Vol 11 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Impact of Childhood 01

She really didn't knohat to do

She thought of Mifi, and decided that going back like this would be disappointing Even if there could be that kind of result, she still thought that doing things like that wasn't a good idea The reason that this kind of thing could occur – and there was no excuse – was Mifi's unreasonable attitude Sigh~

That being said, having just thought of it upon arrival, she felt that it was a bit late to be thinking like that

This was the Sick Room, and in front of her was

”Zzz ~ ” ””

Layfon, resting quietly His injuries had been treated on the same day he had arrived at the hospital, and he had taken so further examinations These tests were especially for Layfon, who since entering the school had been admitted into the hospital several ti It was probably her first ti face like this It was the first ti hiain

Yes, it was a thing of yesterday

◇

When she heard the news from Naruki, Meishen felt as if she had fallen into a deep abyss Outside the , Zuellni was surging forward in victory This was the night after the conclusion of the battle with Myath In the spontaneous celebration, lights lit up everywhere and outside thethe night sky was a lot -Clang” Noisy sounds frohout the room The dormitory which Meishen and her friends lived in was on the first floor, and it had a large space sie room so the sound could have come from there as well

”Aie!” It could be because of the noisy lounge room that she misheard First of all, she didn't even understand why she was so affected by the sounds

(But, Layfon would be happy, because heLayfon's story, Meishen should be happy Layfon ht never return to his place of birth, Grendan, so she never thought that they would ain

That's why it wouldn't be right if Meishen and Layfon weren't able to be and feel happy together

But Meishen's heart was in tur with indecision Those ripples stabbed at her heart, and it hurt led

(Why?)

She always felt afraid of knowing the cause of this pain Meishen placed her hands above her head, gripping tightly

”No That's”

In front of her, Naruki lowered her head as if she had said so, an exhausted expression on her face She had accepted the job to infiltrate the ene the ene The battle had finished only today, so it was natural for her to be tired And upon her return she was questioned thoroughly by Mifi in the na her even more After she fell onto the sofa she was too tired to h she was in such a state, she was still very direct

”Leerin ca such a shocking blow fro The person who had replaced her in shouting out in surprise was her friend Mifi, as still writing down information from the interview The door ide open, and Mifi burst into the roo both of the!” Showing an annoyed expression Naruki continued, ”That's eren't talking about this in front of you”

”Uwah, that was ainst discrimination! Everyone should be treated equally!”

”Ok, ok, just be quiet for a second” Naruki was now really tired, and had no time for Mifi's nonsense

Yet there was no way Mifi was just going to let it rest What Naruki was talking about was perhaps thewhich had left the time How could she just let it pass?

Mifi was desperate for information to the extent that any ordinary piece of information would rouse her curiosity, and if you saw her expression, akin to that of a starved dog, you would have no choice but to give it to her

”Hey, what kind of a beauty is she? A supermodel? An unrivalled Miss Universe?”

”Couldn't she be anything other than a beauty?”

”But she's his proper wife, his proper wife! She's that super sloitted Layfon's proper wife!”

”Don't say 'proper wife'!”

Actually, acknowledging Layfon and Leerin as a couple was a little strange When Layfon mentioned her, they were but childhood friends You could say that they were raised in the sas If they really were a couple, wouldn't he readily talk about her, and about what she did? Or was it because other things had been mixed into those memories that he was reluctant to speak of his past?

Naruki took this as a signal to start talking She was already exhausted and still had to speak, and as she thought of this she revealed an annoyed expression from the botto, right? They clearly don't know so can they still be counted as a couple?”

When she said that, not only were Naruki and Meishen surprised, but Mifi, as talking felt an impact as well

Leerin Marfes, Layfon's childhood friend, is probably the one who understands hi here

Why?

”Eh, why'd she come here? It can't be because she wants toto do!”

”Mi-chan, you're too excited”

Hearing Naruki, Mifi covered her mouth and looked towards Meishen

”It's okay”

Hearing her say that, her two best friends looked her way and started srown up with For Meishen, they were very i theood friends belittled the importance of Naruki and Mifi's presence Their friendshi+p had already reached the stage where every move of her childhood friends was very important

(For Layfon, Leerin must also be such an important person)

But, but, but if she accepted that idea fros should also be accepted Right now, she had already appeared at Zuellni, so Meishen should say and believe what she says froreat!'

But she couldn't

Well, if there had to be a reason, then it would be because Layfon wasthe relationshi+p between a man and woman with the term ”childhood friends” Meishen didn't have much life experience, and she couldn't just readily accept this, and she didn't have ht However, she wasn't stupid

Hoould Layfon, who had buried his feelings deep in his heart, react when he saw Leerin? Hoould he react, when he saw Leerin, who had come from Grendan especially to meet him?

Ten minutes, twenty minutes, and thirty minutes passed as she pondered this question

”Then let's do so to treat Leerin as an ene able to treat her as an enemy out of her ht? We'll act as a special unit to ensure Meishen's success in her ro inforht now!”

Facing Mifi as shouting loudly, Meishen's face turned red

Finding herself in this situation where only Naruki had seen Leerin, and having absolutely no other infor over the noisy celebrations of Zuellni's victory in the inter-city battles, they had a break the following day And when the sun rose, the next day arrived

”So, where's the target?”

”Location unknown” Naruki replied indifferently to Mifi who had finished her breakfast, gotten ready to go out, and packed her notepad and pen into her bag, totally in the zone

”How can that be?”

”Norht? And then she would be picked up by people from the Student council, and afterwards we don't knoould happen Maybe Layfon ht know?”

”Can we ask Layfon?”

”It should be okay”

”But, isn't there another way?”

Meishen had just voiced her own thoughts, and the other two iet

”Is there?” Mifi seriously asked about this untenable, tentative suggestion

”Then, lets go to the dorms!”

”Yeah, outsiders would usually be there!”

The two geared up girls talked as they approached the door, and Meishen chased after the bus recently, so how did she get here?”

”Yeah I think she ca city”

”Eh? How did she come from there?”

”I don't know that either”

◇

”Lucky” Leerin wanted to say that, but she couldn't

This was a roo Inside there was a small whiteboard and a simple table and set of chairs The atmosphere was suitable for a small number of people to hold a conversation

From the conversation, she found out that the people from the Student Council weren't too sure of the situation either However it only mattered that she had somehow successfully arrived here

After the battle, she rushed to the contact point between the cities, and there she saw Layfon

While she was being questioned by the people on the Student Council, she decided to tell the brought over here by a Heaven's Blade Successor fro asked to keep a secret by someone else, she definitely couldn't tell anyone

Although she felt that he was already no longer in Zuellni, and there was no danger in telling the the Military artists in Grendan, they stood at the pinnacle, they were the strongest protectors, and their as definite That's what a Heaven's Blade Successor was Being unable to forget about her profound feelings fro she couldn't do anything about

Layfon, she wasn't far froh, it's not like we're treating you like a dangerous person” The person saying this was a silver-haired youth wearing glasses, as standing behind her and had listened to her questioning He was calmer than anyone else, and he revealed a sincere expression

”I believe that this is not the first time that we have met, I am the president of the Student Council, Karian Loss”

”Not Not the first tireeted him, Leerin tilted her head to the side ”Could it be, that you are a person from Grendan?”

”No, you've made a mistake”

”Is that so? Mmm Where have we met before?”

Nor to this conversation, however, the atmosphere should be taken into account

”Then, where? When traveling to Zuellni, while passing through Grendan, it ht be possible that I saw you”

Karian did not express displeasure at Leerin's words but kindly nodded instead

”Speaking of which, Leerin-chan, why did you come to this city? Did you co atmosphere of the conversation, Leerin froze for a , Leerin obediently told hi so for Layfon? It must have been troublesome for you”

”Then, do you know Layfon?”

In his letters, Layfon never mentioned the Student Council president The Student Council presidentWithout understanding the political condition of the Academy city but based on the successful development of the city run only by students, this person should be thewhy she had asked such a question, an answer i to his mind

”Yes, I do For Zuellni, I've done my best to understand him”

From the way Karian spoke, he had already realized that his ansas correct As he thought this he couldn't help but sigh with relief

Really, other than Military arts, Layfon see exiled from Grendan, his means of subsistence was so poor it was already at a fatal level, and he still didn't show any signs of thinking about or recognizing any of his problems

(Could it be that even now, he was still not aware of this?)

It seems that it is most likely true

”Let me help you” Leerin understood the words Karian wanted to say reflected in his eyes

”That”

”Oh, that's right, Leerin-chan Are you going to return as soon as you accomplish what you ca to return to Grendan at soht now the inter-city battle has prettybuses will be stranded here for a while as well How about you stay here for a longer tiht about that She never thought about the relationshi+p between the inter-city battles and the roa buses came to Grendan as well, so that was the reason She never knew that before

Seeing Leerin with no way out, Karian revealed a faint smile

Ah, this ht this, Leerin listened to his proposal

Just like that, the second day ca the injured Layfon, Leerin was pondering what to do now

She had already decided on her destination, and it was the Student Council

Checking the ti about Karian's offer She didn't think it was too bad, and although she wasn't quite sure if what she learned here would be of any use when she went back to Grendan, she saw it as another way of obtaining e, so it didn't seeht

”But still”

But she still thought that Karian had otherthis

”Hoo”

The proble to live in the dor much money with her either, so if she intended to stay here for a long time, she needed to find a job

”Well, I can think about those problems after the results coot up from the seat As soon as the pneumatic valve sounded, the doors opened

”Ah”

The person whoopen

”Eh?”

Directed by the sound, Leerin saw that person

She was a tall girl with fine red hair and tanned skin, giving off an iirl didn't say anything, she just continued to stare Leerin was naturally waiting for her reply, so she didn't irl who seemed to be one of her friends asked her

”Ah Ahaha sorry about that, Mei, Mi”

Pushi+ng her friends ere about to get off the train trae, she backed away froot on the train tra, and there were still many empty seats Leerin found a seat and sat down,the route map above the door of the train tram

”Excuse irl fro troublesome had happened

(Uu What to do?)

She didn't knohere Leerin was, and having no other options, she listened to Mifi's idea, which was to get so out to visit Layfon But she never thought she would an to speak up, and she started to introduce herself and her friends to Leerin Afterwards, Mifi and Naruki started a conversation with Leerin She seemed to be the type of person to easily accept others

”Hey, hey, as Lay-ton like in Grendan?”

”Ah here you guys call hiave hi Mifi say this, Leerin's eyes widened, and in response Naruki started toto cover up for her shock

”Yeah Calling hiive you a nickname as well?”

”Eh?”

”He of inflection) seeuish froh you can't tell the difference immediately?”

”Yeah Then, what do you think would be a good nickname for her, Mei-chi?”

”Eh?”

Meishen's face showed an expression like she had suddenly been hit by so to the conversation, but you couldn't tell fro at her expression

She showed that expression reflexively on her face as if it were a conditioned response

They see, and fro on

(Chi)

Being looked at with eyes like that, so uncomfortable

”Ri Is Rin-chan ok?”

She still felt discoht it would be this one”

”Yeah, I think that naood too”

The two of theave a wry sain She had seen people like Meishen before, so she just s behind her words

(Uu!)

That was exactly the reason why her sins were building up

(I, I secretly read her letter)

That event hung upon her heart heavily

Although she said it wasn't on purpose, if she could she would try and explain it away But behavior like reading other people's private letters was still unacceptable even if she did admit her fault

Leerin doesn't even know that this had happened, which ize

When she was apologizing to Layfon she was forgiven, but that only happened because Naruki accidentally let it slip If she didn't, perhaps Meishen would never have been able to apologize to Layfon

For Meishen, the act of secretly reading Leerin's letter gave her the first glimpse into the dark side of her heart The fact that there was a darkness hidden deeply within her terrified her

Meishen felt as if the core of her body was as cold as ice and she shi+vered Even though there wasn't any air conditioning, the summer season was about to arrive and it was hot as if several people were craht space Even so, she still felt cold inside The train arrived at the student council station

”What are you doing here of all places?”

The student council co with a steeple at its tip where Zuellni's flag was raised high, surrounded by a circular school building Within the tall building, there was the student council president's office,rooms for the student council members and the office area for thoseit there were the offices of the heads of the various disciplines in the school and the student council for those subdivisions as well as a reception area androoms

Yesterday, Leerin was locked in one of those little

”That” They walked together to the reception area and Leerin put on a face saying 'how do I answer?' in response to Mifi's question Then she started to answer it

There wasn't much left of the distance between the tram station and the reception area Naruki saw the people standing over there first, and so Leerin stopped her story

”Captain?”

In front of the wide glassof the reception area stood Naruki's Captain She had short, blonde hair, a pointed chin, and she looked like she was lass But if you looked at her personality and actions, then the type of glass she wasEverybody who saw her would probably hold their breath in concentration and their gazes would probably turn dull

Naruki's voice was carried across and Captain Nina lifted her head

”Ah, co for Leerin She wanted to knohy Leerin ith Meishen and the others, but she wasn't too bothered about it

”Leerin Marfes”

”Ah Present”

”In yesterday's test, you received a very good score You passed the test But if you are only staying in the short terive you a scholarshi+p, but part of your school fees will be free”

”Ah, is that so?”

Leerin was happy about the partial reduction of the school fees Meishen saw this, and Naruki didn't miss it either

”Weren't you worried about the test?”

”No, because I worked hard” She didn't make a sound of annoyance, neither did she reveal an overjoyed smile

”Rin-chan has officially entered Zuellni!” Mifi shouted out in surprise, causing Meishen to understand theof their conversation

”Oh, the student council president said that there won't be any roa buses anytime soon, and since you already came to an academy city it would be a waste not to study here”

”Uwah! Really? If it wasuntil I couldn't move anymore”

”You shouldn't think too hard about that kind of thing” Hearing Mifi's words, Naruki propped up her head

Leerin replied with a s battles they constantly li buses, at the worst it will be impossible to travel to any other cities for the next year Is that ok?”

”Whether or not it's ok, since you're trapped at a foreign city you ht as well stay here for a while”

”Yeah, now that youof which, could you tell me your name?”

”Ah, ah ah”

Meishen felt a little surprised, she saw Nina wavering From Nina's words, the two of them seemed to know each other

”Eh, so you two still don't know each other?”

”Yeah”

”What the, I thought you guys already knew each other!” Mifi thought so as well

”Sorry about that I as to, the seventeenth”

Nina held out her hand, and Leerin shook it

As expected, Ninaabout before, as the report given to you, Captain?”

This kind of thing waswithin the door in front of them, not by the unrelated Military Arts department, and definitely not by a platoon leader like Nina Antalk

”Yeah” Nina nodded her head ”Well, staying here short term means that she can't stay in the detention facilities That's e have to find her te The first year dorht as well come to my empty dorht” As she said this, she looked at Leerin

”As for transportation, going shopping is a little inconvenient, but other than that, it's a comfortable place to live in The rent isn't too expensive, so if you're interested in ister Anyways, just come to my place, okay?”

”Sure”

Leerin nodded her head, and that's what she decided to do

In order to get her luggage, everybody got on the train going towards the detention facilities with Nina On the train, Nina started talking again

”I heard froood food”

”No, it isn't as good as he says”

”We had to go ask the dorm head for military funds for your welcome party but the two people left behind in the dor

”The welcome party isn't really necessary, but as for the food, I'll cook it Also, if you would just call reat”

”Thanks, Leerin”

Nina's expression relaxed No matter how you looked at her, she see and it was pretty cute

Leerin thought so as well, and smiled kindly at Nina

”Hey, if it's a cook, we already have one!”

”Oh?”

”Ahh, if that's the case then I'll leave it to you We've got quite a bit of money, but is this ok? Is it too far away?”

”It's ok, on't be late We've got a bodyguard!”

”U about me?”

Mifi had cut into the conversation, unbidden, and Meishen couldn't stop her She had tried to keep her as quiet for a long as possible and you could only hear her otten free and Mifi's suggestion had been accepted

She couldn't escape even if she wanted to

Seeing Leerin's s face, Meishen could only tremble

◇

Some of the labs used for experimental purposes by the Construction Division were located in Nina's dor ested that she return to the dorm by herself to clean up the ot off fro and afterwards everyone would meet up

The military funds went from Nina's hand into Leerin's

”The dorm head loves to cook, so she should have all sorts of kitchen utensils As for the food, just pick what you like and buy it!”

In any case, Nina see, and just left those words

Meishen wanted to see her ht about the menu every day, this was really torturous for her

What did Leerin want tostreet in front of the station and it was lined with a variety of shops packed closely together There weren't only groceries on sale here, but ht as well These s streets focused around the areas adjacent to residential areas As they strolled through the shopping street, Meishen and the others practically becae As soon as Leerin arrived at the shopping street, she began to zealously check the products on sale at Zuellni, and she couldn't even hear the other three's words

And then she stopped at one of the stores

This was a restaurant The variety of dishes available here were extremely popular with the students too lazy to cook Of course, even those who did cook would co as they lived the life of a student

The business at this restaurant was boo

Leerin looked at the dishes Sometimes, you could find dishes that even Meishen didn't know of and couldn't cook

As a result of the isolation of the cities, there was a great variety a meat as an example, basic types of meat included beef, pork, and poultry as the three main types If mutations occurred, the variety of meat would increase exponentially These new types of meat would then be absorbed after classification and improvement Because of the different environments of each city, the actual improvements would also be different As a result of this, s actually tasted the sa arena for people with different eating customs With experimental types of produce mixed into the dishes at the restaurant, Meishen couldn't na to an explanation of the variety of foods used in this restaurant, Leerin understood and was already wandering through her next target, the grocery store She looked at the etables available were even etable, recognizing it by looking at the leaves and the roots was pretty easy

You could eat it raw, but when broiled or boiled it would taste even better That was how Meishen described the vegetable to Leerin

As they were doing this, Nina returned

”You guy's still haven't finished shopping?”

Seeing Nina's surprised reaction, Leerin cal to be on the ht”

However, she didn't i at all the products first, Leerin proceeded to the next store

And then she browsed through another store, then another

Finally, she had browsed through all of the grocery stores

Nina couldn't endure it any to h all of the stores, but she ended up not buying anything