“Neries, do you have a moment? There’s something I want to talk about.”
In the girls’ dormitory, Yuugo, Velda, Peewee, and Ryuuga stood in front of Neries’ room.
Peewee knocked on the door and called out to Neries, speaking quietly but sounding desperate.
“You heard about the exams, right? It’s important, so we need to talk.”
“…”
“Neries…! Velda and I don’t want you to drop out. We’re worried as your friends. We want to help you.”
“…”
There was no response from Neries, even as Peewee continued calling out to her.
But there was a presence from the other side of the door, sounds of something moving, and it definitely felt like she was listening.
“It’s always like this. Sometimes she responds, but…”
Said Velda, as he watched Peewee like the others.
This is pretty severe, thought Yuugo as he gave it a shot.
“Hum, Neries? You can hear us, right?”
“…!”
There was a clear change in the air inside the room when Yuugo spoke.
Yuugo was grateful that there was some reaction, and he continued.
“I’m Yuugo Clay. Peewee and Velda asked me to come talk to you.”
“…Please leave. There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Neries…!”
Peewee was disappointed that while Neries spoke, it was a rejection.
Yuugo was at a loss as to what to do next, and Ryuuga, who had been quiet the whole time, spoke.
“Yuugo, can you leave this to me?”
“O-ou. Okay. Go ahead.”
Yuugo let Ryuuga take over, since it seemed he had something in mind, and stepped back a little.
He looked at the still closed door, and after exhaling, spoke to Neries.
“Neries… You’re there, right?”
“…Who are you?”
“Don’t ask me questions.”
“Wai!? Ryuuga!!”
Yuugo interjected when Ryuuga gave a very familiar answer.
Ryuuga waved his hand with an awkward smile, and spoke to Neries again.
“Sorry. I said that out of habit, so I’d appreciate it if you forgot it. What I wanted to say was… If you’re near the door, please step away. Just in case.”
“Eh…?”
Yuugo had a very bad feeling about those words, and saw Ryuuga reach towards the sword on his waist.
There was a sound from the sword sheath, and the next moment, a cross was carved onto the door. When Ryuuga sheathed his sword, the door that was in four pieces silently fell.
““Eh!? Eeh!?””
“It’s open. Now you can talk face to face.”
Pewee and Velda yelled, unable to hide their surprise at how much of a muscle-head Ryuuga was.
Ryuuga had a cool look on his face as he saw their reaction, but Yuugo interjected again.
“Ryuuga!? What are you doing!?”
“Yuugo, don’t ask me questions.”
“Are you trying to get away with it just like that!? Who would do something so stupid!?”
Ryuuga heard Yuugo, and silently pointed at himself.
Yuugo dropped his shoulders and sighed, and was flustered as he spoke to Neries, who was on the other side of the cut door and frozen with surprise.
“Hum, I’m really sorry! I’ll scold him for this! And we’ll get your door fixed!!”
“Eh? A-ah…?”
Neries was either frozen because what happened was so crazy, or dumbfounded because the infamous Yuugo was prostrated and apologizing, but either way, her reaction was soft.
But Peewee saw a chance here, and quickly approached her.
“Neries! Let’s have a good talk about this! The door needs to be repaired anyway, so let’s get out of the room!”
“Yes yes! Staying locked in your room isn’t good. What about food and exercise!?”
“Eh…?”
Neries seemed baffled as Peewee and Velda took the opportunity and both spoke.
Yuugo saw her still facing down, and spoke after thinking a little.
“…Everyone’s worried. You don’t have to leave your room, but can you let us see your face and talk a little?”
“…!!”
Neries raised her head, and seemed startled as she looked at Yuugo.
Yuugo looked at her, not sure how to react, and Neries spoke silently.
“…Just a little.”
“Really!? Thanks! Can it be in this room?”
Neries nodded.
Peewee and Velda were glad to see her face, and smiled.
“Ryuuga, call An and ask her to fix the door. And while you’re at it…”
“…Okay. Leave it to me, partner.”
Yuugo asked his partner to deal with fixing the door, while also making him take responsibility.
The first step was cleared, but this was where it really began… He thought as he was about to talk with Neries.
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