My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 32

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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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Episode 32
“I did go back to the Dormitory, at least……”
Cyrus leaned back against his chair and stared at the ceiling for a moment before adding quietly,
“Anyway, go to sleep.”
“Were you about to say something?”
“……It’s strange how fruit becomes sweeter when cooked.”
She knew what that random comment was about. It was the same poor excuse Ibby had tried to use last time to change the subject.
As Ibby giggled, Quinton glanced away lightly and touched the cold silver frames of his Glasses before answering quietly,
“There’s also the matter of not knowing what might happen.”
It seemed to be about whoever had pushed Ibby into that trap. Ibby’s laughter died immediately.
‘Was he worried about me?’
Something felt off. So strange that it itched beneath the bandages.
His long fingers moved slowly along the edge of the book. As if he were choosing his words carefully, Ibby waited in silence.
“Cruel things tend to happen with persistence and determination. Do you know who’s behind it?”
“I know who locked the door. But I think there’s someone else who wanted to orchestrate this whole thing. They wouldn’t do it.”
Of course, while lying flat on that cold floor, she’d already sorted through who might ‘want to orchestrate this.’ She’d continue refining that picture going forward.
“They wouldn’t do it?”
There was a note of mockery in Quinton’s voice as he repeated her last words.
“There’s no such thing as a villain distinguished by nature. Only the video world comes equipped with a villain-exclusive BGM.”
“I’m telling you, they really wouldn’t.”
“Fine. What’s your evidence?”
“They’re not close enough to me to harbor that kind of grudge. So there’s no real motive.”
“You don’t need to be close to someone to resent them, do you? Look at us—you resent me.”
“I don’t—”
Ibby bristled, then clamped her mouth shut. Quinton had a point.
She did harbor resentment toward him for stealing first place.
‘But we’re not exactly distant, are we?’
Ibby helped him with grading, worked as his lab partner, and last time she’d even helped him make a successful shot.
After all that, calling them “not close” felt strange.
Yet if someone asked her if they were close, she’d struggle to nod in agreement.
“Anyway, that’s what I think. They’re not that kind of person.”
“I understand your argument. But you should learn how to suspect people properly.”
“Fine, fine. I get it.”
Ibby reluctantly burrowed back under the blanket. She reached toward her eyes to remove her Glasses when—
“……My Glasses!”
“You catch on quickly.”
Quinton gestured toward her Glasses sitting on the edge of the table with his chin.
She grabbed them hastily and checked for any cracks or damage.
“Your eyesight isn’t even that bad. Why do you wear them?”
“They protect my vision.”
She offered a reasonable excuse and set the Glasses back on the table.
There was no way Quinton would recognize her face, and besides, the medication was making her drowsy.
“Now sleep.”
He dropped his gaze to the open page. That surely meant ‘we’re done talking.’
“Quinton.”
In fact, he didn’t even answer her call.
It could have been taken for neglect, but somehow she didn’t think so.
He was just hoping she’d fall asleep quickly.
He wasn’t a bad person.
Right—this world had no villain-exclusive BGM, but if it did, Quinton probably wouldn’t get one.
Though an annoying-person BGM would blast pretty loud.
“Thanks for today.”
“Yeah.”
His gaze, fixed on the book, rose briefly before falling away again after that short reply.
“Quinton, I have something to tell you.”
“Next time.”
“No, now.”
Ibby rolled onto her side to face him.
“……What is it.”
“I think people are misunderstanding you.”
“It’s not a misunderstanding. And I don’t care.”
“See, that’s what annoys me about you. That attitude of yours is unbearable.”
“……”
Since he didn’t answer, Ibby hurried on,
“Of course, everyone has annoying traits equally. Yours just happens to be…… well, more conspicuous, so you’re at a disadvantage compared to others.”
Ibby’s voice trailed off. Quinton lifted his head instead of answering, and a heavy silence fell between them.
But there was no awkwardness. Whether that was because he and silence suited each other, or for some other reason, she couldn’t say.
“……Everyone has.”
Before the silence could grow too thick, Quinton answered quietly,
“Annoying traits equally. That’s an interesting theory.”
“It’s just an extension of saying no one’s perfect, right?”
“……Yeah, no one’s perfect.”
And then he muttered under his breath, “But there are broken people.”
It sounded like words that had slipped out almost unconsciously. She could tell from the way his lips tensed at the end.
“……You know, I think.”
Ibby considered for a moment, then decided to be honest.
A conclusion she’d arrived at while watching him from a distance that was neither close nor distant.
“I think you didn’t steal that Test Paper.”
Cyrus’s expression hardened instantly.
“Sorry, I heard the rumors.”
She knew how wrong it was to bring such a thing up. But she couldn’t leave him in the dark while false perceptions spread.
“I think it needs a response. The School has rules to protect individual students’ reputations, and if we use them, we can stop whoever’s spreading these false rumors.”
Even faced with her passionate argument, his hardened expression didn’t soften.
“I see.”
Finally, he set down what he was reading and rose from his seat, heading toward the window.
Ibby watched his profile and apologized again,
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t leave it alone.”
The Quinton that everyone talked about on the Anonymous Bulletin Board was a different person from the one she knew.
Just from the way he stayed by her side like this.
“I’ll help you. I know you’re not that kind of person. So.”
“Ibby Underwood.”
The quiet call from the window gently cut off her words.
“I can’t tell if you’re naive or just stupid.”
His voice carried exhaustion.
Ibby stared at Quinton with wide eyes, then barely managed to sit up, propped at an awkward angle.
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“……”
He stared out past the window into the distance.
Or perhaps he was looking back at all those old days everyone kept talking about.
The eyes behind his Glasses gradually sharpened.
That piercing gaze stabbed once through empty air, then slowly descended upon Ibby.
“That rumor isn’t a misunderstanding.”
And then a definitive answer. Ibby’s ears didn’t believe what they heard.
Quinton couldn’t have stolen that Test Paper.
Quinton leaned forward, unable to hide his bewilderment. His eyes drew closer behind his Glasses.
“That’s why I told you, Underwood.”
And he warned her in a very low voice,
“Learn how to suspect people.”
* * *
The next day.
Tiffany was anxious. Something was wrong.
The scenario she’d envisioned was as follows:
If Ibby, after escaping the Underground Warehouse, pointed to Emily as the culprit, Emily would confess that “Joy Carter blackmailed me.”
Whether that accusation had any basis didn’t matter.
Then the teachers would call Joy in for questioning, and the students watching would certainly have a field day inventing stories on the Anonymous Bulletin Board.
They’d tear down that impressive young lady from such a distinguished family, revealing her as a shallow schemer with no real substance.
Tiffany had planned to torment both the insufferable class president and the hateful Joy in one fell swoop.
Of course, Emily wouldn’t dare say anything about Tiffany.
Not unless she wanted to say a tearful goodbye to that disgusting Lizard.
So Tiffany waited eagerly for Ibby to point the finger at Emily, only to learn that she’d testified, “I didn’t see who locked the door.”
Tiffany was ready to tear her hair out.
What was the point of keeping that revolting creature in her room otherwise?
‘Why didn’t the class president point to Emily?’

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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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