Episode 7: News
(Hmm, being seen by so many people, I never really get used to it no matter how long it takes...)
A few hours after finishing tea time with Kanade.
Walking briskly down the main street of the imperial capital, illuminated by the setting sun, I felt a sense of awkwardness.
I can see people walking through the streets glancing at us with curiosity.
Some even stop in their tracks and stare at me as if they were devouring my whole body.
The reason is obvious: it's because a guy like me is wearing the khaki officer cadet uniform.
Unlike the original world, in this world, women often hold leadership positions in society, starting with the military.
In this world where magic is the foundation of society, women, who possess an overwhelming magical affinity compared to men, are more suited for military roles.
Very rarely, men with a high amount of magical power like me may serve in the military just like women, but that is merely an exception.
(Ah, because of the military school's rule that requires us to wear uniforms even on days off, I always stand out in a bad way, no matter what.)
For someone like me, who still retains the shy Japanese temperament from my previous life, being looked at by various people for no reason is honestly uncomfortable.
I was sweating from the tension of being in the public eye, and after hastily passing through the crowded street, I slipped into a side alley as if to escape.
About 10 minutes later.
We arrive at the restaurant, which is located a bit outside the city center, where we are supposed to meet.
From the large windows, the sounds of conversation and string instruments overflow, and their harmony resonates in the nearby alley, conveying a sense of liveliness.
"Um, I had a reservation..."
"Are you Mr. Kai Todo? This way, please. The young lady is waiting for you."
A plump woman serving as a waitress guides us with a smile.
Following her lead, we walked down the corridor at the back of the restaurant and arrived at a detached house that resembled a single-family home.
Here, far from the hustle and bustle of the people, a pleasant tranquility spreads.
On the contrary, my heart rate is gradually increasing.
The sound of an old door creaking open was heard, and a beautiful girl with blonde hair and emerald green eyes appeared from the detached room.
That beautiful face had a faint flush and an indescribable allure that was captivating.
"Erika, I'm sorry for being right on time."
"N-no, I just got here too."
The entrance ceremony of the military academy about three months ago.
I happened to see her, Erika, and I fell in love at first sight.
So, I ended up calling out to her and helping her look for a lost item, which led to us getting to know each other.
(I feel lucky to have met such a cute girl! If things go well and we end up dating, that would be great~) I think, but... well, I also think that's probably unrealistic.
Even though they are both categorized as "imperial nobility," there is a world of difference between the homes of a poor viscount and her home.
No, on the contrary, the Jougasaki family boasts such power that it is counted among the three great noble families known as the "Imperial Three Houses."
She is the daughter of a great noble family, but when she first enrolled, although her face was as beautiful as it is now, her hair was messy and her voice was quiet, which was the opposite of the military demeanor.
Erika, whose grades and behavior improved, seemed to stand out a bit in class.
However, after the magical training battle, Erika changed.
At the beginning of the training, she only spoke in a mumbling or faint voice.
That's just how it is. In this world where beauty and ugliness are reversed, someone like me with an average face is considered a "handsome man who could topple a nation," while someone like her, a beautiful girl, is treated as a "disgusting ugly."
In previous world , it would be like a gloomy, unattractive otaku being approached by a stunningly beautiful idol-level girl.
However, as we actively talked every day, she gradually started to open up, and little by little, djrnbegan to share about her hobbies and family business.
Especially the story about the business of the trading company that Erika is managing on the side, entrusted by her parents, was interesting and educational.
The Jougasaki family, if traced back, was a prominent merchant family engaged in banking and trade, and she inherited the business acumen passed down through generations.
It seems that Erika was initially completely clueless about magic because she was too engrossed in the family business.
She always seemed lacking in confidence, but when it came to business discussions, her eyes would light up, her voice would become excited and eloquent... and then she would realize her own overexcitement and her face would turn bright red. That was the usual pattern.
Even after the training exercises ended, our relationship continued.
We started doing the assignments from military school together, and Erika, who was much smarter than I ever was, quickly improved her grades.
In the midst of such interactions, I don't know how much influence I had, but Erika started to tidy her hair and behave more clearly.
(Well, as usual, when she talks to me alone, she seems a bit nervous and tends to stumble over her words.)
Recently, perhaps because she has started to act with a bit more confidence, it seems she has begun to earn some respect among her peers, and watching her from the side made me feel happy as well...
"Well then, shall we go? I've also prepared some late-night snacks for the study session."
"That's very kind of you, I was starving."
The female waiter who guided us up to this point leaves, and instead, we proceed inside with Erika.
Erika, who is walking ahead, has a captivating sway in her ample chest and hips that unintentionally catches my eye, but I manage to shift my gaze away before she notices.
The interior of the detached room was a space comfortably illuminated by calm lighting.
In the center of the spacious room, a large wooden table sits solidly, with study materials neatly arranged on top.
Academic books, notebooks, and a small table lamp to illuminate the workspace enhanced the intellectual atmosphere of the place.
In the corner of the table, the dinner prepared by Erika was steaming deliciously.
The fragrant smell of freshly baked bread and stew encapsulates the room, and the colorful vegetables and fruits on the plate, reflecting the light from the lamps, add a splash of color like a painter's palette.
This restaurant is privately owned by Erika.
At this time of night, Erika always reserved this detached house for us, and she and I still held study sessions irregularly.
"Um, today, if I remember correctly, you wanted me to teach you about 'Magical Castle Construction Studies,' right?"
"Huh? Ah, right, right. So, um, yeah, I don't really understand how to set up the formation for multiple defenses..."
The page of the textbook she opened was about the magic circle territory they had just learned about in class the other day.
Oh no, I'm in trouble. I couldn't keep up with this part at all, so I was actually hoping Erika would teach me.
"Ah, sorry. Actually, I don't really understand this part either. I can't quite grasp this magical formula for balancing the front and side."
"Huh? Uh, um, well, if that's the case, you can easily derive it using this formula. If you write out the calculations like this..."
(Hmm? Actually, Erika knew from the beginning but asked anyway.)
Erika, who originally had worse grades than me, has completely turned the tables recently, and in almost every subject, she has been achieving better grades than me.
Despite that, recently, Erika has been asking me to help her with her studies.
Moreover, in most cases, she even asks to be taught things she probably already understands herself.
At first, I wondered, "Why are they asking about things I already understand?"
However, gradually, I began to realize the true intentions behind those actions.
What Erika wanted was simply an opportunity to talk with me.
Even someone like me, who has no experience in love, could tell that she has feelings for me.
I also had the desire to deepen my relationship with Erika.
However, since the other party is a marquis's daughter, and I, who still lack confidence in my conduct within noble society, have no idea how to approach her...
Above all, being a cowardly virgin who has never experienced free love in either my past life or this one, I found it quite difficult to convey the feelings that were welling up inside me to her.
(Sigh... In the end, can someone with such a cowardly personality really join the military, get promoted, and get married?)
"Kai, Kai... c-can you hear me?"
"Huh?"
When I'm lost in thought, her voice echoes in my ear.
Since she brings her face close to mine, the scent of Erica's vanilla essence wafts into my nose.
By the way, why do girls smell so good... oh wait, that's not what I meant.
"Um, sorry. What were we talking about?"
"Uh, um, about yesterday. W-we were together yesterday, right? With that girl. I was just wondering what you were doing. Not that I'm trying to pry or anything."
"That girl?"
"Um... it's that . K, Komazawa."
Ah, that makes sense.
Well, if you see someone who has been bothering you talking closely with someone else, it's natural to become suspicious.
Indeed, I met and talked with Komazawa at the library yesterday.
Actually, Komazawa offered to formally apologize to me and Jogasaki.
Since it would be quite inconvenient to suddenly summon Erika, who is a high-ranking noble, it was decided that I would first listen to the story.
"Regarding the matter of my fiancé Usui, and everything else, the fault lies entirely on our side. I am truly sorry."
I was surprised when the proud Komazawa opened her mouth first and bowed deeply while saying that.
Just before I was about to talk about it, a
The
Whoa, that's not very calm, I thought as I glanced at the letter...
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Death notification
Imperial Army Brigadier General Touda Haruko
On April 5, 2022, in the Salsa Province of the Autonomous Government of Alsha Country, we regret to inform you of the passing.
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There was a simple document stating the death in battle of my mother, Haruko Todo.
:'(