1-2-4 Roommates
The Saria Magic Academy
Part 2: To the Academy
ROOMMATES
“Well then, let’s start with introductions. I’m Mistonia Lutia, a third-year student majoring in Magical Logic. Nice to meet you.”
“Y-yes. Um, my name’s Tyril Zeeland. If I remember right, I’m, um, majoring in Applied Magics? I’m a first-year student. Nice to meet you, too.”
“Tyril, huh…? What a cute name. Rolls right off the tongue.”
“Er, well… Thank you very much.”
Did she just compliment my name…? Tyril forced a smile in response to the somewhat vague comment. Seemingly pleased by that, Mistonia nodded twice in satisfaction, her body shaking slightly, then tilted her head just a bit.
“By the way, just call me Misty. My full name is a mouthful.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s true. I think Mistonia is a beautiful name, but… if you prefer Ms. Misty, then I’ll use that.”
“No.”
Tyril’s intent was to respond honestly, but her shoulders involuntarily shrunk when Misty shook her head. She had no idea what she’d done wrong and worried she might have upset Misty.
Misty placed her left hand on her hip and raised her right index finger.
“I don’t need that ‘Miss’ stuff. Just call me Misty,” she said, her tone more of a request and her expression warm. “Actually, since we’re roommates, how about we drop the courtesies? It’s exhausting, you know? For both of us.”
“Um, but…”
Tyril faltered. Her formality was almost a habit. There were currently only two people in the world she could talk to only using their name.
Misty was a kind person, though. That was what Tyril believed—but she hadn’t yet reached the point where she could trust Misty as much as those two she held dearly.
“I find it easier to speak like that. But, um—” she took a deep breath “—M-Misty… do you not like being spoken to like that?”
She stumbled with her words, her expression clouded over, and Misty seemed troubled by it. She rested her chin on her hand and let out a thoughtful hum, at a loss. After much contemplation, she finally arrived at an answer.
Misty forced a smile and voiced out her thoughts. “It’s not that I hate it. It just feels a bit lonely, I guess.”
“What? You’re feeling lonely?”
“Now that we’re roommates, it’ll feel like there’s some distance between us. That’s why I’m feeling lonely. Since we’re living in the same room, I want us to become close as much as possible,” she said, her smile relaxing.
Tyril didn’t sense any lies or pretense from her admission. The honesty and kindness from it—she appreciated that.
I’m being too narrow-minded, she regretfully admitted to herself. Even as Misty tried to reassure her, Tyril couldn’t completely wipe away her anxieties and doubts. It’s not that I doubt her character, though. What if I unintentionally offend her by being overly familiar with my words or actions?
The possibility terrified her. She still had trouble believing in being so openly friendly.
“Uh, well, I…”
“Well, if you really don’t want to, I’m not going to force you.”
Misty became concerned upon seeing Tyril’s distress. But despite her saying that, her expression still seemed terribly lonely.
Say something. Tyril put both hands on her chest and forced out a reply.
“Well, I, um… I’ll do my best! The way I talk is a habit, so I don’t think it’ll be easy to change, but… I can take my time and learn to speak without being formal. It’s not that I can’t, but I’ll be able to!”
“Tyril…”
“Um, is that… not okay? No, sorry. Is that unacceptable?”
She hesitantly tried to combine speaking formally and, desperately, plainly. She stumbled with each word and ended up correcting herself before moving on, then she would slip right into being formal. So, it wasn’t so much mixing up as it was patching up.
I’m no good, am I? Even though I said I’ll try, I’m not at all convincing. Will Misty get angry if I say something inappropriate? Or will she look even lonelier than before?
Tyril bowed her head in fear and, with a trembling gaze, peeked up at Misty.
The person in question had her hands clenched into fists in front of her chest, and she was slightly leaning forward and trembling. And then, suddenly, it was like she exploded.
With her sparkling eyes, she hugged Tyril tightly and yelled out loud.
“You’re so cute!”
“H-h-hyah?!”
That stunned reaction was from the one being hugged. A shocked scream unlike anything Tyril had ever let out before escaped from the throat of her stiffened body.
Misty quickly released Tyril, but she still grasped onto her shoulders firmly. She smiled sweetly. “Well, there’s no need to hurry. We’ll be living together for almost a year, so we can take it slowly. I’ll get you to speak to me casually, Tyril.”
“Um, yes!”
Tyril nodded vigorously. Misty really is a kind person. She understood her feelings and spoke to her considerately. Although, she was surprised to be hugged so suddenly.
She sensed that getting to know Misty, becoming roommates, and perhaps becoming friends would probably be the luckiest thing to happen to her since coming to the academy.
While humming, Misty let go of Tyril’s shoulder and started preparing some herbal tea. It was then she abruptly turned back and added one more condition.
“Oh, but…”
“Hm?”
“Sorry, but let me be a bit selfish here. Could you maybe stop calling me with a ‘Miss’ now? It creeps me out.”
Her roommate had on a toothy grin. Tyril sighed in relief and returned it with a smile, the best one she could muster.
“I understand, um… Misty.”
“Wow… Seriously, you really are so cute!”
“W-what? Mi-Misty, please stop…”
For some reason, Tyril found herself in another embrace, and once again let out a new scream from her throat.
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Last revisions: 20/08/23
Glossary:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D4XF1ID8j7zti3pG-fqtcd0h0T9aZHK_CXsCrr5gwY/edit?usp=sharing
Revisions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jS9QeSLaJfl6P_-Gl-zAY0dnKPep3or9fUl-HPukc9g/edit?usp=sharing