From Elise's Perspective

Akira was about to set off on a journey. I heard the rumor from Hans, his roommate, and decided to chase after him. When I caught up to him, he turned around.

"Elise. I didn't tell you because it's dangerous."

"I can't let you face danger alone. If you die, I want to be with you."

"Elise..."

A kiss fell upon our lips.

How many times have we kissed now?

By the time we returned to my hometown, it was evening. I pondered whether to go back to my family home but decided it was too risky to involve my family. Instead, we chose to stay at a local inn.

"We have regular rooms and a 'fellowship room'. Which would you prefer?"

"The fellowship room!"

That scoundrel, Akira.

Tonight, I fully unleashed my feelings on Akira’s youthful naivety.

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Gradually, he seemed to gain the confidence of a man, learning to tease and delay gratification.

As he became more confident and his expressions grew more attractive, I felt proud yet also a slight anxiety crept in—could this newfound confidence lead him to stray?

The next morning, we began making inquiries.

I sought someone close to Congressman Amadeus who might harbor suspicions.

Although it seemed unlikely to find such a conveniently placed person, I used my well-known face in town as leverage, even approaching an old childhood friend.

"Elise, I heard you guys stayed in the fellowship room? How was it?"

Gosh, small towns can be frightening.

But I couldn’t let that deter me, so I asked about Secretary Krice.

"The information Krice holds could be lethal for the congressman. That's why she also decided to hide."

"Do you know where she's hiding?"

"Well... if that were known, the congressman would have acted long ago."

Right, that makes sense.

With all his connections, a federal congressman who’s desperately searching can't find her—it was unlikely that we, mere students, could.

Just as I was about to give up and go home, my childhood friend clapped her hands with a thought.

"Oh, by the way, there was a strange rumor about Congressman Amadeus. He had his supporters investigate Lake Erack."

Lake Erack.

The lake adjacent to this village.

"What for?"

"I don’t know. It’s not particularly scenic, so only fishermen really go there—strange, right?"

"The library!"

Akira exclaimed as if he had an epiphany.

"We need to research the local history of this town!"

He started walking off with a purpose.

"Akira?"

"What?"

"Do you know where the library is?"

"Oh."

Sighing in exasperation, I decided to cast a map spell.