第２５５堀：奥様は本の森の魔女、そして答え。 (Part1)
**Chapter 255: The Madam is a Witch of the Forest of Books, and the Answer.**
For now, this is a mix of serious talk and talk about undergarments.
Don’t call me a pervert, and don’t go "huff-huffing" at me.
There’s some serious stuff in here, too.
***
**Side: Yuki**
*Flip.* The sound of a page turning is the only thing echoing through the room.
It’s enough to tell you just how seriously she’s reading that book.
"Um, excuse me, are you Cleena-san?"
I hate to interrupt her reading, but I have information to gather, so I call out to her.
"Cleena is correct. What do you want?"
She retorts instantly without taking her eyes off the book.
"I’d like to talk to you. For now, is it alright if we sit on the sofa opposite you?"
"This isn't my room. I think you’re free to do as you please."
Well, I got permission—I think? So, the four of us sit on the sofa.
Perhaps she was waiting for us to settle, because the moment we sat down, she asked a question while still reading.
"So, what do you want?"
"No, there isn't anything in particular... It’s more like idle chatter. Is that alright?"
"…I don’t mind. But since it doesn’t seem to be a serious conversation, I’ll be listening while I read. Is that okay?"
"That’s fine."
...She speaks mostly in short, clipped sentences, her expression barely moves, and she’s a bookworm.
She’s a classic archetype, isn't she?
"Uh, first, let’s introduce ourselves."
"Transfer students from Zilba. Yuki, Taiki, Ria, and Airi."
...This is going to be difficult.
"Haha, you knew?"
"Because you were introduced at the dueling grounds that day. Anyone who was there that day would remember."
"Ah, so you were watching back then."
"Mm, affirmation."
"Since introductions seem unnecessary, I have a few things I’d like to ask..."
"Information exchange must be equal. Therefore, after answering your questions, I would like to ask some of my own. Is that okay?"
...Someone do something about this.
This expressionless bookworm!!
This is incredibly tough. It’s tough because I rarely ever have to talk to this type of person in real life.
It might be fun to watch from the sidelines, but for me, this is a first contact—a meeting with the unknown.
Eoid-kun is amazing. To think he could build a friendly relationship with her.
"As long as it’s within the scope of what we can answer..."
"Mm, that’s fine. I understand there are things you don't want to say. Please understand that there may be things I cannot answer, depending on the question."
"Yes, that’s fine."
For now, I’ll just ask my questions, get my answers, and make my exit.
Just being in this place is mentally draining.
I’ve been interrupting her reading from the start, and since she’s so expressionless, I have no idea if she’s in a good mood or a bad one.
"So, the question. What is it you want to know?"
"...Are other teachers or students aware of this room?"
"Negation. The only ones who know of this room are the Principal, the Vice Principal, myself, Eoid, and Amanda. That is only as far as I know; it is possible others have found it on their own, like you did. However, since I am basically always here reading, I don't think there is anyone I am unaware of."
"I see, so it’s a 'those who know, know' kind of situation."
"Affirmation. A secret room. A perfect place to read. The library entrance is too noisy."
...Calling the students who are working hard on their studies "noisy"—she’s something else.
That means, no matter how you look at it, we must be an unpleasant presence to her.
I should offer an apology for now.
If anything happens, I’ll have to follow up with her through Eoid-kun to keep her in a good mood.
"Ah, I’m sorry about that. We interrupted your reading."
"It’s fine. I am interested in you, since you were able to find this place on your own, following Eoid."
"Eoid-kun found this place on his own?"
"Affirmation. Though, it was a coincidence for him. He wasn't searching for it with the conviction that a room existed and the intent to move things to find it, like you did."
Did she know we were doing various things behind the door and the wall of thick books?
How?
"Searching for the academy’s hidden rooms—it’s very interesting."
...No, wait, was the sound from the other side just leaking through?
"Um, by any chance, could our voices be heard in here?"
"Mm, affirmation. It’s not so much that it was leaking, but since I am the only one here, there is nothing but the sound of pages turning. So, even with a door and a wall of books in between, if you’re rustling around, the sound carries."
"...I apologize for the disturbance."
"It doesn't matter. Thanks to you, it looks like I might find something fun. Just as you were discussing, hidden rooms like this one do exist. This academy has many 'dead points' due to repeated expansions and renovations. However, I don't think they have all been discovered. And it wouldn't be strange for there to be treasures in those dead points."
"Ah, yes. We were thinking the same thing."
"Mm, that is my question. Would it be a problem if I accompanied you? Of course, I will provide all the information I have regarding the academy. If we find treasure, we can decide what to do with it then."
"Ha, we would be nothing but happy to have you."
It’s sudden, but it seems Cleena has taken an interest in us.
If she’s with us, we can distinguish between hidden rooms that are known and those that aren't.
This is a very welcome development.
And her motive is, well, reasonably trustworthy.
"Mm, I look forward to working with you."
With that, she finally takes her eyes off the book and looks at my face.
Come to think of it, none of my wives have red hair.
Her eyes are beautiful rubies, too.
"Just as I heard from Eoid, you are an interesting person."
"Ah, so you’ve heard about us from Eoid-kun, too. And 'interesting'—was there something strange about us?"
"Mm, both are affirmations. I heard that you are cooperating to raise his strength, and that you yourselves are supposedly on the same level as Eris, who defeated the Principal."
I see.
Well, we haven't exactly hidden it, and as she said, we are members of a group that can defeat the Principal, so we are interesting.
"And, the second part of the word 'interesting' is my own personal opinion, not Eoid's."
"What do you mean by that?"
"From my perspective, you are a very interesting person. It’s rare for someone to talk to me so easily after seeing me. Even Eoid was cautious, watching my reactions."
"No, we were watching your reactions, too."
"Mm, affirmation. But it was different. It wasn't the gaze one gives to something unknown. I felt a gaze of opportunity, as if you had seen something rare. Both from you, Yuki, and from Taiki next to you."
*Gulp.*
Feeling awkward, I glance at Taiki-kun, and he’s looking back at me.
He’s giving a hollow laugh, so it seems he’s guilty as charged.
It can’t be helped, right? This type of heroine is a staple, but it’s not like we get the chance to see one in person very often.
"I am number three in the academy. Gazes of awe, respect, or hostility—those emotions are common, but yours were a first. Also, if you don't mind, I’d like Ria and Airi to be friends with me, too. It’s a pathetic story, but I only ever read books, so I have no female friends. Or rather, people are afraid of me because of my strength."
"Ah, yes. That’s fine. Cleena-san, please take care of us."
"Yes, let’s be friends starting today."
Hearing that from Cleena, Ria and Airi immediately stand up, walk to both sides of her, and take her hands to shake them.
"No, shake her hand one at a time."
There’s no need to rush and crush both of her hands at once...
The book she was reading has closed, lying flat on the table.
Oh boy, it’s going to be a pain for her to find the page she was on.
"Mm, it’s no problem. ...I’m very happy."