026. Misalignment (1)
026. Misalignment (1)
Uheuheu....
The expressions on their faces as they looked at me just turned super cold.
Hing-hing. Did I bring up the topic wrong?
'But that's not it.'
I, I'm not exactly good at lying... I can't make up structured lies or anything like that.
It was like that before, and it's still like that now. Hing-hing.
So, I'm the type to just say everything as it is.
"Aria. What does that mean?"
"I, I have a reason why I absolutely must go out there......."
Save Yuna.
The catchphrase of this game? I've talked about it over and over, but it's adventure, friendship, and a curse.
It means it's a game that is absolutely not kind.
The curse...... it comes in a super complicated and worst-case form.
To the protagonist, Yuna.
I, I, I can't explain it logically, but.......
The true form and outline are revealed just a little bit in this Advancement Evaluation.
A really huge threat towards Yuna is revealed above the surface and...
And if the story progresses and Yuna makes even the slightest mistake at the turning point, that.......
Anyway, that's what I mean, hing.
'I want to explain it logically, but it feels like my head is completely blocked, it's really strange.'
It wasn't like this in the past, it's really strange.
I have to save Yuna.
But to do that, I have to be in the same place as Yuna.
Uheuheu. To do that, I have to take the Advancement Evaluation.
Because it creates a legitimate reason to be in the same space as Yuna.
The super huge Great Forest in the north.
I can't just send Yuna there alone.
Because Yuna wouldn't know what kind of danger is lurking there.
'......I wrote down this and that, but it's still super lacking.'
Yuna is kind, Yuna is the best, Yuna is really pretty, Yuna is an angel, thank you for being born.
I wrote so much stuff like that, so when I looked at it, the margins were super lacking, hing-hing.
"Aria. I don't think your body is in a state to go out there in the first place."
Alisa said that as if she were trying to persuade me.
Hing-hing. But I'm definitely going to go.
Because Yuna will be in that place too.
"Sister. Are you serious?"
"Mm-hmm."
I was always, always serious.
Except for when I said really super mean things to Yuna.
Always serious.
Of course, I was always hypocritical, very vicious, and evil...... but that was how I was.
I wanted that side of me to remain as the 'true self' of Aria Witri as well.
Uheuheu. I really, really like Yuna.
"According to academy regulations, it's true that you have to pass the Advancement Evaluation at least once a year to advance to the next grade. But...... do you really have to take the Advancement Evaluation this semester?"
Rachel said that with a face that looked super worried.
But hing-hing.
Because there was no next semester for me.
Maybe this very moment is the real, true final moment, so.......
So I always have to do my best.
I have to do everything I can.
Besides, the Advancement Evaluation is the signal flare that enters the full-scale main story.
After, after Yuna smashes her unreasonable fate.
"Huh? Is, is there something on my face... Aria?"
For some reason, Alisa is blushing and feeling shy right now.
She rescued me in such a super cool way.
It's the turning point to go to a happy ending where 'everyone becomes happy'.
An ending where Yuna survives alone or something like that is really, super meaningless.
Then Yuna would always live alone in solitude.
And she would end her own life.
So.
Yuna's really, super important turning point.
I'll help her, help her, help her a lot from the side so she can make the best choice at that turning point.
By any means necessary.
If Yuna could be happy by doing that, I would be super happy too.
"But sister. I think that's going to be difficult."
"Why, why? A, are you still trying to drag me over there?"
Hing-hing.
Clara's heart seems to be completely, firmly set.
I don't want to go...... to that place.
Besides, I don't even want to see the face of the person called the Head of the Family.
I, I was expelled from the Witri Family.
They said if I show up again, they'll really kill me.
But even so, Clara Witri came to find me and... me.......
Uheuu.
There is no human who lives forever.
In any moment, no matter how nonsensical things happen, one cannot live forever.
It's the same for Alisa.
Break the wheel of fate entirely, and make it so that it deviates from the set fate.
Because the person who is really super pretty, kind, and angel-like, who breaks the loop that was as good as eternity, was the protagonist of this game.
If Yuna is alive.
If Yuna survives.
If Yuna can remain at the academy with her friends with a bright appearance.
She will save everyone.
Just like the original game.
'Uheuheu. So.'
I don't want the people around me to worry about me.
Because that's a bit embarrassing.
"That's...... not yet. But there's an important problem, right?"
"What is it?"
"The Advancement Evaluation is in teams of three. Who on earth would join the same team as someone like you? O, of course, there is one person here."
Clara said that and blushed slightly.
Ugh. I don't want to be on the same team as you.
You're super weak, after all.
Clara is unpleasantly similar to me.
She was super weak.
So I don't really trust her.
"I, um...... Aria Witri. I would definitely be of help."
Alisa also said she wanted to join since she was bored.
Then Clara stiffened.
"Ha? You commoner, how dare you butt in? This is our family business, so get lost to the gutter. Or go ask your blonde bitch friend to let you join."
"Uuu...."
"Clara, wait a second! You're really going too far! Apologize to Alisa right now! And who the hell is the blonde bitch...? Why have you been acting so mean to people around you from earlier? Is that how your parents taught you?"
"......What? What did you just say! How dare a commoner bitch crawl up without knowing her place? I talked to you a little, and you dare, you dare, you dare!"
U, uuu.......
I, it's a mess.
Rachel and Clara started a war of nerves again, as if they never get tired of it, hing-hing.
But if I keep leaving them alone, it seems like it will end in a real fight, not a war of nerves.
"What should I... what should I...... do."
Seeing Alisa also just stomping her feet next to me, it seems like cleaning up the situation is out of the question.
"Hey! I can't entrust Aria to you even if I die. If Aria wants to go to the Advancement Evaluation that much, I'd rather be on the same team......"
"Shut your mouth!!! Go back to your blonde bitch!!! How long do you intend to play with my sister's heart? How long are you going to torment my sister, insult her, and do that? If you have a conscience, shove your head into the mud and apologize right now!!!"
As incomprehensible words are exchanged, the voices get super loud.......
Ugh. I, I felt like my heart was breaking because it felt like they were fighting because of me again.
Hing-hing. There's no need to fight like that.
'......Ah.'
It feels like a problem that would be solved if I just disappeared.
I quietly went to the dormitory entrance.
Unlike mine, Clara's dormitory is mansion-style, so it's quite large, and it has hallways and stuff.
'I was well taken care of.......'
Clara helped me with all her heart, even though she hates me.
It doesn't matter what her intentions were.
Clara helped me.
And, since I don't easily forget the help I've received.......
'S, someday.'
After Yuna's journey is all over, then, really.
I intend to return to the mansion as Clara wishes.
......That should be enough.
"W, wait a second. Come with me. Aria."
"Mm-hmm."
Alisa is following me closely.
I held Alisa's hand tightly and left Clara's dormitory.
Slowly, slowly, walking to return to my dormitory first.
Because I've been away for quite a long time.
The inside must definitely be a mess.
The windows are all broken, and the door hinges are tattered.
It was as good as not having one.
I've been surprised and woken up quite a few times because bricks flew in even while I was sleeping.
And the worst part is.
The types who come to find me and bully me when I'm alone.......
That started relatively recently, so the level isn't that high yet.
But, but...... I was thinking of moving dormitories someday.
H, however.
The moment I entered the main road on the hill at the fork leading to the dormitory.
Something went puck! and when I looked back.
Alisa had been hit by a flying stone and was making a sullen face.
"W, what are you... doing!"
This.
I couldn't stand it.
It was definitely a stone meant to be thrown at me.
But the one who got hit was Alisa.
Doing this kind of thing to someone who has nothing to do with it.
"I'm okay."
I hugged Alisa tightly with my body.
And while laughter was heard tremendously.
I felt a strong impact on my collarbone, but that was fine as it was.
This is my fault.
So I have to take responsibility.
If there's no reaction, they get tired of it themselves and stop.
It's been like that countless times until now.
I guess it should be like that now too.
"......What the hell are you guys doing as a gang?"
A super familiar and friendly voice was heard.
'Huk, huk-huk.......'
I, I swallowed dry saliva, and I was super nervous, so cold sweat was pouring out, and my face was turning red.......
"Why are you like that? Are you okay... Aria?"
"Uung!"
Because I didn't really know what kind of expression to make.
A voice that makes me hang my head low just like that.
"Get lost."
"Why? It's fun, right? Luca-nim said it's okay to bully that bitch......"
"Get lost right now!!!"
It was Yuna Castilla.