Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Additional Traits (1)
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Academy's biggest event, the April Blue Pine Festival, was already right around the corner.
I couldn't help but feel like time had flown by, even though I hadn't done anything particularly special.
The campus was buzzing everywhere with festival preparations. Class 2-A was no exception.
Last year, our proud class had stubbornly pushed forward with the wildly unrealistic idea of a maid café, all under the banner of "going with the times."
I let out a disbelieving snort.
There had definitely been an explosion of complaints back then.
'Who would've thought we'd end up in the same mess again this year.'
So why had we once again settled on a cosplay tavern—a thoroughly MZ-generation theme—without much change from last year?
I couldn't wrap my head around it, but apparently, there was some backstory.
"In short, why should we be the only ones dressing up in those embarrassing outfits and hawking customers?!"
The one who stood up, taking the lead, was Rachel, the girl from England. Her glossy blonde hair flowed like silk, and her blue eyes sparkled like jewels.
With her textbook beauty, she was a core member of the class, unlike Kanzaki, who was also a transfer student.
Sure, Cheon So-yul and I might hog the spotlight for looks, but within the class, she was the one playing the "popular girl" role.
Her bright demeanor made her the epitome of an outgoing girl.
I lounged lazily in my chair, watching her impassioned speech from a slight distance, detached.
Her point was simple.
Basically, it was unfair that only they had to work hard while others coasted.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
Honestly, a year ago, the boys had gotten a bit of a sweet deal.
'But it's not like we could have the guys strutting around in maid outfits either...'
If it was just an excuse, I had nothing more to say, but anyway, the girls had sharpened their knives and executed Operation Water Ghost (?).
In the vote for the booth theme, they'd all piled their votes onto the cosplay tavern.
In a way, it was a cunning strategy. With the gender ratio almost fifty-fifty, it was a tactic that won before the fight even started.
"Now, gentlemen. It's your turn to don butler outfits and experience the humiliation we felt!"
Rachel propped her foot obnoxiously on the teacher's desk and spread her arms wide. The class watched, mesmerized, and started clapping as if enchanted.
One might call it a ridiculous skit, but... even I almost felt like joining in, watching her triumphant pose.
I snapped out of it with a belated "huh" and stealthily lowered my hand, then pretended to be busy by packing my bag.
No point arguing over a done deal. I'd just take any role and be done with it, so I could tune it out for now.
'What I should really be thinking about is something else.'
With the Blue Pine Festival looming and the chairman assigning me a task under his authority, I needed to start preparing.
It was an event tournament gathering the top two from each year—eight in total.
Whether I'd make it to the finals or not was beside the point; my first opponent was none other than Cheon So-yul.
Even if one of us reached the finals, I'd get the Brain Phantom Pill and Public Clarity Oil from Yang Chan-ho, but...
Still, for this one spar, I wanted to do it right.
More honestly, I wanted to settle the score this year too.
Over the past year, my relationship with Cheon So-yul had been a rollercoaster of ups and downs.
Entrance exams: her landslide victory.
Overall evaluations: my edge.
Arena rankings: my win.
But ultimately, the final victory was hers.
In the end, she'd held onto the top spot at semester's end and scored a touchdown, which badly bruised my pride.
'At this point, I need to beat her at least once, somehow. Really, somehow.'
I stared straight ahead with cold, sunken eyes. The blackboard was in view, but my mind pictured victory.
First-years and third-years were unknowns, but for fourth-years, it was obvious one of the Lead Discipline Officer or Student Council President would reach semis or finals.
Regrettably, my skills were clearly 10-20% behind Yoo Seong-hyun or Cheon Woo-hyuk.
I might hold my own in a fight, but a sure win was hard to guarantee.
In that sense, my goal was solely Cheon So-yul.
From the start, only her...
Because that's the promise.
'Hm.'
It wasn't exactly a promise, but anyway, I nodded seriously and stood up.
Time to head out for today.
Even without the tournament, I couldn't ignore the class booth entirely, and Yang Chan-ho's personal tip about an "ambush" lingered in my mind.
With the sense that this Blue Pine Festival would require more attention than last year's, I slung my bag over my shoulder.
"Doing well?"
The next instant, someone approached and poked my nape with a cold hand.
My legs buckled instantly, and I slumped back into the chair.
Thud! The unexpected impact made my hip throb. I turned around with a baffled frown.
"Hehe."
There stood Kanzaki, covering her mouth with a demure chuckle.
I glared up at her coldly, my lips twitching.
"What the hell was that...?"
Was she picking a fight? Dumbfounded, I asked her purpose.
What could be so important she'd use succubus magic?
My legs trembled, but my lower body heated up too. I gritted my teeth, spreading chill through my body and circulating it slowly.
It wasn't much help... but at least it prevented the disaster of not standing in the middle of class.
I stared at her wide-eyed, and she looked down, tapping her head apologetically.
"Oopsie."
Growing more baffled, I asked.
"...What situation is that even?"
"Hm."
Kanzaki dramatically shifted to a serious expression, stroking her chin.
"You don't know? It's a famous pose."
"Your country's culture?"
"It's practically the privilege of cute, beautiful girls."
Normally, I'd snap at her nonsense, but I lacked the energy now. Her bewitching aura kept stimulating me.
I let my shoulders slump and sighed deeply.
"Fine, fine. Miss Rie. Enough pranks—I'm busy, so could you lift this spell? Gotta go."
I said it as softly and kindly as possible.
Kanzaki tilted her head.
"Busy? Call me Kanzaki. What's with Rie? Rude."
"...Didn't you ask me to call you Rie once?"
"That was in bed."
She scoffed and demanded correction. Her eyes held the usual mild contempt.
Never seen someone switch attitudes so seamlessly. Muttering inwardly, I nodded.
"If that's what you want."
Then I gave a light threat.
"From now on, I'll call you Kanzaki every time, no exceptions. No complaints?"
"..."
Kanzaki froze, a flicker of panic crossing her face before she hid it.
Knowing I'd hit her weak spot, I smirked faintly.
"Three seconds. Decide. 3, 2, 1..."
"W-wait. This isn't fair."
"0, time's up—"
"Ugh, why over a joke?!"
She smacked my shoulder.
Strength returned to my body.
Hm, spell's definitely lifted.
I gave her a thumbs-up.
"Good job."
She flinched, displeased.
"...Pervert."
"Not wrong, but I don't wanna hear it from you."
I brushed off her quip and finally stood to prepare to leave.
Then Kanzaki grabbed me.
"Wait."
I shot her an exasperated look.
"What now. Stop clinging. Need essence or something? Already used up?"
"Huh?"
Her face twisted too.
Followed by an uncomfortable cough.
"Not that. Just... as vice class rep, relaying info."
She'd stuttered a bit at first, but distinguished business from personal, speaking formally.
"Buy a butler outfit."
"?"
But now it wasn't business.
"Right?"
"Gasp."
I inhaled sharply. Another mind-reader. The world's full of them.
Kanzaki eyed the desk with disbelief. I followed her gaze.
There, Rachel stared at us desperately.
"It's settled with So-yul too. For this Blue Pine Festival, you must wear the butler outfit."
"What? Why."
"Can't let you near the kitchen."
Random. I frowned back at Rachel.
Now she was on her knees, hands clasped in prayer.
I turned back. Was it a prank? But Kanzaki blocked me seriously.
This was peak absurdity. I tilted my head.
"Why exactly?"
Why would Cheon So-yul, Kanzaki—the class rep and vice rep—plus festival advisor Rachel conspire against me?
I didn't get it, but others apparently did.
"...You're not seriously asking, right?"
Kanzaki looked genuinely horrified.
Rachel, now closer, chimed in.
"I've never seen a chef as hopelessly bad as you. Hyun-jin, you in the kitchen might be an insult to France."
"..."
I gazed at her wounded. She flushed, averting her eyes guiltily.
"N-no expression changes facts. Asked for omurice, you bring omuice."
I was shocked speechless.
My limbs trembled.
"...Was what I made that inedible?"
"Felt like my palate froze solid."
Kanzaki answered, hand on cheek, sighing.
"..."
I stopped asking.
Just bolted from the classroom.
"Where you going, Hyun-jin?"
Kanzaki followed, guilty, but I waved her off.
"I'm really busy. I'll buy the outfit. Bye."
"What? That was true?"
"..."
This girl, seriously.
Keeps going.
'Who you calling a slacker.'
I raised a frosty hand threateningly.
"Watch it, or you'll be hung from the ceiling again."
"Ah."
She shut up with a yelp and scurried back at my glare.
I sighed and turned.
...I did have things to do, not a lie.
*****
"Hng..."
Ryu Se-eun, top of first-year at Blue Pine Academy and Black Heaven's adopted daughter, felt pretty good.
Nothing major.
The academy's grand tradition, Blue Pine Festival, was approaching amid the lively campus buzz, which she didn't mind...
Above all, her adoptive father had sent a brief message saying he'd visit the arena where the academy stood for the festival.
'The guy who ignores his only daughter usually—what's up with him.'
She muttered inwardly, but her lips curved slyly.
She'd always wanted some parental attention.
Their last meeting had ended with her yelling and storming out, but she knew Ryu Jin-seong's personality long ago.
Even if he just showed face briefly and left, no surprise.
Still, any interest was welcome.
Gave her reason to treat him as family.
Only nine years apart, he felt more like an older brother in a clear hierarchy than parent.
Even so, to Ryu Se-eun, Black Heaven Ryu Jin-seong was her benefactor and family.
Blood didn't matter.
He was all she had left.
She dwelled briefly on the bitterness, then forced a bright smile to steady herself.
...It'd been over ten years. Her real parents wouldn't want her suffering forever.
Come summer break, she'd return to Cheorwon and visit the graves he'd prepared. With that, she slapped her cheeks—chap chap!
Snapped out of the gloom quickly.
Anyway, her destination wasn't for sullen faces.
Not beaming, but a prim expression at least.
Composed, she stood before a door.
Swallowed. Gulp!
'Waited forever, no contact—then calls right when I'm down.'
A bit hurtful to her pride, but what could she do?
Knock knock.
She knocked lightly, tense. Twice.
"S-sunbae...?"
Using her mage's faint sense, she peeked beyond. A figure moved.
Definitely him. Her heart pounded wildly.
The door flew open!
"You're here."
Lee Hyun-jin appeared.
Ryu Se-eun flushed crimson.
...Still wastefully handsome. As she thought that,
He grabbed her wrist and yanked her inside.
"Eh?"
Bang!
Door shut.
"Thanks for coming. Got something to check."
Thump, thump...!
Her heart raced nonstop.
Fear? Excitement?
She didn't know, but intuition said she'd learn tonight.
She anticipated a sweet indoor date in his room.
"Hm."
Staring piercingly at her "eyes," Lee Hyun-jin chuckled oddly amused.
Not mocking, just baffled.
She tilted her head.
Brief silence.
"Hey."
As her mind filled with questions,
He commanded.
"Strip. Top and bottom."
Short words.
Clear order.
Despite comprehensibility, silence fell again in the entryway, shoes still on.
About five seconds later.
"...Whaaat?"
With the dumbest voice imaginable, Ryu Se-eun felt her brain go on strike.