Chapter 103: The Disciplinary Board 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103: The Disciplinary Board 2
"...Does your head hurt? Why?"
Johanna reached toward my face again, cupping my cheeks and tilting my head left, then right.
I had meant that I was mentally exhausted, but it seemed Johanna took my words literally, thinking I had sustained a physical injury.
"There are no wounds..."
Well, of course there aren't. I wasn't actually hurt.
Even after confirming the lack of injuries, Johanna’s eyes and hands didn't stop. Now, she was even sifting through the strands of my hair.
Watching her examine every single lock with that characteristically blank expression of hers, I felt a laugh bubbling up. It wouldn't have been so bad to just stay like this and let her keep fussing over me, but...
"I didn't mean I was physically hurt; I meant I'm mentally drained. It’s just a bit of fatigue, so don't worry too much."
"Really?"
"Really. Truly. Honestly. I wouldn't lie to you, Senior Johanna."
"........."
Johanna gave a small, stiff nod.
Having finally relaxed a bit, she pulled one hand away, but the other remained, still twiddling with my hair.
If she had been touching me a moment ago to check for injuries, what she was doing now was 100% for her own satisfaction.
Of course, it felt good, so I didn't complain. Is this why Sepia never grumbles when I rest my hand on her head?
"But why is a Disciplinary Board being held?" Johanna asked, her fingers still lingering in my hair.
"Huh? I thought you already knew. Isn't that why you came here?"
A dumbfounded response slipped out. How did she even get here without knowing the reason?
"I just heard a Disciplinary Board was being convened and... I got startled..."
"Pfft!"
A laugh escaped me at her trailing voice. It seemed she had rushed over in a panic the moment she heard my name mentioned in relation to a hearing.
"Why are you laughing?"
Johanna asked as if she were genuinely curious. If it had been Sepia, she would have shouted, "What are you laughing at?!" which would have been fun in its own way, too.
Swallowing the rest of my laughter, I spoke.
"It's nothing, really. I just started laughing because I was happy. I'm touched."
I explained the situation to Johanna—how Darun had picked a fight first, and when he targeted Sepia, I lost my temper and hit him a bit too hard.
Of course, I didn't mention that Darun had sexually harassed Sepia. I didn't think Johanna would spread rumors, but there was no need to say it out loud.
Johanna listened in silence, her lips slowly parting. To anyone else, she would have looked exactly the same as before, but...
"So, you're going before the Disciplinary Board because of that woman."
Having played the game for ten years just to save Johanna, I could tell. Her expression was colder than before.
"............."
Feeling that slight but chilling shift, I found myself momentarily speechless.
Johanna used the hand that wasn't stroking my hair to slowly graze my neck. It was as if she were prompting an answer. Her touch was warm, yet paradoxically freezing.
"...Because we're friends."
"Friends... What about me? What am I?"
I could answer that immediately without hesitation.
"Senior Johanna is Senior Johanna."
"...What does that mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. To me, you are Senior Johanna."
Lowering the hand that had been grazing my neck, Johanna muttered in a tiny voice.
"......Fine. I'll let this much slide."
She spoke so softly that even I, standing right in front of her, couldn't quite catch it.
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"It's nothing."
Her cold expression returned to normal. Though she removed her hand from my neck, she still didn't let go of my hair.
Does gold fall out of my head if she touches it or something?
Granted, I had once stroked Sepia's hair for an hour, but that was half-intended as a prank. I wouldn't have the stamina to do it for another hour.
Johanna, however, didn't seem to tire of it as she continued to pet me. Back at the Freya estate, she had stroked my hair for hours while we traveled in the carriage.
Does touching my hair make her feel better? Curiosity got the better of me, and the solution was simple. I just had to try touching my own hair.
Slap.
The hand I raised to touch my head was knocked away before it could land. Johanna’s hand had intercepted mine.
She probably just bumped into me by accident while stroking my hair.
I tried to raise my hand again. This time, it would land without any interference... or not.
Slap.
"...........?"
Slap.
The first time, I thought it was a mistake.
The second time, I thought it was a coincidence.
So, what should I call the third, fourth, and every time after that?
Slap.
"Senior?"
I spoke as I raised my hand again.
"..............."
Slap.
Johanna knocked my hand away without a word. What on earth was going on?
When I stared at her blankly, Johanna turned her head away and muttered in a small voice.
".......Only I can touch this."
"It's my head, though?"
"......There are no exceptions to the rules."
Johanna said that and turned her gaze elsewhere.
Now!
I made a surprise move to reach up.
Slap.
Johanna perfectly parried my hand. Don't use the talent everyone envies for stuff like this!
There was even a satisfied smile playing on her lips. I was so dumbfounded I almost let out a hollow laugh.
"By the way, why are you here?"
"Aren't you changing the subject a bit too shamelessly?"
Lately, the number of shameless people around me was increasing. The world was becoming a difficult place for an honest person like me to live.
"........I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious," Johanna said, looking around the empty classroom.
She was asking why I was here instead of at the Disciplinary Board. I wanted to try raising my hand one more time, but there was no chance of success.
"Well, you see..."
I told Johanna that the Disciplinary Board was delayed because Darun was in no condition to participate properly.
"So, I have to wait here until the committee starts."
"Then I'll stay here too."
I'd be bored alone anyway, and having Johanna around was nice, but... wasn't it class time right now?
"Is it okay for you to be here instead of in class?"
"It's fine."
"Did you get permission?"
".....It's fine."
"Senior?"
Johanna only insisted it was fine. She never actually said she had permission. If any other student skipped class like this, their reputation would tank, but...
It's Johanna, so it probably doesn't matter.
I went and sat at a desk where various things like books, snacks, tea, and playing cards were laid out.
"Senior, come sit here. Let's have some tea together."
Johanna shook her head at my suggestion. Instead of a desk or a chair, she knelt down on the floor.
"..............."
Then, she silently patted her lap. There was no way to misunderstand what that meant. She wanted me to lie down.
But still, with the Disciplinary Board pending, a lap pillow was a bit... I did enjoy resting on Johanna’s lap, but someone might walk in at any moment. I had to be firm here.
"Aren't you going to lie down?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming~"
* * *
"How is it?"
"It's paradise~"
In the end, I lost. This was pure bliss.
With my head in her lap, Johanna stroked my face and hair. Her platinum blonde hair fell down, tickling my face under the pull of gravity.
I often talked to Johanna while lying on her lap during morning training, but the difference now was that I wasn't completely unmasked—I only had half of it off. That way, I could quickly put it back on if someone suddenly entered the classroom.
".............."
Johanna used to make strange noises when she first saw my face, but she seemed a bit more used to it now, stroking me with a faint smile. Of course, she still made those odd sounds if we locked eyes head-on rather than her looking at my profile like this.
"Come to think of it, Senior, did you come here right after swinging your sword?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"When you first came in, your breathing was a bit heavy and you were sweating. I noticed."
Flinch.
"W-Wait a moment!"
Johanna flinched violently and shouted in a panic, her voice even cracking.
"Is something wrong?"
Startled, I lifted my head from her lap. Johanna quickly stood up and put some distance between us.
"Senior?"
Sniff, sniff.
Ignoring me, Johanna began to sniff her own scent.
Is she doing that because she's worried she smells?
I barely managed to stifle a laugh. There wasn't any unpleasant smell at all.
".......Shall we go sit at the desk?"
Even someone who wasn't an expert at reading Johanna’s expressions could tell—she was completely flustered.
I hadn't forgotten how she had knocked my hand away earlier. I silently lay back down on the floor. Then, I patted the floor, just as Johanna had done.
"Now, now. Bring my pillow back over here. Quickly."
".............."
"Hurry."