Ken yo, kaku katariki – 30
30 – Weight and Connection
Ms. Iria was avoiding me.
I realized this after about three days had passed since I started to train Ms. Aize.
“Ms. Iria. It’s about the Combat Technique Tournament…”
“I’m sorry, teacher. I’m busy right now…please excuse me.”
Huh? I thought. At first.
However, after the second and third times, I was sure of it.
Still, after considering it for a moment, it seemed only natural.
After all—I was training Ms. Aize. Because I became sympathetic towards her goal. But at the same time, my actions also meant that I was helping her defeat Ms. Iria.
But still…was that enough to make her sulk or become angry?
“I think it is. Yes.”
Declared Student Council President Sherry. ‘Uhhh’ I groaned.
We were in the cafeteria. The three of us sat around the table, me, Ms. Sherry, and Rev. I had thought to ask these two, as they knew her well.
“Iria is human too, you know? And you are so boldly showing a preference towards her rival.”
“Hmph. Serves you right.”
Rev snorted. He looked rather gleeful. Hey, I’m quite serious about this.
“So, what are you going to do, teacher?”
“Do… I’m not going to be picking any sides here.”
In the end, the fight was between those two. And the more serious it was, the more important it was for others to not intervene.
“Really?”
“Uh…”
…Well, indeed.
When it came to how serious they were… Ms. Aize carried a heavier weight. I did think that. Her whole life depended on this.
That was why I wanted to help her. I even learned to wield a spear.
As for Ms. Iria… Even if she lost, there was always next year.
I could not deny that I thought that a little.
“Just a little?”
“Well… I don’t know how to say it. There are times when I think it is just as important for Ms. Iria as well.”
She was always serious. When I was teaching her, she had not slacked off even once.
And when I asked her why, she said it was ‘in order to become a knight.’ But I had a feeling that there was more to it than that.
—No, perhaps it was that. Perhaps being a knight meant more to her than I could ever know.
“I see. And so you confided in us? You want to know the reason?”
“No.”
That wasn’t it.
“I think that it is something that I cannot step foot in so easily.”
At the very least, it was not something to talk about when she was not present.
I would hate it if it was me. Everyone would. If she wanted to tell me, then I would listen. But she wasn’t talking to me now, so it was clearly not the case.
—Unless, there was some reason that made it difficult.
“Well, that’s true. That being said, I haven’t been acquainted with her for that long, so I don’t know.”
Ms. Sherry said with a shrug and then turned to Rev.
As her old friend, he looked a little proud.
“I don’t know either. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
But after a pause, he continued boastfully.
“Iria has always been like that. Always stronger than anyone. Always a hard worker…”
“And that’s why you fell for her, Rev.”
“N-no! President!?”
He said while getting up to his feet. However, he then realized that he was attracting attention, and so he quickly sat back down. He cleared his throat and then continued.
“What I’m trying to say is…she rarely relies on others. I’ve known her for a long time, and never saw her show any weakness.”
He put a lot of emphasis on the ‘long time.’ I nodded.
(Strong…huh.)
Yes, that word matched her perfectly.
But why was it…that it sometimes felt inconsistent.
Her sword was straight and beautiful.
But when she swung, there were times when it felt fleeting.
Or perhaps—like she was desperately carrying a blade that was about to break.
“So, what do you want to do, teacher?”
Ms. Sherry asked, and I pulled myself out of the sea of thought.
No, no. I told myself I was not going to pry. I can’t think too much about it.
“I would like to train Ms. Iria as well.”
However, that was what I had wanted to tell her. But she ignored me.
“As things stand, training just one of them…it puts me in an uncomfortable position.”
In short, the issue was with my emotions.
If she did not want my help, then there was nothing I could do.
However—I felt that it wasn’t right.
But why was that? It was just a feeling. Premonition, I suppose.
“In that case, don’t hesitate, and just tell her.”
She said with an exasperated laugh while holding her cup of tea.
“I don’t know what Iria is thinking either. But if you don’t want things to stay like this, then you have to act. Otherwise, you are just being scared.”
“Scared?”
“Scared of rejection. Scared of getting involved. Scared of being hated. Teacher, it is generally those kinds of things that ruin human relationships.”
I see—perhaps she was right then.
I looked at Ms. Sherry as she drank her tea.
In spite of the way she usually behaved, she appeared very mature right now.
Now that I think about it, she was older than me, according to official records.
In terms of communication ability and experience, she was probably even above me during my past life.
“Hmph. I don’t care what happens.”
Rev scoffed as he looked away. This caused Ms. Sherry to giggle.
“There you go again, Rev. As if you aren’t terribly curious!”
“…President!”
“Ahaha!”
I watched those two…and smiled.
I see. So I was afraid.
It seemed that before I knew it, my connection with Ms. Iria had become important to me.
If I wanted to do something about it, then I had to take the plunge.
Yes, she was exactly right.
So it was with a feeling of embarrassment over my lack of experience in dealing with others, that I took a sip of tea.
Thans for the chapter.
Thanks for the chapter