The next day.
The male students who’d been eagerly anticipating Literature class—even joking about forming a “Heartbeat Literature Club”—didn’t get to see their teacher Beren.
“Ahem… Since Teacher Beren is absent, I’ll be substituting for her for now.”
Replacing Beren was a middle-aged, balding uncle.
“First, open your books to… Huh? Huh? Huh? Why are you all walking out?”
Chaos erupted instantly.
[Teacher! My stomach hurts!]
[Teacher, my back’s killing me!]
[My pencil rolled outside, Teacher!]
Without Beren, the elective Literature class reverted to being so deserted not even a crow would fly over it.
The vast classroom emptied quickly, leaving only me sitting alone in the corner.
“Arisa-kun… *sniffle*… you’re such a good student. When scholarship votes come around this year, I’ll definitely pick you!”
The balding teacher droned on about the textbook while I stared at the doorway, sighing deeply.
So Beren really wasn’t coming back?
…
That night Beren uncovered my double identity, I snapped out of it and chased after her—but she still slipped away.
Before, I’d never let a frail elf escape so easily. But that night, maybe I was too distracted. Or maybe I hesitated to catch her. When I came to, I was pillowed on Lorian’s lap, fast asleep.
Beren seeing through me proved she wasn’t dumb. Once calm, she’d realize Lorian and I never meant to deceive her.
Yet today, she skipped class entirely—even took leave from the academy…
Did she still choose to avoid me after calming down?
After waking dazed yesterday, I begged Hill—the great Goddess—to use some “divine power” to track Beren down.
But the Goddess reacted strangely.
“I refuse. Why should I use my power to find a woman who likes you?”
“It’s meaningless. Besides… I won’t do it.”
Just like that, I lost all trace of Beren.
Last night, after tossing and turning, I’d decided to respond as my true self—Arisa, not butler “Mr. Alisha Da”—to that elf who confessed.
But Beren vanished without giving me a chance?
…
Thinking this, my stomach twisted.
The balding teacher finally left too. Class had ended while I was lost in thought.
I planned to ask around about Beren’s whereabouts when Lorian briskly entered the classroom.
Right—I’d also asked her last night to look into it.
Not seeing her all morning… had she found something?
“Big Brother Arisa, skipping lunch hurts your health. Worrying about that elf matters less than taking care of yourself, right?”
Lorian sat beside me. She took a basket from Miss Roberta—the head maid standing nearby—and pushed over fresh pastries and bread.
Lorian never brought maids, especially not busy Miss Roberta. This unusual move meant…
My eyes flickered with hope, though the bread I mechanically chewed tasted like wax.
This is bad. Without realizing it, I’d started caring about that elf Beren.
“Last night, I sent Roberta to the Elder Elf embassy. We also asked people Beren might’ve contacted…”
“So… did you find her?”
My heart skipped a beat.
The air grew tense. Lorian and Miss Roberta stayed silent, making me shiver.
A shadow flashed in Lorian’s eyes—then vanished under apology.
I had no time to puzzle over my childhood friend’s strange vibe.
After a long silence, Lorian slowly shook her head.
“Sorry, Big Brother Arisa. No useful leads.”
Miss Roberta added, “Beren’s likely still in the faculty dorm. She hasn’t returned to the Elf Embassy.”
Not at the embassy. Not in class. Was she hiding completely?
“D-don’t apologize. It was my request.”
I took a deep breath, forcing cheer. “Once Beren calms down and returns, we’ll talk properly.”
“Mhm!”
My tone revived Lorian’s energy. As usual, she started shoving food into my mouth.
“You don’t need to stress, Big Brother Arisa. Neglecting your health for other girls isn’t worth it! Try this baguette first!”
Don’t stand up to stuff it in my mouth! Someone might see and get the wrong idea!
…
Lorian’s care lifted my gloom.
Beren must be sorting her feelings somewhere in the city…
That’s what I thought.
But right after lunch—while Lorian and Roberta were gone—elf siblings Furide and Flan sneaked into the classroom.
They looked like they were hiding. Flan even stood guard at the door.
Fuu rushed to me, panicked. I’d just packed my bag for afternoon classes.
“Master, what… what happened between you and Sister Beren?”
Fuu gestured wildly.
W-well, yeah… our “drama” was pretty theatrical.
“Ah, well… hahaha… just a tiny bit…”
I laughed awkwardly—then froze.
“Sister Beren told us this morning she’s packing up and heading back to the forest! She left you a letter…”
…
“Huh?”
A letter for me?
But I… haven’t received anything?
