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★ Hom’s POV ★

Today marked the final day of the rehearsals that had become part of our daily routine.

With Estea’s Student Council election set for tomorrow, the two of us were spending our last practice together in the academy courtyard.

By the end of our after-school rehearsals, we’d already gained more than enough confidence in our performance. The truth was, this practice session was simply my selfish wish to spend a little more time with Estea.

“What a lovely breeze. It really feels like spring is finally here.”

An unusually warm breeze gently stirred Estea’s long hair.

Without the amplification magical device, the soft notes of her guitar weren’t especially loud, making them all the more soothing to listen to.

The courtyard between the noble dorms and the commoner dorms still attracted the occasional curious glance from passing students, but I could tell they were all careful not to disturb us.

Ever since Estea had told me that those curious looks and quiet interest were forms of encouragement too, I’d come to find the attention of those around us comforting rather than unsettling.

“This is fun.”
“Yes… it really is.”

She looked to me for agreement, and I nodded.

“I’ve truly been enjoying this new experience of being in a band. There’s nothing wrong with desperately trying to tell people what you want to achieve… but this has shown me there’s another way to reach them. And it makes me happy to know that I’m capable of doing that… and that I have friends willing to stand beside me.”
“I feel the same way. More than anything, it makes me very happy to be someone you call a friend, Estea.”

When I spoke my honest feelings aloud, Estea let out an embarrassed little laugh.

Before long, I found myself laughing too.

Back when we’d first met here in this very courtyard, I never could have imagined a future like this.

And yet…

For me, it was a truly happy future.

“I feel the same way, Hom. If possible… I’d like us to stay together on the Student Council as well…”

That was as far as Estea got before she slowly shook her head and fell silent.

“I’m sorry. Forget I said that. That was just my own wish.”

She said she’d stopped because it was only a wish, but I couldn’t understand why that meant she had to keep it to herself.

I tilted my head.

“…I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wishing for that.”
“Huh?”

Estea blinked in surprise.

Apparently, she hadn’t expected that answer from me.

“Master always seems genuinely happy whenever she’s able to help you, Estea. I feel the same way. I’m truly happy to be able to support you. …I don’t know if this is the right thing to say with such an important election ahead of us, but… I’ve been enjoying all of this. Being in this band with everyone. Looking forward to tomorrow’s concert. Even practicing here with you like this. After all… I know that you’re only spending this time with me because of my own selfish request.”

Putting my feelings into words didn’t come naturally to me.

But I believed that if I didn’t say them, they would never reach her.

Just as Master had taught me through her own actions, I wanted to become someone like her.

“…Hom.”

I could see tears beginning to well up in Estea’s eyes.

Realizing that most of what I’d wanted to say had reached her filled my heart with warmth.

It felt like the same gentle, welcoming breeze that hinted at the arrival of spring had begun blowing through my heart.

The image I’d once held of Estea as a “raging storm” had long since faded.

Now, I found myself happy simply to experience all the different winds she brought with her.

“So… let’s believe in your own strength. You have what it takes to be reelected, Estea, and to make this academy an even better place. Master believes that and so do I. And so do Lady Alfe and Lady Farah… as well as every student who intends to cast their vote for you.”

Tomorrow, everything would be decided.

I’m sure the outcome will be the one we’ve all been hoping for.

Because Estea had already given us something precious enough to believe in that future.

“Please remember that.”
“…I will. I won’t forget.”

I could tell Estea was silently repeating my words to herself, as though committing them to heart.

“I’m glad you let me keep you company for practice.”
“I’m glad you invited me.”
“”Because we got to talk like this.””

Estea’s words overlapped perfectly with mine.

Our voices matched so precisely—just like Lili-Lulu’s—that we instinctively looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

“We really are starting to think alike.”
“I’ve been feeling the same way.”

Perhaps the reason spending time together like this felt so comfortable—and why I wished it could go on forever—was because I was finally experiencing the happiness Master had once treasured so deeply.

I’d found happiness far sooner than I’d ever imagined.

Not just the happiness I’d shared with Master and Lady Alfe…

But happiness with someone else as well.

“…Hom.”
“Yes, Estea?”

Seeing Estea straighten her posture, I did the same out of respect.

“If we’re able to share good news with everyone tomorrow…”
“…Will you lend me your strength again?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.”

If there was anything I could do to help, then I wanted to be there.

Perhaps that was my purpose for existing.

And if doing so was what filled my heart with happiness, then all the more reason to embrace it.

“Thank you… I only hope Leafa feels the same way.”

At Estea’s quiet murmur, I smiled.

If Master were to join the Student Council and help Lady Estea…

And if I could support both Master and Estea…

What a wonderful future that would be.

Perhaps Estea’s wish…

…had become my wish as well.