Chapter 105: Surely Not…

R̂èád̂ ̂öǹ ̂K̈ä​t́R̂ëád̈ĩǹĝC̈á​f̀è

Perhaps because Sugar arrived late at the bathhouse, there weren’t many people. By the time she had entered, most were already leaving. Thanks to that, Sugar enjoyed it as if she had rented the whole place.

In the rose bath, she melted into the pleasant fragrance and water.

In the lemon bath, she wondered what kind of taste it would have.

She placed two basins facing each other, used them as floats and splashed around.

Sugar alternated between the cold and hot baths, shivering from the temperature difference.

Doing all this were Sugar’s attempts to have fun by herself and when she stepped out of the bath, she was the only one around.

‘I should start heading out too…’

Sugar headed back to the shower to finish up. She untied her hair, applied shampoo, and began scrubbing her scalp.

Though she had gotten used to long hair now, it still bothered her at times. It took a lot of shampoo, and she had to scrub thoroughly everywhere. At least drying it with wind magic was a relief. She could wash with magic too, but Sugar didn’t feel nearly as refreshed afterwards. Since she had to undress and enter the bathroom anyway, she just washed by hand.

After rinsing off the shampoo, Sugar turned on the shower. She let the water run over her head, rinsing her scalp thoroughly.

Clunk—

‘Huh?’

‘Did someone come in?’ Sugar whipped her head all around, glancing all over but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

‘Maybe I misheard because of the water.’

Sugar turned her head again and squeezed body wash onto her bath towel. The pleasant scent lifting her mood.

‘Yap yap yap—’

She was scrubbing her back thoroughly.

Clatter—

‘Huh?’

A noise rang through the room, Sugar once again glancing all around.

‘I must be hearing things…’

Sugar turned her head again and turned on the shower. The sound of water falling, swoosh—.

Clunk—

“—Just as I thought!”

Sugar quickly turned around. Only a fool would fall for it three times in a row.

But, as expected, there was nothing unusual around. No people. Just the bubbling bathwater. A basin someone had left upside down was lying on the floor.

“Ugh. No manners. If you use it, you should put it back…”

Grumbling, the model citizen Sugar headed toward the basin. She picked it up to put it back in its place.

And then she came face to face with it.

“…”

The encounter was so unexpected that there was no time to be startled.

A disgusting creature.

A creature that, depending on the person, might make them faint just from seeing it.

A single black, slender snake.

“Uh…”

‘Why is this here? Why is there a snake in the women’s bath? Is it a water snake? The school mascot?’

While she was thinking, their eyes met. Its’ skin so black that it was impossible to see where the eyes were. But since it raised its head and wagged its tail, it must have noticed her.

‘Wait, it raised its head and wagged its tail?’

Sugar recalled a wildlife book she had seen once. There was a simple explanation about how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Non-venomous snakes flee when they see people, while venomous snakes stare people down.

After finishing that thought, Sugar focused on the snake in front of her again. It was proudly raising its head and wagging its tail.

This… is definitely…

Chomp—

“Ah! Damn it! A venomous snake!”

Snakes in this world can jump too!

It lunged at her upper body, Sugar reflexively defended herself, but it caught her on the wrist and didn’t let go. Even when she flailed her arm it only coiled itself tighter around the limb, securing itself even more firmly.

“It bit me! Ah! It’s going to eat my whole arm!”

After causing a commotion and shaking her arm, Sugar suddenly froze. Breathing heavily, she looked down at her arm. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt. Did its fangs have some kind of anesthetic? Is that how it paralyzes its prey?

As she thought about that, the snake soon let go of her arm. It opened its mouth, uncoiled its body, and plopped onto the floor.

Then it raised its head again and looked at Sugar. Wagging its tail, it stayed still, very still.

Looking at the bitten right arm, there was almost no trace. Even when she pressed it, the sensation remained intact.

“You…”

The snake just stared up at Sugar without moving.

It looked at Sugar.

Sugar looked at the snake.

When Sugar subtly extended her palm, the snake placed its head on it. When she extended her palm toward its tail, it placed its tail on it.

“Oh…”

What a smart creature.

An animal bites a person without hurting them and stares intently. Isn’t this a sign of wanting to play? A sign of friendliness?

Though she felt it was cute, she shook my head. The physical exam came to mind, they were definitely looking for bite marks.

Maybe this guy is the culprit?

‘…But there’s more than one or two animals that bite people.’

Isn’t that jumping to conclusions? It could be a bug. Or a dog or cat.

This snake doesn’t seem to be a problem. Even when it bites, it doesn’t hurt at all.

“Hmm…”

After some thought, Sugar made a decision.

First, she finished her shower, then washed the snake with lukewarm water. After that, she packed the black creature into her bath basket and headed out.

On the way back to the dorm.

“Since you act like a venomous snake, your temporary name is Venom.”

Venom just wagged its tail. After all, a creature that can’t speak has no right to refuse. Anyway, it has no food, and the dorm room is better than the humid bathhouse.

‘Tomorrow, I’ll take it to the infirmary or somewhere to get permission. Once I get permission that it’s harmless, I’ll keep it.’

Sugar naturally brought Venom to her room and placed it in a box. Once I get permission tomorrow, I’ll make a home for it. Venom’s food, Venom’s bedroom. With a heart full of excitement, she fell asleep.

The next day arrived. A new day begins.

‘After school, I’ll go to the infirmary… But is it the infirmary? Where should I get permission? I’ll ask around first, then go to the store…’

Sugar checked the snake sleeping peacefully—or was it just lying there?—in the box. While thinking about various things, she finished preparing for school. Putting on her cloak and headband completed her usual look.

Hehe. Feeling good, she stepped outside. As always, Riley was waiting in front of the dorm.

“Huh?”

But for a moment, she saw something strange and blinked.

There were two Rileys standing there.

“Why are you so out of it this early in the morning?”

The sarcastic voice came from both of them.

Rubbing her eyes, Sugar looked at Riley again. Ah. Just one.

“You scared me… What a shame.”

“What’s a shame?”

“I had a dream for a moment.”

“You’re still half-asleep. Huh? Hey, by the way. Your mana flow seems a bit off.”

“Really? I feel a bit sluggish today. I’m planning to go to the infirmary later, so I’ll ask them to check it out.”

Riley scrutinized Sugar carefully. Sugar just smiled faintly and said, “It’s fine, it’s fine,” as she walked.

“By the way, I found something interesting. I’ll show you after school.”

“…What did you find?”

“It’s a secret.”

Riley suddenly had a bad feeling.

As if that feeling was right, Sugar dozed off throughout class. Or not. Maybe she always does that. The sight of her about to hit her head on the desk was familiar.

Soon, there would be a thud, and everyone’s attention would focus on her. Riley sacrificed one hand and gently placed it where Sugar’s forehead would land.

-Thud.

Goal. Sugar’s head hit Riley’s palm and she didn’t get up.

‘But her forehead feels hot…’

Just as Riley thought that, Sugar woke up with a gasp. She wiped her face vigorously and slapped her cheeks.

“Miss Sugar. Is my class that boring?”

“No! It’s interesting!”

When Professor Hubert, who was lecturing at the front, made a comment, Sugar shouted loudly.

“Oh, good. Then what was I just explaining?”

“Leon wants to answer for me!”

“Hey!”

Riley, Sugar, Ian, and Leon were sitting in that order, but there was no time for such a conversation. It was a blatant lie.

.

.

.

“How can you lie without even changing your expression?”

“Did you take it to heart? I’m sorry.”

Leon sighed and gave up at the strangely infuriating apology. After class, the four of them lined up at the school cafeteria.

Meanwhile, Sugar yawned. Then she just stared blankly, tasting nothing. Normally, she would whine about being hungry, but today she was unusually quiet.

“Huh? Sugar. Is that all you’re having?”

“I don’t have much appetite today.”

She wasn’t a big eater in the first place but for a girl, she ate a lot. Every day was like that but today, Sugar’s tray was pitiful. A piece of vegetables, a piece of meat, a few spoonfuls of soup that before the bottom of the bowl would show, half a piece of bread—she stole half of Riley’s—that was it. Her friends, who knew her usual appetite, were puzzled.

Sugar’s face didn’t look good either, it felt like she was forcing herself. Her expression was faint, and she kept her mouth tightly shut.

“Are you feeling sick? You don’t look well.”

“Nah. I’m fine. I’m planning to go to the infirmary later.”

At Ian’s concern, Sugar smiled faintly. Then she sat down and started eating. Though it was just nibbling on lettuce, it still counted as a meal.

The other three also sat down.

“By the way, isn’t there an event soon where freshmen and seniors do activities together?”

“Yes, I heard about it.”

“I’m a bit worried…”

“You’ll be fine, Ian.”

“Ah…! Uh… Thanks.”

While listening to Ian and Leon’s conversation, Sugar forced food into her mouth. It was tough enough to make her break out in a cold sweat, but if she didn’t eat this, the afternoon would be even harder.

“…Hey. Don’t force yourself.”

Riley whispered from beside her. Grateful for his concern, Sugar smiled again.

“It’s fine. Once I finish this, ugh…”

“…?”

“Ugh, ugh… Just a moment, my stomach…”

At that moment, Ian and Leon, who were sitting there, looked at Sugar.

She had put down the meat she was eating and was covering her mouth, gagging.

As soon as they saw that, their gazes turned to Riley. As if it was only natural. It was a natural flow.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that…”

“Don’t tell me…”

“Finally…”

“Ugh… Ugh… My stomach, my stomach feels weird…”

While Sugar groaned in pain, Riley rubbed her back. Ian stood up abruptly.

“Riley… I thought you two could at least wait until first year… Don’t tell me you couldn’t even wait that long…”

“What are you talking about?”

Next, Leon stood up.

“Mr. Riley. Pretending not to know is unbecoming of a man.”

“No, sir— What are you talking about?”

Even passing students glanced at the scene.

A girl gagging, a panicked boy beside her, and friends pressuring him.

Students who understood the situation all exchanged meaningful glances.

“What? Why are you all looking at me like that…”

As Riley panicked, someone placed a hand on his shoulder. It was Professor Hubert, who had just finished lecturing.

“Student… You might be shocked. But you have to admit what needs to be admitted. It’s something every man and woman goes through. You can apply for a leave of absence, so don’t worry too much.”

He patted Riley’s shoulder and walked away with a relieved smile.

Meanwhile, Sugar looked up at him with teary eyes, making the scene even more provocative.

“Riley… My stomach feels weird…”

Riley quietly held his head in his hands.