Chapter 352: Thanks to You (Allen)

Just look forward. Do what needs to be done.

I see. So that’s how it was.

Maybe Weiss was—

"You really didn't realize that? You're as much of an idiot as ever."

"…You were the one moping around, too."

"Unlike you, I was actually thinking. I was figuring out how to secure my next Victory."

Teacher Milk is strong. Yet, she put everything she had into forcing a draw with Weiss. You could even say she prioritized securing the Victory of the match over the actual fight itself.

That kind of decisiveness is its own form of strength.

None of us Intermediate-year Students think for a second that Weiss lost.

On the contrary, rumors are swirling that he'll eventually surpass the teachers and become something truly monstrous. Probably just like Senior Eva.

"Weiss, thanks."

"…Huh?"

"Because you’re here, I can keep moving forward."

Someone much stronger than me is pushing ahead like this. In that case, there’s no way I—someone weaker—can afford to sit around feeling sorry for myself.

"Hah! If you stopped now, I’d be able to crush you with one hand before I knew it."

"Your phrasing is as charming as ever…"

"What? If you’ve got a problem, come at me with your sword."

"…Exactly what I was hoping for."

And so, we began to clash once more.

Again and again, over and over, until I finally collapsed, drenched in sweat, just as the morning sun began to rise.

Weiss called out to me as he turned to leave.

"Thanks to you, I couldn't even get my own thoughts in order."

"…There you go again, blaming me…"

"Later. You 'look-on-the-bright-side' bastard. Go on and keep being a straightforward idiot forever."

At the very end, I thought I saw the faint ghost of a smile on his face. Maybe I was just imagining things. Still, that's what it felt like.

Staring up at the blue sky, I thrust my right fist toward the heavens.

Next time, I’m definitely going to win. And I'll win against my own heart, too.

It’s fine to lose, even if it happens a thousand times. I just have to keep looking forward, no matter what.

That, right there, is where my strength lies.