Pre-Vacation Benevolence

If you asked the graduates of this world if they ever wanted to go back to their school days, the majority would spit out a string of curses and say no. However, even for a student life so riddled with flaws, there is one advantage that no one can deny.

Vacation.

In my original world, you couldn’t properly enjoy vacations because of supplementary classes, but not here. Owl Academy, at the very least, has no supplementary classes. No assignments, either. During vacation, my time belongs entirely to me.

Ah, that doesn’t mean this world is better. As I’ve said before, considering the mental warfare between nobles, I’d rather attend school in my original world—provided Michael and Ronia weren’t there. If I have Michael and Ronia with me, I can endure hundreds, no, thousands of nobles.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Thud. While walking and lost in thought, I bumped shoulders with a passerby. However, that person simply smiled with worldly benevolence and spoke.

“No, I’m the one who wasn’t looking. Sorry.”

“….”

Normally, they would have scowled with all their might and pushed past irritably, but it’s right before summer break. Everyone becomes generous before a vacation. It’s truly rare for a fight to break out now.

If only every day could be like the day before vacation. Making an impossible wish, I ordered an iced tea. I should avoid coffee for a while; I drank so much of it during the end-of-term tests that I’m sick of it. Sitting by the window, I rested my chin on my hand and listened to the sound of cicadas drifting from afar.

“I hate summer, but I love the specific atmosphere of it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t ask. I don’t know what I’m saying either.”

I took a few sips of my iced tea and asked, “Ronia, are you all packed?”

Ronia, who was scooping up vanilla ice cream, nodded.

“Yeah, I only packed the essentials, but the luggage is a mountain. I think I’ll need to call another carriage. What about you guys?”

“We only packed what we need. If we missed anything, we can just come back for it.”

“Ah, right. You two are from the Kingdom of Minerva.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you say you’re going home this break?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “I’m going to go and grab everything from my room this time. That way I won’t have to go back during the second semester or my third year.”

“….”

Owl Academy keeps the school and dormitories open during break for students who don’t return home, scholars, and professors. Ronia, who had been staring at me silently, asked, “Is there enough space?”

“I don’t have many belongings anyway. It should be enough.”

“Is Michael doing the same?”

“Michael said he already brought all his stuff during our first year.”

“Then are you going to see that person again this time?”

“Yeah.”

If I had a nanny when I was young, Michael had a maid named Sophia. Sophia is also the one who occasionally bakes and sends cheese cookies for Michael and me.

I wanted to go see her too, but Michael said he didn’t want me stepping foot in that house. Come to think of it, even when we were kids, he never once invited me to his home. We always met outside, or Michael would come to our mansion.

It feels like there are many things I don’t know, but I don’t particularly want to pry.

“Ah, it’s really hot today.”

Michael, who had gone to see a professor from the Swordsmanship Department, returned. I immediately handed him the fruit juice I had prepared in advance. Michael downed the juice in one go and let out a sigh.

“I talked with the professor one-on-one, and I thought I was going to suffocate.”

“Ah, was it about the monster subjugation right after the break?”

“Yeah. Since we’re going to a colder region this time, he told me to make sure to pack thick clothes.”

“How long did you say the subjugation would take?”

“About two weeks?”

“….”

What am I supposed to do for two weeks while waiting for Michael? I was already worried.

“Shall we head out then? We have to wake up early tomorrow morning, so let’s get some rest in our own rooms today.”

“Agreed. Oh, wait, Cecil. Lend me one of your novels. I have nothing to read during the long journey.”

“Got it.”

We headed toward the dormitory. I said, “Ronia, make sure to write. And give my regards to Shushu-san.”

“I know, I’ll write no matter what, so stop telling me.”

“You said that last time and didn’t write a single letter.”

“I was busy. I’m telling you, I’ll definitely stay in touch this time!”

While I was making a firm promise with Ronia, I saw Senior Natasha walking sluggishly in the distance. I immediately ran toward her.

“Senior Natasha!”

Natasha actually looked bright for once. I suppose even a top Scholar feels good during vacation. I asked, “Senior, what are you doing over the break?”

Natasha replied with a beaming face, “I have to help my professor with data research.”

“Pardon?”

“And I’m going to follow the professor on a business trip.”

“….”

“I’m so happy because I have so much to do during the break! Yay!”

Senior Natasha has finally lost her mind. Scholars are not free even during vacation. I shed tears of pity for her, while Senior Natasha practically danced away to parts unknown. Ronia and Michael couldn’t hide their pity either.

“She was so sane before she entered the Academic Research Department….”

“She was so popular with the Swordsmanship seniors as a ‘cool city beauty’ too.”

Today, we felt once again just how terrifying the Research Department is. I must write to Senior Natasha as well.

As soon as I returned to my room, I checked how much stationery I had left and flopped onto the bed.

“Ah, this is great.”

Thanks to the lack of assignments and classes, my desk was incredibly tidy. There was nothing written on my schedule either. I stared at the ceiling in silence and muttered, “Thank goodness. This semester ended without much trouble.”

Ronia, who was standing in front of the bookshelf choosing a book, spoke up.

“Without much trouble? Do you really think that?”

“Of course I do.”

“Did you already forget about the Geno and Serman business? How are they doing lately?”

I said dismissively, “Why should I care about their current status?”

“I mean, you’re right, but isn’t Serman in the same ‘Grant’ major? Even if you don’t want to know, wouldn’t you find out?”

“Even if we’re in the same major, I wouldn’t know if I’m not interested.”

I barely have enough time to focus on Michael as it is. Ronia looked satisfied with my response.

“Good. Keep being that cold-hearted.”

“Naturally.”

“But in the end, you couldn’t change your nickname. You said you’d change it from ‘Crazy Maltese’ to ‘Kind Maltese’ by finishing the group project successfully. People are still calling you the Crazy Maltese.”

“…I’ve decided to just accept it. Come to think of it, I really am crazy.”

“Why?”

I said seriously, “No, I mean, how could anyone survive academy life with a sane mind? If I weren’t crazy, I would have dropped out in my first year.”

“That’s true.”

Ronia finally pulled a book out and said, “I’m borrowing this.”

“Sure.”

I waved my hand. Ronia closed the door and left. Finally alone, I stared at the ceiling and felt a sense of relief.

“It’s a relief. That it ended safely.”

Another year and a half. Let’s just survive safely for a year and a half. Let’s graduate with our bodies and minds intact.

That night, I fell asleep while burning with determination.

I opened my eyes. The carriage was rattling along. Michael, who had been looking out the window, turned his head.

“Couldn’t you sleep in the dorm yesterday?”

“Yeah, because I was burning with too much motivation.”

I leaned my head on Michael’s shoulder again. We were leaving the academy and heading home. Though “heading home” only meant picking up my things and leaving immediately.

“I’m so excited to go to the beach with you.”

“Me too. There will be rooms at the inn, right?”

“Of course there will be. Let’s make sure to get a room with a good view of the sea.”

Michael’s eyes widened. “You want to share a room with me?”

“…Eh?”

My face flushed hot as I realized I hadn’t thought that far ahead. This is bad; he’s going to think I’m a pervert. Of course, the fact is that I am a pervert, but I don’t want to be caught yet.

Wanting to still look innocent in front of Michael, I spoke hurriedly.

“N-no! I didn’t mean it like that!”

“I don’t mind sharing, though.”

“Huh?”

“We used to sleep in the same room often back then.”

“But we weren’t a couple back then.”

“If we’re a couple, are we not allowed to sleep in the same room?”

“No! We can! But…!”

Seriously, I’m the only lewd one, the only pervert. Michael isn’t thinking anything of it, so what on earth was I imagining? Just as I was trying to calm my burning face, the carriage stopped.

“We have arrived at the Allegro Estate.”

At the coachman’s words, Michael opened the door. When I took Michael’s hand and stepped down, the mansion came into full view. When I was young, just looking at the mansion made my heart feel warm, but now, it felt like looking at someone else’s house—I felt nothing.

Seeing my expressionless face, Michael spoke with an understanding look.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.”

Michael got back into the carriage. Even after he left, I didn’t enter the mansion immediately but waited at the gate.

After waiting for a while, a modest carriage stamped with an owl crest rattled to a halt in front of the estate. The door opened, and a group of errand-runners belonging to the academy poured out. They were people I had hired by emptying my savings.

I entered the mansion with the errand-runners. The servants and maids were startled to see me and the group, but I ignored them and went straight to my room.

“Do we only need to pack the things in this room?”

“Yes, please.”

“Shall we take the furniture too?”

“No, just the personal belongings, please.”

The errand-runners began to pack my things neatly into the boxes they had brought. The servants, who hadn’t dared to enter the room and were just watching the situation, asked cautiously.

“Um, Young Master. The Head of the House is currently out… what is the meaning of this?”

The Head of the House. At that title, I stared at the servant in silence. The servant lowered his head, perhaps feeling pricked by his own conscience. Not missing the chance, I spoke.

“Don’t mind us and go about your business. I’m nothing to this place anymore.”