𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬
After finishing shopping, Albero, burdened with large bags, returned to the dorm. And so did Ashe.
Ashe lightly caressed Albero’s right hand, looking a bit lonely.
ㅤ
“Mog. . . . . .Will we never see him again?”
“Well, maybe not. But, Mog’s spirit lives on in my heart.”
“Yeah. . . . . .you’re right…”
ㅤ
Ashe was close to Mog.
Whenever Albero and Mog quarreled, Mog would always snuggle into Ashe’s bosom. And it had become common for Ashe to bring Mog along when visiting Albero.
But now, Mog is no longer around. They can’t see the adorable Mole anymore.
Albero changed the topic.
ㅤ
“I’ll report about you to Teacher Garnet. And, what about the dorm? The S-class dorm doesn’t have the same amenities as the B-class dorm, and you’ll have to take care of yourself. . . . . .”
“Of course, I’ll move. Is there a room for me?”
“There are plenty of vacant rooms.”
“Great! Let’s get my stuff then!”
ㅤ
Ashe comes from a lineage of butlers serving the Rushout family. She can handle all sorts of household chores. Moreover, Albero has relied on Ashe many times.
Upon entering the dorm, Lapis, who had been reading, lit up her face.
ㅤ
“Albero! Welcome back. . . . . .? Oh, you are. . . . . .?”
“Speaking of which. . . . . .ah, you are. . . . . .ah, from the Fragment Duke family?! Weren’t you supposed to be resting after collapsing post the entrance ceremony?”
“Oh, no. . . . . .I’m in the S-class. With Albero.”
“. . . . . .Albero, what’s going on?”
“Well. . . . . .to put it simply, Teacher Garnet asked me.”
“Hmm. Albero, while I do have my grandmother’s affairs to consider, I joined the S-class on my own volition!”
“M, Yy bad.”
“. . . . . .hmm.”
ㅤ
For some reason, Ashe seemed upset.
Feeling slightly uneasy, Albero looked around the common room.
ㅤ
“Where’s Kid?”
“I’m not sure? He went out and hasn’t returned yet.”
“I see. Ashe, you were going to get your luggage, right? Oh, which room do you want? Lapis, since you both are girls, can you show Ashe an available room?”
“Understood. But. . . . . .before that.”
ㅤ
Lapis gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt and gave a curtsy.
ㅤ
“I am an S-rank summoner. Lapis Lazuli Kirara Fragment. Nice to meet you.”
“Um… I’m Ashe! I come from a long line of butlers who serve the Rushout family. . . . . .And, well, Albero and I are childhood friends. Nice to meet you!”
“Childhood friends, you say? Fuuf, that’s nice. And may I call you Ashe?”
“Yes, Lapis Lazuli-sama.”
“You can just call me Lapis. Um. . . . . .I’ve never really talked to a girl my age before, so.. . . . . .would you like to be friends?”
“T, That’s. . . . . .someone like you from the Duke’s family and someone like me, a commoner. . . . . .”
“Social status doesn’t matter here. Would you consider being friends with me, Ashe? I’ve always wanted to do things like have tea and go shopping with friends!”
“. . . . . .”
“And, also, no need for formal language. . . . . .Is that okay?”
ㅤ
Lapis anxiously looked at Ashe.
Ashe glanced at Albero. . . . . .Albero nodded. . . . . .and then, she took a deep breath.
ㅤ
“Alright. I’ll call you Lapis then. Lapis, show me to the room now. And I’m thirsty; let’s have some tea!”
“Y, Yes! This way! Can the room next to mine work?”
“Absolutely!”
ㅤ
Albero stayed, while Ashe and Lapis headed to the girls’ dormitory.
Watching their retreating figures, he looked at her right hand.
ㅤ
“They seem to get along well. I’m glad I reconciled with Ashe thanks to Mog.”
ㅤ
The right hand didn’t say anything. But Albero smiled contentedly.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
Class B dormitory.
Naturally, it’s divided into male and female sections. The shopping area resembles a main street in a castle town, lined with many famous shops. The dining area alone boasts over twenty renowned restaurants.
Each room is a private one, complete with a bathroom and shower. If anything is missing, just ask one of the dedicated maids, and they will provide it.
Ashe was organizing her belongings in her room at the girls’ dormitory.
Clothes, underwear, books, sweets, cosmetics she started using on a friend’s recommendation, and accessories.
From the accessory box, she took out a hairpin with a cheap-looking green stone embedded.
ㅤ
“Albero. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Her childhood friend, Albero.
This hairpin was a gift from Albero and was Ashe’s treasure.
Trust that had once wavered was now restored thanks to Mog.
And she thought. . . . . .
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Maybe that promise has been revived as well.”
ㅤ
Albero had said. . . . . .
He would marry Ashe. . . . . .perhaps that promise too.
But looking at Lapis made her feel uneasy.
There was such a kind and cute girl beside Albero. And Lapis was from the Duke family. Though Albero’s family was just a Baron, they were nobles. Ashe, born into a servant’s family, was a commoner, and their statuses were different.
The thought of those two together made Ashe’s heart ache.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .I won’t lose!”
ㅤ
Ashe packed her bag and opened the window.
With a snap of her fingers, a whirlwind of emerald green appeared outside, and Ashe’s summoned beast, Gryphon, materialized.
ㅤ
“Gryphon. Sorry, but can you take this to the Class S dormitory where Albero is? I’ll be right behind!”
『Kyuowon!』
ㅤ
Gryphon effortlessly picked up the bag in its beak and flew towards the Class S dormitory.
Ashe gave a slight bow to the room she had been staying in and left the dormitory.
As she stepped out, several male and female students were waiting as if they had expected her.
ㅤ
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you betraying Class B?”
“Grits. . . . . .”
“Ashe, are you going to that Class F? What can you learn in such a terrible environment? You’re in Class B! Are you throwing away your promised position in this academy?”
“I don’t need it. And being in Class B doesn’t mean you’re great. Besides, I was invited by Albero. To Class S.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Such a nonsensical rank, Esterize-sama will crush it immediately! You won’t have a place anymore! Even so. . . . . .”
“Even so, I’m going to where Albero is. I’ve decided. . . . . .not to look away anymore.”
“You’re foolish. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Ashe began to walk with determination.
She had no more doubts. Ashe would walk alongside Albero.
So, she couldn’t stop here.
ㅤ
“Thanks for everything.”
“Damn it. . . . . .Ashe, I. . . . . .”
“Oh, and Grits. I’ve thought this for a while, but you should stop touching girls’ shoulders and waists so casually. It’s honestly creepy.”
“Huh?”
ㅤ
Grits was stunned, while Ashe confidently walked past.
And thus, Ashe completely left Class B behind.
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