Chapitre 187: Redo as a healer [7]

"T-that's cool! I hope I could learn to use my element as well..."

The days of the week had passed quickly, and before I knew it, the weekend had arrived. Because Stella and Caroline, and as a result Akane who stuck around the Rue girl, the only classmate I had spent any time with was Thomas.

Right now, we were sitting in his apartment and drinking some tea while talking about our classes this week, and what we had learned. "Did you check your elemental affinity? What was it?"

"Oh, well... It seems like I have a weak affinity for the wind element. But it was so weak that Mr. Abbas said that I should just give up on it..."

'Seems about right...'

It wasn't all too surprising that the gentle giant didn't have a strong connection to his element. Though it was a bit of bias because of his stature, I didn't think it suited the way he fought anyway. He was a full-blooded, close combatant, very much like Sophie, so if anything, his wind would only be used to enhance his movements further.

Not that it was a bad thing, but it felt a bit unnecessary when his natural talent for moving was so overwhelming already. So, not wanting to see him pouting anymore, tried to cheer him up a bit.

"That's a shame, but I'm sure you won't need it anyway. Although it was short, you were quite impressive when you sparred against Mr. Brown. I'm sure you will be able to become strong anyway. Oh, it seems like time is running away. Should we get going?"

Smiling in happiness to receive praise, he nodded energetically, "Y-yes!"

Where we were going? We were going to grab some dinner at the academy restaurant where I had made my very first performance in this world. 'Ah, that was pretty fun, wasn't it?'

==========

Leaving sub-me back at home, still busy with our experiments, me and Thomas were walking through the academy grounds together, giving me yet another feeling of déjà vu.

Previously, when I had walked with Sophie, I had very much felt like a child, and this time was no different. It was even to the point where my mind wandered into dangerous territory, thinking about what it would be like if I accepted Thomas' approach.

If his size was anything to go off... 'No! Stop! Don't think about that!'

As shivers went down my back, Thomas suddenly stopped, "H-hey, guys..."

Looking up from the ground, I was met by the sight of three girls, all dressed up and looking quite beautiful.

Stella, wearing black pants and a white top that looked like it was struggling a bit to keep her chest in place, Caroline who had the opposite problem, wearing a black dress that was way too mature for someone of her stature, and lastly Akane who was just wearing a pair of blue jeans and a black shirt.

'What are they doing here? Actually, never mind...'

Thinking about it, it was quite obvious what was about to happen, as they looked like they were waiting for someone. And if Thomas suddenly stopped to greet them, who would that be if not us?

"Hey, that took a while! Isn't it a bit strange for two guys to take longer than us girls to get ready, hehe."

The snake took the floor, seemingly ready to try her luck once again at hunting prey. Meanwhile, Akane and, surprisingly, Stella, both stood on the sidelines, neither of them feeling particularly comfortable opening their mouths.

However, at this point, I was too happy to care, or rather, Zero was too happy to care, "You guys..."

A huge smile unconsciously emerged on my face as Zero realized that these people hadn't abandoned him. While Thomas had been a huge source of comfort in the feeling that we might be alone again, it was still so joyful to see that the girls gave us another chance. Even if we knew that Caroline was a snake.

"Hey, don't look at us like that! We all wanted to visit you, but there was so much to do during these first two weeks that we didn't have the chance to. Now, let's talk more after we make it to the restaurant!"

'Lies, but... I don't really care, do I?'

So, continuing to smile, I just went played along, determined to at least allow Zero to have a good time tonight.

==========

Having somehow found ourselves sitting at the same corner table as the first time I was here, the atmosphere was still pretty awkward, and the reason why was clear. The person who would otherwise have most likely filled the role of energy and jolliness was still having a hard time speaking up.

Though I had some suspicions, I had no idea what the exact reason behind Stella's behavior was, but I could pretty easily deduce that it had something to do with Zero. "W-what do are y-you going to order, Z-zero?"

With the gentle giant sitting beside me, he had spent a lot of time looking through the menu, appearing to have a hard time deciding. As my mind was currently busy spinning to try and decipher the mystery that was Stella, I didn't think much about my answer.

"Hmm, probably a bottle of whiskey and the boar steak."

"..."

It took me a while to notice that I now had four pairs of eyes plastered on me, all looking absolutely gobsmacked when they heard my answer. Unable to control my facial expression, I felt my the skin on my face quickly heating up, resulting in a blush that could start forest fires.

"I-I mean a glass of whiskey! Of course, one glass is more than enough for me, hahaha!"

*Bam!*

Out of nowhere, a fist landed on the table, and before I knew it, the girl who hadn't said a word stood up, her face stiff with frustration, "No, I don't think you should drink at all! Just a week ago you were stuck in a hospital bed, there's no way I will let you drink alcohol tonight!"

And just like that, I found the answer to why she had been quiet, an answer that should have been obvious as I had dealt with a similar emotion all week, 'Guilt...'

In the next moment, she was in for a similar fate as me, suddenly realizing what she had just done, which ended in her face reddening as well. "Ah...! I-I mean, not that I could tell you what to do or anything... I just didn't think... it would be a good idea..."

Strangely enough, it seemed like Caroline had changed her approach a bit. If this was before the dueling event, she would absolutely have taken the chance to try and worsen my view of the blue-haired girl. However,

"I agree. I don't think you should be drinking either, Zero. Of course, it's a bit sad, but I also believe it's for the best."

"Y-yes... I also think so..."

"Mm."

I had no idea how it happened, but now it had suddenly become a four vs one, with everyone agreeing with Stella, who, in turn, finally looked like she relaxed a bit. Now that she had opened her mouth once, it looked like it wasn't a problem for her to continue doing so, now with a slight smile on her face.

"Then... Could you please refrain from drinking tonight, Zero? For our sake?"

Saint Zero would never be so insensitive to ignore the worries of his friends, so there was no way I could argue with them. "Ah, that's fine. I can just order a soda or something!"

'My sweet liquor... I'm sorry, my love. Next time... next time, I won't let this happen to us again!'

==========

"Thank you for taking a walk with me... All that wine made me a bit dizzy, so it's pretty nice to feel the night air. Ah, look! An owl!"

Walking behind the now back-to-normal Stella, there was no doubt that the reason she invited me for a walk after we had finished our dinner wasn't that she was 'dizzy'. Still, as she said, it was pretty nice to feel the night hair kiss my cheek, while the lonely moon illuminated our walk through the little thicket of trees.

Then, out of nowhere, the girl just stopped and turned around, showing me that she had finally prepared herself. "Hey, Zero... You know about what happened... During the duels...I'm sorry! I'm sorry for being so weak that you had to intervene! But please don't be mad at Sophie!"

'Ah, so that's what it was. She thinks I am still angry with Sophie.'

"Pfft! Hehe..hahaha!"

Her face was so stupidly stiff that I couldn't hold back my laughter, "W-What's so funny?! I'm just trying to..."

"Stella, it's okay. I'm not angry at anyone, if anything, I am angry at the social construct in Mensch as a whole."

As I was interrupting her, I quickly moved toward her, making it even harder for her to find words to say. Then, when I was close enough, I hugged her. Though my head landed at her chest area, I made sure to keep a distance.

"Stella, no matter what, it's not your fault. It's never the victim's fault, even if it isn't Sophie's either. But as always, thank you. For always thinking of me."

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