Vol. 6 Ch. 77

It was evening when Leon arrived at the academy gates as promised.

By now, more than an hour had passed since classes had ended, and most of the students had already left.

However, he still spotted that familiar silver figure at the entrance.

Leon scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, and then, after some internal struggle, slowly made his way over.

Tonight, Rosvisser's outfit was quite understated.

Although she was still wearing a dark trench coat, the clothes underneath had changed from her usual academy teacher’s uniform to something more casual and homey.

Her long silver hair, which was usually left loose, was tied up in a high ponytail at the back of her head, streamlining her upper body’s silhouette and giving her a sharp, professional look.

At the end of her ponytail, the black-framed glasses perched on her nose only served to enhance her mature aura.

Her makeup, too, wasn’t as refined as it had been yesterday—just a few light touches, giving her a soft, approachable "girl next door" vibe.

Hearing footsteps, Rosvisser turned around.

"Good evening, Leon."

At this point in time, Leon was still very much a clueless straight guy, but even he couldn't help but give her outfit a once-over.

Weird. Aren’t home visits supposed to be done in a teacher’s formal dress? Why does she look more like a refined housewife now?

Leon was confused but also thoroughly shaken.

Rosvisser tilted her head slightly, her hands tucked into the pockets of her trench coat. She gave the hem of her coat a little flick and spoke again.

"What’s wrong? You don’t like my new outfit?"

"Ah, n-no… that’s not it…"

"Then that means you do like it?"

"…"

Leon wasn’t sure if he should say "yes."

In his understanding, commenting on someone’s outfit was the kind of thing friends did.

Not something between a teacher and a student.

He pressed his lips together, finally forcing his gaze away from Rosvisser’s face. His throat tightened, and after a moment of struggle, he muttered,

"It looks nice."

After spending just two short days with her, Leon still wasn’t entirely sure what kind of person Rosvisser was, but there was one thing he had figured out—

Whenever he said something that benefited her, Rosvisser would always smile.

Which meant, yes, Rosvisser’s outfit tonight really did look good.

But if he avoided answering or gave some half-hearted response just because of their teacher-student dynamic, who knew how much more she’d end up toying with him?

Leon had no intention of being treated like a child again.

Hearing his response, Rosvisser clearly looked satisfied as she gave him a small smile.

"Mm. Then take me to your house."

"Alright."

The two of them walked off, heading in the direction of Leon’s farm.

However, neither of them noticed the two little heads peeking out from behind the school gate.

One slightly above the other, they were both staring intently at the backs of Leon and Rosvisser as they disappeared into the distance.

"Rebecca, are we really supposed to be following Senior Leon like this?"

"Wrong! We’re not following Leon!"

"Martin… you’re saying…"

"We’re following Leon and that gorgeous new teacher!"

"…"

Martin let out a sigh and asked, "Do you seriously think Senior Leon is… dating that teacher?"

Senior Leon.

Sure, everyone knew Senior Leon’s grades were ridiculously good—almost inhumanly good—but being so good that he could ask out a newly-arrived teacher? That… that was a bit too much, wasn’t it?

"Ugh, Martin, you’re so slow." Rebecca sighed.

Martin frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You didn’t notice Leon’s expression when he was talking to that gorgeous teacher?"

"…Expression? What about it?"

"Tsk! It’s the classic little boy look—when a guy talks to the girl he likes, he wants to look at her but doesn’t dare to, and the moment their eyes meet, he panics and quickly looks away, pretending nothing happened!"

Martin tried to recall what he had seen, but he still didn’t quite get it.

"I… I don’t have any experience with that."

"You don’t lack experience, Martin. You just can’t see what’s right in front of you."

"I can’t see what’s in front of me?"

As the two of them chatted, they walked out from behind the school gate.

Rebecca lifted her head and glanced at him, looking him straight in the eye.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net, it has been stolen.

And the moment their gazes met, Martin immediately turned away, acting as if he’d just been caught doing something wrong.

Seeing this, Rebecca let out a light snort, as if saying, I knew it.

She spread her hands and then turned the conversation back to Leon.

"So, as I was saying, Leon is definitely crushing on that teacher!"

"But… but even if that’s true, what does that have to do with us?"

Rebecca smacked her own forehead, sighing dramatically once again.

"Ugh, Martin, you’ve been living in a bubble for too long! You have absolutely no gossip instincts! Leon’s about to leave for training soon, and he won’t be back for months."

Rebecca continued, "A guy like him—such a legend at the academy—other than him snatching away every girl’s top academic ranking, when else do we get a chance to dig up some juicy rumors about him? Don’t you think it’s a shame?"

"…Should I think it’s a shame?"

"You have to think it’s a shame! That’s why we need to gather as much gossip as possible before Leon leaves and then analyze it in detail later!"

Martin scratched his head. "Rebecca, what’s the point of doing all that?"

"It’s fun."

"…"

Rebecca grabbed Martin by the wrist and took off running.

“Hurry up, they’re getting too far ahead!”

…

That evening, at Leon’s farm, Aju lay comfortably in his little nest, relishing the rare joy of not having to work.

After a while, the lights from inside the wooden house caught his attention.

All the lamps were on tonight—did that mean there was a guest?

Just as Aju was about to get up and sneak over to the window for a peek, two dark figures tumbled over the short wall behind him and landed squarely on his back.

Aju: XOX

“Rebecca, I think we landed on something!”

“A dog?”

“It’s Aju!”

“…It’s fine, you’re lucky, it was just a temporary setback. Now let’s go check how far their date has progressed.”

Martin frowned, muttered a quick “sorry” to Aju, and then followed Rebecca toward the window of the wooden house.

Through the glass, they had a clear view of what was happening inside.

The table was set with a hearty dinner. Leon and Rosvisser sat on one side, while the elder sat across from them.

“Professor Melkvey, I didn’t expect someone so young to already be a lecturer at the academy. That’s quite impressive,” elder praised.

“Oh no, not at all. If we’re talking about talent, Leon is the one who truly stands out. With his current grades, I’m certain he’ll have a bright future ahead of him.”

Leon had a sinking feeling.

Was this woman setting him up?

Wasn’t this visit supposed to be about getting to know her student better?

How did it turn into a flattery session?

Listening to his stepmother and Rosvisser chat away, Leon sat up straight, not daring to move a muscle.

If he said the wrong thing… if he let his guard down for even a second… Rosvisser would undoubtedly find a way to use it against him.

Then he glanced at his master, who had his arms crossed and eyes shut, looking as if he was deep in thought.

But, old man, could you say something?!

Did you seriously not notice this woman digging a pit for your disciple to fall into?!

“Oh, then I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Leon at school, Professor Melkvey.”

“No trouble at all. Leon is diligent and mature. I have a very high opinion of him, and I mean that sincerely—”

Bang!

The previously silent elder suddenly slammed his palm down on the table.

Both Leon’s stepmother and Rosvisser flinched slightly.

Leon, on the other hand, looked like he’d just seen a lifeline.

Finally!

Finally! Old man, you’re finally stepping in to help your disciple fight back!

“Professor Melkvey, you truly have an eye for talent! Leon really is that outstanding! As expected of my disciple!”

Leon: “…”

“…Hey?”

Casmodruli Academy, are you there?

Could someone come pick me up?

I don’t want to stay here for another second!

Meanwhile, outside the window, Martin, who had been watching this unfold, turned to Rebecca.

“Why did Senior Leon’s father suddenly slam the table?”

“You still don’t get it?” Rebecca scoffed proudly.

“You do?”

“Of course!”

Rebecca spoke with absolute confidence.

“We completely underestimated Leon. He’s not on a date with the beautiful teacher. They’re—”

“They’re…?”

“They’re meeting the parents!”

“…What?”

“Think about it, Martin! The seating arrangement—one couple sitting together, the guy’s parent sitting across from them—it’s the classic meet the family setup!”

Rebecca spoke with conviction.

“And then, Leon’s mom talked to the beautiful teacher for so long—she was obviously testing her, trying to see if she was good enough.”

“And then, the silent old farm owner suddenly slammed the table.”

“Do you know what that means?”

Martin shook his head. “No clue.”

“When the head of the family slams the table, it means—they approve of their future daughter-in-law!”

“…Seriously? Rebecca, I’ve never dated before.”

“Don’t try to fool me, Martin.”

“I swear, I haven’t!”

“I’m telling you, trust me. I bet my height on it—within ten years, they’ll definitely be married!”

Martin glanced at the twin-tailed girl, who still didn’t even reach 160 cm when standing on tiptoe, and muttered under his breath,

“…That doesn’t seem like a very high-stakes gamble.”

“…”

But tonight was destined to be an emotionally charged evening.

Some were on edge.

Some were thoroughly entertained.

And in this world of memories, the one truly real person had gained something far more important—

Completeness.

To truly understand the one you love,

You must experience what they have experienced,

See what they have seen,

And step by step, fill in the days before your paths crossed.