Author: Eltria	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Robinxen

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The celebration party planned by Vannabelle and Numelin was a lively affair, thanks to the delicious food and drinks that had been prepared.

Even though they had just finished breakfast, the growing classmates eagerly ate and drank, laughing and praising each other’s efforts.

The engineering students who had withdrawn from the competition early were also proud to join in the celebration as part of Class F, the victors.

Naturally, Vannabelle, the class representative who had led everyone, was surrounded by a cheerful group of classmates. Nearby, another circle had formed around Gide, who had risked everything to protect his peers.

Lili-Lulu, meanwhile, were deepening friendships by taking turns dancing with the other students.

I stood a little apart from the crowd, observing the scene with Hom and Alfe. I had no intention of boasting about my contributions, nor was I the type to actively seek out social interactions. Even so, watching everyone’s joy like this wasn’t so bad.

Perhaps noticing my detached stance, or simply out of curiosity, Mr. Tanutanu stepped away from the crowd and approached us.

“…It was an excellent analysis and strategy, Leafa.”
“Thank you. It was all thanks to Vannabelle and the others acting as decoys.”

Mr. Tanutanu nodded deeply, looking at us with a renewed sense of approval.

“I always believed you would succeed.”
“I, too, had faith that Master would lead us to victory,” Hom chimed in, her face lighting up with delight at the teacher’s praise.
“It was also thanks to your endurance, Hom. By staying your ground and not acting solely for my sake, you made it possible to execute the plan.”
“Protecting Master is my duty—though this time, it seems someone else got ahead of me.”

Although I meant to compliment her, Hom cast a complicated glance in Vannabelle’s direction.

Ah, so she’s still bothered by the fact that Vannabelle protected me.

“Sometimes, one must set aside individual concerns for the greater good. Doing so can end up saving everyone.”
“…I shall bear it in mind.”

Hearing that her choice had ultimately been the correct one, she finally seemed at ease and nodded in relief. Reflecting on it, I regretted not teaching her to consider the bigger picture sooner. Until my mother had shown symptoms of the Black Stone Disease, I had intended to focus on alchemy in this life as well. Perhaps it was my oversight as her teacher.

That said, with her growing selection of military science electives, I suspected she’d be thoroughly drilled in the concept before long.

“…Everyone looks like they’re having fun,” Alfe said softly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, they do,” I replied.

Looking around the classroom, I noticed the abundance of snacks and drinks that had been there earlier had somehow vanished entirely. Even Mr. Tanutanu had joined the group surrounding Gide, adding to the lively atmosphere.

“Hey,” a voice called out.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of moving bunny ears—it wasn’t just my imagination. Vannabelle approached with a nearly empty glass in hand, raising it slightly in a gesture of cheers as our eyes met.

“Don’t you want to spend time with everyone?”
“Eh, doesn’t feel right. After all, I put everyone in danger,” Vannabelle said with a shrug, extending a paper bag she’d been carrying toward me. “Figured you’d be holding back, so here, take this.”
“Thanks.”

Honestly, while I understood her self-reflection, the attention she was giving me felt a little excessive, leaving me slightly uncomfortable.

“You don’t need to beat yourself up so much, Vannabelle.”
“But it’s the truth,” she muttered, tilting her glass to let the remaining ice slide into her mouth. She bit down on it with a crunch. “If you hadn’t been there, if you hadn’t spoken up back then…”

Vannabelle, I realized, was probably the kind of person who was exceptionally hard on herself. Watching her like this, I couldn’t help but think I’d much rather deal with her teasing than her self-recrimination.

“Vannabelle.”
“I—”
“Belle~! Everyone wants to hear a few words~!”

Our overlapping words were abruptly interrupted by Numelin’s cheerful voice.

“…Nume, what are you doing without asking—”

Vannabelle tried to refuse, shaking her head, but a wave of welcoming applause drowned her out.

“…Hah, guess I’ve got no choice…”

With a resigned sigh, Vannabelle headed toward the podium. Her ears drooped slightly, and I was sure it wasn’t just my imagination.

“…First, I need to apologize to all of you.” Her opening words silenced the once lively classroom in an instant. “I’m truly sorry for putting everyone in danger because of my strategy.”

She bowed deeply, her ears, usually perked up with confidence, now hanging limply.

“But we won!”
“Indeed! Thanks to that precise formation, we all managed to come out alive!”
“And thanks to Gide too!”

The classmates began chiming in one after another, refuting her self-blame. Still, Vannabelle remained bowed, unwilling to rise.

“The victory was thanks to all of you. I underestimated the true strength of Class F.”

Her voice, bitter and heavy, came from her lowered stance. Her words caused the classmates to exchange pained looks. Everyone knew it wasn’t solely her responsibility.

“…Someone like me doesn’t deserve to continue as class representative. Today’s celebration is also my way of atoning for that.”
“Don’t sweat it!”

The one who shouted loudly was Romeo, a member of the dwarf race.

“Exactly! Forget the small stuff and enjoy a good drink¹!”
“Nyahaha, though it’s not exactly booze we’re drinking!”

Isaac chimed in, followed by Farah’s cheerful quip. The atmosphere in the classroom lightened slightly, but Vannabelle kept her head bowed, shaking it firmly.

“I appreciate it, but I can’t just let this slide.”
“No, don’t quit, Vannabelle!”

Mira and Henri, fellow feline beastmen like Farah, shouted in near tears. Finally, Vannabelle raised her face, though she still seemed utterly dejected, one ear bent limply. Her gaze shifted to me, as if seeking guidance.

“I’m just not strong enough. Besides, there’s someone more suited to lead this class than me.”
“Huh…?”

I had sensed some kind of resolve in her earlier, but this was completely unexpected.

“Looks like a pipsqueak, yet always acting all aloof—honestly, it pissed me off,” Vannabelle began, her words drawing attention toward me as if by design.

Thanks to her usual way of addressing me, the stares from everyone in the room slowly converged on me.

“But I was wrong to judge based on appearances. She has always been watching over us, staying calm and objective. Isn’t that right?”

Wait, is she really suggesting me for the class representative role? The weight of everyone’s gazes felt almost unbearable, and on top of that, Hom’s expression—completely agreeing with Vannabelle—was deeply unsettling.

“…The truth is, I was about to give up back then. Let me make this clear now—our victory was thanks to her strategy. If not for her analysis and quick thinking, we’d have been annihilated by Class A without a doubt.”

Suddenly, her previously drooping ears shot upright. With a determined stance, she widened her feet shoulder-length apart and looked straight at me. Her voice rang out with unshakable conviction.

“That’s why I nominate her as the class representative!”

Numelin, Hom, and then Alfe and Farah immediately joined in, clapping in agreement. The applause spread like wildfire throughout the classroom. A natural path formed, guiding me toward the podium.

“…Well, this makes it hard to refuse,” I muttered under my breath, slowly making my way through the corridor of clapping.

“Will you accept?”

Vannabelle greeted me with a welcoming smile, but up close, I could see her eyes glistening, on the verge of tears. It was easy to understand—she was stepping down as class representative, entrusting the role to me with such heartfelt determination.

“…It’s a heavy burden for me, but it’d feel wrong to let your courage go to waste after saying all that.”
“…So, which is it?”

Vannabelle’s voice carried a hint of irritation as I danced around the conclusion. Staying composed, I decided to lay out my condition.

“I have one condition.”
“You’ve got me in your debt, so I’ll hear you out. Go ahead—what is it?”

I had expected that response, and with a relieved smile, I met Vannabelle’s gaze.

“Vannabelle, you’ll also continue as class representative.”
“What!? Were you even listening to me!?”

Her face betrayed her shock as she nearly shouted.

“I don’t get you…”

Muttering in frustration, her face flushed as she seemed to wrestle with her thoughts. Yet, she didn’t outright reject my suggestion with harsh words. Taking this as my cue, I explained my reasoning in a way she could understand.

“I heard you, and that’s exactly why I’m saying this. You shouldn’t step down as class representative. You need to keep leading the class with your strong will.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me—”

Her protests were drowned out by a wave of applause from the rest of the class.

“See? Everyone agrees.”
“Even so…”

Despite the overwhelming support, it was clear Vannabelle still couldn’t forgive herself. If that’s the case, my course of action was clear.

“I’ll make sure we never fail again. I’ll cover for what you’re missing, and I want you to do the same for me, Vannabelle.”
“…”

She opened her mouth as if to argue but stopped, trying to absorb the meaning behind my words.

“…Well, we are complete opposites…”

Exactly. That’s what makes it work. I’m not perfect either—there’s no way I could manage being class representative alone.

“The assertiveness I lack is your strength, Vannabelle. If you step on the gas, I’ll handle the brakes.”
“I’m the gas, and you’re the brakes, huh…”
“Sounds like a good balance, doesn’t it?”

I threw the question at her with a hint of a challenge, and Vannabelle broke into laughter as if something heavy had been lifted off her shoulders.

“Hahaha! That’s not bad at all!”

With Vannabelle back to her usual self, smiles of relief spread among our classmates. Scattered applause began to ripple through the room. Vannabelle, scratching the back of her head sheepishly, stepped closer and stood beside me at the podium.

“Well then, that settles it, right?”
“Absolutely~!”

Numelin’s enthusiastic applause practically shook the room, and the rest of our classmates quickly followed suit.

““We, Lili-Lulu, commemorate the birth of the Vannabelle and Leafa Class Representative Alliance!””
“Commemorate, huh? Guess we should shake on it.”

With a faint blush coloring her cheeks, Vannabelle smiled as she extended her hand toward me.

“Here’s to working together, Leafa.”

Ah, the first time she’s called me by my name.

“Likewise.”

I matched her smile and clasped her hand in mine.

The applause from our classmates, celebrating the new representatives of Class 1-F, resonated warmly in the room.

Vannabelle’s hand, firmly gripping mine, was strong and reassuring, radiating a comforting warmth.

Footnotes:

Robinxen: What children talk like this?!
Robinxen: I tried my best to find the full resolution original of this but I couldn’t – no idea where the translator got it from, so uh, enjoy this copy of a copy!