Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Rin
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Wearing the school uniform myself again brought a rush of fresh emotions.
Yesterday, since I was already in it, I hadn't thought much about it. But slipping on the cardigan myself like this made me feel truly young again, along with the real sensation that I'd come back.
"Maybe it was all just a dream when I woke up."
Honestly, I'd worried about that before falling asleep last night. But seeing the dormitory ceiling this morning confirmed it for me.
I'd really come back.
I didn't know the reason, but I'd returned to my 18-year-old self, and now I had a chance.
Preventing humanity's destruction was far too grand a goal for someone like me—it didn't even feel real.
After getting expelled from the academy anyway, I'd lived in the uninhabited Demon Realm Forest, so unless I was out buying necessities, I rarely saw other people.
But as I said yesterday, I had questions about why Rin had changed so much. And solving that would naturally lead to saving the world.
"For now, I need to think this through."
To do that, I first had to avoid getting expelled.
I stretched my body and headed to the academy.
Fortunately, I remembered where my class was, so I arrived right on time.
Class E.
The lowest-ranked out of the five classes.
Of course, it wasn't like the skilled students went to Class A or anything, but from what I remembered, Class A was full of talented, exceptional students back then.
Thanks to that, during tournaments or exams, it always felt like the other four classes were united against Class A.
I entered the classroom and sat in an empty seat, casually glancing around.
The students were chatting in small groups, and seeing them up close brought back memories one by one.
"Whoa, these were actual memories after all."
Personally, I'd always thought my time at the academy was short and my darkest period, but looking at it now, a smile crept onto my face for no reason.
Memories tend to get exaggerated over time, and it seemed like mine about the academy had been distorted in a negative way.
"Oh, she's here too."
A blonde girl entered through the classroom door.
She was the one who'd come to my room yesterday asking what my relationship with Ares was. Spotting me, she marched right up.
"Hey! Take back what you said yesterday."
Ares's goldfish flailed aggressively at me.
I coolly turned my gaze to the window and asked, "What did I say?" She clenched her fist and slammed it on my desk.
"Take back calling Ares 'that kind of guy.' He's clearly way better than you! And way more handsome!"
"Taken back."
"D-Don't mess with me!"
I gave a half-hearted reply since dealing with her was a hassle, but unsatisfied, she pressed even harder.
"Class is starting."
The professor entered, and the lecture began. The girl panicked and hurriedly sat in the empty seat next to me.
"Whoa, that professor looks exactly like I remember."
Professor Amanda exuded a mature woman's charm. I recalled she was pretty popular with the guys and was our homeroom teacher.
I listened to the lecture, but it wasn't all that engaging, so I stared blankly at the blackboard. Then a paper ball poked my elbow, which was propping up my chin.
-Apologize!
"......"
She's persistent, I thought with a sigh, and glanced at her. Surprisingly, her eyes were brimming with tears.
-Why are you crying?
Startled, I scribbled on the paper she handed me. She wiped her eyes and glared at me.
-I'm not crying.
Fine, if she says she's not, then she's not.
I figured there was no need to pay more attention, so I turned back to the blackboard. Panicking, she started scribbling away.
-Ares is such an amazing guy. Who are you to talk about him like that!
A few more notes came after that, but I just ignored them. She was fully lovestruck anyway—what I said would just sound like insults.
When the lecture ended and break time came,
I stepped out to use the bathroom, but she followed, huffing and puffing.
"What the hell are you? Why do you keep ignoring me!"
I was getting annoyed and about to snap back when a black-haired girl passed by in the hallway on time.
Rin, walking with her friends, spotted me, stopped, and approached cautiously.
"Hey, Daniel."
"Sorry, I really gotta hit the bathroom right now."
For now, I needed to avoid contact with Rin.
I told myself it was because I didn't know how things might change if I got involved unnecessarily.
Honestly, it was just that seeing the face of the woman who'd pierced my heart felt nauseating.
As I passed Rin and her friends, the blonde girl glanced at Rin, then chased after me.
"She's lame."
"Could you shut up for a sec?"
Another case of the same symptom.
Rin's face overlapping with the Army of Death's master made breathing hard. Leaning against the wall to catch my breath, the goldfish latched onto me.
"What's wrong with you? Why all of a sudden? You're sweating bullets!"
"No, I'm fine......"
"Fine my ass! Infirmary! Let's go to the infirmary right now!"
Why was she so nosy since yesterday?
But having someone fuss over me like this wasn't a bad feeling.
"Eris did the same."
Even for minor scratches, she'd make a huge fuss and wrap them in bandages with her not-so-great skills. I could've done it much neater, but for some reason, hers seemed more effective back then.
Looking back now, our relationship wasn't just client and guide.
Even after my breathing steadied and I stood with a calm expression, she kept worrying, so I pointed out a guy with my hand.
"Hey, Ares just passed by."
"Huh? Where?"
"I'm fine, so go. If you're late, some other girl might snag him."
"......I know that already!"
She snapped back grumpily and turned sharply, dashing toward Ares.
I thought she'd charge straight at him, but she glanced back to check on me, then stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Heh."
She's kinda cute when she's young.
Even compared to the swarm of pretty girls around Ares, she held her own in looks.
"If she dolled up a bit more, she'd be even prettier."
If she didn't grumble and act bratty, that is.
With her gone, I muttered honestly to myself and headed into the bathroom.
Last night, her nerves must have been on edge because of the expulsion issue.
She'd snapped at Ares too, not just herself, so Rin took some comfort in that.
She probably woke up this morning kicking the blankets in regret. Smiling a little at the thought,
"Daniel's always been a bit timid anyway."
He probably wouldn't come apologize in person.
That was her hunch.
Today, when she saw Daniel, she'd act like nothing happened and talk to him first. With that in mind, Rin subtly steered her walking friends toward Class E for the moving class.
And there he was—the black-haired boy from Class E, Daniel, coming out.
She wondered if the blonde girl following him was a new friend but didn't care and spoke up right away.
"Sorry, I really gotta hit the bathroom right now."
With that reply, Daniel avoided her.
"Rin, don't hang with that guy."
"That's the rumored one? Ugh, how'd you even get friendly with a loser like him?"
Her two friends on either side voiced their concerns, but Rin barely heard them.
It was just a bit shocking, so she walked dazedly before thinking she should talk to him again.
"Sorry guys, I forgot something in the classroom. Go on ahead; I'll catch up."
With that, Rin turned back toward Daniel. She stopped and watched the bickering boy and girl from behind.
"What?"
The blonde girl started by worrying over Daniel, then ended up playfully sticking her tongue out.
Daniel didn't seem upset either, chuckling softly as he muttered something.
"If she dolled up a bit more, she'd be even prettier."
Those words rang crystal clear in Rin's ears.
Daniel entered the bathroom.
Staring at where he'd been, Rin couldn't help but feel bewildered.
"What did he say?"
What had Daniel just said?
That she'd be even prettier if she dolled up a bit more?
Why say that?
To her.
He'd never said anything like that to her—his childhood friend who'd always been by his side.
She'd chalked it up to his shyness and let it go, but why could he say it to that girl?
In the first place.
"Why's he treating me so coldly?"
All of a sudden?
Rin stood silently in place for a long while.
Then slowly turned away.