The day after the day I went to the underground altar in the Great Clock Tower.
　I walked up to school with Mr. Currier and entered the classroom.

Oh.

　The three of them, who were off yesterday, were seated side by side.

'Good morning, Kurohiko.
'Oh, good morning Miss Cecily.

　It's the same tone as Cecily's before.
　When you talk to her normally like this, it makes me think that the incident that night was just a dream.
　That's how much she has returned to her old self.

''Are the shades around your eyes or........tone of voice okay now?''
Yes, sir.

　Cecily smiles at me.
　I heard she took yesterday off because of the shades, but the shades around her eyes were completely gone.

　Hmmm.
　However, the classroom looks more cheerful when Cecily is here, somehow.
　I feel like I have something to gain just by being in this classroom.

So what on earth happened to Zeke and Hyrgis-san?

　While the smiling Cecily has revived, the two people sitting next to her on either side of her have a dull look on their faces.
　A sense of exhaustion was in the air.
　Instead of Cecily's improved energy, the two of them have lost their high spirits.
　It's rare that Hyrgis-san, who still defaults to a basic unconcerned face, is limp.
　After exchanging greetings with them, I asked them what was going on.

''You look pretty tired but ... what's going on?

　Zeke gives me only a glance.


You mean, did you have to follow me around all day yesterday for sword practice?

　Zeke didn't answer, but his expression and Mr. Hyrgis's eyes, as he rested his chin on the desk, showed affirmation.
　It may have been the shades under his eyes, but he couldn't keep still, though.
　What is surprising is that Cecily-san herself, who said she was quite enthusiastic, did not show the slightest hint of fatigue.
　Or is it........she just doesn't show it like she should?

'But I'm glad you're feeling better.

　Mr. Hyrgis blurted out.
　Miss Cecily gently placed her hand on their shoulders.

'I'm grateful to you both. For accompanying me in my sword training and, of course, for worrying about me.

　Zeke and Mr. Hyrgis's mouths drop open.

'That's what we're here for, you know. We'd rather rely on you more.'
'Zeke's right. You can rely on me more than just someone else.

　For some reason, Hyrgis-san's combative gaze is directed at me.
　Somebody.........could it be me?

That's not going to happen.

　Zeke uttered a denial.

'Mm....'

　Hyrgis-san's dissatisfied gaze moves to Zeke.
　Cecily-san was sandwiched between the two of them, and Currier-san spoke to her.

'I'm relieved to see that you seem to be in better spirits than I thought, Cecily.
Yes, I'm sorry I'm worried about you... but you were, weren't you?
Well, yeah.
Currier is very kind.
Hmm, that depends on who you ask but it doesn't change the core of who you are.

　Currier-san casually passes off the compliment.
　But........hmmm, what is it?
　I've been thinking since this morning, but maybe it's my imagination, but today Currier-san is acting a little differently than usual.
　If I had to say, her attitude, which had softened quite a bit lately, has become a bit harder again here.
　She broke up with me after school yesterday, saying she had something that was bothering her, but did something happen after that?

　　　　　　　　　　*

　When the bell rang a few moments later, Instructor Josef came in and reported for the time of ascent.
　As usual, Instructor Josef gave him the usual message.

　It seems that Asaro is off today.
　Is the reason for his absence related to the match?
　On the other hand, Ira-san, who was standing in response to the game, came into the classroom late.
　This is the first time in my memory that she was late.
　What bothered me was the fatigue on her face that was different from Zeke and Hyrgis-san's.
　I wonder if the cause of her condition is also related to the operation to defeat the giants?

　And as soon as the liberal arts class was over, Ira-san said, "We're going to meet in the cafeteria after today's class, so can you leave it open after class? I just said and ran out of the classroom.

　I look towards the door where Ira-san left.
　She didn't have an expression on her face, but I'm worried about her.......
　It felt like she was forcing a smile just now, and she seemed to be on top of things during the culture class.
　After class, she disappeared from the classroom in an unapproachable manner, so I didn't have time to talk to her.
　I'm not sure if she felt the same way as I did, but Currier-san is looking at the door with a concerned expression.

''Is that guy Ira, are you okay?''
I'm a little worried...

　Ira, you seem like a straightforward, hard-working person.
　I wish there was something I could do to help.

The first thing to do is to see what happens when they get together in the cafeteria after class. It's a good idea to have a look at the situation in the cafeteria after class. It may be superfluous for us to interfere at this stage.
Well, yes.

　I began to prepare for the battle class, even though I was anxious about Ira-san's appearance, who seemed to be in a wind of frustration.

　　　　　　　　　　*.

　In the middle of a meeting, Instructor Isabella asked, "Are you guys in love? After the combat class, which hadn't been particularly unusual except for the two of us both slowing down after being interrupted, it was lunch.......

''Um, Cecily-san?''
Hmm?　What's going on?
No, you see...

　Today, Cecily and I were having lunch at the place where that broken fountain is located.
　Lunch was a sandwich bread she had made for us.
　Today's bread had cheese and a thin slice of meat that had been lightly spiced and baked, and also had a tomato paste on it.
　Ha, anyway.

Isn't that a little close?

　Sitting next to each other on the edge of the fountain is no different than before - Cecily's distance is unusually close.
　Not to the extent that their shoulders have been touching the whole time.

''Huh?　You don't like it?
It's not that I don't like it, but...

　As a man, you know, it's a lot of things.
　Cecily picked up one of the sandwich pans from the basket and tilted her head slightly.

'So ... you want me to eat it?
How can that be?

　Hmph, Cecily smiled.
　But her expression was 'that expression'.

''Aren't we friends who exposed each other's shame? Didn't we?''
That's why I don't think this is--
Yes?　It would be a shame if you don't eat it, since you made it all the way through, right?　See?

　A slender finger grabbed a piece of sandwich bread and closed in on my mouth.

Ugh ... that's the least you can do for yourself--
Hmm?　What?

　I pull my upper body backwards.
　But Cecily-san's hands, which are smiling seductively, do not stop.
　Or rather, her true nature........her true nature is showing!

Mr. Cecily!　This is an academy!
'Huh, it's a school. What is it?

　Eventually, Cecily began to chew the sandwich bread in her hands, huffing and puffing herself.

''...........''

　Am I being played for a fool?

Yes, you're kidding me?

　Cecily-san affirms it as a matter of course while scooping up the paste on the edge of her mouth with her index finger.
　.............
　I mean, I didn't put it in my mouth just now, did I!
　They read my mind!

Uh-huh, Kurohiko's pretty straightforward.
Well, uh...
'Sorry, I just wanted to tease you because of the cute way Kurohiko reacted... it must have been because of that night.

　Hmph, Cecily closes the distance even further as she shrinks back.
　Finally, they came within touching distance of each other to the waist.

''..........''

　I wonder.
　The feeling of the Cecily Arkwright statue inside me rattling away again....

'Can't we do something like this?'
'It's not like that...but...are you sure?'
Isn't it nice to be alone with you?
Huh.

　Cecily flicked up the paste on her fingertips with her tongue as she looked up at the sky through the leaves of the trees swaying overhead.
　When the beholder saw it, he said, "What a waste of time! I'm sure he's going to have a stroke.

''If I pretend to be too much of myself, I might explode my emotions like that again when something happens. However, I don't intend to abandon the 'God's beloved girl' that I've created until now. In the end, it often works out better that way.

　She must have thought about what she would do with herself in her own way in the future.
　And then she decided to continue playing The Girl God Loved You.
　Ms. Cecily thrusts her hand over the edge and throws her feet dangling in the air.
　She moved like a child.

I have decided to continue playing the role of the beloved girl. That's why I've decided to be a little bit of my true self only in front of people who know the real 'Cecily Arkwright'.
'Who else knows about that real 'Cecily Arkwright' but me?
'The only one I've found out that much about is Kurohiko. So it's limited to Kurohiko.

　Cecily gives me a nice smile.


That's right. If you think of it as a reward for my hard work as the 'God's beloved girl' that everyone wants to see.

　Hmmm.
　I wonder if it's like listening to a complainer for Makina?

It's okay, just the two of us. Okay?

　Cecily bites back even more.
　Ugh.
　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

It's a good thing that you're able to find out more about this.

　Suddenly, I remembered the Cecily Arkwright review that Mr. Currier had mentioned some time ago.
　That comment may have struck at her essence.
　By the way, according to the agreement we made, today was the day Currier-san was supposed to have lunch with me (or rather, was that agreement still alive?), but she gave it to me.

And besides - I'm not like Currier.

　Miss Cecily crossed her legs and peered at me with her cheekbones.

'I, you know, was jealous not only of you, but of Currier too, you know?
Mr. Currier is very strong.
Hello, hello, hello, hello!
Wow.

　He looked at me accusingly and then poked my waist with the fingertips of his right hand.

'Then what is it?'
Unlike me, Currier has a strong sense of self. More to the point ... she's honest with herself.
Oh, there's definitely that in there.
You know?　The part of you that I don't have, right?
Yeah.
Don't admit it there.

　With a thud, my fingertips dug into my armpit.
　..........
　The real nature that comes out sometimes is scary.
　And he's not feeling bad about it either.

　I sighed.
　I get it.
　Well, if you're going to....

'No, no, no, Cecily-san and Currier-san are totally different after all. Cecily-san is beautiful, but it's a shame in many ways. You're from 'this side'.
Right?
Yeah, yeah.

　Why do you look so happy?

That's why I don't think I'm different from Kurohiko, but rather I think my strengths are the same as Kurohiko's.
Strengths?
'Yes. Currier has something I don't have, but I also have something that Currier doesn't have.
..........
I will use my own weapons, honing them in my own way.

　I look sideways at Cecily's face, feeling huffy.

'And your other strengths?'
'Yes. Including training with a sword.
...with a disappointing interior?
I wouldn't say that.

　He told me to blame him and gingerly twisted my elbow into my side.
　I let out a smile.

'It's fine, isn't it?　I really like Cecily now,
What?
I feel more comfortable talking to you... or maybe it's because we're all the same, right?
Oh, um, yeah, well...

　Cecily suddenly blushed and squirmed.

'Is something wrong?　Oh, maybe you're falling for me again?

　I bring up that night and say it jokingly.
　'Oh dear,' says Cecily, shaking her head as if to say, 'Oh dear.

'So, I told you I was already in love with you.
Haha, Cecily, you're an actor after all.

　Suddenly Miss Cecily said, 'Huh?' I made a face.
　Hmm?
　What's going on?

You haven't forgotten what happened that night, have you?
'You mean that night?　Oh, are you talking about your partner by any chance?
Wait.

　Does he have a headache?
　Frowning, Cecily put a finger to her forehead.

'You said...'　He said that if I hadn't changed my mind when I became a man to be matched with me, and if I hadn't changed my mind when I became a man to be matched with him, then he'd give me an answer.
Yeah, I told you.　So, when we are a good match for our partners I'm going to give you an answer, sir?

　I will try to be a good partner with Machina, and of course I will try to be a good partner with Cecily.
　What's the catch in that?

'Oh, I see, is that what you mean...'

　Cecily, who seemed to have learned something, slumped her shoulders in disappointment.

''You are....a real jerk, aren't you?　
'What?　Isn't there some kind of conversation going on here?
Let me ask you something. You don't understand what you're doing, do you?
What?　Do you understand what you're doing?　What is it?

　For some reason, Cecily leaned over and placed her hands on my left shoulder and attached her own forehead to the back of my hand.
　Then she let out a sigh, feeling like the ground was showing.

'This guy is really too disgusting...'
'What?　Why!
...That's enough, I'll go slowly. So, thank you again.
Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you.

　Cecily went limp, so I had no choice but to ask her, "Ta, I can eat, right?　Will you eat it? I refused and decided to get my hands on some food.

　Then I finally got back to normal (?). I told Cecily about the mission to defeat the Titans.
　After our talk was over, Cecily said.

'I see........that's what Ira told Kurohiko about being a 'good guy'.......'

　I was muttering something to myself, such as.
　I also told him about my new forbidden curse.
　I'm not being particularly tight-lipped about the curse.
　Well, I don't even dare to mention it.

''Heh, it's a new forbidden curse?''
'Yes. I haven't learned it yet. Mr. Clarice seems to want to do some research before I learn it.

　And after learning the new forbidden curse, he will try it out at the Holy Ruins with Makina-san's escort in the near future.
　The moment he learns it was also decided to unveil it in front of Clarice-san at a later date, according to his own wish.

''Ah, it's about time.

　Cecily checks the time on her pocket watch.

'Shall we go back?'

　Cecily says and begins to clean up.
　I help her and quickly finish the cleanup.
　Then we leave the broken fountain.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　After the surgery class was over, after school.
　Curie-san and I decided to wait in the cafeteria for Isla and her friends.
　However, there was no sign of Isla-san's arrival even after an hour of waiting.

Let's wait a little longer. I'm sure he's not the kind of guy who skips an appointment.
Yes.

　And another hour was about to pass - when Ira-san, looking pale, came into the dining room.
　In addition to Ira-san, there was another person who came.
　But there must have been more than that in the plan.
　Ira-san looked around the cafeteria as she looked around at her best.

''Ah--''

　She noticed us and walked over to us.

'Isla-san are you okay?'

　I ask, to which Ira replies with a smile.

'Uh, yeah, I'm fine.'

　But despite the words, it was clear that something was wrong.

'What's going on?'

　Ms. Currier asks.
　Then a schoolgirl behind Ms. Ira opened her mouth and was about to say something.
　But Ira-san restrains her with his hand.

You know what to do. Thanks.

　The girls looked at Ira-san with concern, but kept their mouths shut.

　Once we were seated, we took our seats.
　Today, the number of students in the cafeteria is small.
　Come to think of it, when there is an event in town with many stalls participating, I overheard the girls letting loose during class.
　I wondered if the students who are usually here to chat are going to that event.

'So, about that mission... sorry. My former comrades who were here before also disappeared...

　Ira opened his mouth.
　She made a smile, but she didn't seem to be able to shake off the gloom.

He got mad at me...

　It was only a smile, but there was an echo of self-condemnation in her voice.

''In the end, the other students couldn't get together either. It's my fault that I'm not strong enough, but it seems that people don't want to get involved in the affairs of the First Petty Officer and the son of the Duke of Troy. The guys on the attack team can't team up with someone who would do something so arbitrary. And of course........hahaha, I'm not happy about it.

　When she says it in a darker tone, Ira looks down with a small shrug of his shoulders.

''So, I'm sorry. It's just me and Ray that's left.

　The name Ray would be the girl next door.
　She has fluffy blonde hair and has braided hair hanging down her right cheek.
　She is quite petite, isn't she?

It's a good idea to have a good time with the next defeating mission and that game.

　Mr. Ray, who was sitting next to her, gives her an empty look.
　He's hearing this for the first time now.

''I'm going to ask Bashkatha and the others to pretend it didn't happen from Attah.

　Something flashed in Ira's eyes.
　She gulped down something once and then continued.

I'm not sure........I'm a very intuitive person......sometimes I lose sight of my surroundings.......and that's no good. I try so hard, but I often end up spinning out of control.

　Although mixed with faint sobs, Ira-san was at least trying to maintain a cheerful tone.

'At first we were talking about working together to defeat the giant.......I made it complicated. I'm sorry, Rey too.
I don't mind. But I don't think I'm going to ask the Bashkatas to leave the game without a win.
I'm against it.
Me too.

　The words of me and Currier-san, which came out after Ray-san, overlapped almost simultaneously.

''But the opponents are Beoza and Bashkatha.......Moreover, the other side seems to be narrowing down the number of people and reconstituting the attack team with the top of the minor sanctuaries at the end of the day. The Trojan dukes lend you their holy swords and magic swords as well, so there's no way you can win. Moreover.....

　She said apologetically, making Ira-san's shoulders shrink more and more.
　Ray-san took over for Ira-san and took over the words.

I was told earlier in the corridor. The day of the mission to defeat the enemy is to be held in accordance with our group. It seems that they are spreading the word about their own confrontation with us to the rest of the students as well.

　..........
　She is completely trying to change my mind.



　As if she could no longer control the emotions she had been holding back, Ira-san's voice choked up.

''Uh ... well, is there something wrong with that?''
What?

　Ira-san looks up at my words.
　Her eyes were filled with tears.
　Ray-san is also looking at me with a dumbfounded face.
　I threw a question to Currier-san.

''Currier-san, do you think we're going to lose to those guys?
'If I may speak my mind, it would be easier for me if there were fewer of us, as I would be less likely to be on the defensive.

　Ira wiped his eyes with his sleeve and then said.

'Oh, maybe you guys don't know much about it, so you don't know how awesome it is, but, oh, and the other guy is that Beosa Fallonteza, right?　Moreover, it seems that the Trojan Dukes are going to be supporting us, and there are a large number of high-ranking students of the Little Saint rank.....................More importantly, they are more familiar with the Holy Ruins than us. They have an advantage in terms of the traverse hierarchy, as well as experience...
I don't mind.

　Mr. Currier says, absent-mindedly.
　Ira-san bites her teeth with a sad face.

'Ki, I'm glad you feel that way. But--
'It's more the giants that I care about. I don't care about the Fibruk Squad. I'll kick them to the curb whenever I want. But this Titan is an unknown quantity, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah...

　Ira-san who is pouting.
　The reason for this is probably because she found out that Currier-san's words were not strong or anything.

It's a good idea to have a few more people in the vicinity of the giants, according to the story, there are several unknown demons around the giants. So what about you guys?
'Hmmm.......if you're allowed to participate, by all means.

　The three students were standing behind Currier-san's gaze - just behind Isla-san and Rei-san.
　............
　I was in my field of vision from a while ago.

　The two people sitting in front of me turned around.
　It was Rei-san who opened her mouth first.

''Se-Cecily.......Arclight?