How did I turn my victim into a phoenix-like hero?

Page 68

"By the way, this isn't related to romance, is it?"

"No, it's not about that."

"That's good...."

Brid held the empty coffee cup—her sapphire-like eyes were sharp and fixed straight on Beren.

"This is a matter concerning a friend of a friend."

Does anyone still start a conversation like this these days?

Beren restrained herself and maintained a kind smile.

"When they were children, their parents knew each other and had a good relationship. They often played together as children until they graduated from elementary school."

After entering junior high school, he, who already looked like a girl, was easily mistaken for someone else due to his appearance. People often made jokes about his looks, which gradually made him gloomy. He also disliked going to school, and the school barely managed to get him to graduate with a high attendance rate.

A boy who looks like a girl...

Beren thought of that person, but he was clearly completely different from the person in Brid's story.

This is what people often call childhood sweethearts, and "she" must refer to Brid.

What was "she" doing at that moment?

"...She tried to persuade him, but it was just talk. In short, she and he drifted apart after junior high school."

"She couldn't help him get through it back then, so she's blaming herself now?"

"No, she knows this isn't something that can be changed by others' persuasion; she has to rely on herself to get out of the darkness."

Brid put down the cup:

"The point is now. The reason is unknown and incredible, but he got into a very, very difficult high school, the same school as her."

On his first day of school, he was different; he took the initiative to make friends and help his classmates.

To be honest, she was a little scared, but... also very happy.

Brid smiled faintly.

Beren could tell that she was genuinely happy for the other person's growth.

"He went to see her again the next day... to help him with his studies. She was relieved, thinking he had finally emerged from the darkness and was no longer troubled by these trivial matters, but he made a condition..."

At this point, Brid hesitated.

Beren knew this was the key point, and she focused her attention.

"What kind of conditions?"

Brid took a deep breath:

He said, 'Don't fall in love with me.'

Beren's lower left eyelid twitched.

Thanks to my professionalism, I didn't burst out laughing.

There are still people in the world who talk like this; what kind of oddball is this?

"Then, what's bothering her right now? Isn't everything moving in a positive direction?"

“A few days ago, she found her childhood ‘marriage agreement’.”

Marriage agreements from childhood—weren't they just like kids playing house?

Beren urged Brid to continue with a look in her eyes.

"She began to reflect on the current situation, and soon she realized... she had been a little too good to him, too caring, and the closeness was also too dangerous. Was this a breach of contract?"

Brid's expression was very subdued:

She felt this ambiguity was unacceptable and started keeping her distance from him, but this made her uncomfortable... What should she do...?

Brid bit her lip, she was really annoyed.

After listening quietly, Beren sipped her cold coffee and pondered the meaning behind Brid's words.

This, this could be...!

Beren couldn't say what it was.

After all, all her romantic experiences came from TV dramas and medical textbooks, and her social interactions were limited to visiting relatives during the New Year and a handful of gatherings. She wouldn't even go out shopping if she didn't have a clear goal.

She was good at performing the content from the textbook, but this time the other person was truly opening their heart and confiding in her.

Beren was completely bewildered. She had zero practical experience and this was her first time playing the role of a caring older sister, so she was really not good at it.

49. Boss, easily defeated!

Although she was a school nurse, Beren had essentially chosen a half-path to teaching. She pondered what kind of answer Bridd needed.

To be honest, she had a hard time understanding Brid's thought process.

Did she realize that being too good to her childhood sweetheart went against his conditions?

Then you really start to become indifferent, which makes you feel bad?

To put it simply, Brid is actually dissatisfied with the current situation.

In other words, Brid actually wanted to get along with the other person amicably, but couldn't find a good reason...

If it were Beren, she would have just hugged her without a second thought.

This girl is so contradictory.

So stupid it's pitiful.

After finishing the blueberry mousse, she came up with an idea.

In short, just get Brid to accept the status quo.

"Talos, you...you think she wants to get closer to him?"

"It's not that I'm getting closer, it's just that I'm not feeling well right now, and I don't have an appetite."

Beren explained his solution:

"How about this, you tell her that you didn't actually break any conditions."

"No...violation?"

"Yes, I heard your description. In fact, the concern she showed was just what childhood sweethearts should do."

"Childhood sweethearts? You mean...."

“That’s right.” Beren nodded, pointing at Brid with her fork:

"Your level of intimacy is nothing special. Her kindness to him is just what childhood sweethearts are supposed to do. Even if he goes to her house to borrow the toilet or take a shower, it's just what good friends and neighbors should do. It's very ordinary, everyone is like that."

"Is this how every childhood sweetheart is?"

"Ah."

"So it's okay to have your childhood sweetheart come over to cook?"

"Hmm? Of course. So you don't have to keep such a distance from him, just treat him as a good friend."

"Good friend, good friend, friend..."

Brid murmured, her eyes gradually brightening.

"Thank you, Ms. Gvina. I think I understand a little better now, how to get along with him properly."

Yes, that's right, it's liking!

But this is based on affection and care for one's childhood sweetheart!

I have not broken the agreement with Sirocco now.

She told herself to lie to herself.

Once Brid understood this, everything became clear to her.

goo—

I'm hungry again.

"Excuse me, I'd like some bread."

"Please feel free to eat as much as you like. You bought this anyway, so it doesn't matter how much you eat. You can't possibly finish it all."

10 minute later.

Beren stared in disbelief, as if he had seen some rare and exotic animal.

They actually finished eating.

"Talos, could it be that your talent is 'Gluttony' or 'Eating King'?"

The mountain of bread was completely devoured, not even a single crumb was left.

"Just call me Brid, Teacher Gvina... I don't have that kind of talent, it's strange that I eat so much?"

Brid wiped her mouth with a damp towel, trying to cover her flushed cheeks.