I'm The Ex-Girlfriend of a Soldier Chapter 12

Translator: shiko
Proofreader: Royals
QC: Haru Honeyshiki

Hailey's pretty face scrunched up into a frown after my off-handed reply, as if I had no clue whatsoever. Yet, I truly hadn't an inkling. Even if I used to date Syukr, it was all in the past. Besides, I'm aware of all the situations and developments he will undergo in the future. It would be even more peculiar to overreact after having heard the news of his departure under these circumstances.

"Meize, didn't you hear what I just said? Syukr's leaving! And on top of that, he's been conscripted as a Royal Knight! He'll be in such an elevated position, country girls like us won't even catch a glimpse of him!"

"No, I'm just stating this because I understand what you're saying. Being a Royal Knight is a good thing for him."

"What?"

"And what do you mean by 'us'? I may be a country girl, I admit, but that's no reason for me to be overlooked. Plus I won't even be looking at him. Hailey, I don't want you to mistakenly assume that you and I share the same view."

Ah, was that a bit too harsh? But I can't help it. It was Hailey who crossed the line first. I've been trying to adhere as faithfully as possible to Meize's image but that doesn't mean I'll be perfect at it.

"Meize Hazelnut!"

The table rocked as Hailey abruptly shot to her feet. I took a sip of my tea, inhaled deeply and asserted,

"Yes, I'm Meize Hazelnut. The stupid woman who couldn't keep one man because you flirted with him⁠—that Meize Hazelnut."

I narrowed my eyes as I locked my gaze onto her emerald ones, the eyes she was so proud of. 

"How was it, Hailey? Did you enjoy kissing him, all the while aware that I was dating him? After we'd broken up, you must have been over the moon thinking that you could take him for yourself, at last, right?"

I fired at her, with a brilliant smile in place. She retreated in bewilderment, all without refuting my words. Smiling tends to amplify the scare factor in these situations usually.

"Don't worry, Hailey. I'm not going to lay the blame at your door solely. Truth be told, I'm a far better seductress than you. I think Syukr also crossed the line and is to blame equally. That's why I welcomed  your visit so passively."

"Ha! Are you preaching to me now? Be reasonable, Meize, because it doesn't matter how much it may have taken for me to ask you for a favour since you aren't his girlfriend currently, are you?"

She countered rather irritably. Finding her shift in attitude rather abrupt, I decided to speak calmly. If I knew what was in store for me, I'd have pretended to not be at home; there's no point in coming out and acknowledging her hardships. 

"Yes, that's right. I heard that you and Syukr broke up before. I swear I don't have the slightest intention of getting back together with him. I mean, whether it's stopping Syukr or something else, you can do that yourself. If you have any conscience left, that is."

"Ha! Meize, I didn't see that you were a venomous person."

She replied with a pale face.

"If I knew you were such a strong person, I'd have already told the whole town everything that happened between you and Syukr."

I shook my head and shrugged.

Although I felt more and more estranged from how I usually managed my image, Hailey was someone who believed that the world revolves around her. If I had let a crack pass through my resolution, I would've been forced to face Syukr. There was an obvious line that needed to be drawn.

"Hailey, I'm not preaching right now, I'm telling you what you need to realize. It's his choice to become a knight serving the kingdom, and I have no say here since we've already broken up."

"…It's not that hard to say something."

Her eyes were filled with tears yet again. I reckon Hailey, who has a lot of pride, really likes Syukr.

Well, it's not wrong to like people. But it's wrong to point fingers at a man with a lover.

"What if I talk to him? What's next? Do I have to go out with Syukr again? Will you hang out with a man I'm dating?"

"You—why are you saying that?"

"I'm not saying anything like 'that', I'm talking about reality."

You can just ignore it. I was a legitimate victim. To be honest, if I grab her hair right now, no one will say a word. Perhaps it's because Hailey's feelings for Syukr are influenced by the original novel? Strangely, I couldn't help but worry about it.

“Don't be all in a dither and think rationally, Hailey. It won't make any difference if I stop Syukr. If I stop him, it'll only increase his feelings towards me."

“But there is a limit to what I can do.”

"Then accept your limits."

If I give Hailey advice now, it won't do much good. Hailey won't change as easily because Syukr hasn't changed either.

"You—are you saying I don't belong with Syukr?"

"No, that's absurd. I can see that you're a nice girl. You're pretty, and great at singing and dancing to the point that you even won first place at a singing competition last year."

I think you have a chance. I smiled gently at her.

"And I've told already told you. Capturing a man's heart isn't a walk in the park. Whether you have Syukr's heart or not, that's up to you." [Meize]

“Then it doesn't make sense if you do your best.” [Hailey]

"That's not it. It's easier to organize your mind when you try your best.” [Meize]

Everyone likes someone. There are different ways to give up on someone, too. I did my best and loved him, that's what made it easier to give up the relationship.

At first, I was happy that I was able to do something for him, so much that I was blinded. It was only after some that I came to realise that my repeated efforts proved to be even more futile than my feelings.

"Do you mean to give up rather than date?"

Why on earth would you do such a useless thing, Hailey grimaced. 

"Giving up isn't a bad thing. And it's not like there's only one guy in the world. If you're unable to do that, it's better to find another man to love."

The last phrase was purposely spoken in a light tone as I jabbed my fork into the last piece of pancake. I handed it to Hailey, who continued shedding tears. She looked alternately between me and the pancake before opening her mouth carefully.

"…And what about you? Is the man you're dating better than Syukr?"

I laughed heartily because Hailey's question sounded like 'If it weren't for Syukr, would I have found a better man?'. Yse and I aren't really lovers but it is true that he's a good guy.

Hailey hesitated for a moment and took the slice of pancake I'd offered. I polished off the remaining pancakes in a short while and called the staff to order more.

"Thank you, Meize. And… I'm sorry."

Hailey apologized to me with a blushing face before going her own way. I smile joyfully, watching her take off.

What can I say? I'm proud that I was able to save an innocent sheep from harem hell.

Of course, I think it wasn't only that, there's also the satisfaction of enjoying pancakes and fruit juice.

Phew, I'm so full anyway. It would be nice to fall asleep like this. Let's go home, wash up and get some sleep. I'm almost done with my transcription and I'm close to unemployed in this world so I have to enjoy my indolence while I can.

I walked towards the front of my house, a hand splayed across my stomach. I spied a handsome man standing there.

…No, why are you here?

"Meize."

Should I greet him or not? I agonized from a distance, but when I finally reached an answer,  Yse had begun walking my way happily.

No. Don't come. I'm not finished yet. If I talk to you now, I'll die of awkwardness.

"H-Hey, Yse."

"How are you? You look a bit more sickly since I've last seen you."

You wouldn't have said that if you saw what I ate this morning. Plus, I haven't skipped a meal in a week, even if it felt like my head would burst. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say that I gained weight?

"I missed you, Meize."

"We would have seen each other tomorrow anyway since we'll be studying together."

"Saying that doesn't mean that I'm not aware we'll be meeting tomorrow."

Yse looked at me with narrowed eyes. I couldn't help but nod my head under his unrelenting stare.

"Do you hate me?"

"No, it's the opposite. Rather, it would be a problem if I hate you."

"Isn't it better that way? If you don't hate me, then you can just go out with me."

Yse smiled, his eyes slightly curved so he could maintain eye contact with me. At that moment, I felt as if my heart was suddenly sinking and pressing hard into my chest, seemingly absorbing the organ into itself. Ugh, that handsome face is burdensome. Especially since he's so handsome that I just stop thinking. It's really bad for my heart.

"No, I'm not saying I can't go out with you because I don't like you. You may not know but I've just broken up with my boyfriend."

"What's wrong with that? It's over once you break up. Don't tell me you still hold feelings for your ex?"

Yse laughed but I don't think it was genuine. It's apparent; he was smiling but the look in his red eyes was turbulent. I won't lie, it appeared as if he could kill someone with that murderous gaze.

"There's no such thing as lingering feelings. I was exhausted so I broke up with him."

"I'm glad. It would have been dangerous if there were some lingering feelings left."

"What kind of walking disaster am I? You think that everything I do is dangerous."

Chapter end