Chapter 97

### Chapter 97: Change (11)

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#21

Among so many students, why Mu?

Of course, there were only fifteen freshmen, not a large number by any means.

Still, there must have been a reason why Sasha singled out Mu to try to become friends with her.

Moreover, Mu herself thought she didn't seem like someone who would easily inspire a sense of intimacy... So why?

From the moment of her enrollment, interest in the freshman named Mu had spread like wildfire within the Epic Class, but not many people actually approached her. Those who did, upon hearing how beautiful she was, found her to be truly beautiful, but she was surrounded by an aura that made her seem untouchable.

Of course, this was partly because she intentionally discouraged people from approaching her. Mu hadn't come to Frontier to make friends or enjoy a fulfilling school life.

"...I came here to learn the sword."

Abel Lionheart, upon hearing that Mu was an exceptional sword talent, had seen her through the crystal ball and unhesitatingly pushed for her enrollment in the Epic Class, which was the initial catalyst.

Mu was well aware that the person who brought her to Frontier was Abel, and because of this, when she heard his name in the swordsmanship class, she immediately recognized him without being swayed by his youthful appearance or doubting his identity.

In any case, it was closer to the truth that Abel, bound by his role as a professor, had personally pushed for Mu's enrollment because he wanted to teach her. Regardless, Mu's acceptance of the offer remained unchanged.

In fact, even though she had only been enrolled for a short time, Mu's sword skills had become more refined and sharper.

Of course, with Mu's talent, she would eventually break through any barriers even if she practiced alone, but Abel's teachings had accelerated this process.

That was how she planned to spend her days.

Until Edgio appeared, and Sasha began to hover around Mu, interfering with everything.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm."

Sasha chewed on a cookie, wearing a serious expression as if deeply pondering something. It was an expression that didn't quite fit her, like a child trying to mimic an adult.

However, since Sasha's appearance was not much different from that of an ordinary elementary school student, it didn't seem entirely out of place.

"...Do you really need a reason?"

After much thought, that was her answer.

If she just wanted to become friends, why did she need a reason? Mu stared at Sasha for a moment.

Before enrolling at Frontier, Mu's personality was rather whimsical, acting on her moods, and she was more like a rebellious young lady.

Sometimes there were reasons for her actions, and sometimes there weren't. If she wanted to do something, she did it; if not, she didn't. If she wanted to achieve something, she did it because she wanted to.

If she wanted something, she got it.

By any means necessary.

Mu, after narrowly escaping death as a child, rarely strayed from this personality, but now she knew how to restrain herself.

More accurately, because of her whimsical nature, she had experienced a significant setback, which made it impossible for her to continue acting that way.

"...I don't really need one."

Objectively, she could understand Sasha. In this vast world, there were so many different types of people. Besides, this place was full of peculiar individuals. It was possible. Just that much thought.

Sasha's cookie. It was decent. As Mu took a casual bite, she casually said, and Sasha's face lit up with a bright smile.

"Right? Sasha just wanted to become friends with you when she saw you. ...But hearing you talk, Sasha is curious too. Maybe you're fun to be around once you get to know you? Or not? Maybe you look a lot like an older sister? Hmm, Sasha isn't sure either..."

"...Older sister?"

While Sasha was deep in thought, Mu focused on the word Sasha had mentioned. It was something she had said before. She kept casually mentioning things that subtly bothered her.

It could have been a sensitive topic, but Mu didn't take it too seriously. Sasha's demeanor remained lively and bright, even when mentioning her older sister.

"Yeah, Arsha-nee!"

Sasha, who had already finished her cookie, refilled it. She took a new cookie from the bag, put it in her mouth, and continued.

"She was four years older than Sasha, always took good care of her, was very kind, and bought a lot of food. She made cookies too. After Dad died, she read books to Sasha. She was a really, really good older sister."

...So she did die. Watching Sasha casually mention something that could be traumatic, Mu felt an indescribable feeling.

"Completely opposite. What do you mean we look alike?"

"Your face! Your face looks like hers. The hair color is different, though."

Mu had never seen or heard of Sasha's older sister, so she couldn't tell if they really looked alike.

Mu, who was munching on a cookie the size of her palm, turned to Sasha and, as if reminding herself of a forgotten fact, spoke.

"Did you know? I'm a year younger than you."

"...Huh? Oh... really? I forgot!"

Sasha, who looked genuinely surprised, dropped her cookie with her mouth wide open. Mu quickly caught it. Impressive reflexes. Sasha, with wide eyes, smiled in gratitude, and Mu, feeling like she was taking care of a child, shook her head inwardly. What older sister? She was just like an elementary school kid.

"So, Sasha, you're older than me, right? Hehe, I can't get used to it. The idea of Sasha being an older sister is really awkward..."

"I'm only older in age, but your behavior is completely childish, you know? Don't even think about acting like an older sister in front of me."

"Hey, you don't have to say it like that."

"What can I do? If you're not happy, grow up a bit more. You look like a kid, so how can I treat you like an older sister?"

"That's not fair! Sasha eats a lot and goes to bed early!"

"But why don't you grow?"

"That's...!"

A face that still looked like it hadn't lost its baby fat. The shortest height among the Epic Class freshmen. Two braids. A whiny, high-pitched voice and the boundless energy of a child. Anyone would think she was a genius elementary school student who had skipped grades to get into Frontier.

"Sasha wants to grow too, but she can't."

Sasha, looking dejected, chewed on her cookie.

"The person who brought Sasha here said that Sasha's body stopped growing at age ten. She won't grow any more than that. She'll probably stay this way until she dies. Sasha said she wanted to be like an older sister, but it's impossible."

It was a strange story. It didn't seem like a lie. If Sasha's time had indeed stopped at ten, it made sense why she looked this way.

But the real question was...

...Is such a thing possible?

She had heard that superhumans, upon reaching a certain level, could slow down aging and maintain their youth for a long time, but Sasha wasn't a superhuman.

Moreover, even superhumans aged. Their aging process was just much slower than that of ordinary people.

But Sasha said her time had completely stopped. The idea of her staying this way until she died, even at a hundred years old, made Mu shudder.

"...You mean you can't grow even if you want to?"

"Yeah. Sasha is cursed."

What kind of curse?

"A curse that no one can break yet. But they said it might be possible to break it here. That's why Sasha came here. She didn't want to, but she was forced to. Then she met you. When she saw you, she thought you looked a lot like her older sister! She was really happy. So..."

"But why are you talking about a curse?"

"Um? Oh, that."

Sasha shoved the remaining cookie into her mouth.

Chew, chew.

...Swallow.

She seemed like she was about to say something, but in the end, she didn't say a word until she finished chewing and swallowing.

Then she shook her head.

Sasha's light blue braids spun and fluttered, lightly brushing against Mu's side.

"I don't like this story! I don't want to talk about it. I'm done."

Saying this with a whine, Mu nodded. If she didn't want to talk about it, what could she do? She was curious, but not to the point of death. It didn't matter whether she heard it or not. After all, Mu didn't really plan to become close friends with Sasha.

Suddenly, Sasha glanced at Mu and mumbled.

"...Aren't you curious about what the curse is?"

"You said you wouldn't talk about it."

"But... don't you care?"

"Not really."

"What? Then why did you ask?"

"Just."

It was really just.

Curses weren't common, after all.

Sasha, who had been making a fuss, quickly changed her attitude and spoke softly.

"...Sasha, this is the first time I've had a proper conversation with someone. But it's really fun. Maybe because you remind me of my older sister, I feel safe. Are we friends now?"

"No?"

"Hey, why! This is enough to be friends, right!"

"It's never happened. I didn't come here to make friends. I don't plan to get close to anyone, and neither do you. You said so in the library, remember? I don't want to be friends with you."

"You're so cold..."

"If you're not happy, stay away. I'm not your older sister."

"But, that's true..."

Sasha, who had flinched, finally continued.

"...But I still like it. Hehe. I'll try to become friends with you somehow."

"...Sigh."

Sasha, who was giggling, tried to stick close to Mu. Mu sighed and gently pushed Sasha's forehead away.

Pushing her away didn't stop her from clinging on, which was incredibly annoying. She should have just ignored her from the start. But it was already too late.

Seeing Sasha reminded Mu of...

The memory of Edgio, who used to follow her around and bother her, made her unintentionally empathize with his feelings.

"...I'm sorry, senpai."

She had accepted it, but...

How much he must have been bothered...

Shaking off her thoughts, Mu turned her head to look at something while sitting on the bench.

...

What is Edgio doing now?

Thinking about having a conversation with him...

Her heart trembled slightly.

Whereas before, the feeling was uncomfortable and awkward, now she felt that their relationship was gradually improving.

She looked forward to the moments when she would run into Edgio and was paying attention to the actions and events they could share as classmates.

But Mu knew.

The time was running out.

If a way to help Edgio recover his memory was found, Mu had completely lost the courage to confess the truth.

Therefore, while hoping that the peace that might shatter someday would continue, Mu pondered every night before falling asleep.

Is this right?

When Edgio learns the truth, how will he look at Mu? What Mu was trying to say. How difficult it was for her to confess. If he understood all of that and realized that Mu was truly repenting for her mistakes, would he forgive her?

No one knew.

...Until that time came.

So, Mu only maintained her current happiness.

While always keeping in mind the obstacles she would eventually have to overcome, she was a foolish girl who couldn't easily let go of her ex-boyfriend and foolishly yearned for love.

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