READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 171
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“Hello, Ayle.”
“…Ah, yeah.”
It was lunchtime. The two of them met in front of the school cafeteria, perfectly on time. With arms crossed naturally (it was the first time Ayle realized that girls often link arms like that), they headed inside.
In the school cafeteria, which had dozens of menu options, while Ayle picked what seemed to be delicious, high-calorie food, Snowa chose a diet salad that looked like something elegant college girls would eat.
Sitting at the same table with their meals laid out became even more of a contrast. Ayle shot a sidelong glance at Snowa, who was gracefully starting to eat her food.
“What’s wrong, Ayle? Are you feeling unwell?”
“…No, not really.”
“Is that so? If you’re not feeling well, just let me know. I can escort you to the nurse’s office.”
As Snowa said this, she lifted her bag. Inside were all sorts of medicines and vitamins for when one feels unwell. Considering that Ayle’s bag only contained her smartphone, wallet, Magical Girl Transformation Kit, and some merchandise, the comparison was stark.
The years they had spent and the different levels of femininity they had naturally developed were worlds apart. To put it nicely, if Ayle was at the level of a kindergarten student, Snowa was already a fully matured adult woman.
And that was frustrating.
“Um, Snowa.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“The professor said… not to come anymore…”
“Huh? Out of the blue?”
“If a student comes around, strange rumors might start circulating…”
Ayle, who had blurted this out, was shocked, not knowing why she had said it. Of course, Eight had never said anything like that. However, for some reason, she didn’t want to let Snowa get too close to Eight anymore.
After hearing Ayle’s words, Snowa fell silent for a moment, deep in thought, and then opened her mouth.
“That’s true… It could be problematic if a professor and a student are too close.”
“Right? So…”
“Please tell him I’ll apologize in person later.”
“Uh, uh?”
“What does the professor like? Maybe cake?”
Seeing Snowa, who was beaming and planning to visit Eight again, Ayle realized once more that Snowa was on another level when it came to femininity. If she had heard such a thing, she would have given up immediately— Snowa, in that brief moment, had naturally found a way to maintain a connection with Eight.
The overwhelming difference in relationship experience. Unlike Ayle, who was below average, she was a remarkable woman above average.
‘Oh no…’
If she goes to apologize directly to Eight? He would probably ask what she was talking about— and that would expose Ayle’s lie.
This would lead to disappointment for both Eight and Snowa. Both would question why she had told such a lie, and then Ayle would once again be left alone…
“I’ll, I’ll ask him later…”
“Isn’t it also not good for Ayle to meet him?”
“I think I’ll be okay? I’m the club president, after all…”
“Then it’s fine for me to meet him as a fellow club member! This is great. Should we go ask together?”
“…Ugh, uh.”
Absolutely not.
I don’t want you to meet the scientist anymore.
But that thought was just spinning in Ayle’s head; what came out of her mouth was a reluctant acceptance she didn’t even want.
…I want to die. Really.
* * *
“I got the story. Professor. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
While I was alone scribbling thesis papers in the university laboratory— Ayle and Snowa suddenly came in and bowed deeply in apology.
I shot a glare at Ayle, wondering what on earth this was about, but she turned her gaze away and remained silent. I quietly nodded, predicting the situation.
“It’s not like you had to come all this way.”
“No, I never imagined such a thing would happen because of us. We will be more careful from now on.”
“It’s alright. It’s not a big problem. You can go back now.”
“Understood. Ah, this is a gift to apologize.”
Snowa said this and handed over coffee and a slice of cake. A sweet chocolate cake with a bitter Americano set. I smiled in gratitude, signaling that I would enjoy it, and then sent them on their way.
“Ah, Ayle, please stay for a moment. I need to talk to you as the club president.”
“Y-Yes…”
Once I was alone with Ayle, I immediately activated the soundproofing and asked her.
“What’s going on?”
“…Well, uh…”
Ayle carefully explained why the two had come to see me. She mentioned that she had been uncomfortable with Snowa meeting with me, citing that it could be problematic for a professor to be too close with a student…
It was a somewhat reasonable point. In reality, the only reason a professor would be too close with a student is if they were trying to make that student their graduate assistant. Being close to someone of a different department and gender could stir up undesirable rumors.
From that perspective, it seemed logical, but…
“She’s your friend, Ayle. Is it okay to treat her like this?”
“B-But…”
“There’s no other reason, is there?”
“…I-I don’t know.”
“You can’t keep acting like a child. Ayle. You’re a university student now—”
Just then, Ayle stomped her foot loudly. It was such a huge sound that it would have echoed outside if not for the soundproofing. I looked at her, slightly taken aback.
Ayle began to glare at me, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I-I know! I’m not a child anymore. So… I’ll decide my own path.”
“Ayle…”
“I-I’m sorry, Professor. I have to go now.”
With a bang, Ayle threw open the door and dashed out of the laboratory. Just outside, Snowa, who had been waiting for us, cocked her head in confusion as if she didn’t know what was going on, then cautiously bowed her head and followed after Ayle.
As I watched the two disappear into the distance, I carefully got up and closed the door to the laboratory that Ayle had flung open.
“You should close the door properly…”
Honestly— she still hasn’t matured from that childish personality. No, it wasn’t just that she hadn’t matured; it would be more accurate to say she hadn’t grown at all.
I didn’t even understand the reason for her anger. Even the reason for lying to a newly made friend.
‘Is she going through puberty now?’
Puberty has no cure, you know.
This is really a big deal.
* * *
“Ayle, Ayle!”
In a burst of speed— as a member of the Evil Organization, Ayle had the standard stamina training, and she dashed through a considerable distance without a hitch. Snowa, who thought she had decent stamina from her Magical Girl activities, was barely able to keep up.
Gasping for air, Snowa cautiously spoke to where Ayle had stopped.
“What in the world happened? Why did you run out like that…?”
“…It’s nothing, really.”
“Did the professor do something…?”
“N-No! He didn’t do anything!”
“Then why…?”
Ayle looked at Snowa with a clueless expression while starting to shake her hands. That expression— just how many guys have fallen for that innocent look?
Isn’t Eight also treating her well because of that expression? Yet she shows such smiles easily to others…
As Ayle simmered in her irritation while glaring at Snowa, it didn’t take long for Snowa to catch onto something and cautiously say.
“Ah, maybe— are you afraid of your lie being found out?”
“…Huh?”
“The professor said he didn’t want to hang out with someone like me. That was Ayle’s lie, right?”
In that moment, Ayle felt her heart drop.
Her pupils dilated, and a sweat started to run down her spine.
The typical signs of a child caught in a lie.
“H-How did you…?”
“Well— it’s weird for you to say that suddenly, and the professor’s reaction was a little odd too?”
“…So that means—”
“Yeah. I think I have a rough idea as to why you told that lie. Jealousy, right?”
“…”
Everything is out in the open.
Ayle thought to herself, sinking into despair.
Now that her ugly heart had been revealed, it would be hard to remain friends. Surely, there would be no one willing to embrace a filthy person like herself.
What would it feel like to be abandoned by a friend for the first time? Just imagining it already made her hands and feet tingle. Ayle shut her eyes tightly, awaiting the judgment of her friend.
“─You’re adorable, Ayle.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s a cute jealousy. I honestly thought you were still in elementary school.”
However, surprisingly, Snowa’s response was not what Ayle expected.
Snowa slowly approached Ayle, brushing her bangs aside, and spoke.
“You knew first. You liked him first— and you just don’t want to lose him. It’s unfair, right?”
“…N-No, that’s not—.”
“It’s okay. I wouldn’t be too pleased if a friend snatched away the guy I liked either— but above all, love is more enjoyable when there are challenges, right?”
“Uh, uh?”
“I’ll help you.”
Snowa said this while locking eyes with Ayle. Their reflections could be seen in each other’s eyes, sharing an intimate connection…
“From now on, Ayle, you’ll be my rival in love.”
“R-Rival?”
“Yes. Regardless of who finds love first, we won’t hate or oppose each other.”
Of course, this would be a highly unfavorable battle for Snowa—.
But she was confident.
She was confident that she could steal Away from Ayle.
And above all—
‘Great. This way, it wouldn’t feel like I’m stealing him…’
To calm the little kid in front of her, sometimes you had to give them candy. There’s no need to let the one who succeeded end up crushed in overwhelming violence, after all—.
Thus began their battle for love.
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