"Since that's the case, i, you can just call Elias directly. Hehe, consider it returning the favor."
"Alright then… Elias1."
As if she were attempting sothing incredibly challenging, i cautiously spoke Elias' na.
She imdiately felt a difference from before.
Unlike those who had befriended her only to take advantage of the Raiden family's wealth and i's reputation, the boy before her was genuine and pure, like his snow-white hair, completely unstained by deceit.
At that mont, Elias was overjoyed.
Because he had just ford a real bond with the living, breathing Raiden i, not just a virtual ga character, but a flesh-and-blood person.
He was so happy that he wanted to cheer out loud, itching to brag about this to his old Armada friends from his past life.
"Ah, right! I just thought of sothing great!"
A sudden spark of inspiration flashed through his mind, and Elias imdiately turned around, making a suggestion to the purple-haired girl in front of him.
"i, I have an idea! I won't say it can completely change your situation and stop the bullying, but it'll at least make things a lot better. Want to try it?"
"Really? Please tell !"
"Don't get excited just yet. It might require a little sacrifice from you in so ways… But just hear out first."
And so, Elias explained his sudden stroke of genius to her.
Upon hearing it, i's eyes widened, and a soft crimson blush appeared on her cheeks.
It was a very simple and effective plan.
But at the sa ti, it felt ambiguous and… strange.
For i, who had grown up under strict discipline, with a gentle and reserved personality, embodying the ideal Yamato Nadeshiko, this was sothing she never would have considered in the past.
But the Raiden i of today was different.
She was in the darkest, weakest, and most powerless mont of her life—
Completely alone, abandoned, exhausted, and wounded, both physically and emotionally.
It was also the mont she most desperately longed for soone to save her.
Perhaps it was due to the suspension bridge effect, but Elias' presence in i's heart had skyrocketed beyond normal levels.
But there was no doubt—this boy had saved her twice.
In this academy, where no one was willing to help her and everyone was against her, Elias alone had stood up for her, not once, but twice.
Maybe that was why i, almost instinctively, had begun to cling to the warmth Elias provided.
And when it ca to the plan Elias proposed, though it was a little ambiguous, his intentions were purely out of kindness.
Of course, there was no way she could refuse.
"But Elias… will this really be okay? I an… if we do this, you'll end up being ostracized by everyone because of ."
i, being kind-hearted, couldn't help but worry.
"It's fine, it's fine~" Elias waved his hand dismissively.
"I wasn't interested in them anyway. Besides, if the person in question is i, then no matter how you look at it, I'm the one benefiting from this, right?"
"…Thank you. Uh, sorry, it feels like the only thing I can say to you right now is 'thank you.' But I promise I will rember this kindness and repay you in the future."
"i, you're just too serious. But that's also one of your good qualities. As for repaying … how about making lunch from tomorrow onward? Yesterday's bento was really delicious—I'd love to have it again."
"P-please leave it to !"
i agreed imdiately.
Perhaps a simple lunch seed insignificant compared to what Elias had done for her, but she was still happy that she could do sothing for him.
Seeing her like this, Elias blinked in surprise, then propped his chin up and smiled.
"i, you just smiled."
"Huh?"
"Girls look the most beautiful when they smile, after all. Especially a beauty like you, i. That sad and pitiful look from before was nice in its own way—but I still think this is much better."
For a second, he almost wanted to take out his phone and snap a picture.
"…I smiled?"
i instinctively reached up to touch her own face.
Ever since her father was imprisoned, she couldn't even rember the last ti she had smiled.
But now, because of the boy in front of her, Raiden i's smile had returned once again.
And the wounds in her scarred heart had been healed just a little.
"Alright! Since we've decided on this, there's no ti to waste—let's move!"
"Uh, wait—let prepare myself ntally first!"
"You don't need that kind of preparation! Once you've made up your mind, don't hesitate! If we don't hurry, class is going to start!"
Grabbing i's delicate hand, Elias sprinted toward the classroom.
Being pulled along, i could feel her heart pounding rapidly.
She told herself it was just because she was running, and not for any other reason.
By the ti they finally reached the classroom,
the afternoon class bell had already rung long ago.
"Now then, let's begin the lesson—uh, Elias and Raiden, where exactly did you…"
BANG!!!
Before the teacher on the podium could even finish speaking—
The classroom door burst open with imnse force, causing everyone inside to shudder, and a few students who had been distracted even dropped their phones onto the floor.
"Teacher! Sorry, we're late!"
"Haa… haa… Elias, this is too…"
Elias, showing absolutely no sign of remorse, walked in with his chest held high, while behind him, Raiden i was red-faced, panting for breath, her hair completely disheveled.
Everyone's attention instantly locked onto them.
The whole class subconsciously filled in the blanks about what these two had been doing during lunch break.
Especially the boys, who were staring in envy.
Sure, the Raiden family had fallen, and their heiress wasn't as high-status as before, but i was still the most beautiful girl in school.
Had she… already been taken during lunch?!
The very next second, Elias slamd both hands onto the podium.
"Ahem! My apologies for interrupting class, but right now… everyone, eyes on ! I have an announcent to make!!"
They used to address each other with "同学" (classmate) after their nas, like in Japanese where nas end with -san, -kun, -senpai, etc. Because there is no real equivalent in English, I removed it. This is the first ti she called his na directly. After all, I can't write them calling each other "Classmate Elias," "Classmate Raiden," every ti. It just sounds awkward in English.
User Comments
0 comments from readers