Chapter 52: Poker Face (3)

A soft knock startled Aisha, making her jump up from her seat.

'Who could it be?'

She was afraid that someone might see her ugly appearance and her equally ugly heart.

"...Wh-Who's there?" Aisha whispered softly towards the door.

"It's me, Aisha," Andrew's voice came from the other side.

With caution, Aisha opened the door to find Neike, Andrew, and Eshild waiting outside.

"You didn't even lock the door..." Andrew couldn't finish his sentence.

Aisha's usual well-groomed appearance was nowhere to be found.

Her hair was a mess, as if she'd been tearing at it, and her once-moisturized skin was dry and rough.Rread latest chapters at n/ov(e)lbin(.)co/m

It seemed like she had aged ten years in just a few hours.

Suddenly, Andrew snapped back to reality. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, I'm okay," Aisha answered, though her appearance suggested otherwise.

Her eyes, wide like those of a terrified child, trembled uncontrollably, and her body shook.

"Aisha, we just apologized to Theo. He's still here... Maybe you should go see him too."

"I... I see," Aisha glanced at Neike, Andrew, and Eshild with trembling eyes.

But their expressions were quite gloomy, considering they had just apologized.

'Did they not... receive forgiveness?'

Aisha's mind was struck with a thought, like a bolt of lightning.

She couldn't ask if they were forgiven or not.

Those three had gone to apologize directly, not just thinking about it, but taking action.

In comparison, she was too pathetic.

While they were apologizing to Theo, she had been huddled in a corner of her room, trembling with fear and anxiety.

Aisha slapped her cheeks, an action she would never do in front of others under normal circumstances.

But right now, she had no room to worry about others' gazes.

'Even if I'm not forgiven, I have to beg. I can't run away. I'm a member of the Waldeurk family, and I want to become a hero.'

With this newfound resolve, Aisha gazed at the three individuals, her eyes still trembling.

"Th-Thank you..."

"He's probably in Neike's room... Go quickly."

Andrew's discomfort was evident as he shifted his gaze toward Aisha, and Eshild followed suit.

"I-I understand..."

Trembling, Aisha mustered the courage to take one step after another.

She made her way toward the room where Theo was likely to be.

The door creaked open.

Nervously, Aisha entered the room.

Her anxious, trembling eyes met mine.

'She's frightened.'

Even without [Observer's Eye], I could sense it.

Perhaps it was her pale complexion and reddened eyes, resembling a rabbit captured by a hunter.

"······."

I looked at her without saying a word, putting more strength into my gaze than usual while sitting in my chair.

Honestly, I didn't feel much sympathy for her.

Out of the six people, Aisha was the one who had betrayed me the most.

After falling into this world, I thought I had interacted with her quite a bit, following Noctar and Irene.

But in truth, it wasn't just Piel who took the lead; Aisha was equally involved.

She hesitantly approached me.

Aisha's lips quivered several times as if she was struggling to find the right words to say.

"······."

Yet, I maintained a calm expression, simply observing her.

After a while,

"I, I... I'll try, really. I'll prove myself through my actions! Please, believe in me..."

With that, she bowed her head once more, sobbing.

"I'll be keeping an eye on you."

With those words, I fell silent.

Gazing down at Aisha, who continued to sob.

'Sigh, what should I do now.'

I thought about how to utilize Aisha.

There were too many possibilities, none of them clear.

"........."

I remembered.

There was a place to put Aisha to use soon.

She and I could form a mutually beneficial relationship.

For now, I suppose I've done enough.

Pushing her further might lead her to make extreme choices.

That would be my loss entirely.

"Get up."

Extending my hand to Aisha, still on her knees and weeping.

"······ Yes?"

Aisha lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet mine.

"My arm hurts."

"··· Yes, yes!"

Aisha grasped my hand and promptly stood up.

'She must have been genuinely frightened.'

All her fingernails were bitten down.

In the original story, Aisha had the habit of biting her nails when she felt anxious.

...I managed to get Aisha indebted to me as well.

Now, only Piel remains, but having Neike and Aisha come forward is already more than I expected.

If Piel fails to offer an apology like the others, I intend to treat her as inconsequential.

...And Jang Woohee, well doesn't feel a strong connection to the academy or anywhere else.

At this point, she doesn't have anyone she cares about.

She only joined the investigation team to obtain information.

She wouldn't feel guilt or unease from unfairly accusing me.

Based on the words and actions of the four – Neike, Andrew, Eshild, and Aisha – it seems Jang Woohee hasn't divulged any additional information to others, including the fact that she assisted me with the code decryption.

'For now, I'll leave Jang Woohee be.'

She doesn't hesitate to kill. There's a high probability that I'll needlessly provoke her and put myself in danger.

‘But······.’

She will contact me soon.

After all, I made it clear that I am aware of her true identity. Even a fool would comprehend that.

"······Hmm."

Meanwhile, Aisha.

When will she release my hand?

"It's time to let go."

"Ah, ah······. Yes, yes!"

Aisha hurriedly released my hand.

In any case, I have acquired reliable allies who will wholeheartedly support my endeavors.

As for Piel, I'm curious about her next move.

***

4/4! That's it for the week!

Enjoy the chappy!