Chapter Text
“So Ludger-nim really was a soldier…” Selina mumbled, trailing off before asking the man himself.
“What was it like in the military?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ludger hadn’t actually been a part of the military, so there wasn’t anything he could say (although perhaps it was similar to his time as a mercenary). His colleague still gave him a respectful look, praising him. However, Ludger’s eyes were locked onto a shiny object out of sight, shrouded by plants and shrubs.
“Hm? What are you looking at, Ludger-ssi?”
“…Nothing.”
And so they continued on their festival patrol.
--
The festival ended.
Quasimodo’s flames vanished with Esmeralda, leaving an oblivious Selina to wonder where that dark half of hers went.
It was ultimately a success to Ludger, but there was still more to be done.
What was that object in the bushes?
--
He was finally released, injuries fully healed. In the cover of night, he went on patrol to investigate what he saw that day. Fireflies roamed the field of grass Ludger stepped into. The moon shone down on him, supplying little light. A cool breeze carried leaves through the air, drifting. It was quiet, only the flutter of the wind and chirping cicadas filling the silence.
The moment it entered his sight, he was hit with a pang of nostalgia and disappointment. Long lost melodies of his time on Earth, and the only hobby he enjoyed when he wasn’t studying.
“…It was simply a piano.” He muttered, nearly wanting to leave. But it’s been so long… I didn’t even know this world had any. He recalled his days spent studying, playing music, simply his life before he came to such a strange and new world. There were maybe some regrets, but it wasn’t like he could change anything at this point. The man stood still, hand outstretched. Reluctantly with a sigh, Ludger waved his hand and a chair raised from the earth. He took a seat, resting his hands on the keys.
“Just one song wouldn’t hurt…”
--
“Tessie, can’t we just come back tomorrow? It’s past curfew!”
“No, I need to find my purse! Tch, I can’t believe I lost it like that…”
The usual trio consisting of Aidan, Tayce and Leo, wandered the school. During the festival, Tayce had dropped her purse somewhere, yet she only realized it days later. So, of course she had to drag her friends to help find it (but they would’ve joined her regardless). A faint sound of music carried by the wind caused Leo to perk up.
“Do you guys hear that?” He tried to locate the direction it was coming from, walking towards the sound of piano keys.
“Huh? Wait, why would there be music this late?” The instrument was soon joined by a voice that sounded oddly similar. This caused the trio to hurry, but still being wary of not being found out.
“Be my only one,”
“The name I want to call you by,”
“Let’s hold hands and walk along…”
The voice was low, and slightly gravelly. It was hard to hear from a distance, but the gap was slowly closing as the trio approached the mysterious singer.
“What language even is that?” Tayce whispered to the other two, as they neared the bushes that surrounded the clearing.
“Hey, don’t they sound kind of familiar though?” Leo tried to focus on when he had heard such a voice.
“On rainy nights,”
“Yeah! Where-“ Aidan bursted, before Tayce covered his mouth, forcing him to be quiet. He mouthed an apology. Thankfully, the person didn’t notice, too immersed in their own music.
“Or on lonely days,”
“Please colour me with your shiny light,”
The trio finally reached the bushes, cautiously peeking through them.
They did not expect the person to be playing and singing to such a soft song, to be the one and only Ludger Chelysie.
“I’ll do better when you promise me we will stay together,”
“There’s… That can’t be him!” Tayce whisper-yelled. Leo and Aidan agreed. This was, after all, the usually cold and unrelenting Ludger, a man unafraid to point out the smallest mistakes, someone who would even stand against Duke Lumos. For someone like him to have such a side…
“Now I believe,”
“La-la-la-la-la, I sing a song like this,”
“With the one I was desperately looking for,”
“My, oh my, oh my, oh my love,”
The three students sat in admiration. Who knew he could sing so well? Not to mention the instrument he was playing, seemed to be the summary of their thoughts as they enjoyed the performance.
“Be my only love,”
“Every step we take,”
“It’s like a dance we perform together,”
“My, oh my, oh my, oh my love,”
“Be my only love…”
On another side of the small clearing hid a trembling Sedina, her eyes sparkling. First Order, you truly are amazing! Maybe if I share this, the students will accept him more… She held a magical device that silently captured the magical scene of Ludger under the night sky, surrounded by only nature and the sound of his song.
“Be my only one,”
“I don’t have to hide my feelings anymore,”
“The words I sincerely wanted to say,”
“I say I love you~”
A bug climbed up Tayce’s leg unnoticed, before taking a bite. She flinched from the sudden pain, causing the bushes to rustle. They weren’t as lucky as before, with Ludger stopping the music and looking in their direction.
Crap, we’re so screwed!
He stood, walking towards the bushes. The trio were shaking, knowing it was hopeless to try escape him. The leaves crunched as they were exposed to the icy look of Ludger.
“What are you three doing here?”
“…”
“I’ll add more penalty points-“
“We were only looking for Tayce’s purse!” Aidan rushed to get it out, not wanting to receive any more penalty points. Tayce nodded, adding on to what he said.
“Yeah! But suddenly, we heard Professor’s beautiful music and couldn’t help staying and listening!” Unfortunately, the flattering did not work as Ludger trudged on.
“…It is past curfew. You should look for lost property during the day. Five penalty points for each of you.” The trio looked exasperated, but they had to accept fate as it was. ‘Well, what are you doing out here playing music in the middle of the night?’ was what Leo wanted to say, but he didn’t want to take the risk of getting more penalty points.
“Now, return to your dorms.”
“Yes sir…” The three walked away, but weren’t as gloomy. After all, it was still such a rare discovery. Ludger’s ability to sing, play the piano, and then combine it all in another language. His voice accompanied by the music lingered in their minds.
Meanwhile, Sedina had used the opportunity to escape without warranting any penalty points.
(Or so she thought, because Ludger had still given her five penalty points the next day.)
--
Thank goodness Korean isn’t a known language… It would have been much more embarrassing. Had it not been for remnants of nostalgia towards that song, he would have chosen otherwise. It was also the first that came to mind.
Nonetheless, it was… nice.
Oh, but he didn’t know the trouble Sedina was about to start for him…
--
As he roamed the halls, the students that walked by looked at him with an odd sense of awe, gossiping among themselves. Naturally, Ludger showed no reaction, but still found it strange.
Class went normally, until the end.
“Your homework will be to review what we learnt in class today. Any questions?”
It was silent, before one courageous student put their hand up.
“Yes?”
“What was the song you sang in that video?”
Everyone looked towards their professor, awaiting a response. Ludger appeared confused.
“What video?”
“The one all over the forums, with the piano!”
“…That does not matter. Class is adjourned.”
The students left, now even more desperate for information. This left Ludger to ponder how they became aware of his momentary escapade to music.
Sedina…
Who else would try to make Ludger look more favourable? I don’t think it’s even working… In the end, it would only be some interesting gossip that’d eventually pass over.
When he arrived to have lunch, there were less gazes, but some remained. Even Selina had questioned him.
When he met with the principal, she continued to pester him about it.
Even weeks after the ordeal, he was annoyed by students and teachers alike, even people from music schools.
When will this end?