Finally, with the Protagonist!
Me, finally with the protagonist...!
"Could you go a little slower, please? I'm so out of breath... huff, haa."
After just a few minutes of walking, Ilisha was panting like she'd run a marathon.
I almost said something snide about how pathetic she looked, but then I remembered what she'd said earlier.
—...I don't have any friends to eat with or anything. I've always just stayed inside the house, so I never had a chance to make any.
Ilisha had said she'd only stayed at home.
To my ears, that sounded like a roundabout way of saying she'd been bedridden for a long time.
She's the one who boldly challenged me to a duel to protect her family's honor. If she's that obsessed with etiquette, she'd probably beat around the bush like it's second nature.
Nobles have this annoying talent for complicating even the simplest things.
...Well, she probably challenged me because she was dead sure she'd win.
But seeing her whining after just a short walk, I couldn't help wondering if she'd doped herself up with some drug or curse before the duel.
Right now, she looks so weak that I could probably take her down with my own strength, no problem.
"You can swing a sword like that, but walking to the cafeteria is too much for you?"
"Ehehe... heh... My stamina's pretty bad. And my swordsmanship... isn't much to look at except for that quick-draw moment..."
For some reason, her words made my chest twinge.
She'd said it indirectly, but she'd been bedridden for ages.
No wonder her endurance sucked.
I mentally slapped my forehead and reluctantly matched her pace.
"Jeez, to think the girl who took down my brother is this frail..."
I didn't want to admit I was going easy on her, so I framed it like I had no choice.
"I'm only matching you so you don't get left behind, got it? From now on, practice walking or something. How are you gonna survive the academy looking that fragile? There's so much physical stuff."
If she'd enrolled normally, I probably wouldn't be this cold and standoffish.
I'd actually worry about her a lot.
I don't like that she's the Northern Duke's daughter, but still—how's she supposed to handle the academy in that body?
My friends were whispering as they watched her.
Stuff like they didn't realize she was this sickly, or that they expected her to look fiercer but she's surprisingly tiny.
They were still reacting positively to her for now, but who knew when these noble brats would start trash-talking.
I was about to tell her to stop catching her breath and get moving when—
"Yeah, I wish I were just a little healthier."
She said it with a smile, but there was a bitter edge to her expression.
Then she suddenly looked like oh crap and hurriedly added,
"Ah! I mean... I'm not complaining about my parents for making me this way or anything about my birth! Just... I wish I were a bit sturdier, that's all. Really."
Looking at her wistful face, I couldn't bring myself to say a word.
It felt like I'd poked a raw nerve I shouldn't have.
No matter how much I disliked her, there are lines you don't cross—and I'd just stomped right over one.
"...Damn it."
I muttered under my breath so she wouldn't hear, cursing myself for running my mouth so carelessly.
Why'd I blurt out something so thoughtless?
It's like snapping at a sick person, why are you sick?
"Sorry" rose to the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't spit it out.
Saying it now would just make me look pathetic.
In the end, all I could do was sigh heavily and grab her hand.
"Lucia...?"
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just matching your speed."
My other friends started chattering among themselves, shocked that I'd grabbed her hand.
"...Hey, I can hear you! Can't I hold someone else's hand?!"
"It's just... we didn't expect you to..."
"What the hell do you take me for?!"
As I bickered with my friends, Ilisha suddenly burst out laughing—pfft.
"And what're you laughing at? What's so funny?"
"No, just... so this is what friends are like."
Her words made my chest twinge again.
Is this girl really from a grand ducal family? How can she be so innocent?
Did she seriously spend her whole life in bed?
The thought irritated me, so I snapped at her to hurry up.
"Ilisha. Not to nag or anything, but... shouldn't you eat some veggies too? It's all meat. I mean... even for a beastkin."
Ilisha was munching away with that tiny mouth of hers, saying it as if it were the most natural thing.
"Not really in the mood. And my constitution doesn't digest them well anyway. It's not picky eating."
I wanted to lecture her that you need a balanced diet to be healthy, but she left me speechless.
...Still, come on. Even carnivorous beastkin can handle some veggies.
Even if her body doesn't agree, it's way too meat-heavy—I couldn't shake the thought.
We finished up our meal and headed for dessert. I asked what kind she liked.
"I've never tried any, so I don't know..."
By now, my chest felt tight.
No desserts, no friends, no health.
What the hell has her life even been?
Did she really just survive day by day and call it good?
"...Nope, can't do this. Come here, Ilisha."
"Eh, huh?"
I needed to teach her what it means to actually enjoy life.
——
Lucia dragged me off to enjoy desserts I'd never even had before, but it wasn't half bad.
Sweet and tasty—they slid right down even though I felt stuffed.
When I said I couldn't eat chocolate, the look on her face...
Sorry to her for caring that much, but it was photo-worthy. Priceless, even.
Staring at me like how can you? and muttering, "God is so cruel..."
Ah, dangerous. We're still outside—focus. Focus.
Anyway.
Seeing her bummed out like that made me think it was okay to add one more food I "couldn't" eat.
She'd pout over it again, right?
If she were truly indifferent, she'd just shrug with an "Oh well."
Lost in the sweet taste of dessert—and the even sweeter taste of her attention—Lucia spoke up.
"Ilisha. Which department are you in? Swordsmanship? Or magic? You look like swordsmanship for sure."
Oh, that?
"Either's fine, but yeah, probably swordsmanship like you said."
"...You can do both? That make any sense?"
Lucia's reaction was totally normal.
You usually pick one. Unless you're some super special exception.
And yeah, I'm that exception, but whatever.
"I know it doesn't make sense, so I'll probably stick to one unless I have to. Don't wanna stir up backlash... so keep it quiet for me? Please."
"Uh? Oh... sure. Why would I blab? Just caught me off guard..."
Lucia said that, then smacked her lips regretfully.
"Magic department would've been cool—we could've had classes together. Bummer."
"Hehe. Wanna try the magic department next time then?"
"...Didn't you just say one?"
I played dumb like I never said that, and she struck a dumbfounded pose.
"Do whatever~ What do I care what people say?"
Screw it, let's see if I can handle the fallout. It's not like I can't use magic.
"If it means hanging out with you, Lucia, I can deal."
Poking at her conscience like that, she predictably squeezed her eyes shut.
Sorry, but it's addictive—I can't quit.
Dopamine button right there? No way I'm resisting.
"...Fine, I'll introduce you to another friend next time, so play nice. But good luck—she's a total weirdo."
"Thanks for even trying."
"Yeah. Don't overdo it and get carted off again, okay? Take it easy."
With her worried farewell, I headed to the Swordsmanship Hall.
I was nicely warmed up, so I wanted to ride the momentum and chat up our protagonist.
The moment I stepped in, I saw students clashing wooden swords, testing each other, or swinging under the professor's guidance.
Some were off meditating or practicing alone, like they had their own path.
All of them turned to stare at me as I entered.
Awe filled their gazes.
...Well, this was new in its own way?
I'd gotten plenty of pity—no, tons—but awe? First time.
Felt kinda nice.
I took a deep breath, basking in it...
And immediately hacked up a lung.
"Kehok, cough! Cough... haa, ugh..."
It felt like someone was squeezing my lungs in a vise.
Got too into it, huh.
Lesson learned. Now amid the awe, I spotted flecks of pity.
...Yeah, poor me—can pull an Aura Blade, but can't even breathe right.
That wasn't so bad either.
But still.
I couldn't miss Ern eyeing me warily from the sidelines.
I'd wanted to meet in some shadowy alley with a mysterious vibe...
But I was perfectly fired up now.
Let's chat with our protagonist, shall we?