idia shroud [ ceremony robe ] sr - "listen, i just can't"

[mandytl]

“Listen, I just can’t.” 1

Location: Ignihyde Dorm - Idia’s Room

Idia: Sigh…... It’s over for me.

Why’d I make a crazy promise like going to the entrance ceremony…?

I mean, I’m a total doormat when it comes to saying no to Ortho’s demands, so... I get it. I’m on it. End of discussion. Q.E.D…

… —as, if!!!!

There’s no way a shut-in’s going to just show up out of nowhere to attend a huge, campus-wide event!

B-B-Besides, I’m our dorm leader… so even just thinking about how I’m going to be the center of attention is…

Eugh. Here comes the stomachache and the vertigo. I’m totally nauseous now. Gonna have to call out sick for sure, yep.

*Knock knock*.

(outside room) Ortho: Nii-san?

Idia: Eek! … O-Ortho. What’s wrong?

(outside room) Ortho: I’m going out to the sports grounds for a bit.

There’s only one more week left until the ceremony. I’ve got to hurry and get used to this new body!

Idia: Y-Yeah. Be safe out there. And don’t stay up too late.

(outside room) Ortho: Okaaay.

Idia: He’s so worked up…… Is this event really worth getting so excited about?

It’s too late to say that I’m gonna pass on going because it’s too hard for me… What now….?

*Knock knock*.

Idia: Whoa?! Is… is that you, Ortho?

(outside room) Riddle: It’s Riddle Rosehearts from Heartslabyul, Idia-senpai.

Idia: R-R-Riddle-shi?! W-W-What’re you doing in Ignihyde’s dorm?

(outside room) Riddle: The Headmaster asked me to approach you. You’re to attend one of our meetings for the ceremony… even if I have to collar you.

Honestly. The event’s so soon and you’ve yet to put in an appearance at any of the discussions.

You and Malleus-senpai are the only two who haven’t been attending. It’s time to come out of there now.

Idia: It’s…

(outside room) Riddle: It’s?

Idia: It’s hopeless.

(outside room) Riddle: ‥uh, hopeless? What do you mean, hopeless? Are you feeling alright?

Idia: I-I mean, Ortho isn’t with me right now… so talking face-to-face… at a meeting… sounds way too exhausting. There’s no way!

(outside room) Riddle: What nonsense. You’re a dorm leader, aren’t you? Such spoiled behavior won’t be tolerated.

We don’t have time to waste. Come now, let’s go. Open the door, please!

Idia: N-N-N-No way! I-It’s not like I ever wanted to be a dorm leader!

(outside room) Riddle: How irresponsible. It’s only natural to fulfill the tasks you’ve undertaken, no matter what qualms you may have.

Idia: Oh, man… here it comes, here it comes—”it’s only naaatural”. Time for you to impose all your standards on me.

(outside room) Riddle: Must everything about you infuriate me? Are you saying I’m wrong?!

You’re causing a headache for everyone. At least take the preparations for the entrance ceremony seriously and…

Idia: And voila, there it is, the ultimate magic word—”everyone” …you’re literally just using peer pressure to step on the little guy, because only the majority’s opinion matters.

The blind obedience of kids these days is terrifying. Not really looking forward to Twisted Wonderland’s future right now.

(outside room) Riddle: Ughghgh…

You could never say that if we were face to face…The door between us is the only thing giving you the courage to say what you want!

I always thought that that agitating attitude of yours would disrupt the moral standards of our school.

But above all, it upsets me. Stop talking so quickly this instant!

Idia: Uh, what’re you getting so pissed off for…? Talk about scary… You’re not making, like, any sense…

(outside room) Riddle: Ughiiih! This is exactly what I mean!

An incompetent, shut-in dorm leader like you has to right to order me around!

Idia: Unlike you, I don’t have an inflated ego… I’m meek and mild-mannered, so...

(outside room) Riddle: … what’d you just say?

Idia: Eek…

A-Anyway, just leave me alone! I was getting by just fine doing my own thing before you even enrolled.

(outside room) Riddle: Yes, yes. Of course. I’ve no doubt things have been smooth for you.

Since you never have to move a muscle, what with Ortho Shroud doing all your work!

Idia: Err…

(outside room) Riddle: You leave everything on that robot’s shoulders—arrangements for the entrance ceremony, addressing our visitors--all without going to a single meeting.

You don’t plan on making an appearance this time either, do you? Are you just going to make him greet people in your place?

The poor thing, being forced to work for such an irresponsible dorm leader!!!

Idia: Uh, I never said I wouldn’t be there? Can you, like, not with the assumptions about me?

I’m going to be at the next entrance ceremony!!!!!!

(outside room) Riddle: Then quit bragging about the obvious, would you?

Given you made such a terrible fool out of me just now, can I expect to look forward to a rather rousing speech?

Idia: Duh.

(outside room) Riddle: Hmph. I'll be waiting with a handkerchief in hand, then!

Idia: …...

… Am I stupid or something!?

“I’m going to be at the next entrance ceremony”.

‥‥there’s no way. Listen, I just can’t! Agghhhh... What’ll I do…?

“Listen, I just can’t.” 2

Location: Mirror Chamber

—The day of the entrance ceremony.

Idia: S-Somehow I made it all the way to the mirror chamber. I can do this. I’ve got this. The power of suggestion is everything.

…

Ah… ahhh… I just can’t! It’s too scary!!

I mean, everyone’s going to notice me when I walk in, right?! I bet they’re all going to gossip about me!

“Who’s that?”, “Is his hair seriously on fire?”, “So that’s a member of the cursed Shroud family, huh…?” “You’ll catch his bad luck” …

Or maybe they’ll try to provoke me with, “He’s blue from head-to-toe; that’s sooo gross.” …! Nooo! Someone help me!

… no, no. Calm down. I need to cool off somewhere quiet, with no one around.

If only Ortho were here, he’d give me the courage… Where’d he go…?

Location: Courtyard

Idia: Phew…

I shouldn’t have picked a fight with Riddle-shi… or gotten Ortho’s hopes up.

What’ll I do now…?

???: Is that you over there, Shroud?

Idia: Wah?!

Malleus: It really is you. How unexpected.

Idia: M-Malleus-shi… What’re you doing here?

Malleus: How long’s it been since we last spoke? Fufu. I don’t recall seeing you even once since you became a dorm leader.

Idia: ( Malleus Draconia… Diasomnia’s dorm leader and the future king of the Valley of Thorns! )

( What’s an ultra SSR-level character like that doing out here?! He’s obviously supposed to be the star of the ceremony! )

Malleus: What’re you up to, to have me catching a glimpse of you outside?

Idia: I… I thought I'd go out today… same as you.

Malleus: Same as me, eh. I know what it’s like to need a relieving distraction.

Idia: A distraction?!

Malleus: Hm? Like taking in the scenery, getting a feel for the atmosphere. Losing yourself in thought helps you relax.

Idia: Relax?! I’m overwhelmed with anxiety over here!

Malleus: Is that so? You’d do well to enjoy yourself more.

Idia: Enjoy myself?! … the great and almighty Malleus-sama is seriously on a different level altogether.

Malleus: Hm? What was that?

Idia: Uh, ah, well… N-N-Nothing, really.

But… but I made a promise to Ortho. I promised I’d wear this and go out.

So… ahhh, but it’s too scary...!

Malleus: What’s the point in you wearing those robes in the first place?

Idia: Huh?

Malleus: Hm?

Idia: Uh. The point? …—s-s-s-so you don’t think it suits me? D-D-Do I just… look weird…?

Malleus: Well, not exactly, but I have my doubts. I suppose you could say I do find your behavior strange.

Idia: Ugh…

Malleus: Why bother promising to go out like that for something that matters so little?

Idia: It might not be a big deal to you, but for me, it’s…!

Malleus: Humans engage in their pointless matters from time to time. Not that that isn’t amusing in itself.

Idia: Pointless…

Malleus: I never meant to mock your intentions. I merely thought it very interesting.

Idia: Uh huh‥. Sure you do. Sure you do. I knew you were going to say that!

That there was no way I was capable of wearing these beautiful clothes out in public to begin with, right?!

No matter how much I struggle, I’m confirmed to be on the future route to despair with multiple bad endings. I mean, I’m basically hopeless.

S-S-Someone like me… someone like me…!

Malleus: Shroud? What’s the matter?

Idia: … Forget it! Just leave me alone!

Malleus: There he goes. What an utterly strange man.

There’s no need to wear your ceremonial robes just to “go out” on a simple stroll.

Still, today’s been rather noisy ever since this morning… Is something going on...?

Location: Mirror Chamber

(tablet) Idia: Gather here, Ignihyde students...

Riddle: Hmph. It seems that verbal assault of his was for naught, given that he never showed up. Incompetent to the very end.

I sympathize with the residents that’ll have to endure hardship thanks to their inadequate leader.

Vil: Sigh… oh, well.

Location: Ignihyde Dorm - Idia’s Room

Idia: Events that happen outside are bound to hurt me anyway, so…

I'm better off shutting out all of this world’s useless noise!!

Just like Malleus-shi, I’m different from all those humans who were born under a lucky star. How’d I manage to forget that?

...hm?

But isn’t this for the best? I mean, I realized that it was impossible before I made a huge fool out of myself in front of the entire school…

That’s right… There’s no way Ortho would want to see his older brother embarrassing himself like that. It’s better this way!

How about that. Way to go, me! I made it to the best route possible with auto-mode switched on.

And Ortho’s probably enjoying the entrance ceremony right now by himself. I mean, he was looking forward to it so much.

So this is for the better. …it has to be.