"Turn Around and Face Me!" 00 (Pixiv Fanbox)

The prologue, or perhaps just an aside

※ Told from the perspective of ???

I’m in love with someone. We met a long, long time ago, but I’ve always held her dear in my heart. Those feelings have never faltered, not even once. The image of her smile has always remained with me. Now that I’ve enrolled into the same academy as her, I thought my wish to watch over her smile forever would be fulfilled.

―At least that’s what I thought.

“Lily-sama, please, open wide and say ahh.”

“Ah, erm, Alea-chan… We’re in the classroom, could you refrain from doing stuff like that…?”

“… Mei is confident she’ll enjoy the food more than Lily-sama, ahh.”

Most of the students had left for the cafeteria, leaving the classroom sparse. Within the newly constructed classroom, all the eyes of the remaining students focused on one corner. The lush blonde hair of the one I love―Alea François―flowed graciously. The blonde smiled broadly as she cornered another girl with silver hair and red eyes. As you may have guessed, it was our lunch break and instead of going to the cafeteria like most of our other classmates, Alea-chan was trying to force feed the other girl her own pudding. The other girl was visibly troubled.

“Oh hoh, feeling shy are we? No matter, I personally quite like girls who know to show modesty. However, it isn’t an option for you to refuse my affections, don’t you understand?”

“T-This goes well beyond refusing simply because Lily feels shy…!”

“… Looks like she hasn’t noticed. Well, sandwiches are a much better match than pudding for a lady like Mei anyway…”

The other girl―Lily-sama―timidly but also flatly refused. Even so, Alea-chan pressed on, paying no heed. Setting the two of them aside for now, I directed my attention to the girl next to them, Alea-chan’s identical twin sister, Mei-chan. She remained expressionless, but somehow her dejection still showed.

“Mother Rei once told me! Saying no is just an indication that you actually like it!”

“That does seem like something Rei-san would say!?”

“… You can’t say that. It’s sexual harassment.”

Occupied by their banter, they hadn’t noticed, but for a while everyone around them peeked curiously in their direction. Their hushed whispers were clear to me.

“So those girls are Claire-sama and Rei-sama’s…?”

“Yes, most likely. And the remaining one is Lily-sama, right…?”

“How wonderful… I’d love to get to know them.”

Their gazes contained envy and admiration. That was only to be expected. The group of girls at the center of everyone’s attention was by no means ordinary. They were members of the world’s “Ten Saviors”, a group of heroes who once saved us all from peril.

Both the onlookers and I were young ladies at an impressionable age. With these girls, hailed as heroes, so close by, how could our hearts not flutter with expectation.

Then, as if entirely unaware… Or perhaps aware but ignoring the surrounding commentary,

“Eh? But… Lily-sama, you do like me too, don’t you? Of course you do, I know you do!”

“Uh, uhm… Wait, could you not make up Lily’s answer for her before she can…!”

“… Mei thinks she could return even sweeter whispers.”

Seeing how close the three were, it was clear there was no way I could force my way between them. My heart, that previously bounced with expectations of a new love, now felt as though it could just crumble and waste away.

“Everyone back at the orphanage… I’m sorry. It’s only my first day, but I don’t know if I can handle this…”

　◆◇◆◇◆

Bauer All Girls’ Private Academy. This all girls’ academy was founded by Claire François, a core member of the Ten Saviors. Claire-sama was Alea-chan and Mei-chan’s mother. She and her partner, Rei-sama, both strived to improve the social standing of all women. They are the object of admiration for all women who live in the kingdom.

The academy’s uniform was primarily white representing the ideals of the academy, and the design was quite popular as well. Overall, the academy was known to be the pinnacle of girls’ education. In contrast to the kingdom’s own institution―the Bauer Royal Institute of Learning―an institution that focused on traditional values, the Bauer Girls’ Academy, commonly referred to as, “The Academy”, was far more progressive. “We must offer adequate education for the young women who will lead our future―”, those were Claire-sama’s, the academy’s current chairwoman’s, own words. Her words resonated with something within me, leading me to leave the Empire to come here as an exchange student.

… Though I won’t deny that I also had ulterior motives…

I met Alea-chan, the object of my ulterior motives, about ten years ago in the Naa Empire. I lost my parents in the war, and as a result was raised in an orphanage. Alea-chan would often come to visit our orphanage along with Rei-sama, Claire-sama and Mei-chan. Back then, and to some degree, even now, I was especially introverted. Despite how much trouble I had even talking to my fellow orphans, somehow, Alea-chan managed to leap right over my walls.

『The color of your hair is beautiful. It’s the same color as the delicious coffee my mother prepares in the morning.』

Alea-chan said those words with a smile. I still vividly remember her smile to this very day. She was somehow always carefree and cheerful, and always, always… made the effort to include me despite how shy I was. Alea-chan effectively became a bridge, connecting me to the other orphans who I had always felt alienated from. The Spirit Church’s teachings mentioned the existence of angels, and I was sure that those teachings referred to people like Alea-chan.

“Alea-chan really hasn’t changed, has she. Mei-chan on the other hand… maybe changed a bit.”

Mei-chan often played with me as well, but even to the very end, she remained an enigma. Even though they were nearly identical, I remembered that she always held an air of mystery. But her eyes were practically always chasing after Alea-chan. Even when we were children, I felt that I never knew how to deal with her.

As the fight for our world’s continued existence continued, the two of them returned to Bauer. I still remember just how much I cried when we were forced to part ways. To me, Alea-chan was a very special person. So special, that I hadn’t forgotten her even after these ten years we had spent apart.

And today, we finally reunited here in this academy as its students, so just what exactly was this scene unfolding before me…?

“Lily-sama, here! Right here! Let’s sit next to each other during class.”

“Er, erm… Lily thinks it might be best not to…”

“… You heard her, Alea, so instead you should sit next to Mei―”

“My, is that so? You’re saying you’d prefer to sit with me on my lap then. Wow, Lily-sama, your hobbies rival even Mother Rei’s!”

“T-That’s not what Lily said!”

“… Mei… feels sad.”

Alea-chan’s eyes fixate on the graceful but tiny girl with silver hair and red eyes… Lily-sama, and only Lily-sama. Lily-sama too was one of the world’s Ten Saviors. Despite her youthful appearance, she was actually a number of years older than we were and a wonderful person who served as a Cardinal of the Spirit Church. From what I heard, she barely aged at all over the past ten years.

As for why she was here with us in the academy, there was a reason. The Bauer All Girls’ Academy opened its gates to a wide range of people. So long as one clearly held the desire to learn, age was not a barring factor to admission. Lily-sama had enrolled as an adult student.

“Lily-sama, I don’t really understand this part very well.”

“Eh? Ah, so for that you need to…”

“… Hey, you two are too close.”

“Do you really think so? I heard that when our mothers were in school, they too studied side by side, at zero distance.”

“L-Lily thinks that we should maintain an appropriate distance…”

“… In that case, what if Mei and Alea study together at a negative distance?”

The three of them got along really well. As stated, they were all members of the world’s Ten Saviors. They have spent more than ten years together at this point, so perhaps… There was no place for me in their midst.

On the way back to the academy dorms, in direct contrast to the clear skies, my heart had clouded over. The feelings I held onto for ten years, the feelings I continued to hold even now… The reality that those feelings were but one-sided and unrequited, made my heart feel as though it would burst.

I felt homesick for the Naa Empire―or rather, my orphanage. With the invention of teleportation gates that allow people to quickly travel great distances, traveling between the Empire and Bauer became a lot easier than it once was, but that didn’t change the fact that I was far from home. To think I would feel homesick so soon… Would I really be okay taking classes here?

―.

“…?”

I heard a rustle in the bushes to my left. Curious, I turned in the direction of the sound.

There, a bulge in the ground gradually worked its way toward me. “Probably just a mole.” I thought, remaining carefree, but the bulge steadily became larger, and soon something burst out of the bulge, freezing me in place.

“Shrrrr…!”

“AAHHH!”

The other students in the area screamed along with me. A snake-like monster erupted from the ground and reared its head. Compared to normal snakes, this monster was much, much larger. If it were to coil its body, it could match the size of a boar. Its skin was very thick, and its scales looked sharp almost like thorns. The monster, already aware of my presence, twisted itself back preparing to strike.

The sense that something terrible was about to happen rushed to my head. My instincts told me to run, but I was paralyzed by my own fear. My mind recalled that because snake-like monsters were able to burrow, they were hard to exterminate or detect before they attacked. Not that such a detail could help me in any practical way now though…

(… Why, why does this have to happen to me―!)

I’d done my best. All this time, all so that I could reunite with Alea-chan. In order to not burden my orphanage, I studied hard so that I would be accepted into the academy on a foreign exchange scholarship. I’d done my best to become sociable to some degree as well. Last night, I was so excited that I had trouble sleeping, and early in the morning I had no doubts today would be absolutely wonderful. And yet, this was how things turned out.

(It’s because I enrolled with ulterior motives. Perhaps this is punishment.)

Looking back on it, it was clear that my thoughts were spiraling. I had done nothing wrong. However my fear had launched my thoughts into disarray, and I couldn’t help but blame myself.

In a flash the monster sprung forth to attack me. Leaving itself to its momentum, it was about to devour me―but then, just like that, it was blown to the side.

“… Huh?”

Unable to grasp what was going on, the scenario played on, leaving me behind.

“This is human territory. If you don’t want to lose your life, go back to where you belong.”

The one who had jumped in to protect me was Alea-chan. My gaze drifted toward the monster’s wounds, and it would appear that Alea-chan kicked it, knocking it down to the ground.

“You’ll be alright now.”

“… Lily-sama.”

At some point, Lily-sama too rushed to my side and hugged me. Her gentle presence offered a sense of security that enveloped me. Just as relief began to settle in, my other emotions overwhelmed me and tears began to flood my eyes.

“Hisssssー!”

Crying out viciously, the monster launched itself at Alea-chan. I knew that Alea-chan was strong, but right now she appeared to be unarmed. Beyond that, the snake must have been at least a few meters in length. The difference in their physique was clear―no matter how strong she was…!

“Alea-chan!”

“She’ll be fine, just watch.”

Lily-sama spoke softly as she continued to hold me. After turning to face Lily-sama for a moment, I returned my gaze to Alea-chan.

“… Alea, you forgot this.”

“Mei, why thank you.”

Mei-chan gave Alea-chan what appeared to be a short sword. The blade was so short that it must have been made for a child. Could she really fight off such a large snake with something like that?

“Alea-chan, that’s too reckless…!”

“No, Alea-chan will be fine.”

“Eh?”

As Lily-sama spoke, her expression contained unconditional trust. Mei-chan, who now stood next to Alea-chan was the same.

“Hisssssー!”

The giant snake wriggled its body around, lunging for Alea-chan multiple times. However, Alea-chan dodged those attacks with light and elegant legwork. Then,

“Huff…!”

Leaving that lone huff behind, Alea-chan momentarily disappeared. The very next moment,

“Ugah!?”

The giant monster was momentarily still before it convulsed and collapsed down to the ground. Unable to grasp what had happened, I could only stare. But, I guess, I had been saved.

“… Good work, Alea.”

“Oh, it was nothing. Mei, could you call the guards.”

“… Sure.”

At Alea-chan’s request, Mei-chan closed her eyes. She was likely using telepathy to call someone over.

Suddenly, Alea-chan’s gaze shifted to the bushes nearby. As I wondered what she was thinking, she swiftly swung her sword… Or at least I thought she did. I couldn’t actually see the motion. Right after that, there was a large noise and I could tell something was running away.

“Hm, I really wish I could extend my range a little…”

“Alea-chan…?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“… Alea, I’ve called them.”

Shortly after that, three academy guards rushed over.

“Just as I’d expect from Alea-san…”

“She isn’t revered as one of the Ten Saviors for nothing…!”

“So cool…”

The other students who were there began praising her. It was true, Alea-chan was very cool just now. But having been in imminent danger, my mind still hadn’t quite caught up.

A lady who appeared to be the one in charge of campus security came to talk to me. She said that they’d ask for details at another time, so for now she wanted me to go to the school counselor’s office. To be honest, I had no clue about anything that had just happened. I had just stood there terrified, so I appreciated the chance to get some proper care.

“Sorry to put you through something so scary. The guards must have been slacking. And Alea-san, thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. It appears that the monsters have become more clever recently.”

“That’s true. Just the other day, near the teleport gate going to the empire too―”

Completely unfazed, Alea-chan continued to talk to the guards about monsters. I didn’t feel that I could follow the conversation, much less be helpful. For now, I should do what I was told, and head to the counselor’s office. However, before I left, I wanted to at least thank Alea-chan.

“Uhm…!”

“? What is it, Yuria?”

“!? Why do you know my…?”

Ever since we had reunited, I had not yet told her my name. I had grown a lot, so I didn’t look anywhere close to how I did ten years ago either. My hair, once medium length, was now long. So, how…?

“What are you saying, you’re an important friend to me. There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize you.”

“Alea-chan…”

“Quite the disaster on the first day, Yuria, but please don’t worry. Your three years at this academy will be wonderful, I assure you.”

As Alea-chan spoke those words confidently, I could tell. Ah… Alea-chan wouldn’t even allow me to give up my love for her.

“… Alea-chan, you’re so unfair.”

“? What was that?”

“No, it was nothing, thank you for saving me.”

“Really, think nothing of it… Hey, Lily-sama, just how long do you intend to hold Yuria like that? Why not give me a thank you kiss instead?”

“Ehhh…”

After that, I parted ways with Alea-chan and the others. I had come face to face with quite the disaster, but it wasn’t all bad. Alea-chan… Actually remembered me. Even though it had been a whole ten years.

“I… Maybe I don’t have to give up…”

I really didn’t think I had a chance. Alea-chan only had eyes for Lily-sama. I could tell that Mei-chan held feelings for Alea-chan too.

But… Even so…

“Even so, I want to hold these feelings dear.”

I already knew. I could not become the protagonist of this story. But even then, why couldn’t a side character like me be in love?

“Wait for me, Alea-chan.”

My love had only just begun.