No Way, It Jumped!
Because she came to the bath late, there weren't many people there. When Sugar entered, everyone was already leaving. Thanks to that, she enjoyed it as if she had the bath all to herself.
In the rose bath, the good scent melted into the water.
In the lemon bath, what taste would it have?
She stacked two basins facing each other, held them as buoys, and splashed water.
She alternated between cold and hot water, her body shivering at the temperature difference.
Even alone, she was the type who played well.
And when she came out of the bath, there was no one around except Sugar.
'I should leave too soon…'
Sugar headed back to the shower for her finishing rinse. She untied her hair, rubbed shampoo between her palms, and began massaging.
Her long hair was now familiar, but sometimes it was still bothersome. She had to use a lot of shampoo and carefully massage every part. Drying her hair was fortunate because she could just blow it with wind magic. Washing with magic was possible, but it didn't feel refreshing. Anyway, since she had to enter the bathroom naked, she just washed with her hands.
After applying all the foam, Sugar turned on the shower. While the water fell from above, she rinsed her scalp here and there.
Clank—
'Huh?'
Was someone entering? She turned around when she heard a sound, but no one was there.
It was because of the sound of water, she must have misheard.
She turned her head again, this time squeezing body wash onto the bath towel. The fragrant scent rose, making her feel good.
'Yup yup yup yup—'
She was scrubbing her back thoroughly.
Clunk—
'Huh?'
What fell? She turned around when she heard a sound, but nothing was there.
It was because of the sound of foam, she must have misheard.
She turned her head again, this time turning on the shower water. Swaaaa— the sound of water falling.
Clatter—
'Huh?'
It must be her mood, she didn't even turn around.
“—the moment I thought!”
Sugar suddenly turned around. Being hit three times in a row is for idiots.
But, as expected, there was nothing special around. No people. Just bubbling water flowing in the bath. There was a basin that someone had knocked over and left on the floor.
'Ugh. Manners are lacking. If you used it, you should put it back in place…'
The model citizen Sugar grumbled and headed toward the basin. She picked it up to put it back in place.
And faced it.
'…'
It was too unexpected an encounter, no time to be surprised.
A bad omen.
A creature that could make people faint just by looking at it.
A single black, thin snake.
'Eh…'
Why is this here? Why is a snake living in the women's bath? A water snake? School mascot?
While thinking, their eyes met. The snake was so black that her eyes couldn't be seen, but there were eyes. Anyway, since it was raising its head and waving its tail, it must have seen Sugar.
Wait, raising head and waving tail?
Sugar recalled a biological guide she had seen sometime ago. There was a simple explanation written there, about how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Non-venomous snakes flee when they see people, but venomous snakes actually look at people.
After thinking that far, Sugar focused on the snake in front of her. It was raising its head gracefully and waving its tail this way and that.
This… completely…
Clunk—
'Ouch! Dang! Venom snake!'
Snakes in this world jump!
When it rushed toward her upper body, she reflexively defended, but her wrist was bitten right away. But it didn't let go. Even if she shook her arm, it wrapped its long body around her arm more tightly.
'I got bitten! Aaaak! It's eating my arm!'
While swinging her arm in a panic, Sugar suddenly stopped. Breathing heavily, she looked at her arm, and surprisingly, it didn't hurt. Maybe there was anesthetic in the teeth. By doing that, it was neutralizing the prey?
When she calmly organized, the snake soon released her arm. It opened its mouth, loosened its body, and landed on the floor with a tap.
And then raised its head again to look at Sugar. Waving its tail gently, gently.
Looking at the bitten right arm, there were almost no traces. When she pressed it, the sensation was still there.
'You…'
The snake looked at Sugar without moving. A black snake so dark you couldn't tell if it had eyes or not.
It was looking at Sugar. Sugar was looking at the snake.
When Sugar slightly extended her palm, the snake placed its head on it. When she extended her palm toward the tail, it placed its tail.
'Oh…'
What kind of smart…
Animals bite without hurting people and stare. This is completely asking to be played with, right? It's a sign of friendliness?
Even though her heart was moved by how cute it was, she shook her head. Because she was thinking about physical examination. She was definitely looking for bite marks.
Maybe this friend is the culprit?
'…But there are many animals that bite people.'
Isn't this too hasty? It could be a worm. Or a dog or cat.
This snake didn't seem to have any problem. It didn't hurt when I asked.
'Hmm…'
Sugar, who was pondering for a moment, made a decision.
First, after finishing the shower she was doing, she washed the snake with lukewarm water. Then, she carried the dark one into the bath basket and went out.
On the way back to the dorm room.
'Since you act like a venom snake, your temporary name is Venom Snake.'
Venom Snake only wagged its tail. In fact, there was no right to refuse to a beast that couldn't speak. Anyway, no food and the damp bath was better than the dorm room.
Tomorrow, show it to the infirmary or wherever. After getting permission that it's harmless, raise it.
Sugar naturally brought Venom Snake into the room and put it in a box. As soon as I get permission tomorrow, I have to make a house. Venom Snake's food, Venom Snake's bedroom. With a heart full of excitement, she went to sleep.
***
The next day came. Today was also the start of a new day.
'After club activities, go to the infirmary… But is the infirmary the right place? Where should I ask for permission? First, ask somewhere, then go to the shopping district…'
Sugar checked the snake sleeping soundly in the box. While thinking various things, she finished preparing to go to school. She put on her cloak and put on her headband, completing the usual Sugar.
Haha. She went out happily. As always when leaving, Ryly was seen waiting in front of the dorm.
'…Huh?'
But suddenly she saw something strange. She blinked.
Ryly was standing with two.
'Why are you spaced out from the morning.'
The voices of two mocking voices.
Sugar, who was rubbing her eyes, looked at Ryly again. Ah. It's one.
'I was startled… It's a shame.''What's there to be ashamed of.''I had a brief dream.''You weren't fully awake. Huh? Hey, but you. Your mana flow is a bit strange.''Really? Today my body feels a bit dull. I'll go to the infirmary later, so I'll ask you to check as a bonus.'
Ryly carefully examined Sugar. Sugar smiled brightly and walked while saying 'It's okay, it's okay'.
'By the way. I found something fun. I'll show you after club activities.''…What did you find?''It's a secret.'
Ryly suddenly felt a bad premonition.
Whether that premonition was right or not. During the class, Sugar kept dozing off. No. Was she always like that? The appearance of almost putting her head on the desk was familiar.
Soon, there would be a 'thud' sound and attention would focus. Ryly, sacrificing one hand, gently placed it on Sugar's forehead as the landing spot.
- Thud.
Hit. Sugar's head hit Ryly's palm. And she didn't get up. Sigh.
'But her forehead feels hot…'
The moment Ryly thought that, Sugar suddenly got up with a hot, hot feeling. She washed her face with a lot of cold water and slapped her cheeks.
'Sugar student. My class is very boring today?''No! It's fun!'
Professor Hubert, who was giving the lecture in front, said one thing, and Sugar shouted loudly.
'Oh, good. Then what was I explaining about all that fun thing just now?''Leon wants to answer instead!''Hey!'
Ryly, Sugar, Ian, Leon sat in that order, but there was no room for such words. It was a lie without even wetting her mouth.
…
…
…
'How can you lie without changing your face at all?''Did you keep that in your heart? Sorry?'
Leon sighed with a strangely angry apology and gave up. After the lecture, there was a line of four people in the school cafeteria.
In the midst of this, Sugar yawned. And with hazy eyes, she just smacked her lips. Normally, she would whine 'I'm hungry, rice, rice, rice', but today she was quiet.
'Huh? Sugar. That's all you can hold?''Today my appetite is not good.'
She wasn't a big eater, but for a woman, she ate a lot. Every day. But today's Sugar's tray was poor. A bit of lettuce, a bit of meat, a soup that would show the bottom if you scoop a few spoons, half a bread—half of Ryly's—only that. The friends who knew Sugar's usual eating habits were puzzled.
Looking at Sugar's face, the expression wasn't good. She had a forced feeling. She was making a faint frown and tightly closing her mouth.
'Are you sick somewhere? Your complexion doesn't look good.''No. I'm fine. I'm going to the infirmary later.'
In response to Ian's concern, Sugar smiled faintly. And then she sat at her seat and started eating. After all, she was just nibbling on the lettuce, but at least she was eating.
The other three people also sat at their seats.
'…By the way, I heard that there's an activity with the new students and seniors together soon?''Yes, I heard there is.''It's a bit worrying…''If it's Ian-ssi, it should be fine.''Ah…! Uh… um… Thank you.'
While listening to Ian and Leon's conversation, Sugar slowly put food in her mouth. It was tough enough to sweat, but if she didn't eat this, the afternoon would be hard.
'…Hey. Don't force yourself to eat.'
From the side, Ryly whispered. Because he was being considerate, Sugar smiled again.
'It's okay. After eating this, Uck…''…?''U, ugh… um… Wait, my stomach…'
At that moment, Ian and Leon who were there looked at Sugar.
Sugar's appearance of stopping eating meat, covering her mouth, and vomiting.
As soon as they confirmed that, both gazes turned to Ryly. As if it had to be that way. It was a natural flow.
'What? Why are you looking at me like that…''No way…''It jumped…''Uek… uuu… stomach, stomach…'
Sugar's pained voice was like background music in that time. When Ryly was rubbing her back. Ian jumped up from her seat.
'Ryly… No matter how much, I thought you could endure the first year… but you can't even endure the first semester…''No, what are you saying?'
Next, Leon stood up.
'Ryly. Pretending not to know this is not right as a man.''No, what are you saying, ss—'
In this situation, even passing students threw glances.
The vomiting woman, the panicked man next to her, the friends pressing that man.
The students who figured out the situation all sent a meaningful look with one mind.
'What? Why are you looking at me like that…'
When Ryly was flustered, someone put a hand on her shoulder. It was Professor Hubert who had been lecturing just now.
'Student… You can be surprised. But you have to admit it. When a man meets a woman, it's natural to experience it. You can apply for leave of absence, so don't worry too much.'
He patted her shoulder and passed with a relieved smile.
In the midst of this, Sugar looking up with moist eyes was really provocative to others.
'Ryly… My stomach hurts…'
Ryly quietly held his head.