Chapter 89: Omen (7)
“……You startled me.”
Cecilia muttered in her usual flat voice.
At first glance, it sounded so calm that one could almost mistake the scream from just moments ago as an illusion.
But I knew from experience that she was, in fact, very flustered right now.
‘No, honestly….’
With her face flushed red like that, it would have been stranger not to notice.
Either way, I first reached out my hand toward her, who was still hesitating as if embarrassed.
To be honest, I was just as unsettled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would startle you that much……”
“……”
Cecilia, who had collapsed onto the ground, stared blankly at my outstretched hand before carefully taking it.
When I pulled her up, her body came toward me far too easily.
No, it was almost as if she flew into me.
Right before she could fall into my arms, I gently caught her by the shoulders and asked.
“Are you all right?”
“……Yes. I’m fine.”
Saying that, Cecilia stepped back and began brushing the dirt off her clothes.
In the meantime, I casually glanced around and spotted several Spirits pretending not to care while circling nearby.
“But why were you here like this in the first place?”
“Ah, well.”
Cecilia hesitated for a moment before looking up at me.
“……But how did you even know I was here, Lian?”
“I noticed the Spirits hovering around the area, so I figured Cecilia must be nearby.”
At my answer, Cecilia’s body jolted slightly.
She glanced around, then let out a small sigh.
“……The Spirits told me. They said you were taking a walk here.”
“I see.”
“But when I got here, you were already talking with Professor…… so I decided to wait at a distance until your conversation was over.”
I nodded faintly.
The situation was clear enough in my mind.
As she watched me, Cecilia carefully asked.
“Was it an important conversation?”
“Not important, no. More of a personal one.”
“I see.”
After a short silence, she added,
“Then it was a good thing I waited from afar.”
With that, Cecilia did not ask further.
Seeing her looking somewhat downcast, I gestured toward the empty, quiet path.
“If it’s all right, shall we walk for a bit?”
Cecilia answered with a nod.
I adjusted my pace and began walking slowly, and she fell into step beside me.
“Now that I think about it, didn’t you mention you had plans with your teammates today?”
“Yes, I did.”
“How was it?”
At my question, she nodded slowly.
From her profile, I could glimpse a faint but clear smile, and I unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
“They were all good people. We talked about next week’s exam, and shared simple conversations……”
While speaking, Cecilia lifted her arm slightly as if to show me something.
There was a light blue bandage wrapped around it.
It was one of those commonly sold protectors that helped heal wounds—familiar to me as well.
Not exactly expensive, but not cheap either.
“Yuika put this on for me herself. She said she still felt bad that I got bitten by the ant in her place. Ah, Yuika is the only other girl in our team besides me. She’s in Dots dormitory, and she uses a bow. She’s really good at it, too. She said she used to go hunting with her father since childhood, and back then……”
In the middle of speaking, Cecilia suddenly drew in a small breath and stopped.
When I looked at her, she was wearing a rare embarrassed expression.
“……Was I being a bother? I’ve only been talking about myself.”
“Not at all.”
I laughed lightly as if she had said something silly.
“It just means you enjoyed today’s meeting that much.”
And that was no empty compliment—it was the truth.
Until now, Cecilia had shown faint signs of wanting to cling to me a bit too much……
But now she was beginning to connect with others, building relationships and experiences that would help her grow.
The very fact that she was speaking to me so comfortably like this was proof she was beginning to feel at ease with me.
In other words, my initial goal of “forming close relationships with Cecilia and the Seven Heroes” was progressing smoothly.
‘If only Allen’s situation could proceed this way too…….’
While I was thinking that, Cecilia muttered with little confidence.
“But the book I read said that if you’re friends, you shouldn’t just talk about yourself. That people who never listen to others end up being avoided by everyone……”
“Well, it’s not wrong.”
At my words, Cecilia closed her mouth.
I heard her let out a small gasp, but I pretended not to notice and continued.
“But it’s not always true either.”
Cecilia turned her head toward me.
I also turned slightly to meet her gaze and said,
“If you and I had a normal relationship, maybe it would be like that. Because honestly, it’s hard to like someone who never listens and only talks about themselves.”
“Ah, so it is….”
As Cecilia stammered in fluster, I quickly spoke up again.
I had to carefully polish my words to prevent her from growing discouraged.
‘She’s still so unskilled in these things.’
Even a trivial remark felt like a serious mistake to her.
It reminded me once again that, when it came to relationships, she was like a blank slate.
If someone with bad intentions ever sweet-talked her, she would be in real danger.
And if she grew mentally weak or worn down, the Spirits reacting to her emotions could cause who knew what.
That was why, at least for now, it was entirely up to me to support her and prevent such things from happening.
“But our relationship isn’t an ordinary one, is it? If anything, I’d say it’s a rather unusual and special bond.”
“Yes?”
Cecilia flinched in surprise.
“What do you mean……?”
“Well, we did survive through deadly trials together, didn’t we?”
I spoke lightly, as if joking.
“Not to mention, we share the same teacher. And above all—”
I lightly pointed to my collarbone.
Then to her gloved hand.
“We share the same secret.”
“……”
“So what I mean is…… it’s all right for you to treat me a little more casually.”
I exhaled deeply.
To steady myself.
Calmly, as calmly as possible….
“Sometimes you can let out what’s on your mind with me. Whether it’s something good, or annoying, or worrying. You can complain, or vent. If it’s something to boast about, even better. But I won’t ever think of you as bothersome or push you away because of it.”
Saying such things made me feel unbearably embarrassed.
Still, having said similar words once before, this time wasn’t as bad.
……Just a little more courage.
“After all, we’re friends, aren’t we? A rather special kind of friend.”
“……”
Cecilia said nothing.
She only breathed slowly, gazing straight at me.
Just as the silence was becoming unbearable and my face began to burn red, her lips finally parted.
“……Then, may I complain about something right now?”
And she quickly added.
“Actually, I think calling it a complaint would be more accurate.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
I nodded.
Cecilia also nodded back, as if she had been waiting for my response.
“I know well that Lian has been troubled because of Amiel lately.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard a little about that person’s circumstances. I was in a similar position myself. No—if anything, my family distanced themselves from me, but they didn’t reject me outright. In that sense, Amiel might be in an even harsher situation than I ever was. I wonder just how harsh it must be……”
She caught her breath for a moment, stealing a glance at me.
“……That’s why when Lian showed consideration and care for Amiel, I thought it was only natural. After all, you once reached out your hand to me as well. It would be stranger if you hadn’t. So at first, I tried to accept it as natural. I tried, but……”
Cecilia hesitated briefly, watching me.
Unlike earlier, she seemed to be gauging my reaction.
“Still…… um……”
At last, she spoke, as if she had made up her mind, though her voice was still small.
“Sometimes, I wish you’d care about me too.”
“Uh……”
Her unexpectedly direct words left me momentarily stunned.
“I will.”
“Mhm.”
At my answer, she nodded slightly, satisfied.
“Then, since we’re already talking, would you like to have a meal together?”
“Ah.”
At my suggestion, she hesitated.
“I’m supposed to have dinner later with Yuika……”
“Ah.”
“Th-then tea! Let’s have tea together!”
Cecilia, unusually, raised her voice as she spoke to me.
“Let’s meet later in front of the library, my treat. You treated me last time.”
“All right. Then I’ll see you soon.”
After so quickly setting up our appointment, Cecilia said she would go now, then hurried off toward the park exit at a near run.
As I watched her retreating back, the Spirits that had been lingering nearby crept closer to me.
“Hm?”
The stag stepped forward with one leg, as if bowing.
The owl raised one wing, like a salute.
The raccoon made a thumbs-up gesture. Each of them struck some odd pose at me, then immediately followed after her.
“……”
What on earth was that?
Staring blankly at the scene, I muttered aloud without realizing it.
“……What was that?”
After parting with Cecilia, I headed off to meet Allen.
Like earlier with Cecilia, it was because of a promise for supplementary lessons.
Tesrad had already said we should gather once this weekend, so at the very least, I had to inform Allen now.
‘Might as well have dinner together too.’
Each dormitory officially forbade entry by students from other dorms.
……But in truth, it was a rule that hardly mattered.
Of course, if someone caused trouble in another dorm, they would receive heavier punishment. Still, people who got punished that way appeared maybe once a year at most.
Naturally, though, if a boy entered the girls’ dorm—or the reverse.
Or if someone entered another year’s dorm without proper cause.
In those cases, severe punishment was inevitable.
The former by school regulations, the latter by student-enforced rules.
“But still……”
As I stepped into Hilts dormitory, I found myself in the midst of an oddly bustling atmosphere.
A few students glanced at me, noticing the Crooks insignia I wore, but quickly lost interest and hurried along their way.
‘I need to find out which room Allen is in.’
After a moment’s thought, I whistled softly.
It was the signal to summon the spider I had placed with Allen.
But unlike usual, the creature didn’t appear, no matter how long I waited.
Just as I was wondering what to do next—
“Huh? Could you be Sir Lian Gwendil……?”
At the sound of a voice, I turned my head and saw a familiar face.
It was Lyslin, carrying an armful of cleaning tools—mop, broom, bucket, and more.
“Miss Lyslin?”
“Wow, it really is Sir Lian Gwendil!”
Lyslin smiled brightly, clearly delighted.
It was almost as if invisible ears and a tail were wagging behind her.
It reminded me—though it might be rude to her—of a large dog turned human.
“But this is Hilts dormitory. Why are you here……? Do you have some business?”
“I came to see Allen.”
At my answer, she nodded.
“So you were here to see Sir Allen Amiel.”
“Yes, that’s right. I had to pass on something about tomorrow’s appointment.”
“Ah-ha!”
She nodded vigorously again.
The cleaning tools dangling from her arms all shifted as she moved.
The sight made me chuckle wryly without meaning to.
“You’re working hard.”
“Eh? Ah, ahaha. It’s my own fault, really.”
She muttered awkwardly.
“If Sir Lian Gwendil hadn’t been so lenient, I’d have been in real trouble. I only just got officially hired and started earning a proper salary……”
Lyslin let out a sigh of relief. Seeing that, I asked with some concern,
“Don’t tell me you’re cleaning this whole dormitory by yourself?”
“No, no, of course not. I just…… well. I take care of the places no one else wants to do.”
As she said this, she gestured toward the corners by the windows and walls.
“Like clearing away cobwebs, wiping dust and bug corpses from window frames…… that sort of thing. Checking the mousetraps, too……”
The more she spoke, the more I could see her mood sink.
Then she suddenly let out a small gasp, shook her head quickly, and looked at me.
“Oh no, I ended up whining without realizing it. Holding you up when you must be busy!”
Her booming voice made her flinch in surprise at herself, and she glanced furtively around.
What could I even say.
She truly was someone I never grew tired of watching.
“If you don’t mind, shall I guide you to Sir Allen Amiel’s room?”
“Would you?”
“Of course! It’s Sir Gwendil in need of help, after all.”
Lyslin tapped her chest with her fist as if to say I could rely on her completely.
“And besides, it’s about time I repaid a debt. Just leave it to me!”
Saying that, Lyslin marched forward with all her cleaning tools jangling noisily, just as she had when she first appeared.
I watched her stride out energetically for a moment before following at a slower pace.
“……”
“……”
We walked down the dormitory corridor in silence for a while.
No—saying it was “silence” wasn’t quite accurate.
“Umm……”
Even from behind, I could see Lyslin fidgeting, as if struggling to speak.
I was just considering whether I should be the one to open my mouth first when—
“Um… is Sir Allen Amiel doing all right?”
Unable to fight her hesitation, Lyslin finally asked me in a timid voice.
Seeing the faint blush on her face, I simply nodded.
“Yes. He was a little down at first, but lately he seems much better.”
“Th-that’s such a relief! Really!”
Lyslin nodded again and again, delighted as if it were her own joy.
Her hands clasped tightly together—she looked every bit like a girl in her first love.
“There aren’t many people who greet others warmly like he does. But since that day, he seemed to be having such a hard time, I was worried…… of course, if he knew, he might think a mere servant was overstepping… but…”
“Allen isn’t someone who would ever think that.”
I spoke in a rather firm tone.
“And I wouldn’t think that either. If Allen knew you worried about him, he’d surely be grateful.”
“Ahaha, if that’s so, then I’m glad……”
She murmured quietly, nodding again.
It seemed to be a habit of hers, moving her head whenever she spoke.
“These past few days, he’s been coming back right at curfew, and he seemed different from usual. That’s why I was worried.”
Lyslin nodded, but her voice carried a faint bitterness.
“Maybe it’s because I was once discriminated against in a similar way…… it didn’t feel like someone else’s problem to me.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s all in the past now. Thanks to meeting a good person, I let go of it long ago.”
I answered knowingly.
“The Head Maid, isn’t it.”
“Yes, she’s truly a wonderful person.”
Lyslin muttered, a little nervously.
“Though sometimes she’s so strict it’s scary……”
“She did seem sharper than most soldiers, indeed.”
“Exactly, really!”
She nodded vigorously in agreement.
Then suddenly, she looked around in panic.
“Um, what I just said……”
“I’ll keep it secret, so don’t worry.”
“Ah, hehe……”
After letting out a powerless laugh, Lyslin finally stopped in front of a door that looked no different from the rest.
Following her, I glanced at the nameplate hanging beside it.
Allen Amiel.
It was the very name I had been searching for.
‘Unexpected.’
Honestly, since she was always making mistakes, I had half-expected her to mess up again this time.
But having guided me perfectly, Lyslin struck a rather dignified pose and bowed slightly to me.
“Then, I’ll return to my duties.”
“Yes, thank you for your help.”
“You’re too kind.”
After our farewells, Lyslin walked back the way she had come.
From down the hall, I faintly heard her chuckling, “Ahaha! I looked so cool just now!” but I couldn’t laugh along.
‘……He’s been coming back late every day, huh.’
Allen had been saying he was tired and returning to the dormitory early these days.
I swallowed the uneasy feeling rising in me and slowly reached for the door.
“Allen.”
Without delay, I walked up to the door and knocked with the back of my hand.
No answer.
“What, is he not in?”
Indeed, I couldn’t sense any presence inside.
Absentmindedly grabbing the handle, I flinched when the door, which should have been locked, opened easily.
“……Allen?”
I pushed the door slightly open and peeked inside, but as expected, no one was there.
“Well, this is troublesome.”
Should I leave him a note?
Thinking I should borrow a pen and paper, I looked over the desk.
It was spotless.
And on it sat a single notebook.
Left open carelessly.
Normally, I would never have thought of peeking inside. Even if my eyes brushed across it, I would have ignored it and moved on.
But for some reason.
Catching a glimpse of its contents, I found myself turning my head back, as if drawn by some unseen force.
“This is……”
The words slipped out of me, full of shock.
The open notebook.
Every page was crammed.
With just one word.
The name Allen Amiel.
And……
Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel Allen Amiel…
They were written in different handwriting each time.
As if many different people, each in their own way, had written them down.