episode_0006

Shasha… was a character not found in the novel.

However, since my original roommate was as substantial as air, it probably didn’t matter much.

Shasha and I were sitting side by side at a small desk, unfolding notebooks and looking at them together.

“So, Shasha….”

“Yeah, I completely understand.”

“…Uh, should I explain it again?”

Awkwardly, Shasha took my hand this time and wrote down her name.

It was a warm touch, soft and gentle.

Ah, my attention drifted for a moment.

I sighed.

“Even though I can write and read each word somehow, sentences or names are difficult.”

Words with defined meanings, requiring mere memorization, were relatively easy to remember.

So, I could read the characters on the map, you see.

But anything beyond that was still too challenging for me.

As I pursed my lips and leaned over the desk, Shasha suddenly asked a question.

“But, um, commoner… right?”

I quickly understood the meaning. Commoners had to take exams to enter.

It seemed unlikely that someone who couldn’t even handle characters properly would have passed the exam.

“Yeah? In terms of class, yes, they’re commoners, but they’re fallen nobles.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Why apologize all of a sudden?

Ah.

“Is it because they’re fallen nobles?”

Many fallen nobles felt ashamed of their downfall.

It wasn’t just embarrassment; they considered it a flaw in their lives.

That’s why simply reminding them of being a fallen noble could lead to murder.

But that’s beside the point.

I shrugged.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”

“R-really?”

“You can drop the formalities! We’re just commoners anyway.”

Shasha breathed a sigh of relief at my words, but she still seemed hesitant, so it seemed necessary to reassure her.

After all, we would be sharing the same room for a year, so we shouldn’t feel uncomfortable around each other.

“It’s really okay! You’re actually much better than a true commoner?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Well, you know the saying, ‘Even if a rich person goes bankrupt, it lasts three generations.’”

“There’s no such saying…”

Oh, is there no such saying here?

“Anyway, whether you’re a fallen noble or whatever, it means you’re wealthy.”

They had lost their position due to a mistake, but their property wasn’t included in the confiscation list.

Naturally.

If they had lost their noble status due to a mistake, they would have had to forfeit their property as well, but that wasn’t the case.

“I haven’t done anything wrong, I’m not broke, so what’s the problem?”

The only ones whispering behind their backs would be those jealous of fallen nobles.

But does that concern me?

“You’re strange…”

Shasha stopped using honorifics with a puzzled expression.

Seemingly convinced of my sincerity, I chuckled and reached out to pat Shasha’s head.

“Huh…?”

“You’re cute.”

Shasha had a charm that made one reach out to pat her like a small animal.

Fluffy hair and soft cheeks.

“But you know, you don’t seem like a commoner at all?”

Not to disregard commoners, but they generally had tanned skin.

Maintaining such fair skin without special care was nearly impossible unless you were born with it.

“I, I’m weak, so I’ve been living indoors…”

Is that so?

Does that make sense?

Staring at Shasha suspiciously, she avoided my gaze as if feeling uncomfortable.

Well, let’s stop bothering her here.

“I’ve decided.”

“W-what, what is it?”

“You’re my friend now.”

“…Friend?”

“Yeah.”

For a year, I was going to share the same room with this child who didn’t seem like a bad kid and was rather cute.

Looks good for making friends.

I hesitated at the sudden suggestion, fearing a possible rejection.

Before Shasha could respond, I quickly made my exit.

“Come to think of it, did I not mention my name? It feels like I did, but let me introduce myself again! My name is Ria!”

“…Ria, Ria….”

Shasha muttered my name several times and then nodded, looking into my eyes.

Shasha’s pupils seemed full of life, like that of a child.

“Hehe….”

Shasha, giggling at the thought of having a friend, was incredibly adorable, but it was time to reveal the harsh truth of this cruel world.

“Shasha!”

“Ria!”

“Then teach me again!”

“Okay!”

To think that by simply bestowing the title of “friend,” I could turn a bright child like Shasha into my personal tutor for academy entrance exams.

It was definitely a lucrative deal.

Does Shasha know?

That by being an “academy student,” giving private lessons within the kingdom could earn tens of thousands of leafs per student?

In other words, I was currently receiving tens of thousands worth of tutoring for free.

Just with the name “friend”!

Though I feel like trash myself, society, Shasha, can be so ruthless.

As I watched chubby Shasha diligently teaching me, I pondered if even though I may be trash, I might still be recyclable.

It’s ambiguous to say, but I would also act in Shasha’s interest.

For instance, if Shasha were bullied by others—I could handle it.

“Shasha, if someone bothers you, you must tell me immediately, okay?”

“Yes!”

Has it been 10 minutes since we became friends?

Shasha smiled at me, nodding vigorously enough to make her head wobble, lacking a sense of caution.

Her lack of wariness worried me; I felt I had to protect her.

“I’ll scold anyone who bothers you!”

I said confidently, puffing out my chest.

But unlike before, there was a hesitant response.

“Well, but Ria is much smaller than me….”

Even if I’m small now, I’m in a growing phase.

“…You’ll grow!”

“Also, you seem very fragile….”

Strength isn’t everything in a fight.

“…Fighting isn’t just about strength….”

“Ria, if someone bothers you, you must tell me, right?”

“…Yes.”

It seems like our roles have reversed as she firmly held my hand, looking up at me with an earnest gaze, fittingly reciprocated.

Children’s ability to bond is truly astonishing.

How can there already be such closeness after meeting for so little time?

Of course, as easy as it is to become friends, it’s equally easy to fall out; shouting “I won’t play with you anymore!” is quite common.

Yet, Shasha seemed a bit more special among them all.

“I’m glad to have my first friend….”

I chuckled at Shasha’s innocent smile, pretending ignorance.

At ten years old, shouldn’t one have a few friends?

I have a friend too, don’t I?

“I couldn’t make friends because I’m too weak to play outside….”

Ah, that’s the story.

Nothing extraordinary, but I responded appropriately.

“I’m thrilled to be your first friend!”

As I spoke with a bright expression that strained my facial muscles, Shasha’s face turned red.

Is it alright for me to exploit such an innocent child—this guilt crept up my spine, yet any proper member of society would easily ignore such feelings of guilt.

“I’m happy to have a friend who’s too good for me.”

“…Ah, no! Ria is incredibly cute! And so kind!”

It’s only been a little over 20 minutes since we met, but being cute is one thing, and being kind is another.

An alarm bell was ringing in my head.

When I think about it, isn’t this extremely dangerous?

With ten-year-old kids running around carefree.

Even for someone like me, a person tainted and rotting in society, is it okay?

It’s definitely my father’s mistake.

Forcing his daughter into school and burdening her with this kind of sentiment.

Ignoring guilt is considered a virtue in society, but there are limits to everything.

What’s the best way to lower sudden guilt that reaches its limit?

As an adult, I knew very well.

I abruptly stood up, took out 100,000 leafs from the wallet my father had given me, and shoved it towards Shasha.

“Here.”

“W-what’s this?”

“It’s friendship money…!”

Guilt is usually diluted with money.

So, whether it’s hush money or a security deposit.

Even when you’ve clearly done wrong, situations where you pay money to resolve them exist, right?

I chuckled nervously, trying to appear harmless.

“I-I’ll give you more next month!”

The guilt vanished instantly.

Indeed, the methods of adults may be dirty, but they are cunning and effective.