167 Statice

"Uwaaaaah! Meat, meat, meat! Hey, Allen, can I have some of that?"

"The exam is over, yet some things never change. And no, you can't have it."

"You two really haven't changed a bit, have you?"

With the Partner Exam finally behind us, the cafeteria was as loud and lively as ever, filled with the usual suspects. Of course, for some of us, our bonds had only grown stronger through the ordeal.

In total, there were six dropouts—expelled.

Those who suffered defeat saw their points plummet; no doubt they’d be desperately grinding for the next exam. I’d managed to grasp Victory myself, though only by the skin of my teeth. I couldn't afford to get complacent. To ensure I won the next round without fail, I had to keep honing my skills.

"Weiss-sama, this is delicious!"

Sitting across from me was Lilith, stuffing her face with chicken nanban and getting sauce all over her mouth. She’d been my rock for as long as I could remember, and lately, she had grown into a first-class warrior—not just in spirit, but on the battlefield too.

"Yeah, the new menu items are great. Come to think of it... has Cynthia still not returned?"

"It seems so. Have you heard anything from her?"

"Just once, but nothing since."

Cynthia’s usual spot remained a lonely, empty seat. As soon as the exam ended, she had taken a leave of absence. I didn't even know the reason; one moment she was there, and the next, she had vanished. I’d received a single message via Magic Bird, but that was it. It was a brief note that essentially said, I’ll be back soon, so please don't worry.

In the Original Story, she and Allen are supposed to grow even closer after this Partner Exam.

The thought nagged at me. Had she experienced some kind of change of heart?

Lilith must have noticed the shadow crossing my face, because she spoke up.

"Weiss-sama, you really do love Cynthia-san, don't you?"

"Ah... yeah. I guess I do."

Having it blurted out like that made me realize just how true it was. The "trigger" for love doesn't actually matter. What matters is how much you’ve nurtured those feelings. Cynthia and I—and Lilith too—had overcome so much together. Normally, I wouldn't be this insecure.

But precisely because I knew the plot of the Original Story—

"Weiss-sama! I brought some fruit!"

"...Thanks. You want some?"

"Yes!"

No, stop overthinking it.

A few more days trickled by before Cynthia finally reappeared. Early one morning, I found a note tucked into my door before I’d even realized she was back.

—I have something important to tell you.

Part of me was filled with dread, while another part felt a sense of resignation. Some things were just destined to happen. But even if the world tried to force us apart, my feelings wouldn't change. I knew what I had to do. I just had to keep charging forward with everything I had.

The meeting place was a private room that required a reservation. I gave the door a light ton-ton knock and stepped inside. The room was empty, but the tables were piled high with an assortment of fruits, sweets, and flowers.

"Weiss!"

"Cynthia."

"I'm sorry I'm late. It took a little longer than I expected."

"Longer?"

Suddenly, Cynthia lunged forward and threw her arms around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lilith watching us with a satisfied smile. Then I noticed the exotic, unfamiliar fruits arranged on the table and it clicked.

She went and bought all of this for me...

"Thank you. I'm really happy."

"Weiss... I love you. I didn't want to just say it; I wanted to show you the sincerity of my heart. And so... Weiss, I—"

"Cynthia, I love you too. My feelings for you will never change. Not ever."

"......I'm so glad."

The look of lingering sadness on Cynthia’s face hit me like a physical blow. God, I’m such an idiot. I wasn't the only one who had been feeling anxious; she had been too. How did I not see that?

Good grief. This world might have started as a game, but this is reality.

I had been so busy trying to map everything onto game logic that I’d been blind to the truth right in front of me. There was no way a girl as devoted as Cynthia would just flip a switch and change her mind.

Lilith caught my eye and silently mouthed the words: Now! Do it now!

I reached into my pocket and pulled it out.

"Cynthia, this is for you."

"......T-this is—"

"May I?"

I dropped down onto one knee. It was still too early for the "official" words—those would come only after everything was settled. But I needed her to know that my heart was hers.

"In a certain country, there's a custom. It’s a way to promise unchanging love to your Fiancé."

With that, I slid the engagement ring onto Cynthia’s finger. Lilith had done the detective work for me, so the fit was perfect. There was no such tradition in Noblesse, but I wanted to express myself in my own way.

"—I'm so happy, Weiss."

"Me too. Thank you, Cynthia."

"Ehehe! Ehehehe! Let's eat! We have so much to talk about! Today is just full of happiness!"

Lilith gave us both a playful shove toward the table. I made sure to give her a gift as well—a necklace as a token of my eternal gratitude. To my surprise, Cynthia had prepared something for her too. When Lilith received a ring shaped like her favorite flower, she burst into tears.

"I'm s-sho happy...!"

"Heh, thanks, Lilith."

"Thank you so much, Lilith."

That day, I learned that there are some things in Noblesse that will never change.

When I finally headed back to my room, Cynthia handed me a vase of flowers she’d prepared. I didn't usually keep decorations in my room, but these were a beautiful, vibrant pink. I set them on my table and stared at them for a moment.

These flowers exist in Noblesse, but they're based on a real-world motif. If I remember correctly...

I rushed to the library to do some digging. It didn't take long to find the exact match.

The entry was labeled: "Statice."

"......I see."

It was an incredibly rare specimen in the world of Noblesse. Given our current location, she would have had to travel an immense distance to find it. That's why she had taken a leave of absence.

"Heh. Seriously... I really can't afford to lose now."

I snapped the book shut and headed straight for the training grounds. There would be more hardships ahead, more grueling trials to face. But I would protect her. I wouldn't let this story end in tragedy.

I'll just keep running.

Statice.

In the language of flowers, it means "Unchanging Heart" and "Everlasting."