Vol 3 Chapter 22 (1/2)

Volume 3, Chapter 2: Everyone’s Respective School Festival

The school festival will be held at the ic academy I attended up until last year When I was a first year, I participated as a student council member, but at the time, due to many difficulties caused thanks to my classmate Nikol Ascarot, all I can remember is that it was stressful

It’s been two years since then, back when I was deceivingmyself Sirius – soic under my real name Rafael Walt And now today, I’ve coain to fulfill one of ic

My job today is to supervise the Ministry of Magic’s exhibits in one corner of the school festival, where students are displaying and selling works they made Very close by, Maria Campbell, who had been a student councilthe acade sweets that she seems to have made herself

While I caused her no end of grief during the incident I caused last year, she accepted ave me She then said kindly “From now on, please live on as yourself,” and smiled

Until then, I had been getting a bit tired of a certain soel and how Maria was a Goddess But at just that el If I hadn’t already had my eyes on someone else, perhaps I would’ve been drawn to Maria

However… I was drawn to her before I was to Maria

My gaze was iure as she walked, brown hair waving in the wind She’s the type of girl to brighten her surroundings just by being there

“Katarina-sama, it’s been a while”

After I call out to her, that girl I was so drawn to – Katarina Claes – opens her light blue-coloured eyes in surprise

“Rafael! You were participating too then”

“Yes, I was placed in charge of the exhibits sent to the ic academy”

After causing the incident, I changed inal appearance was much too flashy for me to reclaim my true name and live a new life And so until the co stranger

And yet, Katarina iuised She then looked at aze of hers - just as usual

Even though I did soain, Katarina smiles at me kindly – just as usual

“You’re working hard”

“Yes Since I’ employee, it’s hectic with all the work”

But I’ a life where I don’t hold long grudge after grudge, where I don’t have to deceiveI thought I lost when I was young

I hadn’t even drea happily like this until Katarina reached her hand out to me last year

Although the rounds, since Katarina and everyone else has to study while I have to work, I can’t meet them that frequently Thus I was overjoyed that I was I was able to meet Katarina in this way for the first time in a while

I hear about what Katarina’s been doing lately, and I tell her about what’s been going on withto Katarina for the first time in a while to my heart’s content, Maria, who noticed us, came over

“You came, Katarina-sa

out so

“Wow, you set so?”

Katarina accepted the sweets, looking very happy

“Yes, honestly, I orried that I wouldn’t be able to sell sweets like mine, but thanks to you, I’ve sold al very happy

To tell the truth, when I first heard that she would be selling her handmade sweets, I wondered if they really would sell After all, aside froirls and boys Considering that generally they would never cook themselves and have cooks make all their food, I wondered whether they would eat sweets made by an amateur

Apparently Katarina was the one to think up the idea I was surprised that she thought up soain I had been pretty surprised last year too when she said in the student council room that she wanted to eat Maria’s sweets

I was born a commoner and often ate … but Katarina is a pureblood noble – the daughter of a duke To think that Katarina, who likely ate high quality food made by cooks every day, would say that she wanted to eat sweets made by an amateur – let alone a commoner like Maria…

At first I thought she was just being kind to Maria, who had been out of place in the acadeenuinely looking forwards to eating Maria’s handmade sweets

In this way in response to Katarina’s demands, Maria’s sweets were indeed so well made that you could consider them more delicious than those made by a run-of-the-mill cook After then, Katarina continued to ask for sweets fro close with each other

There are plenty of arrogant nobles that due to their position, look down on those of lower status And yet Katarina isn’t like that in the slightest She doesn’t flirt with royalty like the princes and doesn’t look down on a cos like social statuses ister in her mind

However, even if that’s the way Katarina is, the sao for the other students This is why I orried about whether her sweets would sell…

Glancing over to where Maria had been selling her sweets, I see that she’s almost all sold out, with only two, three left to sell Katarina, seeing the saht, is surprised

“You’re really popular As expected from Maria’s handmade sweets”

“I respectfully disagree, this is all thanks to Katarina-saht?”

It seeh the sweets sold sothe at Maria’s state today, I feel Katarina isn’t the only reason

Maria had been rather out of place in the noble-filled academy when she first started school, but it seeirls who had avoided her not so long ago caht Maria’s sweets with a s stiff expressions in the past, Maria’s expressions today were calm and soft… this was probably thanks to Katarina’s influence

“It’s true that I advertised, but it wouldn’t sell so well unless they really were delicious They got so popular because your sweets are truly delicious,” says Katarina happily, proud enough toabout herself

“… Katarina-sahtly dusted in red

This girl, Maria Campbell, is drawn to Katarina just like me That’s probably why she made her decision

“Oh, Caic has been finalized”

Her entering the Ministry of Magic had been quite the hot topic lately As the Ministry had been inviting her to come join since the moment she started the academy, the people at my workplace were pretty excited

“What?! Maria, you’re joining the Ministry of Magic?!” Katarina says in surprise

Apparently she hadn’t yet told Katarina

“Ah, yes I decided to enter the Ministry once I graduate school”

“I see… but Maria, in first year, didn’t you say that you wanted to return horaduated?”

That’s true, I did hear Maria say that once as well

“That’s true For a while after I began school, I wanted to just go ho out… but… if I do that, I won’t be able to be with you anymore,” says Maria with eyes full of conviction

“Huh?”

Katarina looks at Maria with a blank look, seely unable to understand what she means However, I understood what Maria s as her

“I requested this of you at last year’s graduation ceremony as well, but I want to stay by your side froic, I’h position in society to stay by the side of a duke’s daughter like you, Katarina-saain such a position”

Maria’s words were just like a passionate love confession – Katarina, the recipient of her words, turned bright red Toface, Maria belatedly becomes embarrassed at what she just said and blushes as well

Both blushi+ng in embarrassment, Maria and Katarina face each toher

True, this is because of the conversation topic I brought up – but what’s with this exclusive atmosphere between the two of theotten that I exist?

“Excuseinto your little world, but… you two do realize that I’ that I’ve been forgotten for any longer

“Oh, don’t be silly, Rafael Saying that we’re in our little world…”

Finally, Katarina turns back to me Maria’s cheeks still seem a little flushed, but it seems I’ve finally entered her line of vision I speak to her

“Still, I’hly-adic to be because you want to stay by Katarina-sama’s side”

The Ministry of Magic is the largest organization in the country, and wields power second to only the king That’s whythe research and develop rather odd

“U But I plan to work as hard as I can once I join, so please treat ardless,” says Maria firmly to me

“I don’t think wanting to be by the side of so motive If I were in the same position as you, Maria-san, I think I would do the sa, but…”

“But?”

“Even if you join the Ministry of Magic, if Katarina-sarew busy, wouldn’t you be unable to meet up anyways?”

It seems Maria hadn’t realized this at all Her eyes widen in shock Maria, despite seeether, can sometimes be a bit foolish

However… why is the person in question, Katarina, shocked as well right now… thisMaria aside… Katarina’s the person in question…

I knew that Katarina, despite looking just a bit foolish, was actually so incredibly stupid it was outside of the realination… but to think it was this bad…

“That was right… Katarina-sama, you’re a prince’s fiancée If you o to the palace, you’ll be so busy we may not be able to meet… I don’t want that to happen”

“That was right, if I stay Jared’s fiancée we’ll eventually ing as a duke’s daughter, I can’t e royalty…”

Given how Jared dotes on his fiancée Katarina, at this rate it’s guaranteed that they’ll be married as soon as possible And since it’s Jared we’re talking about, I’m scared as it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he whisks her away into the depths of the castle and never lets her see the light of day

However, it seeh the too-dense Katarina has not realized Jared’s feelings in the slightest It also see Jared and beco royalty

I decide to give some advice to Katarina and Maria, who seeht up Maria’s place up the following topic

“Katarina-saic as well?”

Katarina, being as shaken as she was, immediately jumps on the idea

“Huh, I can do that? Wait, if I join the Ministry of Magic, can I avoid getting married?”

“Generally, so long as you’re referred by soh position in the Ministry, you’re able to join the Ministry of Magic Well, while I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid getting ht to choose the next king, I don’t think you’ll be dragged off to the palace immediately”

To tell the truth, I’ve been thinking about this plan for a while I was brainstor about what to do in order to prevent Katarina froraduate Given that I spent long years plotting terrible things forup these plans

And so, hearing that Maria was going to enter the Ministry of Magic, I surmised that I could use her as an ally Just as I expected, Maria’s eyes were sparkling as she desperately listened to my plan

However, despite ju on the idea at first, Katarina’s expression clouds

“Uic, as everyone is aware, is pretty weak…”

“Ah, it’s true that the Ministry of Magic generally has a lot of strong ic users, but there are also a fair nuic It isn’t iic and ical power”

It’s true that the Ministry of Magic has a lot of , but there are ic doesn’t mean that they’re smart, and in laboratories it’s not uncoic users

“I see, awesome! So then, if I work hard… oh, but you need a reference froh, that’s a bit tough… I don’t know anyone who ht write me a reference letter…”

The Ministry of Magic is a rather special organization In order to gather talented people, they hold entrance examinations every year, but only a sh the exams

This is as those with strongschool like Maria, and icless people talented in research alh recommendations by current employees

That being said, it isn’t like an employee can reco employee like me who just joined to recommend someone However

“You don’t need to be so sad There is soht write you a reference letter”

“… What?!”

“My superior has been pretty interested in you, Katarina-sama I’m sure that person would love to write you a reference letter”

Inup the face of my superior, who’s considered to be odd

Last year, when it was decided that I would be taken in by the Ministry, all of the other employees didn’t seeiven that I was a criic, even if it was only for a short while No one would want anything to do with me And yet in that hubbub –

What, no department wants him? Don’t you think such a rare existence is just marvellous? If all of you don’t want it, I’ll help myself

Saying that, that person gave an alluring sular Ministry of Magic eiven any special treatment

The one to tell e my appearance and to teach me how to do it was also that superior It was a shock to learn thatinto Katarina by chance on the grounds and talking with her before returning to the workplace, my superior came up and demanded: ‘Hey you, are you close with Katarina Claes?’

“Your superior? Your superior knows me?”

“Yes I believe thathowto talk with you”

Apparently, my superior h I wasn’t told how theyall sorts of stories about Katarina, but always talks about wanting to talk to her again Given how much my superior seems to like Katarina, I’m sure that my superior rite as many recommendation letters as Katarina wants

“U – m, what kind of person is your superior?”

“My superior is a bit of a unique character, but still a very good person in my opinion”

I’iven that Katarina is si well

“E – excuse me!”

Maria, who had been passionately listening to us talk up until now, aggressively wedges his way into the conversation She seems pretty frantic

“W – what’s thefrantic”

Maria looks with a fiery gaze towards Katarina, who seems perplexed

“U – um, if I summarize the conversation, if Rafael-sama’s superior writes Katarina-sama a reference letter, then Katarina-saic… and then we’ll be able to always be together, right?!”

Maria was responding just as I had predicted

“That sounds right”

Maria’s desperate face melts into a happy smile when I smile at her kindly And then

“Katarina-saether I’ll do whatever I can to help! I insist, I insist,” says Maria with sparkling eyes as she takes Katarina’s hands in hers

Ah, things are proceeded just as planned Maria’s becoic where I can be with her next year as well

Sorry for using you, Maria But I don’t want to hand Katarina over to Jared just yet

I want to stay by her side for even just a bit longer

Water is spurting out fro a rainbow The earth sculpturesaround them The wind, almost a ind, scattered about flower petals

Side-eyeing that fantastical view, I greet the never-ending stream of customers with a fake smile

Unlike parties and balls that are only a few hours long, the entire day so far has been this tiresoet sick of it My fake smile is strained

However,everyone a perfect sh he’s

I, Alan Stuart, was born sixteen years ago as Jared’s twin brother When I was young, I nursed a strong inferiority co flawlessly with a cool expression

That’s when I irl

Despite being a noble’s daughter, she held up her skirt and ran, and climbed up trees like a monkey Katarina Claes – she was so different from anyone I had met before

She was the one to teach ths and weaknesses, that everyone was unique And so I was able to finally take things easier, and eventually even the strong inferiority complex I held towards Jared disappeared

Since then, for soan to really want to stay by Katarina’s side, since being by her felt so good

I just wanted to be by her side… but as the years passed, if I touched her without thinking, blood rose towhy such a thing was happening, it happened Katarina got involved in a certain life-threatening incident That’s when I realized s Somehow, I had fallen for my twin brother’s fiancée

It wouldn’t have been as bad if it had just been a political engageer could see that Jared doted on Katarina to an eh Katarina – the crucial person – hasn’t realized this for some reason…)

I have hter Intelligent and beautiful, she’s said to be the very epito she’s wasted on me I like her, and have always treated her preciously

However, I don’t love her I like her like an older brother would a younger sister

When I realized s towards Katarina, I also realized what I really felt for Mary… and so, feeling as though I couldn’t continue the engages towards sos to Mary

Of course I didn’t go as far as to reveal that I was in love with my brother’s fiancée, but I did say that it was someone that I wouldn’t be permitted to love

That’s when Mary told me she loved someone else as well – someone who she wasn’t permitted to love, just like me

Mary pointed out that even if we dissolved the engageht as well continue our engageement continues even now

I don’t knoho Mary loves, but she said that she’s continuing to try her best, refusing to give up I’ve pros to the one she loves ever be returned

After revealing our feelings to each other, Mary and I have becoun to tell her about Jared’s movements at her request It see all of her best friend Katarina’s time

I feel bad using Mary’s pure feelings in this way, but in all honesty, I’d be happier if Jared and Katarina didn’t get any closer, so I’ve been actively helping out Today as well, Mary asked et any time alone with Katarina

Using the pretext of ‘being asked by my fiancée’ to butt in between Jared and Katarina – it seeive up easily

As I was thinking deeply about Mary, I realized that Katarina had co quite co a bother, I remind myself that I was asked to by Mary and head over

“Hey, you You finally ca to cos to eat,’ in the ing myself in

“My apologies A lot happened,” Katarina says

“I see, I assuotten the time as you ate at the booths”

“…”

Katarina looks troubled – seeh I hit the nail on the head She’s just as easy to read as usual…

“I brought you so it,” says Katarina, obviously trying to change the topic She holds out the bags she holds in her hands

Apparently it’s handmade sweets made by fellow student council member Maria