I returned to the magic university.
Why was Fitts-senpai avoiding me?
I do not know.
I do not know even when I think about it.
I don’t remember doing anything to be hated for.
Maybe I should go consult someone regarding how I am feeling right now… No, I just want to complain to somebody.
If I'm not mistaken, Zanoba left for the Magic Guild for research on mikos. Julie probably went with him.
Rinia and Pursena… they don't seem like they'd listen to me seriously. They'd probably just make fun of me.
Elinalise and I just separated earlier.
Badigadi also does not seem to be at school today.
Nanahoshi… is very busy, so I doubt she will listen to my complaints.
I can't think of anyone else.
I don’t have many friends.[5]
So just like that I decided to go to the library.
At times like this, it is best to spend time quietly reading whatever book you find.
I wonder if there are any refreshing books?
Maybe an epic, or a hero story.
I wonder if there are any books about Badigadi or Kishirika.
If it’s about them, I'm sure it would be refreshing.
While thinking about such things, I enter the library.
I greet the guard with my eyes.
We never talked to each other, but he remembers my face now.
At the entrance snow fell on me, so I dried my clothes using voiceless incantation.
I enter and headed toward my usual seat.
Today as well, the library is empty.
There are not many students in this world who would spend their holiday in a library.
The literacy rate is low, too.
"… Huh?"
Fitts-senpai is here.
He was reading a book and looked totally bored.
He's at the seats we usually use.
"Oh, Rudeus-kun."
When he noticed me standing there, he gave me his usual shy smile.
"Welcome back, that was fast, did you meet your friends already?"
"Y-, Yeah"
I sat in front of him, and looked at his face seriously.
It's as usual.
It’s the usual clothes and air that he has.
Something's not right.
From where we met, I came back here directly, from the shortest route.
Yet he was already here when I arrived.
It's strange.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face?"
Fitts-senpai says this and touches his face.
However, this atmosphere.
I wonder if it's because of the rejection I felt earlier.
I feel that this Fitts-senpai has accepted me totally.
There is no wariness at all.
It's different from earlier.
Completely different.
"Why did you ignore me before?"
When I say that Fitts-sempai’s smile froze.
Then, he makes the most serious face he can.
"Actually, when I escort Ariel-sama, I won't talk. I'm [Silent Fitts], after all. Since my voice is like a kid, I would be underestimated, so when I'm around others… especially when I am guarding Ariel-sama, I don't say a word."
"I see, but I didn’t see Ariel-hime anywhere."
"She was in a nearby shop, one that we can trust. We aren't the only ones guarding her. The other guards were with her while we were watching over them from afar, it was that sort of formation. Oh, don't tell this to anyone else, though."
Fitts-senpai explains it like that without stammering.
As if he had prepared this answer beforehand.
No, he did prepare it before hand.
"So it’s like that, I am sorry for talking to you at such a time."
"No, it’s fine. I'm also sorry for not being able to talk with you."
I think I've got it figured out.
Probably.
I'm not sure, but Ariel-sama is probably using some method to disguise herself as Fitts-senpai.
She's probably using either a magic tool or a magic item.
Him being silent is because they can't change the voice.
Possibly, they can’t change the eye color either.
That’s why Fitts-senpai is always hiding his eyes. He wants to decrease the chance of people seeing through the princess's disguise…
When I think like that, it all makes sense.
The reason I was being avoided earlier is because coming into contact with me without preparations would blow their cover.
It's not because Fitts-senpai hates me.
Yes, I'm sure that's how it is.
I've never done anything to be hated for.
Let's go with that.
"Oh, so it was like that. I thought I was hated by Fitts-senpai so I totally freaked out."
"Ahaha… There is no way I would hate you…"
Fitts-senpai scratched the back of his ear.
That action is characteristic of him, but recently when I see it my heart starts pounding.
Why is someone so cute a boy?
… Is he even a boy?
It bothers me.
I'm bothered about Fitts-senpai.[6]