Chapter 252: Euphemia Falls from the Sky
"Private First Class Suzaku Kururugi, ID Number 107 of the 11th Front Army, regarding the suspicion of Prince Clovis's murder, due to insufficient evidence, is acquitted and released!"
After the presiding judge finished reading the military tribunal's verdict, they kicked this ELEVEN who had been freeloading for days out of prison.
After leaving prison, Suzaku Kururugi returned to the military camp only to learn that his military status had already been revoked. After retrieving his personal belongings from the barracks, Suzaku left the army where he had struggled for years and endured constant discrimination.
"What exactly happened, suddenly..."
After leaving the military camp, Suzaku wandered aimlessly through the streets. The series of events that had happened to him left him completely bewildered.
First, he was forcibly framed, then saved for no reason by that ZERO, immediately followed by an inexplicable invitation to join terrorists.
Although he had refused, now, even the originally solid evidence had been withdrawn, he was declared not guilty in court and released, and then inexplicably kicked out...
Just as he was pondering his recent experiences and passing by a luxurious mansion, suddenly a black car sped toward him from behind.
A dark tire mark was left on the road as the car swung toward Suzaku like a dragon's tail.
Fortunately, at the last moment, Suzaku Kururugi took a step back onto the sidewalk, barely avoiding disaster.
But this driving stunt still scared him out of his wits.
Then, after the black luxury car came to a stop, a black-haired young man got out.
The man glanced at Suzaku, then looked up to scan the building in front of him, seeming to sigh in relief as if a weight had been lifted.
"Whew~ Made it in time. Thank you, Alpha."
"You're welcome. Please be careful."
A light, clear voice came from the driver's seat. Through the gap, a glimpse of dazzling golden hair could be seen, and after the door closed, the car immediately sped away.
However, the young man didn't leave but instead walked straight toward Suzaku Kururugi.
Wearing a polite smile, he softly greeted:
"Don't space out while walking, young man. If you wander on the road like that again, be careful or a truck might send you to another world."
"???"
Suzaku Kururugi slowly formed question marks in his mind.
For some reason, even though the other's tone was very gentle and calm, giving a feeling like a spring breeze, there seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in his words.
Was he targeting me?
Looking more closely, the other also had the face of an ELEVEN, but the clothes he wore were different from other ELEVEN, incredibly luxurious.
He exuded an elegant temperament from inside out, no less impressive than those nobles.
Who exactly is he?
That, of course, is Mahiro.
After receiving news from Ashford that Euphemia was about to assume the position of Vice-Governor of Area 11, and then getting intelligence from Shadow Garden that Euphemia had already arrived in Area 11, Mahiro immediately set off without stopping, rushing to the Governor's Mansion.
Because there was an important plot point here: Euphemia and Suzaku's first meeting.
He didn't care whether Euphemia and Suzaku Kururugi knew each other, but he needed to be present when they met!
Although Mahiro was broad-minded and magnanimous, being NTR'd was not within his scope of tolerance.
Did he like Euphemia?
Of course, naturally. Back in the Aries Imperial Villa, his favorites whom he most frequently cared for were the three sisters: Nunnally, Euphemia, and Cornelia.
As for how Euphemia felt about him,
Mahiro didn't know, nor did he care.
But fortunately, he had arrived quite timely. Judging by Suzaku's down-and-out appearance, he hadn't met Euphemia yet.
However, just then, a soft yet urgent female voice came from above them.
"Please move, it's dangerous!!!"
Looking up, they saw a girl holding down her long skirt to prevent it from flying up, rapidly falling from a window high up on the mansion building.
Without thinking, Suzaku instinctively rushed to catch the girl.
But the next moment, Suzaku suddenly felt his vision go dark. A very clean shoe sole was rapidly enlarging before his eyes, instantly blocking his view.
With lightning speed, it stomped hard on his upturned face.
The old wounds on his face hadn't fully healed, and this impact immediately reopened them, instantly staining his nose red.
"..."
Euphemia, falling from the sky, screamed with her eyes closed. In mid-air, she secretly regretted choosing this method to escape the mansion.
Although she had been trained in physical fitness and such by her teacher when she was young, she never expected to become so rusty after all these years, failing to hold onto the bedsheet she had swung from the window!
But by now, she had no time for regrets. Just as she was bracing for the impact of her bottom hitting the ground, a pair of sturdy arms caught her in mid-air.
The arms were firm and strong. Losing her balance in the man's embrace, Euphemia ended up pressed against his chest.
A distinct masculine scent rushed into her nostrils, and his broad, warm chest made her unconsciously want to rely on him.
But quickly, Euphemia realized she had fallen into a man's embrace, and in a princess carry no less!
Flustered, Euphemia pushed hard the moment they landed, leaping out of Mahiro's arms. Without thinking, she imitated the etiquette of Area 11 people, bowing and apologizing:
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know there was anyone below!Euphemia's cheeks were slightly flushed, both from distress over causing trouble with her willful behavior and from shyness after being held by a man.
But the man didn't respond to her immediately, instead apologizing to the person behind him.
"Sorry about that, I was in a hurry and used your face for leverage."
"I-It's fine."
Suzaku sat on the ground, holding his bleeding nose.
If he hadn't seen the girl land safely, he would have suspected the other was deliberately picking on him.
And Mahiro paid no further attention to Suzaku, shifting his gaze to the girl continuously bowing and apologizing to him, her fluffy pink hair cascading down her back.
Looking up, he saw a bedsheet fluttering in the wind from a window on about the fourth floor.
"I say, after all these years apart, what kind of act is this, dear Princess? A Lin Mei Mei falling from the sky?"
Mahiro couldn't help but marvel at Euphemia's daring.
Falling from this height, even a normal man would be severely injured or killed at worst.
At the very least, full-body paralysis or becoming vegetative.
Not to mention this slender, delicate princess before him.
But this made him even more impressed about how physically powerful Suzaku must be, to steadily catch a girl falling from the fourth floor.
I, Yotsuba Mahiro, proclaim you the strongest in this world!
"Eh eh eh?"
Being suddenly addressed as "Princess" made Euphemia tremble, thinking her escape had been discovered. But quickly she realized, her heart pounding violently.
Because that frivolous, almost joking tone, and this voice, made her think of someone.
Quickly looking up, Euphemia involuntarily widened her blue-gold eyes, scrutinizing the tall man before her with surprise.
The memories sealed in her heart for many years gradually surfaced one by one.
The figure from her memories slowly overlapped with the man before her.
Familiar pitch-black eyes, familiar pitch-black short hair.
Still dressed in simple yet noble attire, the well-fitted uniform perfectly showcasing his slender figure, the smile on his face still so gentle.
He exuded an alluring aura of steadiness and confidence.
"...M-Mahiro-sensei? Mahiro-sensei, is it really you? Is Euphy not dreaming?!"
Euphemia asked cautiously, childhood memories flooding back, making the innocent princess's heart surge with excitement.
And a bit of fear.
She was afraid she had mistaken the person, even more afraid this was a dream!
After all, that Mahiro-sensei had been missing for so many years, and after all this time, to have not changed at all...
"Oh my, has just a few short years made you unable to recognize me, Princess? I'm suddenly a bit sad...Mahiro shrugged, putting on an act of being hurt and wronged as he spoke.
"Really... it's true, it really is Mahiro-sensei... Waaah!!"
Upon hearing Mahiro's personal confirmation, Euphemia could no longer hold back.
Immediately, she threw herself forward into Mahiro's embrace. Her beautiful large eyes filled with tears, two streams of pearls uncontrollably falling, soaking Mahiro's chest.
Mahiro took half a step back to buffer the impact. He completely hadn't expected Euphemia to pounce, and her strength was surprisingly great too.
If it were someone with weak physical ability like Lelouch, he'd probably be knocked down on the spot.
Meanwhile, Suzaku, holding his nose, awkwardly watched the two embracing, the girl's joyful sobbing occasionally reaching his ears.
For some reason, even though it was his first time seeing this girl, when he saw her crying in another man's arms, Suzaku's heart felt a faint sadness.
Euphemia li Britannia.
If one word were used to describe this girl, none would be more appropriate than gentle, kind, and pure.
With beautiful features, a delicate and perky nose, noble yet slightly childish, her slender pale pink hair dancing in the breeze, the ends shimmering in the dazzling sunlight.
As the third princess of the Holy Britannian Empire, the leader of the world's three superpowers, of her own volition, at sixteen—an age when she should be living a school life—she became the Vice-Governor of the Area 11 colony with the Emperor's permission.
Although this appointment hadn't been publicly announced from the homeland yet, she had arrived in this land early.
This land where her elder brother Clovis had died.
But unfortunately, her secret arrival in Area 11 to assume her post was accidentally discovered by her elder sister Cornelia.
She was placed under house arrest.
But how could she, who wanted to see this land properly, be willing to be restrained?
So she boldly escaped from the mansion.
And then, while escaping, she accidentally fell from the window, leading to the scene that just occurred.
"So, you really are daring, you girl."
"Hehe, that's what you taught me, sensei."
Euphemia wiped away the excited tears from the corners of her eyes, smiling somewhat embarrassed, a shy blush gradually appearing on her fair cheeks.
This left Mahiro speechless.
He had indeed taught Euphemia many things back then, like fostering independent thinking.
But that didn't include free-climbing buildings.
And also...
"Euphy, you sneaked out, didn't you."
Hearing this, Euphemia suddenly realized, and from inside the mansion came the sound of real commotion.
"Princess Euphemia is missing!"
"Quick, go look for her!!"
"Yes!"Soldiers in the courtyard were gathering, conducting a carpet search for Euphemia inside the mansion."
She hurriedly grabbed Mahiro's hand, anxiously saying, "Sensei, please take me away from here."
"It wouldn't be good if I'm found."
"Yes, yes, my lovely Princess."
A student's request, as a teacher, naturally couldn't be refused.
But just as they were about to leave, Euphemia suddenly stopped him.
"Sensei, bring him along too."
Euphemia was referring to Suzaku Kururugi, who was still sitting on the ground.
It must be said, Euphemia was very thoughtful. Because the fourth-floor bedroom window was open, if discovered by soldiers, then Suzaku, staying in front of the mansion, would be arrested again as a suspect for kidnapping the Vice-Governor of Area 11.
A second trip to jail.
Although he really wanted to, and even looked forward to this scene, seeing Euphemia's pitiful expression, he ultimately softened.
"Alright, I'll take you along too."
Saying this, he grabbed Suzaku by the collar.
"..."
Just as Suzaku was about to speak, Mahiro, holding Euphemia with one arm and carrying him with the other, immediately started running.
By the time the Britannian soldiers poured out of the mansion, their figures had already disappeared.
While the soldiers were searching with all their might for Euphemia, Mahiro had already taken the two to a park some distance from the mansion to rest.
Euphemia sat on a park bench, her slender, jade-like legs placed side by side.
Today, she wasn't wearing the gorgeous court dress from his memories, but a simple bustier dress that clearly outlined her flawless figure.
Her slightly youthful face had light makeup, and with her hair tied up in a section, made this sixteen-year-old girl appear much more mature.
On her feet were light pink high heels the same color as her hair. Combined with her already tall stature, Euphemia's height was already taller than most men in Area 11.
This slender figure, even sitting on a bench, fully displayed her elegant royal dignity.
As for Suzaku Kururugi, he was currently coughing and gasping for breath.
His somewhat sun-tanned face showed signs of pallor from blood loss.
Clearly, that was from being choked by the collar. Since he was grabbed by the back of his collar during the run, his brain was still a bit oxygen-deprived.
Mahiro's actions, though convenient, carried a bit of personal grudge.
"So, where to next, Euphy?"
Mahiro showed no intention of paying attention to Suzaku, instead turning to look at Euphemia.
After all, helping this guy escape the mansion was already going above and beyond.
"Well... there are indeed some places I'd like to go. Back in the homeland, I always heard about Area 11, so I've always wanted to come see what kind of place Area 11 really is."
But before that...
Euphemia suddenly stopped speaking and turned to look at Suzaku, who was sitting on the ground and had caught his breath.
"You must be Private First Class Suzaku Kururugi...-kun? Right?"
What a strange form of address, combining name, military rank, and adding "-kun" and all.
But Suzaku, being called by name, couldn't care less. He quickly stood up straight, even though another trickle of red flowed from his nostrils.
"Yes, Princess, I..."
Just as Suzaku was about to salute, he suddenly remembered his military position had been stripped. Now he was just an ordinary commoner, and for a moment he stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
"No need to be so nervous."
Seeing Suzaku's awkward and comical appearance, Euphemia revealed an innocent, gentle smile.
This smile couldn't help but make Suzaku dazed.
He had just heard the conversation between the two and already knew the identity of this pink-haired girl.
Though surprised—she felt completely different from his impression of princesses and governors—she was indeed the genuine Britannian princess, and the soon-to-be-appointed Vice-Governor.
It even made him recall Lelouch and Nunnally.
"Wipe it off, Private First Class Suzaku Kururugi."
Mahiro's sudden voice interrupted Suzaku's reverie, and he handed over a tissue.
As Suzaku took it, saying thank you, Mahiro spoke again:
"In that case, let me introduce myself too—"
"Mahiro zi Britannia is my name, but I prefer using the name Yotsuba Mahiro. I formerly served as a royal tutor for Britannia and am currently a teacher at Ashford Academy."
"Zi... Britannia... Yotsuba... You're an Honorary Britannian?" Suzaku asked, somewhat shocked.
No, if he were an Honorary Britannian, how could he have a royal surname?
But judging by his appearance, he really didn't look like a Britannian mixed-blood.
And also, he looked about the same age as me, yet he served as a royal tutor...?
If that's the case, then wouldn't that mean...
"Pretty much. And you guessed right, I was indeed Lelouch and Nunnally's teacher."
Mahiro's eyes seemed to see through Suzaku Kururugi's inner thoughts.
But this time, it wasn't Suzaku who was shocked, but Euphemia. She lightly covered her mouth, blinked, and looked at Mahiro, unable to resist asking:
"Mahiro-sensei, Lelouch and Nunnally... they really are still alive, right?"
Though young, lacking much social experience, and unaware of the world's darkness, Euphemia wasn't stupid.
She knew very well that her Mahiro-sensei definitely didn't appear in Area 11 for no reason; he must have some purpose.
Just like when he suddenly left without saying goodbye back then.
And when Mahiro-sensei mentioned Lelouch and Nunnally, she guessed that the missing Lelouch and Nunnally must have already met sensei!
Mahiro naturally nodded affirmatively, hiding nothing from Euphemia.
"Lelouch and Nunnally are indeed still alive."
"Then... then will you take me to see them, sensei? After so many years apart, I miss them so much..."