So the question session had me share a table together with Liliath. That way, there would be less questions. One would ask while the rest would nod.

And I will repeat— we aren't a couple... yet.. maybe. Fuck, could you all stop bringing that up. Even Liliath's face turned red.

Ah. Anyhow. There was one thing about this that made me feel satisfied. It wasn't the attention I got though it wasn't as bad as I thought. It was Graun, left alone in his seat.

I guess he's the only one who doesn't dare to come close. Hah! Serves you right for flinging shit words at Liliath and me. Though, this is also a sign I should be careful.

Once the novelty wore off, and the teacher came to class well aware of Liliath's existence, everyone dispersed and chatted among themselves.

That said, there were still a couple female students together with Liliath.

I remained seated together with her, sharing the same table as I read through the chemistry reference books, taking notes using a highlighter.

Why chemistry? I don't know. I thought it looked interesting so I opted to study this first. And oh boy was I right and wrong at the same time. I was totally oblivious to everything other than e=mc square until my sights were set on the first chapter of the chemistry book.

I know. I said that the school year ended and what-not but I'm preparing for the subjects next year. Unlike this year, since would be split into three, and mathematics would be split into normal mathematics and additional mathematics.

More useless subjects to study— yay.

Liliath was reading a mathematics exercise book.

Wait. There's something wrong. Why are the girls so engrossed in mathematics? And mathematics isn't something you read, it's something you have to practice with pen and paper.

I stretched my neck over to take a peek.

Wow. So she knows this trick too.

You know when you hide a book behind a book? Yeah. That kind of thing. It makes you seem super diligent and smart... if only she didn't try to cover it up using a mathematics book..

Hm.. this manga looks familiar.

Where have I seen..

Wait.

Hold up.

W-W-WHHHYYYY H-HOOOW DID SHE GET HER HANDS ON THISSSSSS?!

I craned my neck to look at the other girls who seemed to have not noticed my presence, still engrossed in the 'picturesque' scene. My eyes twitched, that was when one of them looked at me and let out a muffled scream. Her glasses shook and almost fell.

I poked Liliath.

"Hey. Liliath... w-why are you reading this? I told you that it's inappropriate right?"

While overdone else shifted their attention over to me, only Liliath remixed unmoving. She even flipped to the next page for FUCK SAKE. And there is a double spread of the climax scene.

OH FUCK ME. THAT'S PORN! PORN!

HOW THE HELL DID SHE GET HER HANDS ON— I think that's volume 4. Huh, that means she's read the second and third volume..

Ah. I think I can guess who's the culprit behind this. I remember hearing footsteps yesterday night, it had to be that devil's doing.

W-WAIT!

That's not the problem. The problem is..

I folded the book shut from the outer mathematics book. Liliath's finger stuck between the pages.

She turned to look at me— that expressionless face— devoid of emotion.

The girls looked at me with cold sweat and beet red faces.

Liliath's eyes soon gained clarity, she froze.

I cramped a smile, "I'll act as if I saw nothing. Just stop reading this in class alright?"

Liliath nodded slowly.

The other girls did the same.

I slid the manga out of the outer shell that is the mathematics book and then tossed it into her bag— I noticed she brought volumes 5, 6 and 7 too.

I turned around to see Liliath crawl into a ball, girls in crime comforting her.

...

I didn't mean to..

Honestly. Is Liliath interested in this kind of stuff? No.. I mean.. who wouldn't.

\

\

\

What a disgrace.. Noel-sama found out.

Why does it feel wrong to read such an opus in front of him? Why? There was nothing wrong reading it together with Novelle-sama?

Gender differences. True. I should have considered that into the variable.

Lord of the heavens please have mercy.

I continued looking down at the ground, unable to meet his gaze. I'm ashamed of myself. I should be more careful next time. I should have reconsidered my decision to read such a thing under the influence of another's opinion.

Should I have not listened to them— needn't I suffer such shame.

A flower petal drifted to the ground, the beautiful interlocking brick path that stretched across to the wide majestic gate.

"I just remembered," I heard Noel click his tongue.

I raised my head to meet his gaze but..

My eyes were first met with the three unusual individuals in our path. All three wearing the same uniform Noel-sama was wearing. They had an aura similar to those knights.. those..

"GGAAH!"

Before I could call his name— Noel-sama was tackled to the floor.

"Hah! How do you like that!" Gruan yelled, a fist sent towards him.

The other three individuals laughed, often looking in my direction.

Punch after punch after punch.

I had no clue as to how I should react.

I stood there— genuinely confused.

I have to do something..

Why..

Why can't I move... my body..

It's frozen.

Noel-sama..

Why..

"This is what you get for humiliating me!"

Gruan stood up and turned to me, Noel-sama struggled to raise himself into a sitting position.

The triumph look on his face as his dark chocolate eye met mine.

The scorching daylight pouring down together with the immense heat, I felt something well up inside me..

"Y-You.."

Why..

I'm.. mad.. angry... I thought it was all in the past so.. why..

Pitch black flames— my vision dyed in crimson.

"Liliath, let's go," Noel-sama's crippled voice brought me back to reality. He got up staggering.

"You should be grateful I gave you a discount— it's the last day after all," Gruan snorted, laughing.

"Liliath?" Noel-sama, with his injuries, called out to me.

"Noel— sama.. why?"

He sighed, readjusting the bag on his shoulder. "I don't get why either, but we have to leave."

"Y-your hurt.." I reacted by instinct, evoking a light healing spell on Noel-sama. A number of light bruises on his face and a fractured nose.

"Hey. Ignoring me silly?"

Noel-sama held my hand and dragged me out of my stupor.

"Thank you."

His tone was rushed but sincere.

"Come on now, you know I don't like wimps."

"Liliath, just go, Liliath," He tugged at my arm but I was fixed in place, like a statue.

I...

You..

Something..

Shut up.

Shut up.

Shut up.

SHUT UP!

Using another individual for the sake of venting.. why must one do that.. WHY?!

I turned my head and shot a glare at Gruan, evoking a remote gravity field to pin him down to the ground.

"GWWAAAHHH?!"

Three times.. Four times.. Five times.. TEN TIMES..

DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE .DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE .DIE

"Liliath!"

I shuddered.

His hand was still tight around my arm, he lowered my hand, the hand that I unconsciously raised pointed at the enemy, the key gesture that tied itself to the gravity spell.

"Don't.."

Those words he spoke weren't firm nor strong. It carried a genuine weight to it.. weight that came from the emotion of fear.

"I-I..."

I didn't know how, or why— my magic dissipated at his command.

"Sorry," he remarked. I wasn't sure it was supposed to be directed to me or them.. but why them?

Why?

At Graun who's limp figure was left to the ground, I was dragged away by Noel-sama.

Why..

Why did nothing change? I already knew I was fated down this path, bearing the responsibility of the kingdom but when I needed help the most.. why did no one come? .. I was all alone.. scared.. frightened... petrified.. why.. why? Why did I apologize? Why did I apologize when I was treated that way? Why did it have to be me? Of all people?