Currently, an awkward atmosphere filled the martial arts club room.
The two seniors were whispering to each other, saying things like, “Why did that prodigy come to such a weak club?” and “I don’t know either!” Meanwhile, Mr. Doban remained silent, exuding a stern expression.
Hera, however, was drinking the coffee I made for her.
That alone made me so happy I could float to the heavens, but I wished someone would do something about this uncomfortable mood.
Just as I was desperately hoping for that, senior Eileen finally made a move.
“So, um… in the end, are you really going to join us, Lady Hera?”
“Yes. And you don’t need to use formal language with me. You can speak more casually.”
“Really!?”
“You can’t just drop the formal speech even if she says it! She’s far above us in status!”
“Th-that’s true, but…”
Hera had likely gathered up quite a bit of courage to say that, but the title of “Duchess” got in the way. From what I heard earlier, the two seniors seemed to come from viscount families, so it must be hard for them to drop the formalities.
Seeing Hera looking slightly dejected, Mr. Doban, who had been silently observing until now, finally spoke up.
“…May I ask something?”
“Yes, of course. Feel free to ask anything.”
“Why did you decide to join this club? Not to put it down, but this is one of the smallest clubs in the entire school. With your level of skill, many other clubs must be vying to recruit you…”
“…………”
Mr. Doban had a point.
To be honest, I also thought Hera would be better off joining a club other than the martial arts club.
Especially if she studied magic, it could help her build resistance to temptation magic in the future.
“…I’d like to speak with the teacher alone.”
“??”
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion at Hera’s words.
But as expected of a teacher, Mr. Doban seemed to grasp her intent immediately. He instructed the seniors to show me around and led us out of the room.
With no reason to object, we followed the teacher’s directions and left the club room.
As we exited, the three of us exchanged glances.
“Well, I’ll be counting on you from now on! I’m Eileen. Call me Senior Eileen.”
“Thank you, Senior Eileen.”
“———?! W-whoa… This is the first time someone called me ‘senior.’”
“Call me Senior Barge! From now on, we’ll show you around the club activities and where we practice. Make sure to remember everything before you leave!”
“Yes! Looking forward to it!”
And with that, I started to be shown around by the cheerful seniors.
“…I’ve cleared the room. So, why did you choose to join the martial arts club?”
Doban asked Hera, who sat across from him.
Honestly, Doban couldn’t understand why Hera would want to join this club.
Years ago, he had seen Hera, not even ten years old at the time, demonstrating martial skills that rivaled his own. That memory remained vivid in his mind.
Now, five years later, it was clear there was nothing he could teach her.
So Doban couldn’t fathom why Hera had chosen this club.
“Are you asking why I joined this club? Please, keep what I’m about to say in strict confidence.”
Though her tone was polite, Hera exuded a terrifyingly intense presence that seemed impossible from her slender figure. The pressure was so overwhelming that, even though Doban’s expression didn’t change, cold sweat began pouring from him like a waterfall.
“…Understood. I swear on everything I have that I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thank you.”
Hera smiled, instantly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere.
Despite being only 15 years old, Doban could sense an unfathomable fear from the way Hera carried herself, as if she knew exactly how to make herself appear larger than life.
And then Hera spoke.
“You felt ‘afraid’ of me just now, didn’t you?”
“!?! How did you know?”
Doban was shocked that his emotions had been perfectly read.
He immediately felt guilty and was about to apologize, but Hera preempted him and stopped him from doing so.
“You don’t need to apologize. This is normal.”
Hera’s expression looked both sad and resigned, something no 15-year-old should wear.
Doban wanted to say something comforting but realized he had no right, having caused that expression in the first place, so he kept silent.
“I’ve had the ability to read others’ emotions since I was young. I can’t control it, and their feelings flood into me as soon as I make eye contact.”
“…………”
“And everyone, without fail, has always felt some level of fear towards me. Most of the emotions directed at me are negative.”
Doban thought.
If he had been subjected to negative emotions from others constantly since childhood, could he have stayed sane?
The answer was no.
He would have broken, either cutting off all ties with others or worse, taking his own life.
But the girl in front of him—Hera—had endured that for 15 years.
“But—he was different.”
“He? …Could it be…”
Doban almost let out a sound but quickly covered his mouth to keep it from being heard outside. At the same time, he realized the gravity of what he was being told.
Hera’s expression suddenly shifted from gloomy to that of a young girl in love, cheerful and a little giddy.
“He—only Shin didn’t look at me with fear like everyone else. Instead, he looked at me with pure admiration and trust. Even after I brutally defeated the examiners during the entrance exam, Shin still gazed at me with nothing but respect and reassurance. And when I kept following him afterward, he didn’t get angry but was instead overjoyed… Ah, he was so cute at that moment.”
Hera’s face blushed slightly, her expression soft, and her tone changed. She was clearly lost in her own world.
“I’ve never been this intrigued by someone before. Whether this is ‘love’ or just a desire for friendship, I’m not sure. But what I do know is that I’m drawn to Shin.”
Then, she composed herself and addressed Doban.
“That’s why I want to join this club. I want to know more about Shin. I want to become closer to him.”
“…I understand… I also understand why you wanted this to remain confidential. Very well. I approve your entry.”
When Doban told Hera that, she smiled happily.
“Then, I’ll go catch up with Shin and the others.”
Returning to her usual tone, Hera left the clubroom, humming a tune as she went.
Alone in the room, Doban muttered.
“Shin… Just who are you…?”
His words, heard by no one, disappeared into the empty air.
