Chapter 129: Diary 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 129: Diary 2
Imperial Year 525, May 26
11th day of special training.
I’ll start with the training report first to keep myself from rambling about other things.
By now, I’ve pretty much got the hang of the ordinary skeletons. Their numbers are still a pain, but fortunately, I didn't get hit a single time today. Of course, I’m still nowhere near used to the attacks from those "special" skeletons.
Actually, wouldn't it be weirder if I did get used to those freaks? At least you can look at the normal skeletons and see them as people. But those weird ones... Ugh, I don't even want to think about them.
Just from what I've seen so far, there are skeletons with extending arms, skeletons with flicking tongues, skeletons that fire their own ribs like projectiles, skeletons with six arms firing three bows at once, and even skeletons riding skeletal horses. The variety is ridiculous.
If that were the end of it, I could at least try to memorize their patterns. But there are still skeletons standing right next to Pushover that haven't even moved yet.
Pushover said he’d make it so I can take down Betzdo within a month, and to do that, I have to break through all these skeletons in practice first. Surely Pushover won't be disappointed if I can't pull it off in a month, right?
When I first started this, I wondered if dodging illusions could really make me stronger. But today, I realized this training actually means a lot.
During Professor Gedra’s class, I ended up sparring with someone, and it was surprisingly easy. Compared to dodging that skeletal horde, there was hardly any tension at all. Above all, it was just one person instead of a crowd.
Plus, maybe it's because I’ve been running around in that mask during our after-school sessions, but my stamina has shot through the roof. I didn't even feel tired after a long bout.
Thinking about that makes me want to push even harder tomorrow.
Alright, enough about training. Now, I have a little grievance to air.
I didn't say anything to Pushover because it’s awkward to ask directly, but how can he not wear the perfume I gifted him even once? Does that even make sense?
Listen to this.
Last time, I had a bit of a misunderstanding... No, wait. To be precise, it was because of the way Pushover worded things. Anyway, I mistakenly thought we were having tea instead of training, so I showed up in a one-piece dress and perfume, right?
At the time, Pushover said the perfume smelled nice, so I even gave it to him as a gift, and he definitely said he liked it.
So! Why! Does he never wear it when he comes to see me?!
Even now, I have a whole pile of dresses behind me—similar to the one Pushover said was pretty—that I swallowed my pride to ask Mother for.
Wait. If I put it like that, I look like some girl who’s totally fallen for a guy just because of one compliment, buying up dresses and perfume like a maniac.
The dresses aren't the point right now; it's the perfume!
I’m definitely going to give Pushover a piece of my mind tomorrow.
...But what should I say?
Hmm. Let's look at the candidates.
[1. Pushover, why aren't you using the perfume I gave you?]
Rejected. This makes it way too obvious that I care! What I want is to ask naturally, like I’m totally indifferent.
[2. How much of that perfume I gave you is left?]
Hmm... Also rejected. It’s a bit more natural than the first one, but knowing Pushover, he’d definitely tease me. He'd say, "Why are you curious? Oh, are you going to give me more if it's running low?"
★★★★★[3. Pushover, you haven't worn the perfume I gave you even once, have you? It’s not like I particularly care, but it’s basic manners to wear a gift at least once. Just so you don't misunderstand, let me say it again: it’s not like I’m upset, so don't get the wrong idea!]★★★★★
This is the one! It’s a bit long, but it doesn't make me look like I’m clinging to him. Best of all, I can ask naturally while pretending to teach him a lesson on manners.
I’ll mark it since it’s important.
I guess that’s it for today’s entry. My eyes are starting to close, so I should head to sleep.
...I tried to sleep, but thinking about it made me angry again!
Why on earth! Pushover said we should have tea "later," so why hasn't he mentioned it since?! When is "later" supposed to be?! He should give me a specific time so I can at least prepare.
If he suddenly goes, "Tada! Today is tea day!" when I’ve shown up in sweaty training clothes, I will literally kill him.
...He didn't forget, did he?
If he really forgot, I’m calling him "Goldfish Pushover" from now on.
And when we finally do go for tea, we aren't just going to drink tea, right? No, Pushover couldn't be that stupid.
What? You're asking what's wrong with just drinking tea when that was the promise?
Hmm... Hmmm...
Well...
Ah, right! It’s a waste of time! Just drinking tea is a waste of a trip. We should have a light meal before the tea, and then, you know, walk together for a bit to digest. And then, if we get tired of walking, it would be nice to see a play or something.
But asking about the tea is too embarrassing, so I’ll just stick to the perfume tomorrow.
* * *
Imperial Year 525, May 27
12th day of special training.
As I wrote yesterday, I succeeded in asking Pushover—very naturally, mind you—on the way to school why he wasn't wearing the perfume.
What? Didn't I say I’d talk about training first? That’s not what’s important right now!
Pushover is always absurd, but his reason for not wearing it was even more ridiculous. He said he didn't wear it because it would be "wasteful."
Is he a total idiot?
Of course it’s going to get used up. And when it’s gone, he can just ask for more!
Still, since I got a bit heated, he promised to wear it tomorrow... Wait, if it went down like that, he definitely figured out that I care.
This is all Pushover's fault for making me angry with that weird answer. If I hadn't lost my cool, he wouldn't have noticed.
If he doesn't wear it tomorrow after all this, I’m going to smack him until his back gives out.
* * *
Imperial Year 525, May 28
13th day of special training.
I felt great all day today.
Why? Because Pushover finally wore the perfume.
We coincidentally met and were walking to school together when Pushover proudly mentioned he was wearing the scent I gave him.
I was about to snap, "Are you seriously bragging about wearing it two weeks late?" but since Pushover smelled exactly like me, it was... something.
It’s hard to even put into words, so how could I have said it out loud? I just stayed quiet and kept walking. But that guy has no shame. He actually said, "Oh? Sepia, you smell just like me."
Are you kidding me?! Of course we smell the same because we used the same perfume! Who doesn't know that?!
And if you want to get technical, it’s not that I smell like Pushover—it’s that Pushover smells like me!
What’s the difference? It’s a massive difference! There’s a world of difference between me smelling like him and him smelling like me.
Anyway, since he liked it, he’ll wear it tomorrow too, right?
Also, all the perfume I ordered has arrived. There are about 200 bottles... The problem is how to give them to him naturally. Well, it’ll take time for him to finish the first bottle, so I’ll worry about that later.
Now, for the training... but before that, let’s talk about Chirpy.
There’s a problem with Chirpy. It’s growing too fast.
Isn't it good to grow fast? Usually, yes. I expected it to grow quickly since it was a chick, but this is insane. It’s at the point where I actually stumble if it climbs onto my head.
When I asked Pushover about it, he suggested we go see Professor Elicia together. I liked that he suggested going together; it was the most perceptive thing he's done lately.
But when I asked why we weren't going to the Magical Beast professor, he said Professor Elicia knows pretty much everything.
Professor Elicia stroked Chirpy’s chin once and said she’d keep it for the day to examine it. Since she wouldn't do anything bad to Chirpy, I agreed.
Chirpy, however, threw a total fit. Of course, it quieted down the moment the professor gave it a certain look. At home, it chirps incessantly until the spirits shut it up.
As I was leaving the office, the professor mentioned that while training in the forest is fine, I shouldn't stay too late, and that I could tell her if I needed anything.
When I asked Pushover later, he said Professor Elicia and Professor Idra are close. Is that why she knows we're training in the forest?
Surely Professor Elicia isn't imagining anything strange, right? For example, Pushover and I in the empty forest ■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■...
..............
Even if this is a private diary, that was going too far. I need to erase that immediately.
Training is exhausting, but I’ve been so happy lately. It would be great if tomorrow is just like today.
* * *
Imperial Year 525, May 29
14th day of special training.
Johanna Freya came to the classroom.