"Elys?"
"Uh... yeah?"
The atmosphere in the room had turned as cold as Cilly's now-icy expression. Her eyes, devoid of any focus, looked terrifying.
"What do you think your life is worth?"
"Huh? What do you mean...?"
"If your life is in danger, you can just run away!"
Ah, so that's what she meant. Cilly wasn't angry for the sake of being angry—she was worried about me. I felt bad for making her worry, but back then, I had no choice.
"But Fresia was using magic. I couldn't just leave her."
"You were putting yourself at risk! If only one of you had to be in danger, you could have just run away!"
True, if I had run away, I might've escaped unharmed. But how could I have left Fresia behind? She wasn't just some stranger. Even if I could go back, I'd make the same choice again.
"No... that's just how you are, isn't it?"
Cilly let out a deep sigh. At least her eyes had regained their focus. Did that mean the worst of her anger had passed?
"Fine. If you refuse to run, then you'll need the strength to back it up. I was too complacent. As soon as you're fully healed, we're starting intense training. Understood?"
We had already been training regularly. I often sparred with Cilly to improve my swordsmanship. While her skills far outmatched mine, I never felt the gap was insurmountable.
"But I feel like I'm already fully healed..."
"Absolutely not! Even if you feel better, you're still a patient. So just lie back down!"
Cilly pushed me back onto the bed. After making sure I was settled, she stood there, staring down at me, frowning as if deep in thought. She glanced toward the door, then back at me, pacing nervously.
"Cilly? What's wrong?"
"Hah... it's nothing. It's just that... the others were worried too, so I can't have you all to myself. Wait here for a second."
With that, Cilly left the room. Being in a private room in the academy's infirmary, I couldn't help but notice how luxurious it was. For a brief moment, I worried about the cost, but surely the academy wouldn't charge me since I was injured while working for them. And if they did... I could always hope Fresia managed to wring some extra money from them.
Go, Boss, go!
While I was caught up in these thoughts, more visitors arrived.
It was Cilly, Annie, and Yuri, back again. It looked like Cilly had gone to fetch them. I sat up to greet them as they entered.
"Hey, welcome."
I spoke casually, but this room was basically mine for now, so it wasn't really inappropriate. Yuri was carrying a basket of fruit. What a thoughtful gesture.
"Are you really okay?" Annie asked, but her question was directed at Cilly, not me.
"Yeah. I've already checked everything. There's nothing to worry about."
"Is that so?"
What had they been talking about? After hearing Cilly's response, Annie strode over to my side. When I smiled at her in greeting, she—
Pinch.
"Ow?"
Annie grabbed both of my cheeks and pinched hard.
"Ow! What are you doing?! It hurts!"
I tried to pry her hands off my face, but she wouldn't let go. The pressure on my cheeks kept increasing until, just as it became unbearable, she finally released me.
"Annie..?"
I wanted to complain, but when I saw the tears welling up in her eyes, I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
"You idiot! Do you know how worried we all were?"
Though she yelled at me, her voice was filled with concern, not anger. It wasn't just Fresia and Cilly who had been worried about me. Annie and Yuri had been just as anxious, maybe even more than I'd realized.
"Annie..."
"I wanted to be mad, but... you look at me like that, and I can't."
Still sniffling, Annie wiped away her tears. I reached out and gently brushed the tears from her eyes.
"Why are you crying? The Annie I know would be teasing me by now."
"You fool... what nonsense are you spouting?"
"Well, judging by our midterm results, if anyone's the fool..."
Annie shot me a sharp glare, so I wisely decided not to finish that sentence. I figured my point had gotten across, anyway.
"Fine, I'll let it slide since you're a patient. But you'd better remember, we suffered more than you did!"
I glanced at Cilly and Yuri, who both nodded in agreement.
I had no allies in this room.
"Both Cilly and Annie... Ah, but we brought some fruit. Want some?"
Yuri held up the fruit basket she'd been carrying. It was filled with all sorts of expensive-looking fruits, making me wonder if I even deserved such a lavish gift.
"Sure. I woke up feeling a bit hungry, actually."
As I spoke, my friends all found a seat. Yuri, sitting closest to me, picked up an apple and began peeling it with a small knife.
"Just give me a moment, and I'll have it ready for you."
"Thanks."
Yuri skillfully peeled the apple and sliced it into bite-sized pieces, placing them neatly on a tray. Annie took a piece and handed it to Cilly and herself first, but both of them only ate one slice before setting their forks down.
Finally, a piece of apple was offered to me. I reached out to take it, but—
Swoosh.
Huh?
As soon as I reached for it, Yuri pulled the fork back. I tried again, but her hand moved further away.
"You're the patient, so relax. I'll feed you."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I opened my mouth and let her feed me the apple slice.
Nom, nom, nom.
Three bites were enough to finish the piece. The apple was just as sweet as it looked. As I savored it—
Swoosh.
Another piece was held out to me.
I still had some apple left in my mouth, but I didn't want to refuse Yuri's kindness. I quickly swallowed the rest and accepted the next piece.
Nom, nom, nom.
Another three bites. As I enjoyed the sweetness, I noticed—
Swoosh.
"Uh, Yuri? I still have... mmph."
Before I could finish my sentence, Yuri took advantage of my briefly open mouth to shove another piece in.
"Yuri, I'm good—"
Swoosh.
Another slice was pushed toward my mouth.
At this point, my internal warning system started going off. I glanced at Cilly and Annie, but they were both deliberately looking away, pretending not to notice.
When I turned back to Yuri, she gave me a sweet smile.
But... that smile felt a little too sweet...
Pressing the apple slice against my closed lips, she silently urged me to open my mouth. With no other choice, I quickly chewed and swallowed, preparing for the next bite.
Swoosh.
Another piece was already waiting. Beads of cold sweat began forming on the back of my neck.
I could sense that saying anything now wouldn't end well for me. Fine, I'll just eat. It's just an apple, right? I won't get indigestion from eating a little faster.
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.
So, I obediently ate each slice as soon as it was offered, chewing quickly and swallowing as fast as I could.
Crunch, crunch.
Finally, I reached the last piece. I figured I could slow down now and actually savor it a bit. As I leisurely enjoyed the last slice—
Swoosh.
Another piece appeared in front of me.
Huh?
I looked at the tray, only to see it neatly filled with freshly cut apple slices.
But... that was supposed to be the last one?
Confused, I looked at Yuri, who simply smiled back at me with no explanation. It didn't seem like Cilly or Annie had cut any more apples, so when had she...
Press.
Yuri pressed the apple slice against my lips again, giving me no choice but to eat it.
Crunch, crunch.
As I chewed, I glanced nervously at the fruit basket.
It was still filled with a mountain of fruits.
Haha, there's no way she's planning to feed me all of that... right, Yuri?
I looked from the fruit basket to Yuri, whose smile remained as serene as ever, holding out yet another slice of apple.
...Right?