Chapter 2 : Despair and Decisions (Classmate Side 1)
A little back in ti.
Hairihi Royal Palace, in a room given to the summoned, Yaegashi Shizuku was staring at her best friend sleep in the dark.
5 days have passed since they had a taste of battle and loss in the Dungeon. When they exited the Dungeon, they stayed overnight at Horald. The party ca back to the capital on a high-speed carriage early in the morning. There was no one in the mood to continue the combat exercises in the Dungeon. Incompetence was the cause of death for a brave man. Both the king and church would need to hear the report. They were not allowed to break in this place. Before sothing worse happened, they needed to care for the party of heroes.
Shizuku rembered when they returned to the kingdom. She wanted to wake Kaori up in the morning, so she went to sleep early. When they returned the news of Haji death was reported. Everyone was astonished, but they breathed a sigh of relief when it was the “useless” Haji that passed. Even the king and Ishtar was the sa. There wasn’t any of the strong heroes to die in the Dungeon. If they could not return alive from just exploring the dungeon, how would they fight the Devils? The chosen heroes of God must be unrivaled.
The king and Ishtar had discretion. There had been among them that had slandered and abused Haji. It was not spoken to the public, but it was a talked about in secret in the noble society. They thought it was good that the incompetent one died. An apostle of God that was useless; naturally they would die. Now they were speaking ill as one pleased. Shizuku really wanted to go berserk and kill those people many tis.
Kouki and his strong sense of justice did not stand up against such mistreatnt; she thought sothing was weird. Did he think that if he protested against the king and church, it would leave a bad impression. People who cursed Haji seed to be penalized…rumors were spread that Kouki was an anxious brave hero who pondered his incompetence. Haji’s reputation was not going to change just because a few people said so.
At that ti, it was undeniable who saved them. Haji was the one that kept the Behemoth in check to allow them to escape. To think that he died because of a stray shot from a classmate…though that is what he said.
She did not talk her classmates about her thoughts of the attempted friendly fire at that ti. They should have a grasp of their magic, when she tried to approach the suspect it unntionable because of the countless magic casted at that ti. Because it would prove he was a murderer.
To escape reality, she wondered what Haji did to cause such a thing. Dead man tell no tales. Rather than look for the culprit recklessly, if she left it alone than it would be done. The classmates opinion was in harmony and they did not communicate it.
To clarify the details at the ti, ld thought it was necessary to interview the students. Just like the students he choose to escape from reality, even if it was hard to regard as a mistake. Even if it was negligence he carried it out for the benefit of the students. To leave such a thing unsettled would only bring trouble later on. Above all, ld wanted to make clear. ld failed his promise to save Haji and his heart ached at that.
ld action did not co true. Ishtar had banned any scrutiny of the students. ld clung to it, but even the king forbid it.
“If you knew, you will get angry.”
Kaori had not woken up since that day. There was no abnormalities discovered by the doctor’s diagnosis. The body, probably because of ntal shock, went into a deep sleep as a defense chanism. Ti will pass normally if they sobered up.
Shizuku held Kaori’s hands. She prayed to not let her best friend hurt anymore.
Kaori’s hand twitched at that.
“Kaori! Can you hear !? Kaori!”
Shizuku desperately called out. Kaori’s closed eyelids started to shiver. Further, Shizuku called out for her friend. In response to that call Kaori gripped her friend’s hand, then she slowly awoke.
“Kaori!”
“…Shizuku-chan?”
Learning on the bed, Kaori saw Shizuku overlooking her with tears in her eyes. Kaori just blindly looked over her surrounding. Shizuku looked at her and waited until Kaori gathered herself more before calling her.
“Yeah, its . Kaori. how is your body? No discomfort?”
“I’m fine. Just weary because I was sleeping…”
“Well, you have been sleeping for 5 days…”
Shizuku forced a smile and tried to assist Kaori in standing up, who was trying to ask Shizuku how much she slept. Kaori reacted at that.
“5 days? Why…I…I went to the Dungeon…and then…”
Her eyes gradually ca into focus. Shizuku tried to change the topic when she had a bad feeling. However, Kaori recalled her mories too fast.
“And then…Nagumo-kun…”
“…That is.”
Shizuku’s face morphed into a painful expression when wondering what she should tell her. Kaori realized the tragedy in her mories when she saw the state Shizuku was in. However, it wasn’t easy for her to accept such a reality.
“…Lies. Isn’t it? Shizuku-chan. When I fainted, you guys saved Nagumo-kun, right? Right? Isn’t it? This is the castle room. Everyone ca back, right? I wonder if Nagumo-kun is training. In the training center. I’ll head over for a mont. I have to thank Nagumo-kun. Say sothing, Shizuku-chan…”
Kaori who wanted to escape from the harsh reality spun her words over and over again; while she ntion about searching for Haji. Shizuku caught her arm and didn’t let go. She had a sorrowful expression, but still she stared at Kaori.
“…Kaori, you understand, right?…He’s not here.”
“Stop…”
“Kaori, rember.”
“Please, stop…”
“He, Nagumo-kun…”
“No, stop…please, stop!”
“Kaori! He’s dead!”
“Wrong! He can’t die! He absolutely can’t have! How can you say such a horrible thing? Even if it’s Shizuku-chan, I will not forgive!”
Kaori shaked her and started to escape from Shizuku’s grasp. Shizuku did not let her go and embraced her. She was trying to nurse Kaori through her hug.
“Let go! Let go! If I don’t search for Nagumo-kun! I beg you…he is absolutely alive..let go~”
Kaori dropped her face into Shizuku’s chest while shouting “Let go!” and sobbed. Clinging to each other, she started to shout louder. Shizuku just continued to hug her. Hoping it would soften just a little of her pain.
How long did they stay like that? The sky was dyed red by the setting sun. Kaori was motionless in Shizuku’s arms while she sniffed. Shizuku asked in worry.
“Kaori…”
“…Shizuku-chan…Nagumo-kun…He fell…He isn’t here…”
Kaori whispered in a voice so quiet it sounded like it would disappear. Shizuku did not want to sugar coat it, it would only be a temporary comfort. The lie could co back and hurt more than it was softened. She did not want to see her friend in pain.
“That’s right.
“That ti, whose magic hit Nagumo-kun? Who?
“I don’t know. No one wants to ntion that mont. Its scary. What if it was …”
“That so.”
“Do you have a grudge?”
“…I’m not sure. If soone knew…I will surely bla them. But…no one knows…I think this is better. For sure, I wouldn’t be able to stand it…”
“I see…”
Kaori looked downcast as she talks. She wiped her face and eyes and faced Shizuku, and declared resolutely.
“Shizuku-chan. I, I don’t believe it. Nagumo-kun is alive. I don’t believe he is dead.”
“Kaori, that is…”
Shizuku had another sorrowful expression trying to persuade Kaori. Kaori clasped Shizuku’s cheeks with both hands, and said with a smile.
“I now. I know its weird to think that soone could survive that. …But its not like we checked. The possibility is less than 1%. If we did not check, its not 0%. I’m going to believe.”
“Kaori…”
“I’ll beco stronger. I’ll beco strong enough to prevent an event like that from happening. I will make sure with my own eyes. Nagumo-kun’s fate…Shizuku-chan.”
“What?”
“Please help .”
“…”
They both stared at each other. Kaori’s eyes did not show any signs of insanity. She will not give up until she genuinely find out. This kind of Kaori will not be moved. Kaori is known for being stubborn when she gets going.
Usually, you wouldn’t take what Kaori said seriously and let it go. Believing that soone could a fall into that abyss was just crazy. Everyone would try to correct her. That’s why…
“Of course, I’ll agree. Until you are satisfied I’ll tag along.”
“Shizuku-chan!”
Kaori hugged and thanked her. Shizuku said “No need more thanks. What are friends for?” The title of Samurai Girl wasn’t just for show.
At that ti the door opened.
“Shizuku! Kaori woke up…”
“Oh, How are you, Kaori?”
It was Kouki and Ryutaro. They had co to check on her. Training had just finished and they choose to co here afterwards. From “that” day, they concentrated even more in training. Wonder what they thought of Haji’s death. They reluctantly withdrew and wanted revenge. Haji was the one that saved them from a crisis. Never will they be that useless again.
Two more people entered that caused them to stiffen. Shizuku was doubtful.
“You guys, how did…”
“S-Sorry.”
“W-We got in the way.”
They quickly left the room and didn’t answer her question. She finally beca aware of what they saw. Kaor was staring at them blankly. Shizuku noticed the cause.
Currently, Kaori sat on Shizuku’s knee, while she had both hands on her cheeks. It looked like they were about to kiss. Shizuku was supporting Kaori but it looked like she was embracing her.
This scene looked like a Yuri scene and it was splendidly done. If this was the manga world there would be flowers blooming in the background.
Shizuku sighed deeply. She couldn’t bare the situation so she yelled.
“Hurry up and get back here! You freaking fools!
Reviews
All reviews (0)