Volume 2 Chapter 14 I Had To Clear My Throat A Lot, But...
When the exam began, the 5th rank mercenaries taking the exam rushed into the forest. Apparently no one wanted to team up with someone to take the exam.
While the other test takers went into the forest, I was the only one who stayed there.
Of course, to talk to Kyunei. She was in the process of laying out the medical equipment she had brought with her on the sheet and preparing for the first aid station.
"Hey, Kyunei."
"Ah, Yukina-kun. What's wrong?"
"'What's wrong?' is my line. Why are you here?"
"Didn't you hear? I'm accompanying you to this 4th rank promotion exam as a member of the relief team."
"...You're saying it because you know."
"Yeah. But please wait a little longer."
Kyunei reacts as though she's dumbfounded at my unintentionally grim expression, but she doesn't stop working. Then, after completing a certain amount of preparation, I stopped her hand and turned to face her again.
While rubbing the furrowed brow on my face, I listened intently to Kyunei's words.
"Hey, Yukina-kun, you've been busy with preparations this past week, right? During that time, I asked Karan-san from the Mercenary Guild to accompany you as an external collaborator for this exam."
"So, why did you do that?"
"Of course, it's because I wanted to help you, Yukina-kun."
She replied, taking my hand.
"I'm glad that you're trying your best for my sake. But at the same time, I'm really worried. I can't help but feel anxious, thinking that something like last time might happen again."
Was it during the battle with the Kobold King?
I did something reckless that put my life in danger. Although Kyunei heard about it from Gram's recollection since I was unconscious, she truly worried me.
"That kind of thing doesn't happen often, you know."
"But even so, being a mercenary is a job that always puts you in danger. Anything can happen at any time."
Kyunei envelops me as if embracing my hand. Along with the warmth that conveys, there is a firm strength that expresses her true feelings.
"But I can't stop you. I fell in love with you because you act according to your own will."
"Kyunei..."
"So, there's only one thing I can do. I will help you give it your all, Yukina-kun."
And then, Kyunei looks at me with a determined gaze.
"I promise. No matter how serious your injuries are, I will definitely heal you. Even if you're on the brink of death, I will bring you back."
Oh no. I want to hold Kyunei tightly right now. I'm being loved too much. I love you too, Kyunei.
I looked deeply into Kyunei's eyes with a lot of emotion, and I could feel so much love pouring out from Kyunei's eyes in return.
'Hey, you're in the middle of an exam, you know? I understand that you both want to confirm your love for each other. But because you're in the middle of an exam and there are other people around... Hey, can you hear my voice!?'
I could hear a somewhat awkward voice, but it didn't really register in my mind.
As Kyunei and I were drawn into each other's eyes, our faces gradually got closer and...
"Cough!"
──Just as we were about to get really close, there was a sudden cough from very close by.
Suddenly, Mikage was by our side, with a clenched fist near her mouth.
Both Kyunei and I panicked and quickly moved away.
"'Yukina-san'. The exam started a while ago. If you stay here any longer, you will be disqualified."
"Y-yes! I'll go now!!"
Feeling an overwhelming pressure from Mikage, who deliberately called me 'san,' I panicked and ran into the forest.
'Oh, I told you so! We're in the middle of a test, so hold back on the jokes a bit, you idiot! If you fail this test because of this, I'll laugh at you for the rest of your life!!'
"Alright, alright! My bad, darn it!!"
While feeling fed up with Gram's scolding, I once again prepared myself to face the test.
──Side Healer
When Yukina-kun rushed into the forest in a panic, left behind were me—Kyunei, and Mikage-san, the second-ranked mercenary who was overseeing this exam.
Even though I had never delved deeply into the profession of "mercenary," I had heard rumors about her. Despite being in her late teens, she had risen to the rank of 2nd-ranked mercenary due to her exceptional skills.
And when Yukina-kun was seriously injured, she was the one who desperately brought him to my clinic.
After completing the Healing, she visited the clinic several times to visit Yukina-kun, but we only exchanged a few words. Her attitude towards me was strictly limited to asking about the patient's condition, like a doctor would.
But now, Mikage-san was looking directly at me.
".............."
".............."
Neither I nor Mikage-san spoke. However, our gazes met without wavering. It felt like losing if either of us looked away first.
"...Kyunei-sensei."
Mikage-san broke the silence.
"I know that you have a personal relationship with 'Yukina-sama'. However, since you're accompanying us as a relief team in this situation, I would prefer that you not show favoritism toward specific individuals."
It wasn't sharp or aggressive, but it gave off a quiet 'pressure'.
Mikage-san's words contained a gentle determination, as if testing me.
I definitely came along to this test with the feeling of wanting to help Yukina-kun, but I won't forget my own duty.
"Of course. As a doctor, I intend to fulfill my duty with all my effort, without discrimination."
Until now, I've been running the clinic to distract myself from facing my lowly job, and out of guilt for taking someone's life force.
But from now on, it's going to be different.
I'll put all my effort into helping someone in front of me who is hurt. I'll fulfill my duty as a doctor with single-minded determination.
I held a strong determination in my heart and looked straight at Mikage-san.
"So, Mikage-san. Please fulfill your duty as the supervisor in this situation as well."
"──!? ...Of course. I am here for that purpose."
Mikage-san, who took a small breath, quickly regained composure and briefly said goodbye to me.
──But I had been watching.
That Mikage-san, who had come to visit Yukina-kun, who was unconscious and lying in bed, had a look in her eyes. It wasn't just the concern of someone worried about a life-saving benefactor.
I didn't understand why she cared so much about him at that time. But now, looking at her, I am convinced.
Yukina-kun is Mikage-san's life-saving benefactor. She has been told that herself. But she holds stronger feelings for him beyond just gratitude.
There is no logical basis for it. But as a woman, I had a strong conviction.
Strangely enough, there was no sense of jealousy.
Instead, there was even a feeling of "happiness".
To know that someone else loves the man I love. To feel joy that someone else shares the same feelings as me.
Of course, I don't really know if Mikage-san truly harbors romantic feelings for Yukina-kun. But it's certain that she doesn't hold any hatred towards Yukina-kun.
I wonder if I think about these things because of my nature as a succubus.
Despite feeling out of touch with the average woman's sensibilities, I'll set this matter aside for now. As Mikage-san suggested, I need to prepare myself thoroughly as a doctor.
"Well, time for work, work."
I welcome the trivial worries of being a doctor. It's better than having nothing to worry about.
However, it's our duty to act in case of a contingency.
"But why does she insist on calling him 'sama'?"
I just couldn't understand that no matter what.
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