Chapter 107

Rea​d on ​KatR​eadingCaf​e

Frey was walking down the hallway of the academy’s affiliated hospital.

Perhaps due to the tragedy that occurred during the cherry blossom festival, the hospital was bustling with a sense of urgency.

Despite their efforts, the incident had resulted in quite a few casualties and injuries.

Normally, before a rift opens, the Celestial Corps predicts and prepares for it in advance.

However, sometimes, like this time, unpredictable rifts occur.

Whenever that happens, significant damage follows.

This incident was a perfect example.

Because the citizens hadn’t been evacuated in advance, they were helplessly killed by the monsters.

If the students, including her, hadn’t been at the scene, the damage would have been even worse.

Frey thought about the students who had been at the scene.

Coincidentally, they were all from Class A, students she was familiar with.

Arin had no major injuries and only needed treatment, while Anastasia was unharmed since it was just a clone.

Eugene had been hospitalized again. Leo was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, and at first glance, it looked like he was dead.

Apparently, he had fought a high rank monster.

It was a miracle he had survived.

But that didn’t matter much to Frey.

There was someone else she was concerned about.

“…”

Frey stopped in front of a room at the end of the hallway.

It was Lucia’s hospital room.

After taking a deep breath, Frey closed her eyes.

[Frey, are you really okay going alone?]

‘Yes, I’m fine.’

Frey confidently answered Alice’s worried question.

The reason she had come to Lucia’s room was to apologize for her past mistake.

She had been hiding in her inner self out of cowardice, but this incident had given her the courage to face it.

[Then I’ll stay in my inner self. Hehe, don’t be too nervous. Ms. Lucia doesn’t resent you. If you sincerely apologize, she’ll definitely forgive you.]

Frey made one request.

She asked Alice to let her be alone with Lucia.

Although she was curious about why Frey made such a request, Alice decided to comply.

She trusted Frey.

Even if Frey had made a mistake once, she was still Frey.

The other half of herself that Alice trusted and relied on the most.

If Frey made such a request, there must be a reason for it.

[Good luck, Frey!]

‘Don’t worry.’

After confirming that Alice had retreated into her inner self, Frey let out a deep sigh.

Now, Alice wouldn’t know what was happening outside.

Since she had fallen into a deep sleep, she wouldn’t wake up for a while.

Thanks to that, Frey was now alone. She looked at the hospital room door and clenched her small fist.

‘She doesn’t resent me…’

Yes, that might be true.

Lucia is an incredibly kind person.

If I apologize, she would definitely forgive me.

Frey was confident about that.

However, not resenting someone and not being afraid of them are two different things.

Frey was also aware of this.

She knew what she had done to Lucia.

If Lucia was afraid and avoided her, Frey couldn’t blame her.

When they were together, Lucia didn’t show any signs of avoiding or fearing Frey.

Was it because she truly didn’t care?

Or was it because the situation was urgent, so she didn’t show it outwardly?

Frey wanted to find out which was the truth.

That was why she had asked Alice to let her be alone with Lucia.

If it was the former, that would be fortunate.

But if it was the latter and Lucia was afraid…

Frey didn’t want Alice to see that.

“…No, it must be the latter.”

After doing such a thing.

After inflicting so much pain.

The memory of that day, that moment, was still vivid.

As the victim, Lucia certainly wouldn’t have forgotten.

Lucia is a good person.

There were times when I doubted whether she was pretending to be kind like the stepmother, but Lucia proved her kindness through her actions.

A person who willingly sacrifices for others can’t be a hypocrite.

If Lucia is pretending to be fine out of consideration for me and Alice…

Frey was determined to tear off that mask.

“What, are you already sleeping?”

Frey opened the door without even knocking.

Although it was rude, Frey didn’t care.

It was intentional.

“Alice? I thought you went back to the dormitory?”

The inside of the room was quite dark.

The lights were off, and the curtains blocked the sunset.

Lucia’s face looked drowsy.

It seemed she had gone to bed early after a tiring day.

“I did. I went back, showered, and came again. I was sweating too much and felt uncomfortable.”

“Ah…it’s Frey.”

“Are you disappointed it’s me?”

“Hehe, no. I really like Frey too.”

“…Is that so? You’re quite peculiar.”

Frey stood still by the door, looking at Lucia.

Lucia’s heart injury had been completely healed by her super regeneration.

She was hospitalized to confirm that her heart had been perfectly regenerated through a thorough examination.

Given her abilities, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Click.

Frey locked the hospital room door.

Now, no one could enter unless they had the key or broke down the door.

“Hey, Frey. Where’s Alice?”

“She’s inside me. We switched places for a while.”

Apparently, the sound of the door locking had reached Lucia.

She looked at Frey with a puzzled expression.

Thinking about breaking that innocent face made Frey feel a little… no, very tired. Yes, tired. That’s all. There are no other intentions.

“I asked her to do me a favor. To give us some time alone together.”

“Huh?”

“So Alice is deep asleep inside me. She won’t wake up unless I give her a shock, like last time.”

Frey walked over and plopped down on the visitor’s chair next to the bed.

Lucia’s drowsiness seemed to be fading.

Frey felt like she was about to laugh.

Frey bit her lip to hold back her laughter and spoke in the most composed voice she could manage.

“That means it’s just you and me here.”

The good child (Alice) is already asleep.

Here, there is only the bad child (Frey).

She mouthed the last part without making a sound, but it seemed Lucia understood.

Lucia’s eyes widened in surprise.

Her eyelids fluttered nervously, which was quite adorable.

“We didn’t get a chance to talk comfortably during the day because of external issues, right?”

“Well, yeah…”

Lucia trailed off, her words uncertain, as if her thoughts couldn’t keep up with the situation.

After swallowing dryly, she spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

“…Frey? Do you have something you want to say to me?”

“Yes.”

“Hey, why did you lock the door?”

“I didn’t want anyone else to see. I didn’t want to be disturbed.”

Lucia blinked, her eyes clouded with confusion.

What thoughts were running through her mind?

Frey was curious, but she decided to wait patiently for now.

“…”

Lucia pulled the blanket tightly around herself and shrank into a ball.

It seemed like an unconscious action, something she did without thinking.

Somehow, Frey’s lips felt itchy.

Even in the dark room, Frey could easily see Lucia’s face.

Did she know what expression she was making right now?

“Isn’t it similar to back then?”

“What, what do you mean?”

“Alice is asleep, and it’s quiet around us. It’s just the two of us here.”

“…Yes, I guess?”

There was no need to probe further.

Lucia’s true feelings were already evident in her actions.

Yes, that’s how it is.

You were secretly thinking that, weren’t you?

Well, if you’re not afraid, that would be strange.

Frey clenched and unclenched her hands repeatedly.

Watching Lucia’s trembling pupils brought back memories of that time.

Just a little. Just a little more.

I could have crushed that fragile neck.

Should I do it now?

Alice is asleep.

No one will interfere.

This time, I can truly break her.

If she resists, it would be troublesome, so I’ll crush her limbs first.

Then, I’ll grab Lucia’s convulsing neck.

Snap it like a twig—

…What are you saying? Are you sane?!

Would I break my promise with Alice?!

I came here to apologize to Lucia.

I didn’t come to ruin our relationship.

If I really do that here, Alice will hate me.

Lucia might despise me wholeheartedly.

Do I want that?

Frey felt a sense of self-loathing. She had to swallow the sigh that rose to her throat. As the saying goes, a late-blooming thief is scary. Once I experienced that pleasure, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

It felt like I had tasted a forbidden fruit. With the tantalizing fruit dangling right in front of me, it was hard to resist the urge to reach out. Am I like a cat in heat?

I’ll endure it. I’ve done well so far. I can continue to do well.

Frey had been aware of her violent tendencies for a long time.

A dirty and dark desire that must never be revealed to the outside world.

A vulgar desire that doesn’t suit Alice.

I’ll apologize. I can’t break the trust with Alice.

But before that…

Would it be okay to enjoy it a little?

I won’t lay a finger on Lucia.

Just a little taste of Lucia’s scared face.

Would that be alright?

“Am I scary?”

Frey suddenly asked.

In truth, there was no need to ask.

Just looking at Lucia’s trembling form was enough to know.

Surely, she’s not shaking with joy at being alone with me.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? There’s no way I’d be scared of Frey.”

“Then why are you trembling?”

“That’s…”

Lucia hesitated, avoiding Frey’s gaze, before scratching her cheek and answering.

“I’m tired… Yes, I’m tired. Today was really exhausting, wasn’t it?”

“Is that so?”

Frey nodded, accepting it, though her expression remained impassive.

She stood up from the chair and leaned her upper body toward Lucia.

She extended her finger and poked Lucia’s cheek firmly.

Lucia let out a silent scream and tightly closed her eyes.

“You’re lying.”

Despite her efforts not to, Frey couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“You’re scared.”

“Uh…”

“Am I scary?”

“No, no…”

Lucia, pitifully trembling, was clearly a frightened, unfortunate girl.

She had calmly conversed with Frey in the park.

Was she pretending to be fine back then?

Or was it because her determination to save people was stronger than her fear, allowing her to overcome it?

Frey thought Lucia was more likely to be the latter.

To win, to protect.

A girl who would throw herself at the black knight’s longsword, showing such determination.

“It’s not scary…”

“If it’s not scary, why are you avoiding my gaze?”

Thinking about it, it was a bit strange.

Lucia, who had challenged a monster far stronger than herself, enduring pain and fear, was admirable.

But now, she’s scared like this. Why?

“Lucia, look at me.”

“Frey, um, that…”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

Frey almost forced Lucia to meet her gaze by grabbing her cheek, but she stopped herself, thinking it would be too forceful.

I should keep the atmosphere light.

Going any further would be irreversible.

“Lucia, tell me honestly. Are you scared of me?”

“No. I like Frey. I’m not scared. But…”

“But?”

“The situation… is similar to back then… and it feels…”

“Thanks for telling me.”

So that’s how it is.

Frey finally understood.

The mystery was solved, and she even felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

In short, it’s trauma.

The incident from that day had become a trauma for Lucia.

Because the same person who was involved in that incident recreated a similar situation, her psychological unease triggered her fear.

I am the object of fear for Lucia.

That fact was both joyful and, on the other hand, inexplicably bitter.

Frey was a little confused by the conflicting emotions.

Lucia’s terrified expression was sweet like honey melting on the tongue.

But within it, there was an inescapable bitterness.

…That’s enough.

I’ve enjoyed it enough.

Let’s stop now.

I removed the mask and revealed her true face.

Now that I know Lucia’s true feelings, that’s enough.

It’s time to fulfill my real purpose for coming to the sickroom.

“I have something to say.”

“Uh, uh-huh…”

What should I say?

How should I apologize?

I’ve thought about it all.

I just need to say the words I prepared in advance.

It’s not a difficult task. Honestly say, “I’m sorry.” and that’s it.

Yes, just say it quickly. Alice is also really worried about Lucia, so after apologizing, I should wake Alice up and let her meet Lucia. Yes, just say it. There’s no reason to hesitate. Apologizing isn’t that hard. So, uh, apologize, that is───

Huh?

Why is this happening all of a sudden?

My lips won’t move.

What’s wrong with my heart? Why is it pounding so hard?

It hurts. Did I sprint or something?

Huh, why is this happening?

My voice won’t come out.

I just wanted to say, “I’m sorry.”

Just three simple words.

For some reason, my throat feels completely blocked.

Frey couldn’t understand.

The situation was too sudden and incomprehensible.

Did I catch a disease or something? I was fine just a few seconds ago.

Lucia and I made eye contact.

Frey felt like she had been struck by lightning.

She almost reflexively pulled her body back.

…Could it be, I’m scared?

Is apologizing scary?

Ha, why?

Because I think Lucia won’t accept it?

That’s impossible. Lucia would accept my apology even if I did it half-heartedly and smiled.

So why am I scared?

There’s no reason for that.

‘What if she doesn’t accept it?’

No way. Lucia wouldn’t refuse.

I’ve always watched through Alice’s eyes. That’s why I know.

I realized how kind she is by watching her.

‘But what if she doesn’t accept it? What if she rejects it? What if she hates it?’

Frey bit her lips like she was sewing them shut with a needle and thread.

The words wouldn’t come out. It became difficult to meet Lucia’s eyes.

This is strange. Lucia was the one who was terrified.

Does fear spread like a disease?

Why was I so sure she would accept my apology?

Even after doing something like that, shamelessly?

What kind of confidence was that?

I slapped her. I pulled out her teeth. I choked her.

So why did I assume I would be forgiven?

Because Lucia is kind?

Is this girl so naive that she would accept anything?

Even if I did something wrong, would she accept it?

But she was so terrified. Would she accept my apology?

Even a saint doesn’t necessarily forgive everything.

Even if she accepts my apology, it might be out of fear, not forgiveness.

“Lucia.”

With great difficulty, I managed to call her name.

Frey found it painful to meet Lucia’s eyes.

I wanted to bow my head, but I felt like I would run away without saying anything.

So I forced myself to push forward.

“Frey…?”

Lucia’s face came closer.

We weren’t that far apart to begin with.

In an instant, we were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

Her transparent pink pupils disappeared.

Lucia tightly closed her eyes.

Frey also wanted to close her eyes, but she forced them open.

I whispered in her ear, hesitating for a moment.

I have to say it.

I have to apologize.

For my mistake. 

“I’m sorry.”

With great effort, I managed to say those words.

 

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Frey really came to apologize!

Isn’t that really special?

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Isn’t it ironic how they both are fundamentally the same? Heh.