“Weiss… L-likes me…!”
Sieglinde yells way too loudly, considering we’re waiting for the ceremony to start, and her voice echoes throughout the entire auditorium.
The whole place falls silent, as everyone’s attention is on us, mostly on Sieglinde.
“…”
“…”
“…Uu…”
Sieglinde awkwardly faces down, probably sensing the accusing eyes coming from Medici and me.
“…Sorry.”
Her usual imposing aura is nowhere to be seen. I almost never see her looking so small, so I make sure to burn that and her going ‘kyuu’ into my memory.
“Daddy.”
That breaks the silence, and the noise around us returns. Ririi continues speaking while tilting her head in confusion.
“Daddy, you like mommy?”
We aren’t the center of attention anymore, but I still feel people around us listening in on our conversation.
An official of the ministry of magic like Sieglinde is always going to attract people’s attention, and I’m sure people want to learn more about someone who looks as straight-laced as Sieglinde actually being married and having a child. Even if said child is a different race, and clearly not her biological daughter.
Everyone here is either Ririi’s classmate or their parents, so all people that are going to be involved with her for a long time. I absolutely don’t want them to leave thinking anything that might reflect negatively on her.
That means there’s only one possible response.
“Of course I love her. Daddy and mommy are married, right?”
“~~~~…”
For some reason, that makes Ririi excited enough to jump on her chair. I’m taken aback by a reaction I didn’t expect, and Sieglinde…
“…Kyu.”
Lets out that small cry. When did you turn into Beary?
Medici looks at us with an iffy expression, until she eventually lets out a small sigh and shrugs.
“Yes yes, thank you very much for all that. I think I understand your relationship perfectly. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this, but as the parent of a classmate, I wish you luck.”
Medici says before turning forward again. I tell her ‘you too’, and then look at the kid sitting next to her.
“…”
This girl was sitting there, well behaved and facing forward the whole time we were talking, and her robe… Is made of angel bear.
“…Sieglinde.”
Sieglinde, who is still facing down with her face completely red, fearfully raises her head.
I point to the angel bear robe with my chin, and Sieglinde’s expression quickly turns serious as she nods.
…According to her, someone demanded that the ministry of magic make that robe. I don’t have a problem with Medici on a personal level, but a family that can do something like that sounds like nothing but bad news to me. I hope that girl doesn’t end up in the same class as Ririi.
◆
For some reason, the world likes to make sure that any bad hunches I have turn out to be true. And seeing Medici here in the classroom means this time was no exception.
“Who would have thought they would end up in the same class? I hope we can all get along, Weiss.”
“…Sure.”
I feel Medici’s eyes on me as she smiles boldly, and as I look at Ririi, who is sitting up ahead.
The other students also show the restlessness that you’d expect from their age, but Ririi is even more restless as she looks all over the room.
Please settle down… And then, Ririi turns around as though she actually heard me say that in my mind.
“Daddy!”
She says as she waves at me. I give her a little wave back, and she looks happy enough with that, as she goes back to looking all over the room. I guess my prayers didn’t reach her at all.
“Cute girl.”
“And her hair has a rare color for an elf.”
“Is she Sieglinde’s girl?”
Parents around me are whispering about her. Being in the center of this gossip feels more awkward than she expected, so Sieglinde is standing in a corner with a vacant expression on her face, looking like a stone statue. She looks like she wants to run out of here as soon as possible.
The school entrance ceremony is over, so all that’s left is for us to meet the teacher here in the classroom, and then there’s just the optional after-party. She’s not used to any of this, so I’m sure she’s tired and really wants this to end as soon as possible.
…That reminds me, whatever happened to Kaya? Things just naturally progressed in a way that we ended up leaving her in the entrance, but did she manage to convince people she’s with the ministry of magic?
I don’t think her words hold much weight as long as Sieglinde is tied up here, but if she ends up being dragged to the ministry of magic, either Sieglinde or I are going to have to go get her.
“I just hope there isn’t any trouble…”
And I hope my prayer is answered this time.
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