Chapter 17: The Gathering in the Infirmary

*Clang*

As a loud clutter abruptly pierced the peaceful atmosphere, Miyazawa Mana couldn’t help but jump, taken aback as she saw the infirmary door swing wide open.

And, while she was utterly stunned by how vigorously the door had been opened, she wasn’t given any time to express her astonishment as another sound interrupted the tranquillity.

?Shizuka-sensei(1)!?

A girl with navy blue hair burst into the room, panting heavily as her entire body was drenched with sweat.

Minamoto Rin, with her ponytail whipping being her violently, wore an anxious expression as both her appearance and her state of mind had been ruthlessly disturbed.

But then again, who could blame her?

After all, even though her entire body was covered with sweat, the unconscious girl on her back was drenched with a darker liquid.

A sharp gasp shortly followed as Mana’s jet-black pupils trembled and contracted.

Although she wasn’t averse to vivid scenes such as the one before her, her body instantly chilled as the sight before her was so severe that it almost felt unreal.

But then again, it couldn’t be helped. This was the second time that she witnessed someone covered in blood on that very same day.

?-?! Mayumi!?

Taking note of the dire situation, Shizuka-sensei immediately sprung to her feet.

Within an instant, the doctor could see Shizuka Mayumi, the unconscious girl on Rin’s back, bleeding severely from the wounds on her head. So much so that her scruffy, orange forelocks were dyed dark red as the strands of her hair clung to the sticky liquid pouring down her face.

Needless to say, her appearance was quite mortifying. The bloody sight was enough to send any civilian’s heart into disarray.

Yet, just like a veteran combat medic, Shizuka-sensei was unperturbed as she collectedly motioned Rin to a door: the one next to the storeroom Mana entered earlier.

?S-Sensei??

Out of deep concern for the injured girl who just appeared, Mana raised her voice to the witch doctor. Yet, as both she and Rin were urgently retreating to, what seemed like, an enclosed emergency room, the school nurse could only offer the following words before her departure.

?I’m sorry, Miyazawa-san(2), but I need to attend to this patient. Just keep applying the ointment like you have been and let me know when Saito-kun arrives..?

?B-but Sensei-!??

Despite her panic, Rin gently laid the unconscious girl on the white sheets, staining the bedding a crimson-black.

A hybrid hue which made the girl gnash her teeth in angst towards the strange individual who was characterised by both colours.

That being said, since Mayumi’s condition took a higher priority, Rin pushed the issue to the back of her mind as her consciousness returned to the present.

?…how long has she been in this condition??

Examining her little sister’s beaten body, Manami furrowed her brow, her expression growing grim as she reached into her pocket and took out a tub of ointment.

-3:04-

?About 20 minutes.?

?I see.?

After glancing at the clock on the wall, Rin returned a short reply, her hands clenched in frustration as anxiety took root in her heart.

And, as if resonating with such a response, Shizuka-sensei answered curtly as a bead of sweat trickled down her face paled features.

A minuscule detail which Rin did not fail to catch.

(…Damn it!)

Cursing in her mind at her own incompetence, Rin could only watch helplessly as Shizuka-sensei began to apply the ointment against Mayumi’s wounds. From her steady hands and practice movements, it was very plain to see that Shizuka Manami did not hold the position of the Phoenix Gakuen Nurse for nothing.

That being said, judging by the gradually reopening wounds, it was obvious that the ointment was but a temporary fix, sending Rin further into unease.

(…is there anything I can do to help?)

In the face of Shizuka-sensei nursing the fainted patient, the ponytailed girl tried to offer her help.

However, before they could leave her mouth, Rin reluctantly swallowed these words.

Because she knew that there was nothing she could do here to help.

Because she knew that, by staying here, she would only get in the way.

?…I’ll wait outside.?

Declaring her departure with downcast eyes, Rin bowed meekly before retreating to the infirmary’s main room.

On one of the patient stools, Minamoto Rin sat wordlessly. Her shoulders drooped as her entire body seemed to curly itself up into a ball. With her head dejectedly hung, her navy-blue fringe fell forwards, covering her turquoise eyes.

But most importantly of all, her hands had grown pale, clasping her crimson skirt as they, along with her entire body, trembling lightly.

(…how could I let this happen?!)

Blaming herself for what had happened to the scruffy-haired girl, Rin gritted her teeth. Although tears had yet to well up in the corner of her eyes, the dread plastered all over her expression was ghastly enough to display just how responsible she felt for how Mayumi’s current condition.

After all, if she had arrived earlier---if she had defended her from that mysterious man in black, then it was very likely that her very own back would not be drenched in blood.

(And I swore that I’d never let that happen again.)

As she continued to dwell on the guilt she felt for not being strong enough to help another, a sudden memory surged through Rin’s mind.

One that was dredged away a long time ago. An image of flames blazing towards the sky as if to swallow the heavens whole.

And, as if triggered by this image, Rin reflexively sharpened her eyes as an almost maniacal glint passed across her icy pupils.

(Never again!)

?Rin-chan(3)??

?-Gya!??

As her inner turmoil was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected sound, Rin jumped out of her seat as a cute sound echoed throughout the humble infirmary.

Although somewhat embarrassed by unbecoming noise that leaked out of her lips, Rin was more concerned about what interrupted her, causing her head to swerve before she came face to face with a teenage girl with elegant black hair.

With soft, graceful features like that of a true angel, the girl’s jet black eyes gleamed softly with a strange radiance.

That being said, this girl needed no introduction. After all, she was Rin's upperclassman, the No. 6 in the school’s rankings: Miyazawa Mana.

?M-Mana-senpai(4)?!?

?R-Rin-chan, no need to be so formal!?

As the flustered Rin hastily bowed respectfully towards her upperclassman, Mana just as hurriedly retorted, asking her junior to refrain from the overly polite attitude.

Naturally, being the type of people they were, both girls were somewhat unwilling to concede their positions. That being said, since Rin understood that remaining stubborn would only cause her senior more discomfort, she decided to ditch the argument entirely as she raised her head.

?So how is she??

?...?

Towards Mana’s worried inquiry, Rin could only remain silent, proving just how bleak Shizuka Mayumi's condition was.

Now, for the most part, Mana couldn't understand Rin's guilt. Even though she was able to empathise with the ponytailed girl’s emotions, she wouldn’t be able to explain it even if she tried.

However, she understood how it felt when a dear friend was seriously injured.

The pain, sadness, worry, anxiety...

Mana could understand.

After all, she was in the exact same position.

As Mana’s jet black eyes unconsciously moved towards the occupied bed, Rin’s gaze followed, suddenly snapping out of her depression as she spotted a girl with light brown hair.

The girl’s soft, white skin glowed with a shiny radiance. Of course, this shine was not caused by her good health, but by the glossy nature of the ointment applied all over her body. Each segment of her body not covered by fabric was excessively pale, to the point where it looked like she would simply fade out of existence.

And the key to understanding why she was in this state----was the bed sheets which were blotched with spots of red dye.

?S-Shiori-senpai!??

As her eyes fully comprehended the scene, Rin sharply inhaled.

Not because she recognised the girl’s state, but because she recognised her identity.

Miyazawa Mana’s close friend and the school’s No. 9: Hitomi Shiori.

?…Isayama-kun(5) fought her.?

?Wha-?! Isayama-senpai did this to her!??

Contrasting Mana’s darkened expression, Rin’s face grew pale due to shock.

She, just as well as everyone in the school, knew full well of the ?Lion?'s bad reputation. Simply imagining the scene of Shiori being physically abused by the beast sent shivers up her spine.

?…?

?S-Senpai??

Rin looked at her senior with eyes full of concern.

Unbeknownst to her, however, Mana had been in constant turmoil ever since the commotion during lunch. And, because of her busy mind, her head inadvertently ended up drooping as her eyes darkened due to confusion.

That being said, before Rin was capable of digging deeper into the black-haired girl’s current state, the infirmary door suddenly swung open.

?R-Rin-chan!??

A girl with short, light green and a side tail which bounced up and down with each movement abruptly entered the room. With her face flushed red and her erratic breathing, it was plainly obvious that this individual was running quite hard before entering the infirmary.

Of course, this girl wasn’t a stranger to absolutely everyone in the room. For she was called here by the one and only Minamoto Rin.

?Y-Yoshino??

?How is Mayumi-chan??

Although Rin was taken aback by the abrupt entrance, Yoshino was in no condition to care about it as she ignored her exhaustion to inquire about Mayumi’s condition.

?Shizuka-sensei’s treating her in the other room.?

With her expression darkening, Rin’s voice was unusually weak as she answered the concerned Yoshino’s question.

Yet, just as she responded, the girl of green suddenly threw a curve ball as she bluntly spoke the following.

?It’s not your fault.?

?-!??

All of a sudden, Rin felt herself tremble at those words.

Naturally, she had been blaming herself for Mayumi’s current condition. After all, as a result of Rin’s orders, Mayumi had an encounter with that man dressed in black.

Burdening herself with this thinking, Rin was consumed by guilt.

But with that one sentence from the surprisingly sensitive Yoshino, Rin’s burden was somewhat eased.

?Yoshino, I-!?

?So? Who are you??

Cutting off the ponytailed girl, Yoshino abruptly turned to Mana, catching the jet black beauty off guard as she readjusted her posture to give herself a formal, mature atmosphere.

?Nice to meet you. My name is Miyazawa Mana.?

Unlike Rin's flustered bow, Mana's was light, elegant, and well-poised, finishing her gesture with a straightened back. Naturally, this was an act which she practised quite thoroughly so as to properly present herself to others as acting formal delivers an impression of professionalism and grace.

Incidentally, Mana only ever acts casual in front of her close friends, immediately projecting herself as a good-natured young lady in front of others.

Regardless, her conduct was most likely a factor as to why she’s so popular amongst the students of Phoenix Gakuen.

?N-nice to meet you too.?

Taken aback by Mana’s dazzling aura, Yoshino replied with a trembling voice.

And, while Rin was befuddled upon noticing the sudden change in her upperclassman’s behaviour, Yoshino was completely oblivious to these concerns as her mind began to whirl.

(Miyazawa Mana……...?! Wait a minute, the school's no. 6!?!)

?Are you okay??

After pondering over the girl’s name, Yoshino was shocked as she realised her identity. That being said, since she wasn’t aware of these inner thoughts, Mana grew concerned about the expression on Yoshino’s face, causing her to inquire into her condition.

?H-huh? O-Oh, y-yeah. I'm fine.?

?If you say so…?

Seeing Yoshino’s dumbfounded reaction, Mana smiled sheepishly, deciding to feign ignorance regarding the green girl’s perturbed state.

?S-So what happened, R-Rin-chan??

?I cannot truthfully say what happened.?

Setting aside her confusion, Yoshino changed the topic as she asked Rin about the events leading up to Mayumi’s current state.

However, in response, all Rin could do was swallow as she hung her head.

?When l arrived, the newb---Shizuka Mayumi was already in that condition.?

Seeing Rin's face growing dark upon recalling the events that had transpired, Yoshino and Mana grew silent as they began to listen to the short, ponytailed girl with heightened focus.

?When l found Mayumi, she was heavily injured. Her uniform was in shreds, her body was covered with bruises, and she was severely bleeding from the head.?

?So what happened to that man in black??

Unlike Mana, who flinched at Rin's description of the scruffy-haired girl’s injuries, Yoshino was seemingly unfazed by the gory description (with the exception of a trembling, clenched fist) as she inquired more about the perpetrator.

?When I arrived, I saw a man dressed in black from head to toe approaching Mayumi. I thought he was dangerous so I immediately attacked him.?

Rin eyes turned into daggers, mercilessly glaring at the image of the black assailant which lingered in her mind.

Mana, upon seeing this icy cold expression, felt an unsettling type of fear.

It was almost like……she was looking into the eyes of a murderer.

?So what should we do??

Yoshino asked, her voice strained not due to the pressure exerted from the girl with navy-blue hair, but because she was trying to suppress her own emotions.

If Rin was in her normal state of mind, she would have noticed Yoshino's clenched fist. A fist which expressed anger towards this unknown assailant.

However, Rin had already lost quite a bit of her composure.

And as a result, her pretty face contorted into an expression of pure rage.

Now, if one were to analyse the current situation, they’d be able to conclude that this ‘man in black’ was not the reason Rin’s features grew so distorted.

After all, expressing so much hatred for an individual one had barely met was unusual, to say the least.

If anything, Rin’s expression resembled that of someone bearing something far heavier.

A lifelong grudge? Or--

?If l find that man…?

Rin's cold voice surged with unbridled killing intent.

And as her animosity flared, so too did a sharp pain in the back of her neck. To her, it would feel like someone had pressed a burning metal rod against her exposed, unprotected flesh.

Yet, despite this agony, Rin remained ice cold as she spat out the following words.

?-I'll kill him.?