Extra in a Romance Fantasy

3 – Enrollment and Beginning (2)

The woman who came out onto the terrace walked up to the railing and began to gaze at the scenery beyond.

Perhaps judging by her lack of reaction, she hadn’t noticed my presence.

The terrace was quite spacious, and since I was in a corner, it wasn’t unusual, but… the woman’s presence became a concern for me.

Ignoring her might not be the best option, as her atmosphere seemed unusual.

Should I give a signal, or would it be better to leave the spot? Such thoughts occupied my mind.

“Sigh….”

The woman let out a deep sigh.

In the deep sighs, there was a gaze wandering somewhere. It clearly held some contemplation.

And simultaneously, my own concerns deepened with that action.

However, in the end, it was an unnecessary worry.

“Ah.”

She noticed me from over there.

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence filled the terrace.

Her reaction was somewhat subdued.

At first, her eyes widened a bit, but soon returned to their original state.

Instead, awkwardness and a hint of embarrassment settled on her face.

On the other hand, I was equally embarrassed.

“…Hello.”

At that moment, she took the initiative to speak.

Perhaps her attempt to break the awkwardness.

“Hello.”

I responded with a greeting, not being the type to ignore a first meeting.

However, the problem was…

“……”

“……”

After that, another silence descended.

What should I do?

Would it be better to find a plausible excuse and withdraw now?

No, abruptly leaving when she had initiated the conversation would be too impolite.

As a soul born in the Eastern Etiquette Realm, I couldn’t engage in behavior that went against etiquette, so I decided to continue the conversation.

“…The stars are visible tonight.”

The state of the words I blurted out wasn’t exactly pleasing.

‘I should have just left…’

It would have been better if I had come up with more appropriate words, but even I thought it was a rather out-of-place remark.

I closed my eyes tightly at my own dismal conversational skills.

“…That’s right.”

Fortunately, the woman seemed to accept my words.

She even raised her head and gazed up at the sky.

Her kindness almost brought tears to my eyes.

Anyway, that’s how she and I ended up looking at the night sky together.

The sight of twinkling stars and gentle moonlight weaving through the night sky was undoubtedly beautiful, but…

“…….”

“…….”

That awkwardness still lingered on the terrace.

By this point, I just emptied my mind.

I decided to go with the flow.

I judged that it was impossible to resolve this awkward situation with my social skills.

So, I let my mind wander and blankly stared at the sky.

“Why are you here in a place like this? The party is in full swing.”

Someone spoke up from the other side.

Carefully glancing around, it seemed they had regained some composure.

I still felt immensely awkward, but I couldn’t ignore the conversation that had started.

“I’m not particularly fond of crowded places.”

Since there was no reason to hide it, I answered honestly.

“Are you here at the academy for learning purposes?”

“No, not exactly.”

“Then…?”

Her gaze, which had been directed toward the sky, turned towards me.

There was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

If she was avoiding the party to this extent, it didn’t seem like she came to the academy for networking purposes. If it wasn’t for learning, then what was it for?

“Well… I just ended up here somehow.”

“Does that mean you didn’t come here by choice?”

“Well, something like that.”

“…….”

After hearing my response, she gazed at me silently, then turned her head back towards the terrace once more.

And then, without saying a word, she quietly stared ahead.

How long had it been like that? Just as the lingering chill of the night breeze passed over the terrace a couple of times, she opened her mouth again.

“I came here because I wanted to.”

“I see.”

It was obvious, a matter of course. It would be extremely rare for someone to come to the academy without wanting to.

But judging that she had her reasons for saying such a thing, I waited without saying anything.

“I felt so stifled in the situation I’m in. I wanted to do something, anything. I thought that coming to the academy might show some possibility.”

“I see.”

“But… now that I’m here, I don’t know. I don’t know specifically what to do or whether I even have the power to change this situation… I just don’t know.”

Her eyes, continuing the conversation, gradually sank.

“Perhaps everything is just futile struggling. Maybe I can’t do anything other than face the predetermined future. I often think like that.”

“…”

I can’t know why she’s telling me about her personal situation just after we met.

It could be due to the disappointment she just faced, or the effects of the alcohol she hastily drank, or an unintended attempt to bring up unnecessary topics to break the awkward atmosphere.

Maybe it could be all of the above.

The woman, who had been speaking with a heavy gaze, suddenly laughed.

“I’m sorry. It’s our first meeting, and I ended up talking about something so heavy—”

“It’s possible.”

“…?”

“Perhaps, as you just mentioned, you might fail to achieve your goal.”

“…”

Her expression darkened at my words.

“But… it’s also possible not to.”

“…”

She looked up again. The expression in her eyes was one of confusion.

Instead of staring directly at that gaze, I continued speaking, still facing the terrace outside.

“We honestly can’t know what the future holds right now.”

I could claim to know the future to some extent, but even that is limited, and it can change at any moment. Right now, my existence itself is like a pile of variables.

“So, there’s no need to fear and despair about the future that hasn’t arrived yet.”

There is no answer key in life.

That’s true for everyone.

So, all humans can do is to live the present to the best of their ability.

“If you give up just because the situation is difficult, you won’t really be able to change anything.”

Rather than regretting later, saying you should have tried even if it seemed reckless, it’s better to take a chance.

Even if it turns out to be futile.

“There’s a saying where I come from that starting is half the battle.”

“…?”

“It may vary in interpretation, but roughly it means that starting anything is the most difficult, like the first step.”

Turning his gaze away from the outside, he looks at the woman.

Continuing the conversation, he meets the eyes emitting a faint light.

“You enrolled in the academy to somehow change the situation. Since you’ve taken the first difficult step, the remaining things might not be as challenging as you think.”

“….”

The woman silently looks at me.

‘…Did I sound too preachy.’

There was no other meaning.

Anyway, since we met like this, it’s fate. Although I don’t know the details, I thought it would be nice if the woman had some energy and could use a little encouragement.

Since I lacked eloquence, the result wasn’t that great, but I just hoped not to come across as a guy pretending to know everything without knowing anything.

“…I see. Starting is half, huh…”

She mumbles as if pondering and then lifts her head.

“…Thank you. I feel a bit relieved.”

Fortunately, it seems the woman didn’t take my words too badly.

“Don’t mention it.”

The woman faintly smiled, and I smiled back.

“…The reception will be ending soon.”

“Ah, now that you mention it.”

Time had passed without us realizing it.

I was initially flustered when the woman first arrived, but thanks to her, time seemed to have flown.

So, meeting the woman like this might be a fortunate thing.

“Well then, thank you.”

“I, on the other hand.”

And so, we parted ways, and the banquet, the day, all came to an end.

***

Admission to the academy is like the starting signal for the original story, as mentioned earlier.

However, just because the academy semester had begun didn’t mean immediate dramatic events unfolded.

For now, it was just a slight change in the form of daily life.

“By the way, have you decided on a club?”

About two weeks into the semester, when we had grown accustomed to the changed daily routine, Jack suddenly brought up such a question during the usual lunchtime in the cafeteria.

“No, not yet. How about you?”

“Well, more or less.”

Jack’s expression soured.

It seemed that while the club was a set requirement, it wasn’t exactly the direction he desired. Since he didn’t seem eager to talk about it himself, I decided not to inquire further.

“Why do we have to join those damn clubs anyway? It would be better to just leave them alone.”

“Exactly.”

Unusually, I agreed with Jack’s words.

Academy students were required to join one or more clubs. As someone who wanted to leisurely enjoy academy life without unnecessary commitments, it was a rather unpleasant rule.

“What about, you know, with you and the young lady? Do you have to join together?”

As if he just thought of it, Jack asked.

And I calmly nodded.

“No, we don’t have to.”

While the academy brought people from various countries together, it often happened that individuals from the same region gathered, as if the term ‘coincidence’ didn’t exist, especially among those of noble birth.

Not everyone followed this pattern, but it was mostly applicable to the nobility. Well, it couldn’t be helped, even if their actions didn’t necessarily reflect it, Mary was a noble, and since the club was an extension of that, I couldn’t interfere.

“Ah, is that so?”

Jack nodded approvingly at my response.

After capturing that sight, I focused on my meal once again.

A few days later.

I went to a rather remote building at the academy.

To resolve issues related to clubs.

Lately, I had been quite busy searching for clubs.

Naturally, I had no intention of joining just any club.

The goal was to join a club with few people and minimal activities.

However, such a sweet deal of a club was elusive, so even with my best efforts, I hadn’t found a suitable one.

During my search, I came across information about a certain club.

The moment I saw the name ‘History Research Society,’ a feeling struck me.

There was a scent of honey from this club.

There were no specific details about the number of members or the structure. I only managed to get information about the existence of deficiencies in the building of the old club, no longer in use. Even that piece of information inflated my expectations.

That’s why I had come here after a month.

Feeling the unique atmosphere emitted by the old building, I entered and, following the guide, reached my destination after a few minutes of walking.

In front of a door with the words ‘History Research Society’ written on it.

Carefully, I knocked on the thick, brown door that exuded the passage of time.

Knock-knock—

…After knocking and waiting for a while, there was no response.

Perhaps my knock was too soft. Thinking it might be so, I knocked harder a few more times, but there was still no response.

Is there no one inside?

If that’s the case, maybe it’s better to turn back. However, feeling regretful for coming this far, I decided to be bold and check the inside.

Creak—

With the rusty scream of the worn-out latch echoing the passage of time, I took in the sight of the room.

“…So many books.”

That was my impression of the scene.

Not quite a library, but there were bookshelves packed with books so tightly that even a business card couldn’t slip through.

In the center of the room, a table and chairs, bearing the marks of time, were neatly arranged.

Lastly, there was one door inside the room.

“….”

Is there really no one here?

Or should I check inside that door?

No, but it doesn’t seem polite to go that far.

After a moment of hesitation, I made up my mind that I would have to come back next time, and as I was about to turn around, the door on the inside suddenly opened.

“Oh, a guest has arrived.”

With a gentle voice, a beautiful woman with long black hair down to her waist appeared from inside.

Judging by the color of her tie, she must be in her third year.

Although I was slightly surprised by her uncommon appearance, I immediately opened my mouth.

“Oh, sorry for intruding. I knocked, but there was no response…”

“No, I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry. It seems like I didn’t hear you because I was inside.”

We both bowed our heads in a fairly gentle atmosphere.

Just like my initial impression, she looked soft and gentle.

Since she has already apologized, and judging from her reaction, it seems like I can go straight to the point, so I opened my mouth again.

“The reason I came here like this is-“

“Okay.”

“…Sorry?”

The flow of the conversation took an unexpected turn, so I reflexively asked back.

“You came because of the club, right? You can join if you want.”

“…Yes, I did come because of that, but…”

I did have the intention to join if I liked what they do.

But I still didn’t know what kind of activities they have, what rules they have, so it was difficult for me to respond honestly even if I heard something like that in my current state of not knowing anything.

“Then, should I fill out an application form? Did you bring it?”

“No, before that-“

“Even if you say you forgot, it’s okay. I have spare application forms.”

The woman didn’t even give me a chance to speak and continued talking.

Her tone was consistently gentle, but I felt a strange pressure in her actions.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

Thinking that it would be better to seriously consider joining this place, I decided to leave for now.

“By the way, something urgent came up, so I’ll come back next time…”

“Oh, there are no other members in the club, and there isn’t really any specific activity. There’s nothing you have to do, of course.”

“….”

“Is it just a few days a week that you have to show your face?”

The woman who had just finished explaining smiled softly.

“Would you like to join?”

“…Sure.”

It turns out the club I was looking for is right here.