As I made my way back to the dormitory through the driving rain, my thoughts were occupied by my class’s maid cafe.
I had several concerns, but it was also true that I genuinely wanted to enjoy the Cultural Festival with everyone.
“……”
I came to a halt.
I hadn't truly given this my all yet. And that was because she was missing from our maid cafe.
Her presence would undoubtedly be the key to our success.
The old me would never have taken such an action. I was raised in an environment where my superiors’ orders were absolute and disobedience was unthinkable. But even so, I wanted to have fun with everyone. I wanted to give this everything I had.
Instead of continuing to the dormitory, I turned and sprinted back toward the Central District.
My hair was already heavy with rain, and my uniform was equally soaked.
I eventually reached a detached house in the Central District. This high-class residential area was home to the Headmaster of Arnold Magic Academy.
“Ray...? What’s happened? You’re drenched.”
“I’ve come to ask a favor.”
Yes, this was Abby-san’s home. I had been here several times before, and I remembered her grumbling about how the place was far too large for one person. She’d also mentioned that Carol often came over to stay.
“I see. Come inside.”
“Excuse me.”
Once indoors, she told me to strip off my wet clothes and dry myself with a towel. Being fussed over by Abby-san reminded me of the old days.
Strangely, several sets of clothes that were a perfect fit for me were already there. Apparently, Master had left them "just in case"—though the true reason remained a mystery.
She led me into the living room and sat on the sofa. The moment she did, I threw myself into a formal dogeza.
I pressed my forehead against the floor and remained perfectly still.
“...What is this, Ray? Why the dogeza?”
Her voice was laced with bewilderment.
It was a natural reaction. A student shows up at your house and immediately drops into a prostrate bow; anyone would find it suspicious. Regardless, I kept my head down and made my plea.
“Abby-san. I’m begging you. Please, lift the ban on Lily.”
“...If I recall, your class is doing a maid cafe, correct?”
“Yes.”
I continued my appeal with my head still pressed firmly to the floor.
“If Lily appears, it will be a repeat of the Magics Chevalier.”
“...I'm asking you to please make an exception!”
I knew there were many people looking forward to Lily. Maria, of course, but I had also heard that the Gardening Club seniors who had been so kind to me were secretly hoping she’d make an appearance.
Until now, the orders given to me by Abby-san and Master were absolute. I had accepted the restriction during the Magics Chevalier without complaint.
But this time, I couldn't bring myself to back down.
“Hmm. My conscience does prick me at the thought of stopping you when you're trying so hard to enjoy the festival...”
“Then... could we reach a compromise?”
“Ho?”
She let out a small sound of interest, her gaze sharpening slightly.
“Two hours a day would be enough.”
“...One hour.”
“Understood. One hour it is.”
“Very well. I will permit it for exactly one hour during each day’s operating hours.”
“Thank you!”
When I raised my head, Abby-san was smiling gently at me. It was the same look Master occasionally gave me.
It felt nostalgic. I’d known Abby-san for a long time—so long that I never would have dreamed we’d one day be teacher and student.
“Say, Ray.”
Suddenly, she spoke in a soft tone, her eyes fixed on something far away.
“Yes?”
“Are you enjoying the academy?”
“Yes. I truly believe coming here was the right choice.”
“I see... Well, that’s good then. You’ve changed. The old you would never have done something like this.”
“That’s... true. I’m a bit surprised myself.”
Abby-san let out a self-deprecating chuckle before saying something entirely unexpected.
“To tell the truth, I was opposed to you enrolling in the academy.”
“...You were?”
This was the first I’d heard of it. I’d entered the academy because Master told me to, and Abby-san had been the one to facilitate it. I had naturally assumed she was in favor of the idea.
“I thought you needed more rest. Besides, the academy is full of bloodline elitism. You spent your life in the military, surrounded by death, and above all, you are an Ordinary. That fact can never be changed. I thought it would only lead to unhappiness. I was certain there would be friction between you and those around you.”
“……”
I listened in silence.
“I know your worth, Ray. But I didn't think the other sorcerers would. I believed it would only result in pain and sadness for you. But then, Lydia performed a dogeza and pleaded your case. You two are exactly alike, master and disciple.”
“Master did a dogeza...?”
It was hard to believe.
I could imagine her forcing someone else into a dogeza, but I couldn't picture her doing it herself. Master was stricter with herself than anyone; the idea of her prostrating herself to beg felt impossible.
“It was a clumsy, unsightly thing because she can’t move her lower body properly. It was a sight I never could have imagined from her. And yet, she just stayed there... head pressed to the floor. And she said this.”
I held my breath as Abby-san recounted the words spoken that day.
『Ray is strong. He’s a much stronger, kinder boy than any of us realize. That’s why Ray... shouldn't stay with us any longer. He needs to see how wide the world is. I understand your concerns, Abby. But I’m begging you...! Please, let Ray enroll in the academy! I’m asking you...! More than anyone, Ray deserves to be happy...!』
Hearing those words, I clutched my chest.
I finally understood what it meant to tremble with joy. Fortunately, I didn't burst into tears, but my heart was shaken to its core.
“Well? Unexpected, isn't it?”
“Yes. To think Master would say such a thing... no, but...”
I had always felt her love. It was never expressed in words, only sensed through her actions. And that love had led to the person I was now.
I realized once again that Master and I were truly bound by our bond.
“In the end, Lydia was right. You are enjoying your student life. You’ve overcome exactly what I was worried about. She really is special. She understands you better than anyone. I suppose that is... love. I love you too, in my way, but what Lydia feels is something special. The bond of master and disciple, perhaps? I’m actually a little jealous.”
She said that, but her expression remained warm.
“...Yes.”
“Ray. Continue to enjoy your student life. Be happy. That is our wish.”
“...Yes!”
Finally, a single tear escaped—
◇
“Rebecca-senpai. Excuse me.”
“Ray-san. Thank you, as always.”
I arrived at the Student Council Office.
There was less than a week until the Cultural Festival. It was Monday, and the event would run for three days starting this Friday. The stage performances were mostly scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
The classroom and club exhibits would run until Sunday evening, followed by a closing dance party at night. The schedule was largely the same as previous years.
“Oh, Ray. You’re early.”
“Dina-senpai. Hello.”
I gave a small bow. Dina-senpai had also arrived at the office immediately after school.
“Almost there now, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
“Seriously, having Ray around has made things so much easier~. You’ve been a massive help.”
“You flatter me.”
“Is your class ready for the festival?”
“Mostly, yes. All that’s left is to set up the interior decorations right before we open.”
“Got it. I’ll try to stop by if I have time.”
“Please do.”
“Oh, by the way...” Dina-senpai muttered as if remembering something. “Are you not going to appear as that?”
“By that, you mean...?”
“Are you referring to the cross-dressing?” Rebecca-senpai joined in. She seemed to be in high spirits lately, likely because the student council workload had finally become manageable.
“The cross-dressing... To be honest, I overdid it during the Magics Chevalier, so the Headmaster ordered me to keep that persona sealed.”
“Yikes. That’s a shame. If Lily were there, your place would have been a gold mine.”
“I agree. Ray-san was quite beautiful in that form.”
It didn't feel bad to be praised by my seniors.
I had decided to give this festival my all. My classmates were also full of enthusiasm—especially since the class with the highest sales would be honored and receive a prize. It wasn't a cash prize for individuals, but rather a celebratory banquet hosted at one of the Kingdom’s finest restaurants.
Our motivation was through the roof.
I decided to share the news of the permission I’d secured.
“Actually, I’ve received permission for exactly one hour a day.”
“Wait, really?”
“Yes.”
“I’m looking forward to that! But one hour... it’s so short.”
“It can’t be helped. However, I intend to achieve maximum results within that window.”
“I see. Ray-san, I’ll be sure to visit then, so I look forward to it.”
“Yes!”
The three of us went back to confirming the schedule.
The student council couldn't possibly handle the logistics with just three people, so we had enlisted the help of the Gardening Club Seniors. Although they were all noble ladies, none belonged to factions hostile to Rebecca-senpai, and they had agreed readily. In fact, they’d been a bit cross that we hadn’t asked for their help sooner.
“Pardon the intrusion~!”
“Ah! It’s Ray-kun! He really is in the Student Council Office!”
“Hey, hey, Ray-kun. Are you doing the cross-dressing?”
“Wow, it’s Ray-kun!”
As we were finishing our discussion, the Gardening Club members arrived after finishing their own class preparations.
“Everyone. It’s been a while.”
I stood up and bowed. It was a strange sight to see the Gardening Club gathered in the Student Council Office, but it made me happy. I was glad to see that Rebecca-senpai had so many people willing to support her.
She had been hesitant to accept their help at first, just as she had been with me, but she had eventually opened up.
Rebecca-senpai was a wonderful person—beautiful in both appearance and heart. Her only flaw was her tendency to shoulder everything alone.
In truth, I was the one who had consulted the Gardening Club Ladies. I had asked them to please be a source of strength for her.
I was incredibly grateful they had all shown up.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s confirm the schedule and roles for the day. But first, I want to say something.”
Rebecca-senpai stood up and looked at us.
“Thanks to all of you, we’ve made it this far. Thank you so much. To have the Gardening Club helping us like this... I’m honestly a little moved. Thanks to you, it looks like we’ll have a successful Cultural Festival this year too. We only have a few days left, so let’s give it our best!”
『YEAH—!』
We continued our meeting until the sun went down.
I prayed that the three days of the Cultural Festival would conclude safely. That was my only wish.