Early morning, just as the sun was about to rise.
Yuria woke up suddenly, feeling the automatic notification built into her body go off.
She quickly pulled off the blanket, stood up, and reached for the hair tie on the table, as she always did.

"I can't eat anymore... heehee..."
"Ugh..."
"...?"

Immediately sensing movement nearby, Yuria froze.
She hadn’t noticed when it happened, but Charlotte had snuck into Yuria’s bed,
hugging Yuria tightly and sucking on her hair. Meanwhile, Yuria, her hair being tugged mercilessly, let out pained moans, as if she were having a nightmare.

Charlotte had always had terrible sleeping habits, and Yuria had always suffered because of them.
It was a scene Yuria hadn’t seen in a long time.
Come to think of it, starting now until the end of the break, she would see this every day.

As the memories of how much she had missed these peaceful moments came flooding back, Yuria almost burst into tears.

'This peaceful life I’ve been so desperate to reclaim...'

With Charlotte and Yuria here,
having three meals a day,
and a warm bed to sleep in.

As the desire to settle down and live here, not just for the break but permanently, began to overwhelm her,
Yuria desperately shook her head, trying to refocus her mind.

'I can't relax until I uncover Aslan Vermont’s true nature...'

She had to endure.
For Charlotte and Yuria’s sake.
She couldn’t rest easy until she revealed the truth about Aslan Vermont!

Yuria made this firm resolve as she carefully tiptoed out of the room, so as not to wake the children.

"Was it 10 laps for the morning jog? Kind of annoying."

After quickly washing her face, Yuria stepped outside and inhaled the cool dawn air.
It seemed like she was the only one awake at this hour, as the mansion was eerily quiet.
Just as she was about to start jogging, Yuria turned at the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.

"Up early, huh? Got something planned for today?"
"Yes, Lord Aslan. I have work at the academy as an undergraduate research assistant..."
"I’ll have the carriage ready for you. Feel free to use it whenever you need."
"Ah...!"

Yuria was caught off guard by Aslan’s casual offer, not knowing how to respond.
For just going back and forth, he was offering a carriage and coachman?
Was he planning to charge her for this later, secretly adding debt?

"I won’t ask anything in return, so don’t worry. I just want you to get back quickly."
"May I ask why you want me to return quickly...?"
"When someone your age enters the mansion, the children seem excited. If you return quickly, they’ll be happy, won’t they?"
"..."

With a slight chuckle, Aslan turned and headed back into the mansion.
Yuria stood there frozen, dazed for a moment.
That smile Aslan had given... it wasn’t unpleasant at all...

It was strange.
Normally, his blank expression bothered her, and his smile made it worse.
But that smile? Why did it seem okay?

Yuria was left bewildered, shaking her head in confusion.

"Huff... Huff..."
"...?"

A moment later, Sylvia appeared from the direction Aslan had just gone, breathing heavily.
Her face was flushed, her body still seemed to be moving with excitement, and her breath was uneven.
Her clothes were dirty, with grass and dirt sticking to them as though she had been rolling on the ground.

Yuria stared at her for a while before her mouth dropped open in shock.

'Ah, Aslan Vermont! What immoral thing did he do with the instructor outside...!?

What could have happened for the always composed and calm instructor to end up in such a disheveled state!?
Had the instructor been involved with Aslan Vermont in that kind of relationship?
Or perhaps Aslan Vermont had simply harassed her?

As her mind spiraled with all sorts of imaginative possibilities,
Yuria’s face flushed bright red, her head growing increasingly chaotic.

'I knew it, Aslan Vermont can't be trusted...!'

What? Did Aslan’s smile seem okay?
That’s nonsense.
There’s no proof yet, but Aslan Vermont’s true nature has to be as ugly as it seems...!

Yuria shuddered,
and swore again that during this break, she would uncover Aslan's true face.

"Ugh...?"

In the pitch-black room,
Yuria woke up, and as she tried to get up, she found her hair tightly pulled, forcing her back down.
Looking over her shoulder, she found, as expected, that Charlotte had once again invaded her bed, chewing on her hair.

"Mmm... The meat’s a bit tough... doesn’t chew well..."
"...?"

Of course, it didn’t chew well... it was hair.
Yuria sighed deeply and gently scratched Charlotte’s chin, coaxing her mouth open, and finally managed to rescue her hair from Charlotte’s grip.

Ugh, there was saliva on her hair.
Yuria grimaced, though she couldn’t help but laugh softly.

"I thought it’d be awkward after our fight yesterday."

Yesterday, their argument felt like a dream.
At the time, she had been frustrated and yelled in anger.
But Charlotte hadn’t understood, and they hadn’t made eye contact or talked until mealtime.
She had even worried that their relationship might be irreparably damaged.

But, to her surprise,
Charlotte was already clinging to her again, as if nothing had happened.
Indeed, Charlotte seemed to forget her anger quickly.
Yuria, on the other hand, always lay in bed after a fight, thinking about what she should have said and never being able to forget it.

At times like this, Yuria envied how easily Charlotte could forgive, and how she moved on from things quickly.
It made her feel petty and small.
Though, it wasn’t entirely wrong...

Just as Yuria was feeling down, Charlotte suddenly shouted.

"Yuck!? I dreamt I was eating the worst steak ever!"
"...!?"

With a loud cry, Charlotte sprang up like a spring.
Yuria froze in surprise for a moment.
Rubbing her eyes, Charlotte finally noticed Yuria and immediately flinched.

"Ah, Yuria. Uh... hi..."
"Mmm..."

As soon as their eyes met, Charlotte turned away and greeted Yuria with a quiet voice.
Seeing Charlotte like this, Yuria was sure of it.
Ah, Charlotte was awkward too.

**'I’m not the only one who finds it awkward to face each other after fighting, am I? I’m not the only petty one here, right? Is that it!?'

Ah, I feel a little better now.
Even Charlotte, who usually forgets things quickly, still gets a little embarrassed after fighting.
Yuria secretly sighed in relief.

"Uh... I’m embarrassed now..."
"Eh? Why suddenly?"
"Yuria came to my bed... I never thought Yuria would be the one to come to my bed first since you’re always so shy..."
"What? No, this..."
"I know! You came without realizing it in your sleep! But your subconscious never lies! You came to me in your sleep because you like me, huh?! Hehehe!"
"No, it’s because you came to my bed, Charlotte."
"...Really?"

Holding the pillow, Charlotte rolled around while giggling.
Hearing Yuria’s exasperated voice, Charlotte belatedly looked around and soon realized this was Yuria’s bed.
Her face turned red with embarrassment.

"Hehe! I knew it! I thought it was strange for Yuria to come first!"
"..."

Charlotte scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
Yuria, chuckling, thought to herself.
I’m the only one who’s petty.

Charlotte had completely forgotten the argument from yesterday.
Of course, since they had reconciled thanks to Aslan’s mediation, it made sense.

Yuria was the only one still holding onto the lingering feelings from yesterday.

"Huh? Yuria? Why are you hugging me all of a sudden?"
"Because... I regret fighting with you... I got scared when I imagined us growing distant..."
"Hehe, that won’t happen. We fought because we liked each other too much. There’s no way we’ll drift apart!"
"That’s true..."
"Even if we fight again, it’s fine. I’ll always come back to you. You can relax."
"Th-That’s... I want to be the one to approach first and make the atmosphere lighter..."
"..."

Yuria, stammering as she whispered,
Charlotte was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
What is this adorable creature!?
Unable to hold back, Charlotte suddenly hugged Yuria tightly.

"Ugh! What do I do!? Yuria is just too cute!"
"Ugh... You’re choking me, Charlotte..."
"Ah, sorry."
"Hah."
"...?"
"...?"

As Charlotte squeezed her tighter, Yuria began to struggle, and then, from the door, they heard someone breathing heavily.
Both Charlotte and Yuria immediately turned toward the sound.