Check Begins
Ronari Sharino stared blankly down at the box she'd been handed. Ilsea Alerzar had told her to open it, and she already had a pretty good idea of what was inside... but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, her gaze drifted hesitantly toward Ilsea.
A tired-looking face. He was trying to hide it, but he couldn't quite conceal the shadows under his eyes. Probably because he'd slipped out of the room at the crack of dawn. It must've been around four in the morning. Through the thin sliding door, she'd heard the rumpled sounds of him getting up.
Creak—the careful opening and closing of the door. He'd meant it as a courtesy to her, but she was already awake.
Thud, thud. Where did he go every dawn? Part of her wanted to jump up, fling open the door, chase after him to the entryway, and grab him. To demand answers—not just where he was going, but everything.
But she lacked the courage. He'd surely brush her off. With thoughts like that, Ronari kept staring at the sliding door in the corner of the room. The door to Ilsea's empty room, which she hadn't opened once since their first day. It was like that door—a thin wall blocking the path to Ilsea. Maybe beyond it lay only Ilsea and Belica Simoni. Every time Ronari tried to cross that wall, Ilsea always stepped back, pointing at it like a barrier.
'I don't want any misunderstandings.'
Something like that. Truth be told, everyone had such walls. And everyone took care not to cross others'. She'd known for a long time that Ilsea had one too. But why? Every time he stepped back first, Ronari felt this strange unease. At first, she'd chalked it up to simple discomfort. A delinquent like him trying to be considerate? That was it.
Or so she'd told herself. Until that incident. When Ilsea lied for Belica's sake. Ronari had felt upset. Not that it was weird—she'd bought him that cup, and he'd passed it off as someone else's gift to save face.
'Coward! How dare he lie right in front of me?'
When the cup shattered, she'd planned to give him the cold shoulder for a while. It wasn't entirely his fault, but still. It pissed her off.
Of course, she couldn't stop worrying about him. What could she do? He was her roommate, right next door. When she realized he was avoiding her too, she'd wanted to give him a piece of her mind. And he'd gone off picking fights with that Gideon guy. What the hell was he up to?
Anyway, he was impossible to ignore. That's why she'd gone to watch his Ranking Tournament match. If he slacked off again, she'd really let him have it.
But Ilsea in the ring was dead serious. He'd probably taken the bait from some provocation. Whether it was an insult to his family, or mentioning her and Belica... Ignoring even the burns, he'd crushed his opponent mercilessly. It had been ages since she'd seen him that mad.
Mesmerized, Ronari had descended from the stands and approached him. The wounds looked painful but not severe. Maybe her amateur healing magic could help. But even then, Ilsea had tried to pull back from her, subtly shaking his head as if to remind her of the wall between them.
"Too many eyes watching."
'So what if there are? What do their eyes matter?'
The words had risen in her throat, but she couldn't voice them. Only afterward did she realize how hurt she'd been. That's when it hit her—she'd always wanted to cross that wall. But to do so, she'd have to name her own feelings.
So even now, Ronari Sharino couldn't open the box. She was just staring at it. Because she was a coward. Unable to be honest with her emotions. So she clung to the vain hope that Ilsea might reach out first. Even knowing it would never happen.
Hmm, what's the problem...
I was starting to get anxious.
"..."
Ronari still hadn't opened the box even after taking it. She'd glance at me, then back at the box. Now I wondered if she even planned to.
Maybe she was still mad and didn't want to open it because that would mean making up. 'She came all this way, so she can't be totally against it...'
...No helping it. No other customers around, but hanging out here might disrupt business. And my mental stamina for waiting had hit rock bottom.
"Hold on... excuse me."
"...!"
I carefully reached out and opened the box in her hands. She looked up at me, eyes wide, lips slightly parted. Ignoring the new teacup I'd bought, she just stared at me in shock. Like something impossible had happened. All I'd done was open the box for her.
Was it that shocking? I fumbled for an excuse.
"Sorry. About this... and the other day. I jumped to conclusions, assuming what you'd do and lying about it. Forgive me. Lately, I've gotten into this bad habit of minding everyone else's business..."
"Ah..."
Then a single tear rolled down one of Ronari's cheeks. Another on the other side, then another, and another.
"H-Hey... why all of a sudden..."
Ronari's hands clenched her skirt. Her face flushed red as she bowed her head. Tears kept falling, wetting the floor.
What the...? The tough girl was suddenly bawling like a kid, and my heart sank. I scrambled to remember where my handkerchief was. Did I even bring one? ...Oh, right. I always had a crumpled one in my uniform's inner pocket.
I pulled it out and handed it to her. She snatched it with unbelievable speed and buried her face in it.
"Hic... snif..."
"You okay...?"
She answered my question in a muffled, watery voice—way too late.
"...Smells."
...Sorry about that. Still, with her face pressed into the handkerchief, she fired off a sudden question.
"...Why's a delinquent like you carrying something like this?"
'Do delinquents not get handkerchiefs? And I'm not a delinquent.'
I could've said that, but I wasn't that oblivious.
"My mom told me... boys around our age, who think they're adults, get dirty easier than anything. So always carry a handkerchief."
"...Wise woman."
"Thanks to her, I'm constantly fretting about not besmirching her teachings—even now."
Ronari chuckled softly, head still down.
"...Fretting, huh?"
"This is the result."
"...I see."
Her voice carried a hint of laughter as she slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were a bit puffy, lids red. Cheeks still flushed, though not as much.
"...Can I wash this and give it back?"
"Sure."
She wiped her tear-streaked face roughly and looked me straight in the eye.
"Sorry. I should've apologized first. I knew from the start you lied to spare my feelings. I knew and still acted stubborn. Forgive me."
The watery voice was gone; this was the grade-top Ronari Sharino I knew.
"The cup breaking was my fault too. Sounds like an excuse, but I meant to buy you a new one... but you..."
There, she whipped around, facing away. Her ears were beet red—surprisingly easy to read for her.
This vulnerable Ronari Sharino felt refreshingly new. She awkwardly brushed back her hair and continued.
"...Anyway, I'll cover the repair fee."
"No need."
Her shoulders twitched at my refusal. I said,
"I broke my own stuff. Why should you pay?"
"Then at least the new cup's cost..."
"That's fine too. Who makes the recipient pay for a gift?"
"Gift..."
She murmured it, still turned away. I deliberately made noise as I stepped back.
"Alright, let's go. No point sticking around all day."
Silent footsteps hurried after me.
Even as we left the shopping street, Ronari stayed quiet. She wasn't sulking anymore, was she? Feeling awkward, I broke the ice.
"By the way, no other errands here?"
"N-No... none."
Got it. Silence. I tried again.
"Last time, you split from your group for something and just went back. That sorted out?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Good. What was it?"
Her odd retort came back.
"What... you still don't know?"
"...? Know what?"
She snickered over her shoulder.
A deflating answer.
"...A secret."
......
Back at the dormitory, it was just shy of five. I headed to the kitchen first, placing the repaired teacup in the doorless cabinet. It needed to dry fully, so upright?
Then Ronari poked my side. She thrust out her box.
"Mine too."
I took it wordlessly, pulled out her cup. Where to put it? She poked me again.
"Next to yours."
I set her cup beside mine and glanced at her for confirmation. She just smiled faintly and headed to her room.
Phew. Mood fixed.
Evening rolled around; time for the cafeteria. A knock sounded.
Who? Belica would've barged in.
I opened the door—and yep, Belica.
"You knocking? Weird."
"It was locked? Anyway, the stuff I asked for! You got it?"
Odd. I hadn't locked it. Ronari wasn't big on locking up either. Huh.
I locked it now, grabbed the paper bag from the kitchen table, and returned.
"Here."
Belica peeked in and whistled.
"Whoa! You actually got it right? What's up with you."
"When have I ever forgotten?"
"I'll pay after dinner!"
"Keep your money."
Her hand shot out, pinching my cheek.
"What."
"Nah... you don't seem like the Ilsea Alerzar I know. Who are you? Why give it free? Bribe?"
"Shut up and let's eat. I skipped lunch."
Bang—Ronari emerged from her room right then. Belica waved cheerfully.
"Yo! Missy! Join us for dinner~?"
She'd get rejected as usual. Ronari had her own dinner buddies.
...Or so I thought.
"Sure. Sounds good."
"My bride after all!"
...What the hell.
We three headed to the cafeteria. Ronari and Belica linked arms; I trailed three steps behind.
'How long since someone besides Belica ate with me?'
Belica, thrilled for a chatterbox partner, ranted about Ruda's weekend makeup classes.
"If we don't do something about Ruda, this tragedy never ends... guhh..."
Ronari would usually scold her for not studying harder or encourage her.
...Or so I thought. Another unexpected reply.
"Want me to talk to Professor Ruda? If I say I'll tutor you, she might drop your makeup sessions."
"Wha...? For real...!?"
"Yeah."
She glanced back at me.
"Ilsea, you can join our study sessions too."
Me? Why? Whatever my confusion, Belica was bouncing.
"Then weekends, instead of that hellhole classroom, we slack off in your room like crazy...!"
"No way!"
"Eh...?"
"If we study together, it'll be at the library. Dormitory's off-limits!"
Her tone was playful but firm, carrying an odd pressure.