041 Shari and Allen's Summer Vacation

“It’s hoooot...”

I love summer, but this was just cruel.

I’d heard that Youth, up in the north, stayed comfortable even during this time of year. I really wanted to visit there someday.

The Royal Capital during the Estarm vacation was even more crowded than usual. Everyone looked like they were melting, but behind the sweat, their faces were full of smiles. There were plenty of unfamiliar faces around; I assumed they were students or workers who had returned to their hometowns, just like us. Since it was mostly families, people sometimes called this the "Season of Happiness."

I came to a stop in front of a door marked Palmia Temple. The Palmia Orphanage was located right next to it. When I knocked, a familiar, welcoming smile greeted me.

“Oh, Shari! You've come today as well.”

The woman smiling so affectionately was Emma-san. She was a priestess here and the founder of the orphanage. She was Allen’s second mother, and I absolutely adored her. She was kind to the children and, above all else, she valued fairness. Out of everyone I’d ever met, her character was easily among the best.

“How is Allen doing?” I asked.

“He’s finally back to his old self. Though for him, that took quite a while.”

“Then he’s at the usual spot, isn't he?”

“Yes, he’s been there since first light.”

Inside the temple, chairs were lined up at perfect intervals, and the windows along the walls and ceiling were vibrant stained glass. They depicted knights and gods, with a statue of the Goddess standing in the center. The desk in front of her was crowded with flickering candles.

I loved this place. And the biggest reason for that was—

“Whoa, it’s big sister Shari! Play with us!”

“Maybe later, okay?”

“Aww, no fair! Allen’s been doing ‘special training’ forever and he’s being super boring!”

It’s definitely because I get to see these kids smiling.

At the back of the temple was a door that led out to the courtyard. It was a wide-open space that served as a playground for the kids around noon, but in the morning, it was Allen’s personal training ground.

“Hah! Seh! Haah!”

He was swinging his sword with everything he had, locked in a struggle with an imaginary foe. He was already plenty strong—who else did he feel like he had to beat?

Is it Weiss, after all?

“Morning, Allen. Look, I brought breakfast.”

“Eh? Wha—whoa-oa!”

I tossed the fruit I was holding toward him. It was a Mini-Melomelon, his favorite.

“Thanks. I haven't eaten a thing since I woke up.”

“I figured. Duke’s going to scold you again and tell you your muscles won't grow if you skip meals.”

“I just got... carried away.”

“Well, I’m just glad to see you’ve got some energy back.”

“Thanks... I realized I couldn't stay depressed forever.”

“I suppose that's true.”

The news of Billford Tucker’s death had reached our ears, too. We heard he had fought in self-defense to protect his sister. According to the rumors floating around the nobility, Weiss was the one who proved it.

When Allen found out, it hit him hard. He had been so determined to catch Tucker. He was haunted by the thought that he might have thrown a man in prison just for trying to protect his little sister.

Looking back, when Weiss said he would judge Tucker by the law, he’d had a look on his face I’d never seen before.

Maybe he knew the truth about Tucker from the very beginning?

No, there’s no way. Even for him, that's impossible.

Still, Allen had been brooding for days. He’d set out to help people, only to realize he’d been completely wrong.

“Everyone messes up sometimes,” I said. “I certainly did. It’s what you do next that matters.”

“...Hey, Shari. Do you think Weiss knew? About Tucker, I mean. Right from the start?”

“Don't be ridiculous. You're overthinking it. I mean, Weiss is smart, so maybe he felt like something was ‘off,’ but that's about it.”

“...I guess you're right.”

Weiss wasn't anything like the rumors suggested. He cared about his friends, and... he was kind. He could be terrifying, sure, but he watched people closely, and he worked harder than anyone.

I had been so wrong about him. He was an incredibly straightforward person.

But at the same time, I felt a nagging sense of anxiety. Why was Weiss so obsessed with becoming that strong? It felt like he was fighting against something invisible—

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Suddenly, Allen started screaming at the sky. I stared at him, bewildered, until he turned to me with a bright, refreshed grin.

“W-What was that for?”

“I feel better! I’m just going to focus on what I can actually do. Thank you, Shari.”

“Pfft, haha! I like that. I think I'll try it, too. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Sha-Shari!?”

“Ah, I feel better too.”

Ever since the day Weiss saved my life, my head had been a total mess. It wasn't that my life until now had been a lie, but I just couldn't process everything. If Weiss hadn't been there, I would be dead right now. No question.

My current life was a gift from him. I had no idea how I could ever repay that debt. But moping around wasn't going to change anything. It was time for me to move forward.

“Oh, by the way,” I mentioned. “I heard Duke went to hang out with Carta-san today to try and figure out the secret to Weiss’s strength.”

“Ahaha, that sounds like Duke. I should probably learn from how straightforward he is.”

“You guys are already the ‘Straightforward Duo.’ Honestly, Allen, you could afford to be a bit more cynical.”

“Y-You think so?”

“Definitely. You’re about as stubborn as Weiss is.”

“Hmm. I don't really see it...”

The story of Allen and Weiss taking down a dragon had become a hot topic at the Academy. Most people seemed to think it was a total fabrication. As if they could really do that, they’d say. But I knew better.

I knew those two could make the impossible happen.

“So... how's your body? Any... side effects?”

“Oh, I’m fine. No problems so far. I’m trying to avoid using my Gift as much as I can, though.”

“...Don't overdo it, okay?”

“I wonder? I'll probably end up pushing myself eventually.”

“Idiot.”

“Ehehe.”

That carefree smile... it was the same as always. It actually reminded me a little of Weiss. Just a feeling, though.

Alright! I had to follow their lead and get to work.

“Wait, Shari? What are you—Why are you taking your clothes off!?”

“I’m going to be drenched in sweat if I stay like this, so I’m changing into my gear.”

“But why here?!”

“What, are you getting shy now? You've seen me stripped down here plenty of times when we were kids.”

“T-That’s totally different! We're not kids anymore!”

I’d planned on taking it easy today, but I changed my mind. I couldn't afford to be left behind.

“Are you done yet?!” Allen called out, shielding his eyes.

“You can look now.”

“Phew... wait, what's with the wooden sword? Did you bring that all the way from the Academy?”

“I don't want to be relegated to ‘defense-only’ magic empowerment forever. I’m sick and tired of being a burden.”

“...I see. Alright, Shari! Let’s do this! No holding back!”

“Actually, please hold back a little. Just... not too much.”

“That’s a tall order... But let's give it our all. We have to beat Weiss. The future we’re aiming for is going to be even more difficult than that, after all.”

“True. We can't have him laughing at us again.”

Weiss Fancent.

The most notoriously wicked noble in the kingdom. A man who supposedly did whatever he wanted using his birthright and power without lifting a finger.

—But that was a lie.

He was a tireless worker, he was strong, and he had a heart that was purer than anyone knew.

Just like Allen said, I was going to work my hardest so I wouldn't lose to him—or to Allen. I didn't want to just talk about ideals; I wanted my words to have weight. I wanted to be someone who could truly stand for what's right.

“Alright... Allen. Come at me.”

“Wait, that's a Weiss impression, isn't it?”

“You caught me? I thought it made me sound tougher.”

“Come, Shari.”

“Oh, that was a good one.”

That was my new goal.