My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 34

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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 34
“You can cry more if you need to.”
As Ibi patted her back slowly, her own voice trembled slightly.
She worried that these clumsy words might only make things worse.
Sure enough, when Emily lifted her head to look at her, her eyes were glistening with fresh tears and confusion.
‘Oh no, was that… weird?’
But then Emily suddenly pressed her face against Ibi’s shoulder, and the sobs she’d been holding back burst forth.
‘That’s… okay, right?’
For a moment, uncertainty gripped her, but then she recalled what the Nanny had done for her.
Gently patting her back, letting her know that someone was there. Not offering hollow comfort, not daring to judge—simply holding this grief close.
Pat, pat.
Ibi called to mind the greatest comfort she had ever received and passed it on as faithfully as she could, hoping that her awkwardness might somehow become genuine.
After Emily had poured out all her tears, she apologized again—sorry for troubling Ibi when her health wasn’t good.
And then.
“I have something to tell you.”
She began an important conversation.
* * *
Tiffany screamed and bolted into the Bathroom. In that brief span of time, every conceivable nightmare scenario flashed through her mind.
What if Emily tagged her on that account and posted: “Someone kidnapped and killed my lizard”?
This wasn’t a problem that could be buried under follower count.
Animal. Abuse. Missing.
Words that, once ignited, no defense could extinguish.
The fashion and beauty industry was sensitive about animal rights.
Vegan campaigns, fur-free declarations, eco-friendly lines.
All the image Tiffany had built up could crumble into hypocrisy in an instant.
Every sponsorship inquiry lined up before her would be withdrawn, and her existing advertising contracts would certainly face problems.
And the result?
Expulsion from the game, and climbing back up would become virtually impossible.
Tiffany yanked open the Bathroom door and rushed straight to the toilet.
The water had already rushed down into the depths. Only clear water remained inside.
Tiffany turned to her roommate with a face of despair.
“You actually killed the lizard? Are you insane?! Do you know what you’ve done?!”
She shrieked, and her roommate blinked in bewilderment.
“What?”
“If this goes wrong, it’s all your fault, understand?!”
Tiffany snarled again. There it was—the way out she’d been searching for.
The lizard wasn’t killed by Tiffany. It was this roommate.
“What the class president said was true, after all.”
“What? The class president?”
Had she done something again?
“What did the class president say? Joy, you didn’t betray her after she was kind to you, did you?”
“That’s enough. What could I possibly say to you?”
And without another word, she left the Bathroom.
“What… what am I supposed to do?”
Alone, Tiffany forgot she was even in a Bathroom and simply sank to the floor.
So it really is over?
Unable to straighten out the tangled thoughts churning in her head, the most concrete fear came creeping in.
‘There might be an exposé post.’
Tiffany fumbled to log into the account. Her finger slipped across the screen several times.
On Sir. Pickle’s account…
A single image, painted pitch-black.
Just uploaded.
The like count was climbing in real time.
* * *
After learning that Emily’s lizard was actually Pickle—the “influencer of influencers”—things had become far easier.
She had to use that. For the sake of the small lizard’s safety.
And it would be good to have insurance as well.
Fortunately, Emily’s roommate had recently contacted her about changing curtains, so they both knew each other’s accounts.
“You were right, class president. That girl is completely out of her mind!”
Joy arrived at Ibi’s room speaking with obvious exasperation.
“Honestly, I felt uncomfortable about making Emily do those strange things too. She seems to be losing her mind more and more.”
She sighed and handed over a white Towel. Through its soft folds, Pickle slowly poked out his head.
“So now.”
Ibi turned to Joy.
“We should give that crazy girl quite a shock.”
* * *
Sir. Pickle is doing well. I apologize for causing worry. See you again tomorrow morning. #PickleSir #14years #LeopardGecko
Tiffany read the post over several times with trembling hands, searching for any hidden accusation against her.
She even enlarged the black image and examined it carefully. With this many followers, even the slightest clue would be noticed, and someone would find the answer and piece together the rest on their own.
Tiffany had targeted competitors this way more than once before, so she knew exactly how it worked.
But nothing like that appeared to be there.
“Hah.”
Relief finally washed over her, and she let out a deep sigh.
But it didn’t last long.
Soon, irritation and anger began to bubble up from deep within her chest.
‘So that means… it’s still alive?’
That wretched roommate had been in cahoots with Ibi from the beginning.
Sure, there was no benefit in antagonizing a lizard with such a following, but the fact that the girl she’d treated well had betrayed her felt unbearably infuriating.
When did she so readily accept gifts from all those brands?
And what about Emily?
That black image was deliberately chosen. To mock Tiffany for discovering the post.
And behind all of this would be the class president.
“I won’t forgive this.”
Tiffany rose from the floor and faced the mirror directly in front of her.
You dare make a fool of me?
She swept her lustrous hair back and spun around quickly.
‘Did you really think I’d take this lying down?’
She needed to see the dorm supervisor right now.
Reporting Prohibited Items was a student’s duty, after all.
Tiffany smiled smugly and opened the door—only to find Ibi standing right there.
Her lips, which she’d curled up in anticipation of revenge, slowly fell and turned icy.
“What, did you come to gloat about your victory?”
Tiffany stepped forward, her eyes hard and glittering, toward Ibi.
As if to warn that nothing was finished yet.
No, it was only beginning.
“Lucky timing. We can discuss your matter too—how you ignored and hid Prohibited Items even though you’re the class president. That should reflect very favorably on your grades. Right?”
Tiffany deliberately emphasized the word “grades.”
There was no better way to attack a ranking-obsessed nerd of a class president.
“I’m sorry.”
But Ibi simply gazed at Tiffany calmly, apparently unfazed by the threat.
“A class president isn’t a dorm supervisor. I’m just a helpful guide assisting students with their school life.”
“Ah, so you kindly helped hide Prohibited Items together?”
“If it’s for Emily, I’d do it gladly.”
“How amusing.”
Tiffany raised the Mobile Phone she was holding to show Ibi.
The trembling screen displayed the conversation they had just exchanged, recorded in full.
“Evidence that you knowingly and actively helped violate school rules. The administration will be pleased. Won’t they?”
Tiffany’s lips finally curved upward in a smile again.
“Well, I’m not saying I’ll do it, but someone might want to report it. You know how there are students who hate creepy creatures like that.”
“…”
“Excuse me then. I have things to do.”
As Tiffany passed by Ibi, her usual haughtiness and confidence had completely returned to her stride.
Who told her to run her mouth so carelessly?
“Tiffany.”
From behind her, a quiet but clear voice caught Tiffany’s feet.
Tiffany smiled smugly.
By now she’d probably want to prostrate herself and beg.
That way she could protect not only that old, disgusting lizard, but Ibi herself as well.
Tiffany deliberately ignored the call and didn’t slow her pace, secretly hoping Ibi would come running after her and plead.

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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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