Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: I Hate Clubs (5)
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"...You okay?"
Finally coming back to my senses, I forced my mouth open. No matter how soaked my shoulders got in the rain, Aisha was a girl, and I was a guy. She might feel repulsed by our bodies pressed so close like this—was I forcing it on her? That thought brought a wave of guilt crashing over me.
Maybe she found it uncomfortable but, out of her kind heart, pitied me and was just going along with it. If that was the case...
"It's better than getting soaked. I went to the trouble of sharing my umbrella—can't have you getting wet."
Thankfully, Aisha gave a slight smile and said it was fine. Her pure smile showed not even a hint of discomfort. My face felt like it was about to burst, so I covered it with my hand and barely managed a response.
"R-Right. Yeah, if you're okay with it."
Don't let it show, don't let it show. Muttering that to myself, I tried to figure out how to act in this situation. If I let on that I liked Aisha, how would she react? Honestly, I doubted it'd be good. We'd only known each other a short time—barely close enough to call friends—and suddenly confessing would make things way more than just awkward.
Peeking at her face through the gaps in my fingers, my mind wandered to her sharp nose and those red lips... until my eyes fell on the wound on her neck.
Every time I saw it, a sharp pain stabbed at my chest. Just a little deeper, and it could've been fatal. Yet she acted like it was nothing, not even bothering with it—that made it hurt even more to watch.
"How's the wound?"
"...Oh, the one on my neck? Just a scratch."
"...Did you get home okay?"
"You walked me home yourself—what's with the sudden worry?"
"...Just curious."
Right, I'd walked her home. Still, I couldn't help worrying. What if Hera was inside? What if the food was poisoned? What if someone broke in through the window? Dark thoughts flooded my mind, making it impossible to relax.
I knew she was skilled with her abilities and way stronger than me, but even superhumans dropped like anyone else to poison.
...Maybe I should taste her food first from now on. Realizing how obsessive that sounded, I shook my head. What was I thinking? I hadn't obsessed like this before, but ever since realizing my feelings, it seemed to be getting worse.
Stepping into school sharpened my nerves even more. Plenty of guys had been eyeing Aisha without saying a word. As we climbed the stairs toward class, countless gazes turned her way. Some landed on me too, but I didn't care about those.
Being pierced by endless stares was always uncomfortable. She kept a blank expression like it didn't faze her, but if it did bother her inside—I knew how draining and irritating it could be—so I shielded her with my body, making sure she wouldn't notice.
Directing all those looks at me instead.
Entering the classroom, a green-haired girl greeted Aisha. Something poked up from her hair, twitching nonstop as she glomped Aisha and rubbed her face against hers.
...Frey, I think that was her name.
A fox-like girl. Aisha's only friend—maybe including me, one of her few. She was always stuck to Aisha but would sneak glances my way when Aisha wasn't looking. That's how I remembered her.
Those looks carried a triumphant glee and a hint of disdain for me. Even so, I thought she was a good person. She genuinely grieved, got angry, and empathized with Aisha's troubles. No reason to misjudge or hate someone like that, so we just knew each other's names.
"Agh—Frey, I'm dizzy. Stop."
"It's all your fault, Aisha. Why make me worry like that."
I didn't love how she shook Aisha like a toy, but since Aisha seemed fine with it, maybe I should let it slide. As I pondered that, a voice came from behind.
"Um, excuse me?"
Turning around, I saw a female student, face flushed, glancing at me shyly like she had something to say.
"What."
I'd seen faces like that countless times—no emotion stirred in me anymore. Just a dry whatever. My lips uncurled, the heat in my emotions cooling. My curt reply made her flinch and look up at me.
Just say it already.
Staring pointedly, she lowered her eyes and spoke.
"Uh... Professor Veronica wants to see you..."
"Got it."
"Oh, and Aisha too."
Aisha too? A question flickered, but I figured it was about the practical exam and nodded. Leaving the girl—who still seemed to have more to say—behind, I turned to Aisha.
"Aisha, the professor wants to see you."
"You and me, right?"
"Yeah."
You and me echoed oddly in my head, but her staring, expectant gaze snapped me out of it, and I started walking.
Professor Veronica was an odd one. Could one person wear so many faces? Well, my father did too.
...Clubs, huh.
I'd thought about it once before. Clubs were key for a smooth hero career. Each had its own themed curriculum for training. Veronica's seemed especially intense, even compared to others.
"Edwin Carmen was in our club too!"
My father joined it too? Hearing that froze any budding interest like stone. I wouldn't walk his path. From that moment, Veronica's club was off the list.
Tap tap.
Aisha's hand on my back jolted me up. Was that the signal to leave? Lost in thoughts, I'd lost track of time. Using lunchtime as an excuse to slip out, Aisha let out a sigh.
It must've been tough handling the talk alone while I sat there. Sorry, I opened my mouth, but she smiled it off.
"You did great."
"Nah, I didn't expect it to drag on like that."
"...Anyway, about tomorrow."
"She'll probably force us to join then."
My eyes narrowed slightly. No intention of joining, forced or not. But if Aisha wanted to? What then? Just watch her go off alone?
"Got any clubs in mind?"
"...Nah, never really looked into them."
Enrolling here was pretty impulsive anyway—no deep research.
"Hey—you!"
I was about to ask if she'd join that one when someone yelled, rushing up to hug Aisha tightly and burst into tears.
"...Reisha?"
Reisha. My eyes widened at the name. It matched someone I knew, and her looks were eerily similar. Déjà vu hit hard, so I kept staring. But if she really was who I thought, why was she at the academy?
Couldn't exactly ask a sobbing person who she was, so I just waited silently for Aisha to calm her down.
"So, it's about the club..."
Her story was simple: Her club was short one member and about to disband. Join us. When she named it—a magic club—I couldn't help a smirk.
A magic club? Who'd join that? Aisha looked troubled too, glancing at Reisha. Impressive they'd even gotten that close to full. After a few more minutes of complaints, Aisha finally sent her off with a deep sigh.
Consoling people isn't easy. Thinking that, I asked what I'd meant to before.
"You gonna do a club?"
Hmm. Aisha rolled her eyes thoughtfully, then met my gaze.
"You?"
Would she if I did? Curious, I stared, and she cautiously replied.
"...Why?"
Did I stare too hard? But if she was asking about clubs...
"If you do, I will too."
"Even if I don't?"
"...Probably not."
Even without Aisha, skipping Veronica's meant no big deal otherwise. No need for lesser clubs when a Top Hero's was an option—but I had zero interest there. If Aisha wasn't keen, neither was I.
"Still... gotta think about it. Got a few invites."
"...But I don't really wanna do Professor Veronica's."
"Me neither—too intense for my taste."
"...Good."
"Huh?"
"N-Nothing."
Hearing she wouldn't join Veronica's, I smiled unconsciously. Relief.
Lunchtime was nearly over. The academy food was bland but unlimited, which I appreciated. But amid the weird stares during my meal, I looked up to see Aisha eyeing me like I'd lost it.
"You gonna eat all that?"
"I eat a lot."
Refills? About six. Normally more, but time was short, so just enough to not be hungry. As I shoveled a few more bites, Aisha suddenly stood.
"Where to?"
Can't leave her alone—instinct screamed it, something deep inside urging me. Hera Carmen was a student here too. Running into her? Who knew what'd happen. We'd already crossed paths on the roof.
"Heading first—class in five."
"...I'll eat fast. Together."
Couldn't let her go solo. I wolfed it down; she stared blankly, then scratched her head at the bone mountain on my tray. Not that much.
"...Sigh."
The walk back wasn't great. Even more people than before—why weren't they in class with time ticking? Grumbling inwardly, I shielded her from the stares.
Matching steps: left, right. Simple rhythm, but syncing made my face heat up. Still just my one-sided crush, but someday... mutual?
That thought amplified the faint anxiety in my chest. Academy or not, no safety from Hera Carmen's attacks. Aisha could handle herself, but bad matchup?
...Probably head straight to my worst nightmare.
Couldn't let that happen. Glancing at her, the resolve grew. Imagining that face twisted in pain, then coldly blank—chills ran down my spine. I... had to protect her.
With that, I spoke carefully.
"...From now on, stick with me."
Her puzzled gaze mixed with faint annoyance stabbed my heart like a needle.
"What're you talking about all of a sudden?"
"You got hurt—because of me."
Aisha's injury was my fault. Overwhelmed by guilt and fear for her, I couldn't meet those red eyes.
"...I'm scared."
My true feelings slipped out. Scared. Of losing another precious person close to me—like that teacher, or my childhood friend—vanishing because of their tie to me. Even Mom, always cheering me on, was gone in the end.
"Scared someone else'll get hurt because of me. That you'll get hurt when I'm not there."
Regret after regret. If I'd been there, I could've stopped it. But I wasn't, so I blamed myself. Not this time.
Chin—
A soft hand touched my cheek, pulling my face to meet her steady eyes. Unlike mine, unshaken. Falling for them again, I still hated myself for endangering her.
"Zenon, trust me."
"...But."
"Zenon."
She smiled brightly. Warm breath tickled my nose; those smiling lips whispered.
"We're friends—trust me."
Tears—
Streamed from my eyes unbidden. Lost in the tangle of emotions, I stared blankly at her smile.
Calling us friends pierced my heart, yet somehow soothed it.
Friends.
Not my ideal, but for now... it was enough.