Chapter-09 · EP-137
Episode 137: The Day Murasakimura Was Absent
Looking at Murasakimura's suddenly empty seat, I felt uneasy.
After being scolded by Professor Jonouchi in the nurse's office yesterday, Murasakimura had gone home without a word. His state of mind had clearly been abnormal.
Maybe Murasakimura would be the first dropout… That thought crossed my mind.
This academy wasn't a normal school. It was a place where, while receiving a high school education, you also trained to become a dungeon explorer. In practical dungeon exploration, you risked serious injury, and you learned the violent act of killing monsters. I'd heard that every year, a certain number of students quit due to mental strain.
I didn't intend to stop anyone from quitting. Everyone has their own aptitudes, and if someone isn't suited to being an explorer, it's better not to force it.
But when I imagined Murasakimura quitting, something caught in my chest. I felt that Murasakimura wasn't the kind of person to give up here.
I'd been lost in thought all through first-period Modern Japanese, so I hadn't absorbed a thing. When the class ended, I headed to Mamoru Sendo's seat.
I thought that Sendo, being Murasakimura's best friend, might have heard something about the situation.
Gathered around Sendo's seat were not only me, but also Akaishi, Yuno, and Maika.
"It's surprising that you're worried about Kyoya."
When I spoke, Sendo answered with a slightly surprised look.
"It's my fault for setting up that match yesterday."
I said apologetically.
"No, that's not it."
Sendo shook his head.
"You're not at fault. It's Kyoya's perfectionism. He can't forgive himself."
Then, from Sendo, I learned a bit more about the situation: that Murasakimura had been anxious about not leveling up, that Class B students had been interfering with him even inside the dungeon, and that even the unflappable Murasakimura had been losing confidence due to their scornful words.
And that Murasakimura had challenged me to a match to regain that confidence.
Hearing that, I remembered yesterday's fight.
Even so, there was no way Murasakimura would have been happy if I had deliberately lost. But if I had given it my all from the start, would the outcome have been different?
…I couldn't find an answer. Besides, it was pointless to regret what had already happened.
"Hey, Sendo. How about we go visit him together after school today?"
"Can I come too?"
"We'll come too…"
When I invited Sendo to visit Murasakimura, Akaishi, Yuno, and the others who had been listening also offered to join.
Sendo nodded, relieved.
"Yeah, let's go together. I'm honestly worried. Kyoya had perfect attendance from elementary through middle school. For him to take a day off, it must be serious."
Just then, the classroom door opened.
I shifted my gaze. Standing there was Mei Kisaragi from Class 1-A.
Mei spotted me, jerked her chin in a "come here" gesture, looking annoyed.
"Sorry, I need to go for a bit."
Saying that, I left Sendo and the others and stepped into the hallway.
If Mei was here… As I'd imagined, Hikaru Kujo was also there.
It was unusual for a Duke's daughter from Class A to come all the way to the D-Class classroom.
"Sorry for calling you out, Ichinose-san."
Hikaru said apologetically.
Behind her, slightly to the side, Mei glared at me, looking annoyed, as if to say, "How dare you make Hikaru-sama come all the way here."
I almost laughed at Mei's expression, but I held it in and answered Hikaru.
"No, it's fine. What's up?"
"I'm worried about Murasakimura-san."
Hikaru said with a serious expression.
"I heard that the harassment from Class B has been severe lately… Is he alright today?"
"Ah, actually, he's absent today. Probably the slow leveling and the harassment from the Class B guys have gotten to him mentally."
"I see. Should I speak to the Class B students?"
"No… hold on. That's not really the problem. Nothing will change unless Murasakimura regains his own confidence. If we need your help, I'll come talk to you again."
"Alright."
"Thanks for being concerned enough to come."
"Not at all. I'll also consult with my brother. I've heard that he also had trouble leveling up, like Murasakimura-san, so he might be able to help."
With that, I parted ways with Hikaru and Mei.
She'd heard the rumors and come all the way to check on him.
After school, as I was about to leave the classroom with Sendo and the others, Dokujima and Numabe were standing in the hallway.
"Oh? Is the top student absent today?"
Dokujima said with a smirk.
These guys had come to make fun of Murasakimura again today. But unfortunately, he was absent.
"Maybe he realized how incompetent he is and dropped out? Pfft."
Numabe laughed like a pig, mocking Murasakimura.
Had Murasakimura been subjected to this kind of talk every day?
Anger welled up inside me.
"At least he's competent enough to realize his incompetence, hahaha!"
"Shut up! I'll knock you out!"
Their words were too much. I couldn't hold back and raised my voice.
My killing intent made Dokujima and Numabe flinch, letting out small squeaks.
"Stop it, Ichinose."
Sendo grabbed my arm to stop me.
"It's a waste of time to engage with guys like that."
He was right.
Dokujima clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Hmph… try using violence next time. We'll have you expelled, just like Haijima-kun."
Leaving those parting words, the two hurried away.
Those guys were former cronies of Haijima. They were probably still holding a grudge against us.
The one at fault was Haijima. They should use their energy for something more constructive.
When the five of us arrived at the dormitory, Murasakimura came out of his room.
He looked relatively normal, but lifeless. The expression of someone who had lost their spirit.
"Everyone… sorry for worrying you."
Murasakimura smiled weakly.
"Thank you for coming to see me. I'm fine, so I'll go to school tomorrow."
Maika gently asked Murasakimura.
"Murasakimura-kun, are you troubled? If there's anything I can do to help, please tell me…"
"That's right."
Yuno continued.
"We're classmates. For example, if you're injured, leave it to me! My Healing Magic is level 2 now, so I can use it even outside the dungeon."
Yuno approached Murasakimura and cast Healing Magic.
A soft light enveloped him.
"Thank you. But I'm fine."
Murasakimura answered weakly, staring blankly at the magical light showering down on him.
It seemed even Yuno's Healing Magic couldn't heal a depressed heart.
"We might not be able to help much, but…"
Maika said.
"If you're really in trouble, you should talk to Shirou-kun."
"Why me?"
Surprised at being suddenly mentioned, I asked.
"My Magical Power Accumulation Syndrome was cured thanks to Shirou-kun's advice, and Yuno-chan's Healing Magic leveled up thanks to his advice too."
Maika said with a smile.
"If you ask Shirou-kun, he'll solve anything."
"No, that was just coincidence, not everything…"
I hurriedly denied it, but then turned to Murasakimura.
"But Murasakimura, if you're okay with me, I'll help. If there's something you can't solve on your own, come talk to me."
Murasakimura smiled faintly.
"…Thank you. Just that feeling is enough."
He shook his head.
"This is my own problem."
Murasakimura still had a shred of pride left; he wouldn't show his weakness to us.