"It has been quite a while, Master Hugo. I am glad to see that everyone is doing well."
"Claire! Are you part of the security detail too?"
"Yes. I had some personal thoughts on the matter, so I volunteered my services."
Her golden hair shimmered as it caught the sunlight, fluttering in the breeze as she spoke. Claire Rouge offered a polite, graceful greeting to the group.
It had been some time since the incident with Isaac, and while Hugo was genuinely happy to see her again, his breath hitched when he noticed the figure hovering in her shadow.
"Zenon... I see you’re here too. How have you been?"
"..."
Zenon Ash. This was the man who had once humiliated Hugo in a duel and served as the catalyst for the annulment of his engagement to Claire.
Now acting as Claire’s partner, he had accompanied her on this field trip, but the radiance he once possessed had utterly vanished. He stood with a defeated, hunched posture, his eyes downcast as if his former arrogance had been a mere illusion. He didn't even acknowledge Hugo’s voice.
Though Hugo felt a twinge of guilt for the comparison, the man looked like a literal zombie. Even Ryuga and Yui, who were meeting him for the first time, couldn't hide their unease.
"Epee-san, who are those two...?" Ryuga whispered.
"Well, it’s a bit of a long story. To put it as simply as I can—"
While Melt did her best to explain the tangled history between Hugo, Claire, and Zenon, Hugo turned back to Claire and lowered his voice.
"He still doesn't seem to be doing very well. Is today meant to be a change of pace for him?"
"Yes... even after you helped us, Master Zenon’s spirit hasn't quite recovered. I thought that perhaps leaving the academy behind and experiencing a new environment might help him find a more positive outlook."
Claire answered with her eyes clouded by sadness. Hugo hesitated, unsure of what comfort he could offer.
He could clearly see her devotion to supporting Zenon, and he offered a silent nod of understanding. Claire gave a small bow in return and led Zenon away from the center of the group.
"Those two... they both seemed so sad," Yui murmured. "I could see it in the colors of their souls. They both feel a deep sense of loneliness, though in very different ways."
"They aren't bad people," Hugo assured her. "They’ve just been through a lot and they're exhausted. I don’t know if you’ll have much to do with them, Yui-chan, but I’d like you to keep that in mind."
Classes had resumed and exchange students had arrived, but even in a shifting environment, some people remained stagnant. Hugo no longer held a grudge against Zenon; for Claire’s sake, he truly hoped the man would find his footing again soon.
But his reflections were cut short by a fresh set of voices.
"My, Hugo-kun. You certainly seem to have hit it off with the exchange students. I’m quite jealous, truly."
Hugo let out a weary sigh at the familiar, grating tone before turning toward the source. He narrowed his eyes at the two male students standing there.
"Egos. And Cyan. What do you want with me?"
"Don't look at me with such a scary face. I only came to thank you for helping us during the last exam," Egos said, flashing a bright smile.
To a casual observer, it might have looked like a charming upperclassman being friendly, but Hugo saw nothing but a serpent behind that grin. Cyan stood behind him with a permanent scowl, looking like he had no intention of thanking anyone.
Hugo knew there had to be an ulterior motive. As he weighed his options, Egos continued his forced pleasantries.
"By the way, I happened to overhear something interesting... I heard your little brother is acting as the caretaker for Yui-chan over there! That’s quite an achievement, isn’t it?"
"Thanks. Is that all you had to say? If it is, then do me a favor and get lost."
"Now, now, don't be so cold. Let’s chat for a while...!"
Something was definitely wrong. Ever since the incident during the food scouting trip, they had been on terrible terms. There was no reason for Egos to act this familiar unless he was planning something malicious.
As Hugo grew increasingly suspicious, he felt a sudden tug on his trousers. He looked down to see Yui trembling, trying to hide herself behind his back.
"Y-Yui-san? What’s wrong? Did something happen?" Fee asked, concerned.
She didn't respond to Fee's voice. Her sightless eyes were fixed firmly on Egos and Cyan. Since she perceived the world through the soul rather than the eyes, she had clearly sensed something foul emanating from the duo.
Seeing her terror, Hugo realized he had to get her away from them immediately. But just as he was about to speak, a third voice intervened.
"Ah, there you are. I’ve finally found you."
The voice was quiet but carried a distinct clarity. Hugo recognized it, though he couldn't immediately place where he had heard it before. He and the others turned toward the newcomer. When he saw the white-haired girl walking toward them, he caught his breath.
"Isn't that the girl from Yamato—!"
"Setsuna Kogarashi? Right, she’s participating in this trip as a guest..." Melt and Ryuga noted, their voices tinged with surprise.
Setsuna ignored the commentary and walked briskly toward the group.
"I have an interest in you," she said, her gaze steady. "I’ve been wanting to speak with you. If you don't mind, I would appreciate a moment of your time—"
"R-Really!?" Cyan stammered, his scowl instantly replaced by a wide-eyed grin. "I wanted to talk to you too!"
"Now, now, surely it was me you were looking for?" Egos added, turning up the charm as he stepped forward to welcome her.
But Setsuna didn't even glance at them. She slipped between the two men like a breeze passing through trees, treating them as if they were literally invisible. She came to a halt directly in front of the person they had been bothering.
"Huh...?"
Hugo was stunned. The sheer coldness she had shown Egos and Cyan was staggering. He watched in bafflement as she looked up at him, her expression unreadable.
Before he could ask what was happening, Setsuna tilted her head slightly, a meaningful and almost playful smile playing on her lips.
"Hugo Clay... I would like to talk. Could you spare me a bit of your time?"