Volume 2 Chapter 30: The Welcome Party

There isn’t much to say about the rest of my time at the academy. By the end of my second year, the fishing pond was complete, and I spent most of my time there with Fiona.

Once I graduated, I left the academy and headed straight for Elist, which brings me to where I am now.

Fiona blossomed over the years, growing increasingly cheerful. By the time I graduated, she had become the strong, composed woman she is today. Growth spurts are amazing.

Thanks to Fiona’s later development of her mage suit, Magis, we completed the fishing pond much faster. In fact, most of my memories of academy life involve her.

At graduation, Fiona tearfully vowed, “I’ll definitely follow you,” as if it were the end of the world. I never expected she’d actually show up at White Road, though.

Having had no real plans after graduation, I dodged her questions when she asked what I’d do. I still don’t know how she tracked me down—maybe she asked the headmaster. When I told him I’d head to Elist for some fishing, he just held his head in his hands.

I wonder if that fishing pond is still there. I put a lot of effort into making it feel like a natural pond. When I offered it as a contribution to the academy, the headmaster gave me a strange look.

“Do you think the fishing pond’s still there?”

Having returned to White Road at Fiona’s speed—far faster than my own carriage—I asked this as we stood outside. The sun had long since set.

“Don’t worry; I told Grandpa to make sure it’s preserved. And no one’s allowed near it either—it’s a special place just for the two of us.”

She smiled warmly as she said this, but what’s the point of a fishing pond no one uses? At this rate, it’s just a regular pond. I’d be happier if it were enjoyed by students who love fishing.

“I see… By the way, how did you know I was heading to the sea?”

Still hesitating to enter White Road, I asked her now. Maybe I’m just being cowardly, but I didn’t know what kind of face to show Noel or the manager.

“I know everything about you, senpai.”

“Oh, I see.”

Fiona placed a hand over her heart, as if deeply proud of this fact, but honestly, it was a bit unnerving. Then again, my actions are simple enough to predict.

“And—look!”

She opened her collar slightly. My gaze drifted to her collarbone and…other features, but the real focus was the black collar around her neck.

It looked less like a fashionable choker and more like a pet’s collar. To be honest, I didn’t think it suited her at all.

“Is that… a mage suit?”

“Yes! It’s my new mage suit!”

Fiona replied, looking enraptured as she gently stroked the collar.

“It’s called Ai Lover—the effect is that I become your slave, senpai!”

“…What?”

Something must be wrong with my hearing. Or maybe the world itself has gone mad.

“Oh, I’m senpai’s slave!”

Nope, my hearing’s fine. So, the world’s broken, then. Somehow, I’ve ended up in a deranged world. At what point did I stray so far off course? My life has been full of missteps, but this is beyond me.

“With this collar on, you can command me to do anything, senpai! Of course, even without it, I’d never disobey you, but this way, you can control me without any regard for my will! And, as a slave, I must always stay by my master’s side, so I always know where you are. If I stray too far, the collar tightens automatically, disciplining me. Isn’t it amazing? It feels like a punishment from you, senpai! I can feel so strongly that I belong to you… it’s wonderful. Oh, and there’s no option to release it willingly, either. Plus… if I’m away from you for a whole day, the collar fully tightens, and I’ll die! Isn’t that true love? I’ve had this idea for a while, but when I saw you again, I couldn’t hold back my feelings… So, I made it! Do you think it suits me?”

“Ah, right.”

Fiona’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly described her new mage suit, but honestly, I couldn’t keep up at all.

What is this mage suit? Is it a cursed item? It’s nothing but drawbacks—a collection of downsides.

“Try giving me a command!” she urged.

“Uh, then… live freely.”

I really meant it.

“Oh, so that means to stay by your side forever, doesn’t it?”

How did she come to that conclusion? The world is full of mysteries.

But, well… I guess it’s my fault that Fiona ended up like this.

It’s clear that my offhand comments, made out of a need for help, led her down this path. Meeting me back then was probably the worst luck she could have had.

So… am I responsible for all the twists and turns her life has taken?

…Alright. As an adult, the least I can do is ask if there’s something she wants.

“Um… Fiona, is there anything you want me to do for you?”

“Marriage, I think.”

“…”

“Or maybe a kiss.”

“Shall we head inside?”

“Yes!”

Avoiding her gaze, I pushed open the door to White Road.

I think I heard something, but I’ll pretend I didn’t. After all, I’m a master at ignoring responsibility. Besides, she was probably joking… right? Hah, funny. Maybe I’ll get her something as a treat later—like candy.

“Noil!”

“Oh, you’re back.”

“…I’m home.”

Inside, Noel rushed over, patting me down as if to check for injuries, while the manager sat on the sofa, sipping tea with her usual nonchalance. Seeing them act like that incident had never happened was surprisingly comforting.

“Are you okay? No injuries? I’m sorry, this is all my fault.”

“I’m fine, really.”

I placed a hand on Noel’s shoulder to calm her, chuckling a bit. She was as overprotective as ever, treating me like some rebellious kid who’d run away and finally come home.

“I’m really sorry…”

“No, it’s not just your fault… but if you two could try not to fight, that’d help.”

Noel nodded and turned back to Fiona, looking relieved.

“Yes, that’s already taken care of. After all—”

“We each have someone more important than ourselves to prioritize,” Fiona added, standing beside me with a smile. They both turned their gazes toward the manager, who continued sipping her tea with the same indifference.

There was a sudden tension in the air, but the manager merely set her cup down, placed her hands on her hips, and stood up.

“Well then, since Noil is back, shall we head out?”

“Head out? Where to?”

I’d just gotten back. After everything, I wanted nothing more than a good night’s rest, maybe reflecting on friendship for a while.

“Isn’t it obvious? We never celebrated Noel’s arrival, so we’ll have a welcome party for her—and a little something to mark Fiona’s safe return, too.”

Seeing the manager’s smile, I supposed I couldn’t refuse.

◇

We made our way to Sumibitei, an unassuming tavern in the southern market district.

Sumibitei is a regular spot for White Road.

The small stone-walled interior had round tables, each with a grill in the middle, where you cook your ordered ingredients. It wasn’t a flashy place, which is exactly why White Road frequented it. Not quite a hidden gem, but modest enough that it never really filled up, though it wasn’t unpopular either.

The manager draws attention with her striking appearance. She doesn’t mind, but being by her side puts a lot of pressure on me. Most people see a plain guy sitting next to a stunning beauty who often foots the bill, so the whispers of “What a freeloader…” are understandable. If I were in their shoes, I’d probably throw stones too.

Getting stared at or gossiped about is one thing, but dealing with drunk troublemakers is worse. It happened more than once: “Hey girl, ditch that loser and come hang with us!”

I knew well enough that tagging along with such people would be a fast track to disaster, so I often had to smooth things over before the manager lost her temper. But it was manageable—until Fiona joined us.

With two beauties by my side, the looks and jeers multiplied, and the comments shifted to “You sure think you’re something, huh?” The troublemakers’ attitudes also turned nastier.

Fiona wasn’t one to tolerate hostility toward me, either. She would retaliate in ways that left lasting psychological scars, which only worsened my anxiety. I’ve been kicked out of a few places because of her.

To avoid that, we often chose Sumibitei for meals together, sparing my sanity. Noel might have preferred somewhere a bit fancier, but this was the best option.

The tavern was its usual calm, not too crowded, and we were guided to a table in the back. I took the seat against the wall, Noel smoothly settling in on my right and Fiona on my left, while the manager, wearing the inconspicuous outfit and hat I’d once given her, took the seat across from me.

Come to think of it, maybe I should get Fiona a similar outfit. She did mention wanting one, and it’d keep things calm. Fashionable? Not really, but it’d help.

Just as I was thinking this, our drinks arrived, brought in immediately after we’d ordered at the entrance.

Each of us picked up our mugs: three of us had mugs of frothy ale—the manager, Fiona, and me—while Noel, who’d never tried alcohol, had a chilled mug of tea.

“Maybe I should have ordered the same as you guys?”

“Don’t push yourself. If you’d like a taste, I can share mine.”

“No, no! I’ll drink senpai’s if anyone does.”

Why? You’ve got your own drink.

“Alright, then.”

Ignoring Fiona’s pensive look and Noel’s delighted smile, the manager lifted her mug. Following her lead, we raised ours too.

“To the new member of White Road, and to Fiona’s safe return—”

With the call of “Cheers!” we clinked our mugs together, officially welcoming our new beginning as a team.