Chapter 18: There’s never a moment of calm (3)

The Wolf Class, devastated by the hurricane that was Rachel.

Unlike the students who murmured among themselves, I couldn’t say a word. Chloe, on the other hand, looked downcast. Luckily, she seemed to have come back to herself, but her face remained somber, with a hint of sadness.

Obviously, being so easily overpowered by Rachel had really upset her. But if we’re being fair, Rachel was fourth-ranked in the Star Class at Joaquin Academy.

That meant, out of 2,500 students, only three could have bested Rachel.

And, as a member of the Saint of the Spear family, a line that only married powerful warriors to ensure a strong bloodline, her physical strength was probably among the highest at the academy.

To be honest, Chloe was more at fault for pulling out the knife first, but Rachel had provoked her into doing it, so it wasn’t easy to say who was really to blame.

The problem was, Chloe was in my class, so I’d be spending the whole year with her, whereas Rachel was in Star Class, where I’d rarely have to see her. I scratched my head.

I couldn’t just say, “You’re the one who pulled the knife first.” If I did, she’d probably choose me as her next target.

Chloe’s shoulders drooped in dejection. Just as I was about to say something to comfort her because she looked so sad, she hesitated a moment before whispering in a low voice:

“Does Geom-Ma like big ones too?”

“What?”

“I mean… Geom-Ma, do you prefer big breasts too?!”

‘So that was what was bothering her?’

I was speechless. I’d thought she was upset about being unilaterally overpowered, but it turned out it was about… breasts. I’d already noticed her glancing at me sideways while covering her chest with her hands.

‘Breasts, huh…?’

I rubbed my chin and thought about it.

Sure, I might like breasts, but Rachel’s were honestly a bit much, so large and pale they were almost distracting—though Chloe’s weren’t so small that she needed to feel self-conscious about them.

In the “martial art of breasts,” the only one who could rival Rachel would be Media. Even Abel didn’t come close. I imagined a chest so large it would make any other woman seem as flat as an AA battery.

However, if I told her the truth now, I’d be asking for trouble. Chloe was still holding a box cutter in her right hand.

Without my sashimi knife, I wouldn’t stand a chance against an enhanced Chloe. I didn’t want to spill blood over a simple question with the wrong answer.

In the end, the solution was clear; I just had to say it. She was still a girl in her growing years, so there was hope.

…Though it was a slim hope. I ran my hand over my face before answering.

“No, I don’t like big breasts at all.”

“…”

Chloe’s eyes lit up, still gripping the box cutter tightly. I swallowed and added,

“In fact, you could say I prefer smaller ones.”

My conscience weighed heavily, but survival was my priority.

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

Chloe’s face brightened, and she smiled. She wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeves before putting the box cutter back in her pocket.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Chloe gathered her short red hair behind her ears and gave me a sweet smile. I wasn’t sure, but it seemed like an attempt to charm me.

I didn’t like the atmosphere turning so cheerful. After all, Chloe was a yandere. If she kept getting closer, I’d end up in the fridge.

Sensing that things were turning dangerous, I quickly changed the subject.

“By the way… Chloe, how’s Nox doing after all that?”

Chloe’s face darkened at the mention of Nox’s name. It was clear she despised her brother.

I started wondering why Chloe hated Nox so much. I knew she disliked the Auditore family, but with Nox, it seemed more like a personal hatred.

I didn’t want to get involved in family issues. I wasn’t that interested, and the less I had to do with a family of assassins, the better.

Finally, Chloe spoke in a dry tone.

“My brother is in the academy hospital.”

“Why is he hospitalized? Fights in the alternate space don’t cause physical injuries.”

Chloe shook her head, her hair falling back over her face.

“…I haven’t gone to see him, so I’m not sure, but I heard it wasn’t a physical injury. So you don’t need to worry, Geom-Ma.”

“Hmm.”

Yes, I’d cut him up pretty brutally, but I didn’t think he was so weak that he’d fall apart mentally.

‘Was he planning something?’

I recalled his emotionless smile. Maybe he was faking being injured to launch a surprise attack. It was a possibility.

And surprise attacks were his specialty. Sure, I could crush him again, but this time I might go as far as to actually take his head off. It’d be better to prevent issues before they start.

“Chloe, could you tell me which room Nox is in at the hospital?”

“Huh?”

Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise. I smiled to reassure her.

“It’s a guy thing. I just want to have a little chat with him, man to man.”

“…But…”

Chloe seemed hesitant. Maybe her relationship with Nox wasn’t purely hate, but more a mix of love and resentment.

It was time to use my secret weapon.

“Chloe.”

“Yes?”

I gently patted her head, showing the smile I’d perfected over years of working in customer service.

“Please.”

“…”

Chloe’s face turned a deep red.

‘Handling a yandere, rule number one: pat her head. It makes everything easier.’

My hours of YouTube research had finally paid off.

***

VIP Room, Joaquin Academy Hospital

Nox sat trembling on his bed, lost in thought. He felt an unfamiliar emotion churning in his chest. His heart wouldn’t stop racing.

A dark presence seemed to rise from deep within him, showing no sign of fading with time.

And it was all because of that guy.

‘Geom-Ma.’

Now, he couldn’t even say his name aloud.

He could barely repeat it in his mind.

Every time he recalled Geom-Ma’s dark, cold eyes, his body shook.

It was the first time he’d experienced such real fear. It mixed with his hatred for Geom-Ma and disgust with himself, forming an unbearable feeling.

He’d gone his entire life without knowing defeat. Enemies, no matter who they were, always fell to the “Crimson Blade” of Nox Auditore.

Until yesterday. Nox had lost. And not only that—he’d been sliced to pieces in seconds when Geom-Ma changed his stance, as if he were a mere fish.

The physical pain was nothing. But the pain of his broken spirit had sapped all his will to get up.

‘Maybe if it had been nighttime…’ he wondered, but the thought of crossing swords with Geom-Ma again made his joints lock at odd angles.

“Damn it.”

Nox clenched his teeth and slammed his fist onto the bedside table. The fruits in the basket—apples and bananas—shook and fell. The metal table dented under the force of his fist.

‘I’m going to kill him. I’m going to kill him. I’m going to kill him.’

Yes, he could kill him. After all, he was an assassin. With the full force of the Auditore family, they could take that damn Geom-Ma’s head.

His mind was consumed with a single obsession.

‘I’m going to kill him and bring Chloe back.’

Chloe belonged to the Auditore family. And her potential as an assassin even surpassed Nox’s.

Just as his mind filled with hate, someone knocked on the door.

“Knock, knock.”

“Who is it?”

Nox frowned and yelled. The door slid open slowly.

“It’s me.”

It was Geom-Ma. Nox sank back onto his bed, his face frozen in disbelief. His jaw trembled. The fire of his will, which had burned just moments earlier, was extinguished at the sight of Geom-Ma.

“You, you, you…”

His words stammered, teeth chattering almost enough to bite his tongue. With effort, he closed his mouth.

Geom-Ma approached, hands in his pockets, and dropped into a chair beside the bed.

“Looks like the Auditores have money. This room is pretty nice.”

Unbothered, Geom-Ma inspected the room, scratching his neck. It was a simple gesture, but Nox’s forehead broke out in a cold sweat. Beads of sweat slid down his face.

“Can I have one of these?”

“…”

Geom-Ma pointed to the apples in the basket, and Nox gave a reflexive, spineless nod.

“Thanks.”

He picked up an apple and took a big bite. Without stopping his chewing, juice dripping down his mouth, Nox sat in silence, completely overwhelmed by fear.

Geom-Ma, unfazed, picked up the knife from the basket. Nox thought he might be here to finish him off, and his body froze.

But Geom-Ma just began peeling the apple with expert precision. The peel came off thin and smooth, like silk. Nox found himself hypnotized by the exactness of the cuts.

“Eat something, even if it’s just fruit.”

He left the peeled apple on the table. Nox continued to tremble, unable to control his reaction to each of Geom-Ma’s gestures.

“Well, looks like you’re doing fine, so I’ll be going.”

Geom-Ma stretched, got up from the chair, and made his way to the door. Nox’s gaze flicked between Geom-Ma’s back and the knife on the table.

‘Now.’

He was completely off guard. Slowly, Nox reached for the knife, making sure not to make any noise.

Just as he was about to grab it, Geom-Ma, with the door halfway open, turned his head to look at him. His eyes were cold.

“Oh, one more thing.”

“…”

“If you’re thinking of revenge…”

His dry voice echoed in the room.

“I’ll wipe out the entire Auditore family.”

Clack.

The door closed with a snap.

The apple had been sliced into eight perfect pieces.