Nozomu's POV

"I'll ask you again. What were you guys doing here?"

The girl said so while looking over all the people in this place. The voice of her has the coldness of an ice spear and made them feel her quiet anger.

Her bow already had the next arrow on it, and its strings were taut and ready to be fired.

Furthermore, the arrows emit a faint light, and it can be seen that some kind of magic is applied.

I remember the arrow that ran through in front of me earlier. Given that with just one arrow, she has slaughtered multiple spells, albeit at the lowest rank. The classmates will be blown away like leaves by simply releasing her finger, which is now holding an arrow.

"W, well... it's nothing important ... ri, right?"

"Th, that's right. W, we are just playing for a bit..."

They probably know what each other were thinking. The classmates who were bullying me turned their faces blue and backed off.

"In the first place, fighting activities other than the designated place should be prohibited. Do you all want to be kicked out of this school?"

The girl says so and smiles. She smiles like a flower blooming in a lovely field, but the intimidating feeling from that smile is considerable, and it makes me feel a part of her ability. At least for students in the 10th class, it seems certain that she is too much of an opponent for them.

"L, let's go ........."

"Y, yeah ..."

They said so and quickly left. When they are gone, the girl also releases her magic and lowers her bow.

"Thank you, I was saved."

I went to her girl, thanked her, and was surprised again.

To make a long story short, The girl is so pretty. She has bluish long hair and blue eyes. Long, slender legs, slender limbs, and a surprisingly white and well-organized face.

From her appearance, I felt, she is like the vitality of vegetation spreading all over the field with a blue sky.

She looks as good as Lisa and Irisdina. And long ears peeking through her long hair. One of the races that live on the continent of Arcmeal. It's the characteristic of elves.

*Elf*

It is a race that is said to have received the most blessings of spirits and is known for its longevity and good appearance as a whole.

However, the most famous thing is that they can interact with the spirits.

By responding to the spirits around them, they can receive various benefits such as seeing and hearing events from the distance.

Originally, they lived in a country called "Nebra" centered on the Foskia Forest in the northern part of the continent, but since it was destroyed by the invasion of demons in the great invasion 10 years ago, they have become a nomadic people ever since.

"... You don't have to worry about it. I just passed by."

Even if she told me not to worry about her, but her expression is stiff, and her gaze is no different from that of the classmates who were persecuting me earlier. I was a little perplexed by her expression.

"Well, once again, thank you. I am..."

"I know. Nozomu Bountis, right. "

"Why, my name ...? "

"Rumors of the day. I think everyone who came to the school today knows."

………… That was certainly the case. Events with Irisdina during the day have already spread throughout the school. It's no wonder she knows.

"I'm Shiina Yuliel, 3rd year, 2nd class, but the reason I know you aren't because of today rumors, but because of what you did to Lisa when you were in 1st year."

Her eyes, which she said so, become even more severe.

"In the first place, if you don't have an affair with Lisa-san, they wouldn't have been so hard either."

Those words pierced my chest. When I was dating Lisa, I was surely told by the people around me, but there was no violence like lynching. I started receiving it after I was dumped by Lisa.

"This may have come from them, but be aware that you are the cause in the first place."

She tells me so and turns her heels. Perhaps she has nothing to say anymore, she goes straight back to the school building.

I was staring straight at her back.

(I knew it. I already knew that)

I knew a long time ago, I understood why people around me had a worse attitude toward me.

I have no affair at all. I've been thinking about Lisa for a long time, and I could only think of her as a woman by my side.

However, the rumor that I had an affair has already become a fact for the people at this school.

It might not the case when the rumors first began to rise, but over time it was imprinted on the students of the school as the truth.

The cause was probably because I could only think of an escape called training at that time and did not try to resist the rumor. If I was fighting without running away at that time, and yelling "I didn't do that!", maybe my relationship with Lisa will not so complicated as now.

But I ran away. Did not try to correct the wrong perceptions of those around me.

………….This is also the continuation of my escape …….

“………………….I am aware that the reason was my “escape”. The reason was that I didn't try to face the people around me ……”

Only the voice I throw away echoes behind the school building.

At that time, I suddenly noticed someone's presence. Someone is looking at me. The presence itself is weak, and there is no hostility or killing intent, and the presence disappeared immediately.

The presence was felt from the bush behind the school building. When I looked into the bush, I found a piece of paper with an unfamiliar pattern stuck on the tree.

"Oi Nozomu! Are you okay!"

When I look at the source of the voice, I can see Mars running.  Once again, I looked at the paper stuck to the tree, I took the paper and put it in my pocket. Then, I started walking towards my friend.

***

???? POV

"... I see. Looks like, that guy is not as weak as they said."

The roof of the school building.

The opening bell had already rung, and there is a schoolboy with golden ears and a tail in this place where no one was supposed to be. The male student, who was looking at Nozomu from a distance during lunch break.

Probably, he is using some kind of long-distance vision technique. A formation is drawn at his feet, emitting a magical light. A mark is floating in front of him, glowing faintly in the same gold color as his fur.

Normally, the back of the school building is in the shadow and cannot be seen, but he seems to have been stealing a glance the previous exchange between Nozomu and his classmates with this technique. 

"But, he is still holding out, isn't it. Even though he is a 10th-class student, he can do his best with 1 against 10. I was wondering what would happen if I separated that naughty boy, but the result was surprisingly interesting~. Well, I didn't expect Shiina to get in the way ... "

Looks like, it was this guy who used a male student to pull Mars away from Nozomu and to make him leave Nozomu alone. In front of him, the figure of Nozomu facing Shiina is projected.

"But I don't get it~. Sure, his skills weren't bad, but it wasn't strong enough for the black-haired princess to look at him ... Is there still something? "

The student keeps watching Nozomu with his eyes while scratching his head.

"U ~~ n, should I observe the situation a little more?"

Having said that, he erased the technique he was using and returned to the school building, but he didn't notice that Nozomu was expressing his mind, because the technique was released slightly earlier. Nozomu noticed the technique and found the mark that was scattered.

***

Nozomu's POV

After the day's lesson was over, Mars and I were in Ushitotei. Irisdina-san and the others who asked me to go after school were also with me. No one was staying at the inn right now, the entrance to the shop was hung with a notification as a reservation, and it was only us and Hannah in the shop.

Under such circumstances, It was Irisdina-san who first opened her mouth.

"First of all, let me apologize to both parents. I'm sorry that we, the Francilt Family, have put your son in a dangerous situation."

Irisdina-san bowed deeply with that word of apology.

For Francilt Family, increasing the number of people who know the truth of the case would not be good for the household, but Irisdina-san said,

"We did a cover-up for that incident, even so, I want to talk about things and show my sincerity."

She explained the incident to Hannah-san and Dell-san, including the secret agreement with the Francilt Family 300 years ago.

She is still dignified as usual, and she is looking straight at Hannah-san's and Dell-san's eyes.

I was purely fascinated by her appearance. I don't have such upright strength like her………….

She seemed prepared to be abused by Hannah-san and Dell-san for involving Mars and others ...

"What the, you can actually stick out your body to protect such a beautiful girl!"

With that said, Hannah-san started beating Mars' back with a smile. Tima-san, who was protected at that time, turned her face red, cast her eyes down, and nodded a little. She's pretty cute......

"It hurts! What are you doing !!"

Mars did not notice Tima-san's appearance and complained to Hannah-san whether it hurts so much. But his face is red, and no matter how we looked at him, he is shy. Seeing that, Hannah-san is in a better mood.

"Indeed, Onīchan, I hope this will always be the case. I still can't be relieved yet. There are too many criminal records after all."

Ena is still merciless to Mars, but her cheeks are so loose that she can't hide them. She is happy that her brother to be praised even though she usually hates and slams him.

"Ah by the way. Nozomu-kun. Is the timing still alright? I want you to go out with us for a bit ..."

"Hm, I don't mind. What are we going to do?"

"It's nothing important. It's a great opportunity, so why don't we take a walk together? I've never been to this area of the commercial district."

"Yes~~s ... I also agree~~!"

"I ... don't mind"

Somia-chan cheerfully answered Irisdina-san's suggestion, and Tima-san agreed.

"Well, it's okay. I can guide you around here ..."

"I'm not good. There is preparation for the night ..."

Mars gave his consent, but Ena-chan couldn't go, unfortunately. Ushitotei is a restaurant during the day and a bar at night. She needs to prepare for it. 

"It's okay. Ena, just go."

Hannah-san recommends Ena-chan to go with us.

"Eh, but the preparation is ..."

Unlike Mars, she is a serious person. She is hesitating. She may be confused between giving up her duties to help out or going to play.

"It will be okay. Please go because your friends invited you."

"... Y, yes!"

Hannah-san tells Ena-chan with a smile. She was at a loss at first, perhaps she was encouraged by Hannah-san's smile, she came here with a smile.

"I need to monitor Onīchan, so I'll go! Treat me well, everyone."

"Hm, don’t mention it"

"Please treat me well~~"

"Yup, my pleasure."

"Why is it monitoring me ..."

"Now, now... Likewise, Ena-chan"

***

Nozomu’s POV

Six of us walk side by side in the pathway of the commercial area. The appearance of attractive beautiful girls walking side by side is quite conspicuous, and the passers-by are looking at them in various gazes.

Their reaction to those gazes also varied.

Irisdina-san is completely unmoved by the myriad of gazes and does not lose her dignified appearance.

Perhaps Tima-san is embarrassed by their gazes, she looks down all the time and her face is red.

Somia-chan enjoys going out with everyone, she doesn't care about her surroundings and she smiles a lot.

Ena-chan doesn't seem to be able to do the same without worrying like Somia-chan, but she's laughing next to her.

Mars glared at the gazes directed at him, on the contrary, he is attracting opponents.

"Ha ha ha ... nevertheless, it's powerful ... this lineup..."

A bitter smile leaked to the reaction of several men.

The commercial area is lined with quite a few shops, as various goods are carried from various countries. Crafts and lacquerware from the eastern part of the continent, teaware and clothes from the west, textiles and spices from the center, and bottled fruits from the south.

In addition, travel merchants are also enthusiastic about doing business, setting up stalls, and repeatedly promoting their products. It's lively and it seems that we can enjoy it just by walking.

Irisdina-san and others are looking around various stalls and shops, and the story is blooming. Looking at it, I once again feel that the girls who seemed unreachable at the school are also just young girls.

When I think about it, I have never walked around the city like this since I came to this school. I was always devoted to training and work, and after being dumped by Lisa, I became more absorbed in training.

Although I have lived here for more than 2 years, there are many things I don't know …… No, I didn't try to know …………. 

As I walked for a while, buried in my thoughts, I was suddenly pulled by my arm and taken to the back alley. It was Irisdina-san who pulled me in.

"W, what is it?"

"Sshh"

Suddenly a white finger closes my mouth which was trying to raise a voice. She made a silent gesture and asked me to look at the other side of the road, so when I looked at it, Ena and Somia were there.

Looks like, Ena-chan was drawn in without knowing, and her eyes were fluttering.

“………… Hey, what does that mean?”

I don't want to raise my voice too much, so I talk to Irisdina-san in a quiet voice.

"What, I want to leave Mars-kun and Tima alone"

"Why is that?"

"Tima is not good with boys, so I want her to get used to it even a little. And she seems to be okay with Mars-kun and you than other boys ..... Above all, Tima wants to thank Mars-kun, and it seems embarrassing for her. So, I took some forceful measures. "

I see, that's why I was forced to be alone. Perhaps Somia-chan is also doing the same thing. Looking towards Somia, she smiles and waving her hand.

"... So that's it. If that is the case then, what would we do now?"

I thought it would be bad to re-join Mars and Tima. She won't do anything like peeping with just two people, right.

As I thought something like that, she said something ridiculous to me.

"Then, let's go on a date together"

"……………Yes?"