episode_0012

How long was I unconscious? What time is it now?

No, it doesn’t matter now.

The sun shining directly on my face from the center of the sky was proving that.

“I’m in trouble for missing today’s class.”

I stood up, putting strength into my legs.

Fortunately, my stamina had recovered a bit, allowing me to get up after being unconscious for hours. Is that normal?

The black smoke and foul smell I saw before fainting… seemed to have disappeared completely, probably because it was outdoors.

It must be the work of the dark magician…

“Don’t just leave it and go.”

Even though it’s strange to wait for someone you have no connection with.

I know it’s the right choice to just leave it if Sarra has disappeared, but it still feels a bit disappointing. I was looking forward to it.

“Do you know who I am?”

I’ve never fainted before, so I didn’t know…

Is it a side effect of fainting to hear hallucinations?

Why did I hear the voice of someone who shouldn’t be there?

I slowly turned my gaze towards the direction where the sound came from.

“Surprise!!”

“What, what! Why are you so surprised!”

“No… are you seeing hallucinations now?”

“Excuse me! I’m a real person.”

Seeing Sarra’s annoyed expression, it didn’t seem like she was hallucinating, as she said. But why is she here?

I turned away from her and started washing my face.

As I did, I heard Sarra muttering, “You said you were going to leave it and go…”

I seemed to be more concerned about what she said than I thought. Why are you here then?

I may not have a reputation for failing classes, but surely she didn’t have a rumor like mine, did she?

Certainly, someone who threatens you as soon as you meet them doesn’t have a good character.

Nodding my head in agreement with Sarra’s actions.

Sarra, who was staring at the sky with a blank expression, was starting to look like a strange person.

“…Why.”

Unable to bear her appearance any longer, I finally spoke first.

Startled, Sarra hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“…Wow.”

“What did you say?”

Even though she spoke in this quiet space, her voice was barely audible.

“…”

Seeing that I didn’t react, Sarra spoke loudly in annoyance.

“Thank you!”

“?”

“This time you actually listened properly!”

“Huh? Uh…”

It was the first time I had heard someone say thank you.

I had only received criticism and blame.

I had never even said thank you, even though I had felt grateful before.

I never thought I would hear those words from someone who had threatened to kill me.

In the calm atmosphere where the wind rustled the branches, Sarra’s voice was heard.

“Why did you use your skill on me? It wouldn’t have mattered to you even if everything here burned down.”

“It’s just an old habit.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I just remembered the old days when I used to tend to the garden.”

“…You?”

Sarra looked at me with a puzzled expression. Oh, I made another mistake.

It’s hard to perfectly play the fool in less than a month.

But it’s even harder to play the resurrected fool.

I cleared my throat and said, “I’m a special fool, unlike the others.”

“…Don’t be arrogant.”

The garden fell silent again.

“Why did you fight so cautiously in this narrow garden?”

Sarra, who seemed unwilling to answer, reluctantly explained that it was her sister’s personal space.

“Sister?”

Sara let out a sigh.

“My older sister graduated with such outstanding achievements that the academy gifted her a personal garden. She even asked for it.”

Sara muttered softly.

“But someone like you…”

“Sorry.”

Upon my apology, Sara shot me a sharp glance before sighing and curling up her legs.

“…Don’t say things that you don’t mean. It’s just that I’m weaker than my sister, that’s all.”

“Do you dislike your sister?”

“Me? Dislike that kind sister? I actually adore her.”

Her voice started to quiver.

“Compared to her, what am I? Even though we use the same swordsmanship, I’m always scolded and frustrated because my skills are inferior, and every time, my sister comforts me.”

Respect and jealousy towards her sister. And self-loathing.

Contradictory, but it doesn’t matter.

Right now, this conversation!

A serious story that only best friends can have!

If it’s a story told in this atmosphere, it will surely be easier to become closer than before.

I tried to listen to the next story with a pleased expression, but…

“What are you mumbling about?”

She seemed to have misunderstood me. But, I feel like I’ve heard this before.

“I must be crazy to talk to someone like you.”

“I’m not mocking you.”

“What do you mean not mocking me! Are you ignoring me now? This time, I’ll really kill you.”

She picked up the sword lying next to her. Huh? That’s my sword…

“Ugh…”

Sara groaned as she dropped the sword.

“Are you okay?”

Sara, with a grim expression, looked at the sword with trembling pupils.

“What is this?”

“It may not look like it, but it’s quite expensive.”

“What is…”

“Why stop talking?”

“No… it’s nothing.”

“You seem quite tired, go to the infirmary.”

She quietly stared at the floor with a shocked expression.

Is she sad because she lost to this black sword?

But it’s a good sword… why doesn’t she like it?

“Am I… weak?”

Sara, muttering worriedly in her place, began to worry.

“Hey.”

“Is it true that my path is not with the sword, as people say?”

Sara’s expression darkened. I firmly grabbed her shoulders.

“Hey!”

“…Huh?”

“Are you the one in charge here?”

“Well, I only managed it during the vacation because I’m not a student here.”

“It looked dirty for some reason.”

“Hey! I only managed it during the vacation, so from now on…”

Sara’s face once again turned into a sad expression. I didn’t mean to make her cry.

“I’ll give you a tip, the basis of gardening is pruning.”

Sara looked puzzled, with her head cocked. It was the first time she heard of it…

“Simply put, pruning is cutting off the excess branches so that the tree can receive sunlight.”

“But you’re preserving all the branches. That’s why new shoots aren’t growing.”

With a complex expression, Sara stared blankly at me.

“Ultimately, it’s not about this, but don’t pay too much attention to other people’s stories. They’re all useless branches.”

“…”

Sara bowed her head without saying a word.

“Was I too overbearing?”

Then.

“Hey!”

Sara stood up with a shout.

“Don’t think that we became friends just because of this conversation.”

“?”

We didn’t become friends?

“My goal to defeat you will never change.”

With that statement, Sara turned her back. I can’t give up here!

I quickly approached her from behind.

Sensing my presence, Sara looked at me and took a step back.

“What’s up.”

“Let’s make a bet.”

“A bet?”

“Just a bet to be friends with me until you defeat me. I’ll even teach you pruning.”

Even without saying it, I could tell. She’s looking at me as if she wants to kill me.

In a way, it’s natural.

When I was friends with her, from the reactions of those around us to being friends with someone she considered an enemy?

It doesn’t make sense.

Unfortunately, I am not.

Being friends with Sara might slightly improve my image.

“If you don’t like it, I won’t accept the challenge either.”

“Because you’re clueless, the strong can’t avoid a challenge requested by the weak.”

“In reality, because I’m clueless, the ranking is higher than you.”

“…reckless bastard.”

Reckless…

I almost flinched at her angry expression, but instead I responded confidently and arrogantly.

“Well, it doesn’t matter if you think that way. So, what’s your answer?”

It could be my last chance, so I reached out for it.

“I’ll beat you tomorrow.”

“Try your best.”

And Sara held out her hand to me.

***

Today marks one day since I became friends with Sara. Of course, we’re not really friends.

So, I harbored hope that if I opened up my heart first and treated her like a real friend, Sara would also open up her heart to me.

With that happy thought in mind, I entered the classroom early in the morning.

Sara, sitting alone at her desk, caught my eye.

And this is the first step towards that goal!

“Hello?”

“…”

Contrary to my expectations, Sara simply turned her head the other way without a word. Ignoring me… I knew better than to give up so easily!

“Hello!”

“Go away…”

Sara turned her gaze back to me, lips pursed. Well, this can’t continue.

We made a deal.

For each other’s benefit. For each other’s goals.

So, I confidently smiled and replied, “Do you not want to challenge me?”