Chapter 33 (1/2)
7th Supplementary Lesson
”Have you both graduated already, Ojou-san1)He’s takling about Luca and Elsa?”
This was earnestly said to Elsa when she came to check on her new spectacles at the shop.
”Time has really pa.s.sed quickly.”
”I was already in my third year when I met you though Mr. Shop Owner.”
”That's true. It's just my own feelings.”
The shop owner, who she'd gotten close with, said as Elsa adjusted her new frames.
”The spectacles have completely become a part of you, Elsa Ojou-chan.”
”Luca said that the spectacles are my body.”
”…… I thought this before but, Ojou-san, shouldn't you scold him?”
”I thought about it.”
But, he was that kind of guy so she gave up.
”Yup, this is good. Thanks.”
”I'm glad. Then, what will you do now that you've graduated, Ojou-san? Will you marry the lad?”
”Huh? Why?”
”…… I was surprised that you responded like that.”
The shop owner replied in a shocked tone and sighed. Elsa frowned, ”What do you mean?” The shop owner ended the conversation, ”Think about it yourself”.
”…… After graduating, I will remain at this university to continue my research, so I'll come again.”
”Ojou-chan…… You lack filial piety……”
”It's not a problem because my parents have already given up on me.”
It was mainly because she was eccentric and no one could keep her from walking her own path in life.
”So, what will the lad do?”
”He will become a court bureaucrat.”
He didn't know where he would be a.s.signed to yet, but he was smart so he would be able to easily pa.s.s the test to become a bureaucrat.
”…… There's nothing wrong with his brains but would he be alright? That airhead.”
”…… Well, it'll work out somehow. He's not a child.”
Luca working at the court filled her with anxiety, but it would probably turn out fine somehow. Probably……
”Will you carry on as you have been, Ojou-chan?”
”Yes. Well, I would be continuing my research while a.s.sisting the other professors.”
”It's an aristocrat's hobby.”
”I won't deny that.”
Elsa paid the shop owner and adjusted her gla.s.ses in a familiar guesture.
”Well then, I'll be back.”
”Yes. Give my regards to the lad.”
Elsa swung her spring coat and put it on like a man, then she gently stuck her arms out. She looked up at the blue sky and stretched. She felt something profound when she thought about how her graduation was approaching. Elsa, however, was staying at the university so nothing would change after all.
But there were some things that would definitely change. Luca, who had always been by her side, wouldn’t be there anymore. He would be working in court so he would be moving to the Royal Capital. Fillure University was next to the Royal Capital, Zola but it was still quite a distance away.
”…… What is it?”
She sighed and began to walk. Let's eat something sweet to change my mood before returning.
I feel somewhat sad. I wonder why? Is it because the life I've lived for four years is changing? However, she had spent a longer time in primary school and high school but for some reason she felt stranger than when it had ended.
She sat at the café that had become her favourite place in these past four years and pondered about what was different from this time and then while eating a semifreddo. She ate the sweet semifreddo while sipping on bitter coffee. Yeah, it's delicious.
She was graduating but she was going to be a researcher, so she would probably still be at this university. But, Luca, who had always kept her company, wouldn't be here anymore. So, they probably wouldn't be coming here together anymore. No, they might but it wouldn't be as frequent as they were now.
She was obviously grieving. Elsa, who had finished eating the semifreddo, raised her hand and ordered something else.
”Excuse me, can I have a panna cotta and cappuccino, please.”
”You eat really well. Will you still have appet.i.te for dinner?”
The voice that called out to Elsa had come from the terrace, it was Luca. She had thought this before but he knew where she was, didn't he?
”Why are you here, Luca?”
”I thought about eating the dolce from here.”
It seemed that he'd just happened to pa.s.s by. They had known each other for nearly two decades so their behaviour also resembled each other's.
Luca, who had said that, cheekily sat opposite of Elsa and order a bicerin. It was a warm drink mixed with espresso, hot chocolate and milk. Elsa acknowledged it as a drink under the dolce category and that it was an extremely girly drink. Luca's girl power was high. He had ordered something cute.