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"It seems they skipped class again today?"
Sylphiette, sitting gracefully at the small round table, held her teacup with practiced elegance, though her expression betrayed a hint of awkwardness.
"...It appears so, Madam."
Meanwhile, Rudeus—who was visiting Hilda's tea room for the first time—stared out the window with a look of utter disbelief.
Through the rain-streaked glass, he could clearly make out two familiar figures on the opposite rooftop.
The habitual class-skippers: Allen and Eris.
Rudeus and Sylphiette had been intercepted by the cat-eared maid, the beast maid, on their way upstairs and invited to this tea room at the top floor. Initially hesitant—mortified at being "caught" by the Boreas matriarch for his apparent failure as a tutor—Rudeus had no choice but to follow when Sylphie obediently trailed after the beast maid without protest.
And now, here he was.
Witnessing this utterly ridiculous scene.
Even through the heavy rain, he could see Eris arching her back dramatically, hands buried in her hair as she performed the "Boreas Family's Special Request" on Allen.
He recognized it immediately.
The memory was seared into his brain.
Months ago, during a swordsmanship lesson, he'd first seen Eris strike this pose at Allen and nearly short-circuited on the spot.
Since when could that tyrannical young lady be this cute?!
It was like watching Star Platinum meow. Absolutely unnatural!
Back then, he'd shot to his feet, ready to protest this absurdity—only to be instantly silenced by Allen's two-part response:
First, a bizarrely enunciated phrase— "I... grass?" ("I" as in the pronoun, "grass" as in the plant outside.)
Complete nonsense.
Before Rudeus could demand an explanation, Allen delivered the second line with perfect clarity: "Do it again!"
Rudeus had spent the entire lesson in mute shock.
Just like right now.
Through the window, he watched Allen cross his arms, seemingly lecturing Eris with stern resolve.
Yet after Eris cycled through a few more "cute" poses...
They lapsed into a long, silent stare-off.
Then—
Allen wordlessly drew his sword and began demonstrating a technique.
So much for "Allen will bring her back."
Rudeus whipped his head toward Sylphiette, who—avoiding his accusatory gaze—sipped her tea with practiced nonchalance.
She'd seen this countless times already.
The realization hit him: This was why she'd been so calm this morning.
All those times Hilda invited her for "morning tea" over the past months—she'd been watching this farce on repeat!
While he, the actual arithmetic and literacy tutor, remained clueless!
Hilda, observing Allen's inevitable surrender to Eris's tactics, smiled faintly before turning to Rudeus.
"My apologies for the trouble, Rudeus."
Rudeus stiffened, instinctively bowing. "N-no, Madam! The fault is mine—"
"No, I allowed this deliberately. Sylphiette initially suggested intervening, but..." Hilda's gaze drifted back to the window. "Somehow, seeing them like this brings me joy. So I told her to let them be."
"Eris has always despised reading and arithmetic. There's plenty of time—let her enjoy this respite. Besides, it's rare for her to cling to anyone outside our beastfolk kin... especially a human like Allen."
Rudeus's mouth opened helplessly. "B-but Madam... the rooftop is dangerous—"
"Ghyslaine assured me that with Allen, Eris is safer there than on solid ground. Something about his 'Four-Limbed Form'—a North God technique that lets him move on rooftops as easily as on land."
Dumbfounded, Rudeus glanced between the window and Hilda's serene expression before slumping into his chair.
"...Very well."
He picked up his teacup, mirroring Sylphiette's posture.
If the family matriarch wasn't concerned, who was he to object?
Still...
Staring at his rippling tea, he wondered: Was seven straight days of lessons too harsh for Eris? Maybe an extra rest day would improve her focus...
Silence settled over the group.
Hilda watched the siblings through the rain.
Her tea was refilled again and again by the beast maid.
——
Tea couldn't fill stomachs.
Despite the exquisite pastries, Rudeus left Hilda's tea room an hour later with a growling belly. After tutoring Ghyslaine briefly, they headed to the dining hall.
Seated by a window, Rudeus finally felt satiated halfway through his meal. Noticing Sylphie's pensive expression—present since morning—he slowed his eating and mumbled through a mouthful of bread:
"Guess you were right, Sylphie."
She blinked up at him.
Avoiding eye contact, Rudeus tore at his bread's crispy crust. "About six months ago... when I suggested we both help Allen. Seems he's adjusted on his own now."
"So your judgment was correct."
Sylphiette lowered her gaze. After a pause, she murmured:
"...No, it wasn't."
"Huh? What do you mean? Everything's fine now, right? Ghyslaine said Allen's 'Soundless Sword' has returned to its peak."
"Are you being obtuse on purpose?"
"Wha—?"
"Ghyslaine also said his technique only recovered through accumulated skill—not because his stagnant 'desire' improved."
Rudeus swallowed his bread and set it down.
His expression sobered as he met Sylphie's eyes.
"Then why aren't you worried?"
She stirred her soup absently. "I am trying."
"Really?"
Sylphiette's lashes fluttered—Roxy's handwritten advice flashing in her mind. She looked up, unwavering.
"But now... I need to take direct action to help him."
Rudeus stared at her resolute face—then slammed his hands on the table, eyes blazing.
"You finally get it?!"
Sylphie jolted, but before she could react, he sprang to his feet, gesturing wildly with absolute conviction:
"Tonight. Go to his room."
"Wear that moon-white dress he loves—no, the one he adores. Don't forget the garter stockings from the beast maid or those black pumps Hilda gave you."
He tapped his chin, then gasped, striking his fist into his palm:
"The cat-eared pajamas! The ones Hilda gifted you but you've never worn in front of her! They have ears, right? I know I saw them!"
"Double the impact!"
"One night—no, the moment he sees you—his spirit will reignite!"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 230 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 75 power stones I will publish the next chapter.