Pure Water Before Stagnant Waters -1-
The princess has a lot of worries and a lot of thoughts, so she wants to act with caution.
Even if Rohan contacts her, it won't be overnight.
It might even be after the next incident blows up.
"…."
With that prediction in mind, Rohan took in the welcome sight before him.
By the time he returned to Academy City and checked his smartphone, it was already dawn.
The streets were emptier than the cats and crows prowling them, and the trash bags left out in front of shops were being cleared away.
'Even on days off, I can use that place.'
He could've crashed hard if he'd gone straight back to the dormitory, so Rohan set his destination as the Orion Academy gym instead.
Weekends meant no academy classes or part-time shifts anyway.
'Gotta study theory when I wake up.'
With that model resolution, Rohan started walking.
Ditch the hoodie, and these were perfect workout clothes. Good thing he'd come out in something easy to move in.
And so.
He grabbed a protein drink from a convenience store and reached the gym entrance.
There was a petite girl just opening the door.
Before Rohan could say a word, the girl with her eyes closed turned toward him.
The corner of her mouth twitched up ever so slightly.
"A close call, but I beat you here today."
"You look pleased."
"Not at all. Unlike Noah, I don't get happy over things like that."
Rohan approached, feeling glad he'd come at this hour from that one little display of hers.
He swiped his student ID from behind his smartphone case, and they entered together.
"Ichinose."
"Did you call me?"
Rohan stopped Ichinose as she headed to the lockers with her bag.
He held out the box tucked under his arm.
"Want a macaron?"
It must've looked pretty random.
Ichinose lifted her eyelids to reveal her eyes.
"Carrying macarons at this hour—do you have dawn hypoglycemia or something?"
"Nah, just ended up buying them."
"Hmm…."
"It's also a bribe to look out for me."
"A bribe?"
The girl looked up from the macarons, firing a quizzical glance his way.
Rohan enjoyed even that, his voice lifting a notch.
"Gonna owe you for some theory help starting today."
Ichinose nodded, hiding her eyes again in understanding.
"If that's the case… hehe, shall I take just one, then?"
Her pale, slender fingers plucked out a single macaron.
Then she slipped it between her lips.
'Oh.'
Elegance radiated from that brief motion.
She chewed daintily on her now-vibrant lips, nodding as if intrigued.
"This… it's made purely with almond powder. I'd been bummed lately with shops upping the flour ratio for cost, but this one's done right."
"Yeah? I'm a sloppy eater, so I wouldn't know. Glad it suits your taste."
"Bought it from a good place?"
"Something like that."
A shop you couldn't buy from with money—calling it a good place wasn't wrong.
Ichinose's praise was proof enough.
"Want another?"
As Rohan offered, the girl hesitated slightly.
The other flavors must've tempted her.
"…Just one more, for real this time."
"Take 'em all."
"Ah!"
Rohan handed the whole box to Ichinose as she pondered colors.
Watching the girl he cherished eat with delight made the points well spent.
…
…
Rohan wrung every ounce of strength from his body in the gym, returned to the dorm, and passed out.
He woke in bed to evening light.
His head was foggy from how deeply he'd slept. He splashed cold water on his face, stepped outside, and let the cool breeze hit him.
"…."
Naturally, he bought a coffee and headed back to his room.
He sat at the desk piled with thick books.
Starting to study brought real pressure, but he grabbed a book anyway.
'Studying's been forever.'
Memorizing hunter intel was pretty much all the "studying" he'd done in life.
It felt daunting.
But slacking off wasn't an option.
'What'd that guy say about studying… something about whose butt sticks to the chair longest? A battle like that.'
Words from a college buddy who'd ditched a top Seoul uni for hunting. Hunters memorized plenty too.
A small comfort to start.
'Can't just guess one line on the next exam either.'
Stockpiling points for the Shop skill and prepping for crises were crucial.
But as a student in Academy City, Orion Academy life mattered just as much.
If he'd resolved to live in this world, he couldn't fixate only on the future he knew.
He had to think beyond graduation.
'All I know covers up to year two anyway.'
How short was that compared to the life ahead?
He needed specs to prove himself if he wanted to eat.
"Hoo!"
Exhaling to focus, he opened the book.
Review first, flag what didn't click.
Shuffle. Shuffle. Shuffle.
Soon enough, he hit a wall.
"…."
Lecture material, but the formula calculations? No clue.
Rohan jotted questions without hesitation and messaged them.
His phone buzzed before he even set it down.
Rohan glared at the formula, wrestled with it, then snapped a pic of his scribbles and sent.
A chubby dragon thumbs-up emoji tagged along.
Rohan grinned to himself.
'Huh, studying's kinda fun.'
Getting praised by Ichinose didn't suck.
…
…
'Ah….'
Blink, and he was at the Flower Lily Bookstore, apron on, at the register with the owner.
Saturday and Sunday blurred into training and studying, like a thief stole the time.
Weekday classes flew by, packed with intriguing stuff.
Add part-time work, and boom—Thursday already.
"Rohan."
"Yeah."
As he stood watch, the owner's call turned his head.
His face glowed, probably from fun grandpa time with his grandson yesterday.
"Orion Academy means tons of studying, right? Exams coming up soon too."
"Not right on top of us… Heard mid-April for tests. Ah! But I'll keep the part-time going."
"Heh heh, thanks for that, but that's not the point."
Rohan listened closely.
The owner eyed the empty shelves, speaking softly.
"We've got steady regulars, but late nights are quiet. Barely any customers."
"…."
True, customers were sparse.
Still, agreeing as a part-timer felt off.
"Serve 'em well when they come, but relax at the register otherwise. No need to stand so stiff."
Rohan nodded his thanks, and the owner pointed to the interview spot.
"Table there too—study after tasks if you want."
"…Thank you!"
Rohan bowed without refusing.
His schedule was packed; this was great news.
"Can't pay talent like you much, so gotta throw in perks."
"Not that great, but thanks for seeing it that way."
"My son was shocked I hired an Orion Academy student for part-time."
The chat flowed naturally.
Rohan listened to grandpa-grandson tales, reacting aptly.
Minding the register with nods and smiles, he checked the wall clock.
And told the owner.
"Boss, I'll lock up tonight starting today. Head home first."
"Hm?"
"Gotta learn to handle it solo sometime, right?"
"True enough. Nothing tough… Mind if I leave it to you?"
The owner had hired him to get home before his grandson slept.
Tempting offer.
"Call if anything comes up closing."
"Appreciate it," and the owner left quick.
'Nice.'
Just Rohan and Clara, quietly browsing low shelves in the silent store.
Rohan kicked off the game like last time.
— Company Wave!
Volume still low.
Deliberately wrecked his dorm-honed formations and combos.
— Uh, gotta complete the mission somehow….
Fail after fail.
Top it with a murmur.
"Hmm… maybe I should quit."
Pocket the phone, stand to close up.
Clara was out of sight today.
But days of this? Her reaction was crystal clear.
'How long till she cracks.'
As Rohan mopped like he'd lost game interest, a voice piped from behind.
"Um… excuse me!"
"Yes?"
Clara was watching.
He'd figured a month; way faster.
Rohan locked his smile, asked flatly.
"Checkout?"
"N-no! Not that…."
"Looking for something?"
Clara shook her head.
Rohan stared; she fidgeted, spoke soft.
"That… Company Wave…."
"This?"
Rohan pulled his phone from his pocket; Clara nodded cautiously.
Five seconds of silence.
Hesitant Clara finally blurted.
"Th-that's not how you play it…!"