Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Chloe's Apology Dilemma
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Depending on the person, even small things can become worries.
Before the "Practical Combat" class, which was mandatory for the Knight Department and elective for the Swordsmanship Department, held once a week.
The gap before it was unusually long compared to other lectures.
Normally, they'd use the time waiting for class to stretch and warm up their muscles to prevent injuries.
But today, at Chloe's near-desperate request for advice, three girls with distinctly vibrant personalities had gathered on a bench in a corner of the academy.
"S-Sorry... for taking up your precious time like this..."
"It's just stretching anyway—same as the three of us standing around chatting, right? No need for Chloe to feel bad about it."
Seria comforted Chloe, who was apologizing while fidgeting with her fingers and keeping her eyes downcast.
Seria looked genuinely worried too, though she didn't show it outright, given Chloe's unexpectedly serious expression.
After glancing around once more to confirm no one was nearby, Chloe got to the point.
"Th-The truth is, I've run into something I can't figure out on my own... I-I was hoping, if possible, to hear what you two think..."
"Ahem! Well then... If it's something that needs various opinions, don't worry about it between us friends—just spill it comfortably!"
As Seria led with her usual energy and upbeat vibe to loosen Chloe's stiff demeanor, Chloe expressed her thanks with a small murmur and finally opened her hesitant mouth.
"I did something wrong to some close acquaintances and need to apologize... I-It's hard to explain, but! If I do apologize, it might embarrass them that I even know about it..."
"Hmm?"
Hearing Chloe's vague consultation, Seria tilted her head with a puzzled sound and pressed her forehead against Rike's shoulder, who was sitting right beside her.
Rike didn't flinch even as Seria shoved her red hair in close; instead, she chimed in while watching the wavering Chloe.
"Chloe has her reasons, so the explanation ends up vague and abstract, right?"
"S-Sorry! I asked for advice, but... I just can't explain it properly right now..."
Rike gently reassured the repeatedly apologizing Chloe.
"It's fine. Everyone has their own circumstances. We all have things we can't talk about."
"Huu... Th-Thank you for understanding!"
Chloe's face brightened with relief compared to before as she thanked Rike, but Seria's forehead still wouldn't leave Rike's shoulder.
"Hmm?! I don't have any circumstances like that..."
Seria was trying her best to focus, but Chloe's explanation skipped too many parts due to unavoidable reasons, leaving her unable to grasp the main point and looking confused.
"Chloe. If there's more you want to say, keep going. I'll listen and judge."
"..."
Seria's words naturally blended into Rike's, and Chloe smoothly moved past the moment as if accustomed to it, continuing where she left off.
"So my worry is... those acquaintances are people I have to keep interacting and meeting with in the future—"
Rike listened to Chloe's situation, making an effort to hide that she knew the identities and relations involved.
But realizing she knew the story, she perked up her ears while simultaneously entertaining other thoughts.
'Even as sisters... she really takes after Eclair sis in this behavior.'
Listening to Chloe's hesitant, hole-riddled tale—like a piece of Swiss cheese—Rike was reminded of Eclair.
Their appearances differed starkly in eye shape and aura, so once you heard they were sisters, you could spot the resemblances and it made sense.
But the information Rike had gathered from meeting the Dreitna sisters, combined with what her eyes observed of their temperaments, were astonishingly similar.
Not just simple traits like extroversion or introversion. Something deeper—the true nature of a person.
They didn't avoid things normal people would dodge to prevent stirring up trouble, letting issues slide if they just stayed silent.
Instead, they strove for atonement. That well-meaning origin, not aimed solely at their own well-being, was what Rike found truly impressive about the sisters' character.
Sisters who valued each other more than themselves—they held onto a sweetness like family love in the harsh noble society.
"I don't know what wrong Chloe did... but if they don't even know about it, is there a reason to apologize to your acquaintances?"
At Rike's sharp question—already grasping the situation—Seria lifted her head, dropped her comical pose, and looked at Chloe.
"...This is just m-my annoying personality issue."
"Yeah."
Seria smiled comfortably, knowing Chloe well, and waited, with Rike doing the same.
Chloe, clutching the hem of her shirt like she was wringing it out, took a deep breath, organized her thoughts, and spoke her true feelings instead of her prepared script.
"The person I'm consulting about is really...! Precious to me... S-So I don't want to leave any foreign object in my heart toward them..."
"Ooh—"
"Shh."
As Seria unconsciously let out an exclamation at Chloe's honesty, Rike pressed her finger firmly to Seria's lips to quiet her.
Seeing Rike deftly calm Seria—a familiar daily scene now—Chloe felt at ease and opened up her deep inner thoughts like a diary.
"You two probably get it too... but I'm the type who shows a lot on my face or in my behavior when dealing with people—"
The core of Chloe's lengthy ramble, enough to dry out her throat, was this:
To truly face that precious "acquaintance," she needed to resolve this trouble in her mind one way or another.
If she kept avoiding it and dragging out time, she might eventually forget and move on.
But without a doubt, it would suddenly pop into her head during an important moment or a truly happy time.
That prickly, uncomfortable feeling—like a fishbone stuck in her throat—would come endlessly without warning.
By then, it'd be too late to apologize sincerely; even if she did, it wouldn't feel genuine.
Chloe believed and judged that not resolving it now would surely lead to regret in the future.
"—My personality is weird, so I know I'm overthinking and worrying too far ahead... B-But I feel like I can't just sit still like this..."
As Chloe finished, Rike's finger left Seria's lips. Seria sprang up and buried herself in Chloe's ample chest.
"Kyaa!"
"Growing so strong and upright day by day—Chloe...! Instead of being a knight, walk the adventurer's path with me... Gah!!"
"Don't block Chloe's path with weird talk and sit back down."
Rike grabbed the red-haired girl's nape, sat her down, then crossed her legs on the bench and closed her eyes in thought.
Seria and Chloe waited silently for Rike to speak. Her purple eyes slowly opened, her gaze turning to Chloe.
"The part where if Chloe knows, the other person gets flustered... Does that mean the problem is witnessing or knowing about their improper actions?"
"Eh..."
Rike rephrased her question upon seeing Chloe blush and fail to answer clearly.
"Did you witness or learn about a crime or unethical act by the acquaintance?"
At Rike's words, Chloe snapped to attention and shook her head vigorously.
"N-No, nothing like that at all! It's not bad, but... it's not something to proudly bring up either..."
"Whether it can be brought up proudly varies by person, right?"
Chloe paused briefly at Rike's words, fidgeted her mouth, then nodded.
"Y-Yeah... Th-That's right."
"If you apologize, is there a specific worry that's definitely bothering you? Is the fundamental reason for not apologizing just that it'd fluster them?"
"..."
"Take your time thinking. If something comes to mind but you don't want to say it, that's fine too."
Rike gave Chloe space, waiting with a gentle smile.
"Above all... I'm scared that if I apologize, that... acquaintance will end up feeling guilty toward me instead..."
At Chloe's words, Seria gave her serious take.
"That's tough... I don't fully understand the situation... so I can't say anything rash. Sorry, Chloe. I couldn't help at all."
"N-No, that's not true! Just having you two listen was a huge help!"
Seria laughed and calmed the flustered Chloe, then turned her gaze to Rike, who sat quietly with her mouth shut.
"What about you, Rike? Got any words for Chloe?"
"Well—I'm not sure if my words will solve it, but—"
....
With a preface that it was okay to let it go in one ear and out the other, Rike spoke for about five minutes.
Noting Chloe's resolute expression—having grasped some direction midway—Rike added her final words.
"If you need more advice from Seria or me, don't hesitate to say so anytime. We'll listen again."
"Th-Thank you so much... really..."
Seeing Chloe on the verge of tears with a quivering voice, Seria hooked her arm around Rike on one side and Chloe on the other.
"Alright~ Time to head to class. Who knows what punishment that scary instructor will give if we're late?"
Rike gave up on freeing her arm given the mood and walked awkwardly with the three of them shuffling along.
Midway through the uncomfortable gait, Rike asked Seria in a curious tone.
"Seria, you find the Practical Combat instructor that scary?"
"It's not scary exactly, but standing in front of him crushes you with pressure... Doesn't that count as scary?"
"Hmm~"
"Doesn't scare you, Rike?"
"...Not scared, more like manly and cool."
"Eh?!"
The one gasping in surprise at Rike's words wasn't Seria—it was Chloe.
Seria, startled herself, forgot what Rike had even said and asked Chloe.
"What's up?"
"N-Nothing... it's nothing..."
On the way back to Practical Combat class.
Chloe kept stealing glances at Rike's profile.