184 CHAPTER VI -- THE HAPPY OF THE TWO (1/2)

SIDE: Josetteer.

On the first day of school resumption, I woke up early for the first time in a long time to get the letter into Mr. Frank's desk without being found by anyone and headed to class.

This was my habit a while ago: ...... I'm very sleepy today for the first time in a long time.

There's no one else here today, is there ......?

I always mutter that before entering the classroom.

In the beginning I was afraid of what people would think of me, but now I don't worry about it at all with just words.

After the dormitory life, everyone comes to class just in time.

No one comes to class this early.

It's supposed to be: ...... Why is that?　There are two of them.

”Well, uh, ...... good morning.

As I froze, one of the duo came up to me, as if they had been waiting for me .

'Oh, good morning ...... Mr. Frank . And ...... Mr. Leo.

Good morning. I'll be gone soon, so don't worry about it.

Gone?　What does that mean?

”...... I'm sorry to scare you. There's still some time before class starts, so ...... can we talk about this in private for a moment?

A story?　It's okay, though: ......

Is Mr. Frank okay?　Wouldn't it be tasteless if they saw us talking together?

Oh, no. That's not what this is about.

That's right ...... and that's it. ......

Great. Leo, please.

As I was grieving alone, Frank looked back as if he was ready.

Then Leo, smiling a little, came over to us.

Okay. José, just give me a little help.

What?

Leo held out his hand to me, holding Frank's, and I scowled.

What are we going to do now?

I'm fine. I just need a change of scenery.

When Leo-san said that and took my confused hand, the scenery around me changed in an instant.

What is this?　Besides, is that now ...... a transition?

Nobody can come in here and eavesdrop on us. Frank, call me when you're done.

Okay. Thank you.

Yeah, that's fine. So, good luck with that!

Huh?　...... What!

I can't understand the situation. What's my situation now?

Frank and Leo were in a classroom that was supposed to be empty ...... and suddenly they were brought somewhere and Leo disappeared somewhere ...... and it was just me and Frank in the room.

I'm sorry . I know you're confused.

'Yes, yes ......'

I nodded shyly at Frank's question.

I can't be so calm.

Well, ...... we've never talked like this before, have we?

...... Yes.

Certainly, I've never spoken to you outside of a greeting before. I couldn't do that, so I wrote to you.

It's really funny, isn't it, that we've been writing for so long?

It's no use, ......, we've both had our moments.

”Circumstances or ...... If it weren't for the circumstances ......

I agree . If it really weren't for the circumstances .......

'Oh ...... no. You don't want to talk about that, do you?

'What?　What?

Oh, no. Yeah. Yeah. Come over here for a second. It's so cool out here.

When I couldn't hear him, Frank pointed outside as if in a panic.

'Yes, yes ...... what?　This is ...... a very busy city. It's not ...... an imperial city with this many people, and it's not an imperial city.

Frank told me to look in the window and I saw a strange city below.

I've never seen a city with that many people coming and going before.

Even in the imperial city so far: ...... Where have we been brought to?

This is Leo's town.

I see. ...... That makes sense. It's so much easier for your father to get his head around the transfer of his people to Mladin territory now.''

A city that is considered the center of the world. I've never seen it before, but I didn't know it was this great.

So much for this, I suppose it's no wonder people are moving out of our house.

Oh, and the Lefebvre family?　My parents were pissed off that the merchants were dwindling. Really, it's awesome: ...... you're our age and you're running this town and expanding even more.

'Yes. ....... It's very hard to believe that we are classmates.

'I know, ...... I've been watching him up close and personal for a long time, and that guy is really awesome.'

Frank was somewhat proud and ...... happy when he said that.

Frank, you often write about Leo in your letters, don't you? It was actually a lot of fun to read them.

Most importantly, Frank seemed to be having fun writing it. I was just happy to hear that .

Oh, that's right: ...... You won't be able to read that anymore either.

'Really?　Well, there were a lot of times when I got caught up in the most ridiculous things . When they took me to the dungeon, I really felt like I was in danger.

It's from your last letter, isn't it?

The last ...... that was so ......, then the explosion happened after that, and the letter exchange was cut off.

Yes ......

I couldn't hold back the sad face.

My smile faltered and I slumped down.

''Really, the Philibert family went too far. Betraying your country is the worst thing you can do as a nobleman.

Yes. ......

If it hadn't been for that, I'd have been able to send Mr. Frank a few more letters.

Yeah. It was Leo that got us out of there, too.

It's that wall.

I know. Even though I was so close to the explosion, I'm still alive because of Leo's protection by the wall.

Even though I was dying .......

”The Philibert family was also killed by a bomb ...... and the man who made that bomb is now helping the kingdom to fight a war against the Empire. Really, I'm sick of wanting to do it back, but I can't.

War: ......

I'm very worried. A lot of people died in the bombing, and now ...... many more people are going to die.

It's going to be okay. That's okay.” ”That's okay. Leo will win. That guy's really great. He's always ahead of everybody else. I just can't keep going down a thorny road with no rails and no roads like he did.

Yes, ...... we tend to focus on Leo's accomplishments and his rise to prominence, but he's really struggling, isn't he?

There was a time when I envied you for living a life that wasn't tied to your parents, but if you think about it, Leo has experienced a lot of hardship for that.

All I did was complain and go along with the rails they laid for me.

I don't have the courage to go off the rails and I have no right to envy you.

”Mm-hmm. Actually, I loved watching Leo, Frank and Hermann interact at school. When I see you three having a good time, it makes me happy.

I was so happy just watching the three of them having a good conversation in the front seat.

I am very happy to think that we will be able to see that again from today.

It's a little sad to think that we will only be able to see it for one more year. ......

I'm a little sad to think that I'll only be able to see it for one more year: ......

Yes. I've been watching you, Mr. Frank, all along.

Huffing and puffing, I decided to step out .

I didn't come here to make small talk. ...... Let me cut to the chase.

”I love you with all my heart, Mr. Frank.

What?

”I love you, Frank, regardless of your parents. I just want you to know that. Even if this is the last time we ever write to each other today: ......

Yeah. So if you end up here today, Mr. Frank, I just want you to know how I feel about you.

If you ever get married to a church girl, if you ever get married to someone I don't know, I want you to know that.

I really like you, Mr. Frank.

Well, ...... I've got a lot to answer for you. But first, let me just check one thing: ...... What do you mean by the end of the letter exchange?

'What?　Isn't it?　We can't write to each other anymore. It was just the two of us to tell you that, wasn't it?

What do you mean then?

'No. ....... Yeah . You're right. If you don't tell them, they won't know anything. Instead of regretting not telling them, tell them and regret it. ....... That's right.

I whispered to myself, and Mr. Frank looked at me with powerful eyes as if he had made up his mind .

'Now, I'm going to tell you a little bit of a painful story ......, will you bear with me for a moment and listen to me?'

”...... Yes. I'm fine.

I have no idea what the story is about, but I'm ready to go .......

'I'm actually going to be engaged to the daughter of the next Pope.

”Oh, oh, oh, ...... that's right, ...... oh, congratulations.

I was prepared for it, but the reality of the situation didn't make the words come out quickly enough for me .

The fact that Mr. Frank would be engaged ...... to someone who was no match for me ...... was so shocking that my knees dropped to their knees Shit.