4.5 – Fumiko's POV
Training started at early morning and continued uninterrupted until lunchtime.
"Ah... Fumiko, are you an angel? Am I in heaven...?" Owari says with glazed eyes, dangerously close to hallucinating due to exhaustion.
"If I were an angel, then I would be seriously worried about heaven's customer service... Are you having strokes from too much exercise?"
The two of us were engaging in idle chatter while waiting for Mr. Brownie, who went out to grab lunch for us.
"Still, you`ve really got a weak constitution, huh, Owari? Getting so tired over such little exercise…"
"Ahahaha... So cruel Fumiko... Calling all of that just a 'little exercise'... Well, it might be true from the point of view of someone who can use mana expression…"
"No, I really meant it from the point of view I already had before even coming here. Even without expression, I can do this much without even breaking a sweat."
"What!? Just what kind of life did you even have before coming here!? Back at my world, I didn't practice any sports and would skip all of my physical education classes!"
"What kind of life did YOU have before coming here!? Take better care of your health! However, I do admit I also used to skip classes. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that not going to classes was part of my routine... You didn't strike me as the kind who would also skip classes, Owari."
"No no, I only meant the physical education classes. And I did properly take attendance, it's just that I used some excuses in order not to participate, such as faking stomach aches… Not that I really had any health problems or anything, I just didn`t feel very comfortable playing with the others… Why did you skip on real classes, Fumiko? Didn`t it cause you problems?"
"Physical education is a real class too… It's also an important subject, you know? Developing a routine to keep yourself healthy and interacting with others is just as important as studying. Besides, I was properly attending enough classes in order to progress to the next grade. Only with the minimal amount of presence…"
"Ugh… When you put it like that, it might make some sense… Even so, why would you go as far as calculating the amount of classes you could miss every year…? Pft! Haha, I just can`t picture someone with such a soft heart as yours posing as a delinquent!"
Delinquent…
"I-I've actually been called that way a lot... I just didn't see much point in attending those useless classes… Those make pretend teachers, worried only about their careers instead of their students… It's this kind of attitude that allows the students to rot. Coddling anything as long as they get good grades and are able to fake their way into what is considered acceptable social behavior!"
Who are they to decide what`s 'acceptable' or 'normal', when they clearly have their own hidden agendas!? These goddamn assholes piss me off so much!
"Without even noticing the collective stress that keeps on pilling up!"
If only they didn`t turn their eyes from the truth that hides beneath!!!
"And without caring about the ones who up being sacrificed in order to relieve it---!!!
Sacchi--!!!
…
"Ah… I'm sorry, Fumiko. That was insensitive of me…"
Before I`d even noticed, I was already screaming.
"No… I--- My bad, Owari… It's… It's been a while since I could honestly talk to a friend… In fact, to anyone at all…"
No matter how much you try to run away from your past, it always manages to chase after you. It was that way in the other world… And even now in this new one…
You move on, but then you notice you've been walking in circles…
"Hey kids, look! I was able to get us some tasty drake's soup! Ah! This is absolutely one of my favorite foods---! … Did something happen?"
Mr. Brownie, who just came back with our foods, immediately noticed that something was wrong… Tch! Way to kill the mood, me...
Hah…
"I was just wondering what's up with that soup, Mr. Brownie… Honestly, it seems a little gross… I`d like to think that it's just some lizard soup with carrots… But what are those floating things? S-scales…?"
"Pft! D-Don't be so rude Fumiko! At times like these you shouldn't say anything and just eat with your eyes closed!" Owari follows up.
"Gross? Eating with your eyes closed? Kids, the both of you clearly know nothing about food! How could you complain about a hot meal served to you?! Unforgivable! Come, I'll teach you two not to be picky with your food! Eat it with your eyes open, it`s part of how the brain appreciates the taste! Also, my name is not Brownie! It's Borauni!!!" Mr. Brownie gives a heated speech.
"Hey, this lizard is not so bad after all!" "No kidding, you were right Mr. Brownie!"
But we were already stuffing our mouths while he was wasting time making a fuss. Honestly, if he weren't so serious about everything, then we wouldn't provoke him this much…
"Ah, wait! Don't eat my share!"
"Bads de bule ov be bood was, ib u dalg doo buch u ead bess (That's the rule of the food wars, if you talk too much you eat less)"
"Somehow, I think I understood what you just meant to say Fumiko, but please don't talk with your mouth full… Besides--- Wait, Owari! Just how many eyeballs are you planning on eating? That`s the best part, leave some for us too!"
"Pft---!!! E-eye---!?"
"Wait! Don't spit it back into the soup---!!!"
Maybe I was just feeling hangry. Having lunch made me feel much better.