Vol 25 Chapter 4 (2/2)
”Her as if trying to rid hi Of course, that didn'tvanish
After school, Mifi took someone away
Who was it?
It was Layfon
”Right!”
Mifi had risen from her desk and shouted this when the last class ended, when it was tirabbed Layfon's arm and rushed out of the room
”Hey! You have to clean!”
The class representative's angry scolding quickly becaot it!”
Mifi said after sprinting out of the school building The two of the, and were noalking side by side
Layfon still didn't know their destination
”What did you get?”
Layfon adjusted the shoes that he hadn't put on properly as he asked
”Of course, it's a way to sneak into Night Meeting”
”Huh?”
”If we're lucky, wetoo Hehehe, I' forward to it~♪”
Mifi led the ith a skip in her step, while Layfon walked behind
”So what kind of a way is it?”
”Hohoho, just leave it toto tell Layfon All she told Layfon - no, all she instructed Layfon to do was to wait until the ti otiations went sreed to do so Even so, he didn't really understand what Mifi wanted to do
But he i to make a request of someone
Because the place they arrived was the Student Council building
”I see”
Karian slowly nodded
The Student Council President has readily agreed to meet The files on the desk were piled into a mountain, so he was probably very busy But he seemed to have already dealt with theht them tea took those files away
”You said you want to experience Night Meeting?”
Karian repeated the first thing Mifi had said, perhaps to confir
Karian's voice wasn't cold, but he didn't show anything that could be taken as agreement Layfon couldn't read his tone Ahh, when he started thinking of the entrance cereht he was already used to the Student Council President
”Yeah”
Mifi ht be nervous as well, as her voice was a bit cracked
”But why are you interested in Night Meeting?”
”Because Layton Ahem, excuse h I wasn't able to see the Military Arts Competition with my own eyes, he shows us incredible ed her wording and began an explanation
”So?”
Karian looked at Mifi with eyes filled with interest That feeling of interest see topic will this girl lay out?' It felt very si to watch its prey struggle Of course that wasn't actually the case, but that was the easiest way to iine it
Mifi rapidly ords a:
”So Layfon will be accepted by the outside world as an outstanding Military Artist after he graduates I think it's not a very strange conclusion when you think that way”
”Right, I agree I think I'd be very happy if he came to my hometown Of course, as the Student Council President, I must first think of Zuellni's peace, but at the same time I don't want to enchain the students' futures
What a hypocrite, you even chained me Had the fact that Layfon had entered the school in General Studies already beco that had never happened in Karian's mind? Or maybe there weren't even records of it? Layfon shi+vered as he thought of that
”Maybe it's possible that he'll come to my hometown”
Mifi added a bitthat she had some leeway
Karian replied with:
”Hoho, that's hard to say”
”Hohoho, I wonder how it'll turn out”
The two of thehs It felt like a different kind of tension was hanging in the air here
(What is it)
Layfon couldn't help but feel like that tense feeling was exploding in sparks above his head
”Well Ah, he's an orphan I don't want you todown on him for that That matter is very important for this conversation”
”Why?”
”Well Because of his circumstances, I believe he was unable to receive a societal status co by the way he talks and acts, I can't feel the refined air of the Military Artists from famous clans ininsulted off-hand
Also, Layfon didn't really understand what Mifi was talking about Though the impulse to interrupt swelled up inside him, Layfon still kept quiet and watched what Mifi did next
”If he spends his days as a Military Artist in another city after graduating, and if so happens to let him display his power, then his circumstances will ih society in that city, and he'll need conduct befitting that position But he doesn't have an opportunity to learn anything like that Usually that would be impossible, but it happened to hi to say”
Karian slowly nodded
”Letting hiful in order to let hiht Also, if Layfon can behave properly in that situation, people will praise Zuellni At that tiht be row”
Karian nodded, and Mifi nudged Layfon in the side
He ed beforehand
”Then, please let Mifi be my date”
◇
Then, that day ca so much her face was all wrinkled
She had put on makeup for once, but it was allon such a face
”Co these clothes all of a sudden”
After saying this, Mifi lifted the hem of her skirt She felt the comfortable sensation of the fabric on her skin with a rapt expression
She seeown that had been prepared for her Also, the President had made an appointment at a beauty salon where they had done her hair up, and even applied her own Shoes, accessories, and a handbag for sh she had to return the accessories, it seeiven to Mifi That was probably a reason she was in such high spirits
”Really? I just feel unnatural wearing this”
Layfon said Karian had also prepared an entire outfit and shoes for Layfon, and had also scheduled a beauty salon visit for him These clothes certainly felt nice on the skin, and they weren't actually uncouely felt like it would be very inconvenient for oosebuot such expensive clothes dirty”
Moving was inconvenient for hihts
The two of thee building It was a service-oriented place that provided space and food for large parties An introduction of today's gathering was by the entrance hall, and the groups of people arriving checked what floor the parties they were attending were and either went there or headed to a cafe to wait for others
”We really should go wait in the cafe”
Mifi proposed this upon seeing the groups of people passing by in front of them
”No, it's too expensive”
That was the only thing he wouldn't back down about The separation between the entrance hall and the cafe was unclear, and maybe that was deliberate Layfon checked theit, he iy”
Mifi pouted, but even so Layfon was resolute in not backing down Just then, Karian arrived
”Hi, did I make you wait?”
Karian wore formal attire like Layfon and Mifi, with a female date by his side She had an intellectual face and felt like someone of the Student Council The fact that she didn't see her outfit meant that her actions were indeed that natural and that she wasn't conscious that she earing such high-class clothing
”Let's go, then”
As Karian urged the at the top floor, an unexpected face showed up there
”What are you all doing?”
”I'd say that's our line”
After walking out of the elevator, Layfon and the others were ie, block-clothed ? Honestly, is the pension not enough? I thought the Military Arts Head's coh But I have no choice in this”
”Hm Well, I see I know your fao No one will co”
Vance re at Layfon and Mifi
”Then I'll do so”
Karian leisurely passed by the Military Arts Head, and Layfon and the others followed behind hily craether with food placed on the music that wouldn't disturb conversation
But the center was very spacious
The tables had been moved to the sides in order to open up the central space, and there were also many booths, which hy it felt unexpectedly cramped But the booths weren't completely cut off and it was possible to see the faces of the occupants
”This kind of high-society gathering is held to let people reshots and also to let those people talk without having toIt's no wonder things look so inadequate, if they're only use a single floor of a building to hold an activity of bigshots”
Karian explained as he brought the two of the the process Karian politely responded to those greetings, but didn't even stop once
”Well then--”
Karian said
”Is that your true goal?”
After saying this, Karian singled out an area with his gaze
Over there was the entrance through which Layfon and the others had just entered
A guy and a girl just happened to enter the area
It was Rafaela Though his general outfit hadn't changed, the amount of ruffled fabric had increased The pants he eren't the uniform's, so that was the part where it had increased
Also, standing next to hi attention to Vance behind her
”Ah, how pretty”
Mifi spoke inadvertently
She wore a white evening gown It was an outfit with a very refreshi+ng design that bared her collarbones, with a suitable necklace adorning her chest Her hair had beco with this Her always somewhatin the light emitted from the chandelier
Nina also had makeup on Her lips were painted a pale pink, and the color on her eyelids made the contours of her eyes more apparent It seemed that her eyelashes had been done as well, as they were clearly visible even though they were usually unnoticeable
”Ohh? As expected of a daughter of the Antalk fa sound
”The Antalk faious families of Schneibel, so she ht?”
”Huh? Ah, yeah”
Karian's words made Layfon finally coht?”
”Yeah”
Unable to continue the shah the fact that Nina-san chose hi, I don't understand why Rafaela-san chose her as a lover”
”What does that mean?'
”Well, let's watch the situation for now That's why you two caht up He could only stay silent
Though Nina was a bit confused when Rafaela led her inside, she still greeted those who approached her with a dignified attitude
Layfon couldn't do so like that at all He would definitely feel confused right away and then look for a place that was out of the way But Nina stood next to Rafaela, participating in chats without even running away
This was the h society, Felli had said Could Nina, Dalshena, and Felli all do this naturally? Though Sharnid didn't often talk about his background, he was probably good at doing this kind of thing too Even Naruki could definitely do it
Was Layfon the only one who couldn't?
After thinking this, Layfon felt like a gust was blowing in his chest He wasn't dissatisfied with his background as an orphan, since he was unable to iine what the normal households other people talked about were like
But, if If Layfon Alseif had grown up in a nor like this? Maybe he would be being honored as a Heaven's Blade successor in the Grendan Royal Palace or sonity than now or saying a witty joke to ine it)
Layfon felt stunned at his poor i carefully, he felt like no Heaven's Blade successor could do such a thing Maybe Troyatte could, and ht be able to What about Ruiine such a scene
Ahh, Reverse definitely couldn't do so like this
Nina and Rafaela left their conversation circle and entered a booth like Layfon and the others Even if there was a wall, he could still see their faces
”But it was honestly a surprise I never thought the Captain would be able to change like that”
”Women have many faces Guys are so shallow co that it's still early fordeal, women naturally becouys be crowding aroundwoman already, you know”
”Ahahahaha President, your date looks really scary”
”Yeah, ht now”
Sweat beaded on Karian's forehead, the wolare, and Mifi broke out in a cold sweat Next to that scene, Layfon quietly looked at Nina
He had confir his ai and see Nina
She was currently in a relationshi+p with the ht
In that case, thisMifi not to write an article on it later It would bother Nina if the situation beca as Nina was happy - Layfon thought
But rong?
The gust he felt in his chest see, rong - Layfon kept thinking Those feelings ht be very similar to what he had felt when Nina had suddenly vanished, or maybe they were different Maybe they were sis
Because Nina was right before hi facility, no different froed to Layfon Perhaps that would be the case in the future as well Nina was there, just like always, in front of Layfon
But as he so?
Ti didn't disappear
The band changed songs
They changed fro that wouldn't disturb conversation to a lively, fast-paced song
Once the song changed, the ed The athered in the open central area
A dance began
The intense movements of the dance h The band's playing beca hs beca people and the ones dancing The pairs who fell also laughed
Nina also s is quite good This place was a dis when I was new here”
”It's because the Military Arts Head is here”
The woman by Karian replied to his impression
”No, that's not it I heard that Rafaela-san is the current core of Night Meeting, so he h he likes dressing gorgeously, he's a diligent, good h his appearance was eye-catching, no one said anything bad about Rafaela as a person Judging by the way he addressed hih Dalshena hated hi bad about hiood person Since he was a th coht of the Heaven's Blade successors, he realized how foolish he was for being confused by appearances Reverse had an iron will underneath his weak appearance, and norine what kind of poas hidden under Bare dress
Rafaela was in no way unsuited to be Nina's lover
That was how things were
TheThe lights died The men held the waists of their dates, and the atmosphere became more intimate
”Well, it would be a waste if we just stayed here the whole time”
”Ah, President”
Karian pulled his date away
The tere left here looked at each other
”What do we do?”
”What do you want to do?”
Layfon put on a confused expression when Mifi asked this Neither of the with Mifi in this kind of atmosphere would seem like a joke to others
”Layton, do you want to Eh, no way”
Mifi o back?”
”I guess Anyways, there's nothing left to investigate, and I don't want to take an exclusive scoop of your captain Also, I don't have a caree a camera in if she wanted to come here Mifi nodded with a calm expression
The two of them quietly stood up fro ave off a different atmosphere from usual and wouldn't immediately be spotted by Nina But Layfon used Sakkei was he walked out in order to keep Nina fro by the entrance with nothing to do, Layfon naturally turned around
In that moment
There was Nina's surprised face
Rafaela fir back and forth, her fingers on his chest
Nina's eyes wide as she briefly , and Rafaela's face next to hers
Layfon turned around in that moment
He clenched his fist
Layfon himself didn't really understand why he had clenched his fist All he felt was an 'ah' sensation and nothingelse about his e emotions in that brief word, so Layfon didn't open his clenched fist
Bang!
A first ung It sank into Rafaela's cheek,him lean backwards and away fro the first
Layfon gazed at the scene in surprise
He didn'ther first
Laughs cao that far”
Nina's calh Sorry But tonight was enjoyable, so thank you”
”My pleasure”
He had been hit, but Rafaela thanked her Nina also responded The surrounding laughs became cheers
”But, but! Everyone!”
Rafaela suddenly spread his ar his voice towards everyone present
”I've found true love this time No, everyone! All of you wise onesto fool others”
Rafaela started a speech
He erated posture that couldn't even be called dancing as he wove his words:
”Military Artist fae is the basic duty of one from a Military Artist family But everyone! Love is not necessarily a friend of that idea Just like my father, and just like my mother Everyone is aware of this There are also those who are troubled because lineage and love are gears that do not mesh for them
I am the same!
Everyone!
Today, I have decided! Goodbye, duty! I will be reborn for love!”
Cheers caain
In that oal of Rafaela's sudden declaration
Rafaela's gaze pointed at Layfon It wasn't just his gaze, even his body flew by his head as he ran towards Vance standing blankly by the exit
”Vance, as I thought, I only have you!”
”Shut up!”
Vance struck Rafaela with a karate chop as he was about to hug him
That movement didn't have the mercy that Nina had shown
”Layfon?”
Then, Nina noticed Layfon
◇
”I heard that the families of those two have a master-servant relationshi+p”
Nina explained on the way back
”Though I'm not really sure, I heard that Rafaela-senpai's family was the master and Vance-senpai's family was the servant The relationshi+p between the two of them is just the opposite in the first platoon, so it ”
”Oh”
The two of theh I personally don't understand at all, Rafaela-senpai seems to be only interested in men No, that's certain”
Nina seeht? Rafaela-senpai likes Vance”
Afterwards, Rafaela hadn't given up on hugging Vance even after being struck, and the Night Meeting participants had laughed while watching the confusing scene of the two of theled up
It see that Rafaela had long since expressed those feelings to Vance
”In that case, ere you with him, Captain?”
”Uh Well”
Unexpectedly, Nina put on a serious face
”Well, despite what he felt, sos wouldn't work out I heard that he explained this to soht Meeting and practiced liking women But that woman had a lover, so he couldn't ask her out, which is why he suddenly spoke tohim, but he was so serious that I wanted to help him, so I said I'd only help him out this time”
”I see”
Layfon understood
Layfon felt like this was very nore so their best
It was honestly very ht, Layfon, ere you in that kind of place?”
”Huh? Ah, well”
In order to confirm whether Nina truly had a lover - Of course Layfon couldn't say soh society”
Layfon immediately mentioned the excuse Mifi had used with the President
”Study society? Well, Night Meeting is pretty nice, though it's not in Schneibel's style I'ht or not”
However, Nina accepted that reason
”But dancing is the same no matter where you are Layfon, can you dance?”
”Huh? No”
”I see I'll teach you, then”
”Ah, uh, there's no need”
”Don't be polite, it's all about the rhythht there after she said this
The two of theht in front of the eh it was only for a brief tih to melt the frozen emotions in Layfon's heart
Translator's Notes and References ↑ I' made only by commission