Chapter 30: Sincerity

Twenty hours had passed since I last saw Linne.
Enough time to drink eighty cups of tea. It felt like an eternity.

The long solitude had made me…comfortable being alone. My memories of Linne were fading. I doubted we’d ever go back to how things were.

“Sigh…”

Being alone gave me too much time to think.
I hadn’t been paying attention to my surroundings. That’s probably why I was in this situation.

“Is that little girl the one you were talking about?”

A group approached me. I was in a deserted garden, having finished my meal and wanting to avoid the awkwardness of facing Linne in the classroom. It seemed like a bad idea now.

“Yes, Senior Bobina. She’s all yours.”

“She’s so small. I’m not really into this…”

They seemed to be senior students. And the girl beside them was probably the one who brought them to me.

Six students surrounded me, blocking my path. Their colorful hair and delinquent attire didn’t suggest they were here to admire the scenery.

Were they targeting me because I was alone?
My head throbbed.

I knew what they wanted.
They planned to subdue me and have their way with me. But I wasn’t afraid of a few students, even if they were seniors.

My small hands clenched into fists, fueled by a surge of confidence.

These small fists were my only weapons.
I didn’t care how many of them there were.

****

“Sniff…please…let me go…”

“Serves you right for fighting back.”

My valiant attempt had failed miserably.
I was tied up with vines, my limbs bound tightly behind me.

“Just like the rumors said. Weak.”

“I wonder if the other rumors are true too. You know, about her being…used by several girls right after entering the academy.”

“And about her…public displays of…affection.”

They talked about me as if I wasn’t there.
Those rumors were probably fabricated to ruin my reputation. They had nothing to do with me.

‘Filthy liars…’

No one fought me honorably, face-to-face. They just used magic from afar. My brave charge had been met with a barrage of spells.

It started when I punched the girl in front.
But my feet were immediately entangled in vines, immobilizing me. It was over before it even began. They bombarded me with magic until I gave up.

“What are you going to do about my eye? Think you can just walk away after doing this to me?”

The most intimidating-looking girl, Bobina, asked. Her bruised eyelid made her look even more menacing.

She was pretty, in a harsh way, but not my type.

‘Linne is prettier.’

Why was I thinking about her? I shook my head, dispelling the thought.

“No…! I didn’t do anything…!”

I denied vehemently. Why was she blaming me for her black eye? I didn’t give it to her.

“So, you’re saying I went and got punched myself?”

“Ugh…!”

A strong hand grabbed my collar. Her expression darkened.

…I think I peed a little.

They were cowards, attacking me while I was tied up. They knew they’d be no match for me otherwise.

They should enjoy this moment. Only pain awaited them in the future. I’d have my revenge.

Ding-dong—

The bell signaled the end of lunch break. The vines loosened slightly.

“It’s time for class. Let’s go.”

“Leaving already? I’m not done yet.”

The girl holding my collar licked her lips. She dangled my confiscated belongings—my heavy purse, student ID, and dorm key—in front of me.

“What should we do with these?”

Seriously? Did she think I cared about those things?
I was more interested in finding out where they lived, so I could get my revenge.

I glared at her. She was actually quite attractive, despite her harsh features.

But I wouldn’t be swayed by mere beauty. I was resolute. I glared at her, my resolve unwavering.

“Um…are you crying? Guys, she’s crying…”

“Just give it back. She looks pathetic.”

I wasn’t crying. And class was about to start; we needed to finish this quickly. I’d be late otherwise. I had no choice but to…persuade them. I hoped they wouldn’t actually cry.

I gritted my teeth and said, forcing out the words,

“Sniff…please give it back…”

Her eyes wavered. Was she intimidated by my pathetic display?

My panties felt damp. Some water magic must have splashed on me during the fight.

“…I’ve changed my mind. Meet us here after class.”

“Ugh…”

She dropped me unceremoniously. I landed on my butt, tears welling up from the impact.

She put my belongings back in her pocket and left.

“What’s wrong with Bobina? She’s not usually like this.”

“Leave her alone. It must be…that time of the month. It happens.”

They left, chattering amongst themselves. I just sat there, head down, listening to their retreating footsteps. The girl who’d brought them here remained.

“I’m sorry. But you were flirting with my girlfriend, so…”

She looked at me for a moment, then left.

“…Sister…”

My lower abdomen ached. I missed Sister, and even…Linne.

But this was the path I’d chosen. Crying wouldn’t solve anything.

****

I arrived at the training grounds, my body aching. Students were sparring in pairs.
There were only a little over two hundred students in our year.
The training grounds still had some empty space.

I headed towards a secluded corner, trying to avoid attention. I must look like a mess.

“…Ellie? What happened to you?”

A voice behind me. I’d been so careful…
And it was the last person I wanted to see.

I tried to walk away, pretending I hadn’t heard her, but
she grabbed my arm.

“Ellie!”

“Gasp?!”

Linne’s grip was tight, her face clouded with the same anger as yesterday. I felt a pang of guilt, remembering our last encounter.

“Leave me alone…!”

I tried to shake her off, but her grip was unyielding.

“…Who did this to you?”

“Ugh…”

My arm throbbed. She loosened her grip, seeing my pained expression.

“Are you going to tell me?”

I bit my lip, shaking my head.

If I opened my mouth, I’d burst into tears, clinging to her like a pathetic mess.
I remained silent.

Hug—

Linne pulled me into a gentle embrace. I couldn’t handle this right now.

“…Sniff…”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, Ellie.”

Her arms wrapped around me, warm and comforting, holding me tightly, as if she’d never let go. I stayed in her embrace for a long time.

“…I’m fine now.”

“Then tell me. What happened?”

“Let go of me…!”

“Not until you tell me.”

I tried to escape, but she held on tight. Her brown eyes, unwavering, showed her resolve. I gave up and buried my face in her chest.

“You’re so…”

I had no choice. She wasn’t letting go.

I told her everything. She listened intently, then stormed out of the training grounds without a word. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice.

Typical delinquent; no regard for consequences.

****

She’d left without a second thought.

Linne realized her mistake, but she didn’t go back. Ellie could handle it.

Linne trusted Ellie. Small, frail, and always complaining, but endearingly so.

Her reason was simple.

Ellie was honest.

Ellie’s expressive face and unguarded emotions were captivating. Linne found herself drawn to her vibrant personality.

When had it started?
She realized she was always watching Ellie.

Perhaps that was why…
hearing Ellie’s cries, feeling her pain so acutely, had been unbearable. She couldn’t leave her.

She’d been watching Ellie from afar, unable to bear being away from her, even for a moment.

But she’d lost sight of Ellie. With Ellie missing, she hadn’t been able to focus on the duel.

Then she saw Ellie enter the training grounds, looking battered and bruised. She’d been fine in the dining hall…

Her fluffy hair was a tangled mess, and her uniform was covered in dirt. Her face was a mask of misery.

A fire burned within Linne. She’d been content to watch from afar, but…

‘Liar.’

Ellie’s words echoed in her mind.
Be honest with yourself.

She found herself grabbing Ellie’s arm.

She didn’t hear Ellie’s words, tuning them out. Ellie’s expression was honest enough.

It was written all over her face. Hold me.

And Linne believed her.

“I think that senior’s name was…Bobina…”

She wasn’t sure. They’d come to her soon enough.

Linne clenched her fists, remembering the small, warm body trembling in her embrace.