“Ruite.”
“Yeah?”
“Are you… really going to eat all of that by yourself?”
Dane couldn’t hide his shock at the mountain of food piled on Ruite’s tray.
Other knights passing by also stole curious glances at the overflowing plate.
“I usually eat this much. If I don’t, I never feel full.”
“I see…”
Dane looked at Ruite as if seeing him for the first time.
It was a mystery how all that food could fit into such a slender frame.
“If I ate as much as you, I wonder if I’d get stronger too…”
Ruite paused, mid-shoveling a spoonful of food into his mouth.
Seeing Dane’s downcast eyes, Ruite realized the slip of the tongue, and Dane hurriedly waved his hands as if to take it back.
The two shared idle chatter throughout the meal.
Though Dane smiled and played along with Ruite’s stories, his expression darkened the moment a silence lingered.
After finishing their meal, they stepped out of the dormitory building.
The weather was turning beautiful; the sunlight hitting the ground was more radiant than ever.
“Ruite.”
Ruite turned around.
He thought Dane was following right beside him, but the other man had stopped two paces back.
“I’m late in saying this, but… thank you so much for back then. And I’m sorry. Because of me, Captain Ciel got hurt, and you were forced to step in. Despite all that, I couldn’t do anything… Maybe I’m just not cut out to be a knight.”
Ciel had worried that Dane might quit.
Ruite had initially thought that was an exaggeration, but looking at Dane now, it felt like a very real possibility.
“Hey, Dane. Why did you join the Knights in the first place?”
“Huh?”
“The reason you wanted to become a knight. There must have been one.”
Dane seemed caught off guard by the direction of the conversation.
He thought about it deeply for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.
“Actually… my parents were killed by a monster. One appeared in the village where I lived, and they were severely injured while trying to protect me and my younger sibling. That’s when a knight appeared and saved our family.”
As he recalled the past, Dane’s face grew calmer.
“We survived thanks to him, but my parents’ wounds were too deep; they didn’t make it past the end of that year. I was at a loss for how to live, but the knight who subjugated the monster took us in.”
“He was your savior.”
“Yes, he was. He’s retired now, but I decided then. I wanted to be a strong and kind knight just like him. Someone who could reach out and save people who lost their families or suffered terrible things because of monsters… Saying it out loud makes me a bit embarrassed.”
Dane scratched his head with a bashful laugh.
“But isn’t that the best possible reason to be a knight?”
“…What?”
“Think about it. Usually, after going through something like that, it’s natural to be terrified of monsters or have trauma. But you’re here because you wanted to be like the knight who saved you. I think that takes an incredible level of resolve. While the desire to save others is a core belief a knight should have, how many people actually join with only that in their hearts?”
Some joined for fame, some to build achievements for their family’s prestige, and others for the high pay.
Most members at headquarters likely had personal goals or practical motives.
But Dane didn’t.
He became a knight because he truly wanted to save and help people, not for money or honor.
“So, that makes you the best of the best.”
Ruite grinned and gave Dane a big thumbs-up.
Dane stood there dazed, as if he’d been struck by a bolt of lightning.
Then, realizing the weight of Ruite’s words, he nodded firmly.
“Ruite, thank you. Actually… my heart has been heavy lately, and I’d forgotten why I wanted to be a knight in the first place.”
The dark clouds hanging over Dane’s face cleared.
A warm smile, matching the clear sky above, spread across his lips.
“If you’re thankful, then be my meal buddy.”
“M-meal buddy?”
“Let’s eat together from now on. I don’t mind being alone usually, but for some reason, I hate eating alone. We’re about the same age and have similar experience levels. What do you say?”
Dane nodded vigorously.
“I’d love to!”
Ruite headed back toward the main building with Dane.
By coincidence, Chester and Varen were standing not far from where they had been talking.
“Wouldn’t it have been fine to just walk out?”
“Can’t you read the room, Senior? If we had gone out, we would have just been a distraction.”
The two had been about to step outside after finishing their business when they overheard Ruite and Dane.
Sensing the gravity of the moment, Chester had held Varen back to wait.
“Ciel mentioned a Research member was in a slump because of the shock. So it was Dane. Well, looks like there’s no need to worry anymore.”
Varen watched Dane walking away in the distance, laughing brightly while talking to Ruite.
“Anyway, Ruite is a pretty great guy. I already thought he was kind, but still.”
Varen glanced at Chester as he spoke.
“He’s more than just ‘great,'” Chester murmured, almost entranced.
Noticing Chester’s gaze was fixed on Ruite, Varen grinned.
“Now that you mention it, I’ve been hearing Ruite’s name everywhere lately. He hasn’t been here long, but he gets along with the Research team and has a great reputation. Ruite’s that type, isn’t he? The kind of person who doesn’t try to stand out, but is welcomed and liked by everyone, everywhere.”
“…I know that better than anyone. It’s been that way since the Academy.”
At some point, Ruite had become that presence.
He didn’t have a single, outstandingly brilliant trait like Chester—who had been the Academy’s celebrity—but he was well-rounded and fit in anywhere.
He acted indifferent or unmotivated toward things that didn’t interest him, but he never ran away when it was time to step up.
Just like when he jumped into danger without hesitation because he was afraid Lona would be scared.
Aside from Lona, Colin, and Magnus, most of their classmates had genuinely liked Ruite as a person.
Ruite was a good person.
He was the one who gave Chester—who had been twisted and spiteful—the courage and motivation to choose a different path.
“…”
Chester clenched his fist, his expression looking strangely disgruntled.
“Then isn’t that a good thing? Why the long face, my dear junior?”
“Because I hate it. Even a flighty senior like you recognized Ruite’s good points instantly.”
“Chester, your skill at insulting me naturally is improving by the day.”
Chester looked down at his empty palm.
Ruite was now closer than ever; he could see his face whenever he wanted.
Furthermore, they were bound by the contract of an arranged marriage.
But that alone couldn’t quench this thirst.
Everyone who knew Ruite liked him.
Surely, people would eventually start developing romantic feelings for him, too.
“It’s quite frustrating not being able to fully possess the thing you love.”
“…Oh? Chester, is it okay to say things like that in front of me?”
“You’ve already figured it out anyway, haven’t you, Senior?”
Varen didn’t deny it.
Chester, who had earned recognition through his skill since joining the Knights, always drew a line with people.
For a man who never opened his heart or befriended anyone to suddenly act like a different person the moment Ruite joined—it would be stranger not to find it suspicious.
Besides, Varen was quite sharp when it came to these things.
He had long ago captured the special emotion in Chester’s eyes when he looked at Ruite.
He had his suspicions, but since there was no “smoking gun,” he’d been teasing and testing him.
He didn’t expect the person in question to just throw out a confirmation like that.
“And I thought it would be best to tell you. In case you were thinking of making a move on Ruite… give it up. You’re currently the most dangerous person.”
“So, this is a sort of warning?”
When Chester nodded, Varen burst into a delighted laugh.
“My rude junior actually seems human for once. Don’t worry. Ruite is certainly pretty, but I don’t look at him with those kinds of eyes.”
“Don’t just go around calling him pretty, either.”
Chester shot a sharp glare at Varen.
“Possessive people aren’t popular, you know.”
Chester ignored him and walked away.
Varen followed right beside him, grinning mischievously.
“Chester.”
“What.”
“Do you like Ruite?”
“…”
The look Chester gave Varen was full of disdain.
Honestly, Chester had expected Varen to be this annoying.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
“Very much.”
Varen’s eyes widened.
He had expected a prickly response telling him not to ask personal questions.
“I’m leaving first.”
Despite saying something quite embarrassing, Chester’s expression remained as sharp as ever.
It was a mismatch between his words and his face, but Varen saw it—the sight of Chester’s two earlobes burning bright red as he walked away.
