Episode 13
Ariniki seems to give off an atmosphere as if she’s suspecting me. Did she overhear my conversation with Shaitan? I can’t possibly say I’ve been reincarnated; that would be like denying Ariniki’s memories with Viper.
“Uh… Do you do muscle training to get rid of fat and be slim?”
“Hmm… Are you trying to evade the question?”
No, this isn’t honest! “N-no way, I’m not evading. Ask me anything.”
“Then…What were you talking about with that girl named Shaitan?”
Gulp. I can’t say that.
“W-why are you so curious?”
“I don’t know what you were talking about. I just watched from the crack of the door. But… your expression while talking, it seemed so comforting. I didn’t know you make that kind of face in front of other girls… that’s all.”
Ariniki puffs her cheeks and looks down.
Huh? Was she really just jealous? She didn’t figure it out?
When I was talking to Shaitan, I was on guard because she was the final boss, and I unconsciously felt safe when I found she was a modern person. I guess it was a combination of those two things that made my face look relaxed.
But whether I convey that I’m a reincarnated person, that Shaitan is a reincarnated person, or that Shaitan is the final boss, it should all be gibberish. I can’t reveal the real reason my face relaxed.
“Well… demons tend to be discriminated against, right? I was just giving advice, like if you ever have trouble, I’ll help.”
Ariniki blinked rapidly, then burst into laughter by herself..
“Hehe… I see. I’m such a fool. I’m sorry, Vy. Forget what happened just now.”
She laughs so much that tears well up in the corners of her eyes.
“Ah… yeah. It’s okay.”
“But you really are something. You have the luxury of worrying about transfer students. Well done.”
“Ahaha… Yeah, maybe we should catch up? The next joint class is coming up, right?”
I pat Ariniki on the head and start to leave the empty classroom
.
Just as I pass Ariniki, she grabs my hand from behind.
“Ariniki? What’s wrong?
”
“Well… I’m sorry for doubting you. I really lost it. I thought those kind eyes of yours were meant only for me… but that’s not the case, right?”
“W-well, of course! It’s only for Ariniki!”
“Really? Then… will you stay in my room forever? Don’t talk to anyone else but me. Let’s spend our lives talking to each other, okay?”
Uh, Ariniki? Your eyes look kinda Yandere, you know?
“W-well… that’s…”
As I hesitate, Ariniki lights up with a mischievous smile.
“Just kidding. Come on, let’s go.
”
She doesn’t let go of the hand she’s holding as she pulls me along.
While feeling the slightly cold touch of her hand, I can’t help but think.
I decided to live honestly, but I ended up lying to Ariniki.
◆
After school, as I walked through the corridor connecting the military academy lecture hall to the student dormitories, I noticed a crowd gathered by the wall. At the center was Shaitan, surrounded by students from Class S, with Goose at the forefront.
I approached Lamia, who was nearby, and asked, “What’s going on?”
Lamia noticed me and gestured toward Goose. “The transfer student is being confronted. You see… she’s from the demon race, right? I want to help, but it’s a tough situation with so many against her.”
“I see…”
In the “Goose Chronicles,” the demon race is a humanoid, half-human, half-demon species. They face discrimination due to their history of conflict and defeat against humans. This discrimination is a significant part of the rivalry between Shaitan and Goose in the original story.
So, in a way, it’s not surprising that Shaitan is being confronted. While the official stance is that admission to the military academy is open to all, regardless of race, entering as a demon requires a certain level of determination.
I decided to intervene on behalf of my fellow being, both to uphold the lie I told to Ariniki and to help a fellow member of my planet. With these two motivations, I stepped between Shaitan and the students of Class S.
“Goose, this is Shaitan. Please get along with them.”
As I said this, everyone except Lamia smirked.
“Viper, huh? Haha! You, defending a demon? Do you get along with trash like yourself?”
Goose continued with his provocative attitude.
“Hey, hey, Viper. Don’t mind me. After all, you can’t win against them unless you attack by surprise, right? You should just be patient.”
Shaitan from behind tried to push me aside. However, I stood my ground. This was my chance to make the lie a reality.
“Everyone, please go over there.”
In response to my request, everyone except Lamia burst into laughter.
“Do you really think you can take on this many people?”
Goose said, advancing aggressively. Had he forgotten our experiences during the training camp?
“Come at me.”
“You bastard!”
Goose lunged at me, and I immediately activated earth-type magic, causing the cobblestone floor to rise and send him flying.
“Guaaah!”
The cobblestone hit Goose square in the jaw. He let out a pitiful cry and fell backward, lying on his back.
“H-Hey! You… you got me… Uwaaaah!”
Goose’s companions started closing in, so I scattered fine ice around me, imagining a mist of poisonous magic. Even a slight touch of the cold and sharp ice seemed to hurt their hands, causing them all to back off.
With my rare equipment enhancing my magical power, I figured this level of magic should be safe even during the inter-class battles. It was a good exercise in controlling my power.
“Ugh… that’s cold…”
“Shall we go?” I signaled to Lamia and led Shaitan away from the scene.
Shaitan continued to make creepy breathing sounds as we moved.
“What’s with that breathing…”
“D-Did I experience being saved by my crush?! Th-This is… uhoohohoh! Incredible! It’s incredible!”
Shaitan was once again diving deep into full-on fangirl mode.
“Wh-what’s wrong with this guy…”
Even Lamia seemed thoroughly disgusted. It made me wonder if it was better not to get involved with her, not because of her demon heritage but just because she was, well, like this.
