[28 — Dear Diary (2)]

Dear Diary, I know I've been a little absent, and I haven't written nearly as much as I should, but unfortunately, I didn't have a choice. It seems Destroyer-sama may have discovered your existence.

One night, while I was folding clothes and restocking our bandages, Destroyer-sama barged into my room.

I thought it was odd that he didn't knock and even peeked under the bed to make sure Sera wasn't there.

My heart skipped a beat, thinking maybe he had something important to tell me. But the smug look on his face was the same as always, so I knew it couldn't be anything serious. (His antics are so constant that they hardly surprise me anymore.)

I went on with my tasks as if nothing had happened, but then I realized something was off: even if it wasn't serious, it wasn't natural for Destroyer-sama to enter my room and act like that. (Honestly, the look in his eyes was very suspicious.)

I didn't even have time to think.

Destroyer-sama acted before I could ask a single question.

He grabbed one of the bed sheets, spread it on the floor, then stepped back and braced one foot against the door. (I know I should've said something, but I was frozen in shock.)

It was obvious he was plotting something, and that whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Still, part of me wanted to know what he was up to.

As if answering my curiosity, he suddenly sprinted across the room with his hands behind his back and dove onto the sheet, sliding across the floor while yelling something I couldn't understand. (Even if I had understood it, I wouldn't dare repeat it.)

So far, so normal. Just Destroyer-sama being himself. But what really frightened me came right after.

He jumped back to his feet like nothing had happened, folded the sheet again, and stared straight at me. Right into my eyes, like he wanted to say something but was hesitating. Instead, he just muttered to himself for several minutes.

"W-what is it, Destroyer-sama?" I asked, immediately regretting it.

"I see… so you do have a diary, Miss Ruru…"

Every muscle in my body froze.

What were his sources? How did he reach that conclusion? I wanted to ask, but I remembered one of his golden rules: when cornered, act natural.

"D-diary? W-why would you think that, D-Destroyer-sama?" I forced myself to stay calm.

"Tch… so I was right. Thanks, Ruru. Now I know this really works."

And just like that, he left.

"..."

I guess my acting failed…

Which is exactly why I had to change your hiding place. (I don't know how he found out, but as long as he doesn't get his hands on you, things should be fine.)

Putting that aside, this week had its fun moments.

Of course, I had to provoke Destroyer-sama a little to make it happen, but it was wonderful watching him and Sera play chess together. (It's impressive how similar those two are.)

Even if he won't admit it, I can tell Destroyer-sama is really putting effort into teaching her properly. That's a relief, because whenever I see him alone in his room, I can't help but worry.

I'm afraid he feels pressured about this whole 'cure' business and will end up frustrated when we make no progress. (Though I still don't understand why it matters so much to him.)

He's definitely hiding something, but I don't dare to pry. I know he'd never do anything with bad intentions, but… I'm scared he might hurt himself in the process. (Not that I could stop him, anyway. I know how stubborn he is, and I can already imagine what he'd say.)

Either way, it doesn't matter. Whether it's Blesson or anywhere beyond Lisarya, I'll follow Destroyer-sama wherever he goes. After all, I am the 'Rule of Thunder,' his sword, until the very end.

Creaaak!

I heard the door open and quickly hid my diary.

"Ruru… I've already hit triple digits in my losses," Sera mumbled, dragging her feet and counting on her fingers.

"Triple digits? That's amazing, Sera!"

"A-amazing? How is losing amazing?"

"It's not about losing, Sera. It's about you continuing to play even after defeat. That perseverance, that refusal to give up... that's what makes you strong and incredible, understand?"

I hoped that would cheer her up.

"Then since you've already lost more than two hundred times, Ruru, you must be even more incredible!"

"Ugh! Ha…ha, th-thank you, Sera."