Ia Ris (1)
Ding.
"Oh, she's quick."
It hadn't even been three seconds since I sent the text, and a reply came back already. Even at this late hour, her speedy response showed why she got along so well with everyone.
But even someone as sociable and kind to everyone as her might find it a bit uncomfortable getting a text at an hour you could call dawn.
"Ah... I guess texting at this hour was rude after all."
It wasn't something to be thrilled about just because she'd graciously replied late at night. In my excitement over realizing the horrifying truth, I'd made a mistake I wouldn't normally commit.
No matter how close we usually were, she was an S-rank awakener everyone looked up to, and I was just an F-rank with a one-trick special ability.
That made my slip-up feel crushingly heavy.
"Fuck... I'm screwed. Apologize first, quick."
I sent her a heartfelt apology text, subtly acknowledging her hint of discomfort.
The person I'd texted was Ia Ris, an S-rank awakener and Liar's Trap's infirmary head. She'd reached S-rank through her own talent and effort alone, the guild's one and only self-made S-rank with her own family name.
The family name after her given name was a privilege only for S-rank awakeners and their direct descendants—a mark of one's worth. Just having a family name brought immense privileges in this world.
For example, there was immunity from prosecution. The power of a family name was that immense.
That's why Ia Ris, who'd earned her mighty family name through her own strength, was the idol of every awakener in the world.
And today, I'd upset the idol of all awakeners.
Self-loathing crashed over me. I shoved my phone roughly into my pocket and rubbed my dry face with my bare hands.
"Fuck... why am I like this lately?"
Depression washed over me like waves, my shoulders sagged heavily, and even my steps grew leaden. Just as I seriously considered, 'Should I just give up and run away?' my phone buzzed.
It was a text from Ia Ris.
I unconsciously murmured the message aloud, and my phone vibrated as the screen lit up green.
Bzzz— And Ia Ris's name appeared on the screen.
She was calling me.
Should I pick up? I hesitated for a second, but ignoring it felt like it would cause an even bigger problem, so I closed my eyes and answered.
"...Hello?"
I held the phone to my ear and asked cautiously.
A brief silence followed, then a sharp, clear voice pierced through.
'Paster, are you messing with me right now? What? Never contact me again? Don't you know what real rudeness is to me? You want to see me go insane!?'
"Uh, e-eh? Yes?"
'When I got your text this late, I was surprised and happy. I could feel you think of me so casually. But what? No more texts? Cut off contact? Don't make me laugh.'
"N-no, I didn't say anything about cutting off contact..."
'Changing your tune now? Wow... I didn't peg you for that, Paster. You're a real scumbag.'
Flustered by Ia Ris's angry outburst, I blurted out words without thinking.
And that's when I realized I'd made a huge mistake—though I wasn't sure exactly what it was. Seeing her this furious confirmed it was bad.
I'd never seen Ia Ris this mad before. Among those who'd enraged an S-rank awakener and survived with all limbs intact, only other S-ranks qualified.
But I was bottom-tier F-rank, so my future was obvious.
To survive, I had to run. As I seriously pondered escape routes, a sudden Pfft! laugh burst out, followed by Ia Ris's sly voice.
'...Almost said it, huh?'
...Fuck, what?
I couldn't keep up. All I could do was stand there, brain blank with panic.
After another short silence, her relaxed laughter came through the phone.
'Pfft... Paster, were you tense? Pfuhuhu...'
Only then could I finally speak.
"...Yes?"
'Just kidding! Kidding! You're right, texting this late is rude. Instead of scolding you, I decided to prank you a bit. Oo-hoo-hoo...'
"Ah, a prank... Got me... I thought Ia Ris had lost her mind for real... Um... Sorry again. For texting so late."
I bowed my head in apology even though she wasn't there.
She let out another leisurely oo-hoo-hoo.
'Hee-hee... No, Paster. The anger was fake to scare you, but I really was surprised and grateful for the late text.'
"Yes?"
'So no need to apologize. Don't apologize. But texting the opposite sex this late is rude, so don't do it to anyone else? Promise!'
Every word from Ia Ris overflowed with consideration. She'd even pranked me to stop my self-flagellation, then smoothly resolved it over the phone with humor and ease. It made me feel how genuine she was.
How could S-ranks be so different? I shook my head at the gaping personality gap between those bitches in human skin and Ia Ris.
With a faint smile, I replied.
"...Yes, got it. I promise."
'Hee-hee. A promise? Get ready if you break it!'
She said it playfully, but an S-rank's "get ready" wasn't heart-healthy. I froze up, and she laughed again, steering the conversation.
'Ah! Paster's tense again! Hee-hee... I can picture your stiff face and trembling pupils without even seeing! Right?'
"Y... Yeah. Spot on."
It was true, so I admitted it readily. Ia Ris excelled at reading and manipulating emotions. She was born to stand above people.
Of course, most S-ranks had that quality, so it wasn't surprising.
Chatting and pranking with someone born to be an emperor, this late at night. It didn't feel real.
From her side, she was probably just indulging my F-rank curiosity, as she'd said.
Still, I couldn't help my chest fluttering a bit.
"...Haha."
It wasn't just a bit—laughter slipped out unbidden.
A moment of silence, then Ia Ris's dazed giggle.
'...E-heh. So cute. Ah, no, not that. Um... Right! So why text so late? What'd you want to say?'
She seemed to hurriedly change the subject, but yeah, time for the main point.
I asked as politely as possible, ensuring she wouldn't be offended.
"Ia Ris, if it's not too much trouble... could we meet tomorrow, just the two of us?"
We met often, and it was routine now, but I'd never asked her first.
Still, the ever-agreeable Ia Ris with everyone would coolly say sure... or so I thought.
"Ia Ris?"
She went silent after my request.
Fuck, did I cross a line? Was that a bad idea? As timid, pathetic thoughts crept up in the awkward quiet, her slightly dazed voice returned.
'L-look at you... Ah, no! Sure! Let's meet! Where? Town square? Movie theater?'
Ia Ris sounded oddly excited, but she'd agreed. But town square or movies? Ah, did she pick up that I wanted to avoid other S-ranks? As expected of Ia Ris—master of reading emotions.
But meeting outside casually could arouse their suspicions. They thought I hadn't realized the Hypnosis App was fake, so they were staying quiet. I had to avoid anything suspicious.
Pretending nonchalance, I said something that wouldn't raise flags.
"Why not just at the guild...? Like always."
Even if she'd noticed something, she couldn't know everything I held close to my chest. I couldn't reveal my goals until I had her firm commitment as an ally.
Thankfully, it worked—she agreed without suspicion.
'P-Paster likes romance starting from everyday life, huh... Ah, got it! Come straight to the infirmary after work tomorrow! See you then! I'm super excited!'
I had no idea what she was excited about, but the meeting was set.
With a smile tugging my lips, I said goodbye.
"Yes, see you tomorrow."