Academy’s Second Seat

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Luna was studying in the library with Riku and Ena.

Ever since the midterm camp concluded, the library had been partially repaired and made accessible to the students once again.

So Luna returned to her usual routine of studying in the library with her friends but there was one noticeable absence—Rudy.

Due to his recent rigorous training under the guidance of Professor Robert, Rudy hadn't been able to join them in their studies.

Luna couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment, but she found solace in the fact that they still ate together every day.

"Ugh…"

As the hours ticked by, Luna's hunger began to gnaw at her, causing her to yawn and glance at the time.

Ena, noticing her restlessness, also checked the clock and spoke up.

"Shall we head to dinner now?"

Luna nodded wearily, her stomach rumbling in agreement.

Ena gently nudged Riku, who had been dozing off, to awaken her from her slumber.

"Uh...hmm?"

Riku, still groggy, looked around in confusion as she raised her head.

"Awaaaaahh... What's happening?"

Ena explained with a smile, "Let's go grab dinner."

Surprised, Riku glanced at the time and exclaimed, "Oh... Is it already that late? I haven't even started my assignment..."

"That's because you doze off as soon as the lecture begins," Ena chided, voicing her dissatisfaction.

Riku, now wearing a gloomy expression, responded, "Heu... I feel so sleepy..."

Luna peered at the book spread out before Riku and asked, "Is this the assignment for the political science lecture?"

Riku sighed and replied, "Yeah... I don't know anyone in the class, so I'm completely lost..."

"If you paid attention during the lectures, this wouldn't have been an issue," Ena remarked.

Riku's expression grew even more forlorn, and she lamented, "It's not my fault... It's the professor's fault... I can't understand a single thing, no matter how much I try to listen..."

Ena, slightly exasperated, retorted, "Then why don't you ask the professor for clarification during the lecture?"

"Ena! You don't understand!" She objected, standing up abruptly to express her disagreement.

"What don't I understand?"

"Only those who possess some knowledge can ask questions! Those who truly don't know anything can't even formulate the right questions! In order to ask questions, I'd have to admit from the start that I don't understand, but I can't bring myself to do that! No, it's fundamentally wrong! If he were a professor worth his salt, he would explain things in a slow and easily understandable manner for the students. But instead, they always assume that we know what they know! And then..."

Riku's anger stemmed from the difficulty of the assignment, but it spiraled into a discussion about the fundamental attitude a professor should adopt.

Ena understood it all too well—Riku needed someone to direct her resentment towards.

"Uh... This seems familiar," Luna remarked, her eyes focused on Riku's book as she read it slowly.

"Do you want me to help you after dinner? It's a different subject, but it seems similar to what I've studied," Luna suggested.

"Really...? Luna!!! You're my savior!" Riku exclaimed, rushing towards Luna and enveloping her in a tight embrace, her face nestled against Luna's chest.

Ena sighed at the sight before her. "Luna, don't spoil her too much. You already helped her with the magic theory homework last time."

"Hehe..."

"Let's go eat first," Ena suggested.

"Alright~," Riku replied, her voice filled with excitement.

"Ah, by the way, Rudy said he'll join us for dinner today, so I'll go and get him," Luna added.

"Okay, we'll be waiting for you in front of the restaurant," Ena confirmed.

With that settled, Luna prepared to head elsewhere.

"Oh, Luna."

"Hm?"

"You seem to be getting along well with Rudy these days, don't you think?" Ena asked, catching Luna off guard with her sudden question.

Luna's face turned a shade of red, her eyes darting around in confusion. "W-Well?"

Ena raised an eyebrow.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about???? I-I'll go and find Rudy quickly! Ah!"

And just like that, Luna dashed off in the direction she was originally heading.

"Hmm..." Ena mused, watching Luna's hasty departure. "I'm genuinely concerned..."

She stroked her chin, deep in thought. When she had heard that Rudy and Luna had formed a team for the midterm camp, she had anticipated progress in their relationship.

Yet, there had been no news at all.

Ena recalled Luna preparing a magic circle to show Rudy and heard about her showcasing it during the conclusion of the camp.

And yet, nothing seemed to have changed. Or was it possible that there were changes, but they were simply going unnoticed? or maybe in places far from her eyes?

She quickly dismissed the thought.

Ena knew that Luna and Rudy Astria weren't like that.

"Will they work out...?" Ena mused quietly to herself.

With Luna's shy demeanor and Rudy's singular focus on magic, progress was akin to hiking up a mountain.

Grrr-

"Ah... I'm hungry," Riku absentmindedly muttered to herself.

Ena felt her temper flare at this sight.

Whack!

"Ouch!"

Ena's anger got the better of her, prompting her to deliver a swift smack to Riku's head.

"What... what's the matter!" Riku exclaimed, rubbing the spot where she had been hit.

Staring back at Riku, her innocent victim, she shouted, "You've been receiving all this help from Luna, and this is how you behave!"

"...?????"

Riku's eyes filled with question marks as she gazed at Ena, utterly bewildered.

Unaware of the situation, Riku could only feel wronged.

"It should be around here..."

Luna made her way toward the sports field, scanning her surroundings. In the distance, she spotted Rudy engaged in a series of push-ups, in exercise attire.

While his upper body was covered by a white short-sleeved tee, it was drenched in sweat, revealing his physique.

"Hmm... Hmm!"

Luna turned her head away, her cheeks reddening. "No... Why, why should I feel embarrassed...!"

After all, Rudy was simply exercising in an open sports field, where anyone could witness his actions. There was no reason for her to avert her gaze.

Reaching this realization, Luna sneakily turned her head and stole another glance at Rudy.

"Oh..."

Luna found herself captivated, her gaze fixed on Rudy.

Observing him focused on his exercise routine presented a completely different image compared to when she saw him studying.

"I... I should stop staring."

Shaking herself out of her reverie, Luna regained her composure and attempted to approach Rudy.

As Luna descended the stairs to approach Rudy, she noticed a set of clothes and a water bottle left nearby. It was a training top, and judging by the color, it was likely Rudy's.

"...."

An overwhelming impulse surged within upon seeing the top.

However, her rationality held her back.

This wasn't right.

There were boundaries to respect.

She absolutely could not.

nd so, Luna's sense of right and wrong battled within her, like an angel and devil in eternal conflict.

I finished my push-ups and stood up.

Is it almost time to wrap up?

Just as the thought crossed my mind, Professor Robert approached me.

"Let's call it a day. Your friend is here," Professor Robert informed me.

At his indication, I looked in the direction he pointed. In the distance, I spotted a figure sitting on the stairs.

Ah... I had made dinner plans with Luna.

Though the wall next to the staircase obscured her figure, I could see her brown hair fluttering—it was likely Luna.

"Thank you for your guidance."

"Alright. You can go."

I bid farewell to Professor Robert and made my way towards Luna.

"Luna, have you been waiting long...?"

"Eeek!!!"

As I approached the staircase and began speaking to Luna, she let out a startled scream.

"You scared me..."

Observing Luna, I noticed she was clutching my clothes, her face flushed as red as a beet.

"...Did you see?" Luna asked, her eyes welling up with tears.

What was she talking about? Why was she acting this way?

"...See what?"

"N-No... No! Nothing! Really! It's nothing!"

"So, what's 'nothing'..." I questioned, perplexed by Luna's behavior.

What on earth was she referring to?

"Didn't you come for dinner?"

I posed the question, to which Luna nodded vigorously.

"Y-Yes! That's right! We should go have dinner! You must be hungry after your workout!"

Luna hastily rose from her seat, and I extended my hand toward her.

"Uh, uh, uh?"

"I'll take the clothes. I took them off during the workout, so they might have a bit of a smell..."

Since I had removed my clothes halfway through the workout, it was likely that they were slightly sweaty.

They wouldn't be too damp, but they might still have a slight smell, so I offered to hold them.

However, Luna's response was a little unusual.

"Smell! Ah, ah ah...."

"...?"

I stared at Luna with a puzzled expression.

Her face turned red once again, and she seemed flustered, her eyes darting around.

...?

When I reached out my hand again, Luna snapped back to her senses and handed me the clothes.

"H-Here..."

I took the clothes, tilting my head slightly in confusion.

"Let's go have dinner."

Casually, I put on the clothes Luna had handed me.

"Hmm?"

However, instead of my usual scent, I noticed a different fragrance coming from the clothes.

It smelt like Luna...

As I instinctively sniffed the clothes, Luna's eyes widened in surprise.

"Don't... Don't smell me!!!"

Suddenly, Luna tried to stop me from sniffing.

"Ah… it's my clothes, though?"

"Don't smell them anyway!"

Luna grabbed my clothes and shook them vigorously.

"Shower! Go shower! Change your clothes!!!"

"…Won't the others be waiting?"

"Uh... Uh-uh...."

Upon hearing my words, Luna's pupils shook.

"Alright, I won't smell it. Let's eat first; the others must be waiting."

"Ah... Okay."

Luna nodded, agreeing with me.

"Hmm...."

A voice came from behind, I turned and saw Professor Robert.

Professor Robert furrowed his brows as he observed us.

"What are you staring at...."

"It's nothing. Keep it up."

Professor Robert nodded a few times and began walking away.

What was he talking about?

"Shall we go now?"

"Y-yeah, let's."

We made our way towards the cafeteria, where Ena and Riku were sitting on a bench.

"Why are you guys so late?" Riku asked as soon as she spotted us.

Late?

Had Luna been waiting for a long time while I was exercising?

Feeling apologetic, I glanced at everyone.

"By the way, did you come straight here after exercising? You're filthy. You should have showered."

Riku complained.

Was that so?

Well, I did work up a sweat.

"So, shall I shower first?"

"No! We came all this way, let's eat together!"

Luna stopped me as I attempted to leave.

"Yeah, since we've already waited, let's eat first, and then you can shower. You don't seem to smell that much," Ena said, smiling.

Upon hearing that, Riku approached me and took a sniff.

"Hmm?"

"Rikuuuuuuuuu!"

As soon as Riku got close to me and sniffed, Luna rushed towards me in surprise.

Luna swiftly picked up Riku, who was near me, and moved her away.

Then Riku, clinging to Luna, started sniffing Luna's scent.

"What's going on?"

Riku had a confused expression on her face.

"Why?"

Eyes gleaming, Riku asked,

"Why does he smell like you...uh!"

Luna quickly covered Riku's mouth.

"…Shall we go eat then?"

"Mmm!! Mmmmmm!!!!"

Luna walked away, still keeping her hand over Riku's mouth.

"…?"

I smell like Luna?

I sniffed my clothes once again.

There was a faint trace... but...

I thought it was a mistake earlier, but looks like it wasn't.

Could it be because Luna had held onto me earlier?

Lost in thought, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

Turning to the side, I saw Ena smiling like a proud father.

"Our Luna! Take good care of her!"

With those parting words, Ena hurried after Luna.

Then she called out to Riku.

"Riku! You're useful after all!"

"…???"

Still perplexed, I followed them, trying to make sense of their conversation.

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