“Ho! Tah!”
“Kyu.”
Ririi throws a berry that rolls on the rug, and Beary chases and eats it.
“Here it goes!”
“Kyu!”
Throw, chase, eat. Throw, chase, eat.
This keeps repeating without either one showing signs of getting bored. I’m glad they’re having fun, but I’m also worried that she’s going to use up all the berries that were supposed to be for the slime. I don’t think Beary’s stomach is going to be full any time soon.
“…Let’s hear it then.”
Asks Sieglinde, bringing her eyes back to me after watching the girl and the bear on the side. Part of it is because Miss Esmeralda’s involved, but there isn’t a hint of a smile on her face.
…Well, that’s how she always is anyway.
One day, I’d really like to see her smile from the bottom of her heart.
“Hum, remember when we were underclassmen and we were taken to the forest? And the lesson was to take down slime?”
We were in different classes at the time, but I’m pretty sure everyone did that at some point. I figure someone with a good memory like her would remember, and sure enough, she nods like it’s obvious. It’s like I asked her what she had for dinner last night.
“It was an extracurricular activity in the third year, and the first time I took down a monster… It’s nostalgic.”
She squints, as she thinks back to distant memories… Completely unaware of what I’m about to drop on her.
“Ririi had a lesson in the forest too.”
“…Ah?”
She glares at me like she doesn’t know what I’m on about. Don’t glare at me, glare at Miss Esmeralda.
“They went there today, the whole class… Ririi, did you have fun in the forest?”
She notices I’m calling her, and comes running with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Yes! Hum, Ririh caught a bouncy! Like this, bateh!”
She says while diving on the couch. I already heard she caught it, but apparently she was pretty rough too… I should check if she didn’t rip her clothes.
“I-I see… Thanks Ririi.”
Sieglinde whispers with her face turning pale, likely realizing how serious it is.
“You’re welcome.”
“It sounds like Miss Esmeralda didn’t change a bit from when she was our teacher…”
“Well, it’s kinda nostalgic at least.”
Sadly for her, Sieglinde can’t afford to just immerse herself in that nostalgia. If anything happens, it’s the ministry of magic that’s going to be held responsible.
“…If I remember correctly, you need to get permission from parents or guardians of underclassmen before taking them outside the capital. Did she do that, Weiss?”
“Nope. I only know about it because Ririi told me.”
“Ahh… I hope I don’t hear about this tomorrow…”
“I think it’ll be fine. I don’t think a lot of people can go up against Miss Esmeralda’s name here in the capital. And then there’s you too.”
Filing a complaint against the ministry of magic basically means fighting the assistant director, who is the only daughter of the family that represents the capital itself, Sieglinde Floyd.
I don’t think a lot of people have that kind of bravery.
…Thinking about it that way, it’s pretty scary that someone like Sieglinde, who already has so much power, is the number one candidate to lead the ministry of magic.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the finances and politics of the capital are on the palm of her hand. I’m sure she doesn’t think about that at all, but I do.
“I hope you’re right… No, I think it’s fair to criticize her. I mean, the school exposed kids to danger.”
“I don’t think there was ever any danger. The forest itself isn’t dangerous, and Miss Esmeralda was there too.”
“I guess… But I don’t think all the parents are going to see it that way.”
Sieglinde lets out a big sigh, and leans back on the couch, which is rare for her.
…Really rare. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her use the back of a couch or a chair, and that includes our school years. I thought her back was permanently straight, but I guess she’s built the same as me.
…Sorry Sieglinde, but that’s only half of it. We’re only really getting started.
“I know you’re already tired, but there’s more. The reason why we were collecting berries.”
“…That’s right. What was that about?”
Sieglinde asks while moving just her eyes, like moving her head is too much of a hassle. Please, brace yourself.
“Apparently Ririi’s class is keeping a slime as a pet. The berries are to feed it.”
Sieglinde puts her head on the edge of the sofa and looks up. I get it. Who ever heard of a class keeping a monster as a pet? If Ririi wasn’t here, she’d probably be letting out a huge sigh.
“…Weiss.”
My skin tingles as she calls out my name with a strangely deep voice.
“What…?
“…Do you have alcohol? I really feel like drinking.”
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