喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Side Stories 11

Selena stared blankly at the degree certificate in her hand.

Imperial Academy, Master's Degree. Name: Selena Ifrit.

There was more written below, but she didn't care. The only thing that mattered was that she wasn't just a graduate, but a master's degree holder.

She had gone through all sorts of hardships to get this. Wrestling with books, seeking advice from professors... Every night, she'd find herself overwhelmed, cursing the grad school.

"Haaa..."

She thought she would be overjoyed and relieved when she got her master's degree. She expected to jump around and brag to everyone she met.

But now that she had it, she felt empty. And lonely. It wasn't that she wasn't happy.

What was it? It was just... strange.

'That feeling Karl talked about before. Did Karl feel this way too?'

Once, while talking about the military, Karl had told her a similar story.

Every day, he chanted, ‘Discharge, discharge. Discharge, discharge.’ But when he was actually discharged, he felt strange.

He was happy, of course. He was relieved. But then came the emptiness.

...No. Karl must have had it hundreds of times harder than her. It was disrespectful to even compare. How could she compare grad school to the military?

He even enlisted because of her. She couldn't have had it harder than Karl!

Selena shook her head vigorously and placed the degree certificate in her room.

Some people might say it wasn't a big deal, but it was.

It was something that noble ladies who weren't interested in academics didn't have.

"Now..."

Now, it's truly over. But as one chapter closes, another begins.

With this, I can be more at ease. I can move forward with a new relationship.

After the New Year's celebration and the graduation ceremony. Finally. Finally...!

'Selena Adelheit, not Selena Ifrit.'

Her heart pounded like crazy. Her face flushed red.

A shy moan, ‘Hng!’ escaped her clenched lips.

If others saw her like this, they might stare and wonder what was wrong with her.

But she didn't care. In fact, she was okay with it.

So much had happened. She had thought it would never happen.

Wouldn't it be strange if she wasn't this happy right now?

'Just a little longer. Just a little longer.'

Last year, time didn't seem to pass this slowly.

The New Year's celebration was a lot of fun, and after that, she was busy with her degree.

There was a sudden war in the meantime, which was a bit stressful, but it was over quickly.

The wedding preparations were already well underway and almost complete.

Now, Karl will graduate. And a few months later. They would become a new couple in the spring.

'I hope that day comes soon...'

Fresh grass and fragrant flowers. The groom waiting for his bride.

And the bride walking towards him, step by step.

Selena dreamt of such happy dreams again tonight.

* * *

"Once again, I sincerely congratulate our seniors on their graduation..."

The student council president's graduation speech ended, and applause erupted from all sides.

Every year's graduation ceremony was special, but today was even more so.

"Next, we'll hear from our graduating student representative, Karl Adelheit."

There would probably never be another student like him.

He had already earned two Medals of Honor and was even being considered for sainthood while still a student.

Thanks to him, the academy had another achievement to add to its list of accolades.

"Ah, I'll skip the introduction. It's too long and complicated to say myself. Our fellow graduates, juniors, and distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence today, please just remember me as you know me."

Everyone in the audience burst into laughter and nodded at Karl's words.

That's right. That's the way it should be. Why bother explaining when the whole world already knows?

Perhaps that statement itself was the greatest achievement of the greatest hero.

"It's been a long, long journey. Well, maybe not? Should I say it was short? Anyway, it was long for me. Because I took a leave of absence in the middle. It was hard to adjust at first, living with my juniors. I was worried I'd be treated like an ancient relic."

Laughter erupted again. Everyone looked happy.

Despite his fame, he was just an ordinary person. A senior who greeted them warmly when they met. A student who struggled with exams. Everyone at the academy knew the real Karl.

"But thanks to all of you here, this returning student is finally graduating. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of this community. I'll always cherish the memories and experiences I've gained here."

"The connections and memories I've made here won't end today. Although my status as an academy student has ended, an ending is just a new beginning, isn't it?"

Selena, sitting in the front row, nodded at Karl's words.

She had also started as a graduate student right after graduation...

Hmm. Was that a weird analogy? But it seemed right?

"Some of you will leave this place and find a new place. Some will take a break and look for a new dream. Whoever you are, whatever your goal is, I will cheer you on."

Applause again. They probably thought Karl was wrapping up.

The Karl they knew wasn't the type to talk for long.

"So here's the thing."

But today was different. Karl continued speaking.

"I also need your support. To mark the end of my time as a returning student at the academy, I am embarking on a new journey. In search of a new life."

Karl's sudden words caused a small murmur among the audience.

Why was he saying this? A new beginning? Needing their support?

"Oof."

Meanwhile, Karl stepped down from the podium and headed towards the VIP seats.

Those who were close by could see that Karl was extremely nervous. He was at a loss for what to do. But he was trying to hide it and kept walking.

"Selena."

Finally reaching his destination, Karl carefully knelt on one knee.

Selena, who had been sitting, was so startled that she jumped to her feet.

"I realized I never did this. Our families talked, and we're supposed to be together, but I've never said this to you as a man to a woman."

"K-Karl?"

He opened a velvet box, revealing a ring that shimmered in the light.

The people around them, finally realizing what was happening, gasped.

"Will you marry me?.... No. Marry me!"

"Oh, but if you do it like this..."

A scene flashed through Selena's mind.

"Go out with me! Selena Ifrit!"

"What are you talking about?! Are you crazy?! Get out of my sight!"

It was the same back then.

People staring at her and Karl.

Karl, who didn't care about them and only looked at her.

And Selena, stressed to the max from being constantly bombarded with confessions.

Since then, she had thought about it dozens, hundreds of times.

What if, just in case...

What if she hadn't been bombarded with confessions from more than ten classmates and seniors each week?

What if Karl had confessed his feelings to her in private?

Perhaps their relationship would have blossomed much sooner.

'It's different now.'

Yes, it was different. Both she and Karl were no longer the young and immature people they once were.

They had matured, learned to cherish each other, and loved each other more.

It was incomparable. To do so would be to deny the time they had felt sorry for each other.

In fact, wasn't she the one who had longed for this moment more than anyone?

Couldn't they resolve the past misunderstandings and hurtful words and actions?

"You're doing this even though we've already set the wedding date?"

"Well, ahem. I thought it was the right thing to do."

"Hmm."

"...Selena, am I wrong again...?"

Did Karl also remember that day? Did the embarrassing nightmare came back to him?

Seeing the worry and concern in his eyes, Selena quickly shook her head.

"No, Karl. Thank you. For never showing it, even though you must have had the hardest time. I'm sorry."

"...I'm doing this because I want to hear something other than an apology."

"Oh, right."

Selena, beaming, eagerly accepted the ring.

Karl, who had stood up, gently slid the ring onto her finger, and they smiled at each other.

"Ooooooh!"

"This is it!"

"Kyaaaa!"

The four friends who had been watching were the first to cheer and make all sorts of noises.

Following their lead, the people around them also covered their mouths and laughed, saying, ‘Oh my!’ or ‘Oh my goodness!’

The graduation ceremony was transformed into a chorus of cheers and well-wishes.

And as if someone had been watching this scene from somewhere...

"Whoa?"

"What! What's happening! Ack! It's so bright!"

At that very moment, the light of the whole world shone down on the two of them.