I'm The Ex-Girlfriend of a Soldier Chapter 5

Translator: Shiko

Proofreader: Asu and Tiramisu-senpai

"Well, I don't really mean to become a royal official. I'm just looking for something to do, but the problem is I have no idea. I'm looking for a job."

I didn't think I was a highly ambitious person, but I was pretty sure I wasn't completely aimless either. I felt much more relaxed in this world but I still don't know what to do. The time I spent in a cram-education environment with no dreams seems to have affected me much more than I thought, making me not even know what I really want.

Well, it's funny if you think about it now. I wouldn't even be able to go to a good college now. College was not the end but the beginning, and it wasn't until that moment that I knew there were more demands after college. 

"Are you shocked that a country girl is interested in becoming a royal official?"

Girls around my age in this world usually married a good man and settled down. My goal was to make money. In this world, being a royal official could get me a lot of money.

“No, I'm surprised. I never thought Meize was thinking of becoming a royal official. You didn't strike me to be that kind of person."

I understood what Yse was saying, but I think I was stating the truth. He hadn't known me for a long time, of course not. 

“I like everything stable. I want to be normal. In many ways.”

Because that was my daily routine. Because that was the normal life of Yoon Soo-Ah. I know I can't go back, but it feels heavy on my heart. I can't ignore it. 

“…I'm confused. It's normal… to say. It's hard to explain.”

Yse frowned as if it was difficult to put into words.

"You don't think I'm compatible with being a royal official, do you?"

“No. If I thought so, I wouldn't be making this proposal right now.”

"Proposal?"

“It's strange to say this to your face, but I'll help you if you want to become a royal official in the future.”

Unexpectedly, I almost nodded along to Yse's proposal. Fortunately, however, I had some reason left, and instead of nodding my head, I waved it from side to side and said no. 

“Wouldn't it be too hard? I don't intend to cause that much trouble, but it's enough just to let me know about royal officials.”

"No, it's better for me to help you. The exam is not easy. And I'm not proposing anything strange to you."

Yse smiled and held out his hand. I've already felt them when we first met, they were unusually big and rough. 

“While I'm helping you, just promise me one thing.”

"What do you want me to promise you?"

"When you become a royal official-"

Yse's voice, which was ringing in my ears, sounded particularly low.

"Yes?"

"Don't tell anyone else. Like i said, keep it a secret between you and me. That's all."

For a moment, Yse's eyes almost looked red behind those glasses of his. I smiled awkwardly, checking his eyes again. 

“Well, no matter how hard I think about it, I think I'd be losing too much with this deal.”

It's a good deal, but it's too burdensome. Even though Yse and I got along well, I couldn't trust him. We've only met for the first time today, and I didn't find out much about him. No matter how good the proposal is, it was only right to reject it.

“That's not going to happen. With a little help, this is the chance to become good friends.”

In case I risked his work reputation, I would certainly have refused his offer. But what came out of Yse's mouth was the expression ‘friend'… and I was shaken by it.

After I became Meize, the word “friend” was rather unique and hard to come by.

"Friends?"

“We don't know each other very well and have only met today. I think it fits pretty well. So, I think we can become friends. Isn't that right?”

“I appreciate it, but I think it'll be too much trouble for you.”

“If it's burdensome, you can try it once or twice and say no. I really want to be friends with you more than anything else. I don't really have many friends because I only study. But I think I can be that kind of friend with Meize.”

Yse's voice was as sweet as candy and his eyes were as warm as the sun in spring, so I hesitated and finally took his hand.

"You know, you have to tell me if it's too hard, okay?"

"I can't do that."

Maybe it's just the feeling that I got from the goosebumps on my hands.

Anyways, I finally had a friend for the first time in this life. And I didn't know at the time that I was going to bitterly regret this decision. 

“No, it's not the Lezlma formula here, but you have to solve it with a Crema formula. Otherwise, the problem will never be finished.”

I can't believe I'm going to study another world. I felt like I was becoming more and more dejected, but I focused on the problem Yse pointed out with the pen, dreaming of a stable future.

So, here I put B in A… Ah, what are you talking about?

Ugh, after barely holding up, I wrote down my answers and gave them to Yse. He lifted his glasses with his hand and observed my answers. 

“That's the right answer. Good job, Meize.”

Whenever Yse patted my head, I felt like a child… but it also felt good. When preparing for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), most of the students who didn't get recognized for their hard work could be recognized for solving even one problem correctly.

"Yse is a great teacher. I wouldn't even dream of becoming a royal official without you."

I'd always looked down on this world because it was third-rate novel. I never imagined the royal official exam would be this difficult. I grinned at the question mark circled in red on my answer sheet. 

I hate studying, but it certainly made me feel good to see the answer rate go up every day. 

"It's nice to escape the need to marry thanks to Meize."

“Uh, I'm feel sorry for Yse's mother. Because of me, you've wasted your time, so you can't get married, let alone be in a relationship.”

“I don't want to date anyways, so there's no reason for you to feel guilty.”

The tip of his thumb accidentally grazed my cheek. I scratched my cheek feeling it tickled. 

"But it's true that I'm wasting your time."

"I don't mind spending time with Meize at all. To me, there is no one as special as Meize."

It means I'm your specialest friend. I'm the only friend you have. But why on earth does Yse not have any friends? He's so friendly and caring.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Meize?”

"I'm sorry, I think you can make better friends than me."

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine with only Meize."

Yse affectionately tucked a fallen strand of hair behind my ear. At first, I was surprised by the skinship, but I gradually got used to it. I didn't feel uncomfortable with his touch as it was rather light. 

"I have friends. Of course, we're not all close enough to speak from our hearts."

"You must have many friends."

"Well, we weren't really close at first, but we've been talking a lot recently. We're having a party at Sarah's place tomorrow."

This was one of the most satisfying things about breaking up with Syukr. I'd been able to broaden my relationships. I was very happy these days since I was able to speak to others comfortably and not just Syukr.

"A party?"

"It's not a big party, but we're going to have all the girl's gather at Sarah's place and talk all night. We're going to talk about this and that."

"… Together. All night."     

(P/N: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))

(T/N: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))

"Yes, people are usually more emotional at night than day. If we're all in our pajamas, we might be able to speak to each other more honestly."

I continued speaking but Yse looked like he was about to wither away. Even if Yse was comfortable around me, we weren't the same gender so it must've sounded strange to him.

"If you have friends that you are close with, you should try it too. It's really fun."

"It sounds fun. Maybe one day. Can you tell me how it goes then?"

"Of course. Anything for Yse."

I don't mind helping him out. I nodded vigorously and focused on the problem. Not long after the study session, I was going to take the test. I had a tendency to power my way through exams but I wanted to work hard not to tarnish Yse's reputation, who'd worked hard to teach me. Of course, it was better to pass the exam because it's so hard.

"Meize, i'm sorry to ask you this while you're studying so hard. Do you mind?"

"If it's a question from you, then of course. Feel free to ask. What do you want to know?"

"How do your friends usually address you?"

I thought it would be an important question since he looked so serious. I gave a clear answer, hiding my slight disappointment. It was a simple question that I did not need to hesitate to answer. 

"What? You can call me by name[1]."

"No, you don't usually speak with informal language other than calling me by my name."

"Is that right? It's because we're friends."

I thoughtlessly answered Yse's question, and then raised my head in a hurry. I could clearly see Yse's eye smile.

"I'm still using honorifics, right?"

I scratched my cheek at the realization. I didn't even know I was using polite language because I was so used to it. Well, it's the first time we met… but wasn't it strange to suddenly use informal language with friends?

[1] Honorifics

T/N: Probably shouldn't expect another chapter for a while.. I stocked up 5 chapters so there will always be more and i don't have to rush but then asu went “hAH nah imma pr them a l l” and here we are

Chapter end