The Monday Clara Has Been Waiting For
Sunday evening. I'd convinced myself Sion wouldn't call again.
It was right around the time I'd unwrapped my bandages and finished reviewing theory.
Having put the final period on my studies, I was in the middle of texting Clara back.
Vrrr—!
"Hm?"
A vibration rang out, along with a new message.
Rohan blinked at the content.
That was how I first learned about it—from Ichinose's message.
When I asked what was up, she replied that there was no need to play dumb.
Just as I was about to press her for more details, my phone rang. It was Gilbert.
"My comrade! Nay, thou iron fist of justice! So terrifyingly righteous art thouuuu!!!"
"..."
His scream nearly burst my eardrums, so I hung up immediately.
After that, I checked the internet article Ichinose had sent, and it all made sense.
'Already?'
I scrolled through the articles.
It had only happened a day ago, and it was the weekend—yet even the dean's statement was out. Incredible.
It wasn't that Elysium's security bureau was always this efficient. Probably because Juyeon, the former Samhwa Nation grand general, had shown her face personally.
"..."
So this feeling of my name popping up all over the internet—what was it? Ticklish, maybe.
I'd never been front-page news even back in my hunter days.
Soon Clara must've seen it while gaming. She screenshotted the related articles and sent them over.
Of course not.
The articles had my name and the ID photo from my cadet badge, but it wasn't that big a deal.
Still, I didn't mind Clara's reaction.
'She's so damn cute.'
Propping my chin, I savored her bubbly messages.
The girl's fussing was fun and fresh. Seeing someone close's name online had her all excited, and even through text, it came off as adorable.
I asked if next time something like this happened, it'd be okay if her name was in the article too.
Clara didn't flat-out refuse. She agonized over it a bit, said she'd think about it—and that satisfied me.
Sunday passed, and Monday arrived.
I had no choice about starting my part-time job today, but Juyeon had advised holding off on training, so I planned to listen.
After a good night's sleep, I arrived at Orion Academy.
"..."
Before opening Class 1's door, I steeled myself.
Yesterday's encounter with Gilbert had me picturing it already. Face-to-face, who knew how much he'd freak out.
I recalled Juyeon's order, too—something about this unavoidable future.
She'd told me to keep Gilbert from bellowing.
"Whew."
"Doing good deeds and sighing about it? Why?"
The voice came as I finished psyching myself up and reached for the door.
Turning, I saw Dick Wikitree approaching, pushing up his glasses with one finger.
"Hey. You're here."
"First guy I've seen who's friends with Gilbert, survived the controversies and incidents, and still gets this kind of evaluation. Unusual."
Still saying whatever's on his mind.
But I'd spent enough time in class to learn how to handle this glasses nerd.
"You're friends with Gilbert too. Closer than me—what's your deal?"
"...Fact check: Gilbert and I aren't at 'friends' level. It's an unavoidable bad connection."
Super effective.
Stepping aside from the front door of Class 1, I called out to the muttering Dick.
"Hey. Got a job for you. Help me out."
"What? Asking for the wisdom of Dick Wikitree himself."
I gave him the short version of what'd happen once we entered.
Dick reacted like he'd foreseen the future in a vision.
"Indeed. Instructor Juyeon has such insight—she foresaw Gilbert's shameless antics. That throat of his is noise pollution at best."
"I didn't say it that bad... Anyway, we going in?"
"Stop. Got a few solutions in mind. Best to plan strategy first."
"Like what?"
"First solution: Call Gilbert's big sis. Most reliable, but impossible."
"No time-wasters. Viable ones only."
Dick cleared his throat awkwardly, fiddling with his glasses.
I knew if I let him ramble, it'd go on forever.
"...Solution sixteen: Physically shut his mouth."
He rummaged in his bag and pulled something out with a rustle.
"Bread?"
"Bought it last Friday, forgot about it. Still good expiration. Even if moldy, the guy's survived on swamp cores, so probably fine."
"Stuff his mouth with this?"
"Simple and brilliant, right? Matches his patterns."
I pictured it for a second.
'Gilbert shoves his mug right in your face the second the door opens. Mouth smack in the center.'
Dick wasn't just spouting nonsense—solid reasoning.
Not bad. I was about to approve when someone poked my back.
Turning, I saw Noah Frozenheart emerging from the back door, tail swishing with interest.
"You two not going in? What's the chat?"
"Oh, early bird?"
I greeted her casually, said it was nothing. Her tail tip poked my arm.
"Heard from Nose yesterday—you did something good?"
"Got lucky."
"..."
Dick clammed up at the sight of Noah. Whole body tense.
Turned out this guy couldn't communicate normally with girls. When he tried, he got stiff and said weird shit.
"Gilbert inside?"
"Yeah. Pacing front to back door. Like a defense golem."
"Hm. No idea why?"
"Asked him—he spouted his usual nonsense. Something about waiting to praise the iron fist that punishes evil?"
"..."
Sounded worse than expected.
I pulled an unopened high-protein jerky from my bag. Noah's eyes sparkled like stars.
"Noah."
"Yeah!"
"Jerky for you if you freeze Gilbert's mouth."
"Why? Instructor might scold you!"
"Well, actually..."
Once she got it, Noah moved fast.
I'd only asked to freeze his mouth, but Gilbert ended up a giant ice block.
The man inside was freed only when Juyeon arrived.
For Clara, this Sunday felt longer than all of Monday and Saturday combined.
Her routine hadn't changed weekdays or weekends, but now that she was close to Rohan, this was the first day they hadn't met.
Even manually playing a game she could usually auto had her feeling like the sun was still up.
Her sense of time was off.
Like floating aimlessly in space.
Slide—.
"..."
Monday morning. Clara opened the window to Rohan's dorm.
She'd texted him and gotten permission, so it was fine.
'Oppa's room!'
The girl leisurely looked around, more relaxed than when they'd eaten together.
Then she crept toward the bed.
Just looking made her swallow hard.
She wanted to dive in, but reason held her back—at least shower first.
To shower, Clara stripped and piled her clothes on the bed.
Before washing, she spotted Rohan's laundry in the hamper.
"Ah..."
Her mind raced with ideas instantly.
She didn't know how long she stood there, but she fought the impulse somehow.
Finally, she washed off with warm water for the first time in ages.
Cleaned up, slipped on underwear. Her feet headed straight for the bed.
"..."
No one watching. Still, Clara checked around a few times before lying down.
In her undies, she hugged the blanket and buried her face.
"Mmm... Heehee..."
Rohan's scent wafted from the bedding. The faint smell she could only catch from afar hit strong now.
This aroma had a mysterious calming effect.
She could wait till afternoon like this, then head to the bookstore to see him.
'Oh! Should I do Oppa's laundry too?'
Doing housework without being asked—didn't that feel good in that anime she watched?
Decision made, her thighs clenched the blanket tight. Her butt wiggled in excitement at the thought of praise.
How long had she lain there, dazed by his lingering scent without sleeping?
"?"
Clara sensed a presence climbing the dormitory wall.