Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: My Ability: Pat Pat -2
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'Yes.'
I answered inwardly to the text floating in the air.
Then another window popped up: [Analyzing].
[Ophelia Scarletstar]
[Current Status - Overwork, Stress]
[Analysis Direction - Appears to be suffering from significant fatigue and stress buildup. Continue the conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.]
'...Is that all?'
As if answering my doubt, more text appeared.
[Cannot engage in deep conversations at current intimacy and skill level.]
[Skill: Raise the level of Deep Talk further.]
[Higher skill levels will unlock more conversations and analysis results.]
[Skill levels can be raised using Bond Points.]
'Ah.'
In short, I just need to level it up.
I get it. This ability is ultimately based on the game, after all.
'Starting straight from the ending would be no fun.'
Nothing to be done about that.
For this part, I'll have to stick to what I've done before.
Who am I?
'A psychology grad student. Soon-to-graduate PhD candidate in psychology.'
I've counseled hundreds of people without breaking a sweat, and the reports and papers I've written number in the thousands by rough count.
Ophelia's current issues: overwork and stress.
Plus, it calls for a relaxed atmosphere.
That probably means she's been working in a stiff, tense environment.
The Disciplinary Committee is like that. Think of it as a military organization.
"Tasty?"
"Yes, your tea-brewing skills are truly exceptional, Senior."
I flashed the most harmless smile I could muster.
"Glad to hear it."
"Have you always been good at brewing tea?"
"It's a hobby."
Chicken brought by visiting family tastes better than plain old chicken any day.
A break during work feels sweeter than a day off, right?
I decided to turn this time into one of those moments.
"Let me see."
I rummaged through the cupboard again and pulled out some snacks.
Cookies studded with bits of chocolate here and there.
When I put them on a plate and brought it over, Ophelia waved her hands frantically.
"No, I can't accept more. I'd have no face left."
"Come on, take it."
"I really can't."
"Just try one."
"...All right. Just one, then."
Crunch, munch.
Ophelia's expression changed as she chewed the cookie.
A slight fidgetiness crept in.
"Good, right? Want more?"
"...Thank you."
Why play hard to get if you're gonna eat it anyway?
With the calming tea and sweet snacks...
Her tension should have eased up by now.
"Maybe I should have a cup too."
[Raise Ophelia's Favorability]
I stood up, dismissing the text hovering in the sky.
Ophelia thought the man before her was quite peculiar.
She knew well the nicknames people called her.
Mad dog.
Rabid bitch.
She could understand it.
She admitted her appearance during enforcement was pretty scary. It was unavoidable.
So she understood people's attitudes toward her.
Fear-inducing expressions.
Sharpened blades.
A ferocious aura like she might bite at any moment.
Who could get close to someone like that?
Even within the Disciplinary Committee, few were close to Ophelia.
Most of them were people she'd known before joining.
Since becoming a member in her first year, she hadn't formed bonds with anyone.
Which made it all the harder to understand.
The deep understanding in the man's blue eyes as he looked at her.
'Not the attitude to have toward someone I just met today.'
Still, it didn't feel bad.
At least it was leagues better than eyes filled with killing intent.
"Maybe I should have a cup too."
The man poured himself tea and sat across from her.
For the first time, she looked closely at his face.
Wavy, tousled hair.
Gently upturned lips and gleaming blue eyes.
Not particularly striking at first glance, but... endearing the more she looked. Yeah.
'He looks like the puppy I had as a kid.'
Maybe because of that slightly rude thought?
"Ophelia."
"Y-yes?!"
She bit her tongue at his sudden call.
'Ugh, how embarrassing!'
Ophelia bowed her head in shame.
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing. Please don't mind."
"Okay. No need to say if you don't want to."
The man sipped his tea as if nothing had happened.
'He really doesn't care at all?'
Ophelia hesitated a moment, then decided to have some tea.
It really did soothe the mind.
"Hoo..."
It had been ages since she'd relaxed like this.
When was the last time?
Before joining the Committee? Before coming to the academy?
...No, maybe she hadn't truly rested since that day.
'Sleepy...'
Her body went limp.
The fragrant steam from the tea.
The man's gentle smile as he chuckled.
The pleasantly warm room filled with sunlight.
Somehow, they melted the walls around her heart.
And so, Ophelia...
"You looked pretty tired, by the way."
"Did I?"
"Tell me about it. Might help a little."
"Tell you?"
"Bottling it up changes nothing. It'll make you sick if you keep it inside."
Words she would never say normally slipped out.
"...Hoo... Why are there so many weirdos in this academy?"
"..."
"Honestly... it's overwhelming. Take that Ward guy. Reporting falsely just because he can't control his temper... damn bastard."
She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth.
Saying something like that?
The Disciplinary Committee—and enforcers especially—
Held the privilege to restrain and suppress other students.
She couldn't show weakness. Complaining was even worse.
"...Sorry, that was a slip. Forget it."
Saying that to a regular student, no less.
"Ugh..."
Ophelia's eyes wavered.
She'd messed up.
Made a mistake.
She deserved any insult—
"So what? You're human too."
"Huh?"
"Aren't you?"
"Y-yes, I am."
"That's why. Sometimes you're tired, sometimes you wanna whine."
Huh?
'Why is he so nonchalant?'
Ophelia had expected one of two reactions.
Like,
'If you're gonna whine that much, just quit.'
Sneering,
Or
'Pfft, what else can you do?'
Mocking.
She'd braced for it.
It was a persecution complex from her life experiences.
But she believed it earnestly.
That he'd react negatively.
But he...
"Hang in there."
"..."
"The academy runs smoothly because of your efforts."
A small encouragement.
'I don't get it. Really don't.'
Ophelia had good instincts.
She sensed hostility coming her way.
Which made this situation especially bewildering.
The man approached with pure goodwill.
Ah, or maybe hiding lecherous intent?
"...Are you doing this because you want something?"
She glared, and most would tremble and confess.
But he...
"Yeah, exactly."
Admitted it readily.
"I've got a super shady plan. You'll be shocked when you hear it."
"No one plotting something bad would admit it so easily!"
"Suit yourself."
A type she'd never met before.
Approaching with kindness unafraid, even teasing the mad dog.
Thanks to that, though...
"I feel silly for overthinking."
"No need to overthink. It's just tea."
"Understood. I'll just drink quietly and go."
"Can't have you just drinking tea."
"Huh?"
"Gotta feed you snacks too."
"More?"
"Heh, yeah. Want more cookies?"
"...I'll gladly accept."
Mad dog.
Committee's rabid bitch.
She could forget those labels, if only for a moment.
And the heavy thoughts filling her head.
The conversation ended after refilling the teapot once.
"Come visit again."
"Can I have more next time?"
"Of course. Drop by anytime. I'll bake cookies next."
"Ginger."
"Huh?"
"I like ginger cookies."
"...Sure."
"Thank you, Senior. You're a good person."
"Not really."
"Hope I never catch you."
"You'd go easy then, right?"
"No."
"Heartless..."
"Hee hee."
"Get back to work before you're late. Make sure to deal with that Ward."
"Yes... then."
Ophelia bowed and turned away.
"...Hoo."
Her head felt clear, her steps light.
Somehow, she felt she'd sleep deeply tonight.
After Ophelia left, I took some time to reflect.
On what I'd just seen.
When she bowed her head, pink effects burst behind her.
[Intimacy 0: Who are you? → Intimacy 1: Acquaintance]
'Ophelia's intimacy went up.'
Pink effects like that happened in the game too.
One worrying thing, though.
'Ophelia had trouble meeting my eyes.'
Actions reveal more than words.
Ophelia, wielding the mad dog persona.
She'd ruled as a fierce, fear-instilling enforcer.
Key point: what happens when the mask slips.
When she's not Mad Dog Ophelia, but just girl Ophelia.
"Memo."
[Memo Pad]
A notepad floated up at my words.
I jotted down the conversation results.
"Avoids eye contact, often checks reactions, extremely fearful of mistakes."
Next,
"Apologizes excessively. Far more than necessary."
...It's bad.
Textbook tough exterior, soft interior.
Kids raised under strict, oppressive parents act just like that.
Fearful of small mistakes, constantly gauging others.
Ophelia's case is worse.
She's rotting inside while pretending to be tough on the outside.
"Haa."
I pushed my chair back and half-reclined.
"Ophelia."
In the modern world, I'd recommend regular counseling.
"Gotta meet often and look after her as much as I can."
Nyaang!
I stretched my arms up, replaying the conversation.
This time, with me as the focus.
'Ended on a good note.'
At least, she seemed grateful.
Meaning the talk succeeded.
Does this ease my death worries?
"...No."
Can't relax yet.
In the game, Ophelia said,
'Why didn't you keep your promise?'
I don't know what promise, but one thing's clear.
I have to keep upholding it.
In our talk, the promise-like thing was,
'Drop by anytime.'
So, I'll keep listening to her troubles going forward.
That was the plan anyway, so no issue...
But Healing Academy 2 has four heroines.
Ophelia.
Melissa.
Luri.
Agnes.
I've only met Ophelia so far. If they all have their own issues...
"Long road ahead."
If I fail, how will I die?
Ophelia stabs. The others...
Ah, they might team up.
"What, all dismember me?"
One grabs an arm, one a leg?
"...Nah, don't think about it!"
Worrying just adds stress.
Better to think of solutions.
"Best way:"
Prevent them from falling in the first place.
From now on, use this ability to pat pat them.
Counsel, feed them treats.
Pat pat literally.
So they can face dangers, their mentality doesn't break.
At least, so I don't die.
"Good."
With a plan set, I felt at ease.
Activity start time?
'School starts... not for a bit.'
Rest today, explore academy tomorrow, gather elements—
Knock knock!
"Ethan~ You home?"
"Ah, yeah. Coming."
I'd just lain on the bed to rest when knocking sounded.
Opening the door revealed a kid with small raccoon ears.
"No big issues, Guri?"
"G-Guri?"
"What's with the awkwardness, Guri? I'm Guri, Guri."
Guri?
"...Ah."
I remembered.
House repair and renovation NPC.
Her unique speech threw me off.
"Seeing your face, seems you've been well, Guri."
"Yeah... so, what's up?"
A flicker of unease hit me.
No way... but instinct knew.
"About that house reno and repair you requested, Guri."
"..."
I shut my eyes, facing reality.
I might've overlooked something.
In games with healing, gathering, islands...
"Budget came out to about this, Guri."
"..."
"New house, so keep it clean, Guri."
"..."
"Shortfall's loaned, pay back slowly, Guri."
"..."
"Then, sign here, Guri."
Repaying debt is the national rule to start with.
"Ehey... no wonder the place was so clean."
No time for leisure.
In this damn game.
Shit.
'...Now what do I do to make money?'