My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 6

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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 6
Ibis snatched the Printed Materials from Cyrus’s roommate’s desk and sat down uninvited.
(His roommate was Logan, who was probably throwing a party on the Rooftop right now. Of course, that was another problem to deal with eventually.)
After turning the desk lamp to its brightest setting, she checked through each student’s neatly written solutions one by one.
In the end, neither Ibis nor Cyrus’s words came true.
Ibis wasn’t thrown into the Corridor, and Cyrus didn’t beg. He simply entrusted her with grading a certain amount of work.
‘It’s only natural.’
How many times had Ibis done this sort of thing when she was younger.
Especially with the Nanny’s son.
Though she didn’t know what that boy looked like, he was always her “academic partner”—they’d exchange Printed Materials like this and compare their solutions and thoughts with each other.
That is, until the Nanny was unfairly dismissed.
Well… that’s too dark a story to dwell on.
For the next twenty minutes or so, all that could be heard in Cyrus’s room was the sound of pen scratching against paper.
Checking the clock, Ibis switched off the lamp and drew the curtain over the small window near the top of the wall facing the Corridor.
It was about time for Hol Dein to make his rounds.
“Cyrus, dim the light a bit, will you?”
He didn’t really answer her suggestion as she glanced back. Judging from the incredible speed his hand was moving, he seemed to be the type who couldn’t hear anything when concentrating.
Ibis walked over and lowered the lamp’s brightness herself.
“Oh.”
Finally coming to his senses, he looked up, and Ibis smiled wryly in response.
“No harm done. You don’t want to draw the teacher’s attention, do you?”
He set down his pen irritably and splashed water on his face.
He seemed to mutter something about how annoying this was, but Ibis let it go in one ear and out the other, just as he had.
For now, Cyrus had no choice but to comply with her demands.
During Lights Out Time, he could report her as an “intruder,” but not now. If they were caught by the teacher now, they’d both share responsibility, and that would be quite a hassle.
Ibis flopped down on the bed right beside her.
There was still a dim light remaining so she could still make out her surroundings, and there was a piece of paper folded in half at the head of the bed.
Ibis picked it up without thinking.
The reason she felt no guilt about touching someone else’s belongings was simple: it was Printed Materials she had made.
“I didn’t know Logan had taken this with him.”
Though he did leave it carelessly at the head of his bed, and he was breaking the rules again today.
Still, the fact that someone had taken it and kept it meant something to her.
“That’s my spot.”
Cyrus, resting his chin on the desk, spoke in a low voice.
“What?”
“The bed you’re sitting on is mine. Would you mind moving?”
“Did Logan throw my Printed Materials on your bed?”
The eyes behind his glasses, shadowed in the dim light, turned toward Ibis. In that gaze there was a contempt so unmistakable it stung.
Apparently Ibis had said something absurd.
“Did you… bring it?”
He sighed and replied. It seemed he had accepted the fact that he couldn’t remove Ibis from this spot.
“Speak clearly. I didn’t take it—you foisted it on me, didn’t you?”
Ah, was that how it was? Now that he mentioned it, it did seem that way.
Though “forcibly taking on a burden” wasn’t exactly a kind thing to say, Ibis found herself laughing anyway.
She must be losing her mind. In fact, given today, she had every reason to.
“So at least one copy got distributed.”
“Several people took them.”
“Really?”
“They said they were taking them to show people in other Dormitories.”
That her embarrassing Printed Materials had made it to other Dormitories was something to be proud of indeed.
“Well, at any rate, everyone will definitely know that I’ve started acting as Class Representative.”
He had no answer again. He seemed intent on waiting quietly for the dorm supervisor to pass. Ibis set down the Printed Materials and maintained her silence as well.
With two people in a room, you’d think the lack of conversation would feel awkward, but strangely, it didn’t.
If anything, it felt comfortable.
Which was really odd, considering the person she was with was Cyrus Quinton.
Wasn’t he the one who posed the greatest threat to her life?
‘He might not be a bad person.’
That was the thought that crossed her mind.
Because no truly bad person would take the time to write out such careful, detailed answers for children’s homework problems.
Not that it changed anything, but still.
As she smiled faintly while thinking this, she felt his gaze. When she turned her head, their eyes met immediately.
“……?”
“……You.”
Just as he was about to say something quietly, careful footsteps sounded from the Corridor.
It had to be Hol Dein.
Ibis’s face tensed up, and this time Cyrus seemed to as well.
But there should be nothing to worry about. The lamp was dim, and the curtain was drawn. There was no reason for the dorm supervisor to notice.
Yet strangely enough, Ibis felt her breathing grow shallow.
That was when it happened.
A familiar ringtone began playing from the quiet room. A default Mobile Phone ringtone.
Ibis stared at him in disbelief.
Did he not know the rule that after Lights Out Time, you’re supposed to turn off your Mobile Phone or set it to silent?
It’s even written in my Printed Materials!
She sent frantic signals with her eyes for him to turn it off, but he didn’t even reach for the Mobile Phone on his desk.
Merciful heavens, are you trying to drag me straight to hell…….
As Ibis stifled a cry, she noticed something horrifying: Cyrus’s Mobile Phone screen was dark.
And there was one more thing. Her own Mobile Phone was also set to that “default ringtone.”
“I’m screwed.”
Ibis quickly pulled out her Mobile Phone from her pocket and ended the incoming call. In the meantime, Cyrus clutched his forehead with a look of “you idiot!”
She could clearly feel the footsteps approaching this way. That must be because he’d heard the sound.
What do we do now?
Looking at Cyrus with desperation in her eyes, he suddenly shoved her shoulder. Her body toppled backward and landed on his bed, and a thick blanket was pulled over her.
He was telling her to hide.
It was clumsy, but there was no other choice. Ibis curled up inside his bed.
Just then came the sound of a knock, and Cyrus got up with a sigh and opened the door.
“I apologize, sir. I forgot to change the setting.”
“Please be more careful. And… if I may, let me step inside for a moment.”
The dorm supervisor’s footsteps drew closer to Ibis.
Was she discovered? If so, this really was the worst.
Now the Essay she’d have to write would be titled “On the Purpose of Crawling Uninvited into Cyrus Quinton’s Bed,” and this would remain on her Conduct Record forever.
I don’t want that! Please save me!
Hol Dein’s footsteps stopped right in front of the bed.
Wouldn’t it be better to get up now and report herself? Then at least she could change the topic of her Essay…….
“I’ll speak to Blake about this. It happens occasionally, you see.”
Just as Ibis was counting to three before deciding to get up, Cyrus’s voice came.
Despite the obvious lie, there was no trembling or awkwardness in his tone. Only a weariness that came from dealing with a tiresome roommate.
“Understood, sir. Even though you share a room, I do think it’s important to remind him that dormitory rules require sleeping in one’s own bed.”
Beyond the blanket, she could almost feel the teacher’s piercing gaze. Ibis did nothing but try her best to remain still.
“Yes, sir.”
The sound of the teacher’s footsteps retreating felt slower than a tortoise.
Click.
Even after the door shut completely, Ibis remained inside the bed, holding her breath.
Just in case.
But now she felt bad for Cyrus. Because of her, he’d been suspected of having his Mobile Phone on.
“Ibis.”
At the quiet call, she carefully sat up, nervously touching her messy blonde hair.
“Um…….”
Shouldn’t she thank him first?
Even though she sat up thinking this, Ibis couldn’t find the words.
Or rather, she forgot. He closed the distance between them in a single breath and leaned down, bringing his face level with hers.
Close enough that she could feel his breath.
“Ibis.”
He called her name again.
In his eyes reflected only her face.

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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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