Chapter 183
Claude did not disclose to the Center that he was suffering from a guiding allergy. Even his long-time friend Oscar only knew that Claude refused contact with Guides due to severe mysophobia, unaware of how he came to develop such a condition.
When I asked why he didn’t reveal that he had a guiding allergy to get help, he told me the reason.
Not long after manifesting as an Esper, his family discovered that he could not receive guiding normally. Unable to stand by and watch his son’s potential rampage, his father once tied him down and forced him into contact with Guides.
<…That day, I almost killed my father.>
Claude said so solemnly. He endured the terrible pain without resisting, merely struggling to keep from rampaging.
After all his father’s attempts to resolve the issue failed, Claude immediately left home and entered the Center, giving up all hope of curing his allergy and simply waiting to die.
Thus, Claude chose to hide his vulnerability rather than overcome it, which is why Log 1 was known as the first individual to have a guiding allergy.
“…Well, I just guessed it.”
After some thought, I gave a vague answer.
Claude’s story of overcoming the same condition would surely be helpful to Log 1. However, since Claude had been so reluctant to reveal his weaknesses, I was unsure how much of his story I should share in his absence.
Log 1 sensed my discomfort and did not press further.
How much longer did the silence last?
“…May I ask one more question?”
I was a bit wary. What would he ask, and how much should I answer?
And then Log 1’s question followed…
“Why did you call me Log?”
…I was taken aback.
Really, that was his concern, after finding someone who understood his mysterious condition?
I was incredulous, but he seemed genuinely serious.
“You’ve called me ‘Log’ many times before, too. Is there a reason?”
A reason? …What was it?
After a moment of thought, I remembered.
“Ah, that… we hadn’t formally introduced ourselves, so I didn’t know your name. The last time we met, along with the other two, all three of you were so tall and big, so I just internally referred to you as Log 1, 2, 3 for convenience.”
“Is that so…”
Log seemed to have an epiphany from my trivial explanation.
“…Does that bother you?”
I felt a bit sorry after asking. Thinking about it, I began to dislike Oscar because he started calling me ‘mouse-bean’.
‘I should add that you were the best-looking among the three, so you were Log number 1.’ Should I say that or is it too pathetic?
As I seriously pondered this, he gently shook his head.
“It’s fine. It’s true that I’m big.”
“I’m still sorry, though. It’s wrong to make nicknames based on someone’s appearance.”
“It’s really okay.”
“You could make one up too. Call me ‘mouse-bean’ because I’m short, or ‘azalea’ because my hair is pink.”
…Now that I think about it, those were all nicknames Oscar had given me.
I had stooped to the same level as Oscar. I need to reflect on this…
In an attempt to make up for my mistake, I allowed him to create a nickname for me, and Log, taking it seriously, pondered deeply.
The nickname he came up with for me was…
“How about ‘Proposal’?”
…It was rather out of the blue.
“…Proposal? Why?”
“Because your name is Rose Valentine, right? If one were to give a rose on Valentine’s Day… wouldn’t it typically be in a proposing situation?”
“…”
“…Is it that bad?”
Seeing my rapidly souring expression, Log 1 became flustered.
“Yes, it’s terrible. It’s not fun and it lacks practicality. Who would unnecessarily stretch out ‘Rose’ to ‘Proposal’?”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
Why is he apologizing for that, anyway?
It wasn’t just verbal remorse; Log 1’s ears turned bright red, and he grabbed them, embarrassed and restless.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.