Chapter 43 - A New Friend and a Black Shadow
Two weeks had passed since my transfer, and my academy life was proceeding smoothly. Most importantly, I had grown closer to Abbott-san. We now greeted each other casually and even started having lunch together in the dining hall. She had even lent me a book she recommended the other day.
It might be presumptuous of me, but I wondered if I could call Abbott-san a... friend.
Was this the sort of thing people confirmed with each other? Having never had a proper friend before, I worried I might be getting carried away and misunderstanding the situation. If I was the only one who thought we were friends, it might be a nuisance to her.
"Whether or not we're friends?"
Abbott-san knit her brows at my question. She took a bite of her hamburger steak and set her fork down quietly.
"Does that really matter?"
"Wouldn't you find it annoying if someone just assumed you were their friend?"
"Annoying? Not at all. You consider me a friend, don't you, Marcel-san?"
"...I would like to, yes."
"Then that's fine. I don't think there's any point in confirming friendship with words. If you get along and enjoy each other's company, that's all that matters."
Words have no meaning... I used to make a point of saying things like "we are such good friends" with Katrina-sama and the others. I thought verbalizing it deepened the bond and strengthened the relationship. But I could see the truth in Abbott-san's words.
"But for the record, I consider anyone I lend books to, eat lunch with, and talk to casually to be a friend."
"Does that mean..."
"It means I'm happy to be close to you too."
"Abbott-san!"
"Look, I'm a class rep and on the disciplinary committee. I think I give off a tense vibe, so while I get along with my classmates, there's always a bit of distance. So, when you arrived and started eating lunch with me like this... to be honest, I'm quite thrilled too."
Abbott-san looked down at her tray, her eyes hidden behind her glasses. "Anyway, eat up or we'll be late for class," she said, pouting slightly in embarrassment.
I felt a smile tugging at my lips. We hadn't known each other long, but I admired how she was kind and caring despite her blunt way of speaking.
Katrina-sama hadn't approached me since that first day. Every time she tried to come near during lunch, Abbott-san would immediately call out to me first. Katrina-sama would then grimace and turn away. Perhaps something had happened between them that I didn't know about, but there was no denying that Abbott-san was protecting me.
"Oh, right! The new volume of the book I lent you comes out today. I'll lend it to you once I'm finished."
"Really? Thank you. It was so interesting, I've been dying to know what happens next."
"Yes. But whenever I go to the bookstore, I end up buying all sorts of other books too. My shelves are so full I might not have room for more."
"You go to the bookstore yourself?"
"I do. I know it's rare for someone to go in person, but it's so much better to see all the new releases for yourself."
A bookstore. Usually, noble houses had booksellers bring a curated selection of interesting titles directly to the manor. I had never actually set foot in a bookstore myself. But hearing Abbott-san talk about it made it sound wonderful.
I must have looked quite intrigued, because Abbott-san smiled and asked, "Want to come with me next time?"
"I would love to."
"Hehe, alright. It's a promise then."
A promise.
A strange sense of excitement bubbled up inside me. I had walked through the streets of the territory and looked at shops and markets before, but making a plan to go somewhere with a friend was a new experience. I hadn't realized it could be this delightful.
I found myself smiling during the next class as I remembered our conversation, only to be startled when Abbott-san poked my arm as if to say, Focus.
"Honestly. Smiling to yourself just because of a bookstore."
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it..."
"Well, it just shows how much you're looking forward to it."
I walked beside Abbott-san toward the carriage stop after school. She had seen right through me.
"Oh, that's your carriage, Marcel-san."
"Yes. Will you tell me more tomorrow?"
"Of course."
I turned to say goodbye, but just as my coachman opened the door, a black cat darted out of the carriage and ran toward me.
A black cat? Wait, Kuro!?
Kuro, who was supposed to be waiting at home, was racing straight for me. Why was he here? He was usually so well-behaved. Ignoring my internal panic, Kuro let out a meow and put his front paws on my boots, demanding to be picked up.
"A black cat?"
I froze at the voice behind me. I turned slowly to see Abbott-san staring at Kuro, her eyes wide with shock.
Abbott-san... you can see spirits. As expected of someone so academically gifted, her magic capacity must be quite high. I looked back and forth between the meowing Kuro and Abbott-san, my smile twitching as I tried to figure out how to explain this.
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