"Even so..."
The two of us continued our patrol of the school building. Rebecca-senpai stared intently at me, her expression clouded with suspicion.
"At this distance, you look normal to me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. However..."
As she shuffled away, increasing the gap between us, she tilted her head.
"Once you're a short distance away, you look like... a student. Perhaps someone like Dina-san?"
"Oh... I see. As expected of Dina-senpai. Her skill with magic tools is truly superb."
"It is. She has been gifted at making things like this for a long time..." Senpai murmured thoughtfully, a nostalgic look crossing her face.
Rebecca-senpai and Dina-senpai. I wondered if the relationship between those two was also changing, little by little.
People can't stay the same forever. As the months and years pass—though not in every case—many things tend to change. You can't remain exactly as you were when you were a child. I knew all too well that such shifts were inevitable.
After all, I was the same way.
I decided to ask her more about Dina-senpai. "How long have you and Dina-senpai been close?"
"Let’s see... By the time I was old enough to be aware of my surroundings, I had already started seeing her at parties. Her family, House Sera, is part of the upper nobility, so we naturally had many opportunities to meet. It started from there, I suppose."
"I see."
"At the time, I didn't have any friends my own age. Children of the Three Great Noble Families are, almost without exception, kept at a distance. There are active girls like Ariane, but even among our peers... Amelia and I stuck out a bit."
I didn't know the fine details of Senpai's past.
I had heard Amelia's inner thoughts from the girl herself, but I always felt like Rebecca-senpai was holding herself back, keeping a certain distance.
Rebecca-senpai was intelligent, beautiful, and elegant. Unlike Amelia, there was no hesitation in her conduct. However, there was a definite sense of detachment. I felt that we had certainly become close, but even so, I had the sensation that there was a barrier between us—like a thick, heavy plank of wood.
"And then I met Dina-san. At first, I thought she was a very gentle, introverted child."
"That's unexpected."
"Isn't it?" She giggled, bringing a hand to her mouth. "But from a certain point, she changed. Perhaps it was to protect me... I'm not certain of the truth, but I believe she became a very strong person."
"...To you, Dina-senpai is someone special."
When I put it into words, Senpai came to a halt.
As I turned back to look at her, she seemed solitary, her figure standing out as if swallowed by the surrounding bustle. The other students were enjoying the Cultural Festival. Those running the exhibits and those visiting were all laughing happily.
In the midst of that, she and I faced each other. It felt as if time had stopped for the world.
Senpai looked down, then whispered softly, "Does it look that way to you, Ray-san?"
Her voice was the most uncertain I had ever heard. It was a tone heavy with emotion, a mixture of anxiety and vulnerability. And I realized that for the first time, Senpai was showing me her weakness.
Clenching her hands tightly, she looked up at me. Our gazes met, and I felt her eyes held a faint, flickering heat.
"Yes. I believe that the two of you are very close."
"I see."
Senpai gave a small, relieved smile, and her aura softened.
"But Dina-san can be such a worrywart..."
"Are you referring to this magic tool?"
"Yes. But, well... I'm happy that I can walk around the Cultural Festival with you, Ray-san. I truly wanted you to enjoy the festival yourself."
"You were thinking about that?"
"Yes. I've already caused you so much trouble with the Student Council matters. It's only natural for me to feel that way."
"...I see. You are a kind person, Senpai."
"Thank you."
After that, we visited various locations together. So far, the Cultural Festival was proceeding smoothly without any issues. If anything, the majority of the events would truly kick off on the second day.
I wasn't particularly surprised since I had heard that the first day would be relatively quiet, but I still felt a surge of joy—as if it were my own happiness—to see so many people enjoying themselves.
I found myself watching them with a smile. Immersed in deep reflection, I realized that I loved this place—so brimming with people's happiness—more than anything else.
I thought the Magics Chevalier was enjoyable in its own way, but the Cultural Festival had a different flavor entirely. One might say the focus was different. The festival took place in the very school building where we spent our daily lives. Seeing our familiar surroundings transformed like this gave me a sense of nostalgia.
"Ray-san? Is something the matter?"
"No. More importantly, Senpai, have you eaten lunch yet?"
"Not yet..."
"Then let's have a light meal together."
"Um... technically, we're in the middle of our duties..."
"Dina-senpai told me to make sure we take adequate breaks. She also said that since Rebecca-senpai pushes herself too hard, I have to be the one to stay firm."
"Honestly... that Dina-san..." She pouted, muttering her dissatisfaction in a low voice.
Seeing so many different sides of Senpai today was a fresh experience.
Once we stepped outside, we decided to buy food from a stall on the path leading from the school building to the main gate.
We chose a snack called taiyaki. It was my first time trying it, but according to Senpai, it was delicious. Apparently, it was an item that had begun being imported from the East several years ago. It was a snack modeled after a sea bream, and a savory, pleasant aroma wafted from the stall.
"What flavor are you going to get, Senpai?"
"Let’s see... hmmm. I can't decide..." She stared at the menu with an incredibly earnest expression, genuinely torn over which one to pick.
"Then I'll have the custard, please," she finally said.
"I'll take the red bean," I added.
We ordered, and were immediately handed warm taiyaki wrapped in paper. It was the perfect snack for the season, as the air had grown a bit chilly.
Moving to a secluded spot, we sat on a bench to eat. Looking back, sitting side-by-side with Senpai to share a meal had become quite a familiar occurrence.
"If you'll excuse me..."
I took a bite from the head. The sweetness of the red bean and the texture of the dough combined perfectly, creating a beautiful harmony.
"Mm! This is delicious, Senpai!"
"Fufu. It is, isn't it? Then, if you'll excuse me as well."
Opening her mouth, Senpai took a soft bite. A blissful expression immediately spread across her face.
"Mmm! It's so good...! I knew I liked custard best!"
Custard, huh. I imagined it would pair just as well with the dough as the red bean did. As I watched her intently, she turned the snack toward me.
"Um... would you like a bite?"
"Oh! Is that all right?"
"Yes. If you stare at it looking that hungry, I’d feel guilty for not sharing."
"Haha. My apologies. I was just trying to imagine the taste."
Rebecca-senpai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her left hand and, instead of handing it to me, she brought it right up to my mouth.
"H-Here, open wide... say 'ahhh'."
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
I took a bite from where she had already eaten, savoring the flavor. I see... the custard is indeed exceptionally delicious. Whoever invented this "taiyaki" must have been a genius.
While I was pondering this, I noticed Rebecca-senpai looking at my snack wistfully.
"Would you like to try mine too?"
"Eh...! Is it okay?" She looked up at me with wide, expectant eyes.
It would be unfair for me to be the only one receiving. Following her lead, I brought mine to her mouth.
"Yes, here you go."
"If you'll excuse me..."
She took a soft bite from where I had eaten. Immediately, her posture relaxed, as if her tension had completely dissolved.
"Haa... the red bean is delicious too."
"I've been thinking, you really do love sweet things, Senpai."
"But of course! As a lady, keeping up with sweets is a must! It's common sense, you know?"
"I-I see..."
She spoke with total conviction, though the women I knew weren't usually that fond of sweets. Master preferred alcohol and savory snacks, Abby-san liked spicy food, and Carol ate just about anything—though she claimed she only ate sweets to stay on top of trends.
However, pointing that out now would be poor taste.
"Senpai. Do you feel more at ease now?"
"Ah..."
She let out a soft sound. It seemed her nerves had finally settled.
"Ahaha... to be honest, as the Student Council President, I was worried about whether I could manage the Cultural Festival properly. It seems you saw right through me, Ray-san."
Blushing, Senpai began twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
"No. I believe anyone would feel nervous in your position."
"It helps to hear you say that. Well then, let's do our best with the rest of today's patrol!"
"Yes!"
Together with Senpai, I headed back into the lively bustle of the Cultural Festival.