It happened as I was returning to the dormitory.
I had just finished my Cultural Festival preparations and my work for the Student Council, and I was about to head back for the day.
That was when I recognized a figure standing by the main gate.
Her pure, translucent white hair was cut into an asymmetrical bob, and her ears were adorned with an almost excessive number of piercings.
There was no mistake; it was Maria, Rebecca-senpai’s younger sister.
I wondered if she had come to see Rebecca-senpai.
As the thought crossed my mind, our eyes met. Maria beckoned, gesturing for me to come over.
Though I felt a touch of doubt, I obediently walked toward her.
"Maria. It’s been a while."
"Ray. Yeah, it has."
"Did you come to see Rebecca-senpai? She headed back to the Girls' Dormitory a little while ago. Should I go get her?"
"No, I don't have any business with my sister today."
"Then who?"
"You."
"...Me? Why?"
"Well, I'll explain that too, but come with me for a bit."
"...I don't mind, but..."
I wasn't entirely convinced, but I followed Maria nonetheless. She led me to a restaurant that looked a bit on the expensive side. We went inside, and Maria must have had a reservation, because she gave her name and we were immediately shown to a window seat.
"You haven't had dinner yet, right?"
"No. This is perfect timing."
"It's my treat today."
"No, I can't allow that. I'll pay."
"No way. I'm the one who dragged you here."
"I can’t let Maria—Rebecca-senpai’s sister and my future junior—pay for me."
"...Sigh. You really don't look like you're going to budge, do you? Fine, I'll leave it to you this time."
"Of course."
Whenever I dine with a woman, I almost always make it a point to pay.
Though when I eat out with Master, it’s more accurate to say I’m being shaken down.
In truth, I received a substantial sum of money during my time as a soldier, so I don't worry about it much. Besides, the bulk of my savings is being held by the White Family.
We both ordered our food.
Since the steak here was supposed to be excellent, I ordered mine medium-rare, just as Maria did.
Once the dishes arrived, we picked up our knives and forks and began to eat.
As we did, Maria stared at me with a curious expression.
"Is something wrong?"
"You're a strange one, aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're an Ordinary, right? And the first Sorcerer from an Ordinary background since the Academy was founded."
"Indeed."
"Don't the nobles at the Academy bully you?"
She was quite blunt with her questions. But I thought that was part of Maria's charm.
"Well, the first semester was quite rough. But things have been normal since the second semester started. Preparations for the Cultural Festival are going smoothly, too."
"Heh... That’s unexpected. So, what’s Ray’s class doing?"
"A Maid Cafe."
"Huh?"
"A Maid Cafe."
Since she didn't seem to hear me, I repeated it clearly.
"No, I heard you just fine. It's just... your class has nobles in it, doesn't it?"
"Everyone gave their consent."
"Whoa..."
She looked somewhat put off—or rather, her face showed more bewilderment than surprise. This wasn't the first time this topic had come up, but I realized once again that for a noble, such a thing was apparently unthinkable.
"Ah!"
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Maria raised her voice.
At that moment, I knew. The next topic she brought up would surely be that...
"Lily-oneesama is in the same class, right?"
"A-Ah... yeah..."
"Will I get to see Oneesama's maid outfit too!?"
"W-Well, if she’s feeling up to it... yeah. No, her health hasn't been great lately, so I'm not sure. I'm definitely working toward making it happen, though... She has a lot going on..."
I didn't even know what I was saying by the end of that, but I managed to gloss over it for now.
"I see... Oneesama has it tough, doesn't she?"
"Yeah. So please, leave her be. I'll be sure to tell her how much you're worried about her."
"Yeah. Thanks. But I see... so I might not be able to see her during the Cultural Festival..."
No doubt about it.
Maria was absolutely looking forward to being served by Lily at the Maid Cafe. What was the right move here...? If I didn't show myself, there was no risk of being found out. However, she was so excited.
Guh... I have a weakness for those younger than me.
Seeing her looking so dejected and downcast made me want to meet her expectations. I wondered if I should go negotiate directly with Abby... While I was lost in thought, we both finished our meals and moved on to dessert.
"Hey, Ray."
"What is it?"
"How has my sister been lately?"
"...She's doing fine, but..."
"I see. So Ray noticed it too."
She was sharp.
I had hesitated for just a fraction of a second. Normally, the words should have come out smoothly. However, I had instinctively thought about lying, which slowed my reaction. Maria didn't miss that slight pause.
"I know. I heard Ray has been helping my sister lately."
"Did you hear that from Rebecca-senpai?"
"No. I heard it from Dina-chan."
"From Dina-senpai?"
"Yeah."
I then listened to Maria’s story in silence.
Dina-senpai, who had been close to Rebecca-senpai for years, was also on good terms with Maria. Apparently, they had run into each other in town recently, and she had heard about me then.
"Well, you're a good guy."
"I'm flattered."
"Yeah... well, you're weird, though. And there's a lot that goes on with nobles, you know?"
"So it seems. I heard the other Student Council Officers are boycotting their duties because of this engagement."
"Well, that's almost cute compared to some things."
"Is that so?"
Maria pointed her fork upward, directing it toward me. It was poor etiquette, but since it wasn't a formal meal, I didn't say anything.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there was harassment or things bordering on bullying. Though... no idiot would be foolish enough to pull something like that with the Three Great Noble Families."
"I see. The noble world seems quite difficult."
"That's why I think Ray is amazing for helping her out so nonchalantly. No, seriously. Don't you care about the nobility?"
"Helping Rebecca-senpai is my top priority."
"I see... My sister really has a great junior."
Her voice was gentler than before.
Even her expression, which was usually prickly, had softened.
So, Maria was capable of making a face like that.
"You're very charming, Maria."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You care deeply about Rebecca-senpai, don't you?"
"Well... I mean, I do. But what does that have to do with me? Are you hitting on me? Are you after my status or something?"
She was grinning, but I simply said what was on my mind.
"I had the impression there was always a wall around you, but you make such a gentle face when the topic of Rebecca-senpai comes up... I just thought it was genuinely beautiful."
"...Hey. Do you say that to everyone?"
Maria looked up at me with narrowed eyes. It was as if she were interrogating me.
"My Master taught me to speak my mind honestly. Especially regarding women. Although, she says my honesty is both my greatest strength and my greatest weakness."
"I don't know this Master of yours, but I have a feeling someone’s going to stab you one of these days."
Get stabbed... well, my experience from my time in the military wasn't just for show.
I was skilled not only in sorcery but also in close-quarters combat using knives. In fact, Master had trained me more intensively in the latter.
"I'll be fine. I've studied self-defense and close-quarters combat as part of the Ainsworth-style Boot Camp. Even unarmed, I possess enough skill to handle a knife."
"Sigh... I think I'm starting to understand you, Ray. Yeah."
The conversation had strayed slightly, so she brought it back to the main point.
"Ahem. Anyway, back to the subject."
"Right."
"Don't you think there's something going on with my sister's engagement? I want you to be honest with me."
"..."
Her eyes seemed to be searching for something.
Trying to dodge the question here would surely be a mistake. It would lead to a definitive error.
So, I decided to be honest. I believed that doing so would be for Maria's sake.
"...I do. I feel that Rebecca-senpai’s behavior regarding the engagement is strange."
"I knew it."
"Did you notice too, Maria?"
"During summer break. But my sister won't tell me anything. That's exactly why I think something is going on."
"Actually, I'm doing a bit of my own investigating."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Rebecca-senpai is someone I deeply respect. It might be meddling, but I've asked someone to look into it."
"I see. Just as Dina-chan said, I'm glad I came to see Ray."
Maria gave a small smile. She usually looked unfriendly or displeased, but the smile suited her. It looked remarkably like Rebecca-senpai’s gentle smile. As sisters, the resemblance was striking.
And so, we sat there and discussed the matter in more detail.