episode_0051

On Saturday morning, after giving Kalia a big hug, I felt a little better. Nothing calms the mind and body quite like a tight hug.

I did get an earful, though.

“Do you think I’m some kind of hug-exclusive machine? It’s not like you’re a puppy, with dozens of people swarming… You didn’t do that to others, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. Really! Truly!”

“Ugh… Never do that to other people! Understand? If they’re a non-Awakened, someone might get crushed to death or their back might go out.”

Kalia wasn’t wrong, but she was describing my signal of affection like some kind of disaster.

That was too much. If cute beautiful girls like us swarmed them, wouldn’t it be right to accept us generously with a joyful heart?

「It was still warm…」

「It felt better than hugging each other.」

It was a different feeling from when we hugged each other to sleep in bed. In fact, it was much better.

Perhaps it was because of the height difference. The girls I knew were either about my height or taller. I hadn’t seen anyone shorter than me.

「Our height is only 150cm. We’re not considered tall among women, so it can’t be helped.」

「Didn’t you smell something slightly acrid when you hugged her? Was it tobacco?」

「Kalia doesn’t smoke. It’s gunpowder.」

I didn’t see it last night, but did she go hunting, or was there something bad happening in this neighborhood overnight?

The public safety in the Academy City was managed by the clan’s personnel, so the downtown area and school surroundings were very safe, but the outskirts that they didn’t pay attention to were not so good.

In such cases, people preferred to arm themselves with self-defense weapons and organize vigilante groups rather than trembling in anxiety while waiting for the police, who might never come – and if the criminals were Awakened, it would be better if the police didn’t come at all.

However, the most certain way to deal with Awakened criminals was to counter them with Awakened individuals. This was because mana was needed to penetrate the Aetheric defense surrounding their skin.

That’s why I heard that ordinary citizens in this world sometimes hired Awakened individuals as problem solvers. While non-Awakened individuals could confront Awakened ones if they were prepared and mobilized three or four automatic rifles and explosives, it resulted in relatively less collateral damage than wrecking workplaces and streets.

Although it was said to cost a lot of money and require a lot of consideration for appearances, everything in life had its pros and cons.

「It was quiet outside when we were drinking last night. Nothing bad must have happened.」

「Right, this neighborhood is patrolled by the Brotherhood, so it’s safe.」

Since the Brotherhood had Kalia and other Awakened members, there was no need to ask others for favors.

「Alright, what are we going to do now?」

Number 2, who had been silent, spoke up.

「What do you mean?」

「Let’s think calmly. The situation where we forgot our names hasn’t changed. There are also mountains of other tasks, like school. What are you going to do next? Should we quit?」

「The desire not to do it is like a mountain… but.」

Number 1, who had regained some energy, stood up and stretched.

「First, we have to make a living. Since we’ve fallen into this strange world.」

「That’s right, that’s right.」

「For now, let’s just help Irene a little, and then we’ll think about the rest later.」

In truth, the shock from yesterday hadn’t completely disappeared. The fact that our memories weren’t intact was an unavoidable reality. It was impossible to deny it or pretend not to know.

Still, with the immediate reality in front of us, we needed to force ourselves to set it aside for now.

「For the time being, let’s stop doing rough work and take it easy.」

「Okay…」

***

Number 27, who was lying in her dormitory bed, pulled the blanket over her head and closed her eyes again.

As she listened to the conversations of the Violets in her head, her slightly excited mood calmed down again.

She still had no desire to do anything.

She was lying with her legs stretched out, counting the number of diagonal lines on the ceiling, when someone called her from under the bed.

“Ms. Ruzilin, are you asleep?”

When I peeked my head out from under the ladder, I saw Daphne preparing to go out.

“No? I’m not. Why did you call?”

“The weather’s nice, would you like to go into town outside the academy with me?”

“Uh… just a moment…”

I was going to refuse out of annoyance, but then I suddenly remembered what happened yesterday. The image of myself lashing out at the innocent Daphne came to mind, and my conscience pricked me.

Here, it was right to do as Daphne suggested.

“They say there’s a cafe nearby that sells delicious parfaits. I’ll treat you.”

“Okay, I’ll go…”

I casually got dressed, grabbed my wallet, and headed out, but Daphne was staring at me strangely.

“Ms. Ruzilin?”

“Why?”

“It’s an outing, so I was wondering if you might want to wear something other than tracksuits.”

“It’s comfortable! And all my other clothes are similar to this.”

“You don’t have any other clothes?”

I shook my head. I had bought clothes when I was at Kalia’s house, but due to my stubborn preference for comfort, I didn’t own a single skirt except for my uniform. Kalia also wasn’t the type to doll up, so she didn’t care.

When I opened the wardrobes and showed her, Daphne’s blue eyes widened.

“This is all you have? They’re all the same color…”

“Huh? Is there a hole in my clothes?”

Hearing my reply, Daphne sighed.

“That’s not the problem. It’s a good thing I brought it up. Come on, let’s go look for clothes first!”

Wow, it was the first time my gentle roommate showed such a bold side. I couldn’t resist and was helplessly dragged out of the academy. Help me!

Upon arriving downtown, the first place we visited was a small clothing store.

“I have clothes! I’m telling you, it’s fine!”

“Tracksuits and hiking clothes aren’t the only types of clothes. I wondered why you always wore your uniform… *sigh*… Are you an employee here? Excuse me, could you please help me?”

“Yes, customer~”

And so, I struggled for nearly an hour, trying on various outfits. Like a dress-up doll.

“This is annoying…”

“Now, look in the mirror. How is it?”

“Oh…? It actually looks good.”

In the mirror stood a girl wearing a simple flared skirt and a blouse, with a cardigan draped over it. The clothes felt awkward, but I in the mirror actually looked good.

This was the first time I had worn such clothes since my possession.

After buying a few clothes casually, we left the store, and a satisfied Daphne suddenly asked me a question.

“Do you have cosmetics? Or not?”

“Yes! Lotion!”

“What about others?”

“…Camouflage cream?”

“…As I thought, you don’t.”

“Wait! You said you’d buy me crepes! And parfaits!”

“I’ll buy those for you after this. Come on, let’s go!”

This time, I was dragged to a cosmetics store.

Wait, let go of me! I don’t know anything besides toner and lotion! Everything is something I’ve never seen before!

I clearly came out to eat dessert, but somehow I ended up listening to a crash course on how to use women’s cosmetics. What a headache.

“Okay, this is used like this. And that’s used here.”

“Like this?”

“Ms. Ruzilin! That’s men’s toner. Not that, come over here. You weren’t paying attention to what I said, were you?”

“…Hehehe…”

At first, I tried to just buy anything and leave, but it seemed my mannerisms and actions when picking up makeup tools and cosmetics gave it away. Daphne, with her gentle voice, questioned me about various things, and I had to confess that I knew nothing about women’s cosmetics.

At that moment, her look of horror was quite impressive. I wondered if this was how protagonists in fantasy novels felt when encountering primitives who didn’t know how to grill meat over a fire.

Once the explanation was over, Daphne even gave me a simple makeover as a demonstration.

“Alright, it’s all done now… Wow.”

The moment I looked in the mirror, I understood why her short exclamation of admiration had come out.

“…Is this me?”

It’s amazing. It’s definitely me, but a different person is standing there.

If the previous Violet was a 100-point beautiful girl, the current Violet is a 1000-point beautiful girl!

Is this the power of makeup?

“Honestly, I’m a little surprised. You said you’ve never done makeup, and you’ve never picked out clothes before… I’m curious about Ms. Ruzilin’s past… Oh, I’m not teasing you. It’s just that among female students your age, this is the first time I’ve seen someone like you…”

“Well, I’m curious too…”

I felt a little dizzy from the sudden events. It’s too difficult.

After everything was done, I frantically scooped and ate the parfait Daphne bought me at the cafe.

“…How did you feel today?”

“Feelings? It was okay.”

We left the cafe and walked through the town. Daphne handed me a waffle.

To be honest, rather than ‘okay,’ it was so boisterous and hectic that I couldn’t really tell. Still, it didn’t seem bad. The parfait was delicious. And now, this waffle too.

“Then that’s a relief.”

“What is?”

“Do you know what Ms. Ruzilin’s expression was like all week? You looked very tired. That’s why I thought it might be good to get some fresh air. It wasn’t uncomfortable, was it?”

“No, it was good. The parfait was delicious!”

“Well, if that’s the case, then it’s a relief.”

I thought I heard a sigh. Was I mistaken?

Before long, the outing, which felt long yet short, was coming to an end. The academy’s main gate was visible in the distance.

The morning’s events briefly came to mind. What would it feel like to hug Daphne?

“Can I hug you?”

I subtly approached her and then spread my arms. She looked bewildered but responded to me. I gently buried my face in Daphne’s soft chest.

Cozy. Soft.

A lavender scent emanated from Daphne’s body.

It wasn’t a bad day. Thanks to it, I gained some strength,

Although the situation surrounding me hadn’t changed, I could now focus a bit more on what I needed to do.