Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Last Days of Vacation
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Fergus notified us that we'd be assigned to X District right after the vacation ended, then turned around and left.
He also mentioned that Han U-sol and Reisi would be coming here soon to join up with us before heading to X District together.
The holiday flew by in a frenzy.
Someone working might scoff, "What kind of nonsense is a PC cafe or crawling around?" but most people spend their vacations even busier than their daily routines.
I was no exception.
Only five days left of the seven-day break. Two days had already slipped away. Time marched on without a shred of mercy for me.
If the week ended like this and I got dragged off to X District, who knew when I'd get another break? Maybe never.
"Ugh."
I didn't want to go to X District. No way did I want to suffer in some lawless dump like that. But what could I do? When they say go, you go.
Since it had come to this, I decided to savor every last bit of my limited time. Driven by mania, I roamed far and wide.
The internet, that is.
"Pfft, classic."
I read some web novels.
"Tower gap."
Played some games I'd been putting off.
"Miku-chan, hehe."
Watched some anime for the first time in ages.
Right now, I was living the busiest days since arriving in this world.
Busy just surfing the web, sure, but even that was tough for my fragile self. Walking around outside? My legs hurt just thinking about it.
I'd worried if I could handle such a packed schedule after so long, but experience doesn't fade. My body, still remembering its past as a shut-in, executed the role flawlessly. Muscle memory, they call it.
"Anis, let's go out for a bit."
Yoon Na-rin eyed me, hunkered down in my room, with clear displeasure.
"You really not going out?"
"Mmm."
I buried my face in a cushion and mumbled. Yoon Na-rin, who'd failed multiple times to drag me outside before, just let out a soft sigh and shook her head.
Sorry, Yoon Na-rin, but I was a busy public figure in my own way. I had a mountain of anime to catch up on. Right now, even, I was set to join a formal community debate on whether Miku or Nino was the main wife.
Yoon Na-rin eventually gave up and plopped down on the sofa to watch TV.
How much time passed like that? Glancing at the analog clock on the wall, it was already 10 p.m. Yoon Na-rin spoke up again.
"Anis."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna take a quick walk?"
I pondered for a second, then nodded. Even I needed some fresh air after a full day of otaku-ing; I was starting to feel worn out.
Yoon Na-rin and I stepped outside and strolled aimlessly, no destination in mind, just going with the flow.
We stopped by a convenience store, grabbed ice creams, and wandered the park path, chatting idly with treats in our mouths.
Yoon Na-rin talked dramas and variety shows, I rambled about games and anime.
Trivial stuff, like when the kids might show up—maybe the day after tomorrow?
Our interests didn't quite align, but the conversation flowed smoothly and comfortably anyway.
"Anis."
"Yeah?"
"You okay?"
Her sudden question made me tilt my head.
"What do you mean?"
"Just... a lot of bad stuff's been happening lately."
"...Yeah."
I nodded slightly in agreement. Too much bad stuff, mostly messing with my head.
"If you've got any worries, you can tell me."
Yoon Na-rin stared straight at me as she said it. A brief silence fell over the night path where girls' murmurs had echoed softly.
Worries? I had plenty to spill if asked. I was the type who always had issues piling up. My pockets were stuffed with troubles of every color.
But what good would airing them do? Would she even believe me? That this was a world from a novel. Could I tell her about the voices in my head? No thanks to being labeled crazy.
The other worries were all pitch-black too. Ugly, indistinguishable lumps in my pockets. I couldn't even figure them out myself—how could I show anyone else?
So I swallowed the dark ones whole. Rifled through my pockets and pulled out the least damaged one—a rare red one I'd vetted as safe enough to share.
"Arsenal keeps losing. It's worrying me."
"That's your worry?"
Yoon Na-rin glared daggers. I chuckled and said to her,
"Let's head back."
"......Yeah."
Back at the office, I changed into pajamas and got ready for bed.
As I opened the door to crash, Yoon Na-rin stopped me.
"Anis. Wanna sleep together tonight?"
I froze for a second. She usually slept in the next room over—what was this about?
'Nothing weird, right?'
Guys might yell gross and get lost, but between girls, maybe it was fine. Like in Japanese anime, where they cuddle up all casual. As natural as morning greetings.
...Truth is, I'd never had a friend, so I wouldn't know.
What to do? I used to be a guy, but now I'm fully a girl. Sleeping together shouldn't be weird. Some naughty thoughts peeked out.
No, can't go there. What a pathetic mindset. Act like a gentleman—or lady. I shook my head vigorously.
"Anis?"
With no reply, Yoon Na-rin called again. Steeling myself, I answered,
"Sure? Let's sleep together tonight?"
Come to think of it, I wasn't a gentleman anymore—I was a lady.
Yoon Na-rin and I entered the room together. Tense moment.
She glanced at the bed and muttered quietly. It was littered with snack wrappers, empty soda cans, and junk.
"...On second thought, the bed's too small. Uncomfortable for two. Guess not. I'll just crash in the other room."
"Huh? Oh, okay."
"And clean up this mess! Look at these crumbs on the bed!"
"Ack!"
Yoon Na-rin flicked my forehead.
"Then, we'll be off. Thanks for everything."
"Yeah. You two heading to the outskirts before me? Impressive."
"Haha..."
"X District is pretty dangerous, so stay sharp out there."
"Got it."
Han U-sol and Reisi said their goodbyes to the office staff and stepped out. They were due for X District in three days. They could've lingered, but left early to link up with Anis and Yoon Na-rin.
"Anis has me worried."
On the bus to Building A-3, Reisi, seated next to him, confided in Han U-sol. He nodded at her words.
"Yeah. Me too."
Public opinion on Anis was sour right now. Thanks to that PC cafe photo.
Anis had always been a bit quirky, but she was diligent in her own way. Han U-sol dismissed the pic as a fake and didn't buy it.
But fake or not, the backlash was fierce. He fretted over her mental state.
To top it off, the traitor attack. Fellow heroes dead. Enough to shake anyone.
He'd called Yoon Na-rin, who said Anis had been holed up indoors lately. That spurred his early departure.
Anis wasn't picking up. He'd tried multiple times, but the calls always dropped right after connecting.
Maybe she'd shut down from deep trauma. Han U-sol chewed his lip.
"Don't overthink it. Na-rin said it's not that bad."
Han U-sol had no choice but to nod at Reisi's words. He hoped so.
After the bus, they followed Yoon Na-rin's directions to the office. She greeted them at the door.
"You made it?"
"Where's Anis?"
"Sleeping."
"I fought there too, but you're only worried about Anis?"
"Ah, no! That's not it!"
"Wow~ Love is grand."
Yoon Na-rin teased the flustered, blushing Han U-sol with pokes. Reisi cut in.
"So, how's Anis?"
"Seems like she's got something on her mind, but won't talk. Not as broken as you think, though—no need to worry."
"Good. Relieved."
"She's been reading books lately."
"Books? What kind?"
"Dunno. Borrowed from the principal."
That Anis who flunked six subjects? Mind blown... Reisi muttered.
Han U-sol wandered the office, sniffing Anis's lingering scent everywhere. Even now, a faint whiff drifted from the bedroom. Slightly musty and off-putting. Yup, she was holed up sleeping.
Yoon Na-rin and Reisi chatted on the sofa about recent happenings.
Thirsty all of a sudden, Han U-sol headed to the water cooler. Something caught his eye there.
"This...?"
A single book sat atop the cooler. Han U-sol picked it up and checked the cover.
[The Saintess's Baby-Feeding Can]
"......?"
Baby-Feeding Can. First time hearing the term. Han U-sol tilted his head, baffled.
'Like a formula tin?'
He carried the book over to Yoon Na-rin.
"Na-rin, is this the book Anis is reading?"
"Huh? Yeah, probably."
"Got it."
Han U-sol returned it to the cooler.
Looked like a novel. What genre did Anis like? Romance, maybe, with "Saintess" in the title? Saintess and hero romance. Yeah, suited her romantic image.
'...Hmm.'
Reading without permission felt rude, so he hesitated—but curiosity burned.
'...Just a peek?'
Especially, what the hell was a baby-feeding can?
Unable to resist, Han U-sol cracked it open. A quick glance couldn't hurt, he figured.
Flip. Flip. Pages turned.
"…………???"
Han U-sol's eyes shook violently.