! Give a k-kiss too!”
“…”
Aria gasped a little as she looked up at with her mouth open.
Of course, I was about to say sothing, but unwilling to lose, Eleanor jumped in.
“I-I want to try wrapping tongues! Like, I want to feel them get all tangled up!”
“Whoa, damn. Wrapping tongues with Big Brother Shinwoo? I think he’d have to save the continent all over again before that could happen.”
“…”
Now, I was just silently spectating, curious to see how far they’d take this. They were really getting excited on their own.
“But if a deep kiss with the tongue is possible, would going all the way also be possible?”
“Whoa, crazy! If you do that, doesn’t that an you’re married? So should we just get married?”
“Kissing leads to that, and if you’ve done that, then you’re basically married!”
“…Maybe I should reconsider letting you two co over.”
I never expected them to go that far with their wild talk. I understood that they were young and excited to see again, but they had clearly crossed the line.
“Both of you, go back now.”
Even as they left, they continued chattering endlessly.
“I’ll co right after class, Big Brother Shinwoo!”
“Teeheehee~ I’ll co running over right away!”
The two of them hopped into the general store excitedly. anwhile, Erica, who also had afternoon lectures, followed after them.
She shut the door halfway, then turned around to look at as I saw her off.
The cold, professor-like deanor she displayed earlier was gone. Pouting, she suddenly hooked her arms around my neck and kissed .
“Mmph!”
Thankfully, the other won, complaining about the noise Aria and Eleanor were making, had gone to the vegetable garden.
I let out an involuntary gasp, and because of that, my lips parted slightly—allowing Erica’s tongue to slip in with ease.
Unlike her usual self, she was exploring my tongue aggressively.
Tuk.
When she pulled away, Erica pouted and said,
“Since we kissed, we’re married now. You got that, right?”
“…You’re not a kid.”
“Just answer already.”
She grumbled.
“What are you doing?”
“Aren’t you coming?”
Aria and Eleanor whined about when Erica was coming from inside the room.
Since the door was only halfway shut, it seed they hadn’t seen what we just did.
So this ti, I leaned in and kissed her first.
Erica closed her eyes and lted into the kiss happily.
Tuk.
Then, she nudged the door shut with her foot, completely blocking out the students’ voices.
Footnotes
1. Eleanor is using a pun here as search and die use the sa word in Korean.
***
sko-fi/genesisforsaken
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