Chapter 13: A Fatal Miscalculation

“C-C-C-Cecilia?! How did you find me?!”

“Of course I looked for you one by one! Didn’t we agree earlier that Liya would wait for us in the locker room? Why did you suddenly run off? Luckily, you found the shower… Alice and I were really worried!”

“Ah, ah… thank you, I’m fine. I’m almost done washing up. Once I’m done, I’ll head back to the dorm. You two go ahead and shower, don’t worry about me. I’m okay.”

“What are you saying?! How could we not worry about you!”

Cecilia’s unwavering words stirred a faint sense of foreboding in Liya’s heart.

“Alice already found a spot. Let’s go soak in the bath! We’ll also introduce you to many senior sisters. Don’t worry, everyone is very kind!”

“Senior sisters?! Many?!”

Liya fully understood now the consequences of overly enthusiastic goodwill. He instinctively checked the lock on the door… Fortunately, it wasn’t broken.

“N-no, no need. I’m already washed up; I don’t want to take a bath. You two go ahead and soak. I’m about to leave…”

“Huh? B-but…”

“No buts! That’s a happy decision!”

Liya immediately started packing up his toiletries, then put on his prized eyepatch, and finally pushed open the shower door. Sure enough, he sensed Cecilia’s presence right outside, but this time he was determined!

“Don’t say another word! I can’t take a bath. My skin can’t be soaked in water for too long. That’s what Sister Ailiya, who adopted me, said! Yes, that’s right!”

While apologizing to Sister Ailiya in his heart, Liya spoke with righteous conviction, without a hint of a blush.

“Is that so… Fine. But Liya, why are you wearing that outfit?”

“What’s wrong with it? I just like to wear it when I shower!”

Liya remained steadfast. It was only natural. In a women’s bathhouse, not only could he not look, but he also couldn’t let others see him. After all, he was a boy. So wearing clothes was necessary, but then he couldn’t bathe. That’s when he needed to improvise…

A swimsuit! Yes! After much deliberation, Liya had determined that a swimsuit was the fundamental solution!

“Grandma Ailiya made this for me back then! I really like it!”

The swimsuit itself was indeed nice. Made of dark blue fabric, small and lightweight, it didn’t expose anything. It covered his chest and abdomen completely. To prevent losing it, Ailiya had added a conspicuous white fabric patch on the back, with the words “Liya” stitched in black thread.

What a perfect dark blue swimsuit! Liya was very satisfied!

“Hmm… Alright, I understand. But do you know how to get back?”

“Don’t underestimate me! I’m a martial artist! If I can’t even handle such a small thing, how could I advance to the pinnacle of martial arts?!” Liya declared with righteous indignation.

“Really… but…”

“No buts! Martial artists don’t need buts! I’m leaving now!”

Liya immediately dashed toward the bathroom door as he remembered it. That was the door he had come in through. He had to get out quickly! Otherwise, if Cecilia and Alice joined forces, he would be powerless to resist again! This was the perfect time to escape!

Sure enough, his memory didn’t fail him. Liya didn’t slow down at all. He planned to burst through the door with sheer momentum. That way, Cecilia would see his firm resolve, right?

“Liya! That door…”

Although he heard what sounded like Cecilia’s voice from behind, Liya paid it no mind. If he stopped now, all his efforts would be in vain! Charge out!

Liya placed his hand on the doorknob, turned it, and pushed hard, ready to rush out of the bathroom…

“…Huh?”

The knob turned, but unexpectedly, the door didn’t open. It was stuck?

What was going on… Liya’s thoughts couldn’t finish. Because he hadn’t slowed down, he slammed his head beautifully into the door. Then, his consciousness instantly dissipated. Just before he blacked out, Cecilia’s voice still echoed from behind:

“That door needs to be pulled open. Don’t rush so fast…”

A miscalculation. That was the last thought that flashed through his mind before he completely passed out.

****

As it turned out, Liya woke up. His vision returned first, and the ceiling of the room came into view. He was back in the dorm?

Next, his sense of touch returned. There was a soft feeling under his head, like a pillow. But the angle was a bit off. How should he describe it? He seemed to have experienced this in his previous life… It was called…

“You’re awake?! Liya?!”

“Ah, a lap pillow.”

Liya suddenly realized. He recalled that in his past life, after duels with friends, when he fainted from excessive intensity, his close friend would always do this for him. Now that he thought about it, the sensation was almost the same. Liya gathered his just-awakened, scattered thoughts and finally recognized the situation.

“Thank you, Alice. Did you bring me back?”

“It was Cecilia and me. She went to buy you some food. Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a little dizzy. I’ll be fine after resting.”

Liya got up briskly, shook his head, and stretched to show he was healthy. Alice looked at him with admiration.

“Amazing. You rammed the bathroom door into eight pieces, yet Liya is still fine…”

“What?! Eight pieces?!”

“No, no, nothing! Oh, Liya, how about we get some late-night snacks after Cecilia gets back? The dorm building has a snack stall open tonight!”

“Really?! Hmm… Alright!”

Liya nodded happily. Although he had fainted, he wasn’t injured, and he had avoided the awkwardness in the bathroom. The outcome was good. Besides, he had exercised for so long and carefully washed up in the bathroom. He was indeed a bit hungry.

After that, Liya, Alice, and Cecilia enjoyed a nice late-night meal. During the meal, Cecilia repeatedly expressed her worry, but seeing Liya bouncing around and eating three bowls of udon noodles, she finally let go of her concerns. Truly a cause for celebration.

After eating and saying their goodbyes, Liya returned to the dorm and collapsed onto the bed.

“…Ah, a new life.”

It seemed it would be very tough. But at least, he had made two friends, even if they were both girls.

If possible, he hoped to enjoy fighting and getting stronger at the martial academy, and forge brotherly bonds with boys who shared the same dream of becoming the strongest. Only then would it be a life well-lived.

In any case, classes officially started tomorrow. It was better to conserve his energy now.

Thinking this, Liya quickly fell into a deep sleep.

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