Chapter 53: Stormy Lunch Break (2)

“Who are you?”

Shion asked, exerting a chilling pressure. Clara bit her lip.

It was difficult to know how to answer such a simple question.

“I, I’m Rohan-oppa’s little sister…!”

“His biological sister?”

“That’s…! Not exactly…”

Clara wanted to use a stronger word to describe her relationship with Rohan, but this was the best she could do at the moment.

“Unfortunately, knowing Rohan’s name here isn’t enough to earn trust. You might have overheard what I said earlier.”

“Ugh…”

“Your attire aside, if you have a legitimate relationship with Rohan, why were you hiding? A suspicious attitude is hardly trustworthy.”

Clara couldn’t easily refute the Elf woman’s words.

Of course, the girl’s mind raced with counter-arguments. If she continued to hesitate like this, she knew she would lie in bed tonight, kicking the blankets and lamenting, ‘I should have said that!’

However, dealing with someone so forceful was still difficult for Clara’s temperament.

She’d rather just fight.

“I can prove it… by showing you our messages…”

“Hmm.”

Clara subtly showed her phone screen. Shion glanced at it.

Messages full of emoticons. Complicated.

To Shion, who had never used a Smartphone, it was just a jumble of confusing symbols.

“I sent him a message earlier… Oppa will be here soon! He also heard that an Elf guest might come…”

“Alright. Then, assuming your relationship with Rohan is as you say, I’ll ask again. Why were you hiding?”

“Th, that’s… out of habit…”

Because she was hugging her blanket in her underwear and sniffing it.

How could Clara explain that her body instinctively reacted to her shameful behavior?

So, the twin-tailed girl blushed and lowered her gaze.

Shion narrowed her eyes, a nagging intuition telling her that the other girl was hiding something.

“You’re not telling me the most important thing.”

“…!”

Startled, Clara raised her head.

For Shion, it was a statement based on a hunch, but Clara’s reaction increased her vigilance.

“The negotiation is off. Since there’s nothing I can trust, I’ll subdue you first.”

“What!? But Oppa will be here if you just wait…”

“Of course, that’s possible. But what if it’s not Rohan who arrives, but reinforcements on your side?”

“…”

“Don’t resist. I’ll try to make it as painless as possible.”

She just needed to lightly bind her hands or fingers with cloth or cable ties to make it easier to read any rebellious movements.

These items wouldn’t stop someone with Mana, but without proper restraints, this was the limit.

“Stay still.”

After speaking, Shion returned her handgun to its holster.

She had drawn it unconsciously, but Shion also knew that she shouldn’t fire a gun in the Academy Dormitory.

Besides,

Unless it was a Sniper Rifle, other weapons were all the same to Shion.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

As Shion closed the distance, Clara suddenly vanished and moved to the opposite side without a sound.

Shion inwardly marveled at her footwork and speed.

But in this situation, it was principle not to show her inner thoughts.

“I’d prefer you not resist.”

“No…!”

At some point, a Balisong and a silenced pistol appeared in the girl’s hands.

Shion calmly rolled her eyes, carefully examining the opponent’s weapons.

She has a rather unique pistol.

It was a model that Shion also owned. Interesting.

Moreover, a Balisong and a pistol? It would take considerable skill and dexterity to use them simultaneously.

Intrigued, Shion took another step forward.

As her opponent closed in, Clara cried out desperately.

“I, I’ll restrain you if you come any closer!”

“Are you planning to put bullets in my limbs in the name of subduing me?”

At Shion’s words, Clara was startled and looked at the weapons in her hands.

Clara was no different from Shion. She had drawn her pistol unconsciously.

“I don’t want to mess up Oppa’s room…”

Flick! The girl folded the Balisong with her slender fingers.

She didn’t stop there and hid the pistol as well.

Shion wondered if the now empty-handed girl was about to attempt hand-to-hand combat.

Whoosh.

But contrary to Shion’s expectations, Clara pulled out something else.

A jet-black object that contrasted with her pale hands.

A spare silencer? No, that’s…!

Seeing the Mana flowing through the object in Clara’s hand, Shion realized.

Neither the expertly handled dagger nor the concealed pistol were her primary weapons.

That was the girl’s true weapon.

Crackle—!!!

Shion channeled her Mana to create a force that could counter that weapon.

Thin electric currents erupted from her entire body, forming a complex pattern.

“…”

“…”

The moment Clara decided not to retreat any further.

The moment the tension reached its peak, compelling them to make a decisive move.

Bzzz—! Bzzz—!

A vibration rang out, breaking the silent standoff.

Clara glanced at her phone screen and then put away the object she had taken out.

“Oppa’s calling…!”

The girl’s excited expression. The intensity from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a cheerful demeanor.

That bright face, as if she knew nothing of combat.

It completely deflated Shion.

If it was an act, it was only right to play along.

“…Answer it on speaker.”

···

···

After opening the door to the Academy Dormitory, Rohan only exhaled and bent over after confirming that both Clara and Shion were unharmed.

“Huu…! Heagh…!”

How long had it been since he had sprinted at full speed without considering pacing?

His lungs were screaming.

“O, Oppa! Here’s some water!”

Clara filled her cup with water and brought it to Rohan.

Rohan thanked her and gulped down the cold water.

Shion stood still, observing them, then immediately approached Clara and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you from the beginning. I think I overreacted.”

“No! I think it was unavoidable given the circumstances…”

“I should have called Rohan first.”

“…Y-Yeah…”

With the blood rushing to her head, she hadn’t even thought of that simple solution.

The tension must have also played a significant role in clouding her judgment.

“I apologize for threatening to subdue you. I’m ashamed.”

“I, it’s really okay…!”

Thus, the two girls, each socially awkward in their own way, continued their exchange.

Shion repeatedly apologized, and Clara kept retreating, saying it was alright.

Meanwhile, Rohan recovered his breath and straightened up.

“Huu… I can breathe again.”

Both girls’ gazes immediately focused on Rohan.

Shion looked at him questioningly, as if she had been waiting.

“Rohan. Why didn’t you tell me this important information?”

Judging by her gaze, she was referring to Clara.

There was nothing to be ashamed of. Rohan had something to say about this too.

“I tried to tell you during our call yesterday. But the call suddenly dropped.”

“Ah.”

The call had ended before Shion could hear the last part, which she had found strange.

She truly hadn’t known that it would be such crucial information.

“I was anxious too, so I waited. But you didn’t call back, so I told Clara…”

And this was the result.

Shion accepted the explanation without protest.

“I’m sorry. I acted rashly and caused trouble.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have told you sooner… If you two are alright, don’t apologize to me.”

Rohan appreciated Shion’s willingness to apologize.

He knew that while she possessed pride and dignity regarding her lineage, her ability to properly acknowledge and reflect on her mistakes didn’t diminish it.

Rohan approached Clara, who was fidgeting nervously beside him.

Making eye contact, he asked,

“Are you okay? No one got hurt?”

“Yes…!”

“For now, at least.”

That was enough for Rohan.

Even if it had been during class, he would have rushed out after seeing the message. The fact that this happened during lunch felt like a stroke of luck.

“Have you two had lunch? Aren’t you hungry?”

“…”

“…”

They conveyed their affirmation through silence.

Looking back and forth between them, Rohan smiled.

“Then let’s eat together. I haven’t eaten yet either.”

Saying he would wash his face because of the sweat, Rohan headed to the bathroom.

Clara and Shion were left alone once more.

Shion looked at Clara and asked calmly,

“Were you Rohan’s girlfriend? I apologize if I interrupted your time together.”

“Huh…?”

Clara’s eyes widened.

Seeing this, Shion gave a faint smile for the first time.

“I asked because you two seemed closer than just siblings. Am I wrong?”

“Th, that… We’re not lovers…”

Shion looked surprised.

Pleased by her reaction, Clara swayed her twin tails and revised her assessment of the Elf before her.

She, she might be… a good person…!