Reincarnation of Villainess Noble Lady (Ch. 143-299)

REIKA-SAMA -293

Supported by Enjou, dragging my shaking feet, I managed to reach the dressing room. Enjou called out, "Take your time," from the closing door. I collapsed on a bench.

…I'm done… I'm finished… I can't move. I wouldn't normally keep people waiting, but my hands are still shaking, and I can't even press the buttons on the locker to open them. If somebody saw me, they'd probably think I was an alcoholic. Oh, I'm so tired. I'd like to fall asleep, but I shouldn't.

I sigh deeply and get up from the bench. My body doesn't feel and lighter. It feels as heavy as lead. I drag my lead body and head to the shower room. I slowly, slowly get dressed not to cause my body any more pain, and return to a silent training room. I don't see either of them.

Nobody's here…? They're still getting dressed? Or did they leave since I was taking so long? I don't really care, but I look around, just in case…. Oh, there. Kaburagi was lying down on a sofa by a window with his eyes closed. Did he fall asleep waiting? I look around and confirm that Enjou isn't around. I approached the sofa.

"Kaburagi-sama…?" I called out softly, but there's no reaction. He really must be asleep. I was struck by the sunlight shining through the window. It's probably strong enough to get a tan outside. I ward off the sunlight with my hand as I squinted. It really is bright…

I gaze at Kaburagi, again. His skin has no blemishes. His smooth hair covers his forehead… He really is handsome…

I gazed at his sleeping face silently for some time. The air conditioning is working, but it might be a little warm by the window. He frowned, and his lips opened slightly.

Oh, no! There's not much humidity with the air conditioning. If he naps like this, his throat may dry, and he could catch a cold! To protect his sleep and health, I acted. To prevent drying, moisture. I wet my handkerchief and return to his side and place it on his face. I carefully cover his nose and mouth so dry air doesn't enter.

One handkerchief isn't enough to prevent the dryness. The sun's so strong. I'm worried about sunburn, too. I place a second wet handkerchief on it. I'm always prepared with many handkerchiefs. I have many left, still, so don't worry!

…And I add another… Kaburagi's breathing becomes labored, and he starts to struggle. He must be having a nightmare! I must help him! I hold down his shoulders from above. Don't worry, I'll protect Kaburagi-sama's sleep!

He was too strong, though, and Kaburagi brushed aside my hands and jumped up and tore off the handkerchiefs placed on him out of good will.

"What's this…?"

"Handkerchiefs," I smiled.

"I can see… Why did you put them on my face?"

"To prevent sunburn and dryness."

"Dryness…?"

"Yes."

"…You tried to kill me." He glared at me with bloodshot eyes. "Putting wet cloth to stop breathing, that's an ancient water torture!" Huh? Torture!? Oh, no! Reika doesn't anything so scary.

"Oh, don't wet yourself."

"Quit joking around!" Oh, no, so rude. Reika, scared.

"As if I would do such a thing."

"I really almost died!"

As my good intentioned were sadly twisted into ill intent, Enjou arrived. "What's going on?"

"This one just tried to kill me by placing wet handkerchiefs on my face while I slept."

"No, I didn't want you to catch a cold by breathing in the dry air, so I moisturized. I meant well, Kaburagi-sama, because you had your mouth open."

He went silent upon hearing that his mouth was open.

"If it were to keep the moisture, wasn't putting it on the mouth enough?"

"I'm sorry. I'm so clumsy…" Since my hands are that of an artiodactyla.

"So Kisshouin didn't have any ill intent?"

I answered judge Enjou, "Of course not."

Enjou kept smiling as he nodded and continued, "Kisshouin-san is so kind to worry about Masaya's health after being driven so far by him."

"No, not at all."

Enjou's gaze corners me. "One more time, why?"

I look away at the bright sun. "Because of the sun…"

"Guilty."

"She's guilty."

Oh, what injustice!

Not being a stranger, I try to get out of the guilty sentence by giving them the melons that I had brought to me. "This is a gift from my Hokkaido trip. Please have them if you will."

They thanked me. Thanks to the melon and Enjou smoothing things over, the incident was swept under the rug.

"Kisshouin-san went to Hokkaido?"

"Yes, I short trip with some friends." It was really fun seeing cute animals, breathing in the fresh air, and eating delicious food. Going on trips with friends is the best. There was no romance seen in movies or in books, but I'm blessed with girlfriends.

"Friends? The usual ones around you?" asked Kaburagi.

"Huh? Yes. My friends from Zuiran, like Kazami Serika-san and Imamura Kikuno-san, and some others. And Fuyuko-sama from the Pivoine also came."

I didn't expect Kaburagi to know my friends. I didn't think he was interested. I guess they're around me enough for him to notice at school. Satomi-kun said that we were known as Kisshouin Reika and the Five Musicians by some students, after all. We've been friends for over 10 years since we entered school, now that I think about it.

I still can't reveal my true self around them, but they're important friends to me. I want to remain friends forever… I just have one complaint, or troublesome spot with them. They're too unsociable, especially with boys.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, but Serika-chan and the girls are important friends to me, and I want to stay friends, but privately, aren't they the reason I still don't have any chance in love despite the fact that we're in a co-ed school?

I've heard that girls who don't have boyfriends gathered together won't meet anyone. Then it's really Alone in Love village. If I'm the village chief, Serika-chan and Kikuno-chan are the sub-chiefs.

I want to interact with other villages more, and hopefully leave the village, but the strict sub-chiefs won't allow members to leave, watching each other, isolating our village. When Tsuruhana-san was found to have a male friend from an international school, they all called a mixer debauchery.

That fierce attitude… I thought for an instant… They're not good. The anti-popular aura is too strong…

Oh, no! I shouldn't think of my friends that way! I value my friendships! Who cares if they're not popular, if worst comes to worst, we'll form an Alone in Love village for old people, and live together! We'll lead a happy life disparaging young people in love while we munch on okaki (fried dried mochi)!

The three of us stopped at a café for a light meal. I only ordered a salad, but my eyes popped out seeing the calories from the dressing.

"Something wrong?"

"That calories are difficult to use, but so easy to gain…" Another injustice in dieting…

"Kisshouin. Sit up straight. You're bent forward." I can't even if I wanted to. I'm too tired.

As he parted, Kaburagi ordered, "Record everything you eat."

My back hunched even further after they left. A fortune teller stood by a bank I was passing, who called out, "You there. You're possessed by an old lady's spirit!" No. I'm just sore from Kaburagi's Spartan training.