Assassins Pride - Volume 2 - Chapter 3

Assassin Pride Volume 2 Chapter 3
LESSON: III ～The end of the festival, or perhaps the beginning～
In the meeting hall the quickest to return to his sense was Kufa, at once he looked around the surrounding.

The three hundred Frideswide students, fifty D’Autriche students, and dozens lecturers……in the visible scope of each and every one of their face expressions, their eyesight were made to go around.

──Whose deed is this!?

The presented stained glass was without saying, not the work of the students. From the design it was a different thing, that delicate result was from a professional’s hand. The stained glass, which Melida’s group took a few weeks to work on, right now, had became broken into little pieces and was scattering from the side of the curtain.

Someone in this place must have done it. Yesterday, since Kufa had carried out the decoration by his own hand, he couldn’t be wrong. Inside the academy which had set up the《Chained Castle》, there was definitely no such people like a new visitor.

Breaking the stained glass which was carved in the rightful candidate students name『Shenfa Zwitoque』『Christa Shanson』, in return they had written the name『Angel』on the stained glass and switched it, whoever that was, they had to be in this meeting place.

──Just who in the world?

The completely in black slender silhouette came to mind, Kufa unknowingly bit his teeth. The culprit was, at this current situation which few hundreds of people were frozen in shock, without a doubt chuckling in her thoughts.

However, even if looking around the meeting place indiscriminately, the one with suspicious reaction couldn’t be found. That one was opening their mouth wide, and another one was opening their eyes big, everyone’s notice was on the stained glass. And the D’Autriche’s group gradually started to let out the commotion.

The one on the stage from the start, who let out her voice was St D’Autriche’s General Manager Neige Tolmenta. Frowning her eyebrows in puzzlement, the girl muttered to no one in particular.

「……Angel?」

At that voice, St Frideswide headmaster Blamage came back to her senses.

「M, miss Angel!」

As expected at the state which she couldn’t hide her shaking, she got called out from the group of students.

「Melida Angel! Elise Angel! Both of you. Come to the stage!」

Kufa reluctantly pushed Melida’s back. Walking as if she was clinging on his arm, the girl right now was, surely having her head in blank. Being taken by Rozetti and came forward, Elise too although having her hard to read expression, was in a state of unable to gasp the meaning of the situation.

As Melida, Elise of the Angel’s sister went up the stage, D’Autriche students’ commotion increased much more in density. Seems so, comparing to the leaders of both school and the preceding fiscal year《Luna》onee-sama, the first year with two years old growth differences looked even more like children.

D’Autriche’s leader, manager Neige’s noh mask was a little bent. As she looked down on Melida’s group which was standing face to face with her, she knitted her eyebrows as if being displeased by someone.

「I suppose Angel is from the knight duke family but, are these girls still in first years?」

「……」

Not only Melida’s group of two, even the headmaster couldn’t answer anything.

D’Autriche students too, had believed that Shenfa Zwitoque would no doubt participate in this year selection matches. And then originally, speaking of another candidate student, president Christa, right now was as if having her soul escaped from her body standing stock still dumbfounded. Looking at her, she was still grasping tightly the rope of the curtain which was obstructing the stained glass.

Manager Neige was as if didn’t got comprehended by the students, after she breathed a sigh, she turned to the students of D’Autriche.

「If that was the case, then D’Autriche side too will reconsider a bit about the candidate students. Originally it was planned to be me, but instead from our side will be first year too──Salasha-san, you will participate」

「Eh!?」

From inside the group with a jump of her body, for sure she was the little girl called Salasha. D’Autriche students around were as if to make her stand out naturally took a step back, the little girl called Salasha was, all at once exposed to the eyesight of more than three hundred people.

「I, I can’t, I , d, don’t  have confidence……」

As she swung her head many times, D’Autriche students around her severally encouraged her.

「It will be alright, if it were Salasha-sama then surely you can do it!」

「That’s right, if it were the first year then you are the best honor student!」

「……」

Rather than trying to cry, Salasha was having a bitter expression. Looking at her going up the stage as if being pushed by the back by her classmate, Kufa thought “I see”.

As if being endorsed as a candidate for Luna, while being first year the same as Melida and Elise, she was a beautiful girl whose future’s prospect could be felt. However, no matter how one looked she wasn’t cut out for standing out in front of people. She was raised carefully in a lockable jewelry box, with the atmosphere like that of a thumb sized ohime-sama.

Neige although having the noh mask, put her hand on Salasha’s shoulder and encouraged her.

「You are very capable you know. Because this is a good chance, remember about self-asserting」

「……I, if general manager had said so」

Seeing that more or less Salasha had nodded, Neige manager once again, turned back to her mother school’s students

「And the the second one, from the second years──Keira-san. Just as planned it’s your show time」

「Wha!」

From the student whose name was called, with a different nuance to Salasha, a surprised voice came out.

As if flaring up and leaned her body forward, it was a little girl who had mid-gender beautiful face. The alto voice, from someone who looked like little boy that had yet to break his voice, was resounding loudly through the glass hall.

「Wait a minute manager! If so then instead of me you are…………」

Saying till that, she held her tongue.

Once again looking on the stage, surely she had guessed. Already the three chosen candidates were all first year. Supposedly if manager Neige were to participate as the fourth member, then the third year, who got mixed inside the first year only contest, how she would be seen as from the outside, such was the thing she realized.

As Keira the girl student tightened up her lips, with loud sound of footsteps she walked forward. The moment she stepped up the stairs and entered a large number of people’s eye, from both Frideswide and D’Autriche students「Kyaaa!」cheers came up. Inside the cold atmosphere from here and there, ecstatic breaths were leaking out.

「Who is that? That gallant person!」

「That’s D’Autriche second year, Keira Espada-sama 」

「Is that the famous one being idolized with the nickname《Prince》!」

「In this year selection matches, that person is expected to be Shenfa-onee-sama’s rival……but even so…………」

Frideswide students’ chatter was, immediately pulled away just like a wave.

Inside the atmosphere that once again became stiffed, Keira lined up beside manager Neige and Salasha, somehow, she was sternly staring at Melida’s group which was standing face to face with her.

With the four candidates gathered on the platform’s stage, manager Neige took a peek at president Christa’s state. Supposedly having to carry on the ceremony, the girl, however, had yet to recover from the shock.

With no other ways, headmaster Blamange who was still keeping her composure, raised her voice.

「Next would be, the designating of pair for the candidates according to their fates. The detail would be informed later, but the paired student would together with the candidate, facing the mentioned trials. Because the trials would be very harsh, so a partner that had tied a strong bond……cho, choosing them would be wise right」

The reason the headmaster was a little hesitated was, needless to think.

To share the harsh fate together, a pair that tied a strong bond……such a one and only person, there was no way to just choose them in such an improvising way. Although Melida aimlessly looked at her classmates, but everyone was just awkwardly turned their gazes away.

After passing the previous semester’s public tournament, Melida finally got a certain position in the academy, but even so the ones called close friends whom to deepen social mingling or someone like that, at least Kufa didn’t know of one. If talking about the sole existence it would be Elise, but she was right now in the same position standing on the same stage as her.

The hopeless silence    continued, if leaving at that wouldn’t it continue to eternity? It made people think so even more. Kufa, who could no longer bear to look, without consent put his leg on the stairs

Before the other students whom were looking wondering what kind of business was it, he whispered into headmaster Blamange’s ears

「Headmaster, the trials are very dangerous, so I heard.  It might be harsh for the first years which didn’t prepare. Somehow, if the《followers》of the candidates were fine then……」

The headmaster was as if she was waiting for this proposal or something, in the middle of the speech she nodded many times.

「Very well! Then candidate Melida Angel’s pair is her follower Kufa Vampir. And for candidate Elise Angel’s pair, also her follower──Rozetti-sensei, could you please do it?」

「Eh, me……A, yes!」

With a jump, as if a balloon popping, Rozetti returned to her senses, puzzlingly she went up the stairs.

And just like that looking at the two that were standing beside Melida and Elise, from D’Autriche side Keira was about to say something. Holding back that girl nonchalantly, manager Neige stepped forward.

「Then, our side too will choose the pair.──Salasha-san’s pair would be me. Is that alright?」

「Ye, yes. Of course……」

Next manager Neige signaled the remaining candidate with a glance. Keira nodded back clearly, and turned back to D’Autriche’s student group.

「My pair is only you…………Pinya! Come!」

Kyaa! Once again the cheer came out. From the D’Autriche student group, perhaps suitable for the《Prince》, a showy girl stepped forward, and went up the stage.

Headmaster Blamange, who was being worried about something, nodded and carried on the ceremony.

「And thus furthermore, you will now choose two unit members that supports the candidates. As some may have noticed, unit members would become the fighting power of the candidates, and participate in the trials. Not only friendship, but status affinity, consider about organizing the unit……you have to choose the members wisely.」

As if having given up somewhat, with a sad gaze the headmaster looked at Melida’s group.

At this point Kufa’s group had finally be in a deadlock. Although as for the selection matches the responsibility would be less than a 《pair》, but for choosing members the difficulty would not have any big differences. Elise was in the same state too, exchanged glances meaninglessly with Rozetti and then sunk into silent.

And, at that moment, in the corner of the hall there was a figure of someone in a hurry.

The craven in apron maid, Elise’s president head maid, it was Mrs Othello. If looking to see what she was trying to do, she was grasping a group of two second year students from inside the clamoring Frideswide students, fervently kept on saying something.

After hearing it the second year group exchanged look with each other, and floated a smile as if a fox.

And then, inside the complete silent hall they raised their hands.

「Elise-sama’s unit member would be us!」

「Daisy June, as well as Pris Auguste, will participate as the Angel house’s servants!」

While being bathed in attentions the girls went up the stairs, triumphantly lined up beside Elise.

Seemingly perhaps Mrs Othello had offered some kind of deal to them. Surely if giving out the name of the knight duke family, the existed nobles who were lured in by the《reward》would not be small right.

In the corner of Kufa’s head, the thought that Othello would continue to fund Melida’s unit member for her, he was holding onto that unbelievable piece of small hope.

Of course it was a fantasy. Mrs Othello crossed her arm full of sense of superiority, at Melida and Kufa whom couldn’t do anything on the stage, she was appreciating it as if it were a famous picture of supreme bliss.

Keira from D’Autriche side was, as if had finally lost her patience, she stamped her feet.

「Have you been notified in advance?」

「……」

As expected Melida couldn’t do anything but to bit her lips in frustration.

Manager Neige was, looking at president Christa who didn’t even let out a few words since awhile ago, heaved a sigh as if being disappointed. In a state of reluctant, she opened her mouth.

「Perhaps, if right now it’s too hard to choose a member immediately──」

「I will!!」

Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted manager Neige’s speech.

All the people in the hall was looking at the owner of the voice all at once. The classmate around were opening their mouths blankly. Mrs Othello’s “Nya nya” smile was pulled in. However in this place the one who was most surprised, no doubt it would be Melida.

「Nerva……?」

Swinging her twintails chest nut colored hair, it was Nerva Martillo. After she went up the stair with vigor as fast as she could, just like challenging D’Autriche’s side she faced about.

「Because she is my……sisterhood (Blumen)」

And then, the moment D’Autriche side’s Keira was, as if being suppressed, pulled her body back.

「Then, the third unit member would be me」

Saying so she lined up beside Melida, at the figures of the girl students standing in the opposite to Nerva, everyone let out a voice as if screaming. Manager Neige’s noh mask was, for the first time lost its composure.

Lightly putting her palm on Melida’s shoulder, the one who was floating a bottomless elegant smile was, the third year from Frideswide who was admired by every student.

「Shenfa-sama……the former Luna, you are?」

「Is there any complain? I said it right,『The crown would soon return to us』」

「…………」

Manager Neige didn’t say anything more than that, and pulled back herself. However, the commotion in the hall hadn’t been settled.

「Shenfa-onee-sama is not the candidate, let alone not a pair, but only a unit member……!?」

As headmaster Blamange quickly raised her finger, but it took double the time than always for the chattering to become silent. Anyhow, with this Frideswide side’s members were complete.

Next would be the selection of unit member from D’Autriche side, over there it was fascinating to the degree of smooth, the students just answered the call and came forth.

All the member participating in the fiftieth Luna Lumiere Selection matches had went up the stage, finally manager Neige, as if pulling the thread of hope sent a gaze at president Christa.

Looking at the figure of the platinum blonde hung her head, manager Neige once again heaved a sigh.

Having no other choice, she instead called out to the students from both schools.

「This year candidates are very fresh and lively. Everyone, you will witness the very progress of gem polishing from ore. Please attend the voting with fair eyes. With our own hands, we will give birth to the next Luna Lumiere. As for the selection matches this time which should be memorialized, I hope we could make it become significant!」

†　†　†

「First of all, let’s get rid of what you are most wondering about」

Headmaster Blamange said with a somewhat heavy voice.

The location was the school building tower’s highest floor, the headmaster office. After the social party D’Autriche students ended without collapsing somehow, Melida and Elise were led to this place just like that.

Inside the room each educator Kufa and Rozetti were standing by at the back, moreover the original candidates for Luna Lumiere, Shenfa and president Christa’s figures were also there.

At the Angel sisters whom were having strained expression, the head master turned her small pupils toward.

「Miss Angel. The ones whom changed the stained glass, were those you two?」

「「No」」

Their two voice overlapped, after only looking at each other faces, Melida representatively answered.

「It wasn’t us」

「That’s a lie!!」

Shouting without a moment’s delay was president Christa. After the headmaster asked something, in addition expected what kind of answer Melida group would give, she had the atmosphere as if checking the time for the bomb to explode.

Towards the first years that were shrinking their shoulders, president Christa was just like a mad dog vigorously howled.

「Other than you then who else!! Are you perhaps that dissatisfied!? Let alone you being from the knight duke’s house, are you dissatisfied with me participating!」

「Christa, calm down a bit」

Although Shenfa softly got in between, but the vigor of the mad dog didn’t stop. At the very close to crying knight duke house sisters, she pointed her index finger as if piercing them.

「Elise-san, in the Circlet Night in the middle of the school break, you alone came with a different dress right. This time too you wanted a special treatment, didn’t you? If you made your name known with a surprise, then everyone would give their blessing in great joy, did you think so?」

「Christa, right now the headmaster-sensei is doing the talking you know」

「And then Melida, surely you had reminiscence about the public tournament the previous semester right. You couldn’t forget the cheer at that time, could you? Then if you greatly played an active role in the selection matches, once again you would be bathed in everyone’s cheer, am I right? Certainly it is, if you do that then no one could call you《Incompetent gifted girl》any──」

「Christa!! That’s enough!!」

Shenfa strongly shouted, finally president Christa shut her mouth.

Headmaster Blamange was, with a sad gaze, staring at the four students.

「Miss Shanson, no, Christa. I only wanted to hear directly from those two mouths their denial. That’s all」

「……」

President Christa bit her lips and kept silent. In the end although she wasn’t in the state of consent, but it probably wouldn’t be easy to make her satisfied. Once again the headmaster looked around everyone’s faces, then returned to the conversation.

「Anyhow, if this is not you two’s deed then this is a serious situation. That is someone planned to put Melida-san’s, Elise-san’s both names into the selection matches, and changed the stained glass without being noticed by anyone」

「Anou……」

At that point timidly, and seemingly uncomfortable, Rozetti raised her hand.

「About the culprit, isn’t it easy to find them? Since in that glass castle there are the gatekeepers, if we hear the story from them────Aa, is that no good」

While saying, she herself had also come to realize. The time when they went to school yesterday, and asked the glass Walkures, she must have remembered what kind of reaction they had given her.

The headmaster was too as if agreeing, nodded repeatedly with small movements many times.

「Yes, we teacher too had immediately went to hear the story from the glass pet inside the palace but……unfortunately they were not living being. As expected they couldn’t provide any function beyond being dolls. However connecting the fragmentary information we got from them, somehow yesterday evening, someone had infiltrated into the glassmond palace」

「Must be these two」

President Christa murmured with a sticky tone, Shenfa directed a stare as if to remonstrate her. Thinking that this wouldn’t make any progress, Kufa headed to the headmaster and asked.

「Couldn’t you choose the candidates again?」

At that moment, although president Christa flipped her face, the headmaster was still having that sad gaze.

「……That’s impossible. Let’s not do as we have originally planned, according to that revealing curtain, we had announced to D’Autriche side that miss Angels are Frideswide’s candidate. If after that we changed our mind, that means we had sent out fake names and deceived D’Autriche’s students, made a folly out of them, such figures we will become 」

Moreover, the headmaster, as if having a headache, pressed her temples.

「Even though it’s clever thinking, if the name of another student was engraved in the fake stained glass, then maybe we could explain once again somehow. However, both of you are《Angel》. If we changed our opinion here, we would be insulting D’Autriche girl institute, looking down on the tradition of Luna Lumiere, with those basics to use the name of the knight duke houses, it would be when we were made to stand on the worst conceivable situation. ──After that, this academy and us lecturers, moreover the students, could you imagine what would become of them?」

As he didn’t even want to imagine it, Kufa shook his neck with a gloomy expression.

The moment the curtain was unveiled, Kufa and Melida included, and most of the Frideswide students were like yelling『the stained glass is wrong!』. If that was the case then just before, promptly carrying out the ceremony the headmaster’s judgment was extreme “fine play”, for it to become like right now he couldn’t say he didn’t understand.

At that moment behind them, the headmaster office’s door was knocked.

The voice requesting to enter reached, the headmaster gave permission to them. Opening the door and enter, it was the three people of D’Autriche’s students. Leading them was general manager Neige, and then the little girls who would be participating in this time selection matches, Salasha and Keira.

「Although I have suppressed it, but the disturbance in the students is spreading」

Neige said that at the very beginning, still as if being displeasured she knitted her eyebrows.

「Headmaster, is this your plan to have pity on St. D’Autriche」

「Well, what are you implying Miss Tolmenta」

「About last year, while hosting the selection matches we were snatched of the title of Luna, are you pitying  us St D’Autriche? If we were selected as Luna disregarding the knight duke house, then you would feel satisfied with your doing, could it be that’s what you’re thinking?」

She cast a downward glance at Melida’s first year group. The headmaster stood up straight from her seat.

「That’s not it, Neige. Frideswide is seriously aiming for the two year successive crowning of Luna Lumiere. Surely both Miss Angel are first years, but they will show battles that are no inferior to the former candidates 」

「……If you said so then I’m looking forward to it」

After Neige returned a cold stare, she led the two candidates and turned their bodies.

Although it made one thought that they would leave like that, but once again she stopped in front of Shenfa. Still without turning her face, she said in a voice as if omitting her feeling.

「……Although I had looked forward to competing with you, what a shame」

Not waiting for a reply, once again she stepped forward. As the sound of footstep rang loud, exactly this time she left the room.

Silent fell, headmaster Blamange as if being tired lower her waist back on the chair.

「The conclusion is──」

Towards the office desk, everyone’s eyesight gathered.

「Since this time onward we couldn’t change anything. The fiftieth Luna Lumiere, the candidates from St. Frideswide girl academy are, Melida-san and Elise-san, you both」

「I had enough of this!!」

President Christa shouted with a shrill voice. She was plucking her beautiful platinum blonde hair. Shenfa was as if couldn’t bear to watch it, approached her.

「 Nee Christa, let’s return to our room? I’ll immerse you in warm tea」

「I am already third year!!」

Not listening to the soothing voice, president Christa shouted.

「I don’t have a next year! Even though this year selection matches is, the final chance I could……redeem to that person……, u, uu……!」

「Christa, nee, calm down」

「Stop it, don’t touch me! You are the only one who surely don’t understand my feeling!!」

Having her hand brushed off violently, Shenfa made a hurt face. With that sentence her heart was furthermore jarred, from Christa’s pupils large drops of tear spilled out.

Turning her face away, she dashed. While still couldn’t hide her weeping, she leaped out of the headmaster room.

Looking like trying to chase that back immediately, however, Shenfa’s legs didn’t move.

Was she thinking explanation was necessary, she turned her face to Melida’s group.

「Don’t think bad about her. That girl, she was the participant in last year selection matches.」

「Eh……?」

「As a pair of the last time candidate, St. Frideswide’s student council at that time, Mirei Istonic-senpai ne. However that girl, at the selection matches at the time, made an unbelievable blunder……. And because the result was that I was chosen as Luna, that girl said『Mirei-onee-sama didn’t become Luna is my fault』, severely condemned herself」

Slowly she approached, the third year girl placed her hands on Melida’s and Elise’s shoulders.

「So surely that girl, in this year selection matches, I think she wanted to become Luna, and go to Mirei-onee-sama to apologize. Because of that she was desperate.──Truly she wasn’t thinking it was your action. Won’t you forgive her?」

「No, such thing, we are……」

Toward Melida’s group who were casting their eyes down, Shenfa directed a smile like an adult of many years older.

And then she gently turned her body, chased after president Christa and left the headmaster room.

†　†　†

「Miss ojou-sama, I had discussed with Rozetti-san but……」

As the loved one’s calm voice could be heard, Melida who was in a daze returned to her senses.

After being pressed to exit the room by the headmaster-sensei, the sisters and home tutors were on the way to return to the dormitory. What happened until now, what will happen from now on, Melida, who was having her head burst from thinking, perhaps couldn’t stop her feet if Kufa hadn’t approached her shoulder with his hand.

He, after exchanging eyesight with Elise’s home tutor Rozetti, continued.

「From this night onward for the room arrangement, how about we stayed in separate two-two room?」

「Eh……?」

「Melida-ojou-sama with me, Elise-sama with Rozetti-san, stay in the same room like that.  If from now on, when some kind of accident happened in the selection matches……um」

After he shut his mouth as if looking for words, he dropped a sigh as if having given up.

「……I think it would be better if we have a concrete alibi」

「Well, well, well! That’s a very good idea!」

The one answer was not Melida, and also not Elise.

Before one knew, Elise’s residence head maid Mrs Othello came to greet them. Without caring for their feeling or anything, she was overreacting more than usual.

「I too also feel that’s good! Main house is main house, branch house is branch house, to properly distinct them is the right way as thing should be. Right, both public and private! Oo!」

「Although I don’t understand what are you saying, but let’s do it」

Just as it was troublesome to listen, Kufa returned a crude answer.

After that all four people and one person returned to the dormitory tower, made a round trip to their each used rooms from last night and switched luggage. Elise until the end didn’t want to be separated from Melida, but after hearing Rozetti pacified 「It will only be sleeping time」 she reluctantly nodded.

On the parting, overall as if receiving vitality from the young ones’ bad luck Mrs Othello was, while still supporting her hand on Elise’s shoulders, let out her voice.

「What you did were really skillful, Melida-sama」

「Eh?」

「How did you changed the stained glass, after this please secretly teach me. The skill of the main house, certainly it’s something I eagerly want to see」

「It wasn’t me」

Melida was, having no persuasive power in her own words, became even sadder.

「Somehow──」

Mrs Othello was in good shape, and tried to pour her second, third word. However just before this, Kufa whom was standing behind Melida let out a chilling voice as if freezing.

「Leave it at that」

「Hii……」

Mrs Othello was for a moment, trembled violently from the bottom of her heart, which Melida also understood. From Melida’s point of view she couldn’t see Kufa’s expression. However, it was deep voice to the extent she haven’t heard it before.

Looking at everyone who was keeping silent, Melida opened her mouth as if not minding it.

「Ano, Othello-san. Perhaps if I could leave a better result than Elise in the selection matches, would you approve of us joining as a unit?」

「……Ha?」

Othello was as if playing stupid looked down at her, and next she「Haha!」smiled broadly.

「People from the main house are good at joking!」

The loud laughter echoed across the dormitory tower where the other students were quietly sleeping, Mrs Othello left for her own room. Of course, her hand was tightly dragging Elise away, the face of the sister who was reluctant to part was rapidly becoming far away. Being awkwardly reciprocated by the eye, Rozetti eventually lightly lowered her head and turned her body away.

At the completely dark hallway, Melida stood stock still. Even though she wasn’t cold, also wasn’t scared, both of her hands and feet were numb and trembling. Kufa gently came to her and put his hand on her shoulder, 「Let’s go back」he softly he said.

That evening, Melida was treated to dinner by Kufa, after she only gulped down two, three mouthful, she decided to take the shower tomorrow morning and quickly crawled into bed.

However, no matter how hard she closed her eyelids, her body completely didn’t go to sleep.

On the completely dark ceiling, she could see the name 『Angel』carved on the stained glass and floating. The unbearable atmosphere at the meeting party was being brought back. President Christa’s voice in tears was, many many times torturing Melida hardly.

「……」

Having no feeling of sleepy, Melida raised her upper half body.

On the opposite bed, Kufa was facing his back and falling in sleep. Somehow shaking off the temptation to slip into his futon, as Melida put on the gown over her negligee, she exited the room with a lantern on her hand.

The time to turn off the light had long passed, and to the longue which no one was there, she came. To be able to be on her own like this felt so much at ease, she had never thought of it before when she was being a drop out. At least before, it was because she wanted everyone in school to recognize her with all her might.’

But even so, something like wanting to kick someone down to achieve the seat of Luna Lumiere, Melida hadn’t thought of it.

But then who was it? The one that made Melida and Elise join the selection matches, who the head master called 《Culprit》, just what in the world they were aiming for……..?

「Good evening」

At that moment, suddenly a voice called out

The result which Melida wasn’t surprised that much was because, that voice resonated too clearly, and kept its calmness. The feeling was like a chance meeting with a fairy whom only show her figure in the dead of night.

At the entrance of the lounge, there was the figure of a girl in negligee. Reminding people of the black quartz, her black hair had a sense of translucence. It was the second time they met face to face, Melida immediately remembered.

「Ah……you’re from D’Autriche」

「Thank you for the wonderful glasswork at the party, Melida-chan」

As the one of those in charge of welcoming, Melida had given the self-made medal to the black hair D’Autriche’s student. After meeting face to face in this silent and dark atmosphere, Melida could see that her mature smiled looked even more lustrous.

The girl, whom even though didn’t carry a lantern, approached with gait works as if bouncing. With her hand joined behind she danced, with voice as if singing she asked.

「Nee, originally your candidates were not Melida-chan’s group right?」

「Eh?」

「I understood when I saw the atmosphere in the opening ceremony. In any case, don’t you think the way the stained glass was swapped is very skillful?」

「It wasn’t me」

As Melida answered, the black hair girl acted surprised just like an actress.

「I, have not said a word about Melida-chan was the one who did it right?」

「……」

「Perhaps you’re not in the mood to chat right now?」

As Melida bit her lips, the black hair girl was as if taking it into consideration, turned her body.

「I’ll come to meet you again. In the selection matches, do your best. I’m rooting for you.」

At the girl who couldn’t even answer, the black quartz figure turned to the entrance of the lounge, and disappeared. In the end in a way as if she was truly a fairy or something, the girl left in a blink of an eye.

After Melida breathed out a deep sigh, once again a voice resounded.

「Ojou-sama」

Next, from the sky above the balcony a human figure came flying. Melida was surprised this time.

「Sensei. Sin, since when you were there?」

「I’m very sorry. I planned to not let out my voice but」

「Sin, since the beginning?……」

Somehow, it seemed like she had been watched over since the stage of exiting the room. Looking like she had made him worried.

As Melida exited to the balcony, Kufa directed his eyesight towards the entrance of the lounge.

「Who was that just now?」

「Eeto, seems like a student from D’Autriche. Speaking about it, I haven’t asked for her name」

「Is that so……」

Kufa, whom slightly squinted his eyes, while staring at the darkness thought deep about something.

That moment, Melida, who looked up at his face, had finally couldn’t hold her emotion anymore.

In the chest of Kufa, who was wearing a white shirt, from in front she slowly came and embraced it.

「Ojou-sama?」

「It wasn’t me……」

From his chest the muttering voice could be heard, Kufa’s pupils suddenly shook.

While clutching Kufa’s chest, Melida was shedding tears.

「It wasn’t me. I didn’t change it. The stained glass that everyone put all their strength in to make, I didn’t do something like destroying it. But even so, everyone said it was my fault! Everyone, everyone said it was my bad! Even though I did nothing wrong!!」

「Ojou-sama」

Kufa was “Gyuu” with strong force, he hold Melida tight.

While pressing his lips against her hair which was like a gold work, he persuaded.

「Even if the whole world doubts you, I alone will be your ally」

「Sensei……!」

「Therefore believe in me Ojou-sama. For I, believe in you」

In the dormitory tower with most of the light shed. Inside the darkness that seemed like crushing.

Just like the sole drop of a lonely shining star, Kufa continued to embrace Melida no matter what.

While feeling her warm, inside Kufa’s chest he sharpened his decision.

Melida’s each and every drop of tears valued more than diamond to him. To make this ojou-sama sad was a very heavy sin ──

Without fail, I’ll make you receive the punishment! True culprit (Madea)!