7:35 a.m. at Neopjevan School.
A black sedan arrived at the school gate. Although the sedan came at the same time every day, its arrival never failed to leave onlookers in awe of its elegance. Nieza stepped out of the car wearing her school uniform and blazer. Her long red hair flowed freely, bright and neatly arranged.
"Kira, let's go," Nieza said softly.
In his new uniform, Kira looked awkward. He was still straightening his white shirt and black pants with stitched patterns along the sides as he stepped out of the sedan. He was currently struggling with his black tie.
"Be proud, Kira. That uniform is the standard attire for servants and bodyguards of the Puternic family."
"…So this is the same outfit Istabene wears?" Kira asked.
"Of course."
"For some reason, hearing that bitter fact makes me feel a little sad…"
"…Can you hurry up? I don't want to be late for class," Nieza said impatiently.
"Uh… what should I do with this black tie…? I've never worn one before," Kira admitted honestly.
"…Kira. Now I understand a few reasons why you always dress like a delinquent," Nieza said quietly as she took the tie from him.
She stepped closer and began fastening the black tie around Kira's collar. Their faces were very close. Kira found himself mesmerized by Nieza's clear complexion and slightly flushed cheeks. Before he realized it, the tie was neatly in place.
"…Done. What are you staring at?" Nieza asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
"N-No, nothing. Thank you for helping me…"
"…Hmm. Suspicious."
"This man is suspicious, Lady Nieza," Istabene cut in, having been glaring at Kira the entire time.
"…Uh… sorry. I've never tied a tie before, so…" Kira said nervously under Istabene's intense gaze.
"Master Vermello was right. Perhaps you are the greatest conspirator when it comes to stealing the young lady's heart…"
"…Nieza! It's almost 8:00! Come on! You'll be late!" Kira said hurriedly, gently pushing Nieza toward the school entrance and quickly leaving Istabene behind.
It seemed that whatever Kira did to Nieza—or Nieza did to Kira—was seen as part of Kira's grand conspiracy by the Puternic family and their servants.
Nieza and Kira instantly became the center of attention at Neopjevan School. Everyone already knew that Nieza was the only daughter of the renowned Puternic family and was usually accompanied by personal guards. Still, they couldn't help staring now that Kira had become her new bodyguard.
Nieza walked calmly and elegantly toward her classroom as usual, as if nothing bothered her. Kira, on the other hand, looked stiff and uneasy under the watchful eyes of students and teachers alike.
Seeing his discomfort, Nieza decided to strike up a conversation.
"Kira, there's something I want to explain about yesterday's incident…"
"…About that love letter of yours?" Kira replied.
"…Say that one more time and I'll kill you in the next Konets Sveta," Nieza threatened quietly.
"…Sorry. So what did you want to talk about?" Kira asked quickly.
"It's about that notebook. It actually belonged to Vesely before she fell into Apathy Syndrome. She gave it to me and begged that no one—especially Mr. Zia—ever see it."
"…Oh. I didn't expect that. Did she really have those feelings for Mr. Zia?"
"…It seems so. That's only my guess, since she didn't want him to know."
"…Strange. If she liked him, why didn't she just say it directly?"
"…Kira. Do you have a girlfriend?" Nieza asked.
"…Uh. No. Never have," Kira admitted.
"I knew it. Let me tell you this—most women don't directly confess their feelings to the person they like. It's a man's job to catch the signals from a woman who loves him and decide what to do based on those signals…"
"…That sounds complicated. So Mr. Zia was your homeroom teacher?"
"Yes. He taught us Chemistry. He was a good teacher. No wonder Vesely developed feelings for him…"
"Somehow, that love poem doesn't really convey that."
"Is that so…? I only read it once and never again. I just kept it. Poetry is too cheap for my taste," Nieza said casually.
"…You're pretty casual about saying something so cruel and exposing your friend's secret like that."
"…I deeply regret revealing my friend's secret to someone like you. I ask that you never reveal Vesely's secret," Nieza said firmly.
"…You're asking me, right?" Kira asked.
"This is an order, Kira," Nieza replied sharply.
Kira fell silent under Nieza's commanding tone. Before he realized it, they were standing in front of Class 3-D. It still felt strange to see the classroom—once destroyed during the previous Konets Sveta battle—now completely restored, with no trace of damage at all.
"You can patrol around the school, but don't go too far. If you want information about yesterday's incident, meet the person I hired on the rooftop. I've instructed him to wait there. Be careful—we can only detect Konets Sveta less than ten minutes before it arrives. If Aigis tells you it's coming, inform me immediately. Don't worry about your appearance. The school already knows about my weak condition and that I require an attendant."
"…Your 'weak condition'? I'm not too sure about that," Kira said dryly.
"Oh, I'm flattered to hear that from you," Nieza replied with a smile.
"…Alright then. I'll get going."
"Kira…"
"What now?"
"You're my personal bodyguard. Show some proper attitude."
"…What do you mean?" Kira asked, confused.
Nieza crossed her arms and remained silent, clearly waiting for him to act.
"…Can you give me a hint?"
"…."
"Lady Nieza! I wish you a wonderful morning! May your activities today be pleasant! If there is any danger or if you encounter any trouble, please do not hesitate to call upon your personal bodyguard! I will come at once for Lady Nieza!" Kira said hurriedly, bowing deeply in front of her. He struggled to suppress his embarrassment as he delivered such cringeworthy lines in front of Neopjevan's high school students.
"Not bad for your first day on duty. Thank you, Kira. You may go now," Nieza said as she turned and entered Class 3-D, clearly pleased.
"…I can't believe I had to say something that cheesy here. Nieza is totally messing with me…" Kira muttered to himself.
Putting that aside, Kira quickly left Class 3-D and headed straight for the school rooftop. As he walked, he took out the small note containing Vesely's poem. For some reason, he felt it was a message—something more than just the emotional outpouring of a high school girl.