Volume 7 Chapter 1-2 The End of Spring Break is a Little Bit Exciting
"Hmm. Check out that confidence of yours."
"Naturally. Do you even know who I am?"
As Ellie flashed a sly grin, Randy and Liz just shrugged and muttered, "Yeah, yeah," right as a familiar carriage rolled to a stop nearby.
Of course, the ones stepping out of the carriage were Luke ── and Cecilia, hand-in-hand.
"Cecily!"
"Liza!"
The two rushed over and clasped hands, happy to finally see each other again.
Hartfield had been buried in postwar messes lately, leaving barely any chances for a visit.
Sure, they'd kept up with letters, but nothing beat the real thing.
And if it was a long-awaited reunion for Liz and Cecilia, the same went double for Luke and Randy.
"Heard you finally pulled your weight, huh?"
"Like that's even surprising, Cocky Randy."
Randy shot Luke a wicked grin, and Luke grinned right back, not about to be outdone.
Then, as always, the two moved closer and knocked their fists together ── their old ritual.
"But you ── I can't believe you actually pulled it off."
"Don't underestimate me, Luke. I say I'll do something, I do it."
With Randy still sitting there, all smug, Luke turned to Ellie. "So, uh, do I say 'nice to meet you' or...?"
"Isn't it a bit late for that?"
Ellie just shrugged, and Luke gave an "I guess so" nod.
They'd already been through so much together, those formal greetings were kind of pointless now.
By then, Ellie had joined in on Cecilia and Liz's conversation, the 3 of them already deep in debate about the new school uniforms.
Soon Annabelle showed up too, and the group split by habit ── girls on one side, boys on the other ── as talk turned toward the upcoming opening ceremony...
"Hey! Don't just loiter around here!"
"Oh, Lucas! Hi there!"
"Livia, stop sticking your head out the window."
Catherine's carriage ── packed with her noisy crew ── stopped right next to Randy and the others.
"Park there, and you're gonna be the real traffic jam."
Catherine heard Randy's voice through the window and replied, "Y-Yeah, I know," as she guided the carriage back through the gate.
Seeing Catherine's carriage move, Randy and the others exchanged glances, as if asking each other if they should also go.
They headed towards the wide-open school gate.
The front yard beyond the gate was even more crowded with students than before.
It was no surprise.
The school reopening was delayed, and the reason for it was what it was.
Everyone was rejoicing in their reunion with friends and feeling anxious about the new school life that was about to begin.
Even in the lively front yard, Randy and his group stood out.
Randy himself was conspicuous, and the members with him were also eye-catching.
Cecilia from Hartfield, a noble family that drove out the Empire, and Liz from Braubelg, and now Ellie as well.
Just that alone would gather everyone's attention, but when Catherine's group, who had arrived in the front yard first, joined, they completely dominated the conversation.
Seriously...
"It's been a while, Randolph."
"Hey!"
...The former Third Imperial Prince Julius and his bodyguard, the Sword Saint Livia, were there.
With Ellie and Liz, the two beautiful women who looked alike, and even the Imperial Prince joining their group, it was impossible not to be the center of attention.
"Hey, why are Eleonora and Julius getting more attention than me?!"
"It's because of your daily behavior, isn't it, Saintly Lady?"
Catherine's furious reaction and Leon's teasing were just business as usual, which was somehow a relief to Randy.
"This time last year, I had a quiet, unremarkable school life..."
Randy looked up at the sky with a sense of nostalgia, but...
"You were still noticeable."
"Yes."
"That's right."
The trio agreed, pointing out that Randy's large build and bright red hair had always made him stand out.
"Still, I wasn't the center of attention, right?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Liz gave a wry smile, looking like she was struggling to speak.
"Huh? Have I ever been the center of attention?"
Randy asked without thinking, but he would soon regret his words.
"We were talking about it every time the test came up, you know."
"That big, stupid redhead..."
As Catherine grinned, Randy shot her a glare, "Shut up," and puffed out his lips.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone waving and running toward them.
"Man, you really stand out, Randolph."
Wayne flashed a bright smile, and Randy cracked his knuckles, muttering, "You throwing shade? I'm gonna smack you."
"Huh? What... wait, Miss Elizabeth, your hair──"
Wayne raised his hand, noticing Ellie, but froze when he saw Liz standing beside her.
His expression stiffened visibly.
"Miss Elizabeth?"
"Yes?"
"...Miss Elizabeth too?"
"Yes, you want me to say it again?"
Wayne glanced between Ellie and Randy, his mouth agape in total confusion.
"What the hell is going on?"
Still frozen in place, Wayne stared as the bell rang. Randy slapped him on the shoulder and said, "You'll figure it out soon," then began walking toward the auditorium with Ellie and Liz.
"Well, that's Randy for you."
Wayne barely croaked out, "Huh? But Miss Elizabeth is..." as Luke slapped his other shoulder. Cecilia followed, tapping Luke's arm as she gracefully headed toward the auditorium.
"Liza, too, you know."
With that, Cecilia took Luke's hand and walked toward the auditorium, leaving Wayne standing there in a daze.
Catherine slapped Wayne on the shoulder as he stared after them, still in shock.
"I can't believe that huge guy is a double heroine... it's unbelievable."
"Yeah, well... that's just how it is."
Leon, who slapped his other shoulder, chased after Cecilia with Catherine, while Cory and Annabelle gave Wayne a quick nod before sprinting toward the auditorium.
"Honestly. Randolph really needs to explain things a bit more."
"Right? We're gonna be late."
Julius and Livia passed Wayne, and he nodded, "Ah. Uh-huh." Wayne took a step forward, but──
"Wait, who the hell are you two?!"
He yelled the biggest tsukkomi of the day at their backs.
A new season.
A fresh campus.
A life beginning... The one thing everyone here felt without a doubt was that it was going to get lively.
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