I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 343

Chapter 343: Family (13)

Time passed so quickly.

There had been many times when a single day felt like an eternity, but lately, time seemed to fly by.

It flowed far too fast.

In the blink of an eye, class would be over, and after a few quick glances around during break time, the next period would begin.

The bell would ring before I knew it. While others yawned and stretched, complaining of boredom, I would be surprised by how quickly the time had passed.

And so it went, period after period. Time didn't discriminate.

It was the same whether I was in the classroom or moving between locations for different level classes.

Even when we were outside, it made no difference.

The music room, the auditorium, the gymnasium, the sports field, the science lab… leaving the classroom didn't change anything.

Even during self-study or physical education, subjects students preferred, time passed just as quickly.

It was the same even outside of class.

Short breaks, lunchtime… they all flew by.

Why was it so fast?

Time shouldn't move this quickly at school.

When I was relentlessly bullied, I used to count every second.

When I was unfairly scolded by a teacher, time felt even longer.

Now, I would open my eyes and a day would be gone, then a week, then a month, then an entire semester.

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and drags on when you’re bored or experiencing something unpleasant.

If that theory was true, did that mean I was having fun?

…

…I thought I knew the reason.

It would be strange if I didn't.

It was a bit embarrassing to admit, something I could never tell anyone, especially not him, but…

It was because of one person.

When you observe someone every day, you gradually learn about them.

When he first offered me the umbrella, I just thought he was strange, but after observing him for a while, I realized he wasn't like that at all.

At school, he was labeled with all sorts of nicknames and stereotypes, his image tarnished, but in reality, he was a completely different person.

He made excuses, claiming it was all for his own benefit, but there was undeniable kindness within him.

He might have been cold and calculating on the surface, but his true nature couldn't be hidden.

He was a good person. A kind person.

Beneath that cold, rigid exterior was a warm and gentle heart.

That’s why my eyes kept following him. Because I knew he wasn't a bad person.

Because I wanted to know him better, at some point, I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Looking back, the reason time had passed so quickly was because of this.

When I came to my senses, I was completely absorbed in what he was doing.

After our first encounter, we started seeing each other often. At school, where we were both outcasts, we’d end up sitting next to each other or being assigned to the same group, spending time together.

That’s why time seemed to fly by.

…But thinking about it now, it bothered me.

It felt too selfish.

The umbrella, and all the other ways he had helped me. In contrast, all I had done was hold onto his notes, as a supposed trade…

…

I should do more.

Yes. What if I gave him a gift?

What if I cooked him something as a thank you? Would that be alright?

***

Thinking I should do something for him, I started cooking.

But cooking was much harder than I had imagined.

I thought I could just imitate the housekeeper, but… it was difficult.

Why was it so hard to handle the ingredients? Wasn’t it just a matter of holding a knife and chopping?

Couldn't I just use scissors and add seasonings as I saw fit?

Why did it taste different? The seasoning was off. The shape was distorted. How was I supposed to maintain the right consistency?

Did I have to adjust the cooking time and heat? Were the oven, microwave, and air fryer all different?

It was difficult. So difficult.

As a beginner, there was just too much to think about.

In the end, nothing turned out right.

My body and mind weren’t cooperating, so all I managed to create were things that didn’t even resemble food… I needed practice, if only to make them look presentable.

As a result, the days passed even more quickly.

I couldn't practice when my family was around, so I had to sneak into the kitchen when they weren’t looking.

And I couldn't neglect my studies either. If I compromised too much on my study time, I wouldn't have enough time to practice.

Time flew by, both at school and at home.

And then, on a day that seemed no different from any other, a major crisis arose.

I hadn't realized it at the time.

But now, I felt a sense of urgency.

It wasn't the cooking practice that was the problem.

“Everyone, come up and draw a number in order of your student ID.”

The homeroom teacher placed a box containing class numbers on his desk and called out the students one by one.

The other students all replied, “Yes,” and then giggled excitedly.

“This is the end of the year, so say your goodbyes to your classmates.”

“Aw, come on, teacher. Goodbyes?”

“That's so cheesy!”

Yes. I finally understood. This was… class assignment time.

The time when the school year changed.

From sophomore to junior year.

This was when classes were reassigned.

“Finally, I’m free from this ugly kid.”

“Says the one with the busted face. Worry about yourself.”

“You’re both ugly, so wouldn’t it be better to just stay in the same class?”

““Shut up.””

“Freedom at last. Honestly, our class sucked at soccer.”

“It’s annoying when the worst player says that.”

“We’re lacking basketball talent. I hope I get a class with some athletic kids next time.”

These were the students looking forward to a new class.

Each had their own reasons, but they were all tired of their current classmates, jokingly, yet sincerely, hoping to be separated.

“I don’t want to be separated from you! Waaah!”

“Me neither… can’t we just stay together?”

“Look at these lovebirds.”

“Are you serious? You kept denying it when I asked if you were dating.”

““That was then!””

“It was nice having some smart kids in our class… if I get stuck with noisy kids next time… ugh.”

“Me too. It was nice and quiet, good for studying.”

“I’m worried. For many reasons.”

These were the students satisfied with their current class.

Rather than being tired of each other, they wanted to stay together.

The reactions within the classroom were clearly divided, but…

I was scared.

Incredibly scared.

I desperately hoped for one outcome.

My anxious gaze drifted towards him.

He expressionlessly drew his number when his turn came, then returned to his notebook.

He tossed the slip of paper aside as if he didn't care, and the other students glanced at it as they passed.

Some were annoyed that they were in the same class as him.

Others were relieved that they had avoided a landmine.

Some teased those who were assigned to his class.

Some prayed they wouldn't be seated next to him.

And in that moment, I saw it.

The class number written on the slip of paper.

As I anxiously watched, my turn finally came.

“Next. Number 15. Come and draw.”

My number was called, and I pushed my chair back and walked forward.

My hands were trembling.

Out of all those classes, could I really draw the right one?

…If he pressed hard with the pen, there would be an indentation. Could I figure out the number from that?

If I just unfolded it slightly and used my sense of touch…

“Are you going to take all day? There are other students waiting, so hurry up.”

I wanted to try something, anything, but the teacher urged me on, and there were still many students waiting.

A wave of regret washed over me.

I should have talked to him more.

I should have tried to get closer.

I should have visited him, talked to him more.

No, there was so much more I could have done.

Why did I waste so much time?

…

My vision blurred.

I wish things could stay the same.

In the same class. In the same place. I wish I could see him again, just like this.

Please.

Please, let me be in the same class as him.

If there's a God, please assign me to his class.

I closed my eyes and drew a number.

Thankfully, the number on the slip of paper matched the one he had carelessly tossed aside.

Finally, my anxiety subsided.

One more year. I can see him again, in the same class.

I won't miss him because we're in different classes.

Others might not understand, but at that moment, I was happier than I had ever been.

And it was also the moment I made a certain decision.

I needed to be direct.

▶ Hidden Memorial has ended. ◀

***

I secured what I needed from the study.

I had obtained the second treasure, Karn Bagrand’s Dawn Jade, and now I had to go to the third-floor lamp stand to acquire the next one.

Thanks to Claire’s outburst, the knights had all left the area near the study.

But it wasn't the same on the next floor. Many knights remained, their positions even more tightly secured. I had to be even more cautious than in the study.

I was able to move because I had acquired information beforehand.

I knew the purpose behind their current deployment.

And so, I reached the third-floor lamp stand.

The mission in the study had been to find notes. The status window displayed a similar objective here. Having experienced it once, I knew the missions would involve puzzles and clues, leading me to the next note.

It didn't take long to find all the notes.

Their contents were simple this time. A message directing me to the next note, along with instructions on how to handle and use each treasure.

But once again, the Hidden Memorial appeared without fail.

…Just like before, I couldn't grasp the meaning of these Memorials.

Once again, most sensory information was blocked.

Two Memorials in a row. The first had been about time passing quickly, and cooking. The second was in the school, during class assignments.

What did they mean?

‘I just don’t understand.’

Were these even my memories?

I was starting to doubt myself.

“Carsein.”

Lost in thought, I heard Harnie call my name, her voice laced with concern. She had returned after scouting the area.

I knew just by looking at her expression.

“It seems the security is quite tight.”

“…It seems so, considering where we have to go.”

I agreed.

The next location…

-Ding!

▶ Proceed to the Duchess’s room. ◀

…was Isabella’s room.

‘This is certainly tricky.’

It was the room where my supposed mother resided. The most heavily guarded location in the entire manor.

It seemed like an absurd request, but my Eyes of Wederos confirmed the presence of a note there.

I had no choice but to enter.

“What should we do?”

“…I’ll create a distraction. We’ll go in while they’re occupied.”

“What?!”

“We have no other choice. Waiting won’t solve anything. It’s better to create a diversion and slip in while the knights are distracted.”

The plan was to draw the knights away and enter the room while they were occupied. It would trigger a pursuit event, but it was better than being caught waiting in the manor.

Isabella’s room had a window, so we could always jump out. It would hurt, but it was an option.

After explaining the plan to Harnie, I was about to move when I heard a familiar voice.

“Hey! I told you to leave! How many times do I have to say it?!”

It was Claire, her eyebrows raised in anger.

“My Lady, even so, this is…”

"Hey! Even if Mother collapsed, would she like this?! This is surveillance, isn't it?!"

...Collapsed? Isabella?

-Ding!

▶ Information acquired! ◀

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