Mizari whispered, nostalgic about something that happened not that long ago.
Neries looked on quietly, and Mizari continued.
“I was also abandoned by Shian and made fun of, and had a hard time. Just like you.”
“I see… And then you met Yuugo?”
“Yes. I asked him to train me. But I learned something far more valuable than fighting techniques.”
It was the feelings behind it that were important.
Yuugo taught her that it was not about copying the fighting style of the father she looked up to, but rather inherit the spirit of fearing no one and protecting people, and sticking to those feelings.
Neries whispered as she faced a little down.
“…That’s great, Mizari. I locked myself in this room this whole time. I didn’t try to change like you did, I just sat here…”
“It’s a different way. I went to Master Yuugo asking for help, but it took time for me to express my real complaints. You were a lot faster.”
“But that’s nothing to brag about.”
“That’s not true. It takes courage to whine and express how you really feel. No one wants to look weak and pathetic, but you did it. It’s because you said how you feel that Master Yuugo could reach out to you.”
“…!!”
Neries gulped at Mizari’s opinion.
All he could do was reach out to people asking for help… Mizari continued as Neries remembered what Yuugo said.
“You should be proud. People who can admit their weakness are strong. Also, you’re blessed with friends. Having a lot of people willing to mobilize for your sake is proof that you’re not just a weak person.”
“T-thank you…!!”
Close but different. But still different.
Similar circumstances, easy to empathize, but still a lot of it was different… Neries could accept what someone like that said.
More importantly, Mizari’s honest character worked in her favor.
Neries saw her praise her with a light smile in her mostly expressionless face, and felt an indescribable warmth welling up in her chest as she bowed.
“There’s nothing more dangerous than only focusing on strength. Weakness isn’t a sin or embarrassment… Master Yuugo said people who recognize weakness can become strong.”
“People who recognize weakness can become strong… That’s encouraging.”
“Yes. To be more precise, those words didn’t come from Master Yuugo, they came from someone called Mister Knuckle Man… No he sang it. Master Yuugo said so.”
“Mister Knuckle Man…? I’ve never heard of him. Is he a noted magic knight…?”
Neries tilted her head at what Mizari said.
As Neries thought about the words of a hero from another world who swung giant fists, Mizari continued.
“Is there anything else you want to ask? Do you want to hear about when Master Yuugo became the boss of the fifth dormitory? That was wonderful. And the moving memory of the first time we fought together…”
“Ah, hum, another time please…”
That would definitely be a long story, thought Neries as she stopped it.
Mizari’s face and tone were flat, but there was excitement and kindness to them, and that strangeness fascinated Neries, who spoke with a smile.
“Mizari, you seem to trust Yuugo. A lot, and strongly…”
“Yes. So I think you will be all right. Master is with you… And more importantly, you were brave enough to take that step forward faster than me.”
“…Thank you. Hearing that makes me happy.”
“It might sound trite, but… do your best in the exams. I will help you as a roommate and friend.”
“…Yes!”
Neries said as she smiled clumsily.
Their conversation ended in just a few minutes, but the strange nervousness from when they met was disappearing.
She thanked Mizari for encouraging and cheering for her, and Neries took another step forward.
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something that did not happen that long ago.
Something that did happen not that long ago*