A dark past to a bright future

Chapter 26

Souji (touches Iris's forehead seeing her cheeks red while she breathing heavily): She's burning up. (in his mind) It's my fault. I had a feeling she'd overwork herself but what she just said shocked me.

Teacher (behind Souji): Can you take her to the nurse's office?

Souji (standing after picking Iris up): Okay. (look at their third member) Can you log us out?

Boy student two (mage): Okay.

(hallway)

Souji (in his mind while walking): Even apart you secretly send money to that disgusting father of yours to help your mother. I hope you show more of your kindness to us when you're ready.

(nurse office)

Ruby (at the door being out of breath): Souji you here?

Souji (walking out after opening the curtain a bit): Over here.

Ruby (walking over): How is she?

Souji: Iris has a high fever but she's sleeping after giving her some medicine.

Ruby: How did she get like that?

Souji: We knew Iris wasn't well but I think the toll while playing UGO stressed her body.

Ruby: You didn't.

Souji: I know I shouldn't have but we were fighting an actual player as a boss.

Ruby: What do you mean?

Souji: One of the workers who looks over UGO enters the game to fight us on purpose making the teacher think it's part of the game.

Ruby: The enemy you face was that strong?

Souji: Yeah. We almost reveal the skills we have on our main. However, after being unable to move my alt avatar Iris suddenly changed but instead of just grabbing the headphone she asked for my permission and said to stop her if she acted weird.

Ruby: Did anything weird happen?

Souji: Everything was fine but when it was about to reach the end she suddenly changed. Iris said "Your soul is mine" before finishing the boss off.

Ruby: That's a weird thing to say.

Souji: Iris said that before but on her main account. You could say it was her catchphrase. She would sometimes say that when she finished off a boss. However, one thing worries me.

Ruby: What that?

Souji: Her eyes became dull while having sharp pupils. At the end of the fight, she was going to fight more bosses solo thinking she was alone at her house being on her main.

Ruby: Iris must have been in a daze.

Souji: When I stop Iris she mentions that she needs the money to give to her father to help her mum before passing out.

Ruby: Iris must have broken. I'm surprised she almost lasted the whole day in her condition.

Souji: Can you watch Iris? I need to get our stuff.

Ruby: Okay.

(hallway)

Souji (in his mind sending a report while walking): I still feel bad that I let you do that today, but at least you informed me ahead of time that you wanted me to stop you.

(classroom)

Teacher (enters while Souji picks up their things): How's Iris doing?

Souji: She's sleeping right now. Once she's feeling better I'll be taking her home.

Teacher: You two have become close.

Souji (carrying his sword bag and Iris's belongings after turning around): It's not what you think sir. A lot of things are happening in Iris's life right now.

Teacher: The headteacher informs me about her situation Mazoku.

Souji: So you also knew we weren't using our main accounts?

Teacher: Forgive me. The headteacher told me about your secret from day one. Sorry about today's lesson. The person you were fighting was a friend of mine and I asked them to push you to your limits to see if you were still able to hold your own on your alt like how you do on your main.

Souji: As a teacher, you should be able to read people's body language.

Teacher: Right now you want to punch me. Correct?

Souji: I sure do but I know Ruby will be mad at me.

Teacher: Class ended early today so get out of here.

Souji (in his mind while leaving): Trying to be funny?

(sunset hallway)

Souji (after answering his phone when it ting while walking): Hello.

Souji's dad (from Souji's phone): It's me.

Souji: What do you find?

Souji's dad: We can't find anything about her dad but no one can take care of Iris because her mum's parents cut ties when she was still in high school.