"Mari, I'm sorry."
"For what…?"
"That… during the sword-fighting class a few days ago."
"...."
After class, when lessons were over.
At Malcolm's request, Mari was facing him in the empty classroom after the students had left. Normally, she would be at the annex for her study group by now.
"…Why are you apologizing to me for that?"
She was already eager to see Emil. Her heart felt uneasy, as Malcolm, who had hurt Emil, was delaying her. What's more, she couldn't even understand the reason for his summons. The discontent in her heart was easily evident in her voice.
"No… that is…."
Malcolm easily noticed her discomfort.
*This isn't right…*
Recently, the two had maintained an awkward distance. It wasn't that they had specifically argued. Malcolm felt jealous of Mari's good relationship with Emil, and Mari was angry that Malcolm had hurt Emil. Malcolm had called Mari aside today to resolve that awkward relationship. But now, having finally gathered the courage to call Mari, Mari still faced Malcolm with a cold expression.
"That apology… did you make it to Emil?"
"What?"
"It was Emil you hurt, wasn't it? Did you apologize to Emil?"
"...."
He hadn't apologized. On that day, after Emil was carried away following the sudden incident, Malcolm had simply glossed over it. Of course, the usual Malcolm would have immediately apologized to Emil. But the current Emil… Malcolm simply couldn't bring himself, deep down, to apologize to Emil, given his relationship with Mari. In the end, he hadn't apologized. That's why Malcolm remained silent in response to Mari's question.
"…Haa."
And that silence made Mari even more upset.
"I don't understand, Malcolm."
"Mari…."
"The Malcolm I know is clearly a kind person, and good at sword-fighting too. Why did such a mistake happen? …Was it even a mistake to begin with?"
"...."
There was no evidence that Malcolm had intentionally hurt Emil. But Mari, for some reason, had a feeling. If asked for a reason, she couldn't confidently state one. But having been with Malcolm for a long time, she had sensitively noticed his subtle changes. And as if confirming Mari's words, which were filled with suspicion, Malcolm couldn't give any answer.
"I don't know what's going on, but… I have no intention of accepting an apology from you when you haven't even apologized to Emil. …And I don't even know why you're apologizing to me in the first place."
"Mari…."
"I'm leaving. The others will be waiting. …You can come if you want."
"...."
With those final words, Mari passed Malcolm and left the classroom. "You can come if you want." In other words, "You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"...."
Malcolm stood rooted to the spot, unmoving. He merely clenched his fists tightly. He recalled Emil, the reason for his strained relationship with Mari, and his expression twisted.
***
Footsteps.
*Was I a little too harsh…*
Walking down the hallway, Mari recalled Malcolm's sad expression from a moment ago, her own face troubled. But she soon shook her head, clearing his face from her mind.
*Still, Malcolm was in the wrong.*
If he had nothing to hide, he would have surely refuted her words of suspicion. Malcolm hated being wronged. But the fact that he didn't meant it was as good as confessing that Mari's suspicion was correct. That's why Mari couldn't forgive him even more.
*To think he… intentionally hurt Emil.*
The feeling that welled up was one of betrayal. She didn't know why he would do such a thing. It might even be that Emil was in the wrong first. But even so, Mari couldn't forgive Malcolm. Because to Mari, Emil was that precious.
"...."
She stopped abruptly. As that thought spun in her head, Mari's cheeks flushed, and she stopped in her tracks.
*But I don't have the right to forgive or not forgive him…*
For a moment, she felt embarrassed by her anger. She and Emil were just friends. Not family, not best friends. And not lovers. It was just Mari harboring feelings for Emil. That's why she felt a little ashamed of herself for getting angry at Malcolm. Because she, who was merely nursing a one-sided crush, was getting angry for Emil's sake, as if they were lovers.
"…No. I'll make it happen."
But then, with a determined expression on her flushed face, Mari started walking forward again. What if they weren't lovers now? She would make it happen. If not now, then later. More than anything, Mari had recently been feeling that possibility.
"...Hehe."
Remembering the reason for that possibility, Mari grinned, her cheeks flushing again. It was a few days ago, when she had private tutoring with Emil. Emil's answer to Mari's question about what kind of person he liked.
*Someone who gets good grades on the midterm exam.*
His warm smile and the beautiful sunset light. Recalling that moment, Mari's heart felt warm.
*That… if I think about it positively, that's about me, right?*
Mari walked down the hallway with a beaming expression, remembering Emil's words. Emil knew how Mari was approaching this midterm exam. Her goal to absolutely get good grades and prove herself to her brother. And that Emil had said that the person he liked was someone who got good grades on the midterm exam!
*Logically, that's not an ideal type!*
An implication about the person Emil harbored feelings for, rather than just an ideal type. If she thought about it very positively, that person was none other than Mari herself.
"Heh, hehe…."
As she made such hopeful imaginations, a silly laugh escaped her without her realizing it. Her mood, which had sunken earlier due to Malcolm, began to lift again. Recently, Mari had often experienced this peculiar phenomenon. When she felt bad, or sometimes when she recalled memories of her brother or family, if she thought about Emil, her mood would instantly brighten. He completely erased anxious and difficult memories. It was truly like magic. That's why Mari fell even deeper for Emil. In a way, even more than her brother, whom she had relied on as a child.
*This midterm exam… let's really do my best.*
Mari went to the annex and climbed the stairs, reaffirming her resolve. But unlike before, when only nervousness lingered, now her resolve was filled with hope, joy, and excitement.
And so, a little later, Mari arrived in front of the classroom for the study group.
"Inhale… Exhale~."
She stood still for a moment and took a deep breath. Relax. Because she had to meet Emil calmly and naturally. She wanted to show him only her prettiest side. As she was preparing, imagining her ideal self in her mind like self-hypnosis.
[Emil….]
[Mmm….]
Two voices were heard from inside the classroom.
*…Emil and… Sierra.*
Instantly, Mari's elated heart sank chillingly. It felt as if a stone had hit her chest. Why? It was natural for the two of them to be there. Yet, she felt an ominous sensation from their suddenly audible voices. This was a warning bell sent by a woman's intuition. More than anything, Sierra's voice from inside sounded different from usual. It was like her own voice recently, when she had harbored feelings for Emil. Excited, nervous. And filled with affectionate feelings. A girl's voice.
[I like you….]
That voice conveyed a shocking confession to Emil.
"...."
Instantly, Mari's eyes grew cold as she stared at the classroom door. What was that she just heard? A confession? No matter how she thought about it, that's what it was.
*Sierra to Emil…?*
And in Mari's mind, Emil's words that had made her happy until now flashed past.
*Someone who gets good grades on the midterm exam.*
The ominous feeling tainted even her happy memories with doubt.
"...."
Sierra was the second-ranked student in their year. So, the person most likely to get good grades on this midterm, aside from Emil, Sierra would virtually be the top candidate.
"...."
The ominous feeling raged like a spark catching straw. Her heart pounded with anxiety. That Sierra had confessed to Emil. Would he accept it? What would Emil say to that confession?
*Don't accept it… Don't accept it…*
Unconsciously, Mari glared at the classroom door with vacant eyes. She bit her lip tightly, her hands trembling. And then.
[Yeah….]
At Emil's next words, Mari felt the strength drain from her legs. But then Sierra's voice, which followed.
[…Hehe, how was that? It really hit home this time, didn't it?]
Instantly reawakened Mari's mind, which was descending into darkness.
*…Huh?*
The conversation continued.
[Well… about 70 points, I guess.]
[Did you get hit on the head by Malcolm or something? That last one was definitely 100 points!]
*70 points…? 100 points…?*
The conversation between the two, which she had thought was a confession, was flowing in a strange direction.
[Be honest. Your heart pounded 100 points' worth, didn't it?]
[Quiet. Let's start studying soon.]
[Aww~, come on, answer like a man.]
"...."
Listening to their conversation, Mari realized her thoughts had been a misunderstanding. It wasn't a confession. Sierra's voice returned to its usual teasing tone towards Emil. That told her the "confession" from moments ago was just a prank.
But.
"...."
Nevertheless, Mari felt something unsettling in her heart. Even if it was just a prank to tease Emil, Emil might, by mistake, feel his heart pound for Sierra. He might imagine Sierra as pretty. He might think Sierra is a good girl. Emil might develop feelings for another girl.
"...."
Dark feelings stirred again in her now calmer heart. Even though she realized it was a misunderstanding, now that she had felt that possibility, Mari could no longer ignore that possibility.
[Alright, it was pretty good….]
That's why Mari, before Emil could be swayed by that girl's tactics any further, with a *slide*, she opened the door and burst in between the two of them.
"...."
"...."
"...."
A chilling silence. Expressions as if something that shouldn't be revealed had been caught. Mari gazed indifferently at their faces. Especially Sierra, whom she stared at coldly. And then, with footsteps, as if to show Sierra, she walked to the seat next to Emil and sat down beside him. With a smile, she smiled at both of them.
"Hehe, sorry, I'm terribly late, aren't I?"
***
Scratch, scratch….
In the classroom, where only the two of them remained, only the sound of a pencil writing something echoed. The time after the study group ended. The private tutoring time between Mari and me was quieter than usual.
"...."
"...."
Normally, Mari would ask me various questions while solving problems. But today, Mari didn't. She focused solely on the problems, asking me no questions at all. Of course, she didn't bring up any small talk either. That's why.
*This is awkward…*
I was enduring a rather uncomfortable atmosphere.
*Malcolm didn't show up today, I wonder if that's why…*
I thought of one reason why Mari might be quiet. But I soon shook my head. I already knew well that couldn't be the reason. This was simple denial.
*As I thought, she must have… heard that conversation.*
The reason Mari was quiet was probably the prank Sierra and I had played a moment ago. Mari had heard Sierra's fake confession, meant to make my heart pound. After all, Mari had entered the classroom right after that conversation happened. I quietly watched Mari, who was silently solving problems. Then I noticed Mari's shoulders trembling, her gaze fixed on the problem. She seemed to be concentrating on the book, but it looked like she was quite aware of me sitting next to her.
*Fortunately, it doesn't seem like her feelings have cooled.*
I had one concern. It was the failure of my strategy. Because Mari might have overheard the prank with Sierra a moment ago, misunderstood, and my strategy could fail. But just because her feelings didn't seem to have cooled, I couldn't just leave things as they were. My goal was to receive a confession from Mari. So if things continued like this, Mari might end up waiting for *my* confession instead. I looked at Mari for a moment, lost in thought about what to say.
Just then.
"Emil…."
"Huh, huh?"
Mari, who had been quiet until now, glanced at me and carefully opened her mouth.
"You know, me… can I be a little unreasonable about one thing?"
"...."
Those were the first words she spoke after the study group ended. Unreasonable.
*Was the reason she'd been quiet all this time because she was thinking about that…?*
What unreasonable thing was she going to say?
"Mmm, …it's fine, tell me."
I nodded, and Mari fiddled with the pencil in her hand, keeping her mouth shut for a moment. It seemed quite difficult for her to say what the unreasonable request was. But a moment later.
"It's…."
Mari turned her body directly towards me. With a flushed face, she kept glancing at me. And with trembling lips, she carefully stated her unreasonable request.
"D-don't… don't get too close with Sierra…!"
"...Huh?"
That was definitely something that could be called unreasonable. And Mari herself, who knew that best, lowered her head with teary eyes right after speaking.
"S-sorry…! For saying something like this so suddenly…! You must be s-shocked, right? Sorry, I'm sorry…!"
"No, it's fine. Well, I *was* surprised, but…."
"Ugh, I'm sorry…."
Mari's face was completely flushed with embarrassment, and she looked at me with teary, pink eyes.
"Th-that… it might sound strange, but when I see you, Emil, getting close with Sierra, my mind gets all jumbled, and I can't focus on studying…!"
"Ah… I see…."
"Ugh, I'm sorry… You're not, you're not upset, are you? Such a sudden request…."
"No, no. Not at all."
Of course, I was surprised.
*Should I take this as a confession…?*
Because Mari's statement itself was, if you break it down, like declaring, 'I'm jealous.' In a way, it was like saying she liked me. That was the part that surprised me. Should I really interpret this as a confession?
*It feels like I've fallen into a trap in chess…*
If I agree to Mari's words now? Mari might arbitrarily think I've accepted her confession. But if I reject her here and now? Mari might think there's no chance and give up on confessing. That's why.
"...."
I couldn't answer easily.
"U-ugh…."
Of course, the longer my answer was delayed, the deeper the anxiety became evident on Mari's face. A situation where I couldn't even ponder for long. That's why, I made a decision and looked at Mari. Choosing my words carefully so I could escape this trap if possible.
"Alright."
My answer was, for now, positive.
"…R-really?"
Mari's tearful expression brightened, and a smile mixed with joy and shyness appeared. I smiled gently back at Mari.
"Yes, if it's bothering your studies, then of course."
"Huh? Oh, yes, ugh, th-that's right…! Hehe…."
*Was that safe…?*
I carefully watched Mari, hiding my anxiety behind a natural smile. Hearing my answer, Mari fidgeted with her fingers, turned her body back, and looked at her book. Then she glanced at me and smiled shyly.
"Thank you… Emil. For listening to my strange request. Th-thanks to you, my heart feels lighter."
Afterward, Mari focused on her book again and began solving problems.
*It seems there's no problem after all…*
Seeing Mari happily beginning to study, even wiggling her feet, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she didn't interpret my response as either accepting her confession or rejecting her. It seemed Mari's capture strategy was maintaining without issue.
*By the way, is this jealousy?*
Having overcome one crisis, I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Mari. Mari, who was smiling with a much lighter expression than before. She would sometimes glance at me, meet my eyes, and then grin shyly again. Seeing Mari like that, I remembered Mari from the first timeline.
*Emil… Stop it…!*
That was after I had confessed to Mari and we became lovers.
*But…*
*Malcolm is just my friend! And a childhood friend I've been close with since we were little! You know that, Emil!*
*Still, I can't tolerate you two being together until so late!*
*Why are you even suspicious like that…! I told you, it's not like that with Malcolm!*
I, who had mistakenly thought a happy ending had begun with Mari's romance, later experienced great anxiety and embarrassment watching Malcolm approach Mari. And to me, like that, Mari pleaded, looking at me as if I were a strange person, with an aggrieved expression.
*Emil, you're really weird!*
*Mari…*
*Malcolm is a friend! A friend like family to me! Ugh, how could you be so suspicious of us like that?*
*It's not that…*
*Your jealousy is too much of a burden!*
As the memory of that day came back, a hollow laugh escaped me unconsciously.
"...Emil?"
"Huh? Ah, no."
"What~, you were thinking something weird."
"Mmm… a little?"
"What were you thinking about?"
Mari, who was solving problems, asked with curious eyes at my laugh. To that, I answered honestly.
"Thinking about you."
"...Huh?"
Then Mari's eyes widened for a moment, and her cheeks flushed as she shyly tapped my arm.
"Seriously, don't tease me~!"
At her grumbling, I smiled and apologized. But in my heart, I still recalled my memories with her.
*You treated me like some weirdo blinded by jealousy, but in the end, you ended up with Malcolm just as I thought.*
I couldn't help but laugh. Moreover, the same girl who had been like that was now, not even as lovers, feeling jealous and making an unreasonable demand for me not to get close to other girls. Feeling dumbfounded and amused by that sight, I smiled and looked at Mari. And Mari, who interpreted my smile differently, shyly blushed and smiled back at me.