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Reasons for Taking the Risk

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This summer, we went to a villa owned by Maria’s family. Maria and her younger sister Norris were playing on a rowboat on the lake when it capsized, and the boy who helped them was Willard.

If I remember correctly, he had said he was visiting his uncle, who had a villa nearby. But why was he here?

“I never expected to meet you all in a place like this.” (Willard)

It seemed Willard was just as surprised, as he looked at us wide-eyed. Two boys, around his age, were standing next to him, looking just as surprised as Willard and staring at him with bewildered expressions, not at us.

“…Are you acquaintances?” (Lev)

Lites and his companion from their side asked the same thing. For now, we briefly exchanged greetings, then proceeded to explain the situation to our respective companions.

“Remember when we talked about Maria’s boat capsizing at the villa? The boy who helped us back then is Willard, right there.” (Lux)

Lites, hearing this, tilted his head.

“Huh? Isn’t he a student from Solar’s military academy? Why is he here at a villa?” (Lites)

“I wonder?” (Lux)

“I have no idea. Willard, once you finish explaining to them, could you explain to us too?” (Heinz)

“Alright. Wait just a moment.” (Willard)

After a short wait…

“Well, sorry to have kept you waiting. Anyway, it’s been a while. You’re new, right? I’m Willard. Nice to meet you.” (Willard)

“I’m Lites. Nice to meet you.” (Lites)

“These two are Gazelle and Sheikh, my friends and fellow students from my school.” (Willard)

“Nice to meet you.” (Gazelle/Sheikh)

They greet each other. There was some wariness, but it didn’t seem like they were hostile.

“They came with me because they were worried about me.” (Willard)

Once introductions were done, Heinz asked again.

“Okay, now let’s hear it. I’m curious about your business here, but first, I’d like to know why you were at that lake this summer. When I think about it, there might be an idea… you mentioned you were visiting your uncle’s house, but you never told us your uncle’s name, right? Were you really visiting your uncle’s house?” (Heinz)

“It’s not a lie. My uncle’s villa is by that lake. You might not know this, but it’s not so rare for there to be old blood ties between the nobility of Rozan and Solar. Especially around here, the northern part of Rozan, from your perspective. Of course, you know that Rozan and Solar were once brother nations, right? Before the war, it wasn’t unusual for marriages between the two countries.” (Willard)

“…I see, nobles value their blood ties. So that connection is still alive and well.” (Heinz)

“Glad you’re quick. Were you a noble? Well, anyway, I couldn’t reveal my uncle’s name to Maria-chan, who’s the daughter of a powerful noble from Rozan. Even though the relationship between the nobility of the two countries is an open secret, it could cause trouble for my uncle.” (Willard)

Listening to their conversation, it suddenly clicked for me.

“Ah, so that’s why you disappeared so suddenly.” (Lux)

“Well, technically, it was because Maria-chan figured it out. She told me, ‘I won’t tell anyone, so you should leave now’, after realizing I couldn’t reveal my uncle’s name and noticing my northern accent. She figured out I wasn’t from Rozan’s nobility.” (Willard)

“Wow, Maria, that’s impressive.” (Lux)

“Indeed. Also, she said she almost knows everyone around the villa since it’s from the family’s estate in the Bell Household’s territory.” (Willard)

“I see, now I understand the summer story. Now, let’s talk about why you’re here, taking such a risk to come to enemy territory and ask for a favor from a student of Oran’s military academy. What is it?” (Heinz)

At Heinz’s words, Willard looked down with a troubled expression and sighed softly.

“Man, this is tricky… I thought it was perfect that students from the academy would come, but I never expected to run into someone I know, so now I really don’t want to give it.” (Willard)

“?” (Lux)

As we were wondering what was going on, Willard started to fidget nervously, and Sheikh, a short-haired boy who introduced himself.

“Willard… come on, you’ve got to be kidding me. You said it’s fine to have it seen before it’s delivered, right?” (Sheikh)

“No, Sheikh, it’s not that, but it’s one thing for unknown academy students to see it, but it’s really embarrassing when it’s someone I know.” (Willard)

Then, Gazelle, a long-haired, somewhat androgynous-looking boy, asked:

“Should I hand it over for you?” (Gazelle)

“No, no, ahhhh, fine. I get it, I’ll give it.” (Willard)

With a resigned look, he pulled something from his pocket… was it a letter?

“This is…?” (Lux)

“Obviously, it’s a letter. For Maria-chan. That’s right, a love letter.” (Willard)

 

—

 

“…A love letter? To Maria?” (Heinz)

“Don’t repeat it, Heinz. It’s making me embarrassed.” (Willard)

“Wait, but Maria and you only met once, right?” (Lux)

“Yeah, it was love at first sight. It wasn’t just her cute appearance. It was her quick thinking in figuring out who I really was, and her dignified attitude when she politely thanked me but also asked me to leave. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. When I heard that Orfas-sama was meeting with people from Orlan’s military academy on his way back, I thought maybe I could at least get a letter to Maria.” (Willard)

“Then why not just give it to Orfas-sama?” (Heinz)

“Well, I thought about that… but Orfas-sama told me, ‘Since you’re here, just take it yourself’.” (Willard)

I see, so it was because of him.

“But… there’s no way for Maria to reply, right?” (Heinz)

Heinz pointed out.

“Actually, that’s not a problem.” (Willard)

“?” (Lux)

“Huh? You haven’t heard yet? About the academy competition?” (Willard)

“We’ve heard rumors.” (Heinz)

“In Solar, the student selection is already done. After all, it’s a trip, right?” (Willard)

“A trip?” (Heinz)

“Really, you guys haven’t heard? The academy competition is supposed to be held at your school, Oran’s Knight Military Academy. So, I was thinking I’d meet her in person then to get a response.” (Willard)

“Ah, that’s right!” (Lux)

I suddenly remembered. With everything going on, I had completely forgotten, but Saxon and Roy-kun had mentioned something like that.

At this point, Lites, who had been silent up until now, turned toward Willard with a challenging smile.

“So, you must be someone with enough skill to be selected.” (Lites)

Willard didn’t even try to be modest and answered confidently, “That’s right.”

His eyes were filled with self-assurance.

“Well then… this should be fun.” (Lites)

Lites said.

“Wait, so the selection has already been decided? You could’ve told us.” (Willard)

“Well, I didn’t really hear any details, but our team is the top one among the current first years. I’m confident we have a good chance of being selected.” (Lites)

Lites’s expression was filled with certainty. People with confidence are impressive.

 

—

 

“…By the way, there’s something I want to ask too. Is that alright?” (Willard)

With a serious expression, Willard straightened up. We all followed suit, adjusting our expressions as well.

“…Maria-chan… she’s not seeing anyone, is she?” (Willard)

Willard… you… well, I get it, but still…

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