The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 97: I Just Wanted to Work Out, Not Survive a Love War [1]

"Where are you going?"

Nora’s voice cut through the air like a whip.

I froze mid-step.

She didn’t even look at me when she said it—and somehow, that made it feel even heavier. Like she didn’t need to look. Like she already knew I was trying to escape.

"...It’s not over yet," Violet added, still facing forward.

I sighed. Quietly. Deeply. The kind of sigh that comes from a soul craving peace and getting dragged into drama again.

I turned around, defeated, and dragged myself back to where the two of them were standing—where tension practically crackled between them.

Apparently, sainthood was going to have to wait.

Why is it impossible to do anything in peace in this world?

I tried to keep my voice steady, calm—saint-like, maybe. "What is it?" novelbuddy.cσ๓

Nora and Violet glanced at each other. Not with curiosity, but with the kind of fire you see in two boxers just before the bell rings.

Then they turned back to me. Their gazes locked on, sharp and unwavering.

It felt like they were about to interrogate me for a war crime.

"I’ve always wanted to ask you something," Violet began, folding her arms. "As far as I know, Leo doesn’t go out of his way to invite people to his team. He invited you. Do you know how rare that is? Anyone else would’ve cried tears of joy."

She narrowed her eyes.

"But you rejected him. Just like that. Why?"

I opened my mouth.

"W-Well... I mean, you see..."

Damn it. Why did words have to fail me now?

But before I could string anything together, Nora jumped in.

"Obviously, it’s because he’s joining Ryen’s team," she said flatly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Violet shot her a glare sharp enough to slice steel, then turned that intense stare back toward me.

"I know that’s not the reason," she said slowly. "And don’t give me some half-hearted line like, ’I still haven’t decided yet.’"

She stepped a little closer.

"Leo doesn’t make mistakes. If he said you have potential, then you do. Period."

Doesn’t make mistakes? What is he—some kind of god?

Of course, I didn’t say that out loud. I value my life.

Then Nora took her turn again, tilting her head slightly.

"Ryen seems to like you," she said, eyes narrowing. "I don’t really like that, but I can admit—you’re more perceptive than most people."

Their eyes, once locked on me, now snapped back to each other like magnets with opposing charges.

Great.

I was standing between a human inferno and a blizzard queen.

This was no longer a conversation. It was a showdown. And I was the unwilling referee.

I forced a smile and mentally screamed into the void.

Hey, Ryen? Leo?

You guys going to take care of your... pets anytime soon?

Because I’m really not getting paid enough for this.

I took a tiny, barely noticeable step back—like maybe, just maybe, they’d forget I was standing here.

Spoiler: they didn’t.

"Anyway," Violet said, folding her arms tighter across her chest, "you still haven’t answered my question. Why reject Leo’s offer? That’s not something people do lightly."

Before I could even open my mouth to fake a cough or faint on the spot, Nora cut in again.

"Why are you acting like Leo is the center of the universe? He’s talented, sure. But he’s not some divine blessing you pray to at night."

"Oh, please. This isn’t about worship—this is about logic. You’d understand if you weren’t always following around Ryen like a lost puppy in love."

"...What did you just say?"

Oh no.

I stepped back again.

Still no luck.

Their eyes locked again—now not just fiery, but murderous. If this were an RPG, I was the low-level villager watching two raid bosses about to destroy the town square.

Nora crossed her arms and leaned in. "Say that again. Slowly. So I can enjoy how wrong you are."

Violet didn’t flinch. "You’re obsessed with him. Everyone sees it. You act like you’re guarding some holy treasure, but honestly? You’re just another clingy admirer."

Ding-ding! Round One is underway, folks!

Look’s like they’re going to fight again!

Ugh! And only few minutes ago they made up with each other.

It’s true, I guess. They would fight each other even with smallest things.

...Just like now.

But I can’t let them continue to fight

I cleared my throat.

"Okay, ladies, I think maybe we’re going a little off-topic—"

"I’m not obsessed with Ryen!" Nora snapped, finally looking at me again, her eyes blazing.

"Right, because showing up wherever he goes, defending him before he even talks, and trying to fight anyone who breathes near him is just normal friend behavior," Violet muttered.

"Excuse me? At least I’m not still bitter that Leo picked someone else to be his partner!"

"...I’m not bitter."

"You sound bitter."

"I’m not—!"

"Okay!" I clapped my hands together so hard I startled myself. "Let’s all take a breath and maybe... I don’t know, not rip each other apart over which golden boy I didn’t choose?"

They both looked at me like I’d just suggested they hug it out.

I gave them the most neutral smile I could muster. "Besides, who says I’ve picked a side yet?"

"Wait, so you haven’t chosen Ryen?" Violet asked, eyes narrowing.

"You’re not with Leo either, right?" Nora followed up, squinting suspiciously.

"Uhh..."

Nice going, Rin. Now they’re both looking at you like you just betrayed them personally.

I took another deep breath, summoned the tiniest shred of courage I had left, and said, "I’m just a guy who wants to do some cardio and lift a dumbbell or two. Can we put the dramatic anime rivalry on hold for like... twenty minutes?"

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then, to my surprise, Nora snorted. "Fine. But I’m timing your workout."

Violet rolled her eyes. "You have ten minutes. Then we’re resuming this."

I nodded quickly and shuffled away like a prisoner given temporary parole.

As I picked up a dumbbell, I muttered to myself, "Yeah, no. I’m not a saint. I’m a damn miracle for putting up with this."