After my reunion with Eric, we both talked about various things to catch up. Although I already knew Eric's reason for enlisting to fight in the war, he told me in more detail about it and said that he doesn't regret the decision he made, even if in the end he didn't get to fight.

"Hey, I'm a little hungry. I'm going to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Do you want to come along?"

Eric asked, getting up from the bed. To tell you the truth, I was also a little hungry, so since there was no reason to refuse, I accepted his request.

"Sure, why not?"

After that, Eric and I left the dormitory and headed towards the cafeteria. In a few minutes, we arrived at the big building that was the cafeteria, and soon we were inside. Eric and I went to the line, and as soon as it was our turn, we took our lunch and started looking for a place where we could sit.

"Hey, look"

Eric said as he nudged me. As soon as I looked where he was looking, I saw Flora and Emi sitting down. From the looks of it, they both decided to come a little early as well. With a soft smile on our faces, Eric and I joined the two.

"Ren arriving a day early seems plausible, but I didn't expect you to also arrive a day early, Eric"

Said Flora with a playful smile on her face. Hearing Flora's words, a frown appeared on Eric's face.

"What do you mean? I know that my appearance is not very inclined to study, but that doesn't mean that I don't like to study"

Eric said in his defense. Hearing his words, Flora let out a sigh and then looked at Eric again.

"You say that, but you still sneakily enlisted for the army. Do you have any idea how much you worried us?"

Hearing Flora's words, Eric looked a little annoyed.

"I already apologized for that. You know I intend to become a battalion commander when I graduate. One time or another, I will have to go to war... besides, I also hate being protected"

Eric said the last part in a whisper, but it didn't escape the ears of Emi, who was silent until now.

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"Being protected is also one of our duties. After all, when we become adults, we will be the ones protecting those who are protecting us today"

Said Emi as she looked at Eric with a soft smile on her face.

(A typical response from a princess, I guess)

I thought with a soft smile on my face. After that, Flora looked from one side to the other before approaching me and whispering.

"By the way, I heard that X had a great contribution to the victory of the war"

Said Flora as she looked at me. Hearing her question, I looked back at her and thought about what exactly to answer.

"It is true I had a great contribution, but in the end, that was all it was—a contribution. The knights that were fighting were the real heroes"

I said, shrugging. It's true that the sleeping grenades I made helped, but in the end, there was still a fight, so it's not like I did it all by myself.

"You're quite modest. You could be a little prouder of that, you know"

Said Emi next to me with a small smile on her face; her smile was almost imperceptible, so I'm sure Flora and Eric didn't notice.

"Well... thanks for the compliment, but I'm not being modest or anything. I just think that saying that it was thanks to me that we won the war is exaggerating. I mean, it's true that it was thanks to my plan that we had a chance in the war, but that doesn't mean that the other knights didn't help too"

I said with conviction. Hearing my words, Emi just nodded her head while keeping her small smile and soon went back to eating. After a few minutes of eating, Flora stood looking between me and Emi and seemed to have some idea.

"Since I'm done eating, I'll say goodbye to you guys first. I just remembered that Eric and I had something to do now, didn't we, Eric?"

Asked Flora, turning her gaze to Eric. Hearing Flora's words, Eric looked confused and asked.

"I don't remember having anything to do with you"

Said Eric as he raised an eyebrow. Hearing Eric's response, Flora's smile instantly fell apart, and soon she stood up and grabbed Eric by the collar of his shirt.

"Let's go, you idiot"

Flora said as she led Eric away.

"Ouch, wait a minute, you are going to kill me hanging like that"

Said Eric as he was carried away by Flora. I can imagine what Flora is trying to do.

(Now that it's just the two of us here, for some reason, I don't know what else to say)

I thought as I let out a small sigh, but I also knew that if I didn't try, my relationship with her would never change.

"... Emi"

I said after gathering courage.

"Yes?"

Said Emi, looking at me. Her face showed a simple curious expression that, for some reason, made her cute.

"I was wondering... would you like to take a walk with me this weekend?"

I said as I glanced at Emi.

"Sure"

Said Emi, surprising me. I really wasn't expecting her to respond so quickly to that.

(Actually... can't this be considered a date?)

For some reason, when I thought about it, I was quite embarrassed by my thought. I mean, am I an idiot or what?

(It is only considered a date when both parties think so)

As that thought was going through my head, Emi next to me said something else that surprised me.

"I guess that could be considered a date... right?"

Said Emi, looking at me with a refreshing smile on her face.

"I'm looking forward to it"

Said Emi before standing up, leaving me alone with my thoughts.