Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! (The Eminence in Shadow)

(29) Mobs Know Each Other

Author: Aizawa Daisuke

"Somehow, what is this?"

　A girl in the research laboratory was tilting her head. A beautiful girl with pink hair. What she looks at with cool eyes is brown objects lined up in a box. I pick it up, which smells sweet, but I don't know what it is.

　If I remember correctly, the boy who gave this to me said, "Choco."

"Sherry, what's wrong?"

　An elderly man called out to her from behind.

　The hair mixed with gray hair is all back.

"Vice principal Ruslan..."

"It's a promise to call me father when we're together."

"Step-father"

　Sherry laughed embarrassedly.

"So what happened to that chocolate?"

"Chocolate? I got this from a boy at Magic Swordsman Academy."

"Heh..."

　Ruslan touched his mustache.

"That's a luxury confectionery that's been talked about among women lately. I'm sure it must be a gift for you."

"Eh? But he was someone I didn't know."

"That's called love at first sight. It's a ghostly top-class chocolate that you can't get even if you line up in the morning. Well, I guess I pushed myself too much for you."

"Love at first sight......"

　Sherry blushes slightly and mutters.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Reply?..."

"I'm sure he's waiting for your answer."

"B-but I..."

　Sherry blushed and rolled her eyes.

"It's better not only to study, but also to learn how to get along with people. Academy is such a place."

"Yes......"

　Ruslan gently smiled at Sherry, who was looking down.

"So, are things going well with the artifacts?"

"It's just getting started."

　Sherry smiled troubledly with slightly red cheeks.

"That's right."

"I do know one thing, though. That artifact has a unique code."

"A unique code?"

　Sherry spread out the material in front of Ruslan.

"It may have been used by an ancient nation or organization. And... it's very similar to the code my mother was working on."

"I see, Lucreia's... she was also an excellent researcher."

　Ruslan closed his eyes as if remembering the old days.

"I want to know the meaning of this code that my mother studied just before she died."

　Looking at the materials, her profile was that of a finely honed researcher.

"I received a good request."

"Yes"

　Ruslan patted Sherry on the head, making Sherry shy.

"So where are the artifacts now?"

"In that case, the knight is protecting them in another room."

"Is it okay if I don't take it?"

"Only when necessary. It's important to think alone, and I get nervous in front of a knight."

"Is that so? Geho, goho, s-excuse me..."

　Ruslan turned away and coughed.

"Step-father! Are you okay?"

　Sherry hastily rubs Ruslan's back.

　Ruslan's body was thin, his cheeks were thin.

"It's okay, it's okay"

　Ruslan let out a ragged breath.

"I've been feeling better lately. Sickness is a difficult thing."

"Step-father..."

"Don't worry about it."

"Lawagas Academic City..."

"The best minds in the world recognize your research. If you go to Lawagas, you can grow even more. This is a very good story."

　Sherry shook her head.

"I can't leave you alone."

"Sherry, don't worry about me."

"If you don't adopt me when my mother dies, I will die. I... want to help you who saved me."

　Sherry appeals with wet eyes.

"Sherry... You were a good daughter."

　Ruslan smiled sweetly.

"Do your best in your research. Also, eat some chocolate."

"Yes..."

　Ruslan left the laboratory.

　The remaining Sherry blushes and puts chocolate in her mouth.

"So sweet... It's delicious..."

　Then she reached out her hand for the second time.

　◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆　

　After spending a peaceful day without any Hyoro, or Jaga, or Alexia, I walked home alone. After passing through the garden that was dyed in the setting sun and the number of the students dwindling, a female student suddenly approached.

　Wearing a second-year academic school uniform, dark brown hair tied up in a bun... and old fashionable glasses with eyes of the same color.

　But as someone with a long history of mobs, I understand.

　This is an unremarkable type of beauty who pretends to be a mob.

"Hey, can we talk a little?"

　I knew that voice.

"Nu?"

　When I whispered, Nu nodded. An elegant adult older sister changes with glasses, makeup, and hairstyle.

　We speak quietly.

"Are you going to school?"

"No, it's borrowed. It won't stand out if you're wearing a uniform."

"I see."

　It's a school where there are more faces you don't know than faces you know. As long as you're wearing a uniform, you won't be seen so often.

"Where shall we talk?"

"Then, how about on the bench over there."

　The benches overlooking the beautiful garden are not popular.

　The two of us sat there in the dazzling setting sun.