episode_0021

Time flowed swiftly, and the academy began functioning normally.

Now it was time to return to everyday life.

Students who had to start the race called academics once again began to move busily.

Of course, I was among them as well.

Most of the classes taught knowledge from games I was familiar with, but occasionally, encountering things I didn’t know made winning scholarships seem challenging.

Well, where in this world is anything easy? In living in this world, one cannot know everything.

But what one doesn’t know, one can learn. Learn, memorize, apply, solve, and memorize again.

It wasn’t easy. It had been a while since I had used my brain this much, and it had been years since I sat for so long.

The sun rises and disappears beyond the horizon.

Then the moon arrives, and small stars surround me in the sky.

So I spent each day.

Waking up early in the morning, taking a quick shower, and heading to school.

Since my body automatically woke up at 6, there was no chance of being late.

Instead, arriving first in class became more frequent.

Entering the classroom, I open the curtains, unlock the closed windows for ventilation.

Through the open window, sunlight welcomes me.

Perhaps because it’s spring, the morning sun felt warm, and cherry blossoms fluttered outside.

Truly a beautiful sight.

The cherry blossoms were a pink color reminiscent of those seen in Japanese anime.

The cherry blossoms dancing in the streets touched my sentimental feelings.

I will never forget this scenery.

I will remember this scene etched in my heart no matter what happens.

As I gazed at the pink cherry blossoms, thoughts of a friend with beautiful pink hair like cherry blossoms came to mind.

We hadn’t met since the incident was resolved.

Well, since we’re in the same grade, we’ll meet again eventually.

Until then, I just need to focus on my tasks.

The practical training was invalidated, and I decided to review it briefly in the near future.

Perhaps it would be resolved with a simple test.

While staring out the window lost in thought, more people started appearing on the way to school.

Among them, I could see some named characters I knew.

Ian running with a sandwich in his mouth, the original protagonist, or Elisha Isis walking calmly while reading a textbook.

Ron, who seemed to have become very close, walking and chatting with Lloyd Duo.

And Victoria, the saint who abandoned us last time, along with her two priests.

And a woman with fiery red hair or… a woman with sky-blue hair…

Elin. I saw her.

She was the first friend I made when I came here. A trustworthy companion.

Looking at her bright smile shining like a beautiful flower, I couldn’t help but smile.

Since then, she seemed to have gained confidence, and seeing me with friends again made me happy.

Of course, I had no friends.

Perhaps it was due to focusing on academics, but maybe it was because of what I had done before.

The fact that I risked my life to protect students had already spread throughout the school, but most people either believed it or didn’t care.

Well, it didn’t matter to me. I didn’t do it to seek attention; I just didn’t want to see people dying in front of me.

As I leaned against the window sill lost in contemplation, Elin noticed me and started waving and greeting.

There was no need to pretend to know her, I could just walk past pretending not to notice.

It might be troublesome if we got involved for no reason.

Even though my friends had made new acquaintances, they seemed to be drifting away.

So there was a feeling of intentionally avoiding each other.

Sigh… But you, you’re quite the character.

Indeed, she was an amusing one.

To reassure her, I gave a small wave back without any unease.

With a bright smile, she sent a thumbs-up, looking even more cheerful.

Today, I’ve been feeling good since the morning.

Starting the day happily by meeting the Thumbs-Up Fairy during class.

However, as the lesson began to cover things I didn’t know, my good mood gradually started to fade.

“Ugh… This is killing me.”

In games, you can skip or breeze through classes quickly.

But here in reality, it’s not until 4 o’clock, as the sun starts to set, that classes end.

Around noon, we have a tasteless meal provided for free by the academy and an hour for lunch.

Some recharge, some hang out with friends, while others review or prepare for upcoming lessons.

I’m usually into reviewing.

I don’t have friends in my class, so there’s not much else to do.

Plus, winning scholarships helps save money.

Since tuition costs quite a bit, it’s best to aim for scholarships if possible.

Most of what’s taught I already know, and for what I don’t, a little extra studying suffices.

Even back in my original world, I thought studying within the game I used to play would be convenient and fun…

Of course, it was fun at first.

Learning familiar things in class gave it a different vibe.

But as days passed, it got tougher.

It just felt like going back to school.

After a long stretch, lunchtime finally arrived.

Finishing the bland meal quickly, I often head to the rooftop during lunch breaks—it’s a great place to pass the time or study.

The academy has its rooftop accessible, akin to Japanese schools in anime, allowing free movement.

And the rooftop is quite popular. It’s a great spot for meals and chatting with friends—a hot spot, you could say.

With few clouds, the sky is clear and the sun warm.

In that setting, I found myself on the rooftop, quietly reading my textbook.

After about 30 minutes of reading, I closed the book briefly to gaze at the sky, a sight I enjoy.

The sky is always constant.

Just like how the campus is painted blue during the day, the clear sky always comforted me.

Whether here or where I used to be, the sky made no difference.

In the morning, the sky fills with blue, turning dark and starry at night.

I loved that consistent sky.

As I gazed at the sky, the rooftop door creaked open.

Out came a girl with beautiful pink hair and sky-blue eyes, resembling a flower.

“Ellin?”

“Oh, Bern’s here too! I had no idea… What a complete coincidence!”

Why is she so flustered?

Judging by her rambling, calling it a coincidence seems like a lie.

But well, is there a need to lie?

“Ellin, what brings you here?”

“W-What are you talking about? It’s just a coincidence. A coincidence!”

“Sure, let’s go with that.”

Well, what’s the matter?

As I pondered, Ellin spoke up.

“Bern, why have you been avoiding me lately? Do you dislike me now? Did I do something wrong…?”

Was that the reason?

Ellin is my first friend. Trustworthy and kind.

It doesn’t make sense to dislike such a friend…

Although it’s true I’ve been avoiding her.

“That’s because I’m worried you might get hurt.”

“What are you talking about…? I’ll get hurt?”

“If people see us together, some might start disliking you.”

“That’s nonsense, Bern! You avoided me just for that reason?”

For that reason alone, I did it for you!

Was I being too overprotective?

“Berne, I don’t care about that at all! So don’t worry. You don’t have to avoid me. We’re friends!”

“…..”

For some reason, in front of Ellen, my heart weakens.

I don’t want to say harsh things to her, nor do I feel like it.

That’s why my heart keeps weakening. I want to express my true feelings to her as much as possible.

Living with a mask on is more difficult than I thought.

Still, I feel good.

It’s truly a blessing to have someone who thinks of me and worries about me.

“Thank you, Ellen. But I can’t keep sticking around. Midterm exams are coming up soon. You should study too, shouldn’t you?”

“W-well, that’s true.”

“Still, Ellen, thank you so much. I’ve been too intrusive.”

“No! I’m even more thankful. So, Berne, starting today, you can’t avoid me, okay? Promise!”

“…..?”

“No, Berne, don’t you know this either? We have to hook our pinky fingers! Come on, hurry!”

No, I know.

But it’s been so long that I got caught up in the moment.

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when you’re looking at the sky.

Thinking that way, I hooked my finger with hers.

“I promise.”

“Yeah!”

As a final step, we stamped our thumbs together.

“Don’t break the promise now, Berne!”

“I won’t.”

It’s been a long time since I made a promise like this.

Yeah, it’s the innocence of youth.

This too shall pass quickly.

But that’s what gives it meaning.

Things that have passed once never come back.

Each moment is precious.

In that sense, memories with Ellen will also become very precious to me.

“Oh! Berne, you just smiled!”

“……”

Did I smile?

I didn’t smile much after entering Berne’s body.

My expression always remains impassive.

“…Did I see wrong?”

“Anyway, Ellen. Are you going to stay on the rooftop? I’m thinking of heading down now.”

“Then let’s go down together!”

“Let’s do that.”

Academy life truly begins now.