◆

At last, Cecily’s wish had come true. She was going on a date with a handsome magician.

[Hey, Nora! You already finished with your research!?]

When it comes to a girl’s youth, isn’t dating more important than research?

[This, coming from someone who wouldn’t respond no matter how much I spoke to her until now?]

I could hear you just fine.

You were talking about how Eivind and Hana are strangely close, right?

I thought that was a good thing. Even if we were to become intimate, we were going to seperate in less than six months, anyway. We were better off treasuring our friendship long after graduation.

Anyway, I took charge of her body and prepared for the date.

Inwardly, Cecily was still nagging at me.

Hold off for now, okay? Sorry. It can’t be helped, this is an emergency. Of course, I’ll let Cecily take charge on the day of the date. But can you dress yourself properly?

[I’m only meeting a school acquaintance, so isn’t it okay to just wear my uniform?]

I don’t know…

So, of course, I went to Anita’s place.

If Anita were to say, “You can wear your uniform,” then it should be fine…

“Are you an idiot?”

Anita, who was studying in her room, shot me down.

She immediately put her pen down and gave instructions to her maid, “Bring me some clothes,” and, “Prepare the bathtub.”

After that, as I was enjoying some tea and snacks, she snatched a cookie from my hand.

“What are you nibbling on this for? Don’t you want to tone your figure a little?”

“But you gave it to me…”

“Don’t accept it if you’re going on a date this the weekend! Look, there are only two days left until the decisive battle. I’ll polish everything thoroughly!”

Anita was burning with enthusiasm—she seemed to be having the time of her life!

I decided to check with her.

“…Lending me some cute clothes and perfume would’ve been enough.”

Even so, I was well aware that I’d always been bothering her.

Although she was my friend—or perhaps because she was my friend, it felt strange to rely on her so much. Even more so when I hadn’t done a single thing for her.

Nevertheless, Anita exceeded my expectations.

“It’s my friend’s first date!? As your friend, I swear on my pride and determination to dress you more adorably than ever!”

Lately, Anita wasn’t that embarrassed to refer to me as her friend.

Though I felt somewhat sad about that, my friend was still very dear to me today.

As expected, Cecily was inwardly in awe of Anita’s passion.

Then, as she was giving me hair treatment.

“…Eh, your date isn’t Eivind Dahl?”

“No, it’s his friend, Mark—”

—All of the sudden, I was doused with hot water. I, who was in the middle of saying something, ended up swallowing the medicinal bathwater.

It’s fine since it isn’t harmful to the body, but still… How unpleasant.

Come to think of it, when I asked Anita for help, I didn’t tell her whom I was going on a date with, did I?

She asked me how I got asked out, and where we were going for our date. After I answered, I got splashed with water again.

Well, I can see why.

Even Cecily, who was within me, was acting cold.

Cecily aside, I could understand Anita’s feelings.

She knew how well Eivind and I got along with each other. As such, for me to suddenly switch targets to his friend… Anita must’ve been angry for my sake.

“I’m disappointed in you. I never thought you’d be such a promiscuous girl.”

“Didn’t we just establish how strong our friendship is?”

“So what, this is a different matter entirely! As a friend, it’s my duty to advise you against going down the wrong path!”

My unwavering friend, Anita, was so adorably.

[I worry that Ms. Anita will be deceived by someone someday.]

If that’s the case, I’ll never forgive them.

As I couldn’t help but smile at how cute Anita was today, she peered into my face and pursed her red lips.

“Which one is your true love, Cecily?”

“Mark.”

[That’s not true!?]

Perhaps not, but Anita was asking “Cecily”.

Anita then sighed with patience and said, “I’m done,” and started to carefully dry my hair.

Aah, how divine…

Anita was so skillful, was she really a noble lady? Even if she didn’t get to pursue a career in magical research, there seemed to be many ways to utilize her talents.

As I stared at her with slight envy, Anita asked, “Is there something on my face?” When I honestly replied, “I thought you were lovely today, Anita,” her face turned red.

“I know!”

“You know?”

I’d say it again and again. My friend was so cute today.

Was there anything I could do for her as Nora?

---

Read more than a month’s worth of chapters ahead on patreon for only $2~

***T/N: Tsuntsun anita is the true OTP

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d

<Previous chapter

Next chapter>