Chapter 55

The next day.

Today, as usual, the squad members were engaged in physical training and academic study in the field.

Recently, though the number of monsters had increased in various places, for now, no serious harm had been done, thanks to the efforts of the knights and adventurers. Thankfully, no orders for the Black-winged Knights to sortie were given today, so it was a regular training day.

The team I belonged to had a session of running on the field in the morning, followed by sparring with wooden swords in pairs. The sparring was not a serious fight but aimed to confirm the basics of sword forms.

Sometimes, we would have mock battles among the squad members, but when that happened, Gazelle or Felix would always observe, providing direct instruction to each individual after the battle. Afterward, all the members would gather for a flag raising ceremony and marching training.

When everyone was moving in unison, it reminded me of the athletic festivals from my previous world, making me feel nostalgic.

“Takumi.”

Finally, it was lunch break after the marching training had ended.

Everyone collectively moved towards the cafeteria, and I was about to join the wave heading for lunch when I heard a voice from behind me, causing me to stop in my tracks. “I apologize for stopping you out of the blue… There is something I would like to discuss with you. Would that be alright?”

The one who stopped me was Felix.

As always, he stood out wherever he was. Even in the dust-filled training field, wearing his simple black uniform, he exuded a stylish aura as he walked towards me with a modest smile.

“Ah, of course. Should I come now?”

“Yes. I will prepare your lunch here, so don’t worry.”

Felix smiled kindly at me, almost causing me to loosen my facial expression and smile back at him, but I quickly stiffened my face. 

Probably, what Felix wants to discuss is about yesterday’s incident. Given the public setting, he is just showing a friendly smile, but he might actually be angry that I had overheard the conversation.

I tightened my resolve and face simultaneously, and walked towards the squad house with Felix. Upon entering the squad house, we headed in the opposite direction of everyone going to the dining hall. We walked down the hallway, climbed the stairs, and entered the document room of a wing that was almost devoid of people at this time. At a glance, the room was about ten tatami mats in size, with shelves neatly lined up, filled with documents bound with strings. 

“I’m sorry for the abrupt summons, Takumi. It could’ve waited till after your training… but I didn’t want this conversation overheard by many. At this hour, no one’s in this building,” 

“Ah, I’m fine,” I replied. 

Unlike me, just an average member, Felix, being the deputy commander, must have a lot on his plate. 

Moreover, these days, he has been returning to his ancestral home, the House of Apharetta, rather than staying at the squad’s dormitory after training. Despite his father’s health having mostly improved, he must still be concerned. 

As for me, I have no plans after finishing training or work!

It’s only natural for someone like me, who only reads or lazes around in the room with no other plans, to accommodate Felix’s schedule. 

…Some squad members go out to play after training, though.

Everyone’s so tough. How can they go to a pub nonchalantly after running ten laps around the field and doing a hundred drills? I really admire them.

“Don’t worry about me, Felix. Besides, I should have been the one to call on you,” I said, lowering my head to Felix.

A surprised voice echoed from above my head.

“Takumi?”

“You called me because I overheard your conversation with Leon yesterday, didn’t you? I apologize for eavesdropping.”

“Ah, please raise your head. I understand that you didn’t do it on purpose…!” 

Urged by the flustered Felix, I slowly raised my head. Felix was looking down at me with a troubled expression.

“I didn’t ask you here to apologize. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression, Takumi.”

“No, I was…”

“I’m partly to blame for not noticing you then. But what’s bothering me isn’t that…,” Felix stumbled over his words, opening and closing his lips as if finding it hard to speak. 

It’s rare to see Felix at a loss for words. 

“Um… How much of my conversation with Commander Leon did you overhear, Takumi?” With determination, Felix stared straight into my eyes and asked.

Uh, how much indeed?

“Ah… I’m sorry, but I think I heard almost all of the important parts. Especially the part about Leon having a man he’s in love with. I clearly heard that part.”

“Tsu! I…I see…” 

And then Felix and I fell silent. Felix glanced at me with a face that seemed to want to say something.

After a moment of hesitation, I slowly opened my mouth, “I’m… I’m really sorry, Felix. If possible, I’d like to apologize to Leon for overhearing his story too, but I have no way to meet him…”

“Wait… You intend to go and apologize to Commander Leon? About hearing our conversation yesterday?”

For some reason, Felix seemed perplexed by my suggestion. His face seemed to say something like “Are you serious?”, as if he couldn’t quite believe it.

“I understand that you’re bothered by what happened yesterday, Takumi… But wouldn’t it be awkward for Commander Leon to hear an apology from you directly about that…?” 

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it would be quite awkward. I think it’d be best if you pretend you didn’t hear anything until Leon clearly expresses his feelings.”

Though Felix’s tone was gentle, his words were a clear negation. 

So, it seems I should refrain from going to Leon to apologize.

Hmm…

Well, if I think about it, Leon might feel awkward if I apologized to him directly.

As Felix said, even if I were to apologize, it might be better to do so after Leon has confessed his feelings to Gazel.

For now, it’s best to pretend I didn’t hear about yesterday’s matter. I see.

“Got it. In that case, I’ll keep yesterday’s matter to myself.”

“…By keeping it to yourself, do you mean… you weren’t displeased with Commander Leon’s words yesterday?”

For some reason, Felix looked utterly shocked.

“Huh, what’s wrong?”

“… What do you think about Commander Leon, Takumi?” Out of the blue, he asked with a grave expression. 

His intensity made me want to step back involuntarily. 

‘Huh? Why, why are you asking me about Leon? Ah! Could it be you want to know if I think Leon is a suitable match for Gazelle?’

Ah-ha, I see… So, Felix means to say, “Even though they’re both commander, do you think Leon, a stranger from another knight order, is a good match for our precious Gazelle, Takumi? Aren’t you worried?” 

Oh my, Felix loves Gazelle so much! 

I love him too! We’re comrades in arms, Felix!

“As for Leon… Well, I think highly of him. He’s not the type to flait his power and is a genuinely good guy. His abilities are impeccable too.”

However, Felix has known Leon longer than I have. I mean, Leon is an incredibly good guy. Honestly, if it weren’t Gazelle, but another member of the Black-winged Knights, I’d even think about supporting Leon unconditionally. But when it comes to Gazelle, I get a bit uneasy.

However, my response seemed to make the aura around Felix grow increasingly dangerous.

“Then, Takumi, what would you do if Commander Leon confessed his love?”

“Hmm? Well… if it weren’t for the current circumstances, I think I would be cheering him on. But as for what I would do, I’m not sure until it happens.”

“Cheering him on, you say?” At my words, Felix stiffened up.

Eh? What…what’s with this tension? Was my answer that strange? But, first of all, I haven’t been able to respond to Gazelle’s and Felix’s confessions yet… I’m not in a position to comment on Leon’s love life.”

And from my perspective, supporting Leon’s love isn’t appropriate either…

“So in essence… at the moment, you could possibly accept Commander Leon’s feelings?”

“Eh? Well, yeah, I guess?”

“Tsk…!”

That’s a tricky phrase, but accepting his feelings means whether or not I approve of Leon confessing his love to Gazelle, right?

Of course, if Leon were to earnestly confess his love to Gazelle, I could only watch. I, who am still undecided, have no right to intervene.

However, for some reason, Felix tensed up at my response. Looking at him, I was puzzled and opened my mouth.

“Feli—

But I couldn’t finish calling his name. Because Felix pulled me close by the waist and kissed me as if he were biting me.

“Mmngh..!?” 

Felix’s lips sealed mine. His lips were surprisingly soft and moist for a man’s. Surprised by the sudden kiss, I frantically pushed him away.

“Feli… Felix…?”

Looking up at Felix, who had pulled away from the kiss, I was shocked. Because Felix’s face looked like he was about to burst into tears. Completely panicked at this expression I had never seen before, I asked him.

“What’s wrong, Felix? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Flustered and at a loss for what to do, I touched his face. Then, Felix wrapped his arms around my body and tightly embraced me. Due to our height difference, my face naturally buried into his chest. Despite it being after training, Felix’s body exuded a sweet scent like honey. That scent, mixed with the smell of sweat, must be from the incense he burns on his uniform. A soothing, soft fragrance, so very Felix.

“I’m sorry, Takumi…”

“Felix?”