Final Exam Results Announcement (Second Year, First Term)

“Well then, first, let’s start with Emily, the one who made the first move.”

Kent decided to ask Emily, who had thrown the fork first, in order to find out what had caused the shop to be thrown into chaos.

“Without even thinking about how it would trouble Master, the moment I saw that thing, I was overcome by the urge to defeat it.”

Emily said that while pointing her chin toward Alraune.

“So you acted on impulse?”

“…Yes.”

Up until now, Emily had never taken action unless Kent gave her instructions. But this time, Kent had given her no instructions at all. Even so, she had acted in a way that caused enough damage to prevent business from operating.

“Then I’ll ask Alraune: why did you use a tentacle attack even knowing it would leave the shop in a mess?”

Kent decided to ask Alraune.

“That was because I was attacked by that thing, so to protect myself…”

“No matter how you look at it, you were trying to kill her, right?”

“…Yes. We spirits can get along with races that are compatible with us, but if they are not, they become targets of hatred. Because of that, we attack them instinctively.”

“I see. Then does Emily feel the same kind of emotion?”

Kent asked Emily.

“Yes. Fairies attached to shops like us are lower fairies, so we do not lay a hand on those above us, but in the case of an intermediate spirit like Alraune, if the other side is not overwhelmingly stronger, they can become targets of hatred.”

It seemed the same kind of feeling arose in Emily as well.

“What did you say? Are you saying I’m weak?”

“I was the one pressing you earlier too, wasn’t I? You were saying it was impossible, weren’t you? That’s proof that you’re weak.”

“Mukii! Master, this one is saying awful things. Please help me.”

“Since when did you become his master? This person is my master, you know?”

“Too bad. I made a contract with him a little while ago. You’re the one who needs to stop laying a hand on my master.”

“Will you two stop it!”

Kent scolded Emily and Alraune, who had started arguing. The two of them both lowered their faces awkwardly. Sensing that the conversation was going to drag on, Marie, Catherine, Rachel, and Elnette each began cleaning up the shop.

“Now then… what should I do?”

Kent thought about a solution.

“Alright, I’ve decided. Then here’s an order for the two of you. Get along.”

““…Yes.””

For the time being, since he could not find a fundamental solution, he forcibly made them reconcile by command in order to buy time.

“Then, now that you’ve made up, both of you, please help clean up the shop.”

““Okaaay.””

Emily followed Kent’s instructions and began cleaning up. Alraune moved her tentacles and began repairing the broken things.

“Ohh, so you can do something like that too.”

“If it’s something made of wood and the like, I can repair it.”

Alraune said that proudly, puffing out her chest. Then she repaired the broken tables, chairs, shelves, and so on one after another, restoring them to their original forms. With everyone working together on the restoration, the work had progressed considerably by the time Kent and Rachel needed to leave for school.

“Marie-san, I’m sorry our fairies caused so much trouble. Please take care of the rest.”

“It’s fine. You always help me out, Kent-san, so something like this is nothing at all.”

Seen off by Marie, Kent and Rachel headed to school.

“The fight between those two was amazing. I almost thought it was like the world of an anime. …Well, I guess this place is kind of like the world of a game too… hahahaha.”

Rachel said that with a bitter smile.

“There really are a lot of mysterious things that happen. But I kind of think that makes it fun.”

“True, ever since I started acting together with Big Brother, all sorts of things have happened, and it’s been fun. And I’ve also been getting more money than before, so I’ve been able to afford all sorts of luxuries. Next I want something like a game console. Emily showed me the list, and there were some things that can be obtained, so ask her for me next time.”

“So they even had things like that… I don’t have a full grasp of all the products, so if there’s something you want, you should ask Emily. But I’ll definitely charge you properly for it, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.”

The two headed to school while chatting in their usual light tone.

“Kent-san, Rachel, good morning.”

“Good morning, Caro-san.”

“Morning, Caro.”

Caro was waiting in front of the school gate. Since they had gone together up until now, it felt a little lonely that they were only meeting from here onward.

“The test results should be posted today, so let’s all go look at them together.”

Caro said that to the two of them.

“Come to think of it, that’s right. So much happened since last night that I completely forgot about the tests.”

“I forgot too because I was busy cleaning up this morning.”

“Did something interesting happen? It’s a shame I couldn’t be there with you.”

Caro looked lonely, as though she felt she was the only one not included in their circle.

“Well then… let me try deducing a little… sniff sniff.”

Caro came closer to Kent and sniffed him.

“Kent-san… could it be that something happened with Elnette-san? And also… there’s another smell I don’t know… something close to the scent of the earth…”

“Could it be, Big Brother? Elnette-san was supposed to be staying over yesterday, but did you do it?”

“Gulp!”

At the two of them being so sharply on target, Kent was startled without thinking. In reality, it had ended as an attempt, so he had not actually done it. But he was afraid of what Caro would say if she learned about his relationship with Elnette.

“If it was done by Kent-san’s own will, then it can’t be helped. But no switching over, okay? Please treat me the same way too.”

“As expected of Caro, that’s what they call the composure of the legal wife.”

“N-no, it’s not like that.”

Caro blushed and protested to Rachel.

The three of them, Kent and the others, went to where the test results were posted.

“Now then… how did I do this time… ahh, I lost to Caro again.”

Perhaps Rachel had been confident about this test, because she spoke in disappointment. In the first-year rankings, Caro was in first place and Rachel was in second.

“As expected of you, Caro-san. Congratulations on first place.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Ahh, there they go, entering their own little world again.”

Kent and Caro gazed at each other, entering a world of their own.

“Now then… I wonder how Big Brother did?”

Rachel said that while looking at the second-year bulletin board.

“Huh?”

She looked at the names at the top, but Kent’s name was not there.

“Big Brother, isn’t this a little strange?”

“What is it?”

Kent said that when Rachel called him over.

“Big Brother’s name isn’t here… first place is Josette-san.”

“It really is…”

Kent also looked puzzled. He had filled in all the answer spaces, and he had at least some confidence as well. But not only was Kent not among the top ranks, his name was not there at all.

“Kent-san, your name is all the way at the very bottom.”

Caro said that when she found Kent’s name.

“What is going on here?”

Kent cried out in surprise. Kent’s score was zero, putting him in last place. Of course, if things stayed like this, he had failing marks in every subject, so he would spend his summer vacation taking remedial classes every day.

“Hold on, I’m going to go complain to the headmaster right now.”

Caro got angry as if it were her own problem and started heading toward the headmaster’s office.

“Caro-san, wait a second.”

Kent hurriedly moved to stop Caro.