Episode 70

"Yes."

Ute, summoned without any prior context, wore an expression unmistakably marked by confusion.

"Among everyone I know, you’re the most intelligent."

“I’m honored by your praise, but I’ve never tutored anyone before…”

Graduating at the top of the pre-medical class wasn’t just a compliment—it was an indisputable fact.

Despite the unnecessary humility, Ute didn’t forget his manners.

"Regardless… good afternoon, young lady."

“Oh, yes. Right.”

Unable to mask her awkwardness, the young lady tugged at my wrist and drew me closer.

A quiet whisper brushed my ear.

"Who is this?"

“…You don’t remember?”

How could she forget a face like his?

Even if she’d come from another world, that level of beauty should’ve been unforgettable.

As I remained silent, the young lady jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“He looks familiar… is he important to the main story—gasp.”

“He’s your personal physician. He treated you when you were bedridden with a hangover.”

“Oh… I see. But is he trustworthy?”

“He graduated top of his class at the Academy, during the period when the pre-medical and pharmaceutical tracks were merged.”

“Why were those two programs combined?”

“They were separated again after my graduation. Many students postponed graduation, and licensing rates fell sharply.”

Ute added the explanation naturally.

Her previously composed golden eyes widened significantly.

“So, you…”

“I graduated on time. I had no intention of spending decades in school.”

“Wow.”

“Do you trust me a little more now?”

The previously furrowed brow smoothed.

“So… will you help me?”

“Help you? Broadly speaking, this falls within the scope of my profession.”

A fresh smile brushed his lips.

I handed Ute the stack of report cards I’d received from the butler.

As he flipped through them, the young lady whispered once more.

“Do we really need a doctor for this?”

“Would you have preferred scheduling an academic counseling session?”

“N-no, that's fine. But still… why?”

“I’ve never encountered such an absurd timetable before.”

Who would cram ten subjects into a single semester?

Only someone obsessed with academic success—or with no other choice.

I was neither.

Ute tucked his glasses back into the front pocket of his gown.

Gulp.

The grip on my arm tightened.

The angelic smile remained serene as he calmly declared:

“Not even the dean could save you.”

That gentle smile only deepened as he returned the disorganized report card.

“Not even God could help.”

“…Is it really that bad?”

“Would you like me to teach you how to read a report card?”

His tone was kind, yet merciless.

Sometimes, even kindness can cut deeply.

The young lady pressed her temples and shook her head quickly.

“No, it can’t be! I have to graduate this year!”

“Is there a reason?”

“Well, that is…”

“…”

“Yes! If I postpone graduation any further—”

“It’ll disrupt your escape plan.”

It was Ute who finished her sentence.

Her lips, which had been fumbling for an answer, parted in surprise.

“…How did you—?”

“How would I know?”

His long, shadowed eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

His usually gentle tone drifted softly through the air.

“Now that you’re part of the Marquis family, studying is practically a survival skill.”

“No, but… who exactly are you? So, you’re…!”

Her shaken gaze shifted from Ute to me.

Unfortunately, I was just as confused.

“…Was that really okay to say?”

“There’s no reason to hide it.”

“It wasn’t like this before.”

“This time, since the protagonist herself is foreign, her acceptance rate for the situation is significantly higher than others.”

“Acceptance rate?”

“An internal resistance—or tolerance—for unrealistic scenarios.”

As she looked between Ute and me, the young lady narrowed her eyes.

“…Are you two also…?”

“Sonnet is a kind and harmless citizen.”

“If that’s the case—”

“Shall we return to the main topic?”

“Wait, wait! I need to confirm something first.”

“Please, young lady.”

“Well… could you step outside for a moment?”

She waved her hand to gesture, then fixed her gaze on me.

Ute frowned.

“There’s something I need to ask the doctor privately. It’s better for you as well, right?”

“…What exactly do you want to ask?”

“Then call me back when you’re done, young lady.”

She must want to discuss something from the original story.

‘I don’t need to be dragged into that.’

I bowed slightly and stepped out into the hallway.

Shortly after, a mixture of screams and laughter erupted from the room.

“…What are they even talking about?”

Trying not to eavesdrop, I moved a bit farther down the corridor—only to spot a familiar face.

The figure at the far end of the hall quickly approached.

“What brings you here? If you’re here to see the young lady, now is not—”

“No.”

Lapis waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing away a fly.

‘Something feels different about him today.’

And then it became clear.

“I came to see Sonnet. Do you have a moment?”

His usually smiling eyes were sharp and alert.

He looked just like his sister—piercing, sensitive, and intense.

‘Why does he look like that?’

---

The garden was in full bloom, brimming with traces of spring.

Lapis walked a half-step ahead in complete silence.

‘What exactly does he want to talk about in this atmosphere?’

Should I initiate, or leave him be?

My indecision didn’t last long.

“Lapis.”

“…"

“Lapis. If it’s not urgent, I’ll just—”

“You promised to tell me.”

He turned around, stiff-backed.

His youthful face resembled dough soaked in water.

His upturned eyes were crooked like a poorly drawn line, and his lips…

Why were they jutting out like that?

“You said you’d tell me if anything happened.”

“Oh, did I?”

“Liar.”

“Well, I—”

“I asked you to report anything my sister did. You said you understood.”

Ah.

Now I understood why Lapis was upset.

‘Is this really something to get this worked up over?’

I didn’t quite understand—but—

He bit his lip, nearly on the verge of tears.

“Am I that unreliable?”

“It’s not that.”

“Do you know how much it scared me? My heart almost gave out.”

“…”

“I should’ve studied medicine. Or nursing. Instead of wasting time with magic.”

“You’re one of the Academy’s top students.”

“Does that matter now?”

Well… not really.

Talent and aptitude are vital, but even I knew not to argue that point.

“Do you know how worried I was? They said you were fine, so I couldn’t even visit.”

“You should’ve come. I didn’t injure my mouth.”

“I was afraid I’d get angry seeing your condition…”

He wiped his face with a large hand.

“There was so much blood.”

“…”

“So much that the handkerchief was soaked through.”

“You must’ve been terrified. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not here to talk about that! Ugh, seriously…”

His golden hair, damp from sunlight, was disheveled.

Lapis rubbed at his already-reddened eyes with frustration.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

“Do what?”

“If someone bothers you, tell me. Or—even though I hate it—tell him.”

Seeing a child this small argue so earnestly left me speechless.

‘Ute was like this too…’

They are both so easily shaken.

Afraid of bugs, believers in ghosts, overreactors to minor injuries…

“Don’t carry the burden alone again.”

And they grieve… deeply.

“…It’s hard to make that promise—”

“But you won’t, right?”

“…"

“Yes?”

“…Fine. I won’t do it again.”

“You promised!”

The face that had been on the verge of tears lit up at once.

As if none of it had happened, the atmosphere cleared.

As we strolled past the building, a loud voice called from above.

When I looked up, a man bathed in sunlight waved down enthusiastically.

“Sonnet!”

---

“Come up! I need to talk to you!”

“Alright!”

Sonnet’s skin shimmered in the sunlight.

Lapis frowned beside her, but he was of little consequence.

Ute didn’t move until he watched Sonnet disappear into the building.

“…Do you like her?”

The golden eyes watching him were overwhelmed with meaning.

---

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