Chapter 2: Look Who’s Talking

“A-choo!”

We were currently heading toward the forest on the outskirts of the royal capital in a carriage Ryug had arranged for us. Out of nowhere, my nose started itching, and I let out a sharp sneeze.

“Are you catching a cold, Hugh?”

Ryug, sitting across from me, peered over with a look of concern. It felt like a bit of an overreaction for a single sneeze, but given the medical standards of this world, you couldn't exactly laugh off a common cold. For adventurers, their bodies were their livelihood, so they probably stayed on high alert regarding their health. Since we were in the cramped quarters of a carriage, his wariness made sense.

“Nah, I’m fine. Someone’s probably just gossiping about me.”

“Ah, that brings back memories. My father used to say that all the time. One sneeze means a normal rumor. Two means a bad one. Three means it’s something good.”

“Exactly. Though if you hit four, you’ve definitely just got a cold.”

I was surprised to find that superstition existed here, too. Back in my old world, the details varied by region, but hearing Ryug recite the exact same logic caught me off guard.

“Hmm. This is the first I’ve heard of sneezes being linked to rumors,” Idiot noted, crossing his arms with an intrigued nod as he sat beside me. Apparently, the saying wasn’t common in the capital.

“Wait, really? Everyone says it in Nable!” Tina chimed in.

“I see. The Kingdom of Nable, then. That would be close to Hugh’s hometown as well.”

“Yeah, I guess so...”

The Kingdom of Nable was one of the small nations bordering the Kingdom of Reese, specifically adjacent to the Pnocis territory. However, the border was dominated by a range of jagged peaks known as 『The Navel of the Continent』. The trade routes connecting the two kingdoms had to bypass the Pnocis lands entirely.

Because of that, there was almost no cultural or economic overlap between the Pnocis territory and the Kingdom of Nable. I’d certainly never heard that sneeze superstition back home, so Ryug’s version was likely just a pure coincidence.

“So you two came all the way from the Kingdom of Nable? That explains how you’re already B-rank adventurers at our age,” Idiot observed.

“Yeah. The Kingdom of Reese has that royal decree, but Nable doesn’t,” Ryug explained.

In the Kingdom of Reese, a royal decree mandated that every fifteen-year-old granted a combat-effective skill had to take the Royal Academy entrance exam. If you passed, you were enrolled for three years of dormitory life. Like Idiot and myself, you were restricted to adventuring only on your days off.

The fact that Ryug and Tia had reached B-rank at the same age meant they had to possess incredibly powerful skills. If they had been born in the Kingdom of Reese, they undoubtedly would have been scooped up by the Academy.

When I pointed that out, Tina’s face lit up with a bright smile.

“That sounds like it would’ve been fun in its own way, though!”

“Haha, true. Spending our school days with you and Idiot wouldn't have been a bad life at all, Hugh,” Ryug added.

“I suppose not.”

We’d known each other for less than an hour, but these two had a unique, approachable air about them. Maybe we just clicked. For some reason, being around them felt strangely... right.

“By the way, you mentioned you came to the capital for a request to escort the Royal Academy’s field exercise. Was the Academy recruiting in Nable’s guilds too?”

“No, nothing like that,” Ryug said. “We actually moved our base of operations to the Kingdom of Reese earlier this year. Nable has plenty of dungeons, so the money is good, but there’s not much to spend it on there.”

“Reese has way better food, and they sell much cooler equipment and magic items!” Tina added excitedly. “You really feel the difference in national power, you know?”

“We’d just arrived in the capital yesterday when a guild clerk we know introduced us to the field exercise request,” Ryug continued. “We officially accepted it at the guild today, which is how we ran into you.”

“The clerk said all the decent adventurers were already out on jobs and literally bowed to us. They were all like, ‘I’m so sorry to ask after your long trip, but please!’ We couldn’t really say no after that!” Tina giggled.

“Meeting you two was a stroke of luck,” Ryug said warmly. “Searching a forest we don’t know blindly would’ve been a nightmare. Thank you again for your help.”

“Don't mention it. You saved me, too. Thanks to this, I don't have to juggle a bunch of F-rank chores.”

If Ryug hadn’t called out to me, I’d probably be out looking for lost cats or scrubbing sewers right now. The rewards for those jobs were pathetic, and splitting the cut with Idiot would have left me with practically nothing. For me, their invitation was a godsend.

“Hey, hey, Hugh! Why did you start adventuring anyway?” Tina asked, leaning forward with her hands on the seat.

“Oh, well... I just need to get a certain amount of money together.”

“I knew it! It’s a present for your girlfriend!” Tina pointed a finger at me with a triumphant grin.

She wasn't exactly right, but she wasn't far off either... or rather, she was mostly right, but there were circumstances that prevented me from being honest about it.

“It’s not for a girlfriend. It’s for my dorm roommate—my best friend. Their birthday is coming up.”

“Aww, lame! How boring!” Tina puffed out her cheeks and slumped back into her seat next to Ryug.

Ryug gave a wry smile at her reaction before turning back to me. “Have you decided what you’re going to get them?”

“No, not yet. To be honest, I’m having a hard time settling on anything...”

I’d been planning to ask Lily for advice when the time was right, but since the opportunity had presented itself, I figured I’d ask them.

“Would you mind giving me your opinions? Just for reference?”

“Let’s see...” Ryug mused. “If I were the one receiving it, I’d be happy with a nice meal. A birthday spent drinking with my best friend until dawn at a tavern sounds perfect, doesn't it?”

“Whaaaat? It’s a special occasion, so it should be something that lasts!” Tina argued. “I’d definitely want an accessory. Like a ring or a necklace! Even if it’s from a girl friend, I’d be happy as long as it’s cute!”

“I see...”

A meal or an accessory.

Drinking until dawn was probably out of the question, but ideally, I’d like to book a nice restaurant in the capital and surprise her with a gift after dinner. The problem was that Lucretia’s birthday fell right in the middle of the field exercise. If our timing was bad, we might spend the actual moment inside a dungeon.

Maybe I should take her out during our break before the exercise starts, even if it’s a week early. I thought about just letting her pick her own gift, but—

“No way! Presents should always be a surprise!” Tina insisted. “Choosing together means you won't get it wrong, sure, but then she might feel bad about picking something expensive! I think she’d be way happier knowing you put in the effort to choose something specifically for her.”

“Is that how it works...?”

Idiot and Ryug both tilted their heads, clearly not quite grasping the logic, but Tina nodded with absolute confidence. Well, it felt less like a difference between men and women and more like a difference in personal philosophy, but it was probably safer to trust Tina’s intuition since she shared a gender with the recipient.

We continued to bounce ideas off each other for about an hour until the carriage finally reached the forest.

“We’re here.”

The carriage stopped at a grassy plain on the edge of the woods—the very same spot where the stalls and spectator stands had been set up during the Class Competition. Over two weeks had passed since then, but the stalls that had been trashed during the monster attack were still lying there, demolished and abandoned.

I wondered if they were planning to reuse them when the competition resumed in the fall, or if they were just going to let them rot. Given the values of this world, probably the latter. Awareness of environmental issues and nature conservation was still a foreign concept here.

We hopped out of the carriage and began checking our gear. That said, Idiot and I only had the swords we’d borrowed from Alyssa strapped to our waists. We couldn't exactly borrow armor or specialized gear from the Kingdom Knights.

“If wearing unfamiliar armor is going to slow you down, you’re better off not wearing any at all,” Alyssa had advised.

In Idiot’s case specifically, as long as he had a sword, he could block almost any attack. Alyssa had gone so far as to tell him he should fight naked if the armor was going to hinder his movements. While we weren't going that far, there was no doubt he was at his best when he was as light on his feet as possible.

Ryug and Tina were also wearing light equipment: metal breastplates and gauntlets, supplemented by leg armor covering their knees and shins.

“I always pictured adventurers as being geared up to the teeth,” I admitted.

“It depends on the person,” Ryug replied. “There are definitely adventurers like that. But we prioritize mobility over raw defense. Our master was the same way.”

“Master said it all the time!” Tina chirped. “ ‘It’s not a big deal as long as it doesn't hit—ga-ack!’ ”

Wait, so he did get hit...

Setting aside Tina’s joke, Ryug carried a sword at his hip just like us, while Tina slung a quiver over her back and gripped a bow.

“Let’s stay cautious. We need to be ready for any monster encounters.”

With Ryug in the lead, we ventured into the woods. Idiot moved up to walk alongside him, while Tina and I followed behind. It was a standard vanguard-rearguard formation.

The interior of the forest was thick with lush greenery, shrouded in dim light and an eerie silence. I couldn't even hear the chirping of birds or the buzzing of insects. I wondered if it felt different because my current skill was 〈Pyrokinesis〉...

“This is spooky,” Tina whispered. “Even the inside of a dungeon isn't this quiet.”

“Is that so?” I asked.

“Yeah. Depending on the floor, dungeons can actually be pretty noisy because of all the monsters. But here? Nothing. I can’t even sense a monster’s presence.”

She was right. It was far too quiet. We walked for thirty minutes without encountering a single creature. During the Class Competition, we’d been jumped by monsters multiple times before even making it through the woods, even with Lily using her 〈Strategist〉 skill to navigate.

“I heard the Kingdom Knights and the regular army searched this forest before us,” Ryug noted. “Maybe they’ve already wiped out all the monsters.”

“...No, doesn't that seem unnatural?” Idiot questioned. “There are far too few signs of combat.”

Idiot had a point. If the knights or the army had conducted a large-scale culling, the forest wouldn't look this pristine. Then again, since I didn't have a 〈Ninja〉 skill or anything similar, there was a good chance I was just missing the signs—but if Idiot said it was strange, it probably was.

“I see. That might be why the Kingdom put out a request to the Adventurer’s Guild,” Ryug mused. “If the knights and the army went in to investigate an outbreak and didn't even encounter a single monster, let alone find the cause, it makes sense that they’d throw the problem to the guild in frustration.”

“Yeah, I doubt they’d hire the guild if things were normal,” I added.

The Kingdom Knights and the military had their pride; they would have wanted to find the cause themselves. The fact that the job had trickled down to the Adventurer’s Guild meant they’d failed.

In that case, was this request from the military? Prince Brute’s faction? If it were Prince Lucas, he’d already have an inkling of why the monsters had vanished into thin air. He wasn't the type to risk spreading information by involving the guild.

We searched for another hour without seeing a single monster. There were no clues to be found, and just as we were starting to discuss turning back—

“Stinky,” Tina groaned, pinching her nose.

For a split second, I panicked, thinking she was talking about me, but that didn't seem to be the case. Soon, a faint, unpleasant odor wafted toward my nose as well. It was like sour cheese or rotting garbage... the stench of decay.

“Let’s check it out. It might be a lead,” Ryug suggested.

“Right...”

We followed the scent, the stench growing more overwhelming with every step. Eventually, we emerged into a clearing where the trees had been hollowed out. In the center sat a pond filled with dark, murky water. The surrounding vegetation was twisted, warped, and withered. Animal bones were scattered around the water’s edge.

The atmosphere was incredibly grim. It wasn't too terrifying in the broad daylight, but if I’d stumbled upon this at twilight or in the middle of the night, I would’ve bolted immediately.

“Ryug-bro, do you think this is what caused the outbreak?”

“I wonder... Do either of you notice anything?”

Idiot and I exchanged a look. The cause of the monster outbreak was almost certainly that medicine—the same stuff that had mutated Letchery and Rosalie. However, Prince Lucas had given us strict orders not to speak of it. I couldn't tell Ryug or Tina about the medicine's existence.

I felt a pang of guilt, especially after they’d promised me a reward, but...

“I agree the pond looks suspicious, but sorry. I can't tell you more than that.”

“Is that so...” Ryug brought a fist to his mouth, a habit he seemed to have when he was deep in thought. “Every monster you encountered looked like a twisted version of a forest animal, right? If that’s the case, then maybe animals that drank from this pond mutated into monsters?”

“Whaaaat? Would animals really drink water this gross?” Tina asked skeptically.

“It’s been over two weeks since the outbreak. The water quality might have just gotten worse since then,” Ryug countered.

“But it’s still weird! Hugh and the others didn't just see one or two monsters, right? A few animals coming for a drink is one thing, but a whole bunch of them doing it at the exact same time and turning into monsters?”

“That is...”

If the medicine had been dumped into this pond, and the animals that drank from it became monsters... that would explain why monsters appeared in a forest with no dungeon. But Tina’s doubt was valid. Would the forest animals really gather to drink all at once? The Class Competition had been going on all morning. What were the odds that all the animals decided to drink right when our class entered the forest in the afternoon?

“...I see. So someone intentionally lured the animals to this pond,” Idiot muttered.

“Yeah. It’s the only explanation that fits,” Ryug agreed.

“Man, it would’ve been way simpler if we’d just found a hidden dungeon,” Tina said with a wry smile and a tilt of her head. We all nodded in silence.

We searched the perimeter of the pond but found no further clues. As the sun began to dip, we left the forest and started our journey back to the capital. Once we settled into the waiting carriage, a collective sigh escaped us.

“This request turned out to be much darker than I expected. I think we’ll be fine, but I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” Ryug apologized.

“No, don't worry about it.”

...If anything, it was the Adventurer’s Guild that had been dragged into something messy.

If someone had dumped medicine into the pond to manufacture monsters, what was their goal? The monsters had attacked us in the woods and then swarmed the spectator stands outside. In the middle of that massive chaos, Lecty had been kidnapped.

It was reasonable to assume the monster outbreak was a distraction created specifically to snatch Lecty. If that were the case, the culprit was likely the school nurse who’d taken her, or one of her associates.

If the string of incidents starting from the Duke Letchery estate was connected to this, then the Adventurer’s Guild—and Ryug’s team—had simply been caught in the crossfire. Since Ryug and Tina were suspicious of the pond water, there was a non-zero chance they might eventually stumble upon the truth about the medicine. I’d have to talk to Alyssa once I got back to the Academy...

The carriage passed through the capital’s walls, but instead of heading to the guild, it took us straight to the Royal Academy. Ryug had been kind enough to drop us off.

“Thanks for everything. I appreciate the ride,” I said as I stepped out of the carriage at the main gate.

“Not at all. Thanks to you and Idiot, we should be able to complete the request successfully. All that’s left is for us to write the report, so let me give you your rewards now.”

Ryug pulled out two drawstring pouches—he must have had them ready—and handed them to Idiot and me.

“Are you sure? We barely did anything...”

We hadn't even fought a monster; we’d just walked through the woods with them. Judging by the weight of the pouch, it felt like the full amount for a D-rank request. He hadn't docked our pay at all.

“Of course. We got more information from you than we could have hoped for. You did more than enough to earn this. Besides, cutting a contract fee after the fact is a petty move. Our father always taught us to live wholesomely and with sincerity.”

“Wholesomely and with sincerity?”

I hadn't expected to hear my own motto come out of his mouth. Between that and the sneeze thing, I was starting to feel a strange sense of kinship with Ryug’s father.

“Ho. You were raised by quite a respectable father, it seems,” Idiot noted.

“Yes, I’m very proud of him.”

“Though I don't think you can call a guy with three wives ‘wholesome’ or ‘sincere’!” Tina interjected with a mischievous grin.

Wait, Ryug and Tina had three mothers? They were half-siblings? I definitely didn't want to feel a kinship with that part of his life...

We chatted for a bit longer until Ryug and Tina suddenly went quiet. Their voices trailed off, and they seemed to catch their breath as they looked past me. I turned around to see Lily and Lecty walking toward us from the school buildings.

“...Well, we should probably get going,” Ryug said quickly.

“See you at the field exercise, Hugh! Idiot!” Tina waved.

“Indeed. Until we meet again,” Idiot replied.

“Thanks, you two.”

Ryug and Tina climbed back into the carriage with a strange sense of urgency, and the vehicle rattled away. What was that about? It almost looked like they were running away from Lily and Lecty... Must have been my imagination.

“Welcome back, Hugh. You too, Idiot.”

“Are either of you hurt?”

As I watched the carriage disappear, Lily and Lecty greeted us. They must have been waiting for us to return.

“There is no need for concern, Lady Lecty! I am perfectly fine! No monster is a match for the great Idiot Hortness!”

“Dude, we didn't even see a single monster this time...”

“Hehe. I’m just glad you’re both safe,” Lily smiled. “It sounds like things went well.”

“Yeah, pretty much. ...Wait, where’s Lugue?”

When I asked, Lily’s expression faltered. “Ugh...”

“L-Lugue went back to the room already... He was with us a minute ago, but then he said he had to go get ready to welcome you back...”

“Get ready...?”

What exactly was Lugue planning to do to ‘welcome’ me? I had no idea what to expect, and that was actually kind of terrifying.

“And, well... um...” Lily’s eyes darted around as if searching for words. Eventually, she placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. “It’s going to be tough from here on out, but stay strong. I know you can pull through.”

“Wait a second! What did Lugue prepare for me?!”

I was suddenly very, very afraid to go back to my room. I seriously considered asking Idiot if I could crash with him for the night, but I had a feeling that not showing up would lead to an even worse outcome...

“I can't say anything more,” Lily said with a look of enlightened pity, shaking her head. I turned to Lecty as a last resort, but she just whispered, “Good luck, Hugh...” before quickly looking away.

Seriously...?

Anyway, before I could go home, I had to return the borrowed sword to Alyssa. I parted ways with Lily and the others in front of the girls' dormitory and headed toward the faculty housing with Idiot. We found Alyssa swinging a sword in the usual clearing behind the building. I returned the weapon and gave her a summary of the day’s events.

“Got it. I’ll report the pond to Prince Lucas,” Alyssa replied. Her reaction was even more muted than I’d expected. The knights probably already knew about that pond.

I said goodbye to Idiot, who was going to stay and train with Alyssa until dinner, and walked back to the boys' dormitory alone. I was filled with nothing but dread regarding whatever Lugue had planned, but part of me also just wanted to get back and spend time with her.

“I’m home.”

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. From down the hall, I heard a voice call out, “Welcome back!” It was Lugue, but his voice sounded... higher than usual? Was I imagining it?

I walked down the hall and tentatively pushed open the door to our room.

Waiting for me on the other side…

—was a golden-haired girl. It was Lucretia.

Her beauty was so radiant it literally took my breath away. Her sleek, golden hair shimmered under the glow of the magic lamps, and those large, sapphire-blue eyes curved into a joyful arc as they met mine.

She was sitting on my bed in her Royal Academy uniform, but with one glaring difference—this wasn't the boy’s attire she usually wore. It was the girls' uniform.

“Why... why are you dressed like that?”

I had a million things I should have said, but that was the first question that managed to stumble out of my mouth.

Until now, she had always presented herself as “Lugue” whenever we were together. Why show me Lucretia now?

Lucretia gave me a shy, somewhat troubled smile.

“I just figured... since it’s just the two of us, there wasn't much point in hiding it anymore.”

Ah. Well.

She had a point.

Lucretia hopped off the bed with a spring in her step and did a playful pirouette in front of me. Her skirt flared out, briefly exposing the porcelain-white curve of her thighs.

“I borrowed it from Lecty. Do you think... it looks okay on me?”

I was used to seeing that slightly oversized uniform on Lecty and Lily, but seeing it on Lucretia was... well, it was a fresh shock to the system. To put it simply, she looked incredible in it.

I felt a creepy, Lily-esque giggle bubbling up in my throat and quickly smothered it with a cough. Straightening my posture, I dropped to one knee and bowed my head.

“It suits you perfectly, Princess Lucretia.”

As long as she stood before me as Lucretia von Reese, Seventh Princess of the Kingdom, I was duty-bound to show proper vassal etiquette—even if we were alone, and even if I knew she didn't want it.

“Hmph... Hugh, you’re far too serious at the worst times!”

“Be that as it may...”

It was hard to treat Lucretia with the same casual distance I used with Lugue. Even though I’d realized the truth of her identity ages ago, I’d been committed to the “ignorant commoner” role-play for a long time. It was the only thing keeping our dynamic stable. But with Lucretia standing right there in the flesh, the act was officially over.

“Then, by royal decree: when we’re alone, you are to treat me exactly as you always have!”

“Urgh... Understood, Your Highness. ...Haa, is that better?”

I stood up with a heavy sigh, and Lucretia gave me a satisfied nod. “Much!”

I couldn't exactly ignore a direct order from a princess. Treating her exactly the same was going to be an emotional mountain to climb, but I promised myself I’d give it my best shot.

Lucretia sat back down on my bed and patted the mattress beside her. Apparently, I was being ordered to sit. I complied, though I made sure to leave a respectable gap between us. Lucretia immediately scooted over, closing the distance until our shoulders brushed.

“Why are you sitting so far away?”

“No reason, really...”

“Hmph.”

Lucretia puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. L-look, what was I supposed to do? I was sitting on my bed in a cramped dorm room next to the girl I liked. Anyone would be nervous!

If I just told her that, she’d probably understand, but that was practically a confession. ‘I’m nervous because I’m crazy about you’ felt like a pretty pathetic way to break the ice.

Regardless, I couldn't just sit here staring at the ceiling in silence.

“Um... Lady Lucretia?”

“Pui.”

She snapped her head away, refusing to look at me. I guess the formal title wasn't to her liking.

“L-Lucretia-san...?”

“Puu.”

Apparently, even that was too formal. I couldn't help but think her reactions were adorable, but I didn't want to actually upset her, so I decided to stop playing around.

“...Is it alright if I just call you Lucretia?”

For the son of a mere Baron to address a princess without an honorific was a supreme act of discourtesy—the kind of thing that would get me executed if the King ever found out.

Lucretia turned back to me at my question.

“You can call me that, but...”

“But?”

A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she whispered, “...I’d really like it if Hugh called me Tia.”

Tia? That was her nickname, wasn't it?

Well, that actually felt like it had less “social weight” than calling her Lucretia without a title. It was easier for me to wrap my head around.

“Alright then. Tia.”

“Hauh!”

Tia covered her mouth with both hands and let out a strange little squeak.

“E-ehehe... Hugh called me Tia...!”

She started wriggling her body back and forth, looking genuinely thrilled. Seeing her get this much joy out of a simple nickname made a wave of affection surge through me.

I fought back the urge to pull her into a hug and decided to pivot back to the question that had been bugging me.

“So, what made you decide to drop the disguise so suddenly?”

I knew she said there was no point in hiding it when we were alone, but she wouldn't have just done this on a whim. There had to be a trigger.

At my question, Tia seemed to snap back to reality. She puffed her cheeks out again, looking more serious this time.

“Hugh Pnocis. I am very angry with you! I am officially fuming!”

“Oh. Right.”

What was she so worked up about?

“Do you have any idea why?”

“Um...”

To be honest, I had an idea. Actually, two or three ideas. But if I guessed wrong, I had a feeling the scolding would only get worse.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know.”

“Hmph. Hugh, you dummy.”

Tia looked away again. Then, in a small, quiet voice, she added, “...Lily and Lecty are the only ones getting ahead. It’s not fair.”

“Ah... I see.”

Finally, the dots connected—Lucretia’s sudden transformation, and the weird behavior from Lily and Lecty when they met me at the gate. Tia must have heard from them that I’d kissed both of them.

I wished they’d just told me that upfront, but since Idiot had been there, I guess they could only give me vague warnings.

If Lecty had lent her the uniform, then the idea to transform back into Lucretia probably came from Lily. They wanted me to see her as the girl, Lucretia, rather than my male roommate, Lugue—all to lower my resistance to kissing her.

Wait, why would they want to lower my resistance?! If I kissed her now, my self-restraint was going to snap like a twig! Things might go all the way to the end, and that could lead to a very permanent, very irreversible situation.

I considered trying to dodge the issue, but that felt incredibly insincere. Simply apologizing didn't feel right either; Tia wasn't mad that I’d kissed the others, she was mad that she hadn't been kissed yet. An apology wouldn't give her what she wanted.

But kissing her...

I had a feeling she’d accept it.

However, going beyond that was a problem. We both had our positions to consider, and more importantly, my own feelings were telling me that I wanted to cherish our relationship and take it one step at a time.

So...

“Tia.”

I gently placed my left hand over her right and called her name. When she turned, her sapphire eyes were slightly misty, reflecting my image like a pair of mirrors.

“Could you close your eyes for a second?”

“—! Y-yes... okay.”

Tia’s eyes went wide for a moment before she squeezed them shut so tightly her brow furrowed. She didn't need to put that much effort into it, but even that was endearing.

I used my right hand to gently stroke her golden hair, which felt as smooth as silk. Then, I placed the index finger of my left hand against her slightly pouting lips.

“I’m sorry. Please, let this be enough for now.”

I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

If anyone called me a coward for that, I wouldn't be able to deny it. But if I could offer one excuse...

“That was the first time I’ve ever initiated a kiss, Tia.”

So please, let this be enough for today. My heart was thumping so loudly it felt like a drum, and I had to fight to keep my breathing from becoming ragged. I slammed my foot down on the brakes of my self-restraint, suppressing the urge to pull her into my arms and collapse onto the bed.

As I slowly pulled away, Tia’s face turned so red I thought steam might actually start rising from her head. Her mouth trembled wordlessly.

“H-Hugh! I... I mean...!”

Tia’s eyes were wide and watery as she looked up at me. Then—

Gurgle.

“...I-I’m hungry.”

Right. We hadn't had dinner yet.

◇

We decided to head to the cafeteria, partly to let the atmosphere cool down. Lucretia needed to change back into her male uniform and revert to being Lugue, so I stepped out into the hallway to wait for her.

The moment the door clicked shut behind me, I let out a massive breath.

“Phew...”

I slumped against the wall and slid down to the floor. That was close. My self-restraint had been about three seconds away from a total meltdown. Being alone with Lucretia in our room, sitting on the same bed... the sheer destructive power of that situation was off the charts.

Caught up in the mood, I’d even kissed her on the forehead. She didn't seem to mind, but in any other context, that was a straight-up harassment case. Tia had looked like she was about to say something important too... honestly, I should thank her stomach for growling when it did.

Regardless, I needed to take Lily’s advice and stay strong. I had to avoid making an irreversible mistake in the heat of the moment—not just for my sake, but to protect Lucretia too.

“S-sorry to keep you waiting, Hugh.”

About five minutes later, Lugue emerged from the room. Silver hair, male uniform—the familiar sight. I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. Telling her that I felt more relaxed when she looked like a boy seemed like a great way to ruin her mood, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Ready?”

“Y-yeah.”

We headed for the cafeteria, both of us acting a bit stiff. Because we were a little behind our usual schedule, we didn't see Lily or the others. A few classmates were there, but they weren't people we usually talked to. We sat at our table in silence, focusing on our food.

Normally, we’d chat about our classes or the day’s events, but today the atmosphere just wasn't right for small talk. Whenever our eyes met by accident, Lugue would blush, look down, and start aggressively munching on her bread.

After dinner, we returned to the room and settled into our usual routines. I sat at my desk to handle my homework and review for the next day, while Lugue sprawled out on my bed to read a book she’d borrowed from the library.

Yes, everything was back to normal. It was almost frightening how quickly I’d gotten used to the idea of Lugue occupying my bed.

I could feel her eyes on my back every now and then, but I managed to finish my work in about two hours. Ever since I’d made a habit of studying after dinner, I felt like I was actually keeping up with the lectures. If I kept this up, the next round of tests wouldn't be such a struggle.

...Now then.

“Um... Lugue. It’s my turn to use the shower first tonight, right?”

“O-oh! Yes! That’s right.”

Lugue sat up straight on the bed and nodded vigorously.

“Alright. I’m going in, then.”

I grabbed my towel and a change of clothes and headed for the washroom. I shut the door and made sure to lock it from the inside. I didn't usually lock it, but given Lugue’s behavior today, I wasn't taking any chances. If she burst in while I was showering, my self-restraint would be gone for good. Better safe than sorry.

I wished she’d consider my mental health a little more, but I guess I couldn't blame her... I just needed to hurry up, make Prince Lucas the next King, and get officially engaged to Lucretia. Then I wouldn't have to hold back like this.

To make that happen, I’d need to consult Lily and Idiot about the plan...

When I finished my shower and brushed my teeth, I returned to the main room to find Lugue sitting on the edge of my bed, clutching her own towel and clothes. She looked strangely tense.

“I’m going now!”

She practically sprinted past me into the washroom.

I wondered if I should just go to sleep before she came back. No, that would be too mean. It wasn't that I was trying to avoid her; if anything, I wanted to be closer to her. The fact that this had turned into a game of chicken was just bizarre.

We needed to have a real talk. But to do that, I’d have to tell her exactly how I felt. To me, that was the same as a confession, and I wanted to do that properly.

The timing would be next month—Lucretia’s birthday, about two weeks away. Until then, I had to be mindful of her feelings while exercising total self-control to avoid crossing the line. I could do it... probably. Maybe. Most likely.

I decided to wait for her to finish. As I sat on the bed, my eyes fell on the book she’d been reading.

The title was 『The Black Dragon Drefon』... Was it some kind of fairy tale or children’s story? I picked it up and flipped through the pages. The writing style was surprisingly sophisticated for a kid’s book—it read more like a historical chronicle.

It was set in the western part of the Kingdom of Reese, on the opposite side of Lake Reese from the capital. It detailed the exploits of a brave young adventurer who hunted down a black dragon named Drefon that had made its lair in a dungeon.

Was it a fictional story written as a history book? Or an actual record of events?

I had a feeling it was the latter. I hadn't thought about it much back in Pnocis, but this was a fantasy world. It wouldn't be strange for dragons to exist. According to the book, the adventurer who slew the dragon was granted a title by the King as a reward, becoming the founder of the current House of Earl Drefon. Based on the dates in the text, this happened about two hundred years ago.

Becoming an Earl just for killing a dragon... slaying a black dragon was a hell of an achievement. You’d think an event like that would be in our history textbooks, but I didn't recall seeing it. A “Black Dragon Slaying” is exactly the kind of chuunibyou-bait that would have stuck in my memory.

Maybe it was fiction after all. Hmm...

I figured I’d ask Lugue about it when she got out of the shower.

But the moment Lucretia walked back into the room, my mind went completely blank.

What greeted me was her shimmering golden hair. And the only thing covering her flushed, post-shower skin was a light green negligee.

The fabric was thin enough that the silhouette of her limbs was visible through it. The off-the-shoulder design left her collarbones and shoulders completely bare, creating a look that was both adorable and strikingly provocative.

She looked like a forest fairy. I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand. This wasn't fair. She was too cute!

I doubted she was wearing this just because summer was coming and she needed thinner sleepwear. Apparently, a kiss on the forehead hadn't been enough to satisfy her.

“S-so? How is it? Do you like it?”

“Y-yeah. It suits you perfectly. You look... really cute.”

“Yay! Hugh complimented me! Ehehe~”

Seeing her hop around happily made my affection for her feel like it was about to explode. I almost wanted to just grab her right then and there and tell her I loved her. ...No! Get it together, man!

If I confessed now in the heat of the moment and she accepted, we’d probably jump straight past the point of no return. One step at a time. One step at a time.

“W-well, let's get some sleep, Tia.”

I crawled into my bed. If I stayed up any longer, my sanity was going to leave the building. It was better to just fall asleep... or so I thought.

I felt someone standing by my pillow. I looked up to see Lucretia looking down at me, clutching her pillow to her face to hide the lower half of her expression. Her sapphire eyes were filled with expectation.

“Can I... sleep with you...?”

“................Go ahead.”

I agonized over it for a long moment before giving in. I couldn't bring myself to say something as pathetic as “I can't because I'm losing control,” and more importantly, I knew Tia suffered from nightmares when she slept alone. Knowing that, there was no way I could turn her away.

Tia’s expression brightened instantly. She laid her pillow next to mine and slid under the covers. The sweet scent of osmanthus—stronger than usual after her shower—wafted around us. When I turned out the lights, the scent seemed even more intoxicating in the darkness.

“Fufu. Sleeping with Hugh like this... it makes my heart race.”

“Y-yeah...”

I couldn't give her a proper answer. I was too busy trying to keep my head above water. Please, for the love of God, stop saying things that make me aware of you! I’m already pressing the brakes with everything I’ve got!

“I was happy that Hugh kissed me of his own accord. Even if it was just on the forehead, it was a little disappointing... but, I’m glad I was your first. So...”

Tia paused for a heartbeat before whispering:

“I hope I’m your first for everything that comes after the kiss, too.”

—I heard the sound of my self-restraint finally shattering.

“Tia!”

Driven by an irresistible impulse, I started to sit up and lean over her, but then...

“Suu... suu...”

I realized she was already breathing with the soft, steady rhythm of sleep.

She wasn't faking it to tease me. Tia was genuinely, deeply asleep, resting in total peace. Because she trusted me. Completely.

“...Haaa.”

I let out a long, lonely sigh in the darkness, my emotions still running high.

It was going to be a long time before I managed to fall asleep tonight.