Chapter 48
“Thanks, but doesn’t it tire you out, taking care of things like this every day?”
Even if Len was coming under the guise of a research student, acting like a dessert-and-coffee delivery boy was a waste of his talents.
Well, it’s nice that I get to keep an eye on him so he doesn’t get too close to Melin…
Still, this was the most important time of the academic year—final exams for the second semester.
Len had been maintaining excellent grades. If those slipped because he was busy running my errands…
I might not be able to send him abroad.
The Seriel Empire had recently signed a peace treaty with the Valt Empire.
As a symbol of peace, both nations had agreed to a student exchange program—and Callisto was seriously considering studying abroad.
So I asked him a favor.
“Could you take Len with you? I’ll cover all the expenses myself.”
Exchange students—especially those participating in a peace pact—would be exempt from conscription during their time abroad.
That would give me time to prepare a count title for Len.
Well, it might be possible if his grades stay high… but would Len even want that?
But contrary to my hopeful expectations, Callisto’s response was cautious.
“On the surface, it’s a symbol of peace, but in reality, it’s a barren place. If he’s not truly interested in learning new things, living in a foreign land might be tough.”
“Still, it’s better than going to war.”
“…Yeah. I suppose so.”
Callisto fell silent at the mention of war.
He must have thought the same—better to study abroad than risk his life on the battlefield.
Still, he remained careful.
“We should ask Len what he thinks.”
“Agreed.”
Of course, I already knew the answer.
Surely, Len would prefer study abroad over being sent to war.
Especially given how diligently he’s been showing up at the lab, he clearly wasn’t lacking academic motivation.
I’ll find the right time to bring it up.
Just then, the door to the lab burst open.
I immediately knew who it was.
Only one person barged in without knocking.
“So nice of our diligent student to show up.”
Despite my sarcasm, Alfeo grinned unbothered.
“Hm? Were you waiting for me?”
But today, he wasn’t alone.
He smiled brightly and gestured to his side, where Melin was standing.
“We ran into each other out front and came together.”
“Uh, sis… long time no see…”
In her arms, Mion was nestled.
There was something a bit on edge about Mion’s demeanor, but I stepped forward warmly to greet Melin.
“Melin, you’ve been doing okay, right?”
It was the first real conversation we’d had since our last brief encounter, and I’d been worried.
At the same time, her sudden appearance threw me off.
I thought Melin was avoiding me…
Maybe that wasn’t the case?
If not, that was a relief…
I looked at her more closely.
Now that I saw her up close, something seemed off.
Her face looked tired—drawn, even. She had dark circles under her eyes.
I’d never seen her like this before. I quickly asked,
“Melin, what’s wrong with your face?”
“Hm? It’s nothing.”
“Come on, just tell me.”
“Hm, can I guess?”
Alfeo gave us all a mischievous look—me, Melin, and Len.
Raising a finger, he grinned.
“Love triangle?”
“What?”
What nonsense was he on about now?
I stared at him, exasperated.
“Stop reading so many trashy novels.”
In the week I’d known Alfeo, I’d learned he had an intense love for sensational stories.
Romance, infidelity, dramatic betrayals—he’d read them all.
But something about what he said reminded me of one important fact I’d forgotten:
That Melin and Len were—or had been—dating.
Wait, is it okay to have them meet like this?
Even if they broke up…
As I glanced nervously between Melin and Len, the latter spoke up.
“Alfeo, can I have a word?”
“Why?”
“A heart-to-heart. Between friends.”
“Uh… I’d rather not.”
But Len just grabbed Alfeo by the arm and started dragging him out.
“Wait a sec…!”
It happened so fast I didn’t even have time to stop them.
Why are you dragging him off like that?!
He just came back after a week! Who knows when I’ll see him again?
But it was too late—their footsteps were already disappearing down the hallway.
Why is Len acting like this?
This was the first time I’d seen him behave so impulsively.
“Is there anything I can help with, sis?”
Now that we were alone, Melin finally spoke up.
There was a lot I wanted to ask her.
Like her relationship with Len. Or why she’d been avoiding me.
But there was something more pressing.
“Melin… are you sure nothing’s going on?”
Her evasiveness made me uneasy, like she was hiding something.
“Hm? Oh, it’s just finals stress!”
At her words, I remembered something important.
Final exams. The most critical part of the academy year.
Maybe I’m being overly sensitive…
Maybe she wasn’t avoiding me on purpose. Maybe our paths just hadn’t crossed due to how busy she was.
That’s when it happened.
“W-Why is this on your desk?!”
“Huh? Oh, this?”
Melin pointed at the desk in a panic. Her face had gone pale.
“I guess a Natural Sciences student accidentally mixed their assignment in with the others from my class.”
“O-Oh… I see. I’ll bring this to the professor!”
“Uh, okay… sure.”
Melin quickly left the room.
I tried to grab Mion before he left too, but he was already clinging to her and leaving with her.
I wanted to ask how she and Len met…!
Even if Mion adored Melin, it felt strange to see him stick to her so closely.
Something didn’t feel right.
There’s definitely something going on with Melin.
And Mion—clearly reading my expression—followed her without saying a word. He wasn’t planning to tell me either.
Most of all, Melin’s awkward behavior lingered in my mind.
Fine. Then I’ll find out myself.
After all, secrets never stay hidden forever.
Meanwhile, on the way to Professor Harry Mackerman’s lab—
Melin tried to calm her pounding heart.
A Natural Sciences assignment ended up there?
If it had been hers, her sister might have found out—about the terrible things she’d been doing.
“Myaow.”
Mion let out a soft meow, as if trying to comfort her.
She smiled and stroked him, then kept walking.
That’s when someone suddenly grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.
“Well, look who it is!”
A girl with lovely pink hair braided neatly smiled sweetly.
“Our little Melin~!”
She skillfully snatched the paper from Melin’s hands and widened her eyes.
“Stealing assignments now?”
“E-Emily…”
“Aw, what’s wrong? Afraid of flunking? Is that why you’re doing this?”
“This isn’t like that! It’s for my sister—she asked me to deliver it!”
Melin shouted in panic.
“Oh, I get it now.”
A blonde girl, arms crossed, laughed mockingly.
“Looks like the ‘Black Knight’ came to save her poor failing little sister. I thought something was off when such a young woman got hired as a professor…”
So this is what it was about?
The girls giggled mockingly, and Melin bit her lip.
“Hey, let me give you a tip.”
Emily Luspina stepped forward and tapped Melin’s forehead with the stolen paper.
“If you’re that dumb, maybe don’t show your face at the academy. People like you drag the rest of us down.”
A bit frustrating ngl.