Book 16: Chapter 15: The Path You Opened for Me  

A pleasant early summer night breeze caressed her cheeks as Monica stepped out of the party hall.

Isaac stopped near the shrubbery he had seen through the window earlier.

"Monica."

"Eh!?"

The nearby bushes rustled, and a hooded head popped out like a small animal emerging from the bushes.

Isaac suppressed a laugh as he approached the bushes.

"What are you doing there, Little Squirrel?"

Monica, hiding in the bushes, looked around apprehensively, fussing with the hem of her robe.

The robe Monica was wearing was a simple one, not the robe of the Seven Sages. The hem of the skirt had gotten caught in the bushes, exposing her slender legs up to her thighs.

"Um, well, I was hiding here, and my robe got tangled then"

"Just stay still for a bit."

Isaac bent down and reached for the skirt tangled in the branches. The front part of the skirt was torn up to her thighs.

Isaac tried not to look at her pale legs as he untangled the skirt.

"Now it loosened."

"Tha-, thank you"

As Monica bowed her head, the torn hem of her skirt gaped open, revealing her white legs up to her knees.

Realizing this was quite a sight, Isaac took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around Monica's waist.

Monica stared wide-eyed at the ornately decorated jacket, shaking her head vigorously.

"Ahhh, no, such a fine jacket, I can't, I'll return it!"

"But I can't leave your skirt like that, can I?"

"It's not that cold tonight, so I'll be fine!"

Lending her the jacket wasn't about the cold, but Monica didn't seem to understand.

After all, she was the type of girl who didn't mind her clothes coming off in front of Isaac.

"It's just a bit too distracting."

"Oh, I-, I'm sorry if you find it so unsightly"

This is bad, she still doesn't get it.

"Not in that sense but for my sake, just think of it that way. If you stay dressed like that, I might have trouble controlling myself."

"O-, Okay?"

Monica nodded vaguely, not seeming to fully understand, making the peridot necklace around her neck sway.

The stone reflecting the party lights was the same color as Monica's eyes.

Isaac had noticed Monica when he saw the glimmer of this stone while chatting with Bridget.

Seeing Monica wearing the gift he had given her filled Isaac's heart with joy.

"You're wearing the necklace I gave you?"

"Ah, yes, I'm still far from being a fashionista, but Lana said it's okay to wear things like this casually."

Silently thanking Colette, Isaac smiled softly.

"It suits you well."

"Eheh thank you."

Monica's bashful smile was no different from before Isaac knew her true identity.

She seemed to have been busy lately but didn't look particularly worn out, which was a relief. As he thought this, Isaac asked her a question. "So, why are you in a place like this?"

"Ah, that's right I wanted to congratulate everyone on graduating"

Monica turned back to the bushes and picked up a basket she had left on the ground. Inside the slightly large wicker basket were several small bouquets.

Monica offered one to Isaac.

"Congratulations on graduating."

Seeing the bouquet offered with those words of congratulation, Isaac couldn't help but smile broadly.

"I'm glad to hear those words especially from you. Though, I really wanted you to come to the graduation ceremony."

"Well, it would have been a bit out of place for me to attend as one of the Seven Sages."

Monica seemed concerned that the students at Serendia Academy who didn't know the circumstances would be dumbfounded if she attended the graduation ceremony and party as one of the Seven Sages.

"So you came secretly like this?"

"Y-, yes, I wanted to discreetly give flowers to everyone and couldn't figure out how then I got my robe caught in the bushes and couldn't move."

Monica lowered her brows and laughed shyly.

"However I'm relieved when you are the one who found me, Ike."

"Didn't I tell you? If you wore that necklace, I'd be able to find you right away."

At Isaac's joking tone, Monica's eyes widened.

"Is this some kind of magic tool?"

Isaac laughed, shoulders shaking at Monica's serious expression and misunderstanding.

"No, it's just a good luck charm. A good look charm that lets me find you wherever you are, connecting us."

Isaac gently lifted the peridot shining at Monica's neck with his fingertips.

He leaned in as if to kiss the gemstone matching Monica's eyes, but at that moment

"Your Highness, so you were over here!"

came Cyril's voice from behind.

Is the timing can be more bad than this? As Isaac turned, he saw Monica's face light up brightly.

"Lord Cyril! Good evening!"

"Treasurer Norton?"

Cyril stared in surprise at Monica, then at Isaac's jacket wrapped around her waist, seeming confused by the situation.

Monica hurriedly took a bouquet from the basket and offered it to Cyril.

"Um, cong-, congratulations on graduating!"

"You came all this way just to say that?"

"Y-, yes um, if-, if it's an inconvenience, I'm sorry"

Monica's ears were clearly red even in the dim light as she held out the bouquet, trembling slightly.

Seeing Monica lowering her head and shaking, Cyril softened his expression slightly and accepted the bouquet.

"No, I'll gladly accept it. Thank you, Treasurer Norton."

As Cyril smiled faintly, Monica grinned sheepishly with delight.

Monica often smiled like that when facing Cyril Isaac felt a sudden urge to pinch those relaxed cheeks.

Gazing at the bouquet, Cyril suddenly looked up as if a thought had occurred to him.

"Wait, if you're no longer a student, it would be strange to call you Treasurer Norton, wouldn't it?"

"Ah, well since I'm Lord Cyril's juniorso you can call me MoMoniMoni"

As Monica fidgeted with her fingers, stammering "Moni," Isaac placed a hand on her shoulder from behind.

Then, deliberately raising his voice to cut off Monica's stammering, he spoke.

"Cyril, is everything going smoothly at the party?"

"Yes. However, your proxy spirit is starting to struggle, so I wish you could return to assist it."

It seemed Willdean had learned to rely on others besides Isaac. Thinking about how he was growing stronger day by day, Isaac smiled.

"I see. Then I'll return in a little while, so Cyril, could you help Willdean in the meantime?"

Ever earnest, Cyril answered with a crisp, "Understood," even when passing off responsibilities to him.

His unwavering loyalty, even after learning Isaac's true identity, was truly appreciated.

"Also, I was thinking of having a small after-party with just the current and former student council members once the main party is over. Could you arrange a room for us?"

"! Yes, of course!"

With just the current and former student council members, Monica could attend without reservation. free.c om

Seeing Isaac's thoughtfulness, Cyril looked touched as he hurried back to the hall, saying, "I'll make the arrangements right away!"

Monica watched Cyril retreating back wistfully but then looked up at Isaac with a perplexed expression.

"Um, is it okay for you not to go back yet, Ike?"

"I want to spend a little more time with you."

As expected, Monica just nodded vaguely with an "Okay?" not seeming to fully understand.

It seems neither Monica nor Cyril is aware of their own feelings

If Monica wasn't aware of those feelings yet, then Isaac still had a chance.

Isaac took out a flower he had plucked when leaving the hall and removed a ribbon from his suit's decoration. He tied the ribbon around the stem of the flower.

A yellow rose matching Isaac's hair color, with a blue ribbon matching his eyes.

He offered this to Monica.

"Will you accept it?"

"? Um, thank you, very much."

Monica tilted her head in puzzlement as she accepted the yellow rose.

For now, Isaac would be satisfied that she accepted it.

"Will you keep that flower with you all day today?"

"Is this another good luck charm?"

"You could say it's similar."

Should he tell Monica the truth about the flower accessory from the school festival now? No, that would feel like losing to Cyril somehow, which was frustrating.

This is a good luck charm to make you fall for me.

He muttered inwardly, then extended his hand to Monica.

"My lady, would you care to dance with me?"

"? Um, if you wanted to dance, you should probably go back to the hall"

"Aren't we nightlife friends? Just indulge me a little longer. I enjoy the time I spend with you."

Nightlife friend. Upon hearing those words, comprehension dawned on Monica's face. It seemed in Monica's mind, that Isaac held that kind of position for her.

Of course Isaac had no intention of staying just friends.

After all, Monica had opened the path that Isaac had once closed off.

"I've decided not to give up on enjoying things and pursuing what I find it enjoyable."

Knowing Felix's final wish, Monica smiled faintly and took Isaac's hand.

"If that's the case yes, I'll help with your pursuit of enjoyment,' Isaac."

The two began dancing to the faint music drifting from the party hall.

Isaac's perfect escort and Monica's clumsy steps made for a mismatched dance, but Isaac laughed wholeheartedly, clearly enjoying himself.

The two were bathed in the gentle light of the hero's constellation shining brilliantly overhead.

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