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Chapter 140: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 140




[A woman, or a girl in appearance, yet possessing incomprehensible powers and abilities. 


That was the definition people had assigned to beings known as witches. 


The exact time and manner in which they came into existence remains unknown, but according to the few remaining historical records, the first entity to be called a witch appeared approximately 600 years ago and was known as the Witch of Arrogance. 


Though there are no detailed records, it is said that many of the strongest individuals of that era lost their lives to her, and the world was thrown into terror by her actions. Eventually, the Witch of Arrogance was defeated by a man who later earned the title of hero for his achievement in subjugating her. 


Just like the witches of Jealousy and Lust, there are no records detailing her abilities, leaving scholars to speculate on what powers she might have possessed.]


As I was about to turn the page, a sliver of morning sunlight peeked through the blinds and flickered across the room.


I had stayed up all night reading, but since I had been reading more out of a need to pass time than genuine interest, I closed the book without hesitation and pulled myself up from where I had been leaning against the bed.


There was a rustling sound from the nightstand.


Two empty candy wrappers lay there, remnants of the things that had kept me awake through the night. Despite their help, I couldn’t bring myself to look at them fondly and, with a hint of annoyance, crumpled them up and tossed them into the trash.


It had probably been about an hour since the candy had dissolved in my mouth, but the lingering sour taste still hadn’t faded.


If it weren’t for my body’s natural ability to heal, my tongue would probably have been covered in rough, irritated bumps from the intense sourness.


If the sour candies I had tried before were just 'Aisher', then the special candy the school nurse had given me deserved the name 'Aissipal'—it was enough to make me curse out loud.


But what could I do?


I needed something to keep me awake.


Sighing, I prepared breakfast.


Today's breakfast was a simple meal of fluffy rice, freshly stir-fried bean sprouts, and a warm, freshly fried egg.


Even if it seemed monotonous, it was a combination that was always satisfying when eaten.


I neatly arranged everything on my spoon and took a big bite.


But after chewing the food a few times, my face crumpled in dismay.


...It was definitely rice, eggs, and bean sprouts, but all I could taste was sourness.


*


Despite the initial shock from the overwhelming sourness, I had grown accustomed to sucking on the candies to the point where I could now hide my reactions. 


On the way to school, during class, I discreetly popped one candy after another into my mouth, so the sour taste never left my tongue.


The school nurse probably didn’t expect me to consume the candies so excessively.


But just as some office workers rely on coffee to fight off drowsiness, I had to rely on these candies to keep my mind sharp.


Though the intense sourness was more effective than any pain in keeping me awake, there was an unforeseen side effect to this miraculous remedy.


I recalled something I had heard before: the law of equivalent exchange, where everything comes at a price.


The price I paid for staying awake by sucking on too many candies was my taste buds.


No matter what I ate, the persistent sourness overpowered every other flavor. How could I have any appetite when everything tasted sour?


Who would have thought these candies would have such a side effect?


With my appetite dulled, I only took a small portion of food for lunch, which startled Jessie and Mei, who were waiting for me to bring my tray.


"Huh? Scarlet, what's with that portion? Are you sick or something?!"


"...It does seem unusual. You usually eat much more than that. Is something wrong?"


...Was it really that shocking for me to eat less?


As I looked down at my plate, I realized that, compared to my usual portion, their reaction made sense.


I usually ate a lot to relieve stress during lunch...


I sighed internally, feeling as if I had lost one of the few pleasures in life, but I responded as calmly as possible to reassure them.


"It's nothing. I just don't feel like eating much today."


"I'm glad it's nothing serious, but... Scarlet eating less is a big deal for me..."


Jessie's reaction was a bit unexpected.


She had a very serious expression, as if my eating less was a huge issue for her.


When I tilted my head in confusion, Jessie mumbled with a disappointed look on her face.


"I have a body type that gains weight easily, so I’ve been living vicariously through watching you eat, Scarlet... If you eat so little, how am I supposed to cope...?"


"...Wow, Jessie, that's a bit weird."


"Ugh... But Scarlet, you eat so much and always look like you’re really enjoying it! There aren't many people who eat as heartily as you do!"


"...I can understand that. Honestly, I also feel good when I see Scarlet enjoying the food I make..."


Hearing these two talk so seriously made me let out a small, incredulous laugh.


What am I, some kind of mukbang YouTuber?


I half-listened as the two of them continued their passionate discussion about my eating habits while I finished my meal. Then, I casually took out a candy from my pocket and popped it into my mouth.


Seeing this, Jessie asked curiously.


"Oh? What’s that?"


"This...? Just a candy..."


"Candy? If you have more, can I have one too? I need something to cheer me up."


Without thinking much of it, I handed a candy to Jessie.


"Thanks! I'll enjoy it."


"Ah! Wait, Jessie, that candy...!"


Just as she was about to put the candy in her mouth, I remembered that it wasn't an ordinary candy and tried to stop her.


"!!! Aaaack!!!"


But it was too late. Jessie's shrill scream echoed through the cafeteria.


She immediately spat out the candy, but the intense sourness had already done its work, leaving her unable to close her mouth as tears and drool streamed down her face. She cried out to me in distress.


"Sour...! Sooooour! S-Scarlet, this is too sour! Ugh... The drool... It won't stop!"


"I'm... I'm sorry, Jessie! I forgot to tell you how sour it is!"


"W-Why would you eat something like this...? Are you sane...?"


Jessie looked at me with an expression that seemed to question my sanity, and I was at a loss for words.


Sane? Not exactly...


But I couldn't say that, so I struggled to come up with an explanation that she would accept. 


Suddenly, an idea popped into my head, and I shouted it out.


"I-it's for suppressing my appetite! I’m on a diet these days..."


At this, Jessie looked shocked but then slowly nodded as if she understood.


"R-really? I guess this would definitely kill your appetite after eating it..."


Jessie remained silent for a moment, then looked at me with a slightly annoyed expression.


"...But a diet? Scarlet, where do you even have any fat to lose? Why are you going so far as to eat something like this to lose weight?"


"Well, it’s just that..."


Since my claim that it was for suppressing my appetite was a lie, I struggled to come up with a good answer. Just then, Marin, who was eating nearby, murmured quietly.


"Who knows? Maybe she has a guy she wants to impress?"


That comment made everyone around me suddenly look at me in surprise.


Mei, Jessie, and even Sylvia, who had been quietly eating her meal, all turned their attention to me.


"Is that true?!"


"Really?!"


"S-Scarlet, so that's why..."


"It's not like that..."


I shook my head vigorously in denial, but it seemed it was already too late.


In the imaginations of the girls, I was already someone dieting to impress a boy I liked.


Feeling frustrated by their assumptions and knowing they wouldn't listen to any further explanations, I sighed inwardly. Just then, Florene, who was sitting next to Marin, smirked teasingly and said,


"Hehe, I’m glad the makeup I gave you is being put to good use."


Her face clearly showed that she was planning to tease me further, and I sighed before responding.


"...I’m never going to wear makeup."


"Aww, don’t be like that. I noticed you haven’t been sleeping well lately, and that’s when you should be paying more attention to your appearance. Make sure to use makeup, okay?"


"...I said I'm not going to use it. Besides, what you just said..."


"Oh, what’s that fiery look in your eyes? Have you fallen for me instead of that boy? Well, I’m sorry for him, but I guess I’ll just have to accept you as my 70th girlfriend."


"...Sorry, but I’ll have to pass on that."


Feeling a bit tense for a moment, I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head at Florene’s usual carefree and thoughtless behavior.


---------------------


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Comments

  1. The makeup that Florence gave to Scarlett is suspicious.
    I have no logical reasoning or anything, I just find it sus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, isn't it meant to be the with of Pride instead of Arrogance, keeping with the seven deadly sins theme?
      Or is the witch of Arrogance, a separate witch entirely.

      Delete
    2. It's Pride, definitely, so is Envy, but it has been translated into Jealousy.

      Delete
    3. for you all, witch of Arrogance is a new witch she will appear in next chapters. and for the witch of Jealousy, it was my tl mistake, i will fix it. and also sry for the spoiler

      Delete
  2. Can't imagine how chaos it was back then

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can imagine how she might break in just 5 months going at this rate

    ReplyDelete
  4. Scarlet just thought of killing florene.

    It gave me the chills for some reason.
    Mainly because I have fetish for Female protagonists who are facing an inner conflict between their non-human nature and human convictions

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wtf is the makeup because theres no shot its normal especially considering that they suspect Scarlet of being related to witches

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also Sylvia who has good instincts felt something wrong with it

      Delete

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