I Became The Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – The Yellow Dog Next Door and the Red Cat.

 

One of the few things good games and bad games have in common is overflowing storage.

 

The amount of space items take up is absurd.

 

In the original game, there were diagonal, square, and even rhombus-shaped items.  This led to a tedious inventory management system in the sequel.

 

Shouting, ‘Give us more inventory space!! You developers!’ only resulted in more, better items.

 

In the end, it was a zero-sum game.

 

“Looking at this brings back memories.”

 

I stacked the luggage neatly in the carriage and started building a wall in the back seat.

 

‘If there’s no event, create one.’

 

That’s what the first person to conquer the Northern Grand Duchess said.  And that’s what I was doing now.

 

Like a couple’s seat in a movie theater, a plausible private space was complete.

 

I felt a sense of accomplishment.

 

“Oh?  Are you done organizing?”

 

Twin pigtails fluttering in the wind. It was Ariel.

 

When did she come?  She really doesn’t take after the Hero; she’s quite perceptive.  She must have been watching me do something strange.

 

There was a good way to handle this.

 

‘I’m doing all this to get you and Kainel together, so pretend you don’t know.’

 

I whispered to Ariel.

 

Ariel gasped, covered her mouth, and nodded.  She was already beaming.

 

Yes, give me easier choices like this.  Make it easier to build love lines.

 

“Hey, what are you doing! Get away from her!”

 

Ah, busted.  Whispering in her ear was caught by the yellow dog next door. He came running, practically fuming.

 

I had to improvise.

 

“It’s nothing. I just asked Ariel if you two were really dating.”

 

“Y-Yes! We weren’t doing anything! Really!”

 

Saying it like that makes it sound like you were caught doing something bad. I’m innocent, Ariel.  I’m a pure soul who hasn’t seen anything besides the Saint’s route.

 

“Why would you ask that?”

 

The Hero’s hand was already on his holy sword. I could hear him grinding his teeth.

 

Hold on, Puppy.

 

“The carriage is a bit cramped, so I was thinking I’d have to have Ariel sit next to me.  Would that be alright?”

 

“Of course not!! Ariel, come here.  Let’s sit in the back.”

 

“Okay! Kai!”

 

The Hero grabbed the Mage’s wrist and pulled her along, walking right into the trap I had set.

 

Hook, line, and sinker.

 

“You were going to sit next to that guy again?”

 

“Hee hee… No~! I said I’d sit next to our wonderful Kai.”

 

A smile spread across my face as I watched them.

 

He fell for it.  The red cat sat in the back seat, grinning. I’ll leave the next step to you.  After all, you even put on makeup today.

 

I’ll even throw in some suspension bridge effect for you, so do your best.

 

“Coachman, let’s work together on a little plan.”

 

I offered him a few extra fairy tales. The elderly man’s eyes widened as he looked at me.

 

You know what I mean.

 

—–CROW—–

 

The two childhood friends sat in the back seat.

 

Because of the wall-like partitions on either side, they were so close they could feel each other’s breath.

 

Sighing, the blond hero spoke.

 

“Ariel. All men are wolves. So don’t follow just anyone.”

 

“I know. But why are you being so nice to me today?”

 

“Of course it’s because of that Black Knight.  He knows you’re pretty… *cough*”

 

Kainel, almost slipping up, stopped breathing.

 

“Huh?! What did you say, Kai? I didn’t hear you~?”

 

“…Anyway, that guy in the helmet.  I don’t like him.  He looks like a wandering knight, all style and no substance.”

 

“He doesn’t seem like a bad person though.”

 

Ariel smiled, remembering what she had overheard while I was organizing the luggage.  Him getting her and Kainel together was only beneficial to her.  Even if she was shy.

 

This was an opportunity.

 

“He’s crazy! Anyone who hits on you is weird!”

 

“Then what about you? Don’t you like me?”

 

“…”

 

He couldn’t answer.

 

Looking at her cat-like, sly smile, the Hero’s face was already flushed with embarrassment.

 

‘Annoying. Why did he suddenly show up and act like that?’

 

The Hero had never felt jealousy before, but he felt uncomfortable just seeing that random guy next to Ariel.

 

His Holy Sword of Light was fine.  That meant he wasn’t evil.

 

That was precisely what bothered him.

 

He disliked the guy hitting on Ariel with pure good intentions. Growing up in the countryside without any rivals was becoming his weakness.

 

“But, Kai.”

 

“Huh? Oh! What is it, Ariel?”

 

He momentarily lost his composure, captivated by her.  The thought that this was dangerous came first.  This was the first time Kainel had been this close to her since they were eight years old.

 

“It’s just… it feels like it’s been a while since we were this close.”

 

“I-Is that so? I don’t know, when did we ever drift apart?”

 

“When you saved me from being bullied when we were little, you looked like a real hero.”

 

She was looking at him intently.  A sparkle shone beneath her softened gaze.  She even put on makeup.

 

“You’re still a hero.”

 

“…I’ve been feeling a little lonely lately, Kai.”

 

She puffed out her cheeks slightly.

 

His mind was already filled with thoughts of Ariel. Memories of their childhood mixed with her grown-up appearance now.  He had been keeping his distance for years because he couldn’t handle this.

 

It was too stimulating.

 

‘Just hold on until we reach the academy… Kainel…’

 

He tried to compose himself, taking deep breaths.

 

He had to keep his distance.

 

“Eek!”

 

But his efforts were short-lived as the carriage lurched violently.

 

Their shoulders bumped, and her scent touched him.

 

The scent of lavender.

 

Her red hair fell on his shoulder.

 

“Are you alright? The road is a bit rough.  Perhaps you should come to the front seat.”

 

Then, the man named Licht spoke from the front.  His slightly visible brown eyes were directed at me.  It sounded like a provocation.

 

Honestly, I was a little annoyed.

 

“…Ariel. Hold on tight.”

 

I grabbed her hand.  Sweat started to form from the warmth.

 

“Eek!”

 

The red-haired girl let out another strange shriek.

 

I even intertwined our fingers.

 

Whatever happens, happens.

 

—–CROW—–

 

‘Things are going well.’

 

I checked the situation in the back seat.  The road to the academy was rough anyway. The village where Kainel and I lived was, in game terms, a beginner’s haven.

 

There was no way the roads would be maintained.

 

“The two in the back seem quite passionate.”

 

“I agree.”

 

I had asked the coachman to play the role of a wingman.

 

“No, we’re not!”

 

“We’re not!”

 

See, even with just this, their reactions are so obvious. They’re practically dripping honey.

 

Well, it was said that elves love only one person forever.

 

Kainel, hanging his head and staring down, and Ariel, gazing straight at him.

 

This is it. This is why I like <Knight Heart>.  The soft, heartwarming feelings.

 

Their faces, flushed up to their necks, looked like two ripe persimmons placed side by side.

 

“…Ariel. Be careful not to fall forward.”

 

“Yeah. Of course. I trust you, Kai.”

 

He shifted his position. He was completely focused on her. Now they were holding hands.

 

You really are the Hero of Light I know.

 

This is how Kainel acts like a gentleman with just a little push from the side.

 

‘This is what made Ariel fall for him in the first place.’

 

A boy who looked like a hero, saving her from being bullied when they were young?

 

And he treated her not as an elf, but just as a girl.  I would have fallen for him too.

 

“Hmm, I have a question.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Shouldn’t they just date at this point?”

 

“They say they’re not like that.”

 

Nice one, Mr. Coachman. I’ll call you Teacher from now on!

 

“We’re just friends.”

 

“…”

 

He seemed deep in thought.  Just a little further.

 

At least it’s better than the ‘Corruption Route’.

 

‘If you make childhood friends fall in love, you have to take responsibility.’

 

I decided to play a little prank.

 

“It looks like dusk is approaching.”

 

“It’s gotten quite dark. Guests, we’ll camp near here tonight…”

 

Here it comes.

 

“D-Dusk!?”

 

“Ariel! Don’t freak out!  Waaaah!”

 

I touched on Ariel’s weakness: her fear of bugs.  A loud noise came from the back seat.

 

You two have no choice but to sleep in the same tent now. Hold hands and sleep.  You’ve always done that since you were kids.

 

With that thought, I turned my head, and the situation seemed more serious than I expected.

 

“Calm down, calm down. There are no spiders here.”

 

“Kainel…”

 

Ariel, her face pale, wasn’t even using his nickname anymore, and Kainel was looking at her with a serious expression.

 

‘Did I go too far with the joke?’

 

I didn’t expect her to have a seizure in the game just from a pun like that. This was the first time I saw how she reacted in real life.

 

This really makes me look like the bad guy.

 

Kainel, ignoring my gaze, was only checking on her.  His serious demeanor made me feel momentarily guilty and remorseful.

 

‘There is one way.’

 

I decided to use a buff item for the mistake I made.

 

*Here, take this.*

 

I took a candy from my pocket and handed it to him at an angle where Ariel couldn’t see.

 

It was a gift containing my personal apology.

 

I carefully gave him a thumbs-up as a sign of encouragement.  I only conveyed the meaning through gestures, so she probably wouldn’t notice.

 

“Ariel. Try this.”

 

“Candy…? Where did you get this, Kai…?”

 

The Hero, having received the candy from me, offered it to the red-haired Mage.

 

“Well…”

 

I put a finger to my lips, shushing the oblivious Kainel.

 

Hey, I’m giving this to you because you did well.  It’ll be hard to deviate from the route now.

 

“I bought it for you, Ariel.  You like sweets.

 

I was originally going to give it to you when we entered the academy, but since things are like this, try it now.”

 

“Hee hee… It’s sweet. Thank you, Kai.”

 

A love made of sugar was exchanged between Kainel’s rough palm and Ariel’s white, slender fingers.

 

Ariel, with the candy in her mouth, rolled it around with her tongue, enjoying the sweetness, looking like a squirrel with a happy smile directed at him.

 

‘Oh, smooth moves? I didn’t expect this. Kainel, you’re quite the charmer when you want to be.’

 

A relieved expression formed on Kainel’s lips as she regained her composure.

 

I thought he’d be flustered, but this was unexpected.

 

Then, Kainel nodded slightly at me, as if expressing his gratitude.

 

I felt a sense of acknowledgement.

 

Yes, I’m not your enemy.  I’m more of a helper.

 

My bond with Kainel increased. This is what a childhood friends’ pure love route should be like.

 

Ariel looked at him with a brighter expression than before after eating the candy.

 

I cheered inwardly.

 

“This looks like a good spot.”

 

The happy moment was short-lived as the carriage stopped.  An eerie cawing sound echoed.

 

The cold night air of the forest.

 

“It’s a bit chilly.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Kainel and Ariel were now huddled close together.

 

She had wrapped her arms around his and wouldn’t let go.  They weren’t even shy anymore.

 

“There are only three tents. Since things are like this, I’ll take the first watch. Teacher, please use my bedding, and the two of you can sleep with what you brought.”

 

I unloaded the bedding from the carriage and muttered as if I had no choice.

 

Honestly, I didn’t want to sleep with couples around, and since I was used to practicing swordsmanship all night, I could easily endure one night without sleep.

 

I also felt genuinely sorry for what I did to them, so I wanted them to sleep together.

 

“We’ll share one.”

 

Then, words that surprised even me came from Ariel’s mouth.

 

She wrapped her arms around Kainel’s arm with a seductive expression.  The saying about a demure cat being the first to jump on the stovetop wasn’t for nothing.

 

“What, Ariel?”

 

Kainel’s expression froze in shock at her unexpected words.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

I asked again to confirm, feeling apologetic towards them, even though I had instigated it.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Are you really okay with this?”

 

Kids these days move fast. Or am I too old? I felt sad about my lack of dating experience.

 

“Actually, I’m a little scared of bugs… If Kai stays by my side like he just did, I think I’ll be fine. Right, Kai?  We’re sleeping together like we used to?”

 

“Uh… Uh-huh? Right. Yeah, let’s sleep together.  We’re childhood friends, right?”

 

“…”

 

I sent a sympathetic glance to Kainel, who had just pressed the fast-forward button to marriage.  Well, their affinity was already maxed out, and that’s how they reacted.

 

How did they hide their feelings for each other? A mutual tsundere route? That couldn’t be it.

 

“Then let’s do that. Would you mind building a fire?”

 

Flickering flames rose with the crackling sound of burning wood.

 

The fresh youth of the two, like a bonfire, was about to ignite, sparked by a flint.

 

Some time passed.

 

While I was on watch, practicing swordsmanship alone,

 

“You said your name was Licht. Let’s talk.”

 

The yellow dog next door spoke to me.

 

—–CROW—–