Chapter 12 - I Got A Near Miss

July 11, 2018

The space that Ordias-sama created disappears and I find myself standing in the corridor.

In this non-descriptive hallway, I sigh.

Although it cannot be helped, I must thank Ordias-sama for worrying about me.

But then again, he’s not good at being worry so I sigh alone again.

Oh, more than that.

Finally, I have an important task.

I was randomly summoned here so I thought I could sneak back.

No way, it is going to be a totally annoying story that is trying to develop into a big problem by mentioning that there is someone in the country who intentionally called me here.

Well, as Ordias-sama said, I hope I wasn’t invited to this world for a ‘smelly’ reason. I don’t think this invokes a positive feeling.

Anyways, I’ll have to be more careful in the future.

If I’m really being targeted by someone, I can’t be careless.

I’m not in a position to be protected by someone like I was before.

I will defend myself.

“By the way, have you met up with Wood Gray* yet?” (Ordias)

I’m walking down a long corridor with Ordias-sama.

I shook my head with a hard expression.

Wood Gray is a family name for Noel.

“I’m surprised. I thought you would rely on him first.” (Ordias)

“I can’t rely on him even if I want to. I’m just a citizen and in the first place, there’s no way to meet Noel.” (Haruka)

I said it in a voice that seemed a bit hurried and sulky.

“And I’m not bothering Noel for now because Noel has things Noel should do.” (Haruka)

“Because he is an escort for the other Priestess, right?” (Ordias)

Ordias-sama guessed my thoughts and said it out loud in a flat voice.

Geez, he put everything into a prospect, I don’t want him to do that.

“Well, that’s right.”

His face appeared in my mind again.

“But, can you be indifferent over this? Now that you know that you are here.” (Ordias)

Ordias-sama’s voice muttered over from a different direction.

I looked at him and saw him watching me from across the corridor.

“If you listen to the rumor that is.” (Ordias)

“Eh?!” (Haruka)

I straightened my spine and followed Ordias-sama’s gaze.

I see a man walking slowly.

I can’t see the face yet but I knew who it was.

That flaxen short hair, body postures, the way he was walking…that is definitely Noel, my former escort knight.

Oh no! What!?

“Perhaps, it has something to do with me.” (Ordias)

Ordias-sama explained in a calm voice.

No no no. That must be it! There was no point of contact between us at ths point.

Let’s keep it that way.

Noel is coming closer to us.

I don’t want to see you!!

“If you don’t want to see him, you can leave out the door that’s a little further back in the hallway. You’ll remember the way home from the courtyard.” (Ordias)

I almost subconsciously hide behind Ordias-sama.

As he said, I look back at the corridors and I can see the door leading to the courtyard.

“Well then, I will return from there.” (Haruka)

That’s all I could say

Would you like me to tell Noel about myself, or would you lie to him?

I have no idea what I want. I don’t know but I don’t want to see him now.

My only thought was to move my feet.

I ran out to the courtyard with trembling foot.

It wasn’t only my foot, my hands were also trembling.

Why, why?

I hug the large basket which had lowered from my shoulder.

I’m feeling very upset.

Haaa…take a deep breath and calm yourself Haruka!

Let’s get away from here for now.

There is a bit of a distance back home.

Noel shouldn’t have noticed me being here.

However, I should take precaution.

The courtyard was deserted.

There was minimal care for the grass and shrubs. There’s a lonely little arch without any roses blooming. If it’s a season of roses, this garden would have been very beautiful.

There’s a somewhat lonely atmosphere here.

On the contrary, this feeling of loneliness calms down my feelings.

Even if I look back, I cannot see anyone chasing me.

At the same time, I feel relieved but there is also a little bit of regret.

I’m selfish.

No, but today was a great day.

Even though I was surprised to see Ordias-sama, I couldn’t believe I almost encounter Noel.

Ordias-sama said Noel had business with him. But, what kind of affair was it?

I was wondering if he had any intention of telling me.

Next time I see you, I’ll have to confirm for sure.

Oh, but I’m feeling very tired now.

・ ・ ・ ・

To my disappointment, the following day I was in bed with a fever.

As soon as I got up in the morning, I was feeling somewhat weak.

At the same time, I felt all over my body. I wonder if it was because my body was screaming because of the heavy load I carried to the magic lab.

At the breakfast table, I ate a delicious meal.

Right afterward, I suddenly felt sick.

It’s disgusting. I’m feeling nauseous.

In the restroom, my body feels difficultly heavy and hard to stand up from the chair.

Around this point, the diner owner, who was eating with me, noticed my strangeness.

He called over his wife immediately and I was taken to my bed.

Haru-chan, you have a bad fever!

Right now I’m lying down on my bed and looking up at the ceiling in a daze.

I constantly move in and out of consciousness.

Even if I got drowsy, I immediately get a strange dream and feel even more tired.

Haaa…this is the first time I got sick in this world.

Has it ever been this bad?

I have the guts of a weak school girl!

I was slowly increasing my self-esteem.

This is really rattling it.

I wonder if this exhausting feeling accumulated over time.

Yes, it must be one of the reasons why I met Ordias-sama yesterday.

Even if I said I’m weak, by reuniting with some acquaintances in this world, I was given a boost of confidence.

Even if I haven’t made any progress yet…

I only know that it’ll be rocky for me in the future.

This is not the time to be in bed.

Even if I tell myself that, my body is still heavy with heat and won’t listen to what I say.

Tears accumulated in the outer corner of my eyes and drip down my face.

Because of the fever, tears spill from my eyes without permission.

My lips feel dry and I want to apply a lip cream.

Perhaps it’s in a pouch in my school bag.

Maybe I should get it.

But it’s such a hassle.

Sena took care of the bento delivery to the royal palace today.

Today it was scheduled to be at the training ground. It should be okay but what should I do for the future? But Sena won’t do well with the magicians. I hope the good magician who I met on the first day takes care of her.

I need to get well soon…

It looks like I fell asleep again and slept for a while.

I wonder how long I was out. I woke up to the sounds of dishes next to my bedside.

I open my eyes a little and confirmed that next to my bedside was Sena replacing the jug and cup at the side table.

“Oh, sorry. Did I wake you up? (Sena)

“No… water, please. Thank you.” (Haruka)

My voice was soft and weak.

Even in the morning, the wife kept my water ready but, I was sleeping without drinking any at all.

“Do you want to eat anything? I’ll ask the diner owner.” (Sena)

“No, it’s okay.” (Haruka)

I look out the window and the sky is dyed red at dusk.

The busy time at the diner should start again right now.

I cannot inconvenience him.

“You haven’t eaten anything in the morning. The diner husband and wife is worried. Even if it’s a light meal, you should eat it.” (Sena)

“…Okay.” (Haruka)

For the time being, I received help from Sena to up on the bed to drink the water. I grasp the cup that Sena poured with both hands and drank carefully. Oh…I feel revived.

“Come to think of it, thank you for delivering the bento today.” (Haruka)

“Oh, it’s a great feeling. I feel thankful for delivering it.” (Sena)

“Huh?” (Haruka)

Sena grinned as soon as I asked. She looks like she was about to explode.

“Sorry.” (Haruka)

My nose feels a bit rough as Sena move closer to me. Since I have a cold, I moved back a little.

“I’m not talking about you being sick. I’m sorry this happened because you’re always the one working hard. I was wondering if I should tell you or not” (Sena)

She started to twitch a little. This is the first time I see Sena like this.

It’s scary.

“But I want to tell you so don’t tell anyone.” (Sena)

“Okay, what is it?” (Haruka)

“Noel came to the training ground today!” (Sena)

I was hit with a sharp dizziness and I sunk into the bed again.

・ ・ ・ ・

Translator’s Note:

I’m back! I was feeling a bit down that maybe people aren’t as into the story as I was. Then I picked up motivation after reading the comments on novelupdates! Please rate and review the story~ It’s a great source of motivation for me to continue.

As for poor Haruka…she’s feeling so sick and had a close call with encountering Noel the day prior. That’s enough excitment to last her for a while.

*Wood Gray…That’s a bit weird for me. It was written as ウッドグレイ which is uddo gurei in romaji. Uddo meaning wood while guree means gray. That’s how the name Wood Gray came to be.