Childhood Friend and Delinquent (2)
I'd just finished work for the day and was heading back.
"Ah, I'm beat."
I said that, but honestly, my body felt lighter than usual today. The job I'd started in the evening had wrapped up quicker than expected. Maybe it was because I'd always assumed anything Teresa assigned would be grueling. Today's magic beast cleanup in the underground sewers had gone so smoothly it almost gave me a twinge of guilt.
But hey, even I need a break sometimes. You can't keep grinding forever without one. Tonight, I'd soak in the tub and wash away this fatigue.
With that pleasant thought, I turned the doorknob.
Click, creeeak.
The moment I stepped into the entryway, I sensed my doom.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
...I'd forgotten.
There was this in the house.
"Hey! Where the hell have you been rolling around till now? Do you even know what time it is!?"
Ronari stood blocking the entryway, bellowing at the top of her lungs.
"What kind of shame lets you sneak in at this hour like a thief?! I'm not letting this slide this time!"
"I didn't cause you any trouble."
"No trouble? I sat in the living room all evening waiting for you!"
"Why the hell would you wait for me?"
"Because you're my roommate!"
"...?"
I tilted my head.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Her face flushed even redder, like she was getting more worked up.
"You... Y-You sneak out every night pulling who-knows-what, and as your roommate, I'm the one who has to take responsibility! That's what I'm saying!"
"I don't think there's any school rule about that."
"N-No rule, maybe! But moral responsibility! Stuff like that exists! And as the top student in our class, I have a duty to guide a classmate like you!"
"..."
While Ronari ranted on, I stared off into space.
It's dark out tonight. Just like my future.
Damn you, Teresa, pairing me up with this.
"Don't yell so loud. You'll wake everyone."
"Wake who? We're the only ones in the old lecture building dorm!"
Come to think of it, yeah.
How do I get rid of her?
Should I just tell her the truth—that I have night work?
No... can't do that. Paid student labor violates school rules. And if word got out that the principal herself was behind it, Teresa would get dragged in.
I didn't like the idea of her getting annoyed, but she was still my benefactor. Couldn't let that happen.
I simply stepped closer to Ronari.
Our distance shrank to less than half a step.
"Wh-What...?!"
"Move. Let me through."
"Hmph! You think I'll move?! Not until you swear to keep curfew from now on... Eep."
Swoosh.
I hooked her foot, tripping her, and grabbed the back of her collar at the same time.
In an instant, she was on her butt against the entryway door, dangling helplessly from my grip.
"...Huh?"
Ronari let out a dazed sound, still not grasping what hit her.
I gently set her down on the floor and headed straight for the bathroom.
Soon, an enormous shout erupted from outside.
-Yaaaah!
Thumping footsteps approached fast.
I called out to the door.
"I'm naked. Don't come in."
-Eeeeek!
The sound of her fleeing.
Peace at last.
Though I'd have to deal with another round when I got out.
If this noisy crap happened every night, my routine would fall apart.
I needed a solution...
"Gasp...!"
Sunlight tickled her face, and Ronari jolted awake in bed.
When the heck did she fall asleep?
She'd meant to stay up until Ilsea Alerzar came out of the bathroom.
Her ingrained routine of bed by 10 PM and up at 6 AM had betrayed her.
Ronari hurriedly checked the clock.
Good, still early.
...Heh. Perks of a disciplined life.
"Ah, no time to feel smug."
She perked her ears. Water running from outside—Ilsea, probably. Who else?
He must've gotten up first for a shower.
Ronari quickly straightened the bedding, fixed her hair, changed clothes... running through her standard morning routine.
Stepping out, she bumped right into Ilsea in the living room.
"Eep..."
"..."
He'd just showered; his shirt clung damply, outlining his body.
She'd pegged him as a total thug, but... those muscles were solid.
Ilsea suddenly asked.
"What're you staring at?"
"St-Staring? Just plotting how to crush you!"
"Right."
"Get ready! Today, no matter what..."
That's when the entryway door burst open. Someone charged in.
"Hey~ Good morning~"
The intruder, greeting energetically despite the hour, was none other than Belica Simoni.
Ronari tilted her head.
"Bel...? Why're you here...?"
"Huh? Oh, got business. 'Scuse me~"
Belica strode right in without a care.
Ilsea was the one to object.
"No one said you could barge in."
Belica sidled up to him and poked his side with her elbow.
"C'mon~ No need to spell it out between us, right?"
She turned to Ronari with a grin.
"Right~? Ronari dear?"
"Uh? Um?"
Before Ronari could respond properly, Ilsea shot back.
"What's that 'right~?' How'd you even get in?"
"Through the door, duh. It was open."
"Who just walks in because it's unlocked? And why're you here at the crack of dawn?"
"Well, message to deliver. And check on your sorry state."
"What message?"
"Homeroom said she'll kill you for skipping half your remedial classes."
"......"
Homeroom—Ruda Riplir, no doubt.
Ronari felt a flicker of pity for Ilsea.
Belica continued.
"Anyway, you know you've got that today, right?"
"That?"
What was she talking about? Ronari perked up too.
"Your Ranking Tournament match."
"Oh."
"'Oh.' That's all? Forgot about it? You mengchung-i. Lose, and no more sparring from me."
With that, Belica headed back to the door.
"Message delivered. I'm out. Bye~"
"Get lost. And stay gone."
"Nah. Hate that."
Finally, Belica vanished behind the door.
The room felt like a storm had blown through.
Ranking Tournament...?
Ronari pondered.
She'd thought Ilsea didn't care about grades. But last time too, and apparently sparring with Belica...
He did say he had a reason to stay at the academy... Hm.
Maybe this delinquent actually cared a little about scores? Hard to believe, but his body looked seriously trained. Those thick lines under his open shirt buttons, that thick forearm she'd just seen...
No, no. What am I thinking?
Doesn't excuse letting a thug like him off the hook!
"Hey. Stay right there. I'll shower quick and then... Huh?"
Ilsea, who'd been right there, was gone.
She'd zoned out, and he'd bolted.
"Ughhh...!"
-Yaaaah!
The old lecture building dorm trembled that morning.
If I had to pick the worst thing about my dorm, it's that it's attached to the old lecture building.
No other students or faculty around, so Ronari yells without restraint. My ears are ringing.
But the one good thing? Same reason—easy access to the practice room.
I flung open the large door at the corner of the lecture building.
Inside stretched a vast classroom like an indoor track field.
Morning sun poured through the huge front windows, gleaming golden on the smooth wooden floor.
I dumped my bag in an empty corner and sat.
I'd loosen up here when I had time.
Then, a familiar girl's voice from somewhere.
"Knew it."
I ignored it.
But she kept chattering anyway.
"You like me, huh? Knew it. With my looks, who wouldn't fall? Sigh... What a sinful woman I am."
Her nonsense made my fist clench involuntarily.
"Come out, punk."
"Whoa, wanna skip to the good stuff already? Total perv. Fine, can't let a creep like you loose on society or you'll commit crimes. Big sis'll give you a kiss."
"Keep hiding, and I'll dig up all those gay porn mags from your room and plaster 'em in front of the faculty office."
The voice's owner peeked from behind the back door.
Belica, naturally.
This is where we usually sparred. So when I signaled her silently, it meant meet here.
"Jeez, can't even joke. You scare me—you'd actually do it."
Belica trotted over and squatted beside me.
"But morning practice? What's up?"
I gave her the short version.
Belica burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.
"Pfft-haha... Ow, my sides. Hurts... Ilsea Alerzar, asking me for girl advice? Discovery of the century."
"Stop laughing."
"But you came to me with a girl problem!"
"Don't twist it. Just figuring how to keep working without Ronari Sharino interfering."
Belica had known about my night gigs forever. We'd been stuck together since kids, and she had a weird knack for my secrets.
She'd occasionally demand favors, but overall, she turned a blind eye to my rule-breaking.
Belica wiped tears of laughter.
"Not a big deal, though?"
"It is. She reports my curfew breaks, I get demerits no question."
"Ask the principal to fix it."
"Demerit list posts monthly. Ronari sees no punishment after snitching? Academy riot."
"Ah, yeah. Hmm."
"That's why I asked if you could help. You're at least friends with her."
Belica shrugged.
"Not really?"
"Have some self-awareness. No one at the academy thinks you're not friends."
"Maybe. But it's what I think that matters, right?"
"You claim you're not friends with anyone. By that logic, who are you friends with?"
She pointed at me.
"You."
"..."
We stared for a moment.
I sighed and shook my head.
"...Back on track. You're closer to her than me. If you talk her into..."
Belica cut me off.
"Ah!"
"What."
"Got a great idea! Solves it instantly."
"What is it."
Grinning, Belica said,
"Just date her."