He’s From the Strongest Guild and She’s a Newbie - Chapter 8 – The Next Day

Haruka Sumeragi’s Pov

The second day since I started playing Magia has come, and, as every morning, I’m taking the train to school.

Yesterday was so fun!

In the end, I logged out just before midnight, right when tomorrow was about to become today. I got scolded for that by my parents, but it was my first time misbehaving, so they let me off. After that they complained some more anyway, because I went to have dinner and take a bath in the middle of the night, so I vowed to myself that next time I would finish my evening routine earlier.

I look down at the smartphone in my hand, click on the texting app, and open my chat with Kurotsuki-kun. The exchange in the chat room that I just created yesterday consists of my lengthy message of gratitude, apology, and thanks, and just one sticker from Kurotsuki-kun in response. I know it’s greedy of me, but I wanted to receive a proper message from him.

He has this indifferent attitude towards everything, maybe even too much so. It’s my first time to have a conversation in the app end so quickly.

I’ve texted with boys a few times before. I always intended to end the conversation with whatever I needed to say, for example expressing my thanks, but they always changed the topic to drag it on… It’s happened more than once or twice. That’s why now I also thought that maybe the conversation would keep going, and for the first time I actually looked forward to it, but…

Sigh…

I want to talk more with Kurotsuki-kun about Magia. But it probably won’t happen. After all, he is the ‘Kuro’ from the famous Sun and Moon.

Yesterday, on our way back from Raha Forest, when I asked him whether that’s him, he readily answered “That’s right”. He said that I had seen a lot that day and there was no point in hiding his identity. But he reminded me again not to tell anyone about any of this.

From our chat room I open Kurotsuki-kun’s profile. It’s impossible to connect him to ‘Kuro’ from the information there. If I had to choose something, it would be the cat in his background picture, which is similar to his Beast Form.

He’s not someone you can talk to casually, right?

Realising that he’s such a famous person makes me hesitate to talk to him.I wish he would talk to me first… But it’s Kurotsuki-kun we’re talking about, he definitely won’t.

Sigh…

“Good morning, everyone!”

After adjusting my mood, I enter the classroom with a cheerful greeting. Without making it obvious, I don’t forget to glance at the seat in the farthest corner.

Kurotsuki-kun… isn’t here yet. I wonder if he’s okay after I kept him up until late yesterday…

“Yo! Sumeragi!”

“Sumeragi-san, good morning!”

“Morning, Sumeragi!”

As I get to my seat, greeting classmates on the way, Satou-kun, who always comes to talk to me, immediately brings up the topic of the abyss realm.

“Sumeragi! You went to the abyss realm yesterday, right? Did you level up a lot?”

“I did! It was so fun! I’m level 2 now!”

Yesterday I focused on gathering herbs, and on top of that there were some unexpected events, so I only managed to get to level 2. But considering what Kurotsuki-kun told me, I think that was for the best.

“Hey, hey, that’s almost nothing. When I started, I got some help and went from level 1 to 10 on the first day. If it makes such a difference, let me help you level up. After that we can all do quests together!”

“Then I’ll also help.”

“I’ll give a hand, too, since it’s to help Haruka!”

I had a feeling it would come to this when they asked about my level. Sure, levelling up quickly makes you stronger sooner, but I don’t need to simply become stronger – I need to become as strong as Kurotsuki-kun.

The image of Kurotsuki-kun that captivated me yesterday is firmly etched in my mind. If someone like him says I should prioritise things other than levelling up, then I want to believe that.

“Thanks, guys! But I want to take it slow. Instead, you could show me around!”

“Huh, if that’s what you want… Then let’s gather everyone to do it tonight!”

“Okay~!”

“Thanks! Can’t wait!”

Relieved that I managed to steer away from the topic, I notice someone quietly entering through the back door of the classroom.

He’s here! It’s Kurotsuki-kun!

There was no trace of yesterday’s lively aura around him; he walked with a hunched back without attempting to hide his lack of energy. When he got to his seat, he briefly glanced at me, and slumped over his desk.

Looking at him now, he really seems like a completely different person.

It’s impossible to believe that he’s the same person I met yesterday. If he said that he had just been pretending, I might actually believe it.

Come to think of it, I’ve never talked to him in real life.

Before, it was only natural, since we had nothing in common and there was no reason to, but now that we’ve formed some connection, I find myself wanting to talk to him.

Why do I care so much? Maybe because he’s so knowledgeable, after all? But if that’s the case…

Aren’t I just using him? Trying to become closer just because he’s famous… That’s awful!

Looking at it objectively, I’m not only shallow, I’m also trying to suddenly change my attitude towards someone because of that. Noticing these ugly traits in myself fills me with disgust.

I really don’t mean it that way… But I’m sure Kurotsuki-kun doesn’t have a good impression of me.

The more I think about it, the more my negative thoughts spiral. Suddenly, I got a message.

Kazuki Kurotsuki: Sumeragi, you’re looking at me too much. If you have something to ask, I always spend lunch breaks at the emergency staircase in the south building, come see me there.

After reading it, I glance over at him. His head is still resting on the desk, but he raises his hand to give me a subtle signal that only I can understand.

Kurotsuki-kun, you’ve actually been paying attention to me.

Feeling my heart racing, I quickly text him to confirm that I will definitely go.

It seems that I’m quite simple-minded, as just one message has made all the negative thoughts I had a moment ago completely disappear without a trace.

What should we talk about during lunch break? I have so many things I want to talk about, it’s hard to choose.

Half-listening to the conversations of my classmates around me, I put all my energy into thinking about what’s about to happen at lunch break.

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