Ch.113The One Who Left (3)

Just before returning to my room, I stopped by the bathroom again to change my pad. Do women have to deal with this annoyance every month?

Thinking about having to endure this for decades more makes it even more bothersome. Isn’t there a way to stop periods altogether?

With these thoughts, I arrived at Ju-an’s room. Now, let me look for whatever he’s secretly hiding.

Ju-an probably wouldn’t hide items in his room. But his computer is an exception.

He tried to be thorough by creating several nested folders within normal folders, but that just makes it more obvious.

Obviously, a folder named “Direct Evidence” inside an internet lecture folder is bound to be discovered. Did he really think it wouldn’t be found?

Still, since he was caught last time, he must have hidden things more carefully this time. So there should be some satisfaction in finding it.

Thus, I began searching for Ju-an’s secret folders. I’ll tease him with whatever I find.

***

It’s already been three weeks since I came to this world. So there should be at least one personal folder on the computer by now.

But this computer only has lecture videos about fighting techniques. No exaggeration—there are literally no other files.

I was going to check each video in case the names were just covers for something else, but there were way too many videos for that.

Still, I could determine what kind of files they were by checking the download paths. So I examined all the search history on the computer.

But even the search history was full of boring things like “martial arts lectures.” Does this guy really have nothing in his head except getting stronger?

While searching through the history filled with similar terms, I found one phrase worth teasing him about.

[When you develop feelings for a childhood friend]

[How to eliminate worldly troubles]

[How to get stronger quickly in a short time]

[Useful techniques for fighting]

[How to impress someone you like]

[How to eliminate worldly troubles]

It’s so funny I can’t help but laugh just looking at it. This is enough material to tease him for months.

But looking any further feels too embarrassing. This one thing is enough to tease him with, so I should stop here.

I turned off the computer and threw myself onto the bed. Since it’s that time of the month, I’m not feeling great, so I should rest well.

It’s also around lunchtime, but I don’t have much appetite. Is loss of appetite normal during periods?

I’m not sure if I feel unwell because of my aching body, the mistake I made yesterday, or because of my period. Maybe it’s all three?

But since I’m definitely not feeling well, I should just rest properly. Pushing myself will only make me more tired.

…Now that I’ve decided to rest, what should I do? If I do nothing, I might fall into self-loathing again.

Should I go back to where Ju-an is? At least time would pass quickly then.

No, if I did that now, I might cross a line I can’t return from. I need to remember that I’m supposed to return to being a man.

But is there really a reason to go back to being a man? I’ve almost completely adapted to this body, so changing back to a man would be difficult to adjust to again.

Plus, there was what Agath said before about how pretty girls can get away with anything. What if I go back and face all kinds of unfairness?

But wouldn’t things be different if the subject was a handsome boy? Judging by how Ju-an is treated, that doesn’t seem bad either.

For now, let’s just rest well. There’s no guarantee we can defeat the Demon King and make a wish anyway.

Without Leo, it’s strange to think we’ll win. If only Leo were still on our side…

Let me try to think more positively. Let’s imagine we miraculously win.

Then we can make a wish and continue living peacefully. But Leo wouldn’t be there.

…No matter what I think about, it always turns negative. Maybe just taking a nap would be more beneficial.

With these thoughts, I pulled the blanket over my head. Then I smelled something familiar and fragrant.

It’s a scent I’ve smelled many times before… That’s right, Ju-an had this smell.

Thinking about that suddenly makes me feel hot. I should get out from under the blanket soon. Just a little longer like this first.

As I lay there with my face buried in the pillow and the blanket pulled over my head, I heard Ju-an’s voice.

“Lite? Are you in there?”

“J-Ju-an? Weren’t you training until just now?”

“It’s almost dinner time, so I came back.”

I took my phone out of my pocket to check the time. It showed 6:37 PM.

So I’ve been resting here for several hours. I guess that’s what makes a large guild different?

I was just resting here without any particular intention. So there’s nothing to be embarrassed about—I should act naturally.

“Why did you come here?”

“Because it’s my room?”

“…Right. Should we go get dinner then?”

I casually emerged from under the blanket. There was Ju-an, holding lots of food.

“…That’s quite a lot.”

“I brought it so we could eat together here.”

“Couldn’t we just eat at the dining hall?”

“This must be a difficult time for you, so it’s better to rest here.”

“Don’t make yourself uncomfortable because of me. You can eat comfortably at the dining hall.”

“I’m much more comfortable with a friend I’ve known for decades than someone I just met.”

Ju-an said with a gentle smile. Handsome boys definitely have their own special charm—even ordinary actions look cool.

If I’m going to wish to return to being a man, I should ask to be made as handsome as him.

Anyway, just as we were about to start eating, I noticed something strange.

Ju-an had brought 21 servings of food. But the maximum he could eat was about 10 servings.

“Don’t you think you brought too much?”

“I burn a lot of energy, so I naturally eat a lot.”

“…So you can eat all of this by yourself?”

“Yes. You saw it when we went to the beach before, right?”

I only remember grilling an enormous amount of meat at the beach. Did all of that go into Ju-an’s stomach?

It’s amazing when you think about it. If we end up living together, would I be able to cook all that?

After we defeat the Demon King, I should start exercising too. Otherwise, I might collapse from exhaustion.

“What are you going to do now?”

“I need to go spar with the others.”

“Don’t you think you’re doing that a bit too much?”

“There are high expectations of me, so I can’t help it.”

As Ju-an was leaving the room, he added:

“And I have a reason why I absolutely must win.”

My face burns intensely at the hidden meaning in those words. Why has this kid suddenly become so sensual?

But it’s not entirely bad. Rather, I like it…

…I think I’ve been tired lately. I should change my pad and get some sleep.

So I fell asleep comfortably in the bed that smelled of Ju-an.

***

When I opened my eyes, it was already morning. But there was no one else on the bed besides me. Does Ju-an sleep in another room?

As I turned my head with these thoughts, I saw Ju-an sleeping on the floor.

He must have been exhausted from training all day, so why is he sleeping on the floor? If he was uncomfortable sharing the bed, he could have just said so.

I’d like to let him sleep on the bed, but I was too weak to move him.

Why did he suggest we stay in the same room if it’s like this? I’m just being a burden and it’s pathetic.

Just as I was about to fall into severe self-loathing again, a good idea suddenly occurred to me.

I could make breakfast for Ju-an. It’s early morning so there’s plenty of time, and I know his taste well.

Making 20 servings might be quite difficult, but if I can be helpful that way, I don’t mind. It’s something I’ll be doing every day later anyway, so I might as well get used to it now.

With that thought, I was about to leave the guild when a man suddenly appeared and asked me:

“Are you planning to go out?”

“Yes, I’m going to the nearby market to buy some ingredients.”

“Please specify what ingredients you need. We’ll bring them for you.”

“I was planning to browse around and decide. So thanks for the offer, but I’ll go myself.”

So I left the guild. But I could feel several people following me.

“…Why are you following me?”

“We have orders to escort you because there’s a threat of enemy attacks.”

“You’re going through a lot of trouble because of me. I’m sorry.”

“We’re getting paid more than usual, so we don’t mind.”

It’s a bit burdensome having people around constantly, but it’s better than being kidnapped while walking alone.

Since they’re getting paid, I’ll ask them to carry the groceries for me afterward. There’s no way I can carry everything with my strength.

As we walked in a somewhat awkward atmosphere, I suddenly heard something falling.

When I turned my head to see what happened…

“Come with me for a moment.”

There was Leo, looking at me expressionlessly, and an unknown woman standing next to him.