Members, You Stay There. The Advisor Will Return Home (1)

I had concluded that praying for a sixth character to appear would be the best for Louise. However, that also meant that there was nothing I could do at the moment. At that thought, I felt like tearing up.

Still, I was holding onto a small hope. Only the 1st semester out of six had passed. Regardless of this situation where I had to endure this hopeless show for five more semesters, many opportunities would be left for the members.

Of course, it was a small hope. I wasnt expecting much. After all, you wont be disappointed if you dont expect anything.

Was I always like this?

Suddenly, I reached a fundamental question. Was it frustrating because I was going through it in real-time, whereas the story skipped dates in the original series? From the readers perspective, the dates are skipped reasonably, but from my point of view, it was infuriating.

Id rather have it that way. If someone else took over my position for the second semester, I wouldnt be so upset. After all, that would allow me to check the progress once every six months.

I could hear a voice in the back of my head whispering, With those idiots, things would remain the same even after six months, but I just ignored it.

Today, instead of flour, the clubroom smelled of ink. That meant the final exams were approaching, which was a positive thing.

It really is the end now.

I felt sorry for those who were flipping through textbooks while frowning, but I was really happy about it.

Normally, everyone looked forward to vacations, but it was especially severe this year. Even the Academys Principal and Vice Principal were anxious. How could they not be when there were many people with a higher standing than them roaming around in the Academy? It seemed like their mood had improved at the thought that they would soon return to their respective countries.

Its indeed something to be happy about, but

The vacation was a happy event, of course. I could be freed from the task of monitoring and handling key figures, the people who could have my neck cut off if something happened to them.

However, after being summoned to the capital by the Mage Duchess, I realized that the Academy was a paradise. If I returned to the capital, I didnt know when I would be summoned again by the higher-ups.

I should be happy, but I just couldnt. If I hadnt realized this, I would have happily returned to the capital. However, I ended up consuming the red pill and awakened to the truth.

Louise, thats not how you solve that.

Ah, youre right.

While my heart was mourning bitterly, I heard the voices of two women chatting. There was no way this should be happening. After all, Louise was the only female member.

Thanks, Irina!

This ones wrong, too.

Oops!

But if that someone was her close friend, it was possible. The one who took the gender ratio from 6 men and 1 woman to 3:1 was Irina.

Irina, who hadnt appeared for a while after gifting the hawthorn, started coming to the pastry club again a few days ago. However, Im not sure why shes coming every day. Arent you in a different club?

Since the exams are coming up, we decided not to have meetings. Would it be okay if I study with Louise?

Yes, of course.

When I asked, she said she did not need to go to her club. Since she said so herself, there was no reason to stop her.

But they have meetings.

Since Im an Advisor, I had a communication channel with the other faculty members. Thats why I knew the situation of the Academy very well, and thats how I also knew that clubs never skipped meetings, even if they had to gather to study.

Irinas club, the gardening club, had never skipped a meeting. Not even once. Not even on the day she came with the plant.

But I cant ask her.

Irina was already cautious of me. The only change was that shed been looking out at the plant shed given a lot.

Anyways.

Given the situation, I couldnt say something like, Why are you lying? That would only make her run away in panic. There had already been an embarrassing incident between Irina and me, so provoking her would be unkind.

Even now, she kept glancing at me from time to time. Whats up with that? It was funny how she hurriedly looked away when our eyes met.

I guess it will be fine.

I couldnt provoke Irina. Not only that, but this wasnt something I could blame her for. After all, I agree that there was nothing wrong with coming to a friends club. Although she might be neglecting her own.

Even if she was a noble, she wasnt even in her twenties yet. When I think about my past life, thats the age when one would be the most excited about friends. So, her actions were understandable.

This is wrong, too.

Sob

Considering Louises poor learning skills, it seemed like Irinas presence was positively affecting her.

Irina, could you look at this, too?

Ah, that?

And the other club members also didnt seem to mind Irinas presence.

While it might be uncomfortable to have someone else in the middle of their battlefield with Louise, thankfully, none of the members seemed to dislike Irina.

I was glad there wasnt someone dumb enough to show hostility toward Louises best friend.

Im glad Lady Irina is here. There were times when no one here knew the answer.

Your Highn

Haha, talk to me comfortably. Were all fellow students, arent we?

Ah, yes.

Even the Empires Prince, the most intimidating figure for Irina, was being amiable to her. Since that was the case, the other Princes had no reason to push her out.

Im really~ glad Irina is here.

It tickles.

Irina, who was hugged by Louise, gently patted Louises head. Sometimes, they looked like sisters born in the same year rather than friends. Anyway, it was a heartwarming sight.

Except for the idiots who looked on with envy in the background.

* * *

The catalyst was trivial.

Im going to focus more on studying starting today.

A certain thought crossed my mind upon hearing Louises determined words. If the pastry club would stop their activities until the exam, then it wouldnt be strange for the gardening club to do so, would it?

Of course, the gardening club had never paused its activities since the Academys inception. But oppa, who was new to the Academy, probably wouldnt know that, right?

This is an opportunity.

At first, I didnt go because I was too embarrassed to see oppa. But once I calmed down, I couldnt find an excuse to go. Even though he said it was okay, I couldnt say the club was on break every day. That would be weird.

However, if I say that the club meetings have paused for the exams, it should be enough as a reason. Its something that could easily happen, and studying with a close friend wouldnt be strange either.

I dont like the idea of using Louise, but

Louise Would you like to study with me?

Really? Is that okay?

Yes. I dont have anywhere to go, so

Yay!

Louise said it was fine, and she seemed to like it. So, this wasnt using her.

Im sorry.

I told myself that, but upon seeing Louises cheerful face, I couldnt help but feel guilty. Even though Louise wanted it, it was still a cowardly act on my behalf.

Ah, long time no see. Welcome.

Even so, I hated myself because I felt less guilty upon hearing oppas greeting.

Thanks for the gift. It really lifted the mood of the clubroom.

Im glad to hear that.

However, I hated oppa for not knowing the meaning of the flower. Im glad he didnt know it. Im really glad, but

How mean.

I felt a weird mix of relief and disappointment. How could he be so indifferent to a ladys gift? I felt like a fool for worrying about it.

If the most famous flower language wasnt only love but tolerance and forgiveness, I would have still felt bitter. Because either way, he wouldnt have known it. I had really put a lot of thought into the gift, yet

Oppa has been taking good care of it.

Louises whispered words beside me eased my heart a little.

* * *

The six members of the pastry club and the one who escaped from the gardening club were preparing for their exams every day.

Why are there so many subjects?

It isnt a practical exam, so I think it should be okay if they did it moderately.

Erich and Rutis, who were physically oriented people, were complaining loudly. As the days went by, their faces grew darker. Now, they were openly resenting studying. It seems that exams drive students crazy everywhere, regardless of which world they belong to.

But theres only two days until the break, so lets hang on a bit more.

Upon hearing Ainters words, Erich picked up his pen again.

Alright. I should hang in there. I have to return home in a good mood.

Ah, are you going to return to your home?

Why are you talking as if you werent going home?

I wont go.

I was chewing a cookie when I stopped upon hearing Rutiss words.

Eh, you wont return?

It seemed like Erich wasnt expecting that answer, either. You bastard. Why arent you going to return?

It isnt a short distance from the Empire to Armein. Ill be back in two months, anyway. It would be better to stay at the Academy.

You could teleport.

Magicians who can move that distance are too busy.

You bastard. Why is it that you only show empathy at times like this?

I agree. I was thinking the same thing.

Lather, who was quietly writing something, also agreed with what Rutis said. Youre not returning, too?

As I turned my gaze toward Tannian, I saw him nodding while smiling. N-not you, too right?

It seems we all think the same way. Haha. I guess our hearts became connected because of the time weve spent together.

For a moment, I imagined Sir Villar punching the ground while crying in frustration.

You can rate/review this series here.