Episode 51: Arcs, Move…

Torados crossed his arms and stared at me with sharp eyes as if he had captured a criminal.

That appearance gave off a certain kind of dignity.

…I can picture the CG from the main game of the stubborn disciplinary committee member cracking down on delinquents.

I think his first encounter with the protagonist was something like this too.

He was spouting lines like how a commoner was trampling on the nobles’ place of learning with their dirty feet.

He’s that kind of stickler character, but at heart he’s a good guy.

I don’t remember much, but I do recall there weren’t any particularly bad rumors spreading about him, so he’s probably a good guy.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Torados-sama.”

I straightened my posture and turned to face him.

“Indeed, I am Torados Nutbaar, first-year disciplinary committee member. Just what were you trying to do with Eleanore-kun?”

“I wasn’t plotting anything suspicious. I have student council officer duties, so I merely came to pick her up.”

I respond with a harmless smile.

Torados wrinkled his brow with a dubious expression while staring intently at me.

“…Could you possibly be the rumored ‘Arcs Leefort’?”

And then he said that in a tone as if something had just occurred to him.

“Yes, indeed I am the one called Arcs Leefort.”

I nodded while still smiling.

So my name had reached Torados’s ears too.

Well, the disciplinary committee would be the most sensitive to such rumors.

At any rate, this should prove my innocence.

At times like this, the backing of being a student council officer really comes in handy.

Especially in the Noble Department, I hear the treatment of commoner students is still quite harsh.

“…I see, so you’re, you’re that person.”

Torados nodded as if it all made sense.

…However, he only nodded and didn’t smooth out his wrinkled brow.

Rather, he deepened it even more.

…Huh, why?!

Was there any room for doubt?! Just as I was inwardly confused.

“I apologize for being suspicious.”

That’s what he said, but he didn’t look apologetic at all.

If anything, it was more like a face glaring at an enemy.

Where exactly did I pick a fight with Torados?

“Lately, unscrupulous people have been gathering around Eleanore-kun.”

While I was hesitating on how to respond to him with his contradicting expression and words, he suddenly began explaining the circumstances.

…Unscrupulous people?

“Is that true?”

“Yes, mainly male students. Presumably they were captivated by her excellence and beauty.”

While grumbling “How ridiculous…”, Torados continued.

“Trying to invite her to tea during breaks, forcibly talking to her during class transitions. Sometimes even upperclassmen made advances.”

…Huh, really?!?!

I don’t recall hearing such stories from Eleanore.

But it’s not content I could dismiss with “you’re kidding.”

It would be plausible for her.

Why didn’t she consult me about it?

Even though she reported her daily status to me every time we met.

Most of it was talk about how she couldn’t do this or that without me though…

Was it consideration to not worry me…?

“Because I was cracking down on such people, I mistook you for one of them.”

“…Thank you for your hard work, or rather… I’m grateful to you.”

“Hmph, I have no reason to receive your gratitude.”

He dismisses my thanks with a snort.

That said, I’m grateful he was cracking down on unscrupulous people.

The extent of my reach is also limited during the day.

If he was preventing things during that time, I should be thankful.

However,

“…By the way.”

I narrow my eyes and look straight at Torados.

Noticing this, he opens his eyes slightly wider.

“Your explanation about the situation of being approached by such people was quite detailed, but did Eleanore-sama consult you about this, Torados-sama?”

I honestly spoke what I had just been thinking.

It may be a rude way of putting it, but it’s also a point of concern.

I think it’s quite abnormal to remember when and what kind of content Eleanore was approached with.

It would be fine if he knew because she consulted him, but if not, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a stalker.

Even if he heard eyewitness reports, it’s strange to be cracking down so thoroughly.

Well, surely Torados with his strict and serious character wouldn’t be like that…

“…”

…He says nothing.

He remained silent while subtly averting his eyes.

And when he finally opened his mouth.

“…It was voluntary activity.”

While completely shifting his gaze to the side, Torados said with quite ambiguous words.

…Huh, does that mean it wasn’t crackdown based on consulting with Eleanore?

Which means… eh, as I feared?

“Wait a moment. Then how did you get that detailed information from earlier?”

Despite the height difference, I grab Torados’s shoulders.

He stiffened his body while looking startled.

“…No, I just happened to pass by—” “Just happened? Was it really by chance?!”

Interrupting this guy’s words as his eyes swim about, I strengthen my grip on his shoulders even more.

Perhaps due to the pain, our eyes finally meet, but he just stammers things like “That is…”

…This is black, definitely.

“…I see, how unfortunate.”

“It huRTS?!”

Convinced that the person before me is a criminal, I considered what to do going forward while grinding my grip on his shoulders. I can hear sounds like bones creaking, but in this world with healing magic it shouldn’t be a problem.

Now then, what shall I do with him?

It’s not funny that the person saying “there are unscrupulous people!” is himself unscrupulous.

My memories from my past life teach me that this kind of stalker putting on a justice face is the most troublesome.

Should I make an example of him so no followers emerge?

But obviously I can’t do something as violent as making a blood sacrifice.

If only I could give him social humiliation or do something to break his spirit…

Just as I was thinking about this guy’s treatment.

“Arcs!”

I hear a bouncing voice.

I reflexively let go of my grip on Torados and turned around.

There stood Eleanore with her arms spread wide.

The next moment she was restraining my arms with her whole body.

“If you were here, you could have called out to me.”

“El…Eleanore-sama. …No, I tried to call out but…”

I glance toward Torados.

He had collapsed from his knees, his shoulders hanging limply without strength.

Because of that, he was somehow giving off an aura of being crushed.

“Come on, let’s head out right away. If we don’t finish quickly, the sun will set.”

While narrowing her eyes in a grinning way, she peers into my face.

Even though there’s a man in a strange posture right in front of us… hasn’t she noticed?

Or is it despite noticing?

“Wa-wait, wait just a moment.”

She pulls my body forward persistently.

I need to bring down some hammer of justice on this guy, but she won’t give me that time.

Well, in the first place, it seems Eleanore has no interest in Torados at all.

…Sigh, it can’t be helped.

Out of respect for Eleanore’s face, I’ll put this on hold for now.

(…If you follow her around again next time, I won’t let you off easy)

After whispering to Torados as I left, I let my body follow Eleanore’s lead.