If You Cheat, Just Don’t Tell Me - Chapter 12

“Thanks to you, it’s not really like that anymore.”

Since the first time Freya was absent from school, from what I could see, she seemed to be missing school occasionally. Even from my perspective, someone who didn’t attend school every day either—it was noticeable, so she was probably absent quite frequently in reality.

“Hey, are you feeling unwell or something?”

In the classroom after school, when only a few people remained, I called out to Freya, who had suddenly started taking days off. I hadn’t been told why she was absent, but the most common reason was undoubtedly this.

That’s what I thought, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.

“It’s not really like that. I don’t actually want to take time off either, but…”

“Huh? Is there some reason?”

When I asked that, Freya fell silent.

It was unlike her usual straightforward self. But judging by her expression, it seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn’t like she was holding back.

“It’s a bit about family matters.”

“…I see.”

Freya’s family was different from ordinary commoners. There were probably things that could and couldn’t be discussed with outsiders. When she said it was “about family,” I couldn’t press further.

If Freya said that, it must be the kind of topic that shouldn’t be shared outside. Even though I’m her fiancé, that also means I’m still just her fiancé. Freya hasn’t become part of the Regis family, nor have I become part of the Spirits family.

So, I stopped trying to pry into the circumstances and brought up something else instead.

“Well, whatever. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know. I’ll help within my means.”

I still didn’t have enough experience with Freya to say something like this to her face. Aware that my cheeks were slightly flushed, I told her while avoiding eye contact.

I wonder how I appeared to Freya. With a slight smile, she replied, “Thank you.”

“Then… I’d like you to come to school as much as possible. Even if we don’t have any plans, this is the only place I can see you. I’m sorry if it cuts into your… um… time for your future, though.”

“It’s fine. I’ve saved up quite a bit of money, so don’t worry about it.”

I agreed to Freya’s request without hesitation.

It was my idea in the first place. It’s only natural to honor Freya’s wish. Besides, it wasn’t a lie that I had saved money. Since I stopped working nights and started working during the day instead, I already had enough money to leave town. Whether I would actually do that, I couldn’t say for sure right now.

Hearing my response, Freya, who had seemed somewhat hesitant and uncomfortable, relaxed her shoulders and smiled.

“Thank you. I’ll try to come to school as much as I can too.”

“Yeah! Don’t push yourself.”

“You too. You don’t like school, right?”

“Don’t worry. I stopped forcing myself to live like that a long time ago. And—”

I paused there, then looked Freya in the eyes as I continued. I was plenty embarrassed, but important things should be said while looking at someone.

It might not be like me, but sometimes you just feel that way. That’s all.

“Thanks to you, it’s not really like that anymore.”

“…I see. I’m not sure what to say… um… thank you?”

Freya’s cheeks flushed slightly as she shyly looked away.

Hey, you know. Because of you, I’m starting to change.

So if anything happens, tell me. I’ll help you out. That’s how I feel now.

“Did something happen in the Spirits family?”

“Who knows. The fact that Freya can’t talk about it means something probably happened, but I don’t know if it’s related to the Spirits family.”

It was nighttime, with a cloudless, beautiful starry sky where the brilliant stars brightly illuminated the plaza.

As usual, I was relaxing in a chair at the meeting place, chatting with Alta who sat beside me.

“Hey.”

“What?”

I spoke to Alta while gazing absently at the night sky.

“Why did people in the old days connect stars to form shapes and compare them to things?”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Dicca? Like I’d know that.”

“Yeah, figures.”

“Are you okay?”

Alta looked at my face with an expression like he’d bitten into a hundred sour bugs.

I can’t tell if that face is worried or making fun of me.

“Nothing, I was just spacing out a bit. More importantly, did you properly go to that guild during the day like we discussed?”

“Yep. The groundwork is all set. Now all that’s left is for you to go to the guild and sign the papers. The guild folks were kinda grateful too, you know? They said monster activity has been picking up lately.”

“Is that so? Sorry for making you handle the preparations. I appreciate it.”

“Idiot, this much is nothing. If anything, thinking about the future, you should get more used to using guys like us lower-ranked folks.”

I nodded vaguely at Alta’s words. What he said made perfect sense. It’s just that I still haven’t quite come to terms with the idea of being in a position above others.

We need to start seriously thinking about our future too. For that reason, we’ve begun preparations. Leveling the ground, strengthening the foundation, laying the groundwork. Whatever you want to call it.

‘It might not be a place you created yourself… but couldn’t you think carefully about those people too? Even if you plan to leave this town. Isn’t that the responsibility of someone in a leadership position?’

That’s what Freya told me before. At the time, I thought she was just saying it to persuade me but well.

I’ve started to think that maybe just abandoning these guys like this isn’t right.

Today again, they’re laughing and playing around at the meeting place, enjoying their place in the world. They’re a bunch of carefree folks who look up to someone like me and follow me around.

Even though I didn’t gather them myself, I still have to take responsibility.

What I’ve said all along is, well… people’s thoughts change over time.

Suddenly, the face of the cafeteria granny comes to mind. ‘I hear you’ve been working hard lately,’ she had the nerve to say.

Thanks to that, I’ve ended up disliking this town less than before.

While I was thinking about that, someone detached themselves from the circle of laughing idiots and approached me alone.

“What’s up, Misha? You’re making a serious face.”

“Boss…”

Misha, wearing the eccentric clothing and accessories she probably designed herself, told me with a somewhat anxious expression.

“Um… I know there must be some circumstances, but—”

—I saw Freya’s older sister walking with some man I don’t know.

Those were the words that came from Misha’s mouth.