Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: I Vomited.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday morning.
The moment I woke up, the Status Window greeted me.
It shoved numbers in my face that I didn't even need to see.
'A successful life, in its own way.'
What was the benchmark for a successful life?
It was whether you had a wise and virtuous wife greeting you when you opened your eyes in the morning. That made all the difference.
I had the Status Window as my excellent wise wife, so my life was a successful one right now.
I stepped outside and immediately scanned my surroundings.
'...Why isn't anyone around?'
The academy's classes were divided by skill level, but commute times were generally the same.
Head to the classroom before 9 a.m., head back before it got dark.
That was it.
In other words, this was the time when Class A students should be rushing to their classroom.
'But... where is everyone?'
You'd think at least one Class A student would be visible, but it was packed with students from other classes.
The other class students were sneaking glances at me.
It felt oddly unpleasant.
Whisper whisper.
What were they talking about?
'Like staring at a zoo animal...'
I focused all my attention on my ears, trying to eavesdrop.
Faint voices drifted over.
They were coming from the direction of some boys.
"Was there a girl like that?"
"She's pretty..."
"Let's go talk to her."
I desperately fought the urge to let my lips curl up.
Was this the effect of the haircut?
I hadn't expected the stares directed at me to change so much in just one day.
I should buy Ja-an a meal later.
I still wasn't used to being looked at as a woman, but gazes filled with admiration or envy were more than enough to lift my spirits.
Go ahead and envy me all you want!
Your extra faces could never compare to me, the sub-heroine!
I headed toward Class A with light steps.
Ja-an and Han Ye-seo were standing in front of the closed classroom door.
'...Dana's a bit further away too?'
Judging by the distance they were keeping, things were still awkward between them.
I'd been suspecting Dana as the thug from the alley who killed Han Ye-seo in the first place, so I had no desire to run into her.
No urge to chat either.
She looked too much like that delinquent high school senior sis, giving me PTSD just thinking about it.
I quietly slipped behind Ja-an and Han Ye-seo.
And tapped them.
"Yap."
"Oh? You're here? Wait, you cut your hair?"
"Not surprised...?"
"Of course not! You were making so much noise!"
Han Ye-seo's words stung a little.
I'd tried my best to muffle my footsteps...
She opened her mouth again.
"Your hair looks pretty!"
"Yeah...? Thanks."
"Who cut it? There aren't any salons around here! Mind telling me which one?"
"Ja-an did it."
Han Ye-seo gave Ja-an a strange look.
No words were exchanged.
Ja-an chuckled awkwardly beside her.
"Haha... Anyway, you two look kinda similar now."
"Right? They say friends start to resemble each other!"
"It's only been a short time since we met, and you're already alike?"
"Pfft, in about a year, I might grow as tall as you, Ja-an."
"That's impossible."
Han Ye-seo scowled seriously at Ja-an's words.
Ja-an apologized right away.
"Sorry."
"Hey, make that joke one more time, and I'll challenge you to spars every training session?"
"...Sorry for real."
Han Ye-seo hardened her expression coldly.
I glanced at her reaction and spoke up.
"So... why aren't we going into the classroom?"
"It's locked."
"Huh? Are we late? It's not even 9 yet."
"That's not the issue... Check your phone?"
"Got it."
I pulled my phone from my pocket.
There was one text.
[Irene Rock]
[No class today.]
[Frontline dispatch.]
Ah.
A sigh escaped me.
Memories flooded back of going to school without realizing vacation had started.
And memories of being the only one not invited to the class group chat.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"...Then I'll head back first."
"Wait! Where do you think you're going!"
"Huh?"
"Ja-an said he has something for you today! And now that all three of us are here, we're just gonna split up? What a waste! You don't have anything to do in the dorm anyway!"
Ugh.
So loud.
Her voice filled the entire hallway.
Anyway, something to give me...?
'Ah, no way.'
He didn't forget!
"Something to give me?"
I played dumb and asked Ja-an, my expectations bubbling inside.
Last training session, I'd asked him for a relic or item to compensate for my pathetic physical abilities.
I hadn't thought he'd actually get one and bring it.
As expected of the protagonist! As expected of the all-rounder!
Great choice getting close to him!
Would I finally get to fight coolly too?
No, the best way was to avoid fighting altogether... but weapons were cool, right?
Guns were fine, swords were fine, bows were within acceptable range.
Anything but bare-fisted martial arts brute.
I'm not a chimp or something.
Humans use tools.
Excluding intelligence, my highest stat was agility... so maybe a dagger?
Ja-an spoke up.
"Hmm, looks like you remember."
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"Your eyes are full of expectation."
Ugh, my face gave it away.
He pulled something out from inside his cape.
"...Wh-what's that."
"Huh? This cape?"
"Pulling stuff out of a cape all of a sudden...?"
"It's that kind of relic. Got it while assisting on the frontlines."
Inventory function...
'Didn't expect it to manifest like that.'
I didn't remember any official lore mentioning it.
The red cape was just a cosmetic item, nothing more or less.
'Wait, if the inventory is implemented that way...'
Maybe he could indirectly use other game systems too.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
I coveted it badly.
What Ja-an pulled out was a large box.
"This is...?"
"I pondered what weapon would suit you and settled on this."
"What kind of weapon?"
He opened the box.
What appeared inside was... a spear.
Ordinary Spear (Relic) x 1
'Spear bitch?'
I accidentally imagined a bad nickname.
Ja-an eyed my expression.
"What do you think?"
"Thanks. I like it."
"Good."
"I never dreamed you'd actually give it to me..."
"Why not?"
"Relics and items are expensive, right?"
"It's fine. I have a connection on the frontlines; got it cheap."
I closed the box lid and tried lifting it.
Thud.
Couldn't budge it.
"Ah..."
"Pretty heavy?"
"Yeah."
"I'll store it in my cape then. You can take it out at the dorm."
"Thanks."
I hated owing debts.
I suggested immediately.
"Anything you want in return?"
"Huh?"
"I want to repay you."
"Well... it wasn't that much trouble."
"I hate owing favors. It's one-sided."
Ja-an thought for a moment before speaking.
"Can I ask for something later if I think of it?"
"Hmm... Yeah, sure."
Han Ye-seo, who'd been quietly listening, tossed in a comment.
"That sounds just like a free pass..."
"...?"
"Like, 'I'll call you when I want!' Right?"
"That's not what I meant."
Ja-an hurriedly explained.
Han Ye-seo snickered.
While the two chatted, I turned to look down the hall.
Dana, who'd been there moments ago, was gone.
I wasn't particularly eager to get close, but since she was suspicious, keeping an eye on her wasn't a bad idea.
Han Ye-seo poked me with her finger from the side.
"Eek...!"
"Oops."
"Wh-what?"
"You're sensitive..."
Han Ye-seo wore a strange expression.
I quickly rubbed my side over my clothes to shake off the tickle.
"Why'd you poke me all of a sudden...?"
"Wanna grab breakfast together?"
"I already ate."
"Then... lunch together?"
"It's 9 a.m. right now."
Han Ye-seo pondered briefly before declaring.
"Alright! Decided. We'll hit a cafe and chat until lunchtime."
"What about our say?"
"Don't need it! I decided!"
Han Ye-seo grabbed both our napes and bolted down the hall.
My skirt fluttered in the wind.
I panicked and pressed down the front with both hands.
Very polite posture.
The skirt billowed wildly to the sides.
What to do.
This was bad.
My head throbbed.
My face burned.
Ja-an watched me briefly from the side, then averted his gaze and said.
"Use this at least."
Chatting calmly while sprinting down the hall at this speed.
He really was a superhuman.
Ja-an handed me the red cape from his shoulders.
I gripped the cape tight against the wind pressure.
Tied it around my waist.
With my lower half covered, peace of mind returned.
"Thanks... Ugh."
"You okay?"
"I feel nauseous..."
"I'm getting used to it."
His face looked perfectly calm.
Seemed real.
Jealous.
Why was I such trash with no strength or stamina?
Han Ye-seo spoke up.
"Hmph... Flirting behind my back when I'm right here? People look like cars to you, huh?"
"No, that wasn't the intent. And flirting...?"
"I'll show you real car speed. Both of you, brace yourselves!"
No, wait.
I said no.
Besides, you're so short your feet are dragging on the floor...
.
.
.
In the end, I vomited.