I’m exhausted… The fatigue hitting me with the chime felt several times worse than a normal class…
I somehow managed to convince the girls to let their visiting parents try the results too. After that, the lesson ended without any major issues, I think.
「Then, Master. I shall go help with lunch preparations.」
「Yeah. Go ahead. We’ll join you soon.」
「Yes. I look forward to it. I will prepare yours with plenty of love.」
Wendy-san flashed an upward glance and the cutest smile before leaving in high spirits.
Halfway down the hall she turned back, noticed me still watching, and beamed even wider while giving a small wave. Adorable as always.
「Wendy is visibly in a great mood.」
「She must be happy that my liege’s efforts were recognized. Aren’t we all?」
「Of coursessu! Master is seriously amazing! He deserves way more praisessu!」
「No thanks… Standing out just means more work.」
「Ahahahaha! Master never changesssu!」
As if I would change that easily.
I intend to keep disliking work as much as possible.
…That said, now that I have precious people in my life, I can’t stay completely lazy either.
Still, I have no plans to become a workaholic. Freedom and fun come first.
Earn enough not to struggle, then enjoy life with everyone, that’s the goal.
「Still the same as ever… Well, that is exactly why I came. Also, you should thank Ayame for investigating that the parents would likely gather near completion.」
「Ayame-san did?」
「Umu. She said something about you possibly committing a blunder and earning ill will, or a poor first impression harming future students who wish to study under you.」
「Oh… Ayame-san went that far for me…!」
「…Do not misunderstand. You are under Iris-sama’s protection. Any stain on your name could become a stain on Iris-sama’s. That is all.」
No dere moment, just the usual cool tone.
But… the prickliness has eased a tiny, tiny bit?
She hasn’t said 「What are you staring at? I’ll kill you.」 yet.
「Well, she acts cool, but she was clearly worried about you. She even gathered information on her days off.」
「Wha… Iris-sama!? It was merely coincidence that my days off overlapped with many parent-student meetings… What are you smirking at? I’ll kill you.」
Yeah, of course I’m grinning.
That 「I’ll kill you」 can only be her way of hiding embarrassment.
So Ayame-san was worried about me…
Ow, ow! Stop hitting and kicking!
「Well, I too would be troubled if other nobles took notice of you. And as you said yourself, you would be burdened with more work, no?」
「Yeah. I’m grateful for that.」
「Yet you were quite tense earlier.」
「…Of course I was. That many nobles showing up would make anyone nervous… You could’ve given me a heads-up beforehand.」
The one who caused the situation wasn’t Iris. In fact, she came for my sake, which I appreciate.
Still, I couldn’t help thinking it would have been nice if she had told me earlier, even before arriving at the academy.
「Well, this time I was rather busy… That one came too… I finished work ahead of schedule, so even I was exhausted.」
「Ah, right… Iris is busy too… Hm? That one?」
「The breast meat. She threw a tantrum saying she wanted to see your class unveiling… But with a scheduled meeting with the king, the date could not be changed. I thought she might arrive right after finishing, but it seems she did not make it in time.」
Breast meat… that must be Sicilia-sama…
She still calls her that.
She’s the emperor’s elder sister, you know? I worry it could cause diplomatic issues, but it probably just shows how close the two are.
「Now then, shall we have lunch? I will join as well.」
「Even though you’re neither student nor teacher?」
「It is an inspection of the cafeteria. Checking what is served is part of my duties. Well, there is no space for the guardians, so they will likely leave. Thou need not worry about minding them.」
That’s a relief.
But I’m still curious about how they all gathered after class and talked for a while…
I feel like they have something to say to me… or rather, they probably do.
A father with a daughter would naturally be concerned about how close she is to her teacher…
「Pardon the interruption, but may I borrow sensei for a moment?」
「Oh, it has been a while, Karant.」
「Yes. Iris-sama. It has been too long.」
「No need for formality. This is the academy. Relax. So, you have business with this fellow?」
「Yes. After the earlier class and regarding the future, we guardians discussed among ourselves…」
Ah… here it comes.
My stomach tightened in an instant…
「Thank you for your hard work earlier. The perfume turned out wonderfully. I was truly astonished that our daughters created it.」
「Y-Yes…」
「Please, relax. Indeed, at first we were quite bewildered. We had been thinking it was time to arrange marriages… only for them to declare they would live independently and support themselves together. Some guardians were so outraged they wondered if the temporary instructor had drugged them.」
Outraged…
They got pretty worked up, huh…
I’m sorry, I’m sorry. If I caused unnecessary trouble, I’ll bow and apologize as many times as needed. So please, let the students continue freely…
And like I told Ayame-san, I swear I didn’t use any strange drugs…
Karant-san bowed his head.
But that is not something he should do to me.
The ones who opened the possibilities and carved the path forward are the students. Rather than thanking me, I wish he would kindly praise and encourage them.
「Sensei!」
「Sensei!」
「「DOOON!!」」
「Guuh!」
As always, the sudden double side-attack came without warning, fast and fierce.
They do not care that I am in the middle of a conversation.
It does not hurt, but the impact hits me with a heavy thud.
「We’re in the middle of talking…?」
「…Yeah. So, later, okay?」
「Got it! Then, when you’re done, we need a little of your timeee!」
「Yeah, yeah… Excus…」
「…You seem to get along quite well.」
「Eh? Ah, r-right?」
Huh? The mood suddenly changed?
The warm, pleasant atmosphere that felt like it would end on a good note has tightened sharply, like too much pepper in the dish.
「Ehehee~ We’re super close, Fatherr!」
「Like I told you before, we’re super-duper best friends with sensei, Fatherr~!」
…F.A.T.H.E.R.?
Father… father?
Right. This must be father Karant-san.
This refined, distinguished gentleman, Karant-san, is actually the father of Raz and Cran, the demon instructor…? No way… right?
「I see… But isn’t that a bit too clingy? Sensei must be troubled.」
「Not at alll!」
「He said it’s okay to hug himmm!」
「Hoo… So you have young ladies at that age clinging to you…」
「No! That’s…」
「I understand. Very well… If an unmarried daughter allows this much physical contact, she cannot be sent to any other house. The only choice left is for you to take her as bride… However, since you are Iris-sama’s favorite, an immediate decision cannot be made. In that case… the business must succeed first. Ah, if anything should happen… I would help, of course?」
My escape route is cut off!!
Behind his smile, the demon instructor radiates a pitch-black aura!!
It’s exactly like the incomprehensible terror Darwin exudes.
I want nothing to do with it!
But I can’t run!!
「O-O-Of course, yes…」
「Is that so? Then all is well. Ah, they are my dearly raised beloved daughters, you see. I worry and worry… Forgive this foolish parent. But if, when the time comes, an outstanding and reliable alchemist like you stands by their side, I can rest easy.」
Ah, so he can turn off that aura in an instant…
This must be the noble who was absolutely furious…
Good thing I went to the bathroom before class.
That was scarier than looking at an earth dragon from afar…
「Then, I should be off as well. After greeting the headmaster, I will take my leave. You two, do not trouble sensei too much. Iris-sama, fare well.」
「Umu. I too shall greet the others before heading to the cafeteria… However, Karant… Coming before me to lay claim on my favorite… and attacking from such an unrefusable angle. Bold, aren’t you?」
「Hahahaha. Forgive me. For my daughters’ sake, I must occasionally be unreasonable. But he should have the spirit to match, no? After all, the 『master-servant』」
Iris and Karant-san turned their backs to me and strolled away leisurely while chatting, finally letting me relax…
「Th-Thank you for your hard work…」
It’s over…
I somehow survived…?
As I stood there in confusion and relief, Karant-san came back, tapped my shoulder with an 「Ah, yes,」 and added.
「I heard my daughters are quite fond of you, so I intend to respect their feelings… However, if you lay a hand on them and make them cry, I will come running anytime, anywhere.」
「Y-Yeshir…」
A low, gravelly voice delivered with a smile is somehow even scarier…
He dropped a massive bomb right at the very end…
I have no intention of laying a hand… for now, at least.
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