Chapter 132: Mysterious Girl A (1)

Ȓeá​d​ oɴ ‍K̂​&a;t̀Ｒ​ҽа​di​n‍g​​Ḉaｆҽ

‘Sugar Mill’

It’s a club room with a peculiar name. Ian had said she would visit sometime when she heard, “We’ve secured a nice spot in our school.” But she never thought she’d end up going there with this kind of mindset.

The inside was quite cozy. A sofa as big as a bed. a table, a cabinet, a mirror and a thick carpet on the floor. Simple, but it has everything one needs. With blackout curtains blocking the outside, a mood lamp on the side table next to the sofa emitted a soft glow helping to set the scene.

“Um… it’s dark even though it’s daytime because of the curtains. Could you turn on the lights?”

“Of course.”

A girl’s day. Ian, sitting at the table and being served tea, made the request cautiously. It was Sugar as usual, but for some reason, it felt suffocating.

“How’s the room? Nice, right?”

“Yeah… it’s cozy.”

“Hehe… Oh, have some cookies too. I baked them myself.”

They were meringue cookies, sweet and perfect with tea. They seemed to suit this pink-hued woman perfectly.

As Ian chewed them, they quickly melted and disappeared, leaving a sweet stickiness on her tongue that felt nice.

It feels nice. Really nice.

“Sugar… I came today because there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Sure. Ask me anything.”

“This is purely hypothetical.  A Hypothetical. I’ve actually been writing something lately and this is to gather material for it.”

Ian laid the groundwork to keep it secret. It’s not a lie, she really is writing a novel. She’s been referencing the actions of the couple next door a lot.

“If, say, your lover—”

“I don’t have a lover.”

“…Boyfriend—”

“—I don’t have one either. How could I?”

“Sigh… Then, your most precious friend.”

“I have that.”

“Right. Anyway, if a man appeared who liked your ‘most precious friend.’ What would you do?”

Sugar tilted her head, making a thoughtful sound.

“A man? A man?”

“Yeah. A man.”

“Huhu… Ian.”

She narrowed her eyes and smiled cutely. Her whispering, tickling laughter soothed Ian’s heart.

Ah, maybe it’s not so bad after all. Maybe Ian can just pass it off as a minor incident—just as she was thinking that.

Sugar’s eyelids opened.

Round eyes that had lost half their sparkle.

Ian resisted the urge to bolt out the door.

“Wait a moment.”

In the meantime, Sugar muttered briefly and went to rummage through the cabinet. She pulled out a pair of garden shears as big as her torso and waved a wand to create water.

“What’s with the shears…?”

“They’re garden shears.”

“Why are you wetting them…?”

“To make them rust. I should’ve done it earlier. I forgot.”

“Why rust…?”

“So they don’t cut easily.”

After the Q&A, Sugar hid the shears behind her back and approached Ian gently.

“So. Who is that pig?”

“It’s just a hypothetical! Thanks for answering! It helped! I’ll be going now!”

Ian hurriedly left.

She tried hard to ignore the hellish voice calling, “Ian~ Where are you going~” from behind.

.

.

.

Last night, upon returning to the dorm room, Leon said, “I’m tired, so I’ll sleep first,” and lay down on the bed.

He must have a lot on his mind after the confession. Even today, which is the weekend, they haven’t had much conversation.

‘Poor child…’

To Ian, Leon is a friend she wants to cherish. A friend she wants to embrace.

But that friend keeps looking at men. And not just any man, but the boyfriend of a childhood friend who’s like a younger sister.

Ian let out a hollow laugh.

Well, can people’s hearts change as they wish? Love is like that. Ian has seen it endlessly in novels. One doesn’t even notice their clothes getting wet in the drizzle until one day they’re completely soaked.

Leon’s already going through a lot because of his mother. He might mistake friendly affection for something else, he might just want to lean on someone.

‘Did he start having these thoughts after seeing Sugar always being embraced by Riley’s broad chest?’

If so, that’s truly sad.

If Ian had embraced him with a bigger heart. If she had, this friend wouldn’t be wandering like this. It’s because Ian’s lacking, because she’s not good enough.

Ian made a sorrowful expression.

She can’t understand the heart of a man loving another man. Ian’s pretending to be a man, but inside she’s a woman. Ian can only guess, but she can’t know the deep feelings.

‘But… even if everything else is like that, Riley is…’

‘I clearly told him yesterday to keep his distance and sort out his feelings. Why does he keep sticking close to Riley and Sugar…’

Looking at Leon’s behavior today, he kept talking to the two and staying close to them. While he only exchanged morning greetings with Ian, seeing Leon standing next to his crush was frustrating.

Of course, Ian thought Leon would rely on her. She felt a bit disappointed.

It seemed like Leon had sorted out his feelings in the confession room yesterday, but seeing Riley again, did his feelings change? Or did it stimulate him, making his crush burn even hotter?

But the more it burns, the more he’s risking her life. It’s not his crush that’s burning, but his body that will burn. He’ll be thoroughly dealt with by a murderer wielding rusty garden shears.

What should Ian do to save Leon?

To protect a deer offering its neck to a hunter, the best thing is to keep it away from the hunter.

‘Maybe make him befriend someone else…?’

Thinking about it, Leon has no friends outside the Holy City trio. The trio is the same, they’re so famous that other students don’t approach them.

Leon needs completely different water.

Keep him away from Sugar, and help him empty his feelings for Riley. A completely different friend!

‘Friend… friend…’

Ian also has no other friends.

But, she can become a different existence and be a new friend. As a friend, as the Saint’s Descendent, or as a woman. She can guide the lost lamb to the right path.

‘For a friend, this much is…!’

Once decided, what needs to be done is simple.

***************

As advised by the priest in the confession room yesterday, Leon spent the whole day today away from Ian.

Since they’re in the same group, they couldn’t completely separate, but just not talking made it feel less stimulating.

‘But is this the right way?’

Continuing to stick with the same group while avoiding conversation and eye contact. It’s not possible. It’s not like he’s blatantly showing that he has feelings for Ian.

After going to confession, he became more conscious, making it harder to approach Ian. Leon doesn’t know how to act from now on and even then they share a room, so they see each other every day.

“Did you see the article today? About the adventurer.”

“The ruined land? It was amazing.”

As usual, while walking alone through the noisy school grounds, pondering.

Someone was standing in front, so Leon tried to walk around them.

‘…Huh? The magical energy feels familiar.’

The magical energy touching his skin felt like someone he knew. So, when he looked up, there was a female student standing there.

“Um…”

Hair like the night sky. It was strange that she was wearing a mask, but since magicians are often eccentric, it was somewhat understandable.

Just as Leon was about to respond since the other person spoke first, his gaze naturally fell.

Explosive breasts.

Memories from before came flooding back.

“Do, do you remember me from the physical exam?”

It’s a lowly thing to distinguish people by their chest size, but an apology is important.

Leon nervously asked quickly.

“Do you remember me? I’m the one who was rude to you.”

“Ah, no. I remember, but it’s okay—”

“I’ve been looking for you so I could apologize.”

Finally… finally found you—overwhelmed with emotion, Leon closed his eyes tightly and trembled.

Then, he immediately bowed and offered an apology.

Doing so openly in school drew attention.

“Um, let’s move somewhere else…”

“Ah! Do you have time? If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to treat you.”

“Th, that’s not necessary… not necessary. I came to ask a favor.”

A favor.

Leon’s willing to do anything.

Having touched a woman’s chest and taken her scent during her prime. There’s no ruder act than that. Even if it was an accident, Leon didn’t want to use that as an excuse to avoid it.

“Please, ask me for anything.”

As he readily spoke, the female student in front hesitated slightly and continued.

“Friend…”

“Yes?”

“Please be my friend.”

***************

‘Is that all it takes?’

‘Yes… that’s enough.’

After that, there was some back and forth about whether she needed anything else, no, really, say it, no, until Leon finally won.

So, what he would do was treat her to a cup of tea at a cafe.

The other person also seemed to be thinking something and muttered, “Well… we need to build a rapport…” and followed along.

“Come to think of it, I forgot to ask your name. I’m Leon.”

“Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re quite famous.”

“My name is more famous than most professors at this point.”

Leon lightly joked, and the other person laughed. Since she was wearing a mask covering her entire face, her expression was unclear. But she seemed to have a good personality.

“My name is… call me Anne.”

“Ms. Anne. Nice to meet you.”

When Leon called her name, she slightly flinched.

“Is there something uncomfortable?”

“No, no.”

“…Thank you for coming with me, Ms. Anne. You might have hated even being in the same place as a ruffian like me. Thinking about it now, I might have been too pushy. I’m sorry.”

“No! That’s really not it. Then I wouldn’t have asked you to be my friend. About that day… you really don’t need to worry about it.”

“…Thank you.”

“And you can drop the ‘Ms.’ too. Just call me comfortably, we’re friends now.”

Her slightly laughing, thin voice was pleasant to hear.

Leon found himself smiling without realizing it. He liked the considerate nature that kept reminding him of someone.

Then, he quickly cleared his mind. How could he think of that person again while with someone else? He was surprised at himself.

“Then… order whatever you like. Don’t hold back and order to your heart’s content.”

“Ah, I’ll have coffee and cheesecake…”

“Is that enough? Order more.”

“This is enough. It’s my favorite combination…”

“…”

“Leon?”

“Ah, sorry. Someone I know also likes this combination. I was just thinking about that.”

“Ah…! Ah! That! I don’t actually like it that much. It’s just, that…”

“I don’t know much about desserts, but it must be a good combination. Please enjoy it comfortably.”

“…Okay.”

Anne hesitated, then slightly raised her head. Her gaze could be felt from under the mask.

“…Thank you.”

-Thump.

‘What’s this…?’

Her face isn’t visible because of the mask, but every action draws Leon’s eyes. A sense of comfort and déjà vu.

A growing fondness from somewhere.

It’s an indescribable feeling.

“Come to think of it… Anne, you seem to be a first-year. I don’t think I’ve seen you in any classes.”

“I have some… circumstances.”

Seeing her wearing a mask, it’s clear she has circumstances. Leon nodded, ordered the food, and continued the conversation.

Usually not talkative, but for some reason, the words flowed easily in front of this girl. They talked about things Leon was curious about and daily life at school.

Anne mostly listened and answered. She seemed to be sparing with her words but her various hand gestures showed she was listening attentively, which put Leon’s mind at ease.

‘Is it because her magical energy is similar to Ian’s?’

It feels familiar. Coming up and asking to be friends out of the blue. She’s an interesting person, full of consideration.

Soon, the ordered food arrived. She slightly lifted her mask, revealing only her mouth.

Moist, pink lips. Leon stared at them as if entranced, then quickly averted his gaze.

“…You’re not asking about the mask.”

“Ah, yes. I thought there must be a reason for it.”

Perhaps sensing Leon’s concern, Anne spoke first.

Leon remembered her wearing a hooded cloak instead of a mask before. But there must be a reason for covering her face. It’s clearly something heavy, so Leon doesn’t pry.

“Huhu…”

For some reason, Anne found that amusing and laughed.

Then she asked.

After hearing it, it felt a bit out of the blue.

“Leon. Do you have someone you like?”