CH 84

Day of the Competition

On the actual day of the competition, they were blessed with fine weather from the morning. It was a perfect day for it.

As soon as she woke up and checked the weather, Sheila made a passionate fist.

The cafeteria was crowded since morning. The fourth-year students stood out from the crowd, probably because they were more enthusiastic than the rest of the students. She smiled at her classmates, who were full of energy.

“I don’t know what you’re laughing about all by yourself.”

It was Zechs who appeared, lightly patting her head. He was accompanied by his roommate, Cody.

“Good morning, Zechs, Cody. It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it?”

“Good morning, Sheila. It’s good that you’re so enthusiastic, but don’t get hurt.”

Cody, who was only worried about that, had become a little fitter than before, probably because he had been training hard since the summer. Even though she trained in the same way, Sheila hadn’t changed much, so she was secretly envious.

“Yo, you guys. Aren’t you excited?”

It was Axe, the dorm leader, who approached them. 

“When I heard that the fourth-year students were seriously aiming for the championship, I couldn’t help but look forward to today. So far it’s just been an opportunity to show off to the guests of honor, but it looks like it’s going to be a great competition to compete with muscles.”

“Muscles couldn’t compete, though.”

Zechs quickly corrected him. This reaction speed was understandable, given that they had been friends since childhood. However, considering how quickly he usually responded to Sheila, it might have been innate.

While Sheila was nodding her head in agreement, Seiryuu came up behind her.

“Good morning.”

“Ah. Good morning, Seiryuu.”

Seiryuu, who had seamlessly put on his training clothes since this morning, showed a refreshing smile.

“It’s finally here. I was so excited that I didn’t get much sleep.”

“Actually, I am too. Let’s do our best today.”

When Sheila made a fist and declared, a smile naturally broke out on his face.

Together, they made their way to the serving table and received their breakfast from the cafeteria lady.

“I made you a big serving today, so do your best.”

“Wah! Thank you very much.”

The lady Sheila became close to served her two sautéed chickens. This was a great service for her since it was originally one per person.

She gratefully proceeded to eat more and more to replenish her energy. Sheila also ate five loaves of bread in the morning.

Her stomach was finally full, and now, she was worried about her hair. If possible, she wanted to tie it up and clean it up, but it was impossible with the length of her hair.

Usually, Sheila was seated between Cody and Zechs, but today she happened to be next to Seiryuu. Suddenly, she looked up at his tightly tied black hair.

“――Ah.”

Sheila was so surprised that she couldn’t help but raise her voice, but Seiryuu didn’t miss it. He immediately asked back.

“Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

“I’m sure it’s not nothing. I’m curious, so can you tell me?”

Sheila scratched her head as she was gently pursued by him.

“A-ah, I just thought that Seiryuu was good at tying his hair. Um, I’m rather envious, and I was brazenly thinking that I’d like you to tie my hair up, too.”

If only she could participate in the competition without worrying about the hair hanging down her neck. Sheila thought that Seiryuu might be able to tie it even at this halfway length. However, she was embarrassed to say it out loud because it was really brazened.

But Seiryuu, who was very considerate of his younger colleagues, simply nodded his head.

“I don’t mind that much.”

“Eh, really?”

“Yes. I used to tie my brother’s hair up a lot, too.”

“If I get my hair tied up, my motivation will increase by 30%, you know?”

Today was a competition. Sheila told him that he was strengthening the enemy, but Seiryuu smiled rather belligerently. 

“It’s what I want. If you come at me with everything you’ve got, I’ll give you everything I’ve got.”

The warrior-like Seiryuu was so fired up that even the atmosphere was getting hotter. Sheila decided to put aside her reservations and asked for help.

“Then, may I ask you for this favor?”

She turned her back to Seiryuu as she said this. But as soon as she did so, a bewildered look came from him.

“…? Is something wrong?”

“Ah, nothing….. Excuse me.”

Seiryuu’s fingertips touched the nape of her neck and quickly moved away. Sheila realized something was wrong. When she looked back at him curiously, she saw that his eyes were slightly reddish.

“Seiryuu?”

“I’m sorry, that…”

The one who needed to apologize was supposed to be Sheila, who was troubling him.

Cody and Zechs, who were somehow giving her lukewarm eyes, were also quite suspicious. Axe was acting normally and shouting, “Muscles are youthful!” so she decided to leave it alone.

“Um… If it’s still too much trouble, you don’t have to do it, you know?”

“I-It’s not impossible. It’s just that I realize now that it’s very difficult.”

“I knew it would be difficult. My hair is too short, isn’t it?”

Seiryuu panicked at seeing Sheila drooping her head dejectedly.

“That’s not what I meant. ――Okay, let’s do it.”

He had a desperate look on his face as if he was prepared for death. If it was that difficult, he should have just given up, but Sheila was determined to go along with him.

“Then, let’s do it all at once.”

“Got it.”

Zechs’ eyes widened at the two who were just trying to tie someone’s hair with a serious look.

“…. What are they doing?”

The dumbfounded mutterings of “This is why he’s an airhead” didn’t reach their ears.

◇　◆　◇

After much struggle, Sheila’s hair was safely tied back. She had been leaning toward a girlish look with her long hair, but now she had regained her boyishness.

“Wow….”

The usual training hall, which served as the venue, had completely changed its appearance.

The seating area around the venue had been raised to make it easier to see from the back.

There was one seat that was particularly high. It was almost like a turret. It was probably a seat for royalty, but it was still empty.

Most of the seats were occupied, except for those reserved for royalty. The noble ladies and men were sitting elegantly, their eyes glistening with anticipation as the tournament was about to begin.

The colorful dresses of the ladies were so vivid that it looked as if flowers were blooming in profusion. With decorated hats, fans to cover their faces, and attendants next to them with umbrellas to protect them from the sun, they were all ready to watch the games in style.

The closer they were to the royal seat, the more glamorously dressed they were, and the more attendants they brought with them. Perhaps they were upper-class nobles. There must be Leidyrune’s family among them.

“It’s a spectacular sight….”

“Even you are starting to get nervous?”

Zechs teased and peered at the standing Sheila from behind.

“You know, I get nervous too. I’m only human.”

“Eh? Weren’t you a mountain monkey?”

“If I were a monkey, Zechs would be a fox. Face-wise, too.”

“Haaa? Are you telling me that I have narrow eyes?”

The reason for the light talk was the same for both of them. It was to not shrink in front of so many nobles. Only commoners could share this stress.

Zechs gazed earnestly at the students who gathered one after another. Although he wasn’t usually so conscious of it, he felt the obvious difference in status between them and the rest of the students in their relaxed, natural appearance.

“――It’s not the time to be nervous. I’m going to show my ability and catch the eye of some nobleman.”

“That’s a good motivation. We’re going to win by a landslide.”

“Right.”

Zechs looked around at all the fourth graders who had gathered around him.

“The only goal is to win! Let’s do it, guys!”

“Yes!”

Only Sheila, Cody, and Bert responded to Zechs’s brave evocation. Toldrid folded his arms dissatisfied.

“You don’t give us orders.”

“Haaa? Then Toldrid should give the order.”

“I don’t like it. I’m not good at that sort of thing.”

“Then don’t complain about it!”

As it was, it developed into a skirmish with Toldrid’s followers getting involved.

“Ah….”

Sheila was troubled by this routine.

The two often clashed whenever they held strategy meetings. It wasn’t like they were on bad terms, but Toldrid seemed to be reluctant to obey the commoners because of his pride as an aristocrat. Even just being able to exchange talks like this was remarkable progress.

The noisy opening, lacking any semblance of unity, made Sheila feel uneasy about the future.