CH 37

Fever

In the middle of the calisthenics exercises before practical training. Cody looked at Sheila’s face with concern.

“Sheila, you’re still a little hot. Shouldn’t you have rested?”

“Don’t worry….. If I can make it through the day, I’ll rest a bit tomorrow.”

Sheila had a slight fever because she took a nap while soaking wet yesterday.

She didn’t want to take time off, so she dragged her sluggish body and attended class.

“Besides, I’m more concerned about the blazer I borrowed yesterday. I don’t even know who to return it to.”

While she didn’t think it was a good idea to hang on to it, she didn’t know who owned it.

She checked with Cody, Zechs, Bert, and anyone else close to her, but they all shook their heads. If so, it was very likely to be one of the nobles. The owner might not like it if rumors were to get out that he had been nice to a commoner, so she was unable to search for him on a large scale.

“I’ve tried to ask the most likely acquaintance. As expected, I don’t think the dorm leader would wear a blazer that slim, given his physique.”

“If it were the dorm leader, he would’ve mercilessly woken me up on the spot.”

“You already asked all the scholarship students in the upper grades, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Seiryuu-senpai and everyone else said it wasn’t theirs.”

In the first place, Sheila still had a problem even if she knew the blazer’s owner.

Someone might’ve noticed Sheila’s gender. It didn’t look like there were any strange rumors about yesterday, but she couldn’t let her guard down.

As usual, classes proceeded without a hitch. She’d gotten used to the windy weather.

But when class was over, an unusual development awaited Sheila.

“Hey.”

A voice called out from behind her as she walked, slightly unsteady.

Cody, who had reacted before Sheila, who looked back slowly, recognized the other person and casually stepped forward as if to hide her.

“Dilliam-senpai….”

Blonde hair and chestnut eyes. An aristocratic, well-groomed face. It was Dilliam who approached her, arms crossed in a pompous manner.

It was understandable that her friend was wary of him, as he was the cause of her current health problems. However, protecting Sheila openly put Cody in a bad position. She tapped him on the shoulder to signal that it was okay and faced Dilliam firmly.

“How can I help you?”

“You look sick…. but I will never apologize for what happened yesterday!”

She wondered what he was going to say until she went out of her way to speak to him, and he made a declaration she didn’t quite understand. Sheila scratched her cheek.

“Oh, I see.”

“Yes…. So, how is it? Are you in pain?”

“No. It’s just a slight fever, nothing too bad.”

“Is that so….? I don’t really care. But―”

Dilliam’s chestnut-colored eyes glared at Sheila.

“I’m done with this nonsense. It doesn’t seem to be working so well on you.”

“….. Eh?”

“That’s it! See you!”

Without hearing Sheila’s reply, Dilliam quickly walked away. Was it just her imagination or did it look like he was trying to hide his embarrassment?

Cody, who had let his guard down, also relaxed just a little.

“….. Like this, even if it’s just a little at a time, it would be nice if more people would accept you.”

“――Yeah.”

She didn’t know what he felt in yesterday’s exchange. However, simply enduring the harassment might not be enough to change the situation.

As she stared at his shrinking back, someone called out to her again.

“Sheila Danau.”

She turned around and saw one of the students standing there, who, like Dilliam, always directed his displeasure at her. At his feet was a large mat from class.

“Claushezade-sensei asked me to carry this mat with you. You, take this.”

“…. Me?”

“Who else? Come quickly.”

Sheila took a breath and walked toward the boy, who had already turned away. Then, Cody pulled her hand and whispered quickly in her ear.

“――Are you going to be fine?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry….. Like Dilliam-senpai, there may be things that I won’t understand unless I talk to them.”

Just because something went well once didn’t mean it would go well again the next time.

However, since there was no option to refuse, she had no choice but to go and hope that things would turn out for the better.

She waved to Cody as he anxiously walked back to the dormitory and began to carry the mat. It was a large mat, so it was naturally heavy. Sheila was walking unsteadily, and the other party seemed irritated with her. Along the way, he seemed to be clicking his tongue at her.

Finally, the equipment room came into sight.

The small space was cramped with balls used for classes and realistic dolls for karate. There were no lights, and the area was filled with the smell of dust.

By the time they were finished, Sheila was sweating and breathing unevenly.

“Somehow, it’s over.”

“Thanks for your hard work.”

“No, I’m glad I could help.”

The boy quickly walked away, seemingly unmoved.

Just as she was about to follow him out of the equipment room.

Slam!

For some reason, the door was closed in front of her. She even heard the sound of the door being locked.

“What? Um, hey…”

“Dilliam seems to have been placated, but I’ll never accept you.”

She couldn’t think straight and couldn’t understand what he was saying. Sheila repeatedly banged on the heavy metal door.

“Eh? Huh?”

“I’ve tampered the lock with my magic. Even if Cody comes to help, there’s no point in him trying to open it.”

She finally realized that she was locked up. She supposed this could be another form of harassment, but if they knew that Sheila wasn’t feeling well, it was quite a malicious act.

“If you promise to leave this academy, I can let you out now.”

Could he blame her for that? Sheila hung her head down as she gritted her teeth.

“….. I don’t want to. I will never leave.”

From the outside, the door was hit hard with a thump.

“You really are a cocky little shit! You can cool off in there! I’ll let you out when I feel like it!”

Without any sign of hesitation, the sound of rough footsteps moved away.

Sheila turned her head down in disappointment. She stumbled over and sat on the mat she had just brought in.

The equipment room had a single narrow window with a fitted shutter. What’s more, it was pointlessly covered with a lattice, so it was quite secure. No matter how hard she tried, it seemed impossible to call for help.

With a thud, she fell flat on her back.

‘I’m a little relieved that this wasn’t Dilliam-senpai’s doing…. though it doesn’t really matter in the current situation.’

The fact that he was cursing Dilliam meant that he had nothing to do with this.

Or maybe he was just trying to catch her off guard by declaring he wouldn’t do anything anymore. Or that they were working with him behind the scenes….. If she started suspecting things like that, she won’t be able to trust anyone.

“――I’m in trouble. I wonder if it’s locked.”

In the darkness, a quiet voice suddenly resounded.

Sheila jumped up with a start.

“Don’t you think he’s not careful enough to lock the door in the presence of a teacher? It’s quite rude, isn’t it?”

In the corner of the room, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

Blue-gray hair like flowing clear water and azure eyes that looked like the starry sky. He had a lustrous smile on his overly refined features.

‘What is this? This development, it feels like déjà vu.’

She wondered if her fever was rising. Why was it so cold?

“It’s a strange coincidence to meet you in a place like this. I feel like it’s fate. Right, Sheila Danau?”

It was Jornwerner who appeared with a gait so graceful it was hard to believe he was locked in the equipment room.