Episode 46: Dog and Monkey Share a Room

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After the meeting right before the election with Eleanore—which was really just an excuse to chat—I had returned to the dormitory.

It seems I was there for quite a while, as we ended up talking until the bell signaling the end of classes rang.

Usually Eleanore takes the lead in our conversations, but this time I got somewhat worked up and did a lot of the talking myself, so I suppose it couldn’t be helped that things turned out this way… Normally she alone could easily talk for two hours.

Well, anyway, I quietly came back so the dorm mother wouldn’t scold me, and arrived in front of my room.

“I’m back.”

I opened the door and announced my return.

If I lived alone, those words would sadly disappear into the void, but right now I’m living in the Knight Department dormitory.

I have roommates.

Even in actual knight orders, it’s common to share the same room, so the idea is to get used to it while we’re still students!

Not having private space is quite difficult in some ways, but well, even at the Anciness estate I was doubtful whether privacy was really secured, so I’m already used to it.

“Arcs, are you done with your talk?”

So that’s why my greeting received a response.

A high voice and tone that could almost be called girlish.

Well, this is the boys’ dormitory so there’s no way it’s actually a girl, but I still get slightly startled every time I hear this voice.

“Cain-san. …Yes, it took considerably longer than expected.”

Peeking out from the lower bunk of the bunk bed is my roommate with a boyish face, Cain Arvern.

He has the appearance of a beautiful boy with blonde hair and fair skin, but he’s the same age as me.

With such a rather conspicuous appearance, what particularly draws the eye is the eye patch over his left eye.

This isn’t because Cain suffers from chuunibyou, but because there are appropriate circumstances.

His left eye is a magic eye.

One of those that can imbue magical abilities into one’s gaze.

When I think of magic eyes, I recall the person I faced during the cooperative exam, and incidentally, that person is him, Cain.

I had vaguely sensed his abilities since the exam, so I wasn’t surprised by his acceptance itself… well, I was quite surprised that everyone I encountered ended up passing…

But setting that aside.

I never thought he’d become my dormitory roommate.

When circumstances align to this extent, I end up feeling almost frightened instead.

“Haha, well, it’s right before an important election after all. Of course it would take a while.”

“…Mm, yes… I suppose so.”

When I deliberately shrugged my shoulders, Cain laughed and said that.

…But I could only give an ambiguous response.

Whether it’s right before the election or not, conversations with Eleanore generally tend to run long.

And the topics aren’t necessarily always related to the election.

Therefore, when told it’s lengthy due to work diligence… I can’t quite nod in agreement.

“From the looks of it, you haven’t eaten yet either.”

“Ah, that’s right. I wonder if the cafeteria… is still open.”

“…I wonder, if we go right now we might be able to get some leftovers.”

I’ve never been this late before… but to think I’d be on the verge of missing dinner…

I feel like smiling bitterly, but well, it can’t be helped.

Fortunately, I’ve mastered healing magic from top to bottom.

I’m not going to become all weak and feeble from skipping one meal.

Well, that aside, my so-called emotional nutrition will be depleted though.

…I guess I’ll endure it today.

“Ah, speaking of which, is the other person not back yet?”

“Yeah, he’s going to be late today too.”

I ask about the other roommate who’s not visible in this room where you can see everything at a glance.

Our room is a three-person room.

It has a bunk bed and a single bed, and the space is somewhat larger than the two-person or single rooms.

Cain, me, and one more person… we’re living together with that guy, but regarding the latter two, it’s always a matter of which one returns home first.

And today, it seems I was somewhat earlier.

Even though I’m later than usual.

“I see, then he’s still at the training grounds—”

Just as I was about to say that, I heard a rattling sound from behind.

…Of course, there’s only a door behind me, so it’s the sound of it opening and closing, which means someone else has entered.

“Ah, speak of the devil.”

Cain directed his gaze behind me.

I also shifted my body slightly and moved my vision in the same way with a glance.

“…Razer-san, welcome back.”

“…Tch.”

When I greeted the roommate who had arrived, he passed right by me without even a glance.

His clothes are tattered and sweat is seeping all over his body.

He’s probably been training this entire time.

He’s always like this.

“I just got back too, Razer-san, about dinner—”

“—Cain, I’m going to the bath. When it’s lights out, don’t worry about me and go to sleep.”

“Ah… okay.”

As if my words weren’t even entering his ears, Razer said that tersely and left the room.

Leaving behind Cain, who stared blankly at his back, and me, who had lost the recipient of my words, the door closed with a bang again.

“…Haah.”

“Looks like he’s the same as always today.”

When I let out a short sigh, Cain said that in a sympathetic tone.

…No, really.

What kind of twist of fate is this?

Razer and I are, incredibly, roommates.

I almost want to suspect there was some sort of scheme by someone, but probably not, I think.

That first day when we beat each other up in a duel, I was thinking “Well, shared living huh, I wonder what kind of person I’ll be with,” and then I ran into that guy right in front of the door—I can still vividly remember that moment.

I feel somewhat apologetic for making Cain experience such a terrible atmosphere from day one, but unfortunately, this unpleasant atmosphere still remains.

Did he hold a grudge after losing the duel? Razer’s reaction toward me is decidedly hostile.

No matter how much I try to compromise, that guy makes a face like a threatening cat and walks off somewhere. Just like now.

So even though a week has passed and I’ve deepened my relationships with the class and with Cain, only the time period when Razer and I encounter each other has the worst mood.

Neither I nor that guy enjoys experiencing such an atmosphere, so we’re not coordinating it, but at some point we started staggering or delaying our return times to reduce the time we spend together.

“Cain-san, I’m sorry about this.”

“No, no… I’d like to say that, but if you really think so, then hurry up and make up with him!”

When I apologetically tried to apologize, Cain stared at me with a steady gaze from his one uncovered eye.

I’d like to do that if possible too… but looking at Razer’s behavior, who knows when that will be.

“…I’ll do my best.”

Half giving up, I answered that way.

***

The whirlwind days progress with training in the name of holidays.

Before I know it, a new week begins.

Now then, what does that mean?

…It means the long-awaited student council election is here.

Well, it’s already finished for the upperclassmen, but the election to decide the new students’ officers is beginning.

In this academy where nobles occupy most of the seats, even though equality is proclaimed, with individual aristocratic superiority thinking still at play, there apparently has never been a case of a commoner being elected as a student council officer… or so I’ve heard.

And I’m trying to get elected in such circumstances… moreover, trying to secure these positions together with Eleanore when there are only about two or three seats per grade, so I’m doing something on quite hard mode.

…Well, as for her, she’s the top student and a count, so maybe it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

That aside, the difficulty level for me won’t change even with being top of the class, so it still means I’m challenging something difficult.

…So, for this recent period.

I’ve been preparing with considerable effort.

This is where I’ll demonstrate those results.

“Eleanore-sama.”

I turn toward her standing beside me.

Eleanore, wrapped in her uniform with her usual dignified appearance, glanced this way.

“Let’s definitely get elected.”

I made a fist and said that as if declaring my determination.

…Since I accepted her request, I’ll definitely see it through.

That’s my spirit.

“Fufu… yes,”

However, she looked at me and giggled slightly.

Just as a question mark floated above my head, she continued speaking.

“But, well. We’re the only candidates, so it’s just a vote of confidence.”

Eleanore said that with a smile.

…Huh?

Is that so?!?!