The Gradually Changing Evening Roll Call
A soft yet scorching something brushes against my cheek. The first sensation is softness, accompanied by a bouncy elasticity greater than Sofia's lips. But as if to scold such an impertinent thought, what follows the gentle touch is—
—Hwaaaah……!!
“H-Hot……?!”
It was a burning sensation so intense it left my skin tingling. Like having my cheek seared with a hot iron. Or perhaps the feeling of furiously scratching at a bug bite? For a moment I thought Raylin had breathed fire right onto my face. At least I hadn't suffered burns bad enough to blister—that was a relief.
“Heheheh-♪ Even the way you get flustered is exactly the same as back then……?”
Raylin hangs off my shoulder and grins. She looks at my startled face and laughs playfully. Yet it isn't a mocking laugh. There isn't a trace of malice in it—only pure, genuine amusement. It was the smile of someone who had finally reunited with a long-lost lover or family member.
Raylin kept staring at my face with unfocused eyes. She was probably remembering the white puppy she used to call by that name.
Ha? Just a light brush of the lips and it's already swollen like this?
More importantly, my cheek feels ready to burst. It's been throbbing nonstop and it's driving me crazy. From that single, fleeting touch, the right side of my face has puffed up bright red. It looks like I've been stung by a bee. The swelling is so bad I can see it without a mirror. The pain has already numbed into a dull ache, leaving the swollen area strangely insensitive. The tingling heat from the spices on Raylin's lips must have transferred over. Thank goodness our lips didn't actually meet. If we'd kissed, things would have gotten out of hand—my airway might have swollen shut entirely.
Phew, at least it's just my cheek that's swollen. If I'd tasted even a little of that mapo tofu earlier, I'd have been in real trouble.
The pain has subsided, but my cheek still burns. It's more of a raw, stinging sensation than an actual burn.
“Whitey, Whitey…? I really missed you so much……”
Raylin's condition was far more serious. She still hadn't come to her senses. Slurring like a drunk, she gazed at me with hazy eyes.
“Heehee… Heheh-♡”
For some reason she was staring at me with a look that screamed she found me unbearably adorable. If I wasn't careful, I was going to get another round of sun-hot kisses.
“…This won't do, Ramji. I'll be taking the young lady with me now.”
“R-Right…! Thanks for everything! I learned a lot thanks to you-!”
I quickly decided to escort Raylin back to the dormitory.
“Yeah, you worked hard too.”
“Next time, I'll be the one teaching you…!”
“Ah, sure. If you need help again, come find me next time. I'll probably be busy from now on.”
Ramji came out to meet us and helped support Raylin. He kept thanking me over and over, asking me to help again in the future. After exchanging farewells, I left the dining hall with Raylin leaning on me.
—Thud, thud…!
Even though she looked slender, Raylin's body was surprisingly heavy. Maybe it was all that muscle.
“Young lady? It's almost roll-call time. Can you walk on your own?”
“Hohwaa…? O-Of course…! But walking while stuck to Whitey feels way better~?!”
Raylin was still struggling with the lingering spiciness. Her tongue seemed as loose as her eyes—she looked completely intoxicated.
—Squeeze…!
Before I could finish the thought, her arm around my shoulder yanked me closer. It was the posture of a mischievous older sister playfully showing affection to her little brother. A harmless, teasing clinginess.
“Puhah…?! P-Please don't do that! What if someone sees us like this?”
Because of her revealing outfit, my face ended up pressed directly against the bare skin of her chest. Her body was still hot from the mapo tofu, and the soft sensation enveloped me completely. I could hear her heartbeat pounding right against my ear. If we stayed like this any longer, I was going to suffocate.
“Khh-? S-Stop……!”
“Tch…! Fine, fine! A big sister can get a little clingy when she's in a good mood, can't she……?”
The mapo-tofu-drunk girl finally loosened her grip. My face was freed from her chest and cool air rushed in. Strangely, I didn't feel relieved. I'd been so flustered by the one-sided skinship, yet now that I was free, a faint sense of disappointment lingered—even though I'd nearly suffocated moments ago.
—Stomp, stomp, stomp…!
Paying no attention to my protests, Raylin staggered ahead on her own. She seemed sulky that I'd asked to be let go and was now walking by herself. She was still wobbling, but she looked steadier than before. Though unsteady, she was managing to move forward. The effects of the mapo tofu must finally be wearing off.
“Miss Raylin? Are you sure you can make it on your own?”
“Hmph, no need to worry about me~! I'll head in first!”
“But—”
“No, it's fine-! If we go in together looking like this, weird rumors might start. I'm going on ahead~!”
Without looking back, Raylin waved me off cheerfully and continued toward the dormitory, humming to herself. From behind, she looked like a tipsy breadwinner returning home after a drinking party.
“Whew, I finally feel like I can breathe again.”
At least everything had worked out. The second condition-based rapport had gone smoothly, and Raylin was safe. Another long day was finally coming to an end. Well, not quite—roll call was still left. I should finish it quickly and get some proper sleep.
Today was both long and short at the same time.
I waited until Raylin disappeared from sight, then scratched my still-tingling cheek and slowly headed into the dormitory.
—Kyaa, kyaa-kyaa♬
—Teacher Breeder, hellooo…!
The first floor was, as always, filled with bright laughter. The academy life seemed so exciting for them—I couldn't help feeling a little envious.
“Young ladies, it's time to prepare for roll call.”
I greeted the little girls lightly while making my way to the night-duty room, one hand still covering my right cheek.
—Click!
The timing was perfect—five minutes before roll call.
Huh? Come to think of it, the swelling went down faster than I expected.
Checking my reflection in a hand mirror while getting ready, my face looked surprisingly normal. The cheek that had been so puffy earlier had mostly deflated. The only problem was the vivid lipstick mark still stamped on it—like a clear kiss mark left by Raylin's plump lips. At this rate, it looked like I'd been marked.
What the heck is this……
For now, I'd just cover it with a bandage. No need to let the girls see it and start spreading strange rumors.
[Drrrrrrrring—!!!]
With the bandage over my cheek, I rang the bell and stepped out for roll call.
“First-year evening roll call headcount…! Total of 10 students! No absences!”
Tina recited the report with her usual strict military precision. First-year roll call really was the easiest duty in the academy.
“Good. We'll keep it brief today. Please stand by.”
I planned to make tonight's roll call short. I really just wanted to rest.
“Yes…! By the way, Teacher Breeder?”
“Hm? What is it, Tina?”
I was about to head upstairs when Tina called me back.
“Um, is there no snack today……?”
“A snack?”
“Yes-! Derke said she'd bring one today too……”
Tina hesitated before speaking up carefully.
“Ah, unfortunately, given what the third-years said yesterday, we'll have to hold off for a while. I'll make sure to bring something delicious again when the opportunity arises.”
“Aww, okay…!!”
Tina answered with a slightly disappointed expression. If I kept being too generous, they'd start treating it as a right. I needed to set boundaries before that happened. I also had to consider the upperclassmen's feelings.
—Step, step, step…!
After that, I headed straight to the second floor.
“Second-year reporting in.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Total of 15 students. No absences. If you have any announcements, please let us know.”
The moment I stepped onto the second floor, Sonya greeted me. She used to be completely emotionless, but today was different. She seemed noticeably more polite. Her tone was still cool, but the change was obvious. The effect of Raylin's earlier rampage must have been significant—especially since all the second-years were lined up properly in front of the dorm.
Behind Sonya, I could see Eros. She was peeking at me and snickering with a somewhat arrogant, teasing expression. It felt like she was silently mocking me: “A grown adult getting hurt like that… You're such a pushover♡ Stop staring at me like that. It's gross-♡”
“You all worked hard yesterday, so we'll keep it short today as well. Please stand by.”
Normally I would have inspected the dorm thoroughly, but tonight I just wanted to finish quickly and rest.
“Um… Teacher Breeder?”
“Yes? What is it?”
Once again, the class representative stopped me. Why was everyone acting so strangely today? These girls usually didn't pay me any attention.
“Your… cheek. How did you get hurt?”
“Pardon?”
“I-It's not that I care or anything…! I was just curious, that's all…! D-Don't misunderstand……!”
Sonya asked after my well-being with a prim expression. The third-years' direct involvement really was effective. Her personality seemed to have changed quite a bit in just one day. Her face was flushed red—she must have found it difficult to do something she wasn't used to. There was really no need for her to force herself like this……
“Thank you for your concern, but it's really nothing serious. Now, please stand by.”
But what did it matter to me? Just because she was being friendly now didn't mean I had to respond in kind.
“Hah…? Th-That's……”
When I responded coldly instead, I heard Sonya's flustered voice from behind. Even so, I didn't look back and continued up to the third floor.
Good. Let's finish the third- and fourth-years just as quickly.
As long as Tiana didn't pick a fight, it would be over in no time—
“…Hm?”
When I reached the third floor aiming for a fast finish, I couldn't help but be surprised. And for good reason……
“Welcome. We have quite a lot to report today.”
“……?”
Instead of the usual third-year representative Tiana, another girl was waiting for me. And from the way she spoke and looked at me, it was clear she had been waiting anxiously.