Blue Archive story · Club stories, Story 6
The Apothecary Wanderings 6
1 scenes, 55 lines
1. Part 1
55 lines
Studying?
"Yes. You're smart, Kai."
"What people rely on to get through life..."
"What we base our lives on, things like that..."
"There are textbooks, as well as academic papers about it all."
"...All that humanity has accumulated to this point."
"There is still so much left to the world."
Are you telling me to study "other people's" typical methods? Now?
"Correct."
...
I know what they are, at least in theory. But that traditional approach doesn't come naturally to me.
...In a sense, it's similar to remembering to keep breathing, consciously going through the process step by step in my mind, as if my life depended on it.
...Even though the act of breathing comes naturally to others from the moment they are born.
Are you telling me to memorize the old methods and breathe accordingly, Sensei?
"Yes. Exactly."
And what if I refuse?
I have reason to. After all, for me, that process would be agony in its purest form.
Everyone has the right to refuse to suffer, or am I wrong?
"...Yes. That's why I can't force you, Kai."
"But I would like it if you gave it a try."
Why's that...?
"You can't expect different results with the same methodology, right?"
Ah.
Keh heh heh... You've got me there.
Let's get one thing straight, Sensei.
I haven't been reformed, and I never will be.
"Well... I figured it wouldn't be easy."
"Still, I'd like you to try being a student at least once."
...
I see.
Oh, are you leaving already?
"Yes. Thank you for everything, ma'am."
"Please take care of yourself."
Hahaha... Don't worry. I'm completely fine now.
Kai's always a big help, too.
...Well, there isn't much for me to do right now.
After all, I was trying to take your house, wasn't I?
Oh my, are you still going on about that? Don't worry. If you really need it that badly, you can have it right now.
This old body of mine has managed to survive until now. Do you really think I won't be able to take care of myself wherever I go?
...I've lost interest.
Oh. I see.
I left Kai, the old woman, and the Black Market behind.
I mulled over Kai's words.
All the while, I thought of another student I was worried about...
With steps that felt strangely heavy, I headed toward Schale.
Does it taste all right?
Haha... So you know how to cook, too.
It's essentially hospital food. It's bland and low in fat, so people tend to dislike it.
It's more than enough. Actually, it's nice because it's so easy on my stomach.
But... Why did you do something like this all of a sudden?
Well, it's no big deal. It's only...
...
It's merely for a change of pace. I thought I'd try practicing breathing like everyone else.
It looks like I've found a good "test subject" right here, after all.
The Apothecary Wanderings