Game 32: Chika II—"I'll Be In The Library."

<The Library>

I was supposed to be scared. After all, I have witnessed something so scary. I haven't seen magic like that before. I was supposed to be scared... but for some reason I was not. Looking at him made my heart skip a beat with a cheery feeling inside my chest. 

—What is this feeling?!

And he, without even caring for those students who were lying on the floor, headed toward the long table at the corner of the library. Getting back on his reading.

By looking at those piled books beside him, it seemed like he was reading there nonstop for a very long time now. Since the library should be open to anyone, no librarian is assigned here. In fact, no one really goes to the library... So, If I say it's a miracle that he's here... It won't be an exaggeration.

I fixed my clothes. I was wearing the one he gave me. After assuming that I already made a neat appearance, I went near him. 

"M-may I sit here..?"

He did not respond. Not even a glance.

I sat next to him. He doesn't seem to care at all, he just keeps on flipping the pages at an incredibly unbelievable speed. Anxiously watching him, his serious face—I blushed for some reason. Uncertain but relaxed, and while at it, I asked

"Why..? Why did you save me?"

"..."

He didn't answer quickly. He just stayed focused on what he was reading. I knew it. He doesn't care about me at all. I fell in silence with this thought in mind, not even realizing that I was making a despondent look. But then,

"I can't focus with all that fuss you've made. I did not save you. So don't misunderstand. My lords' order is more important than anything else."

...he said without even looking at me. I made a gloomy face on what I heard. It's not like I am expecting sweets for a reason, but still... it's just...

"And also... a girl should be treated right if not better. That's all to it."

"!.."

Huh?!

I suddenly returned my gaze to his face. 

What... Please don't say no more...

I was left in a blank expression with my mouth hanging slightly open. Heart throbbing.

...If you say more... I will...

I don't even know how I look right now. It just something had hit me right in my critical point.

...really...

"Your name... please, I want to know your name. I have to!"

"Why?"

"Ah, eh, oh...no. It—it's just. I just... I really..."

Ah, I don't know what to say next...

"You see... I betrayed someone."

What am I saying?

I started blurting nonsense.

"I am really ashamed... That I even thought I deserved this incident as a punishment for my foolishness..."

Ah, what am I even saying to someone I just met?

"...being the eldest child of Hammerton, I needed to protect my family name. But I am so weak that even though I was named as a genius Alchemist, I can't do anything..."

He's not even looking at me. I don't know if he's listening, but I keep on talking anyway.

Just why?

"So, when I was threatened by the student council... I don't know what to do..."

Why am I confessing all this to him?

"...So, I did something very ugly. Something disgusting such as betrayal for someone I wanted to protect. I even gave away information about my friend who saved us once."

Ah, I don't know anymore, I am starting to cry... why am I such a crybaby... seriously.

"As I thought, it would be better if I am not here! Maybe I should just leave the Academy. It would be better than to live here with regrets...—ah!?"

I was stopped by the clapping sound of the book closing. And short after, 

"Regrets, huh?"

I once again heard his cold voice. He spoke looking into space. If I was to describe, his voice is like something that's coming out from someone whose heart was frozen. I stared at him after that one word and gave all ears,

"In the past... I also have these what you call regrets. Something like not being able to protect the ones you love... Something like not being able to do anything at all..."

in what he was saying. I don't know how long that past is. But when I heard him saying the word love, something pained my heart for no reason. I... I don't know.

"But..."

"But?"

"...someone told me, 'I don't care about your past, nor I will mind it in the future.' He said 'All of us have their own circumstances and yours are no better than mine. But if you have that resolve to change even the regrets of your past. Then that makes you just like me. Take my hand and live in the present! This way, neither your past nor the future will ever haunt you for it!' while stretching his arm on someone like me. I am sure someone will also stretch their arm for you, too." 

He was surprisingly talkative. And  Saying these, he gave away a beautiful smile. So beautiful that it made my heart jump a beat and thumped like crazy.

Blushing as I was turned into someone burning red. With that single smile, I have forgotten everything. But then...

"My lord, Guren-sama. He's the one you're talking about, right? Chika?"

...how did he know my name? No, more importantly... Lord Guren? What is the meaning of this?

"How... how did you...?"

"I have known you for how long you've known my Lord. And I am well aware of all your actions."

...he said in his usual cold tone. How did he know all of these? How could this be? I am starting to feel anguish again. Yet,

"You don't have to make all those kinds of expressions. I will not say anything to my lord. In exchange, will you be able to promise that you won't do the same again?"

"I can! I promise!"

he spoke gently and I replied without a second of delay. I have learned and even saved. I will never be swayed again. Yes, never be swayed again...

"Good."

"But, I... I...—eh?"

But I saw him stretch his arm towards me. No other than me. And said,

"If you need someone to stretch their arm for you, Surely your lady will. And if in a million possibilities, no one will reach out for you, I will compromise. You don't have to go back to that past now. Someone will always stretch my arm for you."

coldly but warm. This natural playboy! What does he want me to say after all this? Of course I... I will..

"Yes! please stretch your arm for me!"

"I did not say mine specifically... but, well." he let out a small sigh.

...take that arm...

*DINGDONG-DINGDING

That time, another sound of the familiar bell echoed all over the academy. And with that I bid my parting greeting to him.

But before that,

"Ah, your name? I want to... know your name..."

"Hm? Benjiro. That is what I am called."

Benjirou... What an unusual name...

"Then, Benjirou... will I be seeing you again?"

He tilted his head. And after a little he said,

"Maybe? or maybe not."

I gave a wry smile with his vague answer. But I know I will be seeing him again.

Yes, I know it for sure!

¤

Chika left the library wearing a wide smile on her face. Meanwhile back in the library...

"I heard all of it, you know? Benjirou."

a telepathic voice sounded in the ears of Benjirou. With their contract, telepathic communication and thought can be passed through each other.

"You promised her that you won't tell me anything about this, right?"

"But I didn't, my lord. You just eavesdropped on us."

"Ahaha. True!"

"..."

and after a brief silence...

"You're a demon, Benjirou."

"Yes I am, my lord. What of it?"

Both of them gave some sarcasm to each other...

"My lord, If I hadn't shown myself and did not save her... What could have you done?"

"Hm? Probably nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Yes. Because I know, you're not going to abandon someone who is in need of help. Especially when they are as cute as Chika..." 

Guren gave a chuckle as he gave his answer, making Benjiou blush. 

"'If you need someone to stretch their arm for you, Surely your lady will. And if in a million possibilities, no one will reach out for you, I will compromise. You don't have to go back to that past now. Someone will always stretch my arm for you.' was it? I never knew that you're such a lolicon."

"I am not! Please stop it... My lord!"

Guren was grinning, while Benjirou was burning red. Flustered. He was being grilled by his masters' teasing.

"Ahaha. Sorry... Also, even if I want to do something about it, I can't."

"Why is that?"

Benjirou asked in a puzzled look.

"I just finished my duel, you dunce! I thought you knew?!"

Guren said with a little raise of his tone. He sounded pissed because he forgot the duel itself.

"Ah! I—I forgot! It was today wasn't it?! My apologies, My lord!"

Guren just gave him a sigh as a response. And said,

"Well, it's fine. Nothing major happened anyways."

"As expected. If I am to guess, you find it harder holding back than defeating him, don't you?"

"Well anyway, now that you have done it, take responsibility for protecting Chika from now on, Benjirou. This is not an order. This is a request as her friend. Protect her at all costs. Because nothing is over yet."

"As you wish. My lord! However, a friend... due to our circumstances we must not get involved too much. Eventually, we will..."

"I know."

Guren said even before Benjirou could finish his sentence.

"But we have to protect those people we have been acquainted with so far. That much is acceptable."

Guren gave a wry smile.

"It is what the lord said."

Benjirou just nodded in response.

With all these said, the case in the library was closed.

"Prepare yourself, Benjirou. We have a Student council as our opponents this time!" 

"At most certain. My lord."

"Not only that... I have something for you to do. Let us postpone the research you're doing now. This one is at most urgent."

"As you wish, My lord."

He bowed. 

¤

And then the day after that event came as fast as a running time...

*DINGDONG-DINGDING

Few Days Later. In the classroom.

"Hmm? Chika, where are you going?"

Ellisbeth asked as she was seeing her hurriedly packed her things as soon as the bell rang.

"I'll be in the library, My lady!"

She said with a beaming smile, leaving Ellisbeth in confusion. 'Why does she have two lunch boxes anyway?' She has this in mind.

"Is Chika always that studios, Mai?"

She asked as she shifted her puzzled eyes from the dashing Chika to Mai.

"I don't have an idea either, My lady."

Mai shook her head in response.

"Just what has happened to that girl wanting to go to that lonely place...?"

As she said that she glanced at Guren.

"Who knows..."

Guren said with Andrea on his side happily munching cookies which Mai prepared. 

Chika has been acting strange, yet only few know why...

"Maybe she found some books that are interesting to read in the library."

Mai added.

...but what is for sure... is that she has found something as a reason to go there in the place called a library.

Since that time, Chika can be found almost everyday in the library in her free time. Meanwhile, Benjirous' {INVISIBLE} skill usage rate had dramatically declined...

...To be Continued....