"I'm sorry I pushed you."
In the reception room where I was admitted, I apologized first to Rufus for having welcomed me.
"No, don't worry. I'm glad to see you, too."
Rufus answers with a smile and encourages me to sit down.
"Thank you."
He sat down on the couch opposite Rufus at the King's Capital residence of the Duke of Avalon.
I've been wanting to hear from Rufus before, but we were busy and unscheduled. Just before the social season, before I got really busy, I finally had a visit today.
Normally Rufus is packed in the Knight's quarters of the Imperial Castle, so it's hard to see him in private. The nature of each other's eyes is also an idea at times like this.
I've opened up my friendship with Roxanne, and even if I found out about Rufus's friendship, it's no particular inconvenience, but today's business was a secret.
That's why it's about the Japanese girl Yuka.
Five months after he was summoned, the exchange of letters with Isaac gave me a good deal of information, but it wasn't like a report, so I wanted to hear something more familiar. So I decided to ask Rufus, who I occasionally deal with on security. I can't go directly to Troy.
I let the maid who prepared the tea down, and it was completely just the two of us, so I quickly got to the point.
First of all, the status quo of Euka.
At present, I am learning the necessary knowledge to live in this country in the most guarded Royal Castle rooms. Sometimes I asked Isaac to help me, and he seems to be under house arrest and being treated like a polite guest, so first of all, I'm relieved.
"Looks like you've gotten used to it a lot. Sometimes the person is positive and has a good relationship with the caregiver because it is kind. When I first started, I couldn't help but talk to our guards."
"Well, at that age, it can't be helped. I don't think there's any concept of job responsibility or status."
I laughed bitterly at Rufus's impression. Well, if the escort asks for a friendly conversation, SP will certainly be in trouble.
"What's the word?
"I have Troy's instruction and, above all, I am keen to learn, so in a word, I am able to communicate a lot of intentions."
"That's amazing. How does it look?"
"Do you feel energetic, bright and motivated to do anything?"
……
She sighed unintentionally.
"What's the problem?
I can't say that's too good.
Neither my own experience nor my experience as a teacher seems favorable.
"Too good for you. I guess I'm in a state where I'm getting myself into trouble by working on what's in front of me now. I'm getting more and more stressed now. If you keep your emotions down too much, you'll gradually get stronger later."
If I could be a friend, it would be a little different.
"How's Troy?
"It's unusual, it feels like you're at a distance. Light as usual, but somewhere administrative....."
"... oh, did I make you squeeze? You did something wrong....."
I held my head unexpectedly. That's right. Like I'm tracing my own conflicts, you might think I'm a Troy. Not to mention showing her anguish in front of her.
But I couldn't think of any other way.
"Somehow, it's Gudagda...."
Unusual, a little self-loathing. Rufus looks at me like that.
"Okay? Do you have something to ask me?
That's exactly what I'm asking you, and I'm not going to do it with you.
"Why were you so angry when that girl showed up?
Rufus stared straight at me. The answer was already in his eyes.
"You already know that, don't you?
After a while, Rufus nods.
"The day I first met Dr. Zachariah, Troy said happy. My teacher is just like me. [M] Troy is now recognized as a reincarnated girl... from the same country as Yuka.... that's why..."
Yeah, that's right.
Allow students to round their answers.
"When I saw her, I looked at my old self. I was asexually angry with the guy who made me see him. Even though I speak Japanese, I was forced to take care of Troy because I wasn't sure I could stand it."
Rufus smiled gently at me, mocking himself.
"You've changed a lot."
"--I 'm thinking of changing...."
As a result, I sometimes struggle to be swayed by excessive emotions. Still, unlike before, I can feel very alive, so I think I'm going to stay like this.
"I've always thought of you as a human being apart from God. I'm a completely different dimension of race. The impression of childhood was too strong. It's a ridiculous idea to look at you right in front of you."
"Disappointed?
"No, you're much better now.... I feel so jealous about the person who changed my teacher."
"Didn't you ask me for a teacher?
"I'm not a child who always depends on a teacher. You don't have to treat me like a student anymore. I want you to be like you now."
Rufus answers thoughtfully and feels that the moya in his heart is a little clearer. People grow, even though their nature doesn't change. Rufus, who was that little kid, is now encouraging me to be a fine young man.
I stopped trying to drink tea with joy. Return to the saucer with no mouth.
"What's the matter?
"This is a brandy."
"Oh, I remember that I liked it before, but is it different now? Then let me change it right away."
Rufus immediately calls for instructions. The tea in front of me was quickly replaced by something ordinary.
Even so, you remember well. At that time, it was probably because it was a brandy tea sale if it wasn't bad.
"I'm sorry. Thank you for discovering that my alcohol isn't good at all. In front of Chiaran and Noah, I showed them a terrible scandal."
"--I 'm interested in your ugliness..."
"I just made the teenager blush... and I was strictly ordered not to drink it outside my home."
"... I see."
Rufus did not pursue it any further. A sophisticated, uninteresting expression that feels relieved.
"I've seen you before, and I've noticed that it was Prince Chiaran who changed Gladys."
"Ah... if you ask me, I'm sure that's what triggered it. At that time, ten of those kids did it to me."
I remembered and smiled unexpectedly.
Party at the awards ceremony. Until that day, there was no shaking of emotions, but I just lived on the spot. When I think about it, I was able to cry back then, so I have what I am now. I don't dislike myself changing little by little. There's a lot of confusion.
"I was made to cry. You can't believe it."
"--I knew you'd be jealous."
"What? By now, you're starting to want to dictate?
In a light joke, Rufus looked in trouble.
"That's not how it works. I'm sorry."
Negative, as expected, but unfortunately?
"Actually, I'm going to be a combat instructor at Balfour Academy two days a week from next year."
"Oh, you're going to be a teacher!?
"That's what it is. Probably going to stay in King's Landing for a few years."
Then you're the teacher and I'm the student.
I accidentally laughed. When I entered school, I assumed that there would be a teacher in the teaching team, but I don't think so, Rufus.
Well then, I can't help the teacher. Dr. Rufus. "
"Yes, I'm sorry. If you leave or are free until graduation, I will try again. I'd be happy if you could wait."
"... you don't know how serious you really are."
"I'm pretty much always serious and serious."
Yeah, I know that, right?
I recalled the declaration that I was no longer a student and that I was not Max's brother.
But as long as my heart doesn't move, it can't be helped if the hot season comes. Cat, pig, pearl, treasure. The heroine in the story of the old fascination always made sense to good-looking people, so whoever it was, he was always looking for it. Split that gene a little bit, seriously.
Well, think about it when you're actually challenged. There are a lot of other things to think about.