Chapter 31: Right words, kind words

“D*mn…”

A curse slipped out, a word I never used, worried about corrupting Sister. But this was a crisis.

I was on my way to the garden, as instructed by the senior students. They’d taken my dorm key, leaving me no choice. I wouldn’t be so worried if they’d just taken some money.

I dreaded what they might do. This felt like a genuine threat to my…virtue.

I nervously chewed on my hair, the long strands obscuring my vision.

I’d considered asking Sister for help but quickly dismissed the idea. I’d rather be violated myself than risk her being harmed by those perverts. I couldn’t bear that.

I’d rather…assault Sister myself…

Thwack!—

“Ow!”

I walked headfirst into a tree. Or perhaps it attacked me.

Tears welled up. I clutched my throbbing forehead.

My poor, fragile head…I was one step closer to being as stupid as Linne.

“You…bad tree!”

Thump—

I kicked the tree trunk repeatedly. The dull thuds were strangely satisfying.

“Hmph.”

Serves the stupid tree right for interrupting my thoughts about Sister.

I smirked, but time had slipped away. I limped toward the garden.

My steps faltered. I was terrified of becoming those crazy lesbians’…toy. They were thieves; who knew what they were capable of?

They’d blindfold and tie me up, taking me to some unknown location, where I’d be imprisoned and tormented…

A vivid image came to mind, as if it had just happened. The sensations felt almost real.

Blindfolded, my body reacting involuntarily to their touch. Ragged breathing close to my ear. My screams muffled. The sharp sting of pain, followed by a strange, unsettling pleasure. Tears streaming down my face, unnoticed and uncared for. My body violated…

“…Ugh.”

It hadn’t even happened yet. Was this…fear?

Thump-thump.—

My stomach churned. I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart, and steeled myself.

There had to be a way out. A weapon against perverts.

As I neared the garden, an idea struck me.

The best defense against perverts: self-defense tools.

“Yes! I’ll bring my sword!”

It was only logical.

It was self-defense.

I had to protect myself. They were the aggressors. I might have thrown the first punch, but that didn’t matter. Dead people tell no tales. I’d explain later.

I was about to retrieve my sword when a crucial detail stopped me.

‘The key.’

I needed it to enter my room, to get my sword. The dorm key they’d stolen.

“Sigh…”

I felt defeated.

Was this my destiny?
Perhaps…being with Linne wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Desperate, the thought took root. Better Linne, who probably wouldn’t do anything too awful, than strangers. And she had…assets.

—Hiaaaack?!

“Eek!”

A bloodcurdling scream startled me, and I yelped.

Did anyone hear that?
Thankfully, no one was around. I hadn’t screamed because I was scared. It was…vocal exercises.

I stood up.

The scream came from the garden. Something was happening.

I hid in the bushes, easily concealed thanks to my small size, and cautiously approached.

“…It’s…okay…I’ll heal you…”

“N…no! Aaah…!”

Voices.
Was someone else being…attacked?
My hair was damp with nervous sweat.

I reached the spot where I’d been ambushed.

An unbelievable sight.

“There, all done. Look up.”

Familiar blonde hair. Linne. Why was she here? Then I remembered her asking about the incident. She was here before me.

I watched from the bushes.

Linne held her glowing hand towards a girl—Bobina, my attacker. She stood there, head bowed.

“You look much better. You’re quite pretty, Senior.”

Linne patted her head, and Bobina blushed crimson. Then,

“Aaaaaah…!”

Bobina screamed and ran, fleeing the garden.

I stared, then remembered something.

“Oh!”

My belongings! Bobina had them!

I stood up, startled. Linne turned, her eyes widening slightly.

“…Ellie? Since when…?”

“We have to catch her! She has my stuff!”

“What? Why…?”

Linne grabbed me, asking questions while I was panicking.

I wasted time explaining.

“Oh…that? I got them back.”

“What? How…?”

Linne produced my belongings from her…cleavage. The movement of her…assets mesmerized me.

“Whoa…”

“…Ellie?”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

I quickly averted my gaze and checked my belongings.

“Um…how…?”

“She gave them back after we talked. She’s a nice senior.”

That couldn’t be true. She’d been so aggressive before.

“I…owe you one.”

I looked at Linne, who seemed to expect praise, like a dog wagging its tail.

Fine, she did help. Though I could have handled it myself. Still, I had to thank her.

“Um…Linne?”

“Yes? It’s okay. Go ahead.”

“Well, actually…th…th…thank…”

“Thank?”

I wanted to thank her, but…

“Th…th…”

“What’s wrong, Ellie? Are you okay?”

“D…don’t get cocky just because you did one nice thing…!”

I couldn’t do it. I turned and ran, my face burning.

“Ellie! Where are you going…!”

I heard her calling, but I couldn’t turn back.

****

“Ugh!”

I was such an idiot. Why couldn’t I just say thank you? I was pathetic.

Self-loathing washed over me; I clenched my fists.

Thump, thump—

I punched my pillow relentlessly. It didn’t help. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed.

“Ow…”

My pillow seemed unusually hard.

My hand hurt; I stopped punching and buried my face in the pillow instead.

It was soft and comforting, but…something was missing.

“Linne…”

I remembered the purse Linne returned.

Clink—

I picked it up. The lingering warmth was strangely comforting. I closed my eyes, pressing my face against the warm fabric, and

Sniff—

Haa—

“D*mn…”

It smelled like metal.