"---That concludes today's military geography lecture. Please submit a 3000 word essay on the topics covered today by next Wednesday. That's all, dismissed."
The sound of the bell signaling the end of class echoed, and the tense atmosphere in the room relaxed all at once.
Phew, taking a breath, I hurriedly stuffed my textbooks, notebooks, and writing utensils into my bag.
Right after this, there will be a personal instruction session by the dedicated instructor—Ruri-nee.
The East Building, where her professor's office is located, is quite far, so I need to leave early to avoid being late.
Suddenly, I feel a gaze on my back.
When I looked back, I noticed Erika in the seat behind me staring intently in my direction.
(It's only been a week since she came back, and look at that face she's making.)
Emerald green, glistening eyes, with eyebrows drooping sadly.
Seeing her with that expression like a abandoned puppy, I couldn't help but feel a thrilling sense of guilt rise within me, thinking, "Is someone like Erika, a beautiful girl, thinking of me this much...?"
By mixing in a bit of guilt, it makes me feel like my chest is being tightened.
Last weekend, Erika and I secretly went to the main mansion of the Jougasaki family, and we were allowed to return to military school together under the condition set by the head of the family, Kyoka-san, that we would not have unnecessary contact outside of our studies.
In order to prevent the secret police from suspiciously doubting the relationship between 'Jougasaki' and me, it was originally planned for me to return to military school alone...
"I oppose letting Kai go back to military school alone."
Since Erika insisted and wouldn't back down from returning to military school with me, Kyoka reluctantly allowed her return under certain conditions.
Erika was fuming on the return flight, saying, "Your mother is definitely infatuated with you and said those things out of jealousy towards me! You can tell just by looking at the way she stared at you when we parted!"
Well, that's probably just her usual excessive paranoia.
However, it's painful for me not to be able to touch Erika, who has finally become my girlfriend in both name and reality after I conveyed my true feelings. More than anything, seeing her with such a sad expression makes me feel really sorry for her.
However, since the spirit serving as Erika's bodyguard regularly reports to her master, Kyoka, about me and her, if I act carelessly, Erika will be taken back to her family home before the secret police can catch us.
Moreover, I really want to help somehow, but it's not a problem that can be solved immediately, and more importantly, if I get delayed for Ruri-nee's private tutoring session now, it would be quite troublesome.
I should get going soon.
(Sorry! Erika!)
I averted my gaze and sent her a look filled with my utmost apology. Just as I was about to stand up with my bag packed with textbooks, that moment――
"Hey, Kai. You're cute today too."
A woman as big as a bear suddenly appears in front of me.
The woman leaned her arm on my desk as if to block my way and spoke to me in a familiar tone.
(Sigh, at a time like this, it's Hanaya again. What a hassle.)
I almost can't help but frown, but I suppress it and respond with a straight face so as not to give it away.
"Ah, Hanaya-san. Thank you."
This woman, Hanaya Masako, shows me her smug face while surrounded by her entourage.
Since I major in the Army course and Hanaya belongs to the Navy course, we are in different classes and don't often see each other in lectures. (I'm really grateful for that, honestly.)
However, from time to time, during breaks between classes, she comes with her lackey and persistently tries to flirt with me.
"How about dinner at my favorite pub tonight?"
"Well, I was thinking of dedicating tonight to studying..."
"Hey Kai, stop being so stubborn. You care about me, don't you? It's about time you at least had a meal with me."
As Hanaya winks at me while shaking her plump face, his entourage starts to jeer in a vulgar manner, saying things like, "Whoa, that's hot!" and "Hanaya and Toudo are the perfect match, like a beautiful woman and handsome man!"
Seeing Hanaya from a marquis family glare at them, the other students awkwardly left the classroom.
Ugh... give me a break, please.
I have to admit that I have a bit of a preference for looks. (The reason I was initially attracted to Erika was because she was a beautiful girl.)
However, I don't want to become a vulgar person who changes how they interact with others based on their looks, and such people are objects of contempt to me.
Since I have memories from my previous life, I don't think of myself as a handsome guy, after all.
However, when it gets to this point and they keep clinging on persistently, I can't help but feel fed up.
To begin with, I'm really not good with the type of person like Hanaya, who has that brash attitude.
If this girl had been born as a man in my previous life's world, she would definitely have become a delinquent and bullied the nerdy version of me from my school days.
As I continued to give Hanaya a wry smile to cover up, a loud clatter suddenly came from behind.
When I turned around, I was met with the sight of Erika, her eyes wide open, glaring at Hanatani and the others with a demonic expression.
(Oh no! She is really, really angry.)
If Erika goes on a rampage and confronts Hanaya for my sake, the guardian spirit summoned by Kyoka, who is attached to Erika, will immediately report to her master.
If that happens, Kyoka-san would probably tie up her daughter Erika and take her back to her parents' house.
Hanaya, oblivious to the angry aura radiating from Erika behind me and my confusion, keeps persistently hitting on me.
At this rate, it's going to get messy. Maybe I should just cut the conversation short and make a run for it.
"Ah, Hanaya-san. My personal instruction time with Instructor Washimori is coming up soon. I can't be late, so see you later."
As I was about to leave after saying that, Hanaya suddenly grabbed my arm tightly.
What the hell is this girl?
"If it's studying, I'll help you later, okay? Besides, even though she's a former baron, Washimori is practically half-commoner, right? It's better to get close to me and gain various benefits than to receive guidance from someone who's just pretending to be a noble."
Even though she came from the same marquis family, Hanaya was an unpleasant person who flaunted her noble lineage, unlike Erika.
"And besides, have you seen how ugly that her face is? I mean, come on, you can't stand being with someone like that, right?"
Hanaya's entourage bursts into high-pitched laughter.
Hey, hey! That's really going too far, you know.
Ruri, who works for the secret police, has some thoughts on the matter.But still, to me, she is the beloved older sister I've admired since childhood.
You say whatever you want, you pig gorilla woman!
"Could you stop speaking ill of Instructor Washimine? Hanaya, more than someone like you..."
Right after I, with my blood boiling from the insults directed at Ruri, began to raise my voice in protest... a shadow swiftly crossed, as if a gust of wind had blown through.
By the time I realized it, Ruri, having shaken off Hanaya's hand, was standing in front of me.
"H-Huh...?"
For a moment, Hanaya was bewildered, not understanding what had just happened.
However, as if immediately grasping the situation, she quickly turned her sharp gaze towards Ruri.
However, Ruri seems completely unfazed by such gazes.
"Tōdō-kun, it's already time for personal tutoring. Stop dawdling and get ready quickly."
"…Ah! Yes!"
As I hurriedly grabbed my bag and stood up, Ruri smiled at me reassuringly.
"Just now, Toudou was having an important conversation with me. Instructor...?"
Perhaps feeling irritated by Ruri's nonchalant attitude towards her, Hanaya threw words at Ruri as if to confront her.
"Oh really? To me, he seemed annoyed."
Ruri said that with a confident smile and naturally took my hand to escort me.
Seeing me follow her without resistance, Hanaya's face turned bright red, and all she could do was mumble, "You ugly little noble..."
Hanaya's entourage seemed to be flustered, only able to fuss over Hanaya's mood, which was quite amusing.
On the other hand, Erika, who is standing dazed in the back seat, looks sad as she watches me being led away by Ruri.
...Somehow, I really feel sorry for Erika. I should ask Kyoka-san to arrange a secret meeting with Erika somewhere soon.
"Well then, Toudou-kun. Time's running out, so shall we go?"
When I was feeling a bit down because of Erika, Ruri cheerfully grabbed my hand and led me out of the classroom.
After a while in the hallway, Ruri gently leaned her face closer.
Feeling her sweet breath and body heat near my ear, I can't help but feel strange just from that.
"Kaikun, thank you for trying to defend me earlier when they were saying bad things about me. Big sister was really happy~♡"
Damn it, she's so adorably sexy. I'm starting to feel a bit dizzy.
Her plump, luscious lips are right in front of me. If I get any closer, I could kiss her... Maybe I should just do it right here...
No, no, what am I thinking?
In broad daylight at school! With a teacher! And I even have a fiancée!
Just now, the melancholic expression on Erika's face came to mind, and somehow regaining my composure, I managed to turn my flushed face away from Ruri.
"Too bad. But, Kai-kun, you're surprisingly a bit of a pervert, huh~♡"
Ruri smiled mischievously.
Seeing that, my heart skips a beat again.
Phew, Ruri is a troublesome person in a different way than Hanaya. Seriously.
While breaking out in a cold sweat, I decided to obediently let Ruri, who was humming a tune, lead me to my private tutoring room.