Chapter 2: Bystander

10 Years Old Arc: A Girl from an Inferior Race

Bystander

As homeroom ended and the teacher left, several boys surrounded a girl, preventing her escape.

I, Marybell, sighed at this scene, a rehash of what must have been happening for the four years since I started elementary school.

Oh, you don't need to remember my name.

I'm only going to be here this one time anyway.

Anyway, where were we again?

Oh right!

At the start of the school year and during class changes, the boys are undoubtedly captivated and infatuated with the "eccentric and cute girl" with large animal ears and a tail.

While all the other humans normally have black hair and black eyes, her hair is a vibrant, exquisite color that's neither gold nor silver, which is another reason she attracts the boys' attention.

And when they realize she's not very good with words, they compete to tease her about it.

What?

You're asking why I don't help her if I know all that?

You might think I'm a cold person, but just try to imagine it for a moment.

Imagine a boy you like becoming infatuated with one girl, repeatedly engaging in childish and harmful behavior as if his mental age has regressed.

Even if you were a boy, I think you'd understand why a girl wouldn't find that amusing.

Oh, and I don't like her so much that I don't even want to call her by her name, so I'll continue to refer to her as "that girl" or "her." 

That's why the girls in the class would conspire to ignore her without any prior arrangement.

This was probably a cycle that continued for four years.

"You can't even speak Alban! You belong in a barn, not a school!!"

"You're a disgrace to Alba!! Get out of Mittelland!!"

"I hear your family goes to a Buddhist church every month! Buddhism is a teaching meant for humans. It's probably meaningless to a half-animal like you, hahaha!"

"Die!! Get out of this Naraka world, you inferior race!!"

Oh, it seems to have begun.

The boys are desperately using every vocabulary they've learned in language class, showering her with words to hurt her (to get her attention).

She's looking down, desperately trying to endure it.

She's probably trying to ignore them and wait for the boys to get bored, but it's a shame. Her big ears are drooping forward, and her tail is curled inward, its fur standing on end.

The boys can tell it's working on her. They'll be happy they got a reaction from her and get even more carried away.

It must be tough being born a beast-person, not being able to "remain unresponsive."

Well, I'm not going to help her though.

Besides, she doesn't need to do all that; it's almost time...

"Stop it! You guys!!"

... And here comes the prince on a white horse.

As soon as he appears, he punches one of the five boys, then jumps into a fistfight with the remaining boys.

Seeing this, that girl always abandons her prince and runs away.

This is another reason why the girls dislike her.

Well, I don't think that "Damsel-in-Distress" can do anything in that situation. But girls are creatures that pick up on all the elements that jealous girls will use to criticize her.

As time passed and the classroom desks scattered in disarray, the situation for Prince Albert on his white horse gradually worsened.

Finally, he was grabbed from behind by both arms and became a punching bag for the remaining four boys, a scene even more painful than before.

The boys repeatedly punched his handsome face. They hit him in the stomach. And even a flying knee kick!

"You bastard!"

"How dare you hit me!!"

"Traitor!"

"Trying to act cool in front of Celica-chan!!"

That last one was pure jealousy, wasn't it? Is he even trying to hide it?

But even the girls were disgusted by this, and some were even frightened.

Boys are really so childish and barbaric.

"Tch, I'll let you off the hook this time."

Eventually, having grown tired of tormenting the defenseless boy, the boys left with triumphant, yet somewhat dissatisfied, expressions.

Behind them lay Albert, his body covered in wounds, slumped over.

But he soon managed to stand up, albeit shakily.

"Um... are you okay? Shall we go to the infirmary together?"

Anna, whose features were fairly good but whose freckles and braided pigtails gave her a rather plain appearance, mustered her courage to speak.

Hang in there, Anna! Don't let that girl get the better of you!! You (maybe) can win!!

"Thank you. But I'm fine."

Albert gently, yet clearly, shook off Anna's outstretched hand, and stumbled out of the classroom, dragging his own bag and that girl's bag in his hand.

So, you two are going to comfort each other now?

It's like a love story straight out of a novel. I hope you two will be happy together.

.....

.....

.....

..... But I know.

I know that Prince Albert, on his white horse, actually waits until that girl is cornered by the boys before coming to her rescue.

I once asked him from behind while he was waiting outside the classroom for his turn.

"Aren't you going to go help her already?" I asked him.

My question seemed to come as a bolt from the blue to him, as he was eagerly waiting for his turn.

He turned around, looked surprised, then, with an embarrassed expression, rummaged through his pants pocket and silently offered me some chocolate.

Was he planning to share it with her, but then used to bribe me to remain silent?

I gratefully accepted it though.

...I know.

I know that during Albert's first year at school, he spread bad rumors about that girl to the boys and egged them on.

.....

..... Honestly, the idea that the prince was secretly tormenting Cinderella has completely shattered my dream.

What am I supposed to dream about now?

Oh, that's not something a girl in this class, who's in the position of Cinderella's tormenting stepmother, should be saying.

Well, I'm sure you're getting tired of my monologue by now.

Let's say goodbye.

Bye-bye.