Club [1]

[Zero's Pov]

After my little 'tantrum', it hadn't taken long for everyone to be kind enough to move on, now happily chatting and drinking around the table. Though I felt something was weird between the Rue girls, even those two were forcing themselves to talk to each other a bit.

So, even though I wanted to die of shame for having misread the room completely and letting my emotions get the best of me, I thought for a moment that maybe everything would be fine.

Sadly, as soon as they got enough liquid courage in their bodies, there was a black-haired girl with absolutely no curves that took her seat beside me. "Hey, for a representative of the church, you sure do have a bad temper, ya know? Is it really okay for someone from the church to act as you did earlier?"

'This girl...'

Sadly, she was quite right in what she was saying. Saint Zero shouldn't act impulsively, yet I had done just that. The only saving grace was that I had at least held back enough not to conjure my element, but now I just had to deal with the aftermath in the best way possible.

"I'm sorry... It was just..."

"I agree with Anna. Even more so when thinking about how strong you are... I think you need to train yourself a lot to make sure no accident happens."

Adriana also joined in the conversation, and although she wasn't exactly rude, I still began to feel a bit cornered. Luckily, a certain dragoness came to my rescue, "Hey, he just made an honest mistake. Wouldn't it be weirder if he thought nothing was wrong in that situation? Though I agree that he overreacted, do you guys really think someone like him would hurt anyone?"

However, Adriana wasn't about to give in, "I don't think that's relevant. What is relevant is that just because of a misunderstanding, he didn't even allow us the time to explain before he exuded his pressure."

"Hey! Stop bullying Zero! It was just a silly mistake!"

Stella also jumped into the fray, and I still hadn't had the chance to open my mouth and say anything. "Huh? Little girl, what do you think you're doing, intervening in a conversation between sophomores?"

Anna the warlord had appeared, aiming her sharp eyes at Stella, saying words that were incredibly ironic when thinking about their different physiques.

"H-hey! D-don't t-talk like that to S-Stella...!"

Even the gentle giant was now dragged into the conversation, trying his best to uphold a strong front. Contrasting what I think she would do, Anna suddenly started rubbing her chin a bit, "Hmm... You know, you are quite good-looking, aren't you? What do you say, big boy, want to get to know the charms of an adult after we are done here?"

'When did she get this kind of personality?!'

"N-no... I-I'm good...'

Unfortunately and luckily, it appeared that both Caroline and Bellatrix were so on edge because of each other that neither of them wanted to stick out a limb, and therefore silently sipped on their glasses of wine.

"That's quite enough, I think."

A certain golden-haired princess stepped in to finally end the discussion once and for all.

"Yes, Zero did something quite bad, and he and I will have a conversation about this. However, all I can say is that there's a reason why he might not be so proficient in social interactions. So, as the princess... no, as your friend, I would like you to try and forget what happened."

A lot of people in this room already knew about Zero's backstory, but now it was obvious that Mr. Brown hadn't actually talked to the sophomores about it. Meaning Anna and Adriana couldn't take into account that Zero had zero experience in a social setting, even though it was irrelevant if they knew who I really was.

"Then, Zero, would you be as kind as to explain to us the reason for this? I don't mean to sound rude, but after your behavior, I think it's only right for us to know."

"No! He doesn't have to explain!"

Sophie was the one who firmly objected, and although I appreciated her sentiment, I couldn't allow this God-given opportunity to clear the situation to slip away.

"It's fine, Sophie. My classmates already know, and it's not like it's a secret anymore."

Now, everyone's eyes turned to me, and the eyes of those who knew what I was going to say turned a bit sad. Everyone's except for Arthurs, who didn't appear to have fully let go of his earlier suspicions about me.

Putting on my brightest smile, for the first time tonight, I spoke while even Bellatrix got a slight flush on her face. "I... Hmm... Haha... I don't really know how to put it in a good way, so I'll just say it."

Taking a deep breath, I pretended to steel myself, "I actually got to see the outside world for the first time when I got to the academy."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that... Because of my peculiar situation, I have been stuck inside the church until just a few weeks ago. Ah! Please don't misunderstand, I don't want this to excuse my behavior. Because it doesn't. Even if I haven't gotten to interact with someone else, I am the one in the wrong."

Now starting to realize what I was saying, Adriana's eyes also faltered a bit.

"Are you saying you literally haven't been outside...?"

"That's correct. But... Now I have! And I don't... I don't want to lose my chance to get along with everyone. Even if I made a mistake."

A moment of silence entered the room, as everyone took a second to think about what I just said. Then, Stella and Thomas both came over to me, hugging me from both sides. To this, the mood quickly mellowed out, and sad smiles started popping up on everyone's faces.

'Ah, it worked...'

As I was basking in the happiness of having averted a very silly crisis, I opened my mouth again, "Thank you, guys. I..."

*BOOOM!*

Interrupting my words, the sound of a huge explosion rang out, completely ruining the mood.

"What was that?!"

The next second, two big men in black suits came running into the room, "Princess, please stay in this room, no matter what."

"Why? What's happening out there?!"

Now standing up, the princess tried but failed to keep her calm, asking the men who were obviously her bodyguards about the situation.

"It's... It's a demon attack. But you don't have to worry..."

"I'm going."

A certain hero didn't care about waiting. As soon as they uttered the word demon, he had already made up his mind. Quickly rising to her feet as well, his woman tried to stop him, "Arthur! Don't! They said they had it under control!"

"I'm sorry, Sophie. But I want you to stay here while I go out and see what's happening. Don't worry, I'm strong enough that I'll be able to escape if there's trouble."

"But..."

"I'll come with him."

Standing up, I broke free from the hugs of my newfound friends and smiled at the hero and the dragon. With everyone staring at me, it didn't take long until strong opposition rang out.

"No! You can't go, Zero! What about your body?!"

"S-Stella is r-right!"

"I agree. I don't think it's appropriate for you to go out there."

However, I just quickly dismissed their words. "You might be right. But even so, I will go with Arthur. Because that is what I have to do."

"Zero..."

"No! As the princess of Mensch, I forbid you from going out there, Zero Adler!"

"Sarah?"

Clenching her fists tightly, she didn't seem too keen on letting me venture out to where the supposed demon was, but she also couldn't keep her eyes from the floor.

"I will not allow it! You are not allowed to go out there, Zero!"

Walking up to the princess, I put my hand on her shoulder and looked up into her blue eyes. Sadly, I didn't have any comforting words to give right now, "I am not under your jurisdiction, princess. I move under the symbol of Theia, and I am not bound by the political structure of Mensch."

Unable to say anything, she just stood there while tears slowly started to form in her eyes. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to stay strong if I looked at her any longer, I turned my eyes to Arthur.

"So, shall we go?"

Still confused by my sudden resolve to follow him, it took a moment before he finally nodded, "Haaa... Sure. Let's go."

"Then I'll come too!"

Sophie wasn't about to allow us to venture out on our own, but at this point, we both had the same thought. Knowing that I owed Arthur one, I took the bullet, "I'm sorry, Sophie. But I don't think you are strong enough."

"B-but..."

"Please, for my sake, Sophie. I don't want you to get hurt. And don't worry, I'll make sure to bring Zero back in one piece!"

"Arthur..."

"I love you, Sophie. See you soon."