“I will not ask.”
As if he had already guessed that she had been avoiding him—further, even the reason why—Petro took one step closer and continued.
“I won’t ask, so don’t avoid me.”
He set a hand over his left chest and let out a short sigh.
“It hurts here.”
His mouth wore a smile out of habit, but his expression had only grown more forlorn.
“I’ll wait. Until you tell me.”
“Well, I mean... it’s not like I was really avoiding you......”
Relieved that she didn’t have to invent a lie, Camilla still couldn’t hide her puzzlement.
‘Why is he acting so familiar?’
How nerve-wracking. Did he do something guilty to me or what?
Camilla flicked him a doubtful look.
“But you two—how come you’re together?”
She pivoted the topic at once. There was nothing to gain from harping on what had happened at the hunting grounds.
And she was curious. The two who always growled at each other were walking the same road.
“Coincidence.”
“Huh?”
“I said coincidence. Am I crazy? You think I’d choose to walk with this guy?”
“We were on our way to sword class. These days Arsian hasn’t skipped and is diligently attending—”
“I told you not to bandy my name.”
“Then what should I call you? That guy? Yes, that guy has been attending class faithfully lately, without skipping.”
“Hey!”
“What’s that guy offended about now.”
Right, sword class!
Watching the two bicker, Camilla realized there was one fact she had completely forgotten.
‘What should I pick as my major?’
****
“Club?”
“Yes!”
While Camilla had spent several days wracking her brain over what new department to choose, Laila sidled up to her.
She had a new proposal.
There were more people than one might think whose initially chosen major classes didn’t suit them, just like Camilla.
In cases where choosing another department was awkward, the system prepared to widen students’ options was club activities.
Accordingly, the Academy had countless clubs. Even those taking major classes could join any club.
Only, those taking major classes had great freedom in club activity. They could participate only when they wished.
It was also possible to postpone choosing a major and devote oneself solely to club activities.
However, those who chose club activities had to get their activity hours verified to match the hours they would have been in class.
If you filled the required club hours, the system recognized them the same as class hours.
“A club, huh......”
It wasn’t a bad option. For Camilla, who didn’t have any department particularly catching her eye, it was a tempting suggestion.
“How about joining our club?”
“You do club activities too?”
“Yes!”
Seeing Camilla show interest, Laila’s eyes sparkled even more.
“It’s a very good club! It’s rewarding and so much fun. We meet kids, and we often spend time with elders too.”
“What club is it?”
“A service club.”
“...A what club?”
“A service club!”
“......”
Maybe Ancient Languages would be better? Or Mathematics?
Camilla dropped her interest in the club at once and skimmed the course guide in her hand.
“Um, our club is really great!”
“Mm, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) no.”
Service? I’m busy enough serving myself.
“The kids are so pretty and cute. They love it when we come.”
“Mm, I don’t like kids.”
“Grandpas and grandmas treat us like their real grandkids too.”
“Mm, I don’t need a new family.”
Right, maybe I should go to Ancient Languages and take it easy......
“Our club is really fun! We sing and do plays and also—”
“Plays?”
Camilla’s hand turning the course description paused.
“Yes, we do plays too. Both the kids and the elders love plays.”
“Hm.”
She was just a little tempted.
‘I’ve done some theater too.’
Standing on stage has a flavor entirely different from acting on screen.
The vocalization is different, and the method of acting is quite different too, but once upon a time she’d been so absorbed in the fun that she sought any stage she could stand on whenever she had time.
“We’re going to meet the kids today—want to come with me?”
“Today?”
“Yes, I’m not saying join right away—just an observation first. What do you think?”
“Observation......”
“Come with me, okay?”
“...Well, if it’s just a look.”
“Good thinking!”
****
“Waa!”
“Big sister!”
“Big bro!”
“Welcome, all of you.”
The moment they stepped into the orphanage, a crowd ran all the way to the entrance to greet the club members.
“Luni, have you been well?”
“Yes!”
“Mei, you look taller than last time.”
“Hehe.”
As expected, the most popular person was Laila.
Calling each child by name and exchanging greetings, she looked for all the world like the kind, next-door older sister.
“There are really many children.”
Watching for a moment, Camilla then turned a steady gaze on the man approaching her side.
Catching that gaze, he sent her a gentle smile—Petro, of course.
“You do club activities too?”
It was very rare for someone taking major classes to throw themselves into club activity.
Unless it was something they truly loved, few would pour effort and passion into something that didn’t add to their department grades.
Most cases were acquaintances asking to have their names put on a roster for form’s sake.
“I only recently learned there was a service club and joined.”
...Well, that tracks.
It was such a Petro answer that Camilla let it pass.
Both Laila and Petro matched the word “service” exceedingly well.
‘Besides, I think he used to do that too.’
Petro had always joined whatever club Laila participated in, trying to win her favor. That had made Camilla all the more rabid with jealousy.
Laila had kept her distance from Petro and turned away, but her behavior only infuriated Camilla further.
Because it was impossibly spiteful to push away the person you liked.
‘Anyway, it isn’t unfamiliar......’
Has he only now become interested in Laila? Camilla looked up at the man standing beside her with a fresh gaze.
At that look, Petro’s eyes curved even more pleasantly.
“I heard you were close with Miss Laila, and it’s true. I didn’t expect to see you here, Camilla.”
What’s that supposed to mean? Is he sniping that service and I don’t match at all? Is he saying it’s surprising I’m here?
“So you are joining this club after all.”
“No.”
“You aren’t?”
When Camilla softly shook her head, the smile on Petro’s mouth blurred for a moment.
“I’m just here to observe today.”
“Ah, observe.”
But at her next words, the smile spread on his lips again.
“So there’s still hope.”
Hope? What hope? Even at Camilla’s puzzled look, Petro only kept smiling gently.
A moment later, after exchanging warm greetings with the children, Laila and the club members began handing out the snacks they’d prepared, each in charge of an area.
“Wow!”
“I want that one!”
“Me too!”
The children scurried to line up in front of the treats they liked.
Laila handed out brightly colored cupcakes—obviously homemade—one by one to the kids in line.
Petro filled small hands to the brim with little candies wrapped in pretty paper.
“Candy, please!”
A boy who looked about four toddled up and spread both hands wide in front of Petro.
Finding the sight so cute, Petro bent to one knee and met the child’s eyes.
“What’s your name?”
“Rio!”
“Alright, Rio. How many candies should I give you?”
“Five!”
The boy shouted at the top of his lungs, hands flung wide, and Petro tousled his hair again and again.
Then he placed exactly five candies in the boy’s hands.
“......”
“...?”
But the boy who had received the candy didn’t leave. He kept staring blankly, looking back and forth between the candy in his hands and Petro.
“Mm......”
“...?”
“Mm... mm......”
“......??”
“Mm... Waaaah!”
“......!”
At the child suddenly bursting into loud tears, Petro couldn’t hide his dismay.
He hurriedly bent his knee again. Did I do something wrong?
“Rio, why? Why are you crying?”
“Mm... five... mm, WAAAAAH!”
Seeing the boy cry even harder at his question, Petro was at a loss. He’d asked for candy, and I gave it—so why is he crying?
Ssswip.
Just then. Someone scooped up a heap of candy and filled the boy’s hands. Overflowing his little two hands.
“Now it’s five, right?”
It was Camilla.
“Yeah!”
Nodding vigorously at her question, the boy—his face still full of tears—looked at Petro.
It was the look you give an older brother who can’t even understand what you’re saying.
“No, I—...”
Watching Petro, unable to hide his unjustified hurt and confusion under that look, Camilla let out a small snort.
“For kids that age, five is the biggest number.”
“Pardon?”
“It means the biggest number he knows is five. ‘Give me five’ means ‘give me a lot.’”
Which is why he burst into tears when Petro put exactly five candies in his hands. The older boys and girls had gotten both hands full.
“Ah, so that’s it.”
Petro gave a hollow little laugh as he watched the boy—who seemed never to have cried—scamper off dodo-do to get another snack.
“You know children well.”
Then he took a fresh look at Camilla.
“Just, you know......”
You learn naturally when you live in an orphanage.
When she was Sia Lee, after her mom died and the man called her father went to prison, she was naturally placed in an orphanage.
And of course there was no one who wanted to adopt her.
People would decide to adopt from a photo, but once they faced her in person, they all shook their heads and refused.
They said their hearts weren’t moved.
