Chapter 50
…In the end, I didn’t sleep a wink.
“…Hah…”
Confessions are… exactly like that, right?
Is Nova harboring feelings for me?
Thinking about it, the distance between Nova and me is
too complex to be simply called a friendship.
“W-Wait. Have you really been looking at me
with those kinds of eyes all this time?”
Of all people, I thought Nova wouldn’t view me
with such intentions.
Hmm… but, it doesn’t feel too terrible.
…Why is that? There have been countless guys who looked at me
with lustful eyes until now.
I’ve made sure to knock out every single one of them,
but Nova…
“…Well, it’s possible…”
After all, Nova is a boy.
Though we’ve been together since childhood,
my body is decidedly attractive.
No need to mention my face;
I might be a bit shorter, but my figure is perfect.
“Well, to be honest, even if I were a guy,
I’d fall for my own face…”
B-But, I’m still a girl!
Even though I have a female body now,
dating a guy is out of the question!
…Although, even back when I was a guy,
I’ve never dated a girl even once…
“In my previous life, I was too busy studying
to have time for a relationship…”
Being an orphan,
it was tough to survive without working part-time.
I had to divide and conquer my time
between studies, earning money, and volunteering,
leaving no time to worry about relationships.
“…I wonder if he’s doing well…”
Even I had one friend.
A close friend from childhood
who kept worrying about me as I cut off contact due to my studies and part-time jobs,
showing up to take care of me when I fell sick.
“…I hope he’s well…”
…Well, it’s not like I’ll ever meet him again,
but I wish for him to find a good person and be happy.
Anyway! Returning to the main topic,
even if Nova confesses to me,
I can’t accept it.
“There’s nothing good in being with me…”
That he has feelings for me makes me happy.
But it’s not about whether I was a guy or girl in my past life.
I have a body that can’t survive in this world
and there’s definitely evil lurking here.
If I defeat that evil,
I’ll disappear from this world.
“…I really must refuse after all.”
This isn’t something I can resolve just by accepting it.
Even if I reciprocated his feelings,
I would leave without any notice.
That would only hurt Nova deeply.
“Though Nova said he would search for me,
it’s basically impossible…”
While wandering from world to world,
I’ve done everything I could to settle down.
I’ve consulted my companions about sealing my body
and even researched magic that transcends space.
“I can’t ruin his life because of someone like me.”
Why does he even like me in the first place?
With pretty girls all around,
there’s Shia, Serena, and even daughters of noble families…
“Ugh!”
Thinking of Nova hanging out with those girls,
I felt an inexplicable surge of annoyance. Why is that…?
It’s just… I feel a suffocating discomfort.
“…Can’t I just live a single life?”
…What’s it to me what I think regarding
what Nova feels in the first place?
Even though I intend to refuse if he confesses,
I should stop overthinking and prepare for the Academy.
“…Come to think of it, do I even have a reason
to attend the Academy?”
I entered without a second thought,
but there’s no reason for me to be here.
I have no intention of joining the hero’s party and fighting alongside them.
“Being with them would only be a hindrance.”
Honestly, as long as they don’t stab my back, it’s a blessing.
Trusting someone now fills me with fear.
[No matter what others say,
you are you. Just a single human being.]
[I’ll protect you this time.]
“Ugh. Why is that saying popping into my mind now…”
Well, to be fair, he is reliable.
I could trust Nova, at least.
Since we’ve been together since childhood, and he likes me…
“!! What am I even saying!”
I haven’t even confirmed if I still like him,
and here I am embarrassing myself, drinking kimchi soup…
As I exited the dormitory
and headed toward the Academy,
I heard the sounds of children nearby in the park.
“This way! Catch me if you can!”
“Okay! I’m coming!”
“Ah! A wolf is chasing us!”
“…What’s that?”
Turning my head towards the park,
I saw a large beastkin chasing after the children.
“Why isn’t he at the Academy and just playing around?”
Moreover, he seemed genuinely having fun.
In a way, that’s amazing for him.
If this keeps up, he might be late, so I called out to him.
“Hey, Furball!”
“…? Oh, is that Stella!”
Hearing my call, Anubis approached me with a delighted expression.
“Good to see you! I didn’t get to properly greet you last time.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for thinking of me and
protecting me back then.”
At my words, Anubis smiled and replied.
“Of course! I knew you wouldn’t hold back and
would definitely pin him to the ground.”
“…That’s true, but your words carry some weight, don’t they?”
“Huh? Of course I have weight, I’m human.”
“…So what exactly are you doing?”
“Oh, I was just playing tag with the kids at the park.”
“I could see that.
But where’s your master while you’re here playing around?”
“Lucid-sama gave me free time until the Academy starts,
so I’m just hanging out with my friends.”
Hmm… letting the escort roam free like this
“Your master sure takes good care of you.”
“Indeed! Lucid is a wonderful person.
I’m grateful he has given me a place to belong.”
“Really? If he’s such a good master,
why aren’t you assisting him and just playing here?”
At my words, Anubis checked the large clock
in the park and made a shocked expression.
“Hmm? Oh, speaking of which, it’s…!! Oh no!”
“…Are you an idiot?”
You’re not a kid anymore,
playing around and being late for school…
Hmm… your intelligence really is elementary level, isn’t it?
Even though he looks like that, he’s the strongest among first graders
excluding me.
At that moment, children began to gather around us one by one.
“Anubis~ why aren’t you coming to catch us~”
“Anubis… who’s that lady?”
Some girls began to eye me with caution.
“Huh? Everyone, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Stella.”
“Could it be… Anubis’s girlfriend?”
“Nope, little one.”
Ah, now he’s charming the young girls too.
He’s quite popular.
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
I asked him in a somewhat serious tone.
“How long are you going to stay at the Academy?”
“…”
“Do you really have time for this? Your goal is…”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten it. But first,
I have to repay the Vladimirs for their kindness.”
“…Well, if that’s the case, I won’t say anything… But in that case,
you shouldn’t be slacking off here!”
So, I was trying to take Anubis with me to the Academy when suddenly
the sound of a girl crying reached my ears.
“Waaah—where’s Amy!”
“What’s wrong?”
As soon as I heard the child’s sobs,
Anubis rushed to the girl’s side in an instant.
“What’s wrong, Mary?”
“Huhuhuh! Anubis… Amy is missing!”
“Amy? Could she just have stepped away?
Maybe to the restroom?”
“I thought so too, but… sniff… she’s been gone for an hour…”
“Hmmm… I see. I’ll go look for her.”
Saying that, Anubis perked up his ears
and started sniffing around.
“Hey, just forget about the Academy for now…
this isn’t the time for that.”
“I’m sorry, but Stella, you go ahead to the Academy.
I’ll catch up later.”
“Forget it! I’ll help too!”
At my words, Anubis looked apologetic.
“Still, I don’t want you to get involved because of me.”
“Not really, and this feels like something serious anyway.”
“Something serious, you say?”
I recalled what I had heard from my Master.
There have been cases of young girls going missing
in Melian lately.
If this incident is related to that,
as a mage of the Magic Tower, I can’t just stand by.
“So, do you think you can find her?”
“Hmm… her scent is still nearby.
Follow me.”
“Alright! You all should hurry home.
Your parents will be worried.”
At that, Mary cried out, pleading.
“Anubis, you have to find Amy, okay?”
Anubis gently patted Mary’s head in kindness.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely find Amy
and reunite you two.”
*
“Stella. She’s not coming.”
“Right? It’s odd. She should’ve woken up by now…”
“Is she maybe still sleeping?”
Hmm. I suppose it’s because of that girl from yesterday.
To be honest, considering her reaction back then,
it wasn’t that bad, but maybe it’s still too soon?
Could it be that she’s too embarrassed to show her face because she’s afraid of rejection…
“Why are you acting like this, Nova?”
“…It’s nothing.”
“That doesn’t sound like nothing, you’re shaking all over.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Could it be that you’re worried about Stella?”
“Of course I’m worried!”
At my words, Shia made a judgmental face.
“Seriously, get a grip… Sigh…
You know how strong Stella is, right?
She should be fine, so don’t worry about it.”
“…Yeah, she’s probably okay. But speaking of which,
why hasn’t Amelia shown up yet?”
“She’s our teacher, isn’t she? Show her some respect.
Speaking of which, this is strange…
The roll call is almost over, and she hasn’t shown her face.”
“Well, she’ll probably be here soon.”
