Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Lost Bond (3)
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'What the hell...'
The day she walked home with Ken.
Rafne, who had heard from Ken that he had someone he liked, returned to the dormitory shedding nonstop tears.
She entered her room in the dorm, closed the door, and collapsed onto the bed.
But the tears still wouldn't stop.
'Why am I like this?'
Rafne couldn't understand why she was crying.
The moment she heard Ken's words, an inexplicable frustration and heat burst from her chest, making the tears flow.
She couldn't comprehend it.
Just a short while ago, Ken had been nothing to Rafne.
He was just someone whose fat, timid appearance annoyed her, so she teased and messed with him.
Yet since yesterday, Ken's face wouldn't leave her mind.
Even as she cried in agony over his words, her heart screamed that she wanted to see him.
She had never once felt any special emotions for him.
At some point, she had changed like this.
In this incomprehensible situation, Rafne felt confused.
'Fine, starting tomorrow, I'll ignore him even if I see him.'
She buried her face in the pillow, vowing through her tears.
Her head resolved it that way.
"...But who the hell is that girl he likes?"
Nothing else filled her mind but those words Ken had said just moments ago.
"Ughhh━!! This sucks━!!"
Like that, Rafne stomped her feet and buried her face in the pillow, waiting for the next day.
And morning arrived.
Rafne woke up with puffy eyes from crying all night, sat up in bed, and immediately told herself.
"Don't mind it. It's nothing. Why should I care about him?"
Even as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror.
"So he lost some weight and his face looks a bit handsome? Hmph, he's still Ken."
And as she changed into her uniform and looked in the mirror again.
"Ken, huh. Fat and timid. Cries at the drop of a hat. Not manly at all. Can't do anything. Dumb fatty."
Repeating it over and over, her mind gradually calmed.
Seeing it worked quite well, she even smiled as she told herself more about that guy.
"Yeah! Ken! Are you crazy or something? He was just a little cute! Kind and gentle, his smile is cool, and his soft belly makes you want to bury your face in it and smell him every day!"
A confident shout with a smile.
At those words, Rafne tilted her head for a moment.
"...Huh?"
Recalling what she had just said.
"W-Why am I saying this?!"
She messed up her neatly combed hair and fell into confusion again.
In the end, running late for school, Rafne hurriedly left the dormitory.
'Why am I like this because of him...'
Her face scrunched in frustration as she rushed toward the academy.
On one hand, she was annoyed because of that Ken guy.
On the other, the thought of seeing him soon lifted her mood.
She didn't like that feeling either.
'I won't look... I won't look!'
Rafne ran, firmly resolved.
But deep down, she knew.
The reason she was rushing wasn't because she was late.
And in no time, Rafne arrived at the academy, her heart pounding annoyingly as she climbed the stairs.
Though she didn't want to, her eyes kept scanning the surroundings.
Maybe that guy was passing by.
Like a puppy searching for snacks, her eyes sparkled as she climbed the stairs. Passing by Ken's classroom.
Normally, there was no reason to pass this classroom.
She would take the central stairs, go west, and reach her own classroom right away.
But today, she used the east stairs.
'......Not here.'
She glanced quickly inside the classroom as she passed, but the man she sought wasn't there.
Rafne felt disappointed without realizing it and headed to her classroom with slumped shoulders.
Then.
"......Ah."
In the hallway she was walking.
At the far end, near the stairs on the opposite side, she spotted the figure she was looking for.
'......Ken.'
She had firmly vowed just moments ago never to meet him.
But the instant she saw him, that vow vanished like snow, and her feet moved toward him unconsciously.
'...Ken!'
Her steps quickened.
Closing the distance to him in an instant, Rafne.
"Th-that, so, um... What I mean is."
Spotted Emily shyly bowing her head, trying to say something.
Seeing that, Rafne froze.
And in her mind, Ken's voice from yesterday replayed automatically.
'I have someone I like.'
Those words from yesterday and the scene before her now.
To Rafne, it looked like a man and woman in love confessing.
─Ping.
It felt like something snapped in her head. Rafne clenched her trembling fists and opened her mouth.
"......Is it her?"
Then Ken turned his head and looked at her.
。 。 。
'...I'm screwed.'
A warning alarm blared in Ken's mind immediately.
The beast facing him exuded a more threatening aura than the ancient dragon Tarros.
He had almost drawn Tyrpione.
'No, no. Drawing Tyrpione would be pouring oil on the fire.'
He couldn't imagine Rafne staying calm seeing him embrace the demon sword.
"I'm asking. Is she the one you want to 'take responsibility for'?"
"Eek!"
Emily let out a small scream as Rafne's gaze hit her head-on.
Like a rabbit facing a tiger.
'C-calm down. Rafne has no memories right now.'
No matter the lingering emotions from before the history change, they wouldn't be as strong as before.
So he could defuse the situation.
Ken knew.
No explanation would reach Rafne's ears right now.
But leaving it like this would only inflame her emotions more.
'......Wait a sec.'
Inflame her emotions.
'Doesn't that mean the traces of pre-history-change Rafne would strengthen?'
Ken thought he might turn this situation into an opportunity.
'Then, no need to deny it. Instead...'
"Emily. Stay calm, and when I give the signal, run to the classroom."
"Wh-what?"
Emily, trembling, couldn't understand what he was saying.
"I'm asking... Is she that girl?"
And the beast slowly approaching.
Rafne.
When she got close enough.
"Now! Run, Emily!"
The moment she lunged at him, Emily realized what the signal was.
"S-sorry! Thanks!"
Escaping the fear of death thanks to his sacrifice, Emily bolted to the classroom.
"Eek━! Where do you...!!"
Rafne tried to chase the fleeing Emily immediately.
But she stopped.
─Grab.
'Got her...!!'
Because Ken had suddenly thrown himself and hugged her, immobilizing her.
But no problem.
She'd break free of this restraint with brute force and chase that girl.
With that thought, Rafne struggled in Ken's arms.
Of course, that too was stopped by Ken.
"There, there."
Ken didn't miss the chance and stroked her head familiarly before she could thrash more.
"Eh, huh?"
Then, unconsciously, Rafne leaned her head into his embrace.
'Rafne acts on the remaining emotions now. ...So, draw out different emotions.'
A plan to leave the jealous memories burning while pulling out new ones.
If asked if he thought such actions would work on an enraged Rafne.
It worked perfectly.
"H-hoee..."
Melting at the familiar sensation, Rafne surrendered to his arms, enjoying his touch.
That scent she'd missed these past few days.
The familiar, warm embrace.
Though less soft than her body remembered, it was definitely the sensation Rafne longed for.
。 。 。
'Whew, that was close.'
I let out a sigh of relief after first period started.
Now, I was peacefully sitting in my classroom seat, listening to class.
As expected, the emotion-swept Rafne melted when I induced familiar, positive feelings, and returned to her classroom.
This was the effect I wanted.
After resolving the urgent situation with Emily.
Rafne would misunderstand between Emily and me, amplifying those emotions.
Preliminary work to make recalling memories easier as past emotions grow stronger.
'...Of course, if they grow too much and she goes berserk, that's trouble.'
Still, my physical abilities were strong now.
I could handle a rampaging Rafne at this point.
Unless she spammed her unique skill.
'I won't die.'
Worst case, I get beaten.
That was still a profit.
After morning classes ended.
I skipped lunch and left the classroom right away.
Not just to avoid the swarming girls, but because I had business with someone else.
"Ah, Ken...! Lunch...!"
"Sorry! Mary! Next time, let's eat together!"
I spotted Mary coming to this classroom mid-haste but waved apologetically.
I wanted to hear that guy's opinion as soon as possible.
So I headed downstairs.
Where the first-years gathered.
"Wow, who is that?"
"Isn't that a senior?"
"What do we do, he's so cool.... Do you know his name?"
Naturally, as I went to the first floor, gazes from students clustered for lunch poured in.
Second-years rarely came to the first-year floor.
But probably mostly due to my changed appearance.
Before the diet, passing here didn't get this reaction.
'This is burdensome...'
I endured the gathering stares and scanned classrooms for someone.
At the third classroom.
"...─Ah! Alicia!"
I spotted Alicia surrounded by girls, happily chatting about something, and called her out loud.
It had been a while, and no one was as useful as her for consultation, so I wanted to talk quickly.
At my voice, the classroom students looked at me.
Then came the girls' squeals: Kyaa!
"What do we do! Alicia! He came looking for you!"
"Wh-who is it? Someone you know? Boyfriend maybe?"
"Wah, as expected of Alicia...! Love advice master! We respect you! Teacher!"
Alicia's friends made a fuss upon seeing me, squealing at her.
Receiving all that attention, Alicia.
"......"
Stared at me suspiciously.
'...Ugh, maybe I was a bit of a nuisance.'
In my haste, I called out loud without thinking.
Should've asked someone to quietly fetch her.
A small mistake from not being used to this face yet.
Alicia said something to her friends briefly, then approached the front door where I stood.
Grab.
She grabbed my arm and pulled me somewhere.
"Wh-whoa! Alicia?"
"Excuse me, just follow quietly for now? Everyone's staring."
"......"
At her words, I shut my mouth and looked at the passing students.
Definitely all staring this way.
The place she led me by the hand was the academy main building's backyard.
The quietest spot with few people.
Arriving at the backyard and a suitable place, Alicia released my arm and looked up at me.
Arms crossed, glaring with fierce eyes.
"Sigh, so. What is it?"
Somehow different from usual, I panicked a bit but got straight to the point.
"Um, I have something I want to consult about."
"......"
Alicia's reaction to my words was subtle.
'What, that again?' kind of look.
As I tilted my head, Alicia spoke.
"Excuse me, senior. Sorry, but love consultations are fully booked. Could you tell me your name first? When your turn comes..."
She explained uncomfortably. I panicked for a moment.
Asking for my name?
"Ah, wait! Alicia. ...It's me! Me, Ken!"
I urgently cut her off and pointed at myself.
"......Huh? Sorry, but do I know you?"
She tilted her head, looking at me like a suspicious stranger.
Frustrated, I finally said my name.
"It's me, Ken! Ken Fine Stein!"
"......Heh?"
Alicia's eyes rounded at my words.
"Whoaaa?! S-Senior Ken?!"
She jumped in surprise, back to her usual self.
Why was she so shocked?
Alicia had definitely seen me use Calorie Burn...
Ah.
'Come to think of it, she saw my current form during the event.'
She saw me in Calorie Burn state during the ten-day time loop event.
No meetings after, so of course she didn't know my current look.
After hearing the detailed explanation, Alicia finally relaxed and laughed as usual.
"Uwahahaha~! I never imagined a flower boy like this hidden in Senior Ken's fat!"
She scratched her head.
"Anyway, so what's the consultation? I owe you from the survival and the gold from the mansion, so I'll do it for free special!"
Rubbing her hands together as she spoke.
'...I see, the survival and horror mansion went as is...'
I didn't know details, but our first encounter probably changed to the survival event.
The mansion too; if not cleared, I wouldn't have challenged Tarros's tower, so it was cleared.
Seems only histories directly tied to Child of Fate changed cleanly.
Anyway, misunderstanding cleared, I explained the situation to Alicia immediately.
"...You want to recover lost memories?"
"Yeah, maybe with your magic eyes? Like hypnotizing to retrieve them."
I'd seen a program before possession about recalling past life memories via hypnosis.
If real, Alicia's magic eyes could do something similar.
That's why I came for her help.
"Sorry, but that's impossible."
Alicia shook her head apologetically.
"Why, why?! Can't your magic eyes do mental interference like that?!"
"I'd love if they could. I can erase memories with them, but not retrieve lost ones..."
Alicia added explanation, holding up an index finger.
"For example, even if I hypnotize with magic eyes and say 'Heal the wound!', it won't heal."
"What does that..."
"Meaning, recovering lost memories like they're gone is impossible."
Then Alicia explained a past similar request.
A noble youth who lost memories asked to restore them.
She tried her best, but it was useless.
"Ah, come to think of it!"
Mid-story, Alicia smiled brightly as if remembering something.
"That noble boy eventually recovered his memories!"
"What? How?"
"Hmm... I heard it was after experiencing something shocking similar to the lost memory..."
Rubbing her temples with both index fingers, recalling.
"In short! Shock therapy solved it!"
Details fuzzy, she winked and glossed over.
'But yeah...'
Shock therapy.
I recalled hearing something similar before possession.
A shocking event reproducible from Rafne's lost memories.
Then, something flashed in my mind.
My confinement.
And Rafne's first kiss with me.
'No, no. That's shocking to me.'
Of course, I didn't hate it.
It was a good memory even.
"......Ah!"
While pondering Rafne's matters.
Something sparked.
"Oh! Good idea?"
"Yeah! Thanks, Alicia! I'll repay you later for this!"
"Ahaha! No biggie! If you're okay, grant one request next time gratefully!"
"...Request?"
At my question, Alicia gave a sly look, circling thumb and index for money.
"A face like yours must get tons of blind date offers! Then the gold coming to me... Ehehe."
Pretending not to hear, I left immediately.
"Ah, wait━! You promised━!"
I'll buy her a nice meal later.