CH 29

Homesickness

Finally, the course placement for the knight department was announced.

Sheila’s complete victory in the competency tests placed her in the special course, just as she had hoped. It was unprecedented for a commoner to join the special course, and when the announcement was made, it was as if a beehive had been poked.

Cody, Zechs, and Seiryuu were as happy as she was. There were also a few people here and there who approved, like Leidyrune and Regress. However, there were definitely a certain number of nobles who were averse to the idea of a commoner joining the special course.

The following week, after the lunar day, classes for the special course finally began. She didn’t expect them to accept her without any problems at all, but she would like to do so without any friction if possible.

When she won the battle against Leidyrune, many people congratulated her. However, not everyone at that time was on her side. It was such a rare thing for a commoner to attend the special course.

Anyway, she made it through the week.

As she down on the bed after saying her prayers before going to sleep as usual, her eyes were suddenly drawn to the moon outside the window.

A bright starry sky with a full moon. If she listened carefully, she could hear the hooting of an owl. Sheila thought as she soaked in the beautiful scenery.

‘That’s right. Let’s go hunting.’

◇　◆　◇

Felix, who was reading a letter, called out to Richard and Lulu who came to the office.

“Sheila says she has some business to attend to this coming lunar day, so she didn’t want me to pick her up.”

“Miss isn’t coming home this week?”

Lulu’s wide-eyed expression and voice were filled with loneliness that couldn’t be hidden. As a newcomer, she was just beginning to be able to do her job without letting her emotions show on her face. For Sheila, her mask seemed to come off, but that just showed how much she adored her.

“She regrets not being able to see everyone’s faces. She said not to worry because she’s not causing any problems and is doing well in her studies.”

It was Richard who reacted to the second part of the letter.

“I don’t trust her to stay out of trouble. That’s what the young lady always says.”

“I agree with you.”

Every time she came home to report, Sheila was fond of saying, “I haven’t had any problems this week”. However, this was usually overturned when he asked her about the details.

Lulu began working as usual, perhaps because she had received word from Sheila. A teacup was placed in Felix’s hand.

“So, what is it that the young lady wants?”

“She wants to go hunting.”

“…. Hunting? That’s…. something.”

The word would be unfamiliar to someone born and raised in the royal capital. Felix chuckled at Richard, who blinked at him.

“I guess it’s her way of coming to terms with the situation. If she hunts, it seems as if things are the same as when she is back home, so she can ease her loneliness…. I think she wants to be alone. I’m worried, but I’ll hold off on going to see her.”

In the back of his mind, he imagined the figure of his cute and helpless little sister. If she was lonely, he wanted to be by her side and hug her. If she said she wanted to see him, he would come running without any restraint.

But even as a child, she had a tendency to hide her emotions and try to come to terms with the situation by herself. Felix and the others would only realize this after she had suppressed everything. And before they knew it, they realized that she had become an adult.

No one to rely on. Sheila didn’t know how to rely on anyone.

Thinking of his clumsy sister, Felix drank his tea.

◇　◆　◇

During an ancient language class, Cody looked at his friend sitting next to him, who seemed to be enjoying himself.

His soft, rose-colored hair, which was so eye-catching, was swaying a little as if he was humming a song. It was probably the first time Cody had ever seen him in such a good mood, as he was usually rather short on facial expressions. He stood out in so many ways that even those around him were glancing at him.

Recently, Sheila was accepted into the special course.

Some people were filled with animosity, but it was a relief that not all the reactions were bad.

In particular, there were many people in the same grade who had a favorable impression of him, whether noble or commoner, probably because he usually didn’t show off too much or flattered himself.

Even for Cody, who had far more commoner friends, the fact that he could go on the special course with Sheila was reassuring, to say the least.

Since Leidyrune and Regress had accepted Sheila somewhat openly, there would be little outright discrimination against commoners. Being recognized by the Centrix and Olbrandt families, two of the most influential families in the aristocratic world, was a great backing for Sheila. If Claushezade had anticipated this and arranged the matchup accordingly, he was a man of great character.

‘It was really by chance that I approached Sheila that day, though.’

At the opening ceremony, Sheila switched her speech to an awkward honorific when she realized that the person she bumped into was a nobleman. But she made eye contact with him so openly that Cody was rather puzzled.

He was worried because his yellow-light-colored eyes were so honest. He feared that if Sheila continued to attract the attention of the nobility, he might arouse unwanted animosity.

It would be a shame to be excluded from the academy in such a way. He didn’t want to break Sheila’s honest and frank character.

Even with all the talk of equality, the academy was, after all, the epitome of aristocratic society. It was out of kindness that he thought he should teach him some manners so that Sheila would be able to stay out of trouble.

However, Sheila wasn’t concerned with his intentions, and he continued to cause problems one after another. Cody nearly fainted as he continued to witness it.

The strange thing was that even though it should’ve been full of problems, not a single one of them developed further into something worse. Perhaps the interest outweighed the displeasure.

Even though Sheila’s only been in school for about a month, he had been the topic of numerous conversations and was now a celebrity in the knight department.

He had a feeling that Sheila would change the academy someday. He felt as if a terrible event was awaiting him, something that would overturn the very foundation of the school, and he felt both hopeful and unsettled at the same time.

Because Cody would be there and working hard for his friend.

Sheila, who was happily attending class, suddenly looked at Cody. Her yellow-light eyes sparkled.

“Do you have anything to do this upcoming lunar day?”

“Nothing in particular.”

As Cody answered, Sheila’s gaze caught Zechs over her shoulder. He wasn’t very good at ancient languages and was sleepily listening to the lesson.

“How about Zechs? Do you have anything to do?”

“Nothing for me, either. What is it? You want to make up for me not being able to see Arin-chan?”

Zechs, who answered in a whisper, looked sideways at his friend. Sheila’s mood visibly lowered.

“…. Zechs, you’re persistent, aren’t you?”

“You don’t get to say that. You should seriously reflect on the trouble you’re causing people.”

“Yes, I’m really sorry.”

Her honesty was her charm. It was also good that she could properly express her gratitude and apology.

“I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise. Putting that aside, I’m going to cook for you on lunar day, and I want you both to eat it.”

“…. Cook?”

Cody widened his eyes slightly at the unexpected suggestion.

“I’m always giving you two a hard time. I’ll do my best to cook for you as a token of my gratitude. So, will you eat it?”

Sheila tilted her head while smiling.

Aside from Cody and Zechs, who didn’t put him in that kind of target, the damage to the surroundings was enormous. The sight of muscular men clutching their chests and sinking could only be described as a picture of hell. That was why they told him, again and again, to be careful, but they didn’t think Sheila quite understand. Maybe it was because she lacked attention span outside of combat.

Cody exchanged glances with Zechs and sighed deeply.

“….. I’ll be there. I’d love to have your cooking.”

“You better make sure you have plenty of food, Sheila. I have a very bad feeling about this.”

Cody agreed vehemently with Zechs. He just couldn’t believe that the men who were listening around them won’t be doing anything on that day.

“I’ll make sure to have plenty, so don’t worry about the quantity, but…… Do you want to eat that much? Zechs is such a glutton.”

Sheila smiled, giggling with pleasure.

“…. It’s not me.”

Sheila still didn’t seem to understand and looked curiously at Zechs, who was drooping with disappointment.