Chapter 52

By the time I returned to the Black-winged Knights’ lodgings in the royal capital, it was already getting dark. The setting sun had turned the clouds a soft shade of pink. The compound was bustling with knights coming and going, and I was hailed every time I passed someone. Everyone seemed ready to hit the town for the night. It always amazed me how energetic everyone could be after finishing their training.

After parting ways with Gazelle and Felix, I returned to my room in the barracks. After tidying up my belongings, I took a bath in the shared bathhouse in the barracks, changed into a clean outfit, and headed to the mess hall[A room where people, typically soldiers or mercenaries eat together]].

The meals served in the barracks’ mess hall were also prepared by knights. During peacetime, they prepared nutritious meals optimal for bodybuilding. During wartime, they prepared food that could easily be transported and quickly replenished. For example, today’s menu was a soup with ravioli filled with tomatoes and minced meat, thinly sliced fried potatoes and chicken with a spinach cream sauce, a salad, and several side dishes, and white bread. It was delicious!

Interestingly, each knight order’s meals vary dramatically. From what I’ve heard, for example, the White-winged Knights employ a cook as one of their members, and everyone sits down to a full-course dinner. Conversely, in the Yellow Wing Knights, where beastmen comprise the majority, there are hardly any side dishes—their menu is rather hearty, consisting of “Meat! Alcohol! Bread! Meat!”. It’s fascinating how the characteristics of each knight order are reflected even in their meals. Someday, I’d like to compare all the knight order’s meals! I wonder what the Gold-winged Knights eat?

“Ah, there he is. Hey, Takumi!”

“……Hm? Did you call me?”

“Indeed, I did! Commander Gazelle says he wants to see you in his office after you finish eating.”

“Understood. Sorry for the trouble.”

Just as I finished eating, one of the knights called out to me. Apparently, Gazelle wants to see me. I can’t think of a reason for being summoned, but could it be about today’s incident?

I had been riding the black horse recklessly, interrupting the mission of other knight orders—during a battle with monsters, no less. It would not be surprising to receive a scolding or two. Or worst, I might need to prepare myself for bidding farewell to this month’s salary.

Moreover, after overhearing the conversation between Leon and Felix, I was even more hesitant about meeting Gazelle alone. However, I could not refuse an invitation from Gazelle. After returning the dishes to their designated places, I headed to the office exclusively used by the captain, located inside the knights’ barracks. I stopped in front of the door and knocked, to which a muffled “Come in” was heard. I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.

Gazelle was seated at the desk located at the front of the room. A short-pile red carpet covered the floor, and the furniture, including the desk, was uniformly made of dark walnut. Upon reaching the front of the desk, I saluted and said, “Black-winged Order member, Takumi, reporting as summoned.”

Gazelle chuckled while remaining seated, “You are as diligent as ever, Takumi. You are the only one in our order who gives such by-the-book salutes.”

“Rules are rules. Plus, I like doing it, especially when the other party is Gazelle.”

“Hmm, it’s nice to hear that.”

I’d salute Gazelle any day! I love Gazelle, of course, he’s the person I respect the most! Moreover… This isn’t something I can say out loud, but look, salutes are cool, right? My inner chuunibyou sprit is overjoyed. Well, it’s not just me, all boys would admire it, right! 

“By the way, Gazelle… The reason you called me, could it be about today’s incident?”

“Hmm? No, it’s not that. Well, I was certainly surprised when you ran off on your own.”

“That was… uh, I’m really sorry. It seems I still can’t fully communicate with my horse.”

“Haha, we’ll go with that.” 

Huh? It seems that the reason Gazelle called me is not about my charge into the White-winged Order. Then, what is it about?

“Well, I was concerned because you seemed off after I sent you to call Felix.”

“Ah!”

“I thought it might be hard for you to talk in front of Felix… Is there something going on?”

Gazelle asked with a serious expression, leaving me unsure of how to explain. 

“I overheard Leon and Felix talking when I went to call them.”

“Hmm?”

“I accidentally overheard their conversation, and I feel guilty towards them.”

“I see. But Takumi, there’s more to it, isn’t there?”

“Eh…”

“Is there something else that’s bothering you? I can tell by looking at your face.”

Gazelle looked at me with his golden eyes shining a quiet light. 

I was at a loss for words. He was right. Gazelle and Felix had confessed their love to me, but I have kept my response pending. They were both respectable, reliable, and irreplaceable people. That’s why I also love Gazelle and Felix.

Well, I’m still not used to… kisses and sex, but I don’t dislike them, and I’ve never felt that way. Well, I’ve cried several times, saying, “I can’t do this anymore,” unable to keep up with their techniques and intensity… But that’s not it! 

Even though Gazelle and Felix have confessed to me, I can’t choose between them, and have postponed my answer.

But now—upon learning that Leon likes Gazelle…

From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like Leon will confess to Gazelle anytime soon… But it might not be that far off either. When that happens, I wonder how Gazelle will react to a confession from Leon? Leon is stunningly handsome, skilled enough with a sword to become the captain of the White-winged Knight Order, and to top it off, he’s a noble. What’s more, he’s friendly and kind enough to allow someone like me, a mere rank and file member of the Black-winged Knight Order, to call him by his first name without any honorifics.

In contrast, I’m just an average guy, with black hair and black eyes being my only unusual traits. I’m terrible at swordsmanship, let alone horseback riding. If it weren’t for Gazelle picking me up, I would have been a combo of an illegal immigrant, jobless, and homeless.

No matter how favorably you look at it, it’s an overwhelming defeat!

What should I do!!!!

Gazelle says that he likes me… but if Leon were to confess to Gazelle, wouldn’t even the resolute Gazelle be swayed?

But I don’t want Gazelle and Leon to end up together…!

Wait, but who am I to say such things?

I’m not Gazelle’s lover or anything. Therefore, if Gazelle chose Leon, I wouldn’t have any right to stop him…

My heart ached as if it’s being squeezed tightly.

“Gazelle… um…”

“Hmm?”

“What… What do you think about me delaying my answer to the two of you?”

Before I knew it, those words had spilled from my mouth.

Gazelle blinked at my slightly trembling words. Then, with a slight relaxation of his face, he beckoned me over. As I made my way around the desk and to Gazelle’s side, he stood up and embraced me.

W-wait, Gazelle-san!!!!

“Didn’t I tell you before? There’s no need to rush. You should take your time to think until you’re satisfied.”

Being tightly embraced by the taller Gazelle and having my head patted like a child was… reassuring. His voice was incredibly soothing.

“Or did I do something that made you feel uneasy?”

“It’s not like that… I can’t exactly explain it, but when I heard about Leon and Felix, I was given something to think about. At the same time, I came to detest my own cowardice.”

“Cowardice?”

“Being confessed to by Gazelle and Felix… both of you are too good for someone like me. Yet, I’ve been putting off giving you all an answer… I really feel sorry for the both of you.”

As I pushed at Gazelle’s chest to look up at him, he gazed down at me quietly. There was no sign of blame in his gaze, which only made me feel even more guilty.

“I’ve made you two wait so much… you both have every right to get angry at me and withdraw your confessions. So, that’s why…”

“You’re a cute one, aren’t you? So that’s what you’ve been worrying about?”

Then Gazelle put his hand on the back of my head and began messing up my hair as if he were mixing it up. My head was being petted so vigorously that my neck swayed from side to side.

“Whoa, Gazelle!”

“Don’t overthink it. If it’s for you, I can wait as long as it takes.”

“I’m happy that Gazelle is saying that, but… In the meantime, couldn’t Gazelle’s feelings change?”

“Oh? Would you be troubled if my feelings changed?”

“Wha…!” I gasped at Gazelle’s words. But even after realizing my slip of the tongue, I couldn’t take back what I’d already said.

“Hmm? Say that line one more time, Takumi,” Gazelle’s voice turned surprisingly cheerful. And he showed a teasing, smirking smile.

Immediately, embarrassment surged and I tried to step back, but Gazelle had me in a firm hold around my waist. “Come on, Takumi. Say it.”

“…………”

I’m probably blushing a lot right now.

I couldn’t meet Gazelle’s gaze and involuntarily looked down. However, Gazelle grabbed my chin with the hand that wasn’t around my waist and forcibly made me look up.

I guess it means I’m not allowed to run away or even hide my face.

A joyful, determined face advanced in front of me, causing my eyes to dart around. The pounding of my heart was deafening.

“Um, it’s not exactly that I’m… troubled…”

“Hmm?”

“If Gazelle were to have feelings for someone else… I… No, I would seriously dislike that. Of course, I know it’s presumptuous for me, who isn’t even a lover or anything, to say this. But, well…” I somehow managed to speak, stumbling over my words.

The next moment, Gazelle’s face, which was before me, disappeared, and my view was replaced with the ceiling.

The chandelier hanging from the ceiling, made of glass, reflected the light, blinding my eyes.

“………….”

It took me a few seconds to realize that I had been pushed down onto the desk by Gazelle. The impact caused the pen on the desk to roll off and fall onto the floor.

“Ga, Gazelle?”

“It’s your fault.”

“What?!”

Could it really be my fault?

What… what does this mean?

Even Gazelle, as expected, is seriously angry because of my selfish remarks!?!

“Tsk… don’t say such pitiful things.”

Saying that, Gazelle began to unbutton my shirt with hasty movements. I tried to sit up, but Gazelle pressed down on my shoulder with his other hand.

“Ga, Gazelle…? Are you angry?”

“Why would I be angry, it’s the opposite. I really didn’t intend to lay a hand on you today. But because you said something so adorable, I couldn’t help myself.”

When he finally got my shirt off, Gazelle wore a savage smile like a carnivorous beast looking down at its prey.

And then, his rough, bony palm touched my chest.

Oh, thank goodness. It doesn’t seem like Gazelle is angry.

I feel relieved, n-no, I’m not relieved at all!

Wait, Gazelle!!!!

Ah, while all this was happening, he was already reaching for my pants and underwear.

“Gazelle. This is…an office!”

“It’s fine, I won’t go all the way.”