Chapter 18 The Glory Of That Hand
Hey, why is she here too?
I was stunned by Shura, who appeared as if to wrap up this exhausting day.
For a moment, I lost my focus, and the wrinkled parchment slipped from my hand.
I turned my face away from the girl I least wanted to see. I didn't want her to see me like this, especially since I had decided she was my rival.
"What the hell? You could at least knock."
"This is the infirmary, right? It's not your room or anything."
"It�s not your room either. Ever heard of basic manners?"
"You're such a whiny guy for someone with that face."
"My face has nothing to do with it."
Feeling uncomfortable made my words sharper, but Shura's replies were pretty good too.
Still acting cold, she walked over to me on the bed. Despite her frown, her low heels made a nice sound as she walked.
"I just passed by a potato noble who was throwing insults around without thinking. Was that because of you?"
"Dunno. Not my problem anymore."
"Oh really? So, you were trying to tear that piece of paper because of the potato noble?"
"I told you, I don't know."
She boldly poked at my sore stomach, showing she was a strong-willed girl. Looking down at me, wrapped in bandages, her face showed no interest despite asking.
I couldn't figure out why she was even here. Shura, who wasn't injured and probably had no interest in Ruzure, was a mystery.
"What, you here just to snoop?"
"Don't compare me to your friend. I came to the infirmary because I needed something from you."
"From me?"
"Yeah. Didn't you pick up a ribbon? It's black and made of cloth."
So she had a real reason. I was the one who was suspicious for no reason.
I quickly realized what Shura was after. It was probably the one I picked up at the qualifying venue. I had forgotten to give it to her, so I fished it out from where I had stored it.
"This one?"
"Yeah. I knew you had it. You're not using it for something weird, are you?"
"Hell no! What else would I use a hair ribbon for?"
"...You want me to explain? That's just the worst."
"Your imagination is disgusting."
She picked it up out of kindness, but her words were harsh.
I know rivals usually act cold towards the main character, but it still hurts. I was already feeling down.
While I was annoyed by her sharp tongue, Shura put away the ribbon and picked up the acceptance letter without asking.
Her silver hair, glowing in the sunset, and her red scarf floated gently with a sweet scent.
"Hey, what do you think you�re doing?"
"What? You passed, didn't you? You looked so gloomy, I thought for sure you failed."
Ignoring my complaints, Shura just looked at the letter and tossed it aside. Even her annoying gestures somehow looked good.
"That. You were trying to tear it up, right?"
"Yeah, so what?"
"I just don't get it. You didn't back down even after being beaten up so badly."
"That�s none of your business."
"That potato noble was shouting about being ungrateful when we passed each other. Isn't that related?"
"Tch."
Shura hit a sore spot, and I couldn't help but click my tongue.
Since our morning meeting, she had always acted exclusive, so I didn't understand why she was sticking her nose in my business. It was really confusing.
Shura's eyes were bright red, and I knew it would be hard to hide my feelings.
(Oh, whatever, let it be.)
Feeling a bit reckless, I decided to tell her what happened.
"...So, you're saying you passed because of a bribe?"
"Ha! Laugh if you want."
"Hmm. It's definitely a funny story."
As soon as I finished talking, she shrugged without a smile, and I felt really down. I wasn't expecting her to comfort me, but it felt harsh to have no kindness at all.
I didn't even have the energy to snap back at Shura, and I just slumped my shoulders.
"Serves that potato noble right. They got what they deserved."
"Huh? What�s that supposed to mean?"
"Hmph. So, he got played by the examiners who were cheating. The instructor Shidou is so strict that he's known as a 'clean official,' and he really hates bribes and cheating. It's famous that he was demoted from the main force to just an instructor because he punished some corrupt knights in the higher-ups. There's no way a stubborn guy like him would listen to a shady examiner."
"......Huh?"
I was so shocked that my jaw almost dropped.
Wait a minute. I couldn't think straight because of the shock.
So, the bribe didn't mean anything. I mean, I get that Instructor Shidou is strict; he really seemed like a no-nonsense type.
So, it's not hard to imagine that he wouldn't listen to the examiner who Ruzure bribed.
Then, the person Ruzure was dealing with must be that examiner. That examiner, who calmly cheats, must have been one step ahead.
No, that's not it. That's not the point.
What I should realize the most is not that.
In other words. In other words...!
"Wait, then... did I actually pass on my own?"
"That's exactly it." Come on, it's a funny story, right? Why not laugh?"
I didn't even care about Shura's exasperated sigh.
My veins felt like they were bursting, and my blood was rushing.
With hands that were cold even though it wasn't chilly, I grabbed the paper that had been tossed onto my lap.
The wrinkles from almost tearing it made the letters look distorted.
But I could still read it. Passers, Hiiro Merifar.
My name is right there.
(......Yesss!!)
This time, I held onto the proof I had grabbed, as if to confirm it.
I embraced that proof against my scarred chest.
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