Dawn Encounter with Eirin
I don't know her. What a shock. I nearly choked. My heart, which had just started to calm down, was pounding wildly again. What on earth could bring her to the training hall at this ungodly hour?
Of course, that's not for me to say.
"...Good morning?"
"Yeah, good morning."
Eirin gave a small nod without a flicker of expression on her face. Just how long had she been watching me?
"Seriously, I thought my heart was going to drop out. I was sure I was alone. How long have you been there?"
"Since ten minutes ago. You were running so hard, so I was just watching."
Ten minutes ago—that was when I was on the treadmill. I must not have noticed her presence amid all the frenzy.
"You're awfully calm for someone whose heart nearly fell out."
"I couldn't exactly scream like a fool in front of you, Yonghui-nim. Anyway, what brings you to the training hall at this early hour?"
"Same as you. A light workout to wake up the body before the day starts. And Providence's facilities are top-tier. Better use them while you can."
"I see."
Her words made perfect sense. Private gyms outside the main building were generally inferior.
"Oh, right—thank you for saving me back then. I nearly died before I even enrolled."
As I brought up the past to express my gratitude, Eirin shook her head slightly.
"You've already thanked me then. That's enough."
"If I had my way, I'd thank you a hundred times over and it still wouldn't be enough."
Oh, right—I needed to ask Eirin about that. Chances to talk to her alone didn't come often, so now was the time.
"Mind if I ask you something?"
"As long as it doesn't cross the line."
With her permission, I posed the question I'd been harboring.
"Had we met before the holographic performance?"
"....."
Her expression stiffened for a moment at my question, followed by a brief silence. It was a simple yes-or-no question, so why was she hesitating to answer?
"...No."
Her single word broke what felt like an eternal silence.
"That was our first meeting."
It was a perfectly flat response from Eirin, devoid of emotion—nothing special. Yet for some reason, it felt loaded with hidden meanings, stirring an illusion of depths unspoken.
I couldn't pinpoint exactly what connected us, but one thing I was sure of: something existed between her and me.
"I see. Oh, how was my performance back then? I was a bit worried I might have disappointed you."
I hurriedly changed the subject to lighten the tense mood. Fortunately, Eirin seemed uninterested in dwelling on it and answered right away.
"Better than expected. Your expressions and movements were excellent, but the accent was the most impressive. It felt like you were sharing emotions directly."
"I'm flattered to hear that from you."
"When did you start learning acting?"
I pondered her question for a moment. Could I tell her—no, the world—about my ability? The dilemma didn't last long.
"I've never really learned it."
"Never learned?"
"Yeah. You might know this already, but my unique ability is a bit unusual. This is just an application of it."
I decided to vaguely outline my ability. Hiding it forever wouldn't work anyway—people would eventually question my ever-changing skills. Better to drop breadcrumbs myself before curiosity ballooned out of control.
Though "breadcrumbs" felt a bit odd to say.
"You mean the one where your power changes with your outfit?"
"Huh? You know about it?"
"Of course. All the professors watched your mock battle exam."
Well, that "performance" probably just looked like showing off to the higher-ups.
"Kinda embarrassing. Um... could I ask a favor?"
"Go ahead."
"I'm pretty out of breath right now... Mind if we talk more after I catch it?"
The treadmill's aftershocks hadn't fully faded. Every word felt like it might be my last breath.
"Sure."
Eirin nodded curtly, then began staring at me wordlessly.
"....."
"....."
An awkward silence stretched on. This was weird. Hadn't she said she came for morning training? Why was she just staring at me nonstop? Was I that entertaining to look at?
I ignored her burdensome gaze, took deep breaths to oxygenate my body. My racing heart gradually slowed.
After wetting my throat with the water bottle she'd given me, I slowly stood up. I couldn't just sit on the floor in front of her forever.
That's when I heard her mutter.
"...Amazing."
"Pardon?"
"Most students get excited when they're alone with me. They bombard me with questions."
She nodded slightly as she continued.
"I get it, of course. They're aspiring purifiers, and to them, I'm practically an idol. But you're different."
Her blue eyes fixed on me.
"You don't show any excitement. Instead of firing questions, you calmly try to have a real conversation. That's what struck me as amazing. That's all."
Fair enough. An aspiring purifier facing Eirin would probably stammer, eyes sparkling, unleashing a barrage of questions. But not me.
There were two main reasons for that.
First, I'd encountered her countless times playing In the End.
And second.
"Might sound rude, but I don't really want to idolize anyone."
It stemmed from my values, carried over from my past life.
"Idolizing someone means you can never surpass them."
The moment you set someone as your benchmark, they become your ceiling. I'd seen countless people stagnate, refusing growth by settling for reality. In my past life, I never idolized anyone.
"As the saying goes, admiration is the emotion farthest from understanding. To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, Yonghui-nim—or even surpass you—I don't think it's right to just idolize you."
That way, I could face a version of myself that advanced one step further.
A person shouldn't become a shadow forever chasing someone else's back.
"......"
Eirin closed her eyes briefly at my answer, then slowly nodded with a faint smile.
"That's an excellent mindset."
Captivated by Eirin's rare smile—one I'd seldom seen even in the game—I stared at her blankly for a moment.
"I hope the day comes soon when I can trustingly turn my back to you."
"I-I'll work hard not to disappoint."
"Yeah. Train hard. But don't push your body too far."
"Got it."
She pulled out her smartphone from her pocket and checked it.
"...Class starts in two hours. It's great you're training this early, but if you're late, no exceptions—you'll be marked tardy."
"Huh? Yonghui-nim, which class do you teach?"
I knew she was Class A's homeroom teacher, but she didn't know I knew, so I played dumb.
"Class A. I'm your homeroom teacher."
"Ah, so you're my homeroom prof. Looking forward to working with you, Professor."
"Same here. See you in the classroom."
With that curt reply, Eirin turned and walked steadily toward another exercise machine.
I nodded slightly, watching her retreating figure. It had been a pleasant—and informative—conversation.
"There's definitely something..."
What kind of life had this body's previous owner lived to have a connection with someone like Eirin?
"Guess I'll have to uncover it slowly."
She wasn't likely to tell me herself, so I'd dig into this body's past on my own. I lacked the power or means now, but in time, I'd naturally acquire one or the other.
"Alright."
With my stamina somewhat recovered, I climbed back onto the treadmill. Maybe crank up the level a bit this time—
"Forgot to ask something."
"Wha—gah!"
I jumped at Eirin's sudden voice from beside me and whipped my head around. When did she get here? I'd clearly seen her leave.
"Sorry. Killing my presence is a habit."
"Whew... It's fine. So, you had something to ask me?"
"Yeah."
She met my eyes and asked.
"Do you know anything about that magical girl who showed up that day?"
"Ah."
Suddenly, I wanted to bolt.