Friendly Match (3)

“…What the hell are those bastards doing?”

“W-well… I’m not sure…”

A teacher monitoring the students muttered in bewilderment.

On their computer screen were five playable characters.

It wasn’t because they were showing incredible prowess that the teacher was flustered.

Quite the opposite.

They looked utterly dumbfounded at the students’ incomprehensible behavior.

That’s what I want to ask.

What the hell are they doing now…

“Two are lying down sleeping, two are fishing like they’re on a camping trip… and the last one… sigh, better not say anything.”

“…”

The stares felt prickly.

These piercing gazes asking “Are those really the promising students you thought they were?” were unbearable.

Well… they are… technically they are but…

If you guys act like this, what does that make me…

Well, fine. The three I haven’t met before – I’ll give them a pass.

But Orca and Leo, I never expected you two to betray me too.

“Don’t get too irritated. This isn’t for grading anyway. It’s just to gauge the kids’ tendencies, right?”

“…That’s true.”

“Besides, their tendencies… seem pretty easy to judge now.”

With that casual remark, the teachers resumed monitoring to ensure no dangerous incidents occurred.

…Why aren’t I doing it too?

I thought I had to keep watching this too, but apparently not.

They just told me to clean up my seat since “you’ll understand the vibe anyway.”

Something about how I’ll be busy after this ends anyway, so I should rest now.

…Right. The teachers weren’t wrong about anything.

I really will be busy.

Because I’ll have to lecture Orca and Leo.

***

“Achoo.”

“…What, a cold?”

“N-no. Just something tickled my nose. No need to worry…”

“Why not eat slower? There’s still plenty left.”

“That’s a relief. But Eileen-yang, why aren’t you eating? It’s delicious.”

“Oh, right. It is delicious… I-I already ate a lot earlier. Just fishing because I was bored.”

“If you say so.”

Is this guy insane…?

She had zero interest in things like friendly matches.

She didn’t care about socializing with others or surviving long.

She’d rather sleep a little more than compete about who’s better.

So at first, she even considered just letting some passing student knock her out.

But soon gave up.

The scenery was too beautiful.

Since she’d come all this way, she decided to try things she’d always wanted to do.

Like freshwater fishing, hammocks – that sort of thing.

Romantic stuff.

The kind of experiences you can’t have in the city.

Wow, who thought to create a place like this inside the school?

Long live the Principal, long live!

Exactly what you’d expect from someone whose name always comes up when discussing the strongest.

…However, there was one thing she hadn’t considered.

It was more boring than expected.

She caught quite a few fish but…

She doesn’t know how to cook.

The fish were burnt when eaten, the non-burnt parts were full of bones, and the fishy smell was overwhelming…

She didn’t think it was fit for human consumption.

But seeing the boy in front of her, she realized she must be wrong.

…Or maybe he’s not human.

No human could possibly call this delicious.

“To be honest, I’ve never cooked before?”

“Yes. I figured. You held the fish too close to the fire. That’s why the outside burned while the inside stayed raw.”

“…Is it good?”

“Normal people probably couldn’t eat it. But it’s delicious to me.”

“Sorry, I don’t get it…”

Seeing him eat so enthusiastically, she tried a piece herself and immediately regretted it.

The overwhelming fishy smell filling her mouth.

Was it because she grilled it without salt or pepper? The muddy taste unique to freshwater fish remained.

Of course there was no salt or pepper, nor any other spices, nor wine to cleanse the palate.

Her upbringing made her swallow it rather than spit it out, but…

That experience proudly claimed third place on Eileen’s “Never Want to Taste Again” list.

For reference, first place was raisin cookies disguised as chocolate chip. Second was a foreign traditional dish she tried out of curiosity.

…Anyway, how can anyone enjoy this fishy mess?

Is this kid really in his right mind…?

“Well, I grew up scavenging various foods, so this is plenty delicious to me.”

“This… is?”

“It’s tastier than the food I ate when digging through trash bins.”

“…”

What reaction should she show?

Ask about his parents?

No, stop. If he’s been like this since childhood, he probably never had proper parents or guardians.

Even if he did, they clearly weren’t decent people.

If she changed the subject to “Nice weather~” now, he’d obviously stare at her wondering why.

Should she tell him that wasn’t real food?

No. What if he gets hurt…?

He said it casually like it didn’t bother him, but could there really be no emotional scars?

Damn it. What should I do?

Why… why must I face such trials…

I shouldn’t have tried unfamiliar things after all…!

Should’ve just kept sleeping.

As always, nothing goes right when I try something.

Doing nothing is best for everyone…

“Ah, seems like guests have arrived.”

“…Guests?”

Only then did Eileen sense the surrounding presences.

About ten presences slightly stronger than the students she’d chased away to secure this spot…

They must have approached while she was distracted talking with the boy.

Looking around, escape routes were already blocked.

…Surrounded.

“Well then. Time to repay the hospitality of this delicious fish.”

But you said it wasn’t delicious…

Eileen forced herself to summon nonexistent motivation.

Well, fine.

Meeting here must be fate. If I don’t help Leo now, I won’t know how to face him in class later.

Guess I’ll push myself just for today.

***

“…Haaah.”

Orca stretched with a yawn as sunlight suddenly hit her eyes.

How many hours had she slept?

That girl must be gone by now, time to figure out what to do next…

“You’re finally awake.”

“Holy crap, you scared me…”

“Did you sleep well?”

…She’s still here.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“If we’re talking about having things to do, I have plenty. Despite appearances, I hold a unique position in the church.”

“Right. I know that. I already know you’re the Watcher.”

The Watchers periodically produced by the church were famous.

Perhaps comparable to the Emperor himself.

The sole individual among countless believers.

The noble existence of which only one could exist per generation.

That’s the Watcher.

What was it again? There was quite a stir this year because both the Imperial Princess and the Watcher enrolled at the Academy.

I remember some bastards complaining that impurities had slipped into this noble generation.

Those who said such things?

…Dunno. Probably rotting in some alley with missing teeth. Don’t care.

Wait, that’s not the point.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“…?”

“If you’re such an important person with so much to do, could you please just fuck off?”

But why would such an esteemed person… show so much interest in someone from society’s dregs?

Orca found this puzzling.

“If you’re so noble, why not go chat with others? What’s her name… the Imperial Princess? I heard she enrolled too.”

“Ah, Stella-yang? We spoke recently. Thank you for your concern but…”

“Who’s concerned? Can’t you hear me telling you to get lost?”

“…”

“Seriously, why do you keep clinging to trash like me?”

“The divine teachings say even demons aren’t inherently evil. They were simply born that way. With love and guidance, they too can improve someday…”

“Lies.”

Orca was certain.

This woman was lying.

“So even God’s servants lie, huh?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Be honest. You don’t believe demons can be redeemed, do you?”

“…”

A unique atmosphere emerged.

The atmosphere of seeing Orca as dangerous. The atmosphere of rejecting and fearing a Demon Possessor.

Faint but unmistakable.

It radiated from the girl’s attitude.

“Your words and attitude don’t match… whatever, I’ll let that slide. But if you’re just spouting empty words, get lost.”

Only then did Orca realize why she’d obeyed that teacher.

Unlike others, that teacher believed Orca was harmless.

Without a shred of doubt, even when Orca herself couldn’t believe it.

For reasons unknown, they sincerely believed she wouldn’t hurt anyone.

“I have no intention of talking more with you… and this doesn’t seem like the situation for it anyway.”

Orca rose to drive away the approaching group of students.

…For some reason, the Watcher’s face kept following Orca.

Even through the blindfold.