541 Just act like a proper victor (2/2)

”You're awake now, Ooike-san.” Seiji looked towards the excellent student. ”How do you currently feel?”

Kazufuru sat up and silently tried feeling what condition his body was in.

”I feel fine… nothing seems off.

”That's good, since that means the curse was successfully dispelled from you.” Seiji indicated the crystal-like object in his hand. ”This is the cursed item that was within you.”

Kazufuru checked the crystal and saw that it was cracked and that the moving blood-red runes were no longer present.

”What exactly is this?”

”I'm not sure, either. At any rate, it's a cursed item that can transform someone into a monster.” Seiji paused for a moment. ”Now that it's been dispelled, there's nothing more that you need to be afraid of. Could you tell me how this item entered your body in the first place?”

Kazufuru fell silent for a moment.

”I don't recall specifically when, where, or what person cursed me. I only remember what he told me…” Kazufuru explained what he remembered.

Seiji attentively listened to Kazufuru and silently thought to himself.

Kazufuru looked at Seiji.

”Harano-san, what about yourself?”

”Eh?”

”Are you alright? Were you injured?”

Seiji blinked in surprise and smiled.

”I'm fine. No need to worry.”

Kazufuru took a long glance at Seiji.

”That's good, then…” He averted his gaze and continued in a soft voice, ”Thank you… for saving me.”

”No need for thanks. I simply did what I could,” Seiji responded.

Kazufuru wanted to say something more, but didn't know what to say. He could only remain silent.

They both remained silent for quite a while.

”You should return home, Ooike-san.” Seiji stood up. ”Return home and have a good rest, and enjoy Valentine's Day tomorrow.”

”…It's almost like an insult hear that I should enjoy Valentine's Day when it's coming from you.” Kazufuru stood up as well.

”I didn't mean it as an insult.”

”I know. Still, that's what it sounded like from my perspective.”

”What should I have said then?”

”There's no need to worry about me. Just act like a proper victor.”

Kazufuru's calm words were an admittance of defeat.

'You're actually really cool, Seigo Harano.

'You're cool and handsome. It's only natural that you would become a winner in life.

'There's no need for you to worry about a loser's feelings of inferiority or jealousy, because none of it has to do with you.

'On Valentine's Day… you should just enjoy your life as a victor.

'Happy Valentine's Day, Harano-san.

'I'll pay back this favor I owe you for saving my life… but I have no idea how to pay you back, so I won't tell you out loud. You'll probably just say that there's no need, anyways.

'If I ever have the chance, I'll definitely pay back this favor I owe you! Not for your sake, but for my own pride.

'I'm a loser and an idiot. But no matter what, I shall live on in my own way,' Kazufuru thought to himself.

The two of them separated after leaving the Juumonji residence.

'Kazufuru Ooike met with a killing curse, which is far unluckier than simply catching a cold… but this will also help him to mature.' That was what Seiji believed.

He could tell that the student council secretary had a different look in his eyes compared to before. Kazufuru had changed for the better.

Seiji felt that Kazufuru would become someone even more outstanding and popular in the future.

But no matter what, Seiji was destined to never become friends with him.

The foundational reason for that was...

”Good evening, Natsuya.”

”Good evening, Seiji.”

”There's something I'd like to tell you about in person. Is it alright to come over right now?”

”Of course.”