Chapter 49: Broken window

Various shapes and squiggly lines covered the page. I added a final dot, the finishing touch, and it looked…almost passable.

“Finished!”

My triumphant declaration made the two girls turn around. They were both undeniably pretty, though their perverted tendencies were a major flaw.

“Are you sure about that…?”

Linne, who’d been mocking me just moments ago, now looked concerned. She was a master of subtle jabs, her concern more irritating than outright mockery.

I was about to unleash a string of insults when Sara interrupted.

“Not to be… unhelpful, but couldn’t you have asked your sister for help with this?”

Sister… Asking her to help me with this…

Knowing Sister, she wouldn’t let me go until I understood every single symbol and formula.

“No. It’s fine.”

“I see. Well, make sure you keep your promise.”

Sara smiled sweetly. Such a show-off, just for helping me with my homework. Kids these days…

“Promise? What promise?”

I tilted my head, confused. I didn’t remember making any important promises.

“Ellie, you…”

“It’s fine, Linea.”

Sara stood up and walked towards me. I instinctively hid the paper behind my back.

“Elena?”

“Wh…what? What do you want?”

Sara leaned closer, her face near mine, and I averted my gaze, feeling strangely guilty.

She whispered in my ear, her voice slow and deliberate, each word sending shivers down my spine. I held my breath, listening intently.

“…There’s…a back page.”

She took my hand and slowly lifted it, revealing…

…the blank back page.

“Um…Sara…?”

“I have no business with someone who doesn’t remember her promises.”

She turned and walked away, a sheet of paper in her hand. Without that paper, my efforts were meaningless. I grabbed her shirt before she got too far away.

“Sara, I remember! I remember the promise!”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

She just smiled, not stopping.

“Waaah, I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

Why was I apologizing? Tears of frustration welled up.

“Hmm…are you sure?”

She didn’t seem convinced.

What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t just ignore her; I had no other options. She clearly wanted me to…prove my sincerity. With an apology, something I rarely did.

I suddenly remembered something I’d recently heard. About sincere apologies…

An idea struck me. I leaned against the wall.

Sara looked confused, but her eyes widened a moment later, as if realizing what I was about to do.

I clutched the hem of my shirt and vest. This was the second time, but it still felt…awkward.

I took a deep breath, my eyes fixed on the ground, unable to meet her gaze.

I slowly lifted my shirt, exposing my stomach.

This was my sincere apology, performed according to Sara’s own…demonstration.

“I…I’m sorry…”

My exposed stomach, a sign of submission… I’d never looked at it so closely before.

It was…unremarkable, honestly. Perhaps because it was my stomach.

It looked small, the faint outlines of my ribs visible beneath the soft layer of flesh, a small indentation marking my navel, rising and falling with each breath. Nothing special.

Sara’s eyes widened. Linne, who’d been following, stopped dead in her tracks.

Embarrassed, I closed my eyes.

Gulp—

Someone swallowed nervously.

Was that enough? I quickly lowered my shirt and looked at them, instantly regretting my impulsive action. I’d almost died of embarrassment.

“Ahem. That seems…sincere enough.”

“Yeah… I think you should forgive her, Sara.”

The atmosphere lightened, and they returned to their seats. I watched them, still dazed.

****

I collapsed onto my desk, the homework finally submitted.

“It’s finally over!”

I felt a sense of accomplishment, even pride. Then, Linne’s voice shattered my moment of self-congratulation.

“What’s the big deal? It was just copying.”

“Hmph. It was harder than it looks.”

“Did you really submit it like that? You didn’t even wipe off your…drool.”

“Mind your own business, commoner! And stop your incessant nagging!”

I glared at her. I wanted to punch her.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one annoyed. We started bickering, our argument escalating, when—

Thump—

A distant sound, barely noticeable.

I glanced at the window behind Linne. The sky was dark and cloudy. Birds flew from the distant forest, tiny black specks against the gray sky.

Rumble—

The second sound was more distinct, a deep rumble that vibrated in my chest, shaking the ground.

And then…

Flutter. Caw, caw.—

The black specks in the distance took flight, filling the sky.

“What was that?”

“Did you feel that? An earthquake…?”

The students looked around nervously. I stood up and walked to the window. It was difficult to pinpoint the source of the unease in the vast landscape.

“Ellie!!”

“Ugh?!”

Linne suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a tight embrace. I didn’t need to ask why.

Shatter—

I couldn’t see clearly, shielded by Linne, but I heard the window behind me shatter,

sharp shards of glass flying everywhere.

Crash!— The glass rained down around us, but none of it touched me.

“Are…are you okay, Ellie? Are you alright?”

Silence fell over the classroom. Linne knelt beside me, her voice trembling as she checked on me. A sudden surge of…something overwhelmed me.

“You…idiot…!”

“Ugh.”

Thwack!— I punched her chest. She grunted, but my anger didn’t subside. I hit her again.

“You could have…you could have died!”

“Ha ha…that’s a bit harsh.”

She pulled me into a hug, and I let her, unable to resist.

Was my body trembling? Or…

I looked up at her, her face hidden by her long hair. I stared at her lips, then nestled closer, seeking comfort.

It took a while for the trembling to stop.

They said a bird had flown into the window, causing it to shatter. Linne was taken to the infirmary, her back and shoulders covered in cuts from the glass. I couldn’t focus on the rest of the lessons.

The wind blew through the empty window frame. I kept picturing Linne, her worried face, covered in blood.

“Sigh…”

Why did she save me? And why did she look like that?

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make sense of it. There was something…unsettling about her expression. It was the look of someone who’d…lost everything.

“…No, that’s impossible.”

I shook my head, dispelling the thought. It wasn’t my business. And her actions were…unnecessary. She shouldn’t have protected me.

I stretched, my gaze lingering on the empty seat beside me.

“I’m bored…”

I’d never felt this way when she was around.

Gasp.—

I covered my mouth, realizing what I’d just said.

I was losing my mind. Why did I even care about that pervert? It was so much quieter and more peaceful without her. I shook my head, pretending I hadn’t said anything.

“Maybe I should…visit her after class…”

It was just…to alleviate my boredom. I wasn’t worried about her, of course. Though I was curious about her reaction when she saw me.