Atelier Tanaka

Book 2: Chapter 20 (2)

Dorm Life 2

The next day there was only one thing all of the students were talking about.

Simon Hagenbeck, the Minister of Finance, tried to have Elizabeth FitzClarence killed.

Its a bit of a ridiculous story, but the source of the rumour is himself, so theres no way to deny it. Last night, after hearing about the death of his son Uz, Simon Hagenbeck tried to flee from the city.

It appears Uzs father was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Ester-chan the other day. Believing that his son was killed because of this, he began to panic.

As a result of that panic, he quickly got into a carriage and started racing through the streets before crashing into a carriage carrying another noble family. Even more of a ridiculous coincidence, the carriage he crashed into happened to be carrying members of the FitzClarence family.

He was still sure that he had been found out, so he began begging for his life on the spot.

As for us, we just got incredibly lucky.

Ill have to worship Sophia-chan even more now. Im sure its thanks to her high LUK stat that we were so fortunate. This time both Ester-chan and I benefited from her LUK. Otherwise, it was just pure coincidence that Ester-chan decided to kill the son of a high-ranking noble that just so happened to be plotting to assassinate her.

Whats the saying? Two birds with one stone?

As expected of you, FitzClarence-sama! I knew you had a plan! I adore you, FitzClarence-sama! The next time we have tea, I want to hear all about your bravery during the fight, FitzClarence-sama! Id like to hear about it as well!

Thanks to that, Ester-chans popularity in school has skyrocketed.

Im also benefiting from it. Her popularity is allowing my faux harem to increase.

Its not a big deal.

Ah, such a wonderful, humble attitude, FitzClarence-sama! Amazing, FitzClarence-sama! FitzClarence-sama, if you dont mind, would you please join me for tea!? Hey, I asked FitzClarence-sama to join me for tea first!

Wow, the crowd is really bustling.

It really is terrible to think that the mistake of his son caused Simon Hagenbecks entire family to collapse. It seems that the rest of noble families have broken all ties with any surviving members of the Hagenbeck family.

His daughter, Lyrisha, who was also a student here, was apparently captured and tortured to find out any further information. It seems that its been decided that she will be publicly executed. This was also due to Ester-chans actions.

The FitzClarence family truly is dangerous.

Their political power is impressive.

I think it might be smart if I decided to get closer to them in the future.

You look troubled. Is something wrong?

No, theres nothing wrong, Ester-san.

Really? If theres anything troubling you, you have to tell me!

No, no, I wouldnt want to bother you with anything trivial.

Id be very happy if youd rely on me! You dont need to hold back.

No, no, no, I would never ask anything of a close friend like you.

This loli noble is the ultimate weapon. It seems like she acted without even considering the consequences. An honourable young lady from a noble family doing something like that.

I think it might be best if I put some distance between us.

E-Ester!

Someone suddenly called out her name.

The schoolgirls surrounding us moved away so we could see the source of the voice. After the crowd cleared I could see someone I recognized. The ikemen knight, Allen.

Allen? What are you doing here?

I have to speak with you!

I dont have anything to say to you.

Please, just give me a little of your time.

Thats fine. Just dont try to tell me how much you love me again. I can give you some of my time as a friend, but thats all. Ive already told you that I love someone else.

I felt Ester-chans gaze fall on me.

Shes still saying she loves me.

Its unbearable.

This didnt seem to change Allens mind.

.

While clenching his fist tightly Allen continued.

I know. Ester, I know already.

Really? Im still not sure you understand.

Ill quit the knight squadron and abandoned the name of Allen. I will leave this country but I will never give up on you. I will definitely come back. I will come back to you as a man worthy of you! At that time, Ill win your heart again!

Whats with this ikemen? He suddenly started talking about such serious things.

I mean why would he quit the knights?

And Im sure hed be able to find a good job here.

Ive also heard rumours that he is already the most successful person from his family.

Umm, Allen, I dont think quitting the knight squadron is the best idea.

I understand how important something like the title of knight is to him.

No, Ive already made up my mind!

Allen has been suffering.

Ikemen and women have a low tolerance for being alone. If he goes too long without getting attention from someone he desires, hell fall into depression. Only an elite busamen like myself is capable of going years without interacting with another person. (TN: A busamen is an unattractive man)

Allen, you dont need to act so rashly.

I should really stop him from making a huge mistake.

Hes a handsome guy and very skilled, so Im sure that wherever he went, hed be able to do fine. Unless theres a homosexual country out there, Im sure hed prosper wherever he went. At least, thats how I feel. On top of that, Im sure hed be able to gather a harem of exotic girls from all over the world as he travelled. I have no doubt about that.

Im sure it would be an amazing adventure.

More important than that, Im sure that Ester-chan will regain her love for Allen soon.

The two of you arent in the right state of mind to be talking about this. Take some time to think things over.

Then, once Ester-chan regains her love for Allen, shell cause all kinds of trouble trying to find him. And, of course, Id be near her and get dragged into it.

Its best to just avoid that situation entirely.

Im sorry for ever getting involved in this yarichin and that loli bitchs love affair.

No, Tanaka-san, Im already calm.

You should really reconsider, Allen.

You truly are an amazing person. Theres no way I can compare to you. I have to improve myself until I can equal you.

Dont be ridiculous. Youre already a better person than me.

Why do these two have to be so difficult? I dont know what I can say to stop him.

To make matters worse, the ikemen is yelling out loud and hes starting to draw an even larger crowd.

Would you give me a break?

I am honoured that Tanaka-san would say so.

No, well, Allen.

Allen looks like a hero that is determined to complete his mission.

If I look around at the crowd, there are several schoolgirls that look like theyve fallen in love with Allen. Why are you making other girls fall in love with you while youre professing your love for another girl?

But Ester-chan still looked calm.

Yes, I understand your determination, Allen.

Yes, Ester.

You can do whatever you please, but my feelings will never change.

Ill definitely change them.

The two people exchanged fiery stares.

An attractive man and a beautiful woman looking at each other in a picturesque scene.

Its also made even more impressive due to the beautifully designed school corridor.

It looks like a scene out of a movie.

And my disgusting busamen face is ruining the scene.

Well then, Allen, make sure to take care of yourself.

I told you, Im no longer Allen.

R-Right, butits rather inconvenient not having a name for you.

He seriously looks cool now.

Allens cool figure suddenly turned to me.

Tanaka-san, I have one request Id like to make of you.

Ah, sure, what is it?

I really want you to be the one to give me a new name.

Eh.

Seriously?

This is just too sudden.

I want a name worthy of a man that can stand next to you as an equal. As someone that I have deemed my rival, I feel confident leaving it up to you.

I-Is that so?

Even if he tells me to suddenly give him a name, I dont know what to say.

Is this like some strange custom of this country?

Or is this ikemen just going with the flow?

Either way, I dont really know what to do.

I cant just say nothing either.

Then

Ill give you the name Saito.

This was the best name I could think of.

And not just a name, but a family name.

Thank you. From today on, I will be known as Saito.

S-Sure. Im glad you like it.

I dont think anyone in this country will understand that name.

I mean nobody has said anything about Tanaka.

Is this really okay, Allen?

Well, Ill excuse myself because I have places I need to go.

Y-Yeah, sure.

Yes, goodbye, Saito.

Ester-chan is already calling him Saito.

She made the switch incredibly fast.

.

.

As Ester-chan and I stood surrounded by the group of students, Saito turned to leave. Even with his back turned to us he looked like a handsome man. Up until the moment he left he was cool. This man is exactly the type of person I want to be.

But what is this? Why do I feel like I remember that name from somewhere?

But I cant remember from where.

.

Im sure itll be fine.

Im sure it wont cause any problems.

I stopped thinking about it and decided to head to my class.

I heard that theres a test happening.