It had been a full day since a certain girl caught Furide and me in that... compromising position.

I tossed and turned all night, barely catching any sleep. When exhaustion finally dragged me under past midnight, I was haunted by nightmares born of sheer psychological trauma.

Holy moly! Why did I dream of walking down the aisle with Furide in a wedding dress, kissing under everyone’s blessings in a church!?

Wasn’t this novel supposed to be a harem story?

Bleary-eyed the next morning, I dragged myself to the academy to find Furide. We had to track down that girl who’d spied on us yesterday and clear this mess up—fast.

“Morning, Master!”

Unlike me, Furide today seemed pumped full of energy potions. He even flushed slightly when he saw me.

“Actually, I had a dream last night where you and I…”

Stop!

Don’t say another word. I already know what kind of dream that was.

I’d already hatched a plan to find the peeping girl. An incident that big would’ve sparked fresh rumors—we’d just follow the trail.

But the academy felt oddly calm today. Suspiciously calm.

Students still pointed and whispered about us, but their gossip hadn’t moved past “Furide got turned gay.”

In short: zero new rumors.

That shattered my calm. Yesterday’s position had been way too suggestive!

Me sitting on the grass. Him straddling my lap. Our faces nearly touching. From a distance, it looked like we were… ahem!

If even *that* hadn’t sparked rumors, the girl who saw us was definitely plotting something.

So…

…

Minutes later, inside the faculty room.

With other teachers busy teaching, only Furide’s mother—Serica—sat alone, grading papers.

Asking a teacher for help was our only option. If this rumor festered until Lorian returned… I shuddered to imagine her expression.

After all, I’d recently promised my grandfather to “behave myself.” I couldn’t afford to push my luck now.

I glanced at Serica, mentally rehearsing how to explain yesterday’s incident.

But she beat me to it, beaming at Furide and me.

“The young truly rule the world now, Fuu. Mom gives her blessing.”

It’s not like that! What are you imagining, mother-in-law?!

…Ugh, bad phrasing!

While I panicked, Furide zeroed in on something else.

“Mother, what are these?”

Frowning, he snatched up a bundle of colorful “letters” from Serica’s desk.

“More love letters from clueless humans?!”

I peeked at the pile, then at Serica.

Today, she radiated mature allure—borderline scandalous. Her black top was modest enough, but the top button strained over her ample chest, revealing a trace of black lace beneath. Below, a short skirt hugged smooth legs sheathed in black stockings, paired with heels…

Hard to believe this was the figure of an Elf mother whose son was nearly grown. Especially one widowed young, living alone for years…

No wonder she got so many love letters.

“Sigh… Just notes slipped into my drawer by teachers and students,” Serica sighed, exasperated.

“But more importantly—Fuu, Xiao Ya—when’s the wedding? Who’ll officiate? Funny thing—I dreamed of your wedding last night too…”

“That’s not it at all!”

And why are *you* having that dream too?!

…

Minutes later, I bulldozed through Furide’s flustered protests and explained yesterday’s incident to Serica.

If the girl who saw us was just spreading rumors, fine. But the silence worried me—what if she planned to blackmail us?

“So that’s it, Serica. The girl ran too fast for me to catch. If you hear any whispers, please help clear Furide’s and my names.”

“You know I can’t afford scandal right now. If rumors flare up, my delayed engagement won’t hold…” I jabbed Furide’s waist. “Say something, Furide!”

He yelped instantly.

“Huh? Ah—I accept!”

…

Just… don’t speak, Elf.

“Mmm…”

Unlike her unreliable son, Serica the Elf mother was dependable.

She set down her pen, chin resting on her palm as she pondered.

“So… from that angle and distance, the girl might’ve thought you two were… kissing?”

Furide shot straight up.

“K-k-k-kissing?!”

“Shut it, idiot!” I smacked his head. “It *looked* like it, Serica! But nothing happened—we’re both guys!”

That’s right. Furide can do what he wants. But even in a dress, I’m a 100% certified straight guy!

“Sigh… Xiao Ya, I can’t verify that just by your word…”

Serica stood.

What was in this mother’s head? Did she really think cross-dressing her son was no big deal?!

“How about this? Fuu, Xiao Ya—reenact yesterday’s pose for me.”

She locked the faculty room door. “Perfect timing. No other teachers around. Let me… assess the situation.”

Reenact her son embracing another boy?!

Serica, is this how a proper Elf mother behaves?!

“Serica!”

I protested, but she adopted an overly serious expression.

She spread her hands.

“Or Xiao Ya, if you refuse—I’ll visit His Majesty after class. Tell him how you and Fuu were doing ‘strange things’ alone in a deserted forest…”

“Aaaah!”

I clutched my head and screamed.

Regret. So much regret! I should never have told Serica!

This Elf teacher was blackmailing her own student—and making it sound so righteous!

“Tick-tock, Xiao Ya. Class ends soon. Teachers will be back…”

“…Furide!”

I barked his name, then dropped into a chair. I waved impatiently at his dazed figure.

“Get over here! Sit on my lap—just like yesterday!”