[Elmer]

“Entrance exam?”

“That is correct. Would you like to take the entrance exam of the school we mentioned previously?”

I want to go to school. I nodded to Matthias as we once again came over to the Imperial Capital.

The place we’ll stay at is of course, the West Vern House’s Villa in the Imperial Capital.

As one would expect, it is smaller than the main residence, I think. I feel like my senses greatly dulled. I was guided to a room which is bigger than any house I ever saw and after spending some time inside the room, I was called for dinner.

I reached the dining room through a hallway with an atmosphere somehow resembling the main residence’s. Other than Matthias beside me, there isn’t anyone around me yet.

No, I haven’t encountered other people in the mansion aside from the servants.

Matthias pulled out my seat and then the both of us waited for the meal.

“Pardon me for making you wait.”

There was a dish placed in front of me and then, I realized it! My hand that I’ve stretched out to take the spoon stopped.

Wait a moment.

I turned my head with a *gigigi* sound similar to a broken doll.

I don’t want to look, but I want to confirm it.

“Is something the matter?”

I knew it!

The person standing behind me is unmistakably, Richard-san.

“It’s nothing…”

I looked ahead immediately again and calmed myself.

He should’ve seen me off but why is he here!? Is he a twin?

Didn’t Matthias taught me about it before? Don’t think about it, I’ll just be defeated if I think about Richard-san.

Still, how…

However, my thoughts were interrupted when I noticed the entrance another person.

“Welcome home, Matthias.”

I was startled the moment I saw that scene, then I stared thoroughly at Matthias who’s sitting beside me.

“Please stop it.”

The woman I’ve never seen before is hugging Matthias! M-m-ma… Matthias is involved with a woman!!

I think I’m not supposed to look and should just continue eating, but I can’t take my eyes off them.

“Really, please stop. That appearance, there might be something a little more…”

“I just came back from an evening party so there’s nothing I can do about it, don’t you think so?”

Is she his girlfriend? She’s in this house so could that mean she’s a live-in partner!?

They’re extremely close so perhaps they’re married, and I just wasn’t told about it.

I continued observing them quietly. She’s beautiful, and I feel like she looks a little similar to Lucsher-san. Even her clothes is similar to Lucsher, too…

No way! I didn’t realized what I should have been aware of.

“El-sama!?”

“I’m sorry, it doesn’t seem like I’m as hungry as I thought.”

I, whose appet.i.te completely faded from the realization that Matthias has an Oedipus Complex, slowly stood from my seat.

[Note: Oedipus Complex (マザコン mazacon – mother complex) from the Greek story Oedipus Rex, about how Oedipus killed his father then married his mother and even had children with her.]

I’ll just return to my room today. It seems like it would be better to rea.s.sess several things.

Matthias stood stock still from being unable to stop El who didn’t even made eye contact with him.

“Could it be that I’m now hated by El because of Elder Brother!? He must have thought that I still like Elder Brother even though I’m matured enough. Ah, how could you do this…”

“Isn’t it fine? Even so, he’s really beautiful. I’m satisfied.”

When the woman carelessly pulled her hair, it slipped. What came into view is the real hair color. Red hair completely identical to Matthias, moreover it’s a beautiful long hair.

“You better not! Please stop thinking about making a pa.s.s on El!”

The situation is just a bit of serious.

And then, the day of the entrance exam came.

To go to the academy, Matthias and I walked through the town. I was asked if I wanted a carriage to the academy but I declined because I wanted to personally see the town.

“El-sama, shall we buy the essentials you’ll need in the academy on the way home after the entrance exam? If you want to go home it’s fine, but there’s no loss in looking at the Imperial Capital’s shops just once.”

I want to see the shops by all means. In contrast to Matthias’ smile, I showed an awkward smile as I said this.

“I don’t know whether I’ll pa.s.s the entrance exam…”

It’s just before the exam. I wasn’t able to sleep properly last night due to nervousness. It’s been a while since I’ve taken a test so my legs are shaking. I won’t be able to face the people in the West Vern House if I fail. Moreover, he asked me to go shopping with the a.s.sumption that I’ll pa.s.s.

I know you don’t mean any harm, but please stop pressuring me further!

“What are you saying? El-sama is a genius.”

Matthias said that with no worries whatsoever so I was taken aback.

“But Leon said I’m stupid…”

And then after that no one spoke to me about studying anymore. It’s as if the word ‘study’ became a taboo in front of me.

I’m sure everyone gave up on me.

“Leont did? Is it alright for me to hear about that story in detail?”

Matthias stopped walking and asked me that with a pleasant smile.

I expected it to be the same as the smile a while ago but there’s clearly no laughter in Matthias’ eyes. I forgot about my nervousness from before and nodded at him.

“Has it become clear to you now?”

“I, I got it.”

Matthias asked me for the confirmation in front of the school. Since then, he had by far explained to me that I’m not stupid until we arrived here, and that I somehow misunderstood Leont’s words.

In the end, I still didn’t understand what that ‘stupid!’ meant. Even if I disregard Matthias’ compliments it seems that I’ll be fine in the entrance exam. Needless to say, I felt relief the same time I felt an urge to kill Leont when I heard that.

“I will come back to pick you up. El-sama, please work hard. Or rather, there is no need for El-sama to work hard. Being relaxed is the best way… however…”

“I’ll do my best!”

If I’ll continue listening to him, at this rate I’ll be late for the exam.

I waved slightly to Matthias and set foot inside the academy.

It’s so s.p.a.cious that I can’t think of it as a school. I don’t know where it’s cla.s.s hours or a holiday but there’s no one around at all.

Therefore, I got lost again. Though I entered the building, I don’t know the location of the staff room.

I should have more than enough time but since I’ve lost my way, I don’t have time to be easygoing.

What should I do?

Calm down. It’s a school so there should be somebody somewhere.

Moreover… my guide might happen to be a kid in the same cla.s.s, so I can perhaps have my first friend.

I know I’m just escaping reality from this situation that had me driven to the corner.

While I wandered around aimlessly, I heard a clattering sound.

… I’m saved! Wait for me! The person who will become my first friend!

I faced towards that metallic clacking sound and started running.