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Lifelong Rival

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I restlessly look around the area.

It appears that I’m in some kind of medical office.

And it’s just me and Elgil here….why?

“Umm, why are you here?…..Where’s Luluna?”

“It’s bathing time for the girls right now, but she was here earlier. The teacher has gone to treat other injured students, so it’s just you and I for now.”

Elgil says this and elegantly crosses his legs.

I was thinking he was trying to show off his long legs, but maybe that’s just my imagination.

“I’m here because of our bet.”

Elgil played with the tips of his blonde hair.

I guess he’s talking about the time trial.

“Ah…then it’s your win.”

I say this to Elgil.

I don’t know exactly how long we took because I passed out right when I crossed the finish line. But, there’s no chance we beat Class B’s time.

It’s sad that we lost, but I don’t regret my decision.

I can’t imagine what would have happened to those students had we not helped.

Still, a defeat is a defeat.

Even if the situation with the demon hadn’t come up, I’m not sure we would have won.

I admit my defeat.

“As I said before, you do not have the power to change the class you’re in….”

After hearing my words Elgil’s shoulders started to shake.

“Don’t make a fool of me, Lute-kun.”

“Eh?”

I was surprised at the sudden change in tone. Elgil uncrossed his legs and held out his hand towards me.

“Some people would say what you did yesterday was foolish. Some people may think it’s sweet, but I think it’s a wonderful thing and I misunderstood you. You’re a fine person.”

“Hah….T-thank you.”

I never expected him to praise me….

I was somewhat embarrassed, but I grabbed his outstretched hand.

Honestly, I thought this guy was rather unpleasant at first, but maybe we can actually be friends.

Then, Elgil began to speak with a big smile.

“And that’s why I’ve decided that you will be my lifelong rival!”

“…..Hmm?”

How did he get to this conclusion?

Elgil again crosses his legs and throws his head back.

“I actually admitted it. Go ahead, you can show how proud you are. You’re happy right, Lute-kun?”

“No, wait a minute. Why do you think I’m your lifelong rival?”

Lifetime rival? Me? You?

When did this happen?

Elgil looks at me puzzled.

As Elgil looked into my eyes he laughed fearlessly and stood up from his chair.

“I have too much honor to accept the victory given the circumstances. We must have a rematch later — No, next time it will be a one-on-one battle. Next time we will fight one-on-one on a stage where there will be nothing that can get in our way.”

“…..Right, I understand.”

I still don’t understand his thinking, but I can tell that Elgil really isn’t a bad person.

Elgil raised his arm high in the air and pointed towards the heavens.

“And when I win, I will obtain a ticket to Class A…!”

“Again, you can’t just decide that on your own!”

Please, just talk to your teacher if you want to switch classes!

“Anyway, our match will have to be decided at a later time.”

“I’ll decide where the rematch will be.”

I don’t know when we’ll have an opportunity for a rematch, but I’m glad Elgil would like to have a fair rematch.

…….Wait a second? There was no reason for us to have a match in the first place….

Elgil quickly turned his back to me to stop me thinking about this.

“Then, I’ll be leaving. It would be bad if you kept straining yourself.”

Then, Elgil began to walk towards the exit of the medical office.

I’m surprised he could be so considerate.

“…..Ah”

Elgil suddenly stopped moving once he reached the door.

“Is something wrong?”

“I just remembered, I forgot to tell you my name. It’s my mistake.”

“……..? You’ve already told me!”

I couldn’t understand what he was saying, until I looked into his face and I suddenly understood. This guy always introduces himself when he leaves!

“I’m Elgil, Elgil von Istria.”

“How many times do you have to introduce yourself!?”

“You ought to remember it. It is the name of the man that will defeat you. Then, we’ll meet again, Lute-kun. Fuhahahahahaha!”

After Elgil was finished with his self-indulgent exit, he left the room with a bright smile.

“I suddenly feel so tired…”

What a strange person….

I let my body fall back into bed.

I roll over in bed several times.

I’m tired, but I just recently woke up so I can’t go back to sleep….

Now that I think about it, there should be a wound on my stomach. But, there’s only a small trace of where the demon bit me.

That healed rather quickly.

The doctor must have taken care of it. I don’t know who they are, but I must remember to thank them later.

*Knock**Knock* There was a knock on the door.

“Can we come in?”

It was the voice of Luluna.

I guess she and the others were coming to check up on me.

I answer, “It’s okay.” There’s no teacher here now, so it should be fine for me to respond.

Luluna and the others entered in their pajamas, I guess they had been getting ready to go to sleep.

Luluna’s pajamas were pink and frilly, Tsurugi’s were a simple white, and Patricia’s pajamas were green with a frog hood.

If I think about it, it’s only natural that after taking a bath, they would be getting ready for sleep. So it makes sense that these three would be wearing pajamas, but still it caught me by surprise.

The stimulation from seeing these girls in their pajamas is too much!

“Are you okay? Are you still in bad shape…?”

“N-no, I’m okay! I’m completely fine!”

I quickly sit up in bed and respond to Luluna.

“Well, we passed Elgil on the way here….Did something happen?”

“No. It seems Elgil has become my lifelong rival.”

Once I remembered our conversation, the strength left my body again…

“Umm, well….Congratulations….uh, is that a good thing?”

“I’m not unhappy, but….”

“Geroppa! Lute-kun, it’s geroppa time kero!”

“Sure, I don’t have the strength to go against you. Geroppa.”

After hearing my geroppa, Patricia crossed her arms in satisfaction.

Patricia was staring at me intently, so I casually averted my eyes.

***

“Ho~…..That was an impressive geroppa kero. You may even have the potential to conquer the world kero.”

“Hahaha, thank you….”

Dear Grandma and Grandpa.

Apparently I can conquer the world with my geroppa.

Thinking about it seriously, it seems better if I put more emphasis on the “ge.” It sounds better compared to the rather flat feeling of the “ke” in kero.

“Ah, I see. Thank you, Patricia.”

I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I suddenly feel the overwhelming urge to slip into unconciousness….

“Lute-dono, your eyes look distant…”

“Peti, maybe we should give him a break…?”

“Kero? So-sorry, kero, Lute-kun!”

“Ahaha, it’s alright. I’m fine.”

And like this, the second night of the forest expedition ended.

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