Where should I go? This was always a dilemma.
Drinking on Academy grounds was definitely problematic. If it was just third-years, maybe, but with a first-year involved, Karen would obviously be in a difficult position if they got caught.
But outside the Academy, I couldn't move freely.
It was only because the Professor called me "supplies" that I had any freedom at all—that wouldn't work outside.
I could only guarantee my safety under the Professor's supervision. So if I wanted to go outside the Academy, I'd have to be accompanied by the Professor.
But that created another problem: how freely could students enjoy themselves with a professor around? Students would have to restrain themselves in the Professor's presence, and there might be complaints about favoritism if some students had a personal relationship with the Professor.
Thinking about the troublesome future ahead if I chose carelessly, I felt a bit sorry for my situation.
"...Waaaaaah!"
Thursday had arrived, and still no proper solution had emerged.
So I sprawled out in the living room and opened my mouth wide, making crying noises.
"Urr, what's wrong?!"
I wasn't really crying. I was just shouting to express my frustration. My expression hadn't changed, but the Professor, who was cooking in the kitchen, had no way of knowing that and rushed over in surprise.
I lifted my head slightly to watch the Professor running toward me, wiping hands on an apron.
A moment of silence followed.
"You little—!"
"Waaaaaah!"
The Professor, apparently deciding I wasn't crying but just making noise, rubbed a knuckle against my temple.
Well, I was just making noise, that's true!
This time real tears welled up. As I screamed in pain, the Professor warned me.
"No more shouting at night! Understand?"
"Yes, I understand..."
I nodded while holding my head and pouting.
But at this rate, we wouldn't even decide where to hang out. If the Academy was off-limits and the Professor's house would be uncomfortable for everyone, where could we go?
The after-parties the others had looked so fun, and I'd feel left out if I was the only one missing. I'd be sad watching friends having fun without me. That's why I really wanted to join them.
I was the problem making venue selection difficult, and I strongly wanted to solve it somehow. But the issue was that nothing could happen without the Professor's permission.
With the festival coming in May, I hoped we could figure something out before April ended.
I wiped away my tears. Kneeling, I glanced up at the Professor, whose expression had softened considerably.
"Did that hurt a lot?"
"...Yes."
I nodded.
The Professor gave a bitter smile.
"I'm only doing this because I want Urr to develop basic morals and ethics for when you eventually mix with other people, so don't hate the Professor too much."
"...Yes."
I nodded again.
Honestly, though I often had childish thoughts, I wasn't lacking in moral or ethical awareness.
The Professor, having no way of knowing this, was pouring a lot into me, but I couldn't say anything. It was awkward to explain, and even if I did, I wasn't sure I could convince anyone.
Would a being like "me" understand moral concepts? Would it have ethical awareness?
According to researchers, the correct assessment would be no.
They said it's difficult to expect such things from a Demon God who established self-identity without parents, friends, or teachers. I seemed to be considered an exception.
Anyway, whatever "I" might not know, I certainly did.
"So what should we do? We need to decide by tomorrow..."
As I fidgeted with my fists on my knees while watching the Professor's reaction, the Professor glanced at me briefly and then sighed.
"...Well, let's decide tomorrow? We have the Study Group tomorrow, so we can talk about it then?"
"..."
I stared blankly.
That seemed reasonable, so I nodded repeatedly. The Professor smiled slightly and helped lift me up.
My kneeling body was lifted lightly, and I was able to stand up straight. In my daze, I remembered how easily Aria had lifted me before and asked:
"Professor, am I light?"
"Yes, you're light. Maybe because you're not gaining weight?"
"Hmmmm."
I tilted my head with a puzzled expression.
Friday arrived.
In the morning, I followed Sera to attend a lecture. The Professor seemed pleased to see me trying to learn more about magic, judging by the improved expression as I left.
While walking with Sera, she subtly extended her hand.
"Want to hold hands while walking?"
"...Why?"
"Sometimes girls link arms when walking together, but since there's a height difference between us, this feels like a good alternative?"
"Hmm."
I glanced up at Sera. With a full head's height difference between us, linking arms would indeed be uncomfortable.
Is this normal for girls? Isn't it uncomfortable? Why do they do this?
These thoughts crossed my mind, but I didn't dwell on them for long.
"Do you like holding hands, Sera?"
"With you, it's fine."
"...Wait, so you don't hold hands with your other friends?"
"Holding hands with Urr just seems fitting! Like this, see?"
Sera took my hand and held it firmly. When I relaxed my grip, it felt like holding an older sister's hand.
I wasn't sure if this was right, so I broke into a slight sweat. Looking up at Sera's bright expression, she seemed quite satisfied.
What an interesting person.
With that thought, I just kept walking.
"By the way, Sera. We still haven't decided properly, but where do you think would be good?"
"Hmm, if we're just drinking, the Academy would be fine, but if we want to sleep over too, I'd prefer somewhere outside."
"Sleep over..."
I pondered with a "hmm."
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't come up with a suitable place, which gave me a headache.
"You went to pick up Urr and now you're even holding hands."
"That's the privilege of the person who picks up Urr."
Aria, who was already seated in the classroom, stared at me. I was startled and tried to pull my hand away, but Sera held on tightly. Instead, she lifted our hands slightly as if showing off.
Our hands swayed. Sera grinned and finally let go.
"Hi, Urr."
"Hi, Aria."
I waved with a wry smile. Aria saw this and extended her hand to me.
It seemed like she wanted me to hold her hand too, so I did. Aria nodded.
"Your skin definitely feels softer."
"W-why are you checking something like that?!"
I pulled my hand away in shock. Aria looked disappointed, repeatedly clenching and unclenching her hand in the air. Then, letting go of her regret, she made room for me.
We sat side by side.
Sera, me, Aria. With me deliberately placed between them, we chatted until the Professor arrived.
"We're planning to start tomorrow, but is there a good place? Karen might get in trouble if we drink in the Academy. If we're going to sleep over, it would definitely be more comfortable at someone's home than at the Academy, but honestly, we wouldn't be comfortable at the Professor's house either."
"That's true."
Sera continued her thoughts based on what I had told her.
The tip of her tightly held pen swayed in an arc. I watched it quietly.
"Where can we go that allows the Professor to be with us?"
"The Professor being there is the problem."
Aria gave a dry response to my question.
"Even though we get along well with the Professor, we don't expect to meet privately like that. ...Besides, it wouldn't be good if the Professor saw us getting drunk and messy, and we wouldn't be able to relax and have fun."
"Aria's right. It's really awkward to find a place for us."
Sera sighed.
Then she let out an "Ah!" of realization.
"Let's just rent a private room at a bar! Wouldn't that work for a get-together feeling? ...Or not."
"From what Karen was saying about convenience stores, it seems like she wants a casual place to eat snacks and chat."
"Then you know those places that offer short-term hotel room rentals."
"...Oh, right, those exist."
Sera and Aria exchanged ideas with me sitting between them.
Then, as if they'd hit upon something good, they nodded enthusiastically.
"But what about the Professor after we get the room?"
"...We'll have to make do. Either ask the Professor to stay nearby, or just trust us and turn a blind eye... If that doesn't work, we'll just drink with the Professor."
When Sera suggested alternatives in a resigned voice, Aria responded with a bitter smile.
"Right, it doesn't hurt to ask."