SIDE: Josetteer.

　On the first day of school resumption, I woke up early for the first time in a long time to get the letter into Mr. Frank's desk without being found by anyone and headed to class.
　This was my habit a while ago: ...... I'm very sleepy today for the first time in a long time.

There's no one else here today, is there ......?
　I always mutter that before entering the classroom.
　In the beginning I was afraid of what people would think of me, but now I don't worry about it at all with just words.
　After the dormitory life, everyone comes to class just in time.
　No one comes to class this early.
　It's supposed to be: ...... Why is that?　There are two of them.

"Well, uh, ...... good morning.
　As I froze, one of the duo came up to me, as if they had been waiting for me .

'Oh, good morning ...... Mr. Frank . And ...... Mr. Leo.

Good morning. I'll be gone soon, so don't worry about it.
　Gone?　What does that mean?

"...... I'm sorry to scare you. There's still some time before class starts, so ...... can we talk about this in private for a moment?

A story?　It's okay, though: ......
　Is Mr. Frank okay?　Wouldn't it be tasteless if they saw us talking together?
　Oh, no. That's not what this is about.
　That's right ...... and that's it. ......

Great. Leo, please.
　As I was grieving alone, Frank looked back as if he was ready.
　Then Leo, smiling a little, came over to us.

Okay. José, just give me a little help.

What?
　Leo held out his hand to me, holding Frank's, and I scowled.
　What are we going to do now?

I'm fine. I just need a change of scenery.
　When Leo-san said that and took my confused hand, the scenery around me changed in an instant.
　What is this?　Besides, is that now ...... a transition?

Nobody can come in here and eavesdrop on us. Frank, call me when you're done.

Okay. Thank you.

Yeah, that's fine. So, good luck with that!
　Huh?　...... What!
　I can't understand the situation. What's my situation now?
　Frank and Leo were in a classroom that was supposed to be empty ...... and suddenly they were brought somewhere and Leo disappeared somewhere ...... and it was just me and Frank in the room.

I'm sorry . I know you're confused.

'Yes, yes ......'
　I nodded shyly at Frank's question.
　I can't be so calm.

Well, ...... we've never talked like this before, have we?

...... Yes.
　Certainly, I've never spoken to you outside of a greeting before. I couldn't do that, so I wrote to you.

It's really funny, isn't it, that we've been writing for so long?

It's no use, ......, we've both had our moments.

"Circumstances or ...... If it weren't for the circumstances ......
　I agree . If it really weren't for the circumstances .......

'Oh ...... no. You don't want to talk about that, do you?

'What?　What?

Oh, no. Yeah. Yeah. Come over here for a second. It's so cool out here.
　When I couldn't hear him, Frank pointed outside as if in a panic.

'Yes, yes ...... what?　This is ...... a very busy city. It's not ...... an imperial city with this many people, and it's not an imperial city.
　Frank told me to look in the window and I saw a strange city below.
　I've never seen a city with that many people coming and going before.
　Even in the imperial city so far: ...... Where have we been brought to?



This is Leo's town.

I see. ...... That makes sense. It's so much easier for your father to get his head around the transfer of his people to Mladin territory now.''
　A city that is considered the center of the world. I've never seen it before, but I didn't know it was this great.
　So much for this, I suppose it's no wonder people are moving out of our house.

Oh, and the Lefebvre family?　My parents were pissed off that the merchants were dwindling. Really, it's awesome: ...... you're our age and you're running this town and expanding even more.

'Yes. ....... It's very hard to believe that we are classmates.

'I know, ...... I've been watching him up close and personal for a long time, and that guy is really awesome.'
　Frank was somewhat proud and ...... happy when he said that.

Frank, you often write about Leo in your letters, don't you? It was actually a lot of fun to read them.
　Most importantly, Frank seemed to be having fun writing it. I was just happy to hear that .
　Oh, that's right: ...... You won't be able to read that anymore either.

'Really?　Well, there were a lot of times when I got caught up in the most ridiculous things . When they took me to the dungeon, I really felt like I was in danger.

It's from your last letter, isn't it?

The last ...... that was so ......, then the explosion happened after that, and the letter exchange was cut off.

Yes ......
　I couldn't hold back the sad face.
　My smile faltered and I slumped down.

''Really, the Philibert family went too far. Betraying your country is the worst thing you can do as a nobleman.

Yes. ......
　If it hadn't been for that, I'd have been able to send Mr. Frank a few more letters.

Yeah. It was Leo that got us out of there, too.

It's that wall.
　I know. Even though I was so close to the explosion, I'm still alive because of Leo's protection by the wall.
　Even though I was dying .......

"The Philibert family was also killed by a bomb ...... and the man who made that bomb is now helping the kingdom to fight a war against the Empire. Really, I'm sick of wanting to do it back, but I can't.

War: ......
　I'm very worried. A lot of people died in the bombing, and now ...... many more people are going to die.

It's going to be okay. That's okay." "That's okay. Leo will win. That guy's really great. He's always ahead of everybody else. I just can't keep going down a thorny road with no rails and no roads like he did.

Yes, ...... we tend to focus on Leo's accomplishments and his rise to prominence, but he's really struggling, isn't he?
　There was a time when I envied you for living a life that wasn't tied to your parents, but if you think about it, Leo has experienced a lot of hardship for that.
　All I did was complain and go along with the rails they laid for me.
　I don't have the courage to go off the rails and I have no right to envy you.

"Mm-hmm. Actually, I loved watching Leo, Frank and Hermann interact at school. When I see you three having a good time, it makes me happy.
　I was so happy just watching the three of them having a good conversation in the front seat.
　I am very happy to think that we will be able to see that again from today.
　It's a little sad to think that we will only be able to see it for one more year. ......

I'm a little sad to think that I'll only be able to see it for one more year: ......

Yes. I've been watching you, Mr. Frank, all along.
　Huffing and puffing, I decided to step out .
　I didn't come here to make small talk. ...... Let me cut to the chase.

"I love you with all my heart, Mr. Frank.

What?

"I love you, Frank, regardless of your parents. I just want you to know that. Even if this is the last time we ever write to each other today: ......
　Yeah. So if you end up here today, Mr. Frank, I just want you to know how I feel about you.
　If you ever get married to a church girl, if you ever get married to someone I don't know, I want you to know that.
　I really like you, Mr. Frank.

Well, ...... I've got a lot to answer for you. But first, let me just check one thing: ...... What do you mean by the end of the letter exchange?

'What?　Isn't it?　We can't write to each other anymore. It was just the two of us to tell you that, wasn't it?
　What do you mean then?

'No. ....... Yeah . You're right. If you don't tell them, they won't know anything. Instead of regretting not telling them, tell them and regret it. ....... That's right.


　I whispered to myself, and Mr. Frank looked at me with powerful eyes as if he had made up his mind .

'Now, I'm going to tell you a little bit of a painful story ......, will you bear with me for a moment and listen to me?'

"...... Yes. I'm fine.
　I have no idea what the story is about, but I'm ready to go .......

'I'm actually going to be engaged to the daughter of the next Pope.

"Oh, oh, oh, ...... that's right, ...... oh, congratulations.
　I was prepared for it, but the reality of the situation didn't make the words come out quickly enough for me .
　The fact that Mr. Frank would be engaged ...... to someone who was no match for me ...... was so shocking that my knees dropped to their knees Shit.

Hold on. I need you to listen to me more.
　Is there anything else?　I don't want to hear anything else!
　When I couldn't stand it anymore, I covered my ears with my hands and winced .
　I was ready for it. ...... I was going to look like I was going to be fine no matter what he said.

'José. . look up.
　My hand was gently wrapped in a warm hand as I shook my face in an inky way .
　A little startled, I looked up and met eyes with Frank who crouched down ...... .

'I love José with all my heart, too . I enjoyed reading José's letters and I enjoyed thinking about the contents of his letters in my life. Through your letters, I could feel your honesty and kindness. I found myself falling in love with you. ......

'Oh, no, no. ...... Don't embarrass me by saying that ......
　It makes me even sadder, doesn't it?
　If it was a one-sided love, you could have just given up. .......

I'm sorry. I can't go against my parents' decision. If I refuse, it will divide the Baudelaire family completely. It's something I have to do to avoid. I don't want Baudelaire to become a second Philibert.

"I know. We're noblemen. We also have a responsibility commensurate with our privilege: ......
　I know, I know. But, but .......
　I couldn't take it anymore, so I hugged Mr. Frank and cried.
　It's the first and last time I'll ever be able to indulge you like this.
　That thought brings more tears to my eyes.

I'm sorry. But can you still look at me and listen to me just a little bit longer?
　With that said, I rubbed my eyes to stop the tears and looked at Frank with eyes that would have been bright red .

'I've given up. ...... My best friend won't let me do that . I know . Maybe I'll take the thorny path too.

What?

"Jose, will you marry me?
　I can't do that. .......

No, you can't do that. ...... Mr. Frank has a home.
　I've been waiting for that word for a long time ...... I've been waiting for ...... for a long time, but I can't .
　I want to spoil you so badly...... I want to spoil you so badly. But it's definitely not a good idea to think about Mr. Frank .

'It's okay. I'll take care of the house, I'll take care of it.

'What about your marriage to the next Pope's daughter?　You're not going to say no, are you?

Yeah, I'll say no. I don't know if you'll forgive me, but I'll go apologize in person.

Well, that's not something to apologize for .......
　It's a big problem. Maybe the relationship with the Church State will deteriorate .
　Even with the war with the Kingdom coming up: .......

The truth is. I was going to use this opportunity today to ask José to be my friend. I talked to Leo and the others yesterday and they told me to do it.

Oh, no. ......
　So, Leo was there earlier: .......
　Oh, and I see what it means that Leena came to my room yesterday .
　Leena ...... right.

'But then I just couldn't understand it. I didn't like it ...... because I felt like José was just going to be along for the ride. And I feel like if I was to be swayed by this opinion here, I would regret it forever. That's why I've decided to marry José!

I hate .......
　Staring into Mr. Frank's eyes, I refused.

'What?'

'No!　I can't believe Mr. Frank is the only one who has to suffer through this!　Let me be a thorn in the side!　Isn't that what married couples are all about!



What?

"No, I'm fine with the side room. If you ask me if I'm unhappy in the side room, I don't think so. Because at least Leena seems very happy!
　That's right!　Leena, you always seem to be having a great time living with Leo, Sherry and your other wives!
　I can't deny you such happiness, Leena!

......
　I guess my feelings were understood, and Frank-san huffed and fell silent .

'The thorny path is a little easier if we walk it together. Or wouldn't Mr. Frank love me if I were a side room?

Not really.

Okay. Mr. Frank, we look forward to working with you for many years to come.

"...... Okay, I get it. You're right. If you think about it, it's not like Leo is walking this thorny path alone. He's got the support of those wives.

That's right. And you don't have to do it all by yourself, Frank.

'Yeah, that's right: ...... Yeah, that's right: ....... Oh ...... no more.
　Nodding, Frank's eyes began to fill with tears ...... and he couldn't stand it anymore, so he hugged me and began to cry.

I'm not sure what to do. Please don't cry. I'm finally starting to calm down ...... already.
　I finally stopped crying: .......
　I hugged Mr. Frank and started to cry again.

"I'm sorry. You're going to have to take care of the thorny stuff from now on.

I'll take care of it. And Mr. Frank, if you get tired of me, don't throw me away, okay?

I'll never get tired of it, and I'll never throw it away, so it's okay.

I'm going to believe you. Sir.

Well, you're not ready yet. ......
　Hmmm . Sir, ...... sounds very good .

It's a little better. It's my dream.

'Do I call you sir?　Well, okay, but ......

Hmm. So I'll only call you that when we're alone.

"Wow, okay. ......
　Yes!　Permission granted.
　I'm looking forward to being alone with you.

I know it's a great place to start, but ...... is the time limit.

Oh, my God!
　Suddenly I heard a woman's voice that wasn't mine up close, and the husband and I were startled by a loud voice.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of this article.

I'm sorry to surprise you. But it sucks not to be in class for the first time in a long time, doesn't it?

'Okay. ...... Sir, we'll continue after school.'
　Ugh...... I wish I could take a break from class and do this all day long......!
　But it's not a good idea to miss class.
　I desperately wanted to get away from him.

He only calls you that when it's just you and me: ......

Thank you, Leena, for yesterday. You have given me a lot of courage.
　I bowed my head to Leena, who was next to me, as I listened to Frank's appeal.
　If it hadn't been for Leena's words, I would have regretted it for a long time.
　If I had taken the master's suggestion, my apologies to him would have outweighed my happiness.
　You would not have been very happy with that kind of feeling.

No, no. I'm very happy that your wish has come true too, José. Can you tell me a story later?

Of course!
　I've always heard sweet things about you, Leena. I had to reciprocate.

Your husband is sulking because you ignored him. And I'm seriously late, so we can talk later.

'Yes, sir!　Oh, sir, I'm sorry for ignoring you.
　I apologize for my husband's sulky face, thinking he was cute inside.
　I'm very happy to see this kind of face from now on: ...... I'm very happy.

That's why ......

"Hmm. Just kidding. Sir.


　Oh, I've gotten into the habit .
　I was going to call him Mr. Frank, and I held my mouth when the word "sir" came out of my mouth.
　Maybe I'll call you at school: .......

You're hot. ......

I kind of want to call Leo-kun Master too: ......

I don't mind, but you can call Leena anywhere you want.

'Really?　So long. ......

Gohon. I thought you were going to be late?
　Seeing that the two people who had been telling them to hurry up earlier started making out, Danna...... Frank coughed and warned them.
　Oh, it's now safe to watch these two interact up close and personal from now on: .......
　Really, it was the right thing to do to keep writing letters.
　I don't know how many times I thought about quitting, but I'm glad I kept going and didn't ...... give up.
　Oh, by the way, I didn't give you today's letter.

'Sir. Here's today's letter.

'Oh, yeah ...... I'll call you as soon as I get home and let you write me back.'

I'll look forward to it. I'll look forward to it.
　Ahhhhh. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow.