"Good night, Satoru," Janne said softly.
"Good night, Janne. And please, try not to appear in my room again in the morning," Satoru replied, a teasing smile on his face.
Janne chuckled lightly, her laughter like a gentle melody in the quiet room. "I'll try my best," she promised.
They bid each other goodnight, the warmth of their camaraderie lingering in the air.
The next day, Satoru was relieved to find that Janne had indeed respected his request and did not appear in his room.
As he stepped out of his room, he was greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread wafting up from downstairs.
The scent was warm and comforting, promising a delicious start to the day.
"Today, we have our last loaf of bread," Janne said with a hint of melancholy. "Let's savor it while we can."
"Alright," Satoru replied, a faint smile on his face as he appreciated the effort Janne had put into preparing the meal.
Soon, two figures emerged from the cozy wooden house, stepping into the crisp morning air. Satoru, gazing up at the majestic Astralsya perched on the mountaintop, still felt a sense of awe.
"I still can't believe Astralsya is just a large academy. It looks more like a city to me," he remarked, his eyes wide with wonder.
"You can absolutely think of it as a city," Janne replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "The population, including both the residents inside and on the outskirts of the academy, is close to 20,000."
...
At the gates of Astralsya, Satoru turned to Janne, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
"I'll see you off here today," Janne said, her voice carrying a soft undertone of responsibility.
"I need to head back and prepare our dinner. We're almost out of meat at home."
Satoru nodded, appreciating her dedication. "Alright, take care. I'll see you later."
Satoru made his way towards the Celestial Atrium alone, feeling a slight pang of emptiness without Janne by his side.
The path seemed a bit longer, and the bustling streets of Astralsya appeared less vibrant.
He took a deep breath, resolving to make the most of his day and learn as much as he could.
He entered the Celestial Atrium, relying on his memory to locate the classroom where magic was taught.
As he stepped inside, he was surprised to find the room fall silent for a brief moment before a wave of whispers swept through the students.
Satoru sat at his desk, casting a thoughtful glance at Yuki as he mulled over his thoughts. Deciding to satisfy his curiosity directly, he spoke up.
"Hey, I heard you're a princess?"
Yuki's expression shifted subtly, a change so minute that it would be imperceptible to anyone who wasn't paying close attention.
She met Satoru's gaze and gave a gentle nod, her eyes reflecting a calm readiness for whatever he would say next.
"How do you manage to be so approachable? If I hadn't overheard the others talking, I would've never known you were a princess," Satoru continued, his voice tinged with pure curiosity.
Yuki's serene demeanor remained, though an almost imperceptible warmth touched her eyes. She appreciated his straightforwardness, something she rarely encountered.
Most people either treated her with undue reverence or hidden agendas.
She waited a moment, considering how best to respond, all the while studying Satoru's earnest expression.
His curiosity seemed pure, untainted by the usual motives of gaining favor or influence.
It was a refreshing change, and it made her feel a bit more at ease in his presence.
"I'm not as approachable as you might think, nor as aloof as I might seem," Yuki replied, her voice soft yet firm.
Satoru watched her, intrigued by the balance she struck between humility and authority. She continued, her gaze unwavering, "It's not easy maintaining such a facade, but it's necessary. People see what they want to see."
There was a depth to her words that resonated with Satoru, making him realize the weight of her position. He nodded slowly, understanding a bit more about the enigmatic figure beside him.
"So, I truly appreciate your straightforward nature," Yuki continued, her gaze steady on Satoru. "Whether before or after learning my identity, you remained consistent—at least outwardly."
"We should interact as friends. I don't want to see excessive respect or wariness from you," she added, a slight smile touching her lips. "In Astralsya, I'm just an ordinary student. There's no lofty title to uphold here."
Satoru nodded, feeling a sense of relief at her words. It made things simpler, and he preferred simplicity over the complexities of courtly behavior.
"Then, I would like to... can I address you as Yuki?" Satoru asked, his tone reflecting a mix of curiosity and a desire for familiarity.
Yuki's smile widened slightly, a hint of warmth in her eyes. "Of course, you may. I would prefer that, actually."
....
The professor soon entered the classroom, signaling the start of the lesson.
Throughout the lecture, Satoru found himself frequently seeking Yuki's guidance to understand the concepts being discussed.
Despite his efforts, by the end of the class, he was still grappling with confusion about the magic of this world.
Noticing his struggle, Yuki turned to him with a question that hinted at genuine concern beneath her composed exterior.
"Have you joined any clubs or societies here?" Yuki asked, her tone as neutral as ever, yet with a subtle undertone of curiosity.
"No, I haven't," Satoru admitted. "I've been thinking about joining one to see if it might help."
Yuki nodded thoughtfully. "Joining a club can help you immerse yourself more in the culture and practices here," she suggested. "It might also aid you in understanding the basics of magic, as practical experience often supplements theoretical knowledge effectively."
"Do you have any recommendations?" Satoru asked.
"You could join the Magic Research Society," Yuki suggested, "where you'd delve deeper into magical theories and practical applications. It's a great place to learn and experiment with different forms of magic."
She paused for a while, then added, "Or, you could join my club, the Kendo Club. It's focused on swordsmanship and discipline, but we also incorporate magical techniques into our training."
"With time, I could teach you some basics of magic there," Yuki offered, her tone sincere.
"But won't that be troublesome for you?" Satoru asked, concern evident in his voice.
Yuki shook her head slightly, a small, reassuring smile playing on her lips. "Not at all. I wouldn't have offered if it was. Besides, teaching you might even be enjoyable. It's always interesting to see someone learn and grow."
"Alright, you really are a kind person. I'm beginning to understand why you have such high regard and reputation," Satoru said with genuine admiration.
"My kindness isn't extended to everyone; it's reserved only for friends," Yuki said, her tone soft but with a hint of underlying sadness.
"However, the number of people who truly experience such treatment has diminished. As my identity has become more widely known within Astralsya, many approach me with ulterior motives, whether they covet my appearance or my status. So, you should understand something by now, right?"
As Yuki spoke, her expression remained composed, but a shadow of melancholy briefly flickered across her eyes.
The room around them was filled with the quiet murmurs of students and the occasional rustling of papers, creating a subtle backdrop to their conversation.
Her gaze was steady, almost as if she were searching for a glimmer of genuine understanding in the eyes of the person before her.
The gentle light from the classroom's windows cast a soft glow on her, highlighting the delicate contours of her face.
Despite her regal bearing and the refined grace with which she carried herself, there was an unmistakable vulnerability in her words.
Yuki's posture, once poised and unyielding, softened as she spoke, revealing a rare glimpse of the person behind the public persona.
She waited patiently for Satoru's response, her fingers lightly tapping on the desk as if to punctuate her thoughts.
The silence that followed her statement seemed to weigh heavily, a quiet acknowledgment of the barriers that her status had erected around her.
"Yes, I understand now," he began, his voice tinged with empathy.
It seems like her situation is somewhat similar to Janne's. Both of them are affected by circumstances beyond your control—one by a Blessed Curse that isolates her, and the other by a special status that makes genuine connections difficult. It's as if they're both navigating their own separate barriers to forming sincere friendships.
He looked at Yuki with a newfound depth of understanding, recognizing the parallels between their experiences.
The realization seemed to bridge the gap between them, offering a sense of shared struggle and mutual comprehension.
The classroom's ambient noise felt distant, as if their conversation created a bubble of intimacy amid the academic surroundings.
Yuki's expression softened further, a flicker of relief evident in her eyes as she appreciated his understanding.
"I think you've indeed grasped something important," Yuki said, her tone tinged with a hint of curiosity. "But it seems like you've understood a bit too much. You see, there's a trace of pity in your eyes now. Did my situation remind you of something or someone from your own experiences?"
"Yea, I suppose so," he replied.
"I've made up my mind; I'll join your club. I look forward to your guidance," he said with a sincere smile.,
"I'm glad to hear that," Yuki replied with a slight gentle smile. "Follow me to the club now. We happen to have a club activity today."