Episode 50: The Butler Face with Crossed Arms in the Back

The work of the student council covers quite a wide range.

From simple miscellaneous tasks to important matters involving relationships between nobles, we handle various jobs in terms of responsibility.

Such a busy student council.

Being in the lowest grade and assigned to general affairs, which is half odd-jobs, I’ve been worked to death.

“Phew… it’s been a while since I’ve been this busy.”

In the document storage room of the student council building, I muttered alone with a sigh.

I was pretty busy at the Anciness mansion too, but… there was somewhat more leeway then.

This feeling after so long, I even feel a sense of nostalgia.

“…Ah, is it already this time?”

I looked at the wall clock and began tidying up the materials scattered on the desk.

Unusually, there are no Knight Department classes today, and it’s designated as independent training.

Effectively a day off.

My classmates seemed excited too.

Though permission to go out probably won’t be granted, so it’s not like we can go play.

Well, since such free time opened up, I was advancing work, but when doing such things, time passes by in the blink of an eye.

After hastily finishing tidying up the documents, I left this room filled with the smell of paper.

My hurried destination is the noble dormitory building.

At this time, it’s around when the class-ending bell rings.

Just as I exit the student council building, the sound of the bell ringing “rin-kon” can be heard from over there.

I check the star-shaped badge attached to my chest while quickening my pace.

***

Surprisingly, this is my first time setting foot on the grounds of the noble dormitory building.

It’s probably because until now we’ve often met at the fountain, or Eleanore came to me.

As expected from the larger population, the number of students I see is also greater.

The Knight Department is noisy with training shouts and such, but visually it’s quite sparse, whereas the Noble Department has a noisiness proportionate to its numbers.

While feeling a bit nervous, I headed toward her classroom, recalling its location.

“…Hey, that’s…”

“Wh-could that person possibly be…”

“Whoa, isn’t that the real deal?”

“I wonder why he’s here?”

From the people passing by, I could hear whispered conversations.

Without a doubt, the topic is about me.

Well, I stood out that much and even became part of the student council, so it’s no wonder I’m somewhat recognized.

I have no intention of listening properly, so while thinking “please spare me the gossip,” I briskly pass by.

And so I arrived at my master’s classroom.

Unlike the Knight Department, it’s spacious, beautiful, and luxurious.

It exudes an atmosphere of a school for nobles.

From the window in the hallway, I peek inside stealthily.

The class seems to have ended already, with students dispersing as they please.

While worrying that we might have passed each other, this time I peek through the gap in the door.

And there, her presence that particularly captivates the eye existed.

“Wow, I understood it well! Thank you, Eleanore-san!”

“Amazing, to be able to solve such difficult arithmetic”

“Eleanore-san explains things more clearly than even the teacher!”

High-pitched, feminine tones of conversation can be heard.

At the center of that group is my master, Eleanore Anciness herself.

“Fufu, there’s no need for thanks. Besides, I’m still quite inexperienced myself.”

On the face of her surrounded by classmates floated a smile that suits the word “beaming.”

…It’s not her usual business smile.

I personally think she’s smiling from the heart.

Hmm, this scene… somehow really moves me.

In the main story, she wore a false smile and acted, constantly trying to trap someone, never once smiling from the heart.

If I overlap that… with her now, I can’t help but shed tears.

“My! To still be aiming higher despite being so accomplished!”

“If you grow any further, you’ll go to a realm I could never reach…”

“She’s already in that realm, isn’t she?”

The classmates who earnestly praise Eleanore.

I don’t particularly sense any ulterior motives there.

She seems blessed with good friends too.

And then…

(Yeah, yeah, that’s right. That’s so right)

Watching that scene, I was nodding while crossing my arms.

Yes, yes, Eleanore is an amazing girl.

She’s worked hard and earnestly all this time.

As her butler, I’m proud that her efforts have borne fruit and are being recognized.

“…No, no, that’s not why I’m here.”

I inadvertently put on a butler face in the background, but I didn’t come to observe her in the classroom now.

It’s work, work.

Since the conversation over there seems to be reaching a conclusion, maybe I’ll call out around now.

“Eleanore-sama——” “You there!”

Just as I was about to call her name, my shoulder was firmly grabbed.

And a somewhat angry male voice enters my ears.

“You there, do you have some business with Eleanore-kun?”

A low voice with a core captures me.

When I turn my gaze toward the owner of the voice…

There stands the figure of a man with dark green hair so firmly set with wax that it makes you wonder how much he used, a solid build, and narrow, calm-impression eyes.

“…Torados-sama?”

My mouth naturally voices his name.

The person in my memory matched with him before my eyes.

Because he was one of the capture targets in “Celestia Kingdom,” a character who filled the position of “the disciplinary committee member who falls in love even though he knows it’s wrong.”