After returning from my parents' house, I spent my time alone in the dorms. Since there was still time before the Academy resumed classes, the building remained deserted. If I recalled correctly, Evi said he wouldn't be back until the fifth.
January 2nd.
The new year had arrived, and the town was bustling with life. I had heard that the first three days of the year were particularly festive, with stalls lining the streets and a general air of excitement.
I had been getting ready to head out since early morning.
That was because I had a promise to keep. Before I had left for my parents' house at the end of the year, a certain letter had arrived for me.
To Ray. I wanted to dance with you at the Carol Festival, but I was so busy with the singing and dancing! Honestly! Being a royal is so much work! Oh well, no use complaining. Instead, won't you go on a date with just the two of us on January 2nd? I think I can clear my schedule then! I only have time from the morning until just past noon, though. Is that... okay? P.S. This is our secret! Don't tell anyone!
When I first read the letter that arrived at the dorm, I had hesitated over how to reply, but since I had no other plans, I accepted.
Furthermore, I rarely had the chance to meet Princess Olivia, and we had seldom spent any significant amount of time together.
While part of that was simply the reality of her being royalty, I wanted to respond to her wishes if she reached out to me. There was no denying that I was soft on those younger than myself.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sound came from the door. I headed over and opened it to find Princess Olivia standing there, just as she had before.
"Yahoo! Looking forward to today!"
She greeted me energetically, though her attire was different from our last meeting. She was still bundled up in fluffy winter gear, but she looked more mature today—perhaps she was wearing a bit of makeup.
Her hair was styled in beautiful braids, which only enhanced her charm. Until now, I had thought of her much like Stella—as a younger sister—but seeing her like this reminded me once again that she was the princess of a nation.
"What's wrong? Ah...!"
Noticing my gaze, she began to grin mischievously.
"Don't tell me you were staring because I'm so cute today?"
She was more or less correct, so I decided to give her my honest impressions.
"Yes. Your makeup is minimal, but it makes you look more grown-up. Your hair is lovely in those braids, too. And even though it’s mostly hidden by your winter gear, your outfit suits you very well."
"U... guuh...!"
She suddenly clutched her chest and crouched down on the spot.
"A-Are you all right...?"
"Fufu... I almost died of cuteness just now... Smooth, Ray. Very smooth."
Grinning, she gave me a firm thumbs-up. It was a mysterious compliment, but as long as she was her usual energetic self, I wasn't worried.
"In any case, Ray, you're the one looking mature... or rather, like a proper adult."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. That jet-black long coat and those boots really stand out. Plus, your posture is so sharp that it makes you look even taller."
"I see. I hadn't realized."
"Yep, yep. We make a wonderful couple! Now, let's go!"
"Yes. Let's head out."
With our idle chatter finished, we made our way into the heart of the city.
"Wow... look at all these people."
"Indeed. This is my first time seeing it like this, but it certainly is crowded."
We had arrived in the Central District. There were perhaps twice as many people as usual. Navigating through this sea of bodies was going to be a challenge. It was exactly what one would expect from the first days of the new year.
"Princess Olivia."
"Hm? What is it? Why are you holding out your hand?"
"We'll get separated if we aren't careful, so let's hold hands."
"Hold hands...!!?"
She was clearly caught off guard, but there was no doubt we would lose each other if we tried to walk through this crowd normally. That was my only reason for suggesting it.
"Yes. Otherwise, I might lose sight of you."
"H-Hmm. Well, I don't mind! I was actually planning on saying that myself anyway!"
I took her small hand in mine. It was very cold, though that was hardly surprising given the winter chill.
"I was wondering, though—won't it be a problem if someone recognizes you?"
"Fufu. I have all this fluffiness for winter, so it's fine!"
"Ah, I see. That's true."
She pulled her scarf up higher. With her earmuffs and the large scarf covering the lower half of her face, it was unlikely anyone would recognize her at a glance.
"Now then, shall we buy something to eat?"
"Oh! Sounds good! I brought my own allowance today!"
"No. I'll pay for everything."
"...Eh? But, well... I'd feel bad. I was the one who invited you, after all."
She peered up at me, checking my expression, but I felt this was something I should be firm about.
"In these situations, you should just follow the lead of your elders."
"Did Lydia teach you that?"
"Yes. So there's no need to hold back. I have more than enough money."
"...I see. Then I'll take you up on that!"
For a fleeting second, her expression turned lonely. She knew what my past was like. She understood what I had been through, and yet she still smiled for me. She truly was a remarkable person.
With those thoughts in mind, I held her hand firmly as we wove through the crowd.
A while later.
After enjoying various snacks and doing some light shopping, we sat down on a park bench to rest.
"Phew... we really ate a lot."
"We did. More than I expected, honestly."
"Ugh... the New Year just makes me want to eat! I haven't gained weight or anything, okay?"
She looked at me with a skeptical, half-lidded gaze, but such a thought hadn't even crossed my mind.
"Haha. Don't worry. I didn't think that at all."
"..."
Suddenly, her mood shifted. She stared off into the distance and whispered softly.
"You've started to laugh like that, Ray. When we first met, you were a little scary."
"Maybe I've changed since entering the Academy."
"I see. Time really does fly."
"It does."
"I'm going to enter the Academy next year, too. I'm going to take the entrance exam properly, of course."
"Aren't royalty sometimes exempt from those?"
I looked at her profile. Her expression was serious, possessing a gravity that made it hard to believe she was a year younger than me.
"They are, but I want to take the exam. If I didn't, it would be disrespectful to everyone else. I know I'm a special case because I'm royalty, but if I'm going to the Academy, I want to try living a normal life. I want to experience what people call an 'ordinary' daily life."
It was clearly something she had been contemplating for a long time. I couldn't begin to understand the burdens of being a royal, but Princess Olivia had reached this conclusion after much careful thought.
"A-nd!"
She stood up abruptly and turned to me with a brilliant, lively smile.
"I'll be your junior, you know? I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be in your care, Senpai."
She grinned mischievously, looking very much like her usual self. Next year wouldn't just be her, either; Stella and Maria were also planning to enroll.
That's right. I was going to be an upperclassman. Hearing her say it made the reality sink in.
"Senpai, huh?"
"Yeah! I think I'll call you that once I enroll. Isn't it a special privilege just for me?"
"I suppose so. It feels fresh."
"Fufu. Right? I'm going to use that to widen my lead even more!"
She pumped a fist into the air with a spirited "Oh!"
She was as energetic as ever. And so, we spent our brief, precious time together.