Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: My Little Eve
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"So, you agreed to meet tomorrow?"
"Yeah, that's what she said."
Late at night on the rooftop, listening to Tana left my heart feeling heavy for no reason.
She had agreed to meet, but thankfully Eve had asked for just a little more time, so they'd settled on meeting Chapheni tomorrow.
"I think you should go and talk it out first."
"Yeah, I guess so."
I let out a sigh and glanced at Sen standing beside me. She gave a slight smile and crossed her arms.
"I looked into the counselor too. Sean Porchi. He's with the royal court, but his recent performance has been poor, so renewing his contract next year might be tough."
"......"
"That's probably why he's pushing so hard without a backup plan."
"Thanks."
"No big deal. It's my job."
"......"
I ignored Sen for the moment and told her I was heading to Eve's room.
The halls were empty late at night, but surveillance had ramped up ever since I'd snuck into the girls' dorm before.
Thanks to Tana and Sen drawing attention away, I knocked and slipped inside easily.
"Whew, the professors are watching pretty closely now, huh?"
I regretted not just climbing in through the rooftop window.
"Daniel, you're here."
She looked at me bluntly, as if she'd known I was coming. Her vibe was like Sen's—emotions completely shut down. I could feel her condition worsening.
'Romance reader syndrome.'
Tana had said it seemed like she'd developed a trauma from Chapheni, breaking her when it came to romantic stuff.
"Eve, aren't you tired?"
"Pardon?"
"Running away like that all the time... doesn't it wear you out?"
In the end, that's all she was doing—fleeing.
"Running away? I'm meeting Chapheni tomorrow."
"No, you are running. You're killing your own feelings and pretending like what's happening to you isn't your problem."
"Tana said the exact same thing."
"Because that's how you are right now."
Eve slowly sat on the edge of the bed, clasped her hands tightly, and murmured softly.
"I just have to hold out until tomorrow. Then things will go back to normal."
"And the old Eve will be even more broken."
"......What are you trying to say?"
I gave a small smile to Eve, who was furrowing her brow slightly.
"I told you, running away is exhausting, right?"
"I'm not running...!"
"You are running."
My firm words made Eve's eyes redden. When her emotions flared, tears always came easily, like her fragile heart spilling out.
"I said I'm not! I'm fighting! I'll meet that guy tomorrow, make peace, forgive him! I'll fight so he and his friends can't harass you all anymore!"
"Yeah, that's the excuse you're giving yourself. You know it's the easiest path."
"What would you know, Daniel!"
Eve shot to her feet, tears streaming as she stomped toward me.
"You're strong, Daniel! Stronger than anyone, so righteous—that's why you can say that! I'm just an ordinary 18-year-old girl. This is my best! I can't do more!"
She stood there, covering her eyes with both hands, sobbing. I gently placed my hand on her head.
"I get it. You don't know what to do. You're frustrated, angry, humiliated. But your options feel limited. Your abilities have their limits. So you're telling yourself that's just how it is."
I saw myself in Eve.
More precisely, from my first run-through.
Me, back when I was getting expelled.
"But there are more options than you think. I'll teach them to you starting now."
Back then, I thought getting expelled was the best outcome. Avoiding the finger-pointing, running away—that was how I protected myself.
But it wasn't.
After a long time, so many regrets.
What if I'd done this?
Would things have changed if I'd tried that?
Those regrets everyone has when looking back—I carried them deep in my chest too.
So I didn't want her to end up like that.
After my death, when I got another chance...
So many solutions had been right there. I just lacked the courage.
I only found it after dying. I hope you can do it now.
My little Eve.
Suddenly, Ares's words came to mind.
"Precious, so precious I can't give up."
"......"
I smiled at Eve, whose eyes were bloodshot as she glared up at me through tears.
"Sorry. Even if it hurts you, I won't give up. You're that precious to me."
After that, I told Eve to wash up and change.
"Hah... hah! D-Daniel?"
"It's okay. Let's try again."
Our sweaty night deepened just like that.
*
"Jeez, the cafeteria of all places."
Counselor Sean itched to leave this academy ASAP. Cocky brats picking fights left and right, foul mouths and all.
"Aios is dead, I tell you."
For the record, Sean was from Palace Academy, the prestigious rival to Aios.
But from his firsthand experience, Palace crushed Aios in student quality.
Look at this mess.
Counseling in the cafeteria, even if rooms were scarce?
The Dean had said Eve and Chapheni needed space, so the wide-open cafeteria was best.
No empty classrooms at all?
Or maybe they just didn't want to give him one.
Either way, Sean took Chapheni to the cafeteria.
"Chapheni, go sit inside first. They've cleared everyone out, so it should be empty."
"Yes, thank you."
As Chapheni entered, Sean gave strict instructions to Demerk, who was following.
"No telling what those punks might pull today. Ruin this counseling, and who knows how much longer we'll be stuck here."
"That's why I brought everyone—no shifts today."
"Good. Let's wrap this up quick."
About ten guys, at a glance.
Sean smirked satisfactorily and went in. Eve and the Dean arrived shortly after.
"Dean, could you step out for a bit?"
"......Really?"
"Uh? Yeah, sure. Chapheni might feel pressured with you here."
"Alright then, thanks."
The Dean waved and left.
What the...?
From what he'd seen, she'd usually insist on staying. Giving up so easily?
A weird feeling, but Sean proceeded with the counseling anyway.
Seated between the two, who were spaced apart.
"Alright then, Chapheni. You have something to say?"
"Yes, Eve. I'm really sorry about that time. I lost my mind because I liked you so much—it was an impulsive crime. I'm truly sorry."
Perfect.
Just as rehearsed: concise, clean, with a dash of 'not intentional.'
Sean smiled inwardly while recording. One 'it's okay' from Eve, and done.
No need to drag it out.
Apologizing as an impulse, and her accepting—that proved no premeditation.
She's such a timid pushover. She'll fold quick.
The Eve he'd observed was too soft-hearted, easily swept along.
Easy to handle.
Or at least, the Eve he'd seen so far.
"Did you really like me?"
"Huh?"
Eve stood slowly, staring straight at Chapheni. He faltered briefly, then nodded.
"Yeah, I like you. Actually, I still do. Eve... you're so beautiful."
"N-No unnecessary words!"
Sean panicked and cut Chapheni off. This damn kid was accelerating out of control, ruining everything.
"That's why I came to see you, even if by force, Eve. I even made a contract with that bitch Hare because I missed you so much."
"What are you saying, Chapheni?!"
Sean tried to stop him, but Chapheni's rampage was unstoppable.
"Eve! You're close with Daniel, right? You like him? But to be precise, the first Daniel you met was me. I was Daniel."
You crazy bastard!
Sean sweated bullets, lunging to cover Chapheni's mouth. But Eve approached slowly, and Chapheni shoved Sean's scrawny frame aside toward her.
"Gahk!"
Sean's head slammed into the table, and he crumpled.
Not out cold, but blood trickled—some eerie strength.
"Eve, you get it, right?"
"I talked a lot with Daniel last night."
"......"
Chapheni's face soured at Daniel's name, but Eve pressed on.
"You have strong urges, so you get it, right? How thrilling it is to spend the night with someone you like?"
"N-No way... you slept with that guy?"
Chapheni yelled, veins bulging. Eve shook her head.
"No, we did special training all night. I thought I'd die from exhaustion."
"Sp-Special training?"
"Would you give up your balls for a friend, Chapheni? With protective gear, of course."
"Wh-What? I can't follow."
"I'll forgive you."
Eve smiled kindly, then thrust one foot back.
"But you'll never man up again!"
Her instep rocketed like a soccer kick, nailing Chapheni's groin dead-on. So hard his body lifted briefly into the air.
"Daniel-style vital point serial killer: Forced TS!"
"Grr... guaaagh!"
"Head! Head! Head!"
Not done, Eve stomped on Chapheni's head as he hit the floor.
"Because of you! Because of you! Do you know how much I've suffered? Because of you! I got this weird trauma—now girls flock to the guy I like, and I just smile!"
"Sp-Spare...!"
"Shut up! You know how many times Daniel took this last night for me to master it on you? Gear or not—how awkward and weird is it when the guy you like grins and says 'try kicking my balls again'?"
Thud. Thud thud thud.
"Forgiveness punch! Forgiveness kick! And this... eh, whatever. More forgiveness punch! Forgiveness kick!"
Eve's combo rained down mercilessly.
*
Forgiveness punch! Forgiveness kick!
I couldn't help chuckling at Eve's desperate cries from inside the cafeteria. Elise beside me pouted.
"Just tell me next time. I'd wrap it up in one go."
"You're hiding that you're an academy student. Figured you had reasons, so I didn't ask."
Only I and her maid Bertia knew she was a princess—no need to involve her.
She had her reasons for hiding, after all.
Elise gazed at me with touched eyes.
"As expected of Master! You talk rough, but you treasure me! But it's fine. This Elise will always...!"
"Whatever. I'm heading out."
"Aww, too bad."
The soldiers loitering casually out front moved to enter at Chapheni's screams.
"......You again?"
"Our kid's getting forgiven in there. Wait, you hotheads."
Demerk scowled at me blocking the entrance.
"Blocking public duty here is obstruction. Dean, say something."
I signaled the waiting Dean, but she pretended not to notice, messing with Demerk.
"Sigh. Don't cry if you get hurt, kid."
Demerk cracked his shoulders, advancing. I grinned brightly.
"Okay, agreed. I won't complain if I get hurt either?"