Basking in Pity, Friends at the Dorm
"Hey, I think I'm being bullied!"
Those who knew the extent of the scar on my arm looked at the one on my right hand with such pity in their eyes. Even the ones who didn't know picked up on the vibe and nodded along sympathetically.
Yes, that's it. This is perfect. Of course you should pity me and feel sorry for me. I got this protecting you all.
With all the exam stress piling up, it felt even more exhilarating.
It was heartbreaking even for me—a blemish on my masterpiece of a body—but if it let me pull off stunts like this, wasn't it worth it?
"I could probably wear short sleeves, but... um, it might look a bit ugly, right?"
"Ilisha... I mean, it's... you know... it looks kinda bad, but no, not that bad... Ah, damn it. Ughhh!!!"
Lucia couldn't decide whether to admit it looked ugly or comfort me by saying it didn't. She was totally torn.
"Wh-what if you wore long gloves or made a separate sleeve just for your right arm...? N-not that it's ugly or anything, but if you're bothered by it... Hey... uh..."
Dorothea tried suggesting solutions even in the chaos, only to get shot down by the glares from the others around us.
Cecilia didn't say a word, but she was looking at me with such guilt in her eyes.
More precisely, at my right arm.
She had every reason to feel sorry. She'd done her absolute best to heal me, but she couldn't restore it perfectly. There had to be some guilt over that.
Cecilia suffering because of me... honestly, it felt pretty good.
But it wasn't purely good, so I flashed her a casual smile, like it was no big deal.
"You don't need to feel that bad about it, Cecilia. This is... a wound I got protecting everyone. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't bother me at all, but I don't regret it."
I'd do the exact same thing if I could go back. Though, deep down, my thoughts would be totally different.
"……"
Cecilia said nothing.
She just gazed at me with eyes full of some tender, apologetic emotion.
As expected of our saintess. Even when she's strict and firm sometimes, her true nature is just so kind.
I chuckled to myself for a good while inside, then decided to back off a little.
This should be enough milking it for all it's worth. Push too hard, and she might actually cry.
I glanced at the sleeveless dress and tried out Dorothea's idea aloud.
"Hmm, what if I wore long gloves? Would that help a bit? What do you think, Dorothea?"
"Uh, uh? Th-that might work... pretty well?"
"Hey, why ask her? Her fashion sense is limited to picking hats."
"Is that so? Hehe. Then I'll ask you, Lucia. What about covering this side with a sleeve or gloves?"
As the focus shifted to fashion, Lucia perked right up and started throwing out ideas left and right.
We spent hours like that—me as their dress-up doll—before the shopping finally wrapped up.
I wasn't short on cash, and I really did need more clothes to wear, so I just bought whatever they recommended without thinking.
But buying on impulse like that meant I ended up with way too much to carry with just two hands.
Blouses, gloves, ribbons, a cape-like outer coat, and even a dress they'd modified on the spot at the shop.
How am I supposed to carry all this alone? Maybe use my tail for a few? I was grumbling over it when...
"You planning to lug all this by yourself?"
"Huh?"
Lucia sidled up like she had something to say.
"Somehow... I guess? Why?"
It was a ridiculous amount—bordering on annoying—but I figured I could manage.
Lucia thought otherwise, apparently.
"Why do you think? I'm offering to help. You gonna make a sickly kid like you carry all that alone?"
She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Dorothea blinked in surprise, like that's how it worked. Cecilia tilted her head slightly, wondering if this was okay.
Inviting kids I'd known for barely three weeks to my room... but hey, why not? The mood was right, so I just went for it. Sorry, Einshel...
I'd always wanted to try this—having friends over.
And so, we headed to the dormitory.
When we reached my door, I hadn't even knocked yet when I sensed movement inside.
Moments later, the door opened, and Einshel greeted us.
"Miss. You're back. The exam..."
She was impeccably dressed as always.
Her eyes flicked to the shopping bags in my hands, then to the cluster of friends behind me. They widened ever so slightly.
After a brief pause, she bowed politely.
"This must not be urgent, then. These must be your dear friends."
Oh.
Nice.
That word has a nice ring to it. Dear friends.
It made my insides tingle pleasantly.
"Let me introduce her. This is Einshel. Some of you might've seen her before... She's the maid my family sent to look after me."
Lucia sized her up, cleared her throat awkwardly, and managed a greeting.
"Uh, hi...? Nice to meet you?"
Yeah, it'd be awkward. I'm probably the first at the academy with a personal servant.
"Please, feel free to speak casually."
"In that case... uh. Nice to meet you. Feels weird talking to you like this for the first time, right?"
"I've seen you pass by a few times, but yes. This is our first real conversation."
Einshel stepped aside with a gracious smile.
"I've heard you've been such a great help to Miss. Please, come in."
She wasn't wrong—we did rely on her a lot.
Though technically, I was the one throwing myself into debt.
The girls stepped inside and immediately scanned the room.
Then they all made the same face.
Unexpected.
"...Way simpler than I thought?"
It was understandable.
As the ultimate special case, they probably expected my room to be some princess's lavish parlor.
The perks I got were over the top, even by my standards.
But no. I had zero interest in decorating.
Sure, there were expensive things. Every piece of sparse furniture was top-quality, the bed was plush as a sheep's fleece, and the carpet was soft underfoot.
But that was it.
No gaudy decorations, no glittering ornaments, no gold-leaf mirrors or curtains drowning in lace.
At best, it was neat and tidy. At worst, barren and chilly.
Lucia spoke up first.
"I figured it'd be super flashy."
"Why would I bother? It's not like I'm showing it off or anything."
"But you're showing it off now."
"Ehehe..."
"No 'ehehe'! Decorate a little, would ya? I could believe this was some guy's room. So stark..."
She tsked her tongue, genuinely pitying the austere space itself.
"I-I'm not big on decorating either... but still, making it cute... doesn't it make you happy? Like solving a puzzle..."
Dorothea chimed in, agreeing with Lucia and commenting on my room.
What's with everyone? I've got everything I need. Can't they appreciate the minimalist aesthetic?
I tilted my head, and Cecilia spoke up.
"It's Ilisha-like. A room that suits you."
"Like me? What do you mean?"
I was curious what she really thought of me.
"...It feels like you take care of yourself, but also like you don't."
Oh.
Maybe because she's my favorite—she sees right through me.
Not entirely wrong, so I shrugged.
"Hey, luxing out won't heal my body or make people like me more. Having just the essentials is best."
"Can't argue with that... whatever."
Lucia muttered like she'd given up, and Einshel brought out tea in the meantime.
Mine was warm milk, gently heated.
After that, we had a nice, peaceful stretch of time.
Pulling out the clothes one by one to sort them—Lucia gushing that this was a great buy, Dorothea noting the glove fabric was nicer than expected, Cecilia saying this color made my face look brighter.
They held an impromptu fashion critique and organized my wardrobe for me.
I loved the lively chaos.
Just sitting there, listening to my friends chatter in my room.
The way they'd react to everything I said, ask why I was smiling if I just grinned quietly, or shove a dress at me saying "try it on!"
I didn't know if this was normal, but I sure liked it.
Except for that one girl who'd hated me outright from the start—she was fidgeting with something in her pocket, sulking off to the side.
Wonder what she's fiddling with in there. Planning something?
I was curious but decided not to pry.
Leave her be, and she'll probably do something fun.
After tea, they gestured for me to join them—time for dinner, let's go.
That's when it happened.
The girl, who'd been biding her time quietly, snuck something under my bed when no one was looking.
Oho.
Wonder what that is.
Poison ivy? Something that reeks? Self-igniting plant?
I was dying to know, but I didn't check right then.
I just stared in that direction, and our eyes met.
She startled at my gaze, bit her lip, and hurried past me.
She must think she pulled off some huge act of bravery.
...Hmm.
If she's got that much guts, the polite thing is to play along, right?
I caught a whiff of some odd herbal scent lingering from her hand as I left the room.
Hoping something fun happens.