As the day went on, my life seemed to return to normal. Gossip about the duel was slowly fading, but the unfamiliar way people looked at me remained.
Now, there was always a strange atmosphere whenever I engaged with other common students, and even the nobles' gazes felt strange. While I was content to be left alone, it ultimately created a sense of distance from everyone.
"Looks like things have quieted down now," Gaelio commented, and I nodded absentmindedly.
However, his expression quickly turned awkward, and he stared at the person beside me, "By the way, what are you doing here?"
Carta, focused on eating, stopped and frowned, "Can I not be here?"
"That's not the point!" He shouted dramatically, "You never bothered sitting with us before, and you showed up today out of nowhere?! It's suspicious, is what it is!"
As the two bickered, I quietly watched them while eating my food. Ever since that night, true to her words, I could feel Carta's presence from a distance. From day to night, the only time I felt free from her prying eyes was when I was in my room. It was to the point that even Gaelio and McGillis felt slightly bothered.
Thinking of McGillis, I turned my head and glanced at the empty seat where the blond-haired boy always sat.
"Is he busy again today?" I asked Gaelio, and he smiled wryly.
"Looks like things were a bit hectic lately. I heard Lord Fareed has taken a bit more interest in McGillis's academy life." He explained and laughed awkwardly.
"It makes sense, McGillis is troubled. Their relationship wasn't always favourable." Carta added.
"How come I was never aware of this?" I put down my utensils and asked Gaelio.
"It's not that it was kept secret from you on purpose." He said with a guilty expression, "But you must have realised that noble society can be quite complicated."
"I'm worried that if Ren knows too much, it will create more trouble than it's worth," Gaelio answered honestly.
"Regardless, because of you and McGillis, Student Ordis's life will become more difficult anyway," Carta commented.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"By befriending the heir of Baulduin and the Fareed family, everyone will now see you not as an average person anymore. You can become a tool for people to exploit to get closer to the two heirs of the Seven Stars."
"That means you now must be careful with whom you associate in the future," Carta warned, and I subconsciously frowned.
"In my opinion, McGillis has made a strange choice befriending you. While you are much more interesting than anyone I have seen. But the risk of creating a vulnerability through you is much heavier." Carta grasped her chin and contemplated thoughtfully, "This led me to believe that he may have an ulterior motive."
"Carta!" Gaelio reprimanded sharply and looked at me apologetically, "Please forget what she said!"
"You must have thought of it as well? No?" She said to Gaelio and me in unison.
Mulling over her words, a wry smile appeared on my lips, and I nodded. Observing my reaction, Gaelio averted his gaze either out of guilt or denial.
"That was something I thought of as well... But I still don't understand why he did what he did." I answered honestly. Reflecting on McGillis's action, it's practically on the borderline of manipulation. "In the end, I don't really have a choice."
"Ren..."
"Nonetheless, I still owe my thanks to McGillis for allowing me to vent my frustration after so long. Even if he's the one behind it." I continued in a resigned tone.
"I admire your optimism." Carta nodded in agreement, "As McGillis's friend, I will ensure that he won't ruin it."
"Don't worry, I will also make sure that he doesn't do something like this again!" Gaelio declared passionately.
Under their heated gazes, I coughed in embarrassment.
"Nonetheless, don't worry too much and just enjoy yourself. Our school life will only last so long." Gaelio laughed, "Carta will be graduating soon, right?" He asked, forgetting the earlier argument.
"Yes, that's correct." Carta nodded, "After this year, I will be officially recognised as an adult."
"What do you plan to do?" I suddenly asked curiously at this strange senior before me.
"With the absence of my father, I will be overlooking matters in the Issue family," Carta explained awkwardly, her fingers clenched subconsciously into a fist. "I have been neglecting my duties for far too long."
"If the Issue Family is lacking a clan head, who's managing the family all this time?"
"That..." Carta's expression became complicated, and the light-hearted atmosphere around instantly dampened.
"With no suitable leader... I was taken in by Lord Fareed, McGillis's father... Thanks to the Lord's generosity. I'm able to grow up safely to this day."
"Then whose side are you on?" I prodded, and Carta froze as if I had touched upon a sore spot, "If Lord Fareed order you to harm McGillis, will you do it?"
"Watch your words... Student Ordis..." She warned coldly and clenched her fists in suppressed rage.
"I'm sorry, I said something I shouldn't..." I muttered and averted her gaze.
Thinking of something. I opened my mouth but closed it upon Carta's firm expression, and I knew that this is as much as I'm able to know...
"Ah ha ha..." Gaelio laughed awkwardly under the tense atmosphere. "Anyway, Carta, you will be training to be a mobile suit pilot after right?"
Glancing at me, Carta eventually nodded. "Yes. That will be the best way to raise the Issue family's prestige." She answered, but her tone wasn't as soft as before.
"Me too! How about you, Ren? You definitely have the skills for it." Gaelio said and looked at me with curiosity.
"I.... I think I will become a mobile suit engineer..." I spoke hesitantly.
"WHAT?!" Gaelio angrily slapped the table as the students around us stared at him in surprise, "You showed so much potential, why would you waste it on something like that?!"
"Piloting is not for me," I replied firmly, though the hand holding my utensils trembled ever so slightly.
Gaelio looked as if he wanted to argue further, but stopped when Carta shook her head, "Student Ordis, as begrudingly, I have to admit, your skill in piloting far surpasses mine."
"What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying is that while I agree with Gaelio that Gjallarhorn would highly value your expertise. It is not our right to push you onto a path you detest."
"None of us understands your situation, and it wasn't our right to pry, but we should respect it nonetheless," Carta said, and I averted my gaze out of embarrassment.
"Thanks..." I mumbled timidly, and Carta nodded.
Gaelio frowned. "...But still... Haaaaaaa...." He ruffled his hair and sighed deeply, "Then you'd better design a machine worthy of our names!"
A faint warmth appeared in my chest, and I coughed awkwardly to hide the smile threatening to bloom on my face. However, that smile soon became crooked as a sad emotion pierced through the warmth.
McGillis, Gaelio and even Carta...
Am I someone truly deserving to have those people as friends?
Quickly shaking my head, I faced the two who were awaiting my answer with a stiff grin. "...Alright."
The tension gradually eased, replaced once more by the mundane noise of the cafeteria. Normal conversation resumed around us, and our voices melted into the atmosphere, within the waves of students...
From that day onward, eating together has become routine, and I've felt myself opening up to them. Even Lady Issie's expression has considerably softened towards me.
Studying... Eating... Talking.
These mundane things slowly seeped into my routine, and these nobles I considered friends slowly etched themselves into my life.
Gaelio's endless chatter filled every silence at the table, often dragging even the most trivial topics into long discussions. McGillis usually sat quietly beside him, always with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Across from us, Carta maintained the same sternness she always wore. Yet I could always feel that softness under that cold personality. While none of us really spoke up, Carta's suspicion faded some time ago, and I found her shell slowly peeling away in our presence.
Looking back now, it was hard to believe the gap we originally had, yet we shared the same table. However, somewhere deep inside my heart, a small stinging pain lingered.
This feeling felt too comfortable for someone like me. These people, whom I would never cross pass under any other circumstances, treated me as if the wall between us never existed at all.
After we graduate, our paths will definitely diverge, and this small friendship, like any other, can eventually fade. So just for a little longer, let me live in this temporary fantasy...