Transmigrated as The Forgotten Extra-Chapter 95 One Step Forward, Part 01.

Cain held his breath when he saw Louise’s trembling knee give out. Louise’s body dropped to the hard floor, prompting a worried cry from Abel and the other two. He cast his gaze down, witnessing Louise’s shivering body.

Light disappeared from her green eyes, mirroring her crumbling heart. His hands clenched the weapons. He had not realized her condition would worsen this much.

But why?

To Cain, Louise had always been shy and reclusive. Although her spearmanship surpassed anyone he’d met, the Louise he knew could express herself freely with the team. And yet here she was.

What kind of trauma could make someone this fragile?

’This must have something to do with that guy.’

The grey-haired boy gritted his teeth hard. He looked over his shoulder, watching the fox senior talking with the female cadets, his soft voice even travelled into Cain’s ears from a distance.

As the fox senior flashed his troubled smile, he lifted his face and accidentally met eyes with Cain. At that moment, Cain felt a sudden chill creep down his spine. His ears started to twitch. A loud ringing buzzed in his mind, making him dizzy.

A wave of pure malice that made Cain’s skin crawl washed over him like a tidal wave. He shook his head, and the disturbance in his ears faded.

’Ha, what the hell was that? Is it my imagination? No, he is definitely hiding something!’

He took a last glance at the fox senior, then shifted his attention toward his comrade. The boy looked down, crouched before the trembling Louise.

"Louise, listen to me!"

Louise’s body flinched as she hesitantly lifted her gaze straight to face him. A silence descended around the area, thick with tension that choked their breath.

"L-Leader?"

The girl’s fearful tone turned into a blade that sliced Cain and the other three people surrounding her. Cain opened his mouth but stopped; the words stuck in his throat.

’This is bad. What should I say to her?’

Even though Cain already planned everything in his mind, and even told his other comrades what his plan was about the seniors who dared to mess with his team earlier in the corridor. However, if the main character, Louise, hadn’t dared to stand up and face her fear, there was nothing he could do to save the girl.

Cain watched the stage he had prepared begin to sway, almost on the brink of collapse, as he gulped to moisten his parched throat.

’Did I force Louise too much?’

"You’re going to be alright."

A warm voice that reminded him of summer resonated through the group. His eyes and the other turned to the source, and they watched Rika reach out toward Louise’s face, putting her palm close to Louise’s ears to block any noise from outside.

Cain saw Rika pull Louise close to her chest, embracing her tenderly like a mother to a child. The red-haired girl’s expression melted into complete affection, which made the boy gulp.

The two separated not long after, but Cain saw that something had changed during that brief exchange. Light started to gather in Louise’s jade-like eyes, and fear began to vanish from her expression.

"Rika?"

Louise’s weak voice rang, strong without any hint of hesitation. Rika flashed her grin as she lowered her hands, then pulled Louise’s cheeks.

"Fueh?"

The pain seemed to snap her fading consciousness back to the surface. Cain’s mouth hung agape; he was at a loss for words. On the other hand, Rika kept stretching her best friend’s cheeks until tears swelled in the corners of her eyes.

"Ouch, Dhat huuts~"

Rika released Louise’s cheeks, which turned red from her pinching. She tried to rub her throbbing cheeks, but Rika did it for her. Rika’s touch was gentle. The two stared at each other for a couple of seconds before Rika nodded, spreading her lips into a grin.

"Yep, I know you can do it. Don’t worry, go out there and knock out that bully with your speartips."

"Rika..."

As the two girls got absorbed into their own world, Cain stayed crouched. He turned to his sides, exchanging glances with the other two boys beside him, and sighed in relief. Seeing the light return to Louise’s eyes, the two of them couldn’t hide their joy after seeing Louise back.

"Cain?"

His body flinched upon hearing Rika calling him. The boy shifted his gaze, then watched two pairs of eyes stare intently into his. Cain coughed to clear his throat before pushing the spear in his right hand forward.

"I know my plan has probably burdened you, but..."

"Too long, make it short!"

Rika’s sharp remark cut Cain’s speech as he furrowed his brows, wondering if her sharp tongue had returned. He shoved the thought deep inside and faced the now calm Louise.

"Go, Louise! Face your past. Defeat it. Then come back stronger."

Cain stopped for a moment, letting the girl gather her resolve. Louise alternated her gaze between the spear and him. A moment later, she reached out to the spear, taking it from his hand.

"B-But, I couldn’t see myself defeating him."

He exhaled. Just when things were coming together, Louise threatened to shatter them again, expecting others to pick up the pieces. The boy muttered under his breath.

’Huff, this is getting nowhere.’

Something inside him snapped. He’d had enough of dealing with Louise’s unstable mental state. It was different when he pushed her forward to help her comrade on the battlefield; now it was more personal, deep in her core, prolonging the matter.

The boy grabbed Louise’s shoulders, gripping them hard. Then, with one push, Cain pulled the girl to her feet as her eyes widened in shock.

’I should be firm at the start. She either acts now or regrets it forever.’

"Eh?, W-What are you...?"

Without giving her time to whine, Cain stepped aside and pushed Louise away from the group. His action almost caused Louise to lose her balance, but with the help of the spear in her hand, she managed to hold her feet firm on the floor.

Louise turned her body around, wanting to say her piece.

"Leader!?"

"Go!"

However, Cain’s deep voice stopped Louise from escaping any further. Louise gasped, her eyes widened in shock when she stared at his deadpan expression, devoid of emotion. He added one last word.

"Listen, regardless of the results. This team needs you, so hurry up and get back on your feet, Louise!"

Abel walked closer and stood beside Cain; his golden eyes were emitting a halo that chased away the gloom in her heart.

"Fight, Louise. I believed in you. You are strong after all."

Her best friend, Rika, walked closer to her side. She took Louise’s arm and gave it a little squeeze.

"Go wild! Show him what you got."

"Rika..."

Louise clenched the spear shaft. From the corner of her sight, she witnessed a towering figure approach closer. His handsome face bloomed into a warm smile, igniting the small amber in her heart.

’Peter.’

She pressed her lips, whispering his name in her heart. The girl turned her gaze away toward the place where senior Adler was. He parted his lips in joy, yet it didn’t reach his eyes.

Louise averted her gaze, facing her best. She stared at her own reflection in those blazing red eyes of Rika. The girl bit her lips, squeezed back the hand that held her dear.

"...I-Im going."

Rika raised her brows, then nodded.

"Um, finish this quick! Then let’s have lunch together."

The two released their joined hands. Louise turned her back against her comrade, dragging her heavy feet toward the middle arena. Each step was laborious, as if she were chained to a huge boulder.

She stood in the middle of the arena, gazing down at the dummy spear in her hand. The girl clenched the shaft tight, biting her lips until she tasted the tangy flavor that filled her mouth.

’No! No. I have to do this.’

Screaming internally, Louise’s ears perked up when she heard approaching footsteps.

"Am I correct in assuming you want me as your opponent, Louise?"