13 – Love
“Phew…”
In the hot water and mist.
Iria let out a sigh as she sunk down to her shoulders.
“So this is a hot spring…”
“Yes. It is so nice.”
Sumia said with a smile.
“By the way, they found another hot spring source in the Flarel territories, and construction is already underway. They plan to build a spa and resort.”
“I would very much like to go to that…”
Sumia answered with a sigh.
“Ms. Iria. You have very beautiful skin…”
“Huh?”
“Your waist is thin, you have a small head, and such nice hair… I am so jealous.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. You’re much more…”
Iria averted her eyes.
This was hardly the first time someone had complimented her. But she usually thought nothing of it.
In fact…she had often wished that she were born a man instead. Even these days, when her skill with magic and ki arts had made up for any differences between her and the men.
Besides, had she been a man, she would not have to feel self-conscious about her proximity with Yukito.
And so it was odd for her to feel this way now.
But recently, she was often not herself.
“…Ms. Sumia. What do you think of teacher Yukito?”
“What do I think?”
She looked up at the sky.
It was almost night time now. Sumia stared at the color gradations for a moment, before muttering, ‘Indeed.’
“I suppose…I think that he is similar to my older brother.”
“…To Mr. Gileus?”
Iria tilted her head doubtfully.
They certainly did not look similar on the outside. There was something quite bold and wild about the way Gileus moved. Yukito was…
“Yes. I suppose they are a little childish?”
“…Mr. Gileus is childish?”
“Yes, surprisingly.”
Sumia said with a chuckle.
That was surprising. But perhaps families were just like that.
They had a side that they did not show others. A side that only their family knew about.
So, what about Yukito then?
Did Iria know a side to him that others did not know?
…How much did she really know him anyway?
“…Love.”
Came the quiet mutter, and Iria raised her head with a gasp.
Sumia was looking at her with a quiet smile.
“Are you in love?”
…Love?
She felt out of breath and her heart raced.
Why?
“Your eyes when looking at him. They are so pretty and bright… And I think… Ah, she is in love. How nice.”
“…”
She had no reply for that.
But it felt too painful to breathe.
The only thing she could think of was ‘why?’
Love?
What was that?
“…Ms. Iria?”
“Ah, uh…”
As Sumia looked at her curiously, Iria stood up in the water.
“I’m sorry, I feel a little light-headed.”
“Oh, really? In that case…”
“It’s fine! I’ll be fine. I’ll go on ahead. You stay and enjoy yourself.”
Not wanting Sumia to see her face, she got out of the water.
She did not know.
What her face looked like when she saw Yukito.
She had no idea…
◆ ◇ ◆
Iria hardly remembered how she had returned to her hotel.
She barely even remembered the conversation.
She just did not want to be seen.
And she did not want to look at Yukito’s face.
After separating from him, she wandered around until she reached the training room in the hotel.
She put her hand on the door and then paused. She was still wearing the clothes she had gone out in. She should have changed into some training wear.
(…Why am I so shaken?)
She had been teased in regards to Yukito a number of times before.
But it was different with Ms. Sumia. Was that why she ran away?
There was someone already inside.
Iria regretted her decision for a moment. She didn’t want company right now.
“Iria?”
A girl with brown skin stood inside. It was her rival, Aize.
Iria stood there silently. She didn’t know what to say, how to look. She couldn’t think of anything. But she did not want to run away either.
She had decided that she would not run. And yet she wanted to. And she hated herself for it.
Especially in front of this person.
“Aize…”
It poured out of her mouth.
She didn’t know why…
“Do you like him… Teacher? As a…woman.”
“Yeah.”
…The reply was clear as day. Iria did not know how to respond.