Chapter 293: The Promise Under the Starry Sky
The sun gradually sank below the horizon as nightfall crept in.
The temperature difference between day and night on the island wasn't particularly drastic, yet a slight chill still lingered in the air.
But wrapped in her overcoat and warmed by the bonfire that cast a rosy glow on her face, Euphemia felt no cold at all.
However, she wore a complicated expression as she watched her teacher, Mahiro, holding skewers of meat he was roasting over the fire, alongside several grilled fish and shellfish.
"Sizzle—"
Golden droplets of oil slowly dripped from the meat skewers, falling onto the glowing embers with a crackling sound. A rich, savory aroma of roasted meat gradually permeated the air.
It was incredibly fragrant.
One might wonder—how could such edible and delicious meat, along with various jars of seasonings, be found on a deserted island?
The answer, naturally, was that Mahiro had produced them.
These were leftovers from his time in the "Akame Ga Kill" world. He never expected they would come in handy here, and they remained as fresh as the day he acquired them.
As for the fish and shellfish, he had simply gathered them from the sea.
Behind him stood an exquisitely crafted standalone wooden cabin.
Its level of refinement was such that, with a coat of paint, it could fetch a handsome price even in Britannia.
Mahiro had built it himself, completing everything from felling trees to assembly in less than an hour.
The scene before Euphemia made it difficult to believe they were stranded on a deserted island; it felt more like a leisurely outdoor excursion.
Yet, whether it was a shipwreck or a picnic, she felt exceptionally at ease as long as her teacher was by her side...
Thinking this, Euphy tightened the coat draped over her shoulders.
A faint scent of leather, mingled with another distinct fragrance, lingered at the tip of her nose.
It was pleasant, not unpleasant at all.
Euphy knew it was Mahiro's scent. Almost involuntarily, she took a few deep breaths near the collar of the coat.
"What are you doing, Euphy?"
Mahiro, having just finished grilling the skewers, noticed her actions and couldn't help but ask.
"...!"
The princess started, hurriedly waving her hands.
After a moment, she whispered, "Did... did you see everything?"
"No, I didn't see anything."
As a proper gentleman, he naturally couldn't embarrass a lady, especially a princess as bashful as Euphy.
But Euphy understood this well too, lowering her head in shyness.
"Mmm... how embarrassing."
Peeking out from beneath the overcoat were her delicate feet, now bare without stockings. Her rounded toes pressed together as they rested on the soft sand, feeling the grains rub against her soles, all while she experienced an almost unbearable awkwardness.
"Here, it's ready."
Mahiro sprinkled a pinch of salt over the grilled skewers and handed them to Euphy.
"Try it and see how you like it."
"Mm."
Euphy nodded and, without hesitation, took a small bite. In that instant, the young lady's eyes lit up.
The rich, savory oil seemed to burst in her mouth, and the flavor was unlike anything she had ever tasted before.
The meat juices preserved by the roasting still maintained a certain warmth. As she chewed the tender meat, a natural sweetness inherent to the meat itself burst forth.
There wasn't an overly complex texture—just the crispiness of the seared skin, the sweet fragrance of the meat juices, and the tenderness of the meat itself...
It tasted somewhat like premium quality marbled beef, yet also resembled juicy, tender chicken.
Though it couldn't compare to royal cuisine, being so tender and juicy, perfectly roasted, it could already be considered a top-tier delicacy.
With each swallow, while feeling satisfied, she began to notice strange images surfacing in her mind.
It appeared to be a mirror-like lake.
Lush green grass grew along the riverbank, with colorful butterflies fluttering among the flowers in the grass.
A white marble pavilion stood nearby.
That was... the garden outside the White Palace.
Euphy remembered clearly because when she was young, her sister often practiced there with Miss Alpha, while she herself would sit on the grass weaving flower crowns.
Just as she was about to continue reminiscing, the memories suddenly cut off.
Because the small piece of meat she had bitten off was finished, and a strange warmth gradually rose in her chest.
Driven by subconscious impulse, she found herself taking several more bites of the meat skewer.
That familiar feeling returned...
Soon, an entire skewer of fragrant roasted meat was completely eaten.
As the emotions accumulated, changes finally occurred, though these changes came entirely unexpectedly.
"Mmm~!!"
With a strange whimpering sound, Euphy's cheeks flushed slightly red while she suddenly felt her mind go blank. Her body involuntarily leaned backward.
Seeing this, Mahiro quickly reached out to encircle Euphy's waist, helping her stabilize herself.
"Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, thank you."
Euphy responded in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, her face red, hands inserted between her thighs, rubbing uncomfortably.
Oh, this is so embarrassing...
But...
"But... Mahiro-sensei, your cooking is delicious."
"Right?"
Glancing at Euphy, his eyes filled with laughter, he picked up a branch to poke the campfire and said leisurely:
"This is the tenderest meat from the Cloud Dragon's entire body. Even without any seasoning, the roasted meat is extremely delicious."
"Cloud Dragon... Sensei, are you talking about dragon meat?"
"Yes, dragon meat. This isn't a metaphor, nor is it the two-winged, four-legged lizard from fairy tales, but a genuine dragon that dwells among the clouds."
Moreover, that dragon was the strongest creature in the world of Kill la Kill, a species so powerful that even an adult Tyrant would find difficult to match.
Just one of its whiskers could be called a boundary line, from which you could understand its true worth.
Upon hearing this, Euphy couldn't help but cover her surprised mouth with her hand, then seemed to remember something and lowered her hand.
"Speaking of which, Sensei... actually, you're from another world, aren't you?"
"Let me guess—Beatrix told you, right?"
Mahiro smiled as he asked in return, and Euphy gently nodded.
Seeing this, he continued, "Actually, it's fine to tell you. I really am from another world. The dragon meat you're eating now is actually from a creature of another world. The reason I became a teacher for you, your sister Cornelia, and your other siblings is because when I was transported to this world, I happened to appear in the imperial palace..."
Like telling a story, Mahiro slowly recounted some of his past experiences to Euphy.
This was precisely why he said that he, Yotsuba Mahiro, was just Yotsuba Mahiro—belonging to no country, the one and only Yotsuba Mahiro.
After all, he wasn't even from this world.
As she listened to his story, Euphy, resting her cheek on her hand, gradually began to shine with admiration and longing in her eyes.
"That sounds wonderful, being able to travel to different worlds and all."
Despite being a princess of Britannia, she felt like a canary trapped in a cage, unable to even travel around the world, let alone journey to other worlds.
Even her current experience of being stranded on a deserted island felt incredibly precious to her.
At this thought, Euphemia's eyes slowly dimmed.
"What's wrong? You don't seem too happy. Is something on your mind?"
"Nothing."
Euphy shook her head and replied with a smile.
"Come on, do you think I don't know you? You always hide your worries deep inside, never revealing even a hint, even to Cornelia, who cares for you the most."
"Ehehe..."
Euphy giggled foolishly, shyly sticking out her tongue.
"As expected, I can't hide anything from you, Teacher..."
"Of course not. But I'm guessing you also want to take a trip to another world?"
Mahiro straightforwardly exposed the princess's little wish.
Euphy timidly looked up and tentatively asked, "...Is that possible?"
"Mhm, definitely. Unless you still have any attachments to Britannia's royal family."
"Attachments? Not really. The only ones I care about now are Lelouch, Nunnally, and my sister Cornelia..."
She truly had nothing to hold her back.
She had long grown tired of the scheming and deceit within the royal family. Even her seemingly kind-hearted brother Schneizel was so unscrupulous...
Though she could understand it, she simply didn't like it.
"Then that settles it."
"But I still have unfinished business..." Euphy said hesitantly.
"No problem. After you finish what you need to do, bring your sister Cornelia and Nunnally along, and we'll leave this place together to visit my world. How does that sound?"
"In that case, Teacher, you mustn't bully us, or we'll join forces and rebel against you."
"Haha, do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
"Then it's a promise! You can't go back on your word, Teacher!"
"Yes, yes, I won't go back on my word."
Under the night sky, their cheerful laughter echoed.
...
However, as time passed, the night grew darker.
The sound of the ocean waves crashing grew louder, and the chilly wind blowing from the sea made them shiver. Though they had gathered around a bonfire, it was now on the verge of dying out.
Mahiro glanced up at the sky and said:
"Alright, it's getting late. You should get some rest. By tomorrow, you'll likely be rescued. If not, I'll personally escort you back."
"Okay, thank you, Teacher."
Meeting Mahiro on this deserted island was what Euphemia considered the luckiest thing that happened to her today, not to mention having such a long conversation with her teacher.
The despondency she had felt earlier was now replaced with renewed determination, as if she had rediscovered her purpose in life.
This time, her goal was clear: no matter what, she must resolve the issues between Mahiro and Lelouch.
She had firmly decided on this course of action.
At the very least, she couldn't let anything like what happened to her elder brother Clovis occur again!
As the girl was lost in these thoughts, she slowly stood up. Perhaps from sitting on the ground for too long, her legs had gone numb. When she stepped on the reef, her foot suddenly twisted, causing her to involuntarily lean to one side.
"Ah—"
With a light gasp, Euphemia fell back onto the sand.
Turning around, Mahiro quickly reached out to steady her, frowning as he asked, "What happened?"
A flicker of pain crossed Euphy's face. Biting her lip as she sat on the ground, she gently cradled her ankle with her hands.
"I accidentally sprained it..."
Euphemia said somewhat sheepishly.
"You're still just like when you were little."
Mahiro shook his head with a helpless smile. He crouched down beside Euphemia's legs and said, "Here, let me take a look!"
Euphemia didn't resist, allowing him to take hold of her delicate ankle.
Mahiro felt the warm, smooth texture of the girl's foot as he cradled her sand-dusted jade-like foot in his hands.
Holding her small toes, Mahiro had no intention of playing around. After carefully examining Euphy's ankle, he said, "The bone isn't injured, so it's not serious. When we get back to the cabin, I'll give you proper treatment."
"..."
Euphy's face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
Mahiro then slipped his arm under her knees again and, with a slight effort, lifted her up once more.
Just like before, Euphy didn't refuse his assistance, only shyly wrapping her pale, lotus-root-like arms around Mahiro's neck.
Allowing Mahiro to carry her in a princess hold, she let him slowly walk toward the cabin behind them.
She looked exactly like a bashful young bride.
Pushing open the wooden door, he placed her on the wooden bed before crouching down and taking hold of her delicate foot once more.
With one hand supporting her sole and the other covering her sprained ankle, a faint glow began to shimmer around his palm.
A cool sensation spread through her foot, mingling with a warmth that seeped deep into her skin, flowing through her blood vessels and nerves. Euphemia couldn't help but let out an enticing soft moan.
At the same time, she saw tiny, pale blue specks of fluorescent light gradually appearing in the air, like scattered stars, swirling around Mahiro.
"..."
This was undoubtedly the most beautiful sight she had ever witnessed.
It resembled the glittering fireflies she'd seen in summer grass, or as if the twinkling stars of the night sky had gathered here.
Its beauty was so captivating that one couldn't help but want to lose themselves in it.
But soon this radiance vanished, and her treatment was complete.
"Come, try moving it. See if it still hurts."
Following Mahiro's indication, Euphy, who was sitting on the bed, slowly lifted her leg and gently rotated her ankle.
"It... it doesn't hurt anymore. How marvelous..."
Euphy blinked in astonishment.
"Sensei, did you heal Nunnally's legs using the same method?"
"Of course, though curing her legs did require considerable effort from me."
"..."
Who knows what thoughts crossed the princess's mind, but her gaze toward Mahiro became somewhat peculiar.
Especially when recalling that strange sensation from earlier, Euphy's cheeks involuntarily flushed with color once more.
Throughout this evening, her face had reddened more times than she could count.
But there was no helping it.
After all, everything Mahiro had done to her were experiences she had never undergone or tasted before.
"Alright, get some sleep early and rest properly."
As he spoke, a cotton quilt materialized in Mahiro's hands and he draped it over Euphy.
She was no longer surprised by such occurrences, merely asking with mild curiosity:
"Sensei, what will you do?"
After all, there was only one bed in the room, and she had taken it.
"Me? It's fine. I can make do anywhere."
Hearing this, Euphy, who had just gathered her long hair, rejected his suggestion.
"Eh? How could that be acceptable? Even if the night isn't cold, you might still catch a chill. Otherwise... if you don't mind, Sensei, we could squeeze together. It should be able to fit two people."
Euphy shifted her body, making space for him.
She even shared half the quilt with him.
Yet Mahiro pulled the quilt back over her, patted her head and said:
"I appreciate your kindness, but that's unnecessary. You just rest well."
His words warmed Euphy's heart.
Even though everything—the house, the bed, the quilt—had been provided by Mahiro, he had ultimately given it all to her...
She wanted to say more, but Mahiro gave her no opportunity, directly turning to walk to the window where he stood gazing at the scenery outside.
Watching his broad back, Euphy felt warmth in her heart alongside an emerging trace of disappointment.
A man and woman alone together in a room, yet nothing had happened...
Euphy began to doubt her own charm, but she ruthlessly suppressed this thought as soon as it surfaced.
This was Mahiro-sensei after all—how could she entertain such wild thoughts?
...
The night passed without incident.
The next day, accompanied by the sound of rising and falling tides, seagull cries echoed from the shore.
After a night's rest, the reinvigorated Euphy wore the coat Mahiro had given her and the shoes prepared for her.
After breakfast, the two began walking from the shore toward the island's interior, ready to search for Kallen and that unlucky fellow Lelouch.
Lelouch aside—that boy could handle a bit of hardship just fine—but having someone like Kallen, a young lady from a noble family like the Stadtfelds, participate in this wilderness survival activity...
He truly couldn't imagine how she had spent the previous night.
Could she really have been so unlucky as to get captured by Suzaku—the same Suzaku he'd beaten half to crippled last time?
Sometimes, it's better not to dwell on certain thoughts.
Just like now, Mahiro's speculation was confirmed.
"As expected..."
Mahiro let out a soft, weary sigh.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Mahiro had suddenly stopped, Euphy curiously stepped forward to ask, only to have him cover her mouth before any sound could escape.
"Shh~ Don't make a sound. Look what we've found."
Mahiro gestured for her to keep quiet, then pointed toward a clearing not far away, as if inviting her to watch the scene unfold.
In the direction he indicated, a man and a woman stood facing off in a jungle clearing.
The woman held what looked like a wallet or pouch, with the glint of a short dagger protruding from its edge.
The man was in a defensive stance, though one of his arms seemed to be in poor condition, as if causing him great pain.
"Who are they...?"
The distance was too great for Euphy to make out their identities clearly.
"A wild Suzaku Kururugi, and a domesticated Black Knights executive—Kallen Kōzuki of the Stadtfeld Family."