Chapter 7 Classmates
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
’Yes! First one here!’
I thought that voice was as overly excited as always, but I still looked around to see where to sit. I found the same number I had been given at the reception — near the back, the second row in front of the teacher’s desk — and quickly took my seat to wait for the other students and the teacher.
’If you are first to arrive in the class you get a tiny experience bonus, and if you are not in a state to talk before anyone else comes — for example, if you are reading a book — you can skip conversation events.’
Even if they say that, what could I do? Textbooks and reference books would be handed out later, and my own books are bulky, so I had not brought any.
’Too bad, Homo-chan (a nickname) didn’t bring a book (1 loss). No choice — use the introvert’s special skill: fake sleeping.’
I did not know what ‘introvert’ fully meant, but pretending to sleep sounded like a good idea. It felt strange to suddenly feel miserable about it, though.
”…Reina.”
That voice made my shoulder jump. I couldn’t help reacting. What rotten luck that he — Cliff — would be in the same class as me.
’Gah! Cliff-bocchan! You again!’
I pretended not to notice his voice and kept pretending to sleep out of habit. I pressed my face into my hands on the desk and tried only to feel his presence.
’Shoo, shoo! Go away!’
Cliff’s presence paused near the classroom door. Maybe he understood I would not stop pretending to sleep and started moving. His presence came straight toward me, and my heart began to beat loudly.
’Get out! Go back to the village!’
He stopped right in front of my seat and gently placed his hand on my head.
”…”
He stroked my head a few times, and he seemed satisfied. Then the chair scraped and Cliff turned to face forward. It looked like his seat was right in front of mine.
Ah, really. Why would someone keep being kind to me when I had ignored him for years? My ears felt hot; my fake sleep was clearly obvious.
’Why are our seats so close?!’
Really, why had my seat ended up so close to his? This was terrible luck.
”Hey! Cliff’s in our class too!”
”Shut up.”
”Still a grumpy one, huh.”
Soon, the classroom filled. After a while the only sound had been Cliff turning a book’s pages, then more and more people came in.
’What?! Why is Gerard here too?!’
The voice that had called to Cliff belonged to someone named Gerard. If even the Voice of Heaven was flustered, he must be an important character, too.
Well, it did not matter to me. I should probably avoid getting involved with him.
”What’s this? Someone asleep on the first day is wild.”
’Stop it! Don’t get involved! She’s sleeping here, you know!’
I thought he might really be asleep, but the noise made sleeping hard. Still, I hoped they would not do anything unpredictable.
”Black hair is rare.”
Saying that, Gerard reached for my head. I did not like any man except Cliff touching me. I was scared and shoved his hand away — I forgot to keep pretending to sleep.
It seemed that having a hand from a man you were not close to reach for you had become a trauma from a violent incident three years ago. I could not even realize it myself.
”…Don’t touch me.”
”Sorry, sorry…”
’Hey! You got a license or what?!’
I said that in a thin voice that surprised even me, and then I dropped my face back on the desk. I ignored the stares and the ‘Woof! Woof!’-like voice.
”Ah, it’s that person!”
’Why is the heroine in the same class too?!’
”…”
”Oh, looks like we’re neighbors! I am so happy!”
’Not “I’m so happy”! What the hell?! Is it normal to have zero encounters per hour? The heroine of this otome game with special counselor ability? The world’s strongest counselor who makes fifty men run away barefoot? This will lead to a yuri route!’
The voice was the worst for me and for others. I had to stop this demon from throwing a tantrum and ruining everything around me.
The worse something bad was for that voice, the more it would try to fix it by taking actions like their parents used to do — even taking lives if needed.
Being ignored or treated badly by me was nothing compared to someone suddenly losing their life or the life of someone close.
”Huh? Are you the rumored commoner?”
”Eh? Ah, yes! That’s me!”
”How rare.”
Apparently commoners were so rare that even Cliff had reacted. I wondered if I stood out.
”This person is also from commoner background like me, so maybe we can get along.”
”Eh, this child too? Two of them? That’s amazing.”
That was the worst. I could feel every person’s gaze and attention on me now.
’Stop making me the center of attention as if it’s natural!’
”Ah, but she looks asleep now…maybe she is tired?”
’Yes! Homo-chan is tired and sleeping, so leave her alone!’
”Eh? But she was awake a moment ago.”
’Nghhh! ♥♥♥’
Why did I have such bad luck? The childish men’s whining in my head made me feel sick.
”Let me introduce myself properly. I am Lucia Reeves! Nice to meet you! Please call me Lucia if you like!”
”Lucia-san, your voice is so loud it hurts my ears.”
”I’m Gerard Ashtner (Ore — male self), and I’m Cliff’s childhood friend.”
”No one asked, and if you’re a molester who touches women without permission, go to your seat now.”
Even saying that, the one who spat out the insult could not meet my eyes; he looked away. That was laughable.
”Heh, sorry about that.”
”She’s harsh! But it’s my fault so I can’t say anything!”
’Is this what being the protagonist and the saint does?’
Maybe they were good people. I did not want to let such good people die.
”—Is everyone here?”
I closed my mouth so that they would not think to speak to me again for hurting them.
’There it is! A teacher who goes after their students — a lolicon pedo teacher!’
I was not sure what that meant again.
The classroom noise continued and the seats settled. My face stayed on my hands, and I listened. The heat in my ears did not go away. The excitement around me felt like a soft weight on my chest, and I could not stop feeling the small, steady thump of my heart as the room became quieter around the teacher preparing to speak.
Notes:
• –
• Cliff – Son of First-Class Knight Lilia. Practices Flame God Style. Obsessed with defeating strong opponents, especially Reina Alcott after a humiliating loss.
• Gerard – A male classmate with the (Absolute Zero) blessing, a cheat-like ability that sets him apart from others, drawing awe and envy from his peers.
• Lucia – A female classmate of Reina with the (Regeneration) blessing, a power of immense value, unaware of the world government’s interest in her abilities.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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