Chapter 66

### Chapter 66: A Secret That Cannot Be Told (1)

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#1

I thought about just letting her sleep until night, but neither Ruby nor I could afford to skip class without permission.

“Hm...?”

Around 3 PM, Ruby woke up with a drowsy face and, upon seeing me staring at her, she was momentarily dazed.

Then, she looked extremely embarrassed and didn't know what to do.

Yeah, I get it. I know that feeling.

She must have finally been able to reflect on what she had said and done to me. She must have felt an indescribable embarrassment.

The best thing I could do for such a Ruby was to just stay quiet, as if nothing had happened.

The tea I made for her again was left unfinished. I had already finished my share long ago. After drinking the same tea for the fourth time, I clutched my queasy stomach. The honey water seemed to make my stomach even more uncomfortable...

Anyway.

I tidied up the table, and the fire in the fireplace, which had been burning the logs, went out. I didn't do it; it seemed Ruby had used a wind magic spell to extinguish it.

By the way, Ruby knew almost all the elemental magic spells that were commonly known.

She was specialized in spatial magic, but in reality, her strength was more evident in other elemental magic. To put it simply, I could never beat Ruby with magic, even if I died and came back to life. The same probably goes for the other students in our class.

“Let's go, Ruby.”

“...Okay.”

We had finished tidying up.

It was fortunate that no one came to look for us during that time. We had put a sign outside the door to let people know that someone was resting inside. Who knows what might have happened otherwise.

Ruby's eyes still looked dark, as if she was still tired.

But the light in her eyes seemed sharper than before. I was relieved to see a bit of the Ruby I knew returning. When I saw her stretch and yawn, my heart felt a bit lighter.

Before leaving the cabin with Ruby,

“Ezio.”

“Hmm?”

I turned around, still holding the doorknob.

Maybe she knew I was acting calm, or maybe she heard me say I would treat it as if nothing happened. After her face turned red from embarrassment, she didn't act unnaturally. It seemed she knew it was best for the current situation.

If it were in the past, she would have stayed in that state all day.

Is this growth?

Ruby smiled faintly at me.

“Thank you.”

“...”

She didn't specify what she was thankful for.

For starting the conversation, for forgiving her even if it was a lie, for making the tea she liked as a child, for still considering her a friend, and for treating her slip of the tongue as if it never happened. She didn't mention any of these things.

In the end, it's all about one thing.

Sincerity.

Ruby was genuinely grateful to me.

She listened to my request not to feel sorry.

Well, whatever the reason, it's fine.

Most importantly,

I saw Ruby's genuine smile.

It was a beautiful smile.

I couldn't help but smile along.

“...Yeah. Let's talk again next time.”

That's it, right?

#2

The sky darkened, and evening came.

A few groups of students were heading to the dining hall, and I would probably join them after stopping by the dormitory to drop off my bag.

The Epic Class grounds, which resembled a resort, were beautiful, but my mind was elsewhere.

‘I wonder if the conversation will go well.’

What can I do?

Still, I have to do what I have to do.

While crossing the park, I was mentally preparing to finish the task I had to complete before going to bed.

—Thud.

Something flew in on a sharp wind.

“...Epic.”

It stuck to my forehead and then unfolded, covering my entire face.

My nose and mouth were blocked, restricting my breathing.

When I inhaled, it felt like my throat was blocked, so I coughed and quickly pulled the fabric off my face.

What is this?

I frowned and looked at it.

Familiar embroidery. A rectangular piece of fabric.

It was my handkerchief.

It couldn't have flown here from somewhere and landed on my forehead by chance. Of course, it's not impossible, but when I turned my head in the direction it came from,

And despite the lack of a strong wind, the breeze that carried the handkerchief was unusually rough.

It was definitely a gift from that blonde kid with the innocent face.

“...”

It seems she used telekinesis.

Can't she just give it back normally?

It was clearly intentional to cover my face.

When I glared at her under the streetlight, she responded with a look that said, "What, isn't it enough that I gave it back?" It was as if I could hear her very displeased voice from here.

...Well, yeah.

Handing over a clean, neatly folded handkerchief with a shy face doesn't match her image at all. This was a more natural action.

She walked towards the 2nd dormitory, her long hair swaying, making me want to pull it down.

I wonder what would happen if I really pulled it.

I suddenly became curious.

She would probably react in a very interesting way, like a cat's hiss. But if I actually did it, it would probably lead to a major disaster. It would be a kind of irresponsible pleasure...

Still, it would be a funny sight, and I couldn't help but chuckle, which made the fragrance from the handkerchief tickle my nose.

I had noticed it briefly when it stuck to my nose, but it was a scent I wanted to smell again and again.

“...Sniff.”

I frowned and sniffed the handkerchief.

A soft, fresh lemon scent.

It smelled very good.

It wasn't a scent that usually came from my handkerchief.

If I had to guess, it was the scent most similar to Yurii's. Maybe she used a special soap when washing it, or maybe she just used the soap she uses to wash herself. I soon stopped my pointless and unnecessary musings.

It feels a bit creepy. I didn't have any such thoughts, but...

...But what did she use?

Even if I don't ignore Yurii, isn't she a precious princess?

When she wakes up, there are maids. When she washes, there are maids. When she dresses, there are maids. Has Yurii ever done laundry or any other chores herself?

I don't think so.

Is this really washed properly?

“Sigh...”

When I suddenly had this doubt and brought the handkerchief to my nose again to inhale,

—Smack!

A small, light object flew and hit my temple. I lost my balance and barely managed to maintain it.

My expression naturally turned sour. What is this?

When I looked down at what had hit my head and fallen to the ground, it was a white flower with a broken stem. It looked like several petals had fallen off during its flight.

No.

Did I just get hit by a flower?

It felt strange.

Some people say getting hit by a flower doesn't hurt but makes you feel dirty, but in my case, it was both. It really hurt.

It must have flown with such a strong wind that it felt like a bump on my head. I pressed my fingers to my burning temple and looked in the direction the wind came from.

Of course, it couldn't have been the great nature suddenly accelerating and hitting me with a flower. It was just that.

Yurii was standing far away, shaking her shoulders with a look of disbelief. Her face was flushed, clearly visible even from here.

...Didn't she leave?

I looked at the handkerchief in my hand and then at Yurii, imagining how I looked from her perspective.

...Hmm. I see.

I became very serious, stroking my chin, and before I could think of how to explain it, I started walking towards Yurii to explain.

Then, Yurii let out a “Hiiik!” and started running towards the dormitory.

The last glimpse of Yurii's face showed a genuine look of disgust.

Yurii disappeared behind the dormitory door.

“...”

I silently looked at the handkerchief in my hand.

What soap did she use when washing this?

If I saw Yurii sniffing and breathing on the handkerchief I returned, I would probably be a bit surprised, even if I didn't have any impure intentions.

I put the neatly folded handkerchief in my pocket and thought.

...Me,

Can I really become good friends with Yurii?

She already dislikes me, and it doesn't seem like she wants to become close friends with me. It feels like we keep encountering these strange obstacles. Maybe we just don't have the right connection.

I want to become friends, though. She's cute. Just looking at her makes me feel happy.

Okay. Before Yurii says something that could cause misunderstandings with Ruby or Stella, I need to think.

...Wait a minute.

Does that mean I'm admitting that my actions were intentional? Wouldn't that lower her opinion of me even more? Is this right?

“Hey, Ezio. What are you doing here?”

“...”

When I was just starting to roll down the hill of thoughts triggered by the scent of the handkerchief, Gabriel appeared, waving his hand.

I suddenly muttered.

“Maybe I'm closer to her than you are?”

“What? Suddenly?”

Gabriel, with a question mark above his head.

I shook my head.

“No. Have you eaten? If not, let's go eat.”

“Huh? I haven't eaten, but...”

I decided to just carry my bag. What's the problem?

Gabriel, who was still puzzled, followed me to the dining hall.

By the way...

Gabriel, who came to the empire to find a girlfriend, hasn't dated any female students yet.

I felt a bit sorry for him and wanted to do something, but then I realized I wasn't in a position to introduce anyone to him.

If I had to say, Rubya is probably the only person I can call a close friend right now. I can't have a completely relaxed conversation with the others. Stella might be a possibility, but...

Connections are something you have to build yourself.

More than that, I'm not sure what would happen if I introduced my friend to this guy.

It's not that I don't trust Gabriel.

...Or do I?

A thought that I expected to be trivial suddenly turned into a serious one.

Do I trust Gabriel?

Probably not.

A small voice inside me whispered.

Well, we haven't known each other for long. We haven't had many opportunities to build a bond. I haven't shared any deep, personal stories with him.

If someone asked if he's a close friend, I would say yes, but why do I feel like I don't trust this close friend?

That wouldn't be polite to Gabriel.

More importantly,

What is a friend?

Not long ago, I asked Ruby if she would be my friend. She was my friend, so I wanted to return to that relationship. In that sense, I accepted Ruby and promised to be friends.

So, what exactly is the relationship I'm talking about when I say "friend"?

Ruby and Gabriel.

I can call both of them close friends.

Then,

What is the difference between Ruby and Gabriel?

Is it just a matter of how close we are?

Then, what does it mean to be close?

These thoughts led me to wonder what I really want to do with them.

What do I want to do with Ruby?

‘...I don't know.’

I don't know.

Right now, I don't know anything.

A rough conclusion was drawn.

I turned to the side and clenched my fist.

“Hang in there, Gabriel.”

“...Are you insulting me? Your face has been weird since just now.”

“...”

“Why aren't you answering, you bastard? Do you want to get hit?”

“Hey.”

“...?”

“Are we friends?”

“...Did you eat something wrong? Or are you saying it's okay to insult each other because we're friends? Which one is it? Just say it.”

“Anyway, we are friends, right?”

“...We became friends after fighting, didn't we? So why are you asking? What's with the creepy tone.”

“Fighting? When did we... Oh, at the training ground?”

“Have you been ignoring me this whole time?”

“Why is that a condition for being friends?”

“...”

Gabriel, who gave up on getting an answer from me, looked at me with a sigh and said,

“Our tribe usually makes friends this way. We drink together too. ...Ah, can't drink here yet? That's a bit disappointing. From what I can tell, if we had a few drinks, I could probably figure out how many women you've had...”

I made a face that said "shut up," and he shut up.

I realized again,

I can't introduce my friends to this guy. Yeah.

At the same time, I realized,

That's right.

The significance of a friend isn't something fixed.

Its value differs from person to person.

The conditions are different for each person.

If you want to consider someone a friend, you do. If not, you don't. How much trust you give to a friend is ultimately up to you. Trying to objectively define a formless relationship is impossible.

The line that shouldn't be crossed between friends.

In the end, nothing is clearly defined.

...Hmm. No.

Is this a different issue?

Just as I was thinking this,

“Gabriel.”

“What now?”

“After dinner, let's go to the gym and work out. I want to drink some free drinks today.”

Gabriel nodded eagerly.

He smiled with his narrow eyes.

“...So, is it finally time for a rematch?”

He was confident.

Since I lost by a narrow margin last time, it makes sense. Of course, I don't plan to lose. I intend to fight with all my might, burning my muscle fibers to the limit. I felt like using some strength today.

While heading to the dining hall, I thought,

Still,

There was one thing I was sure of.

If this guy finds his match and is genuinely happy, I think I would be happy too, watching from the side.

Well,

Isn't that what friends are for?

...Or not.

#3

“Sigh. Did I eat too much...?”

The luxurious meals were worth the exorbitant tuition. I was only scared of how quickly I was getting used to them.

Of course, all Epic Class students are on full scholarships, so it felt a bit like I was committing a sin, but... humans are apparently creatures of habit, and I had started to take these privileges for granted.

Still, I try to live with gratitude every day. I need to work harder to match what I receive.

After dinner, I made plans with Gabriel to meet at the gym later that night and returned to the dormitory to take a warm shower.

I changed into comfortable clothes and closed the book I had been reading on the table.

The title of the book was “Mana Control I.”

It was the textbook for a subject where a group project was currently underway, with a deadline that was fast approaching.

The “Mana Control” subject's two-week group project is conducted in groups of five.

Additionally, the groups are assigned to ensure that the members' majors do not overlap, and there is a reason for this.

The theme of this group project is “Understanding Unique Mana.”

The unique properties