My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27
He approached from the side and applied the Neutralizing Agent and Disinfectant to the back of her hand in sequence. Ibis tried as hard as she could to suppress any sound of pain.
Considering the lab work was already ruined because of her, it would be pathetic to cry out about the pain on top of that.
“That’s not good for you.”
Quinton wiped away the remaining moisture from her wound with sterilized Gauze, speaking softly.
“What?”
“Gritting your teeth like that—it’s not good for you. Just yell if you want to. Better to do it your way.”
He pointed to the nearby patient chair with his chin, then shamelessly took the nurse’s seat for himself.
It probably looked fitting because Quinton had such a meticulous expression on his face.
“Hand again.”
Though Ibis pouted slightly at being asked for her hand as if she were a child, she ultimately complied without protest, doing as he asked.
What else could she do when it hurt?
An unfamiliar warmth enveloped her hand completely.
It was probably meant to tell her not to move unnecessarily. He spread a thin layer of Ointment over her reddened skin.
“Wait a moment while it dries.”
“Are you going to keep holding my hand the whole time?”
“Yes.”
He answered matter-of-factly, as if it were obvious.
“You might accidentally move and cause another accident. I can’t predict what would happen.”
Ibis wanted to protest immediately—when had she ever done that?—but she bit her lip instead.
…….
She couldn’t argue. She’d just committed a crime in the lab moments ago.
But it really was unavoidable. The word “princess” had come up.
‘If I’m exposed, staying here any longer becomes difficult.’
The moment it became officially known that Princess Evelyn was here, various complications would arise.
Especially if she decided to stay longer, security and protection issues would become the most serious problem—serious enough to affect other students.
And the problem was right in front of her.
Cyrus Quinton.
The instant her identity was revealed, he would immediately understand her purpose. Why she was so obsessed with coming first.
That fact wouldn’t be pleasant for him either.
‘Though there’s also the possibility he wouldn’t care at all.’
In any case, given the magnitude of this issue, freezing up at the word “princess” was unavoidable.
Of course, that didn’t absolve her of responsibility for ruining the important lab work.
This was genuinely her fault.
“I’m really sorry, Quinton.”
Ibis offered a formal apology.
“I know.”
“What do I do? I’ve messed everything up.”
“They’ll give us another chance.”
“With a deduction for lack of attention, though?”
“Yes. You and I will both take a deduction for lack of attention.”
He made the subject clearer, and Ibis couldn’t bear to look at Cyrus any longer, so she lowered her head.
“I’m really sorry. Because of me.”
“Forget it. Group Assignments come with shared responsibility.”
But it was painfully clear that this was her fault, and he had every right to protest the unfairness.
Ibis wondered what she would say if he asked her why she’d lost her focus.
Surprisingly, no such question came.
Ibis even found herself grateful.
“You know, I wish I’d listened to you when we were writing the Plan.”
Ibis recalled the lab work proposal she’d written entirely on her own terms and submitted. She’d kept it faithful to the textbook, making it concise and easy to read.
“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”
He carefully checked whether the Ointment had dried, then brought the Gauze and laid it gently over the wound. Ibis flinched at a slight sting of pain.
“Does it hurt?”
“Mm, it’s fine. Anyway, what you wrote would have laid out all the Variables, right? If I’d examined that carefully, I would’ve paid more attention.”
“I have some unfortunate news for you, Underwood.”
Following his touch, a Bandage wrapped gradually around her hand.
“My Variables section didn’t include an entry for ‘losing focus and turning the valve further.'”
And Cyrus smiled slightly. Just the corner of his lips lifting a little, but it was definitely a smile.
Good heavens, Ibis found herself laughing along with him.
“You left out something that important?”
“Not every plan can be perfect.”
He said he was finished and released her hand. The hand resting on her lap now bore a neat Bandage.
“Ah, well.”
Ibis lifted her head again to face Cyrus. She had another important thing to say.
“Thank you.”
Ibis lifted her bandaged hand slightly and wiggled her fingers to show him.
“For this. And for bringing me here.”
“Don’t mention it. The teacher asked me to.”
Is that so?
But Teacher Chen had only asked him to bring her, not to tend to her wound so meticulously.
He began to calmly put away the Ointment and tools scattered across the desk.
“Have you done a lot of treatment like this before? You’re quite skilled.”
“Well, I’m used to handling things on my own.”
Now that she thought about it, she’d never heard anything about Quinton’s family.
“Were your parents very busy?”
“Probably. Isn’t everyone like that these days?”
“Fair point.”
Ibis shrugged in agreement.
“Everyone’s like that nowadays.”
“……But that doesn’t mean it’s good either.”
In that quiet addition, there seemed to be a piece of Quinton she hadn’t seen before.
What was it?
Ibis considered asking him to say more, but stopped herself.
You can only ask about someone else’s circumstances if you’re prepared to reveal your own secrets as well.
Ibis couldn’t even tell him her proper name, let alone share confidences.
How could she possibly dare to probe his inner thoughts?
‘Not that I’m particularly curious about Quinton’s past, anyway.’
Ibis decided to pretend she hadn’t heard his murmur.
“Should we go back to class now?”
“Not yet.”
He lightly pressed down on her shoulder as she tried to stand, settling her back into the patient chair.
Though he himself got up.
“Why?”
Ibis glared at Quinton sharply as she asked.
“Get an Analgesic prescribed.”
“Do I have to take that too?”
“It’s better. Otherwise you’ll have a rough evening. Wait here until the teacher comes.”
Because he said it so firmly, Ibis didn’t even resist and simply nodded.
“……Understood.”
Fortunately, the teacher arrived shortly. When Quinton reported on the treatment, the teacher praised him for doing well.
Ibis had expected to be scolded for touching medication without permission, but there was nothing of the sort.
If another student had done it, it would have been completely out of the question.
A bitter smile crossed her face at the realization that a trusted student really was treated differently.
After receiving the Analgesic, Ibis stepped out of the Infirmary and found Joy approaching from the other direction.
Looking at the dignified Joy, one could easily believe this was a prestigious academy of the Old Empire rather than the Royal High School of a small nation.
It was partly due to her impeccable posture and elegant frame, and partly due to the refined way she dressed.
An oatmeal-colored sweater with just the shirt collar showing, paired with a skirt tailored to cut a perfect line.
Knee-high socks and Oxford shoes.
And a Trench Coat draped over one arm, which fluttered gracefully with her elegant stride.
“Ibis.”
Still dignified in tone, but now with a natural warmth to it.
“Are you alright?”
“At least better than my lab work score looks to be.”
At the jest, Joy’s face twisted in dismay.
“If you’re joking like that, you’re definitely fine. Anyway, here—I’ll take you back.”
Joy offered her arm with the courtesy of a young lady from a noble family.
Though support wasn’t strictly necessary, it would be impolite to refuse a lady’s kindness, so Ibis lightly took Joy’s arm with her uninjured hand.
“Oh, Quinton.”
Then, suddenly remembering Quinton, who should be following behind her, she turned around to look. But the spot where he should have been standing was now empty.
“Quinton? He left earlier.”
“Left?”
“Yeah, he just went right away.”
‘He just leaves without a word.’
That was her first thought, but then again, it seemed perfectly natural.
‘Now that his purpose—treating her wound—is finished, he has no further business with Ibis.’
They weren’t friends. They were just lab partners.
Ibis was led by Joy’s arm toward the Dormitory.
“By the way, I was working on the experiment so I didn’t see. What happened exactly?”
“I just made a mistake.”
“A mistake? You?”
Joy tilted her head in disbelief.
“I’ve never even heard of Ibis Underwood making a mistake in practical training. Except in P.E.”
“Why bring up P.E.?”
Ibis didn’t particularly enjoy discussing her weakness—namely, physical education.
“Anyway, even I lose focus sometimes.”
“That’s even harder to believe. Are you sure that’s what happened?”
Joy continued pressing for details about the experiment, as if she wanted a specific answer.
So persistently it became slightly annoying.
Though not that she disliked it. Actually, she was pleased that Joy was concerned about her.
But even after they’d returned to the room, Joy continued asking the same thing for quite some time, until Ibis finally had no choice but to try to uncover her real intention.
Ibis decided to just ask outright.
“Joy, please. What exactly do you want to hear?”
“There’s nothing in particular I want to hear.”
As if.
Ibis stared intently at Joy, and after hesitating for quite a while, she finally spoke with difficulty.
“I just…… heard a strange rumor. I wanted to confirm it, but it seems like it’s not true, so forget it.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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