The sounds of chatter faded.
After the graduating students rushed out past the school gate, a short while later, the school building became noisy.
“It seems they’re coming soon.”
“That appears to be the case.”
Josette and Caro turned their gazes towards the source of the sound.
“Watching like this, I realize they’re graduating.”
“Older brother, of course. It’s graduation day, so they’re graduating.”
“You still have no sentimentality about you.”
As Kent spoke, watching the graduates reminisce about their school days while walking slowly, Rachel gave him a look as if to say, “What are you talking about?” Kent knew she thought that way, so he didn’t press the matter further.
“Senpai, I like you.”
” ” “Hoo, hoo!” ” ”
A female student, who appeared to be currently enrolled, walked towards the graduates passing in front of Kent and his companions. She stopped in front of a male graduate and confessed her feelings in a voice loud enough for everyone around to hear. Voices filled with complex emotions like teasing and jealousy arose from the people around them.
“This is youth.”
“Confessing in front of so many people is amazing.”
Josette and Caro, watching this, held hands as they observed the unfolding situation.
“Older brother.”
“What?”
“I’m betting on her getting rejected. What about you, older brother?”
“If you’re betting on that, then I have no choice but to say he’ll succeed.”
Rachel, standing next to Kent, suddenly started a bet on what the outcome would be.
“If I win, it’s missionary position, and if you win, it’s cowgirl.”
“Hey, what are you betting on?”
Hearing what Rachel was betting on, Kent couldn’t help but imagine the two of them in those positions.
“I prefer the doggy style.”
“Then, for me, I’d like the Matsuba Kuzushi, please.”
” ” “!!” ” ”
Hearing Josette’s words, Kent, Caro, and Rachel looked at Josette with surprised expressions. For the record, Matsuba Kuzushi is a sexual position where, using the two legs as a metaphor for pine needles, the partners intertwine their legs as they have intercourse.
“Josette, you sometimes know surprising words.”
“I studied from a book kept secret by my mother to please Kent.”
“…Kokomet, that’s amazing, completely beyond imagination given your appearance.”
Kent, curious where Josette had learned such a phrase, asked her. The origin turned out to be quite unexpected.
“I’m sorry. I have a lover, so I cannot accept your feelings.”
“I-I see. I apologize for taking up your time.”
The girl, who had bravely confessed, was unfortunately rejected. Seeing her run away with tears welling up in her eyes, Kent felt a pang of sadness.
“Then, older brother, next time it’s missionary position for you.”
“Kent, next time, please do it in doggy style.”
“I’m also looking forward to being penetrated in Matsuba Kuzushi.”
” …Um, what are you guys talking about?”
” ” ” ” !? ” ” ” ”
While the four of them were having a slightly risqué conversation, they were suddenly startled by a soft female voice.
“Ah, Sophie, congratulations on your graduation.”
“Congratulations on graduating!”
“Congratulations on your graduation.”
“Congratulations.”
“…Ah, thank you.”
The one who spoke to them was Sophie. Since she was in her third year, she was among the graduating students and seemed to have seen Kent and his companions and decided to speak to them. As Kent offered her his congratulations, Rachel, Caro, and Josette followed suit.
“…Kent, I will be under your care at the Sanctuary from tomorrow, so please take care of me as we are neighbors.”
“You’re starting tomorrow? Please do your best. If you need anything, since we’re neighbors, feel free to stop by anytime.”
“…Thank you. I’ll be counting on you. Well then, I must be going.”
With more and more graduating students arriving, Sophie kept her greeting to Kent and his companions brief and moved towards the school gate.
“Older brother, Caro, Josette, Prince Gordon is here!”
“Rachel, even if you know him, you should be more careful with your way of speaking.”
“That’s right. However, perhaps Rachel’s way of speaking fits her.”
After Sophie left, they watched the graduating students head towards the school gate for a while when Rachel seemed to spot something and raised her voice. The person she saw was Gordon, the next king. Perhaps due to his sudden appointment as king, there was a large crowd surrounding him. As the crowd gradually approached, it stopped in front of Kent and his companions.
“Everyone, make way.”
After Gordon’s voice, the crowd parted in front of Kent and his companions, and Gordon emerged from within.
“Kent, thank you for everything.”
“Your Highness, congratulations on your graduation.”
” … ”
After Gordon spoke to Kent, his expression became slightly troubled when Kent offered his congratulations.
“Aren’t you being a bit too formal?”
“I-I can’t help it. I can’t just call you by your name in front of so many people.”
Gordon said this to Kent in a way that sounded like a whisper. Kent, considering how it would be perceived if a commoner called him by his name in front of so many people, chose his words carefully. Gordon understood this, but he seemed lonely that someone he could call a close friend was speaking so formally.
“Lord Gordon, congratulations on your graduation.”
“Ah, Josette, I’ve been helped by you many times as well. I’ll be counting on you in the future.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Won’t you say something to me?”
“I-I’m sorry. Your Highness, congratulations on your graduation.”
Gordon turned to Caro and Rachel, demanding they say something. Hearing this, Caro hastily offered her congratulations.
“Rachel?”
“Huh? Ah, congratulations on your graduation.”
Rachel seemed lost in thought, as she hadn’t heard Gordon’s words. Called by Gordon, Rachel hastily offered her congratulations.
“Honestly, I’d like to chat a bit longer, but let’s do that another time. Thank you all for everything.”
” ” “Rustle” ” ”
When Gordon bowed his head in front of Kent and his companions, the surroundings buzzed slightly. However, Gordon didn’t seem to mind and headed towards the school gate. His entourage hurriedly followed him.
“Rachel, you seemed spaced out, what’s wrong?”
“Well, I was just thinking… I was reminded again that this world is different from the game.”
“I see. In the game’s ending, the protagonist is carried in a bridal lift towards the school gate.”
“That’s right. Lots of petals would fly, and the ending credits would start rolling.”
Kent, noticing Rachel’s odd behavior, asked her what was wrong. She seemed to be thinking about the Gordon Route ending in the game. When the ending was reached with other capture targets, Gordon’s graduation scene didn’t even occur. It was only in the Gordon Route that he would successfully graduate and leave the academy, seen off by the current students. However, Rachel realized that the outcome was not as she and Kent knew it from the game, and that a different ending had occurred.
“Everyone has left.”
As the last of the graduating students passed by Kent and his companions, the aisle formed by the students closed, and the current students dispersed. Josette’s expression was a little sad as the graduates disappeared.
“From tomorrow, we second-year students will be the highest grade. We must conduct ourselves in a manner that befits this position.”
“As expected of you, Josette.”
“You’re so cool, Josette. If older brother could say something witty too, he’d be even cooler.”
Hearing Josette’s resolve, Caro and Rachel genuinely felt impressed.
“Anyway, I can’t say anything witty, so there!”
“Haha, older brother is sulking.”
“Kent, you are wonderful even without saying those words.”
“I agree with Caro.”
Mingling their words withjokes, they decided to wait and chat until fewer people were around.
“Well, I need to get to my part-time job.”
“Kent, please do your best.”
“I’m going to number two store.”
“Kent, Rachel, please do your best. I don’t have anything specific to do, so what should I do?”
“In that case, why don’t you come to my mansion? My older sister seems to have some free time, so it would be helpful if you could keep her company.”
Kent had a part-time job at Marie’s Bakery afterward, and Rachel also had work at the second store. Caro had no particular plans, but at Josette’s invitation, she decided to head to the Duke’s mansion. Kent and his companions parted ways here and began to move towards their respective destinations.
