Event Story – Escape The Prison, ch.21

[kozvme]

 

ー A few days later.

Jay: Good work, Gray. You did your best today, too.

Gray: T- Thank you very much... Jay-san...

Jay: You look like you're in quite a good shape. Compared to last week, I can feel growth in each of your steps.

Gray: Re... Really...?

Jay: Yeah. There seems to still be hesitation and fear, but rather than saying you've become a bit more decisive... I can now feel your will to fight.
That and... a little bird told me you came out to your classmates?
About your current situation...

Gray: Eh!? Ja- Jay-san... Who did you hear that from...?

Jay: Mh? A little b- bird, a little bird~...
A bird that'll tell you many things if you give him candies or coins...

Gray: Bi- Billy-kun...

Jay: Ah, haha... Don't hold anything against him, okay? I was being unreasonable and found out about it.
I was really surprised to hear that, though. Coming out bothered you quite a lot.

Gray: ... That's right. I'm quite surprised... myself.
My classmates... when we pass each other in the hallway or simply get on the elevator together, they cheerfully talk to me...
They're all good kids, so... I've always thought I had to be honest with them...
I'm bad at talking in front of a lot of p- people to the point I might faint... I thought they would look coldly on me or harp on me...
I was really scared... I felt conflicted until just before it happened...
Recently, uhm... something happened that gave me courage...

Jay: Oh?

Gray: ... I still don't know if I can stay in HELIOS, but
I want to pursue what I deem is "justice" properly.



Jay: Gray...
I see, so you had some kind of change of mind. I won't ask you for details, but it's definitely a very good change.
I don't think your idea of "justice" is wrong; psychologically speaking it seems you have acquired a bit of "power".
Keep going at this pace, Gray.
Take advantage of this chance during the next LOM. With your own hands.

Gray: ......!

Jay: Oops... Have I put too much pressure on you?

Gray: N- No... that's not it... I will do my b- best...!

Jay: Yup yup, I'm rooting for you.
... I had a very good sweat today. I'm going to hit the shower now, what about you, Gray? 

Gray: Ah... I- I... will stay a bit longer, I think...

Jay: Ooh, feeling like you still haven't trained enough?
I'd like to stay with you, but I have a meeting scheduled after this... What to do...

Gray: I'll be fine by m- myself...!
I simply want to review what I've learned today and check my movements, so...

Jay: That so?
How thoughtful of you. Alright, work hard, but don't push yourself too much!

Gray: Yes......! T- Thank you very much...!

... I was told that I'm not wrong.
A- Alright...! The next LOM is around the corner, so let's do our best...!

Asch: Oi, Geek.

Gray: !!!!???

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