My Classmate Became My Familiar - Chapter 2.11
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Chapter 2.11
“I’m really sorry about this.”
The day after, I successfully handed Ryouka over.
I was summoned by the President of the student council after school.
There was no one in the room except her.
“I really don’t know what to say. My sister, Ryouka, has caused you a lot of trouble…”
As soon as I entered the room, the President bowed deeply in front of me.
With her back straight and her hips bent at a right angle, she showed her gratitude so beautifully that it could be featured in an etiquette book.
“I know that no amount of words will ever be enough, but please…”
The President, with an exhausted tone, apologized so earnestly that it made me feel bitter.
“It’s alright. I understand how you feel, so please raise your head.”
When I said this, unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, she slowly raised her head.
Her complexion was pale with a sense of fatigue that she could not hide.
“I’m sorry…”
“No. It’s not your fault, President. You’re apologizing too much.”
“That’s not true. It was my fault for spoiling her too much. If I had been more careful, she wouldn’t have bothered you… I feel so ashamed.”
She furrowed her brows and bit her lips. I could feel her regret more than ever.
Looking at her expression, I wondered if human beings were capable of regretting like this. At least I couldn’t.
“You don’t have to be so responsible for other people’s actions. You’re not her mother.”
“Ahm, mother, you say,” She cleared her throat. “No, I’ve always taken care of her in some way, and I thought of her as my own sister. And now that she’s caused you so much trouble, I can’t help but think that I didn’t educate her well. If only I’d raised her right…”
I thought that the harshness of her upbringing might have been the cause of Ryouka’s personality, but I couldn’t bring myself to point it out. Also, please read the atmosphere.
“Anyway, there’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ll be bothered if you apologize more than necessary.”
“… I see. It’s selfish of me, but I feel a little better now that you’ve said that. Thank you.”
She smiled modestly.
She sure was earnest.
I sat down on the sofa near the office table.
“By the way, where is she? I haven’t seen her at all on campus today,” I asked the President, who was sitting opposite from me.
She replied while sighing.
“The Old Masters of the main family are giving her a hard time. I don’t think she’ll be coming back to school for a while.”
“Really? Is that her punishment?”
“It might be. The main family was furious because of this incident, and they couldn’t forgive the fool from the branch family for plotting a rebellion. I couldn’t even protect her. But it’ll be a good lesson for her even if it hurts for once.”
The way she spoke so softly was heartbreaking. It’s not that I had any grudges against Ryouka, but she almost got me killed, so I wanted her to feel some pain.
It was a matter of personal judgment and punishment. So I did.
The President rubbed her brow and smiled lightly.
“I can’t thank you enough for not reporting her to the school and handing Ryouka directly to us. Thank you. She could have been expelled from school, but somehow I was able to save her neck. You see, even a girl like her is a cute little sister to me…”
Ryouka detested her, but the President didn’t seem to detest her back.
It couldn’t be helped.
“What’s cute about that sister you yours?”
“Well. I always have a soft spot for both my younger brother and sister.”
“… Huh? Do you have a younger brother, President? Weren’t you an only child?”
When I expressed my doubts, she stared at me in silence. Her straightforwardness seemed to appeal to me, but I had no idea what she wanted to say, so I could only remain confused.
“Um…”
When I called her out, she let out a distressed sigh as if she had given up.
“… Ah, yes. You’re right, Souta-kun. I don’t have a brother.”
“I thought so. But what was that pause you just had?”
“Nothing. It’s okay if you don’t understand. At least, I’m definitely an only child right now. I guess that’s why I care about Ryouka more than I should.”
The way she said it, as if the words were stuck in her tongue, was enough to convince me that she was keeping some secrets. However, I didn’t feel comfortable getting involved in someone else’s family affairs.
I mean, even if she did have siblings in the past, she doesn’t now, and I didn’t want to know why.
“I see. Anyway, I’ll leave it to you to deal with your lovely Ryouka.”
“Despite the way you put it, I understand. I’ll have Ryouka apologize to you again in person.”
“I understand. I’ll leave you to it then…”
“Oh, wait a minute.”
As I stood up, she stopped me.
She glanced down as if she was having a little trouble saying it, but then she quickly looked up at me.
“Fujiwara-san… Is it possible to bring her back…?”
I shook my head.
“No. The demon has completely taken over her body. I’m sorry to say, but… there’s still no way to get her back.”
The President’s expression darkened, “I see.”
Maybe she felt guilty because it was caused by Ryouka’s rash actions.
“Please don’t look at me like that. I’ll do something about it. I’m also a little troubled by the fact that Fujiwara’s consciousness is still missing.”
“O-oh?”
The President was stunned by my comment… Eh? Why?
The look on her face was the same as if she had just seen a delinquent rescue an abandoned kitten.
I know I said something that didn’t suit me, but I wasn’t expecting this reaction. I was rather shocked.
Was it because of my usual behaviour?
Her eyes wandered hesitantly, and she continued while looking away,
“Anyway, what do you think of Fujiwara-san, Souta-kun?”
“What’s this all of a sudden?”
“No, nothing serious. I’m just kind of curious.”
I was sure that we had a relationship that could easily be misunderstood, but I never thought that even the President would ask me this question.
Hmm… How do I feel about Fujiwara?
No words came to mind. So I looked back at my memories of her. From the day I met her until yesterday when her consciousness disappeared.
How was she? I can’t think of any reason that had either a good or bad impression on me.
That’s true.
The only thing I remembered about her was that she tormented and mistreated me.
Maybe I shouldn’t help her. But even so, we have lived together for a short time.
The more you spend time together, the more compassionate you might be…
Maybe not.
That’s a joke, but at the very least, I couldn’t forget the last thing she did, so I wanted to help Fujiwara. I honestly feel that.
“A troublesome partner, I suppose.”
As I struggled to come up with the right words, she gave me a rather smug look.
“Partners, huh? Is that as a summoner and a familiar?”
“That’s right.”
She heard my affirmation and gave me a small nod.
“I see. Well, whatever it is, you said you’d take care of it. I guess you’ll make it happen.”
Then she smiled as if somewhat relieved.
Again with the secrets.
I am so tired of hearing this.
“Thank you… for your unworthy high praise as always.”
“What’s so unworthy about it? You can do anything if you put your mind to it, Souta-kun.”
She gave me a sharp look, full of conviction.
“You have a talent for that.”
Yes, yes.
Maybe, I do.
End of Chapter 2