Advice from a Life Senior
“By any chance... are you dating Rohan?”
“!?”
Clara’s head, which had been tilted downward, snapped up.
This was probably the first time they’d locked eyes so directly, staring straight at each other.
“I have no intention of meddling in a cadet’s love life under the pretext of being their instructor. I’m well aware it can serve as good motivation.”
“Eek...!”
Even after Juyeon said that, the unease radiating from Clara didn’t fade.
So she hurriedly added, “It’s just simple curiosity. You were with him at the bookstore, and during this incident too. You two seemed especially close.”
“D-Dating means... g-going out... right? R-R-Rohan oppa and me...?”
“That’s right. It could be interpreted other ways, but that’s what I mean.”
Finishing her words, Juyeon walked calmly to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
She returned with a glass of chilled juice, finding the girl fiddling with her hair, her face flushed red.
The juice she handed over seemed more for cooling her heated cheeks than for drinking.
“I’m n-not... d-dating oppa... or anything...”
Her denial dragged on like her ankle was caught, voice trailing. Her fingers fidgeted restlessly, her body twisting like a pretzel.
Clara’s actions were so transparent they’d convince even Juyeon, who knew nothing of romance.
A pleased smile formed on her lips.
She found herself genuinely rooting for the girl’s fresh, budding feelings.
“I see. I’ll cheer you on from afar, hoping for a good outcome.”
“...!”
“Rohan has this uncanny knack for getting tangled in incidents. It wouldn’t be wise for him to be alone outside the academy either.”
Of course, having boys and girls together in the academy dorms was against the rules.
But in these chaotic times, if an outstanding girl like Clara was at the bookstore where Rohan worked, Juyeon felt a bit more at ease.
At that response,
the girl looked awestruck.
Ah!
Juyeon thought her supportive words were nothing special.
But to the girl, they were a massive wave that washed away her hidden fears.
Sh-She’s such a great person...!
Clara’s heart soared with Juyeon’s hearty home run swing.
She clutched the received juice like a prayer between both hands.
“Clara.”
“Y-Yes...!”
“Any foods you can’t eat?”
“B-Bitter things are... tough for me.”
“Hmm, got it.”
Clara trailed after Juyeon like a duckling as she headed to the kitchen.
Seating Clara at the table, Juyeon opened the fridge to check the ingredients.
No meat.
After peeking into the veggie drawer below, Juyeon pondered.
Ingredients are sparse. If worst comes to worst, maybe order delivery.
Price didn’t matter. She just wanted them to eat well.
But even that, Juyeon hesitated over.
There was a hidden issue beneath her desire to fill their bellies.
Haa...
Part of Juyeon’s kind intent toward the two—a lingering regret.
It wasn’t purely admirable; it was laced with self-reflection and remorse.
Juyeon felt sorry toward them.
Heavy enough to call guilt.
Even if imagination and fantasy didn’t seek the other’s consent, she couldn’t deny projecting her lost little brother onto Rohan more and more.
She’d kept shaking her head, denying it.
But today, seeing Rohan return from crisis, she could no longer ignore it.
She was overcoming trauma she’d carried for so long, thanks to Rohan’s help—seeping into her unyielding flesh and spirit, beyond any medicine.
And she felt only sorry toward Clara for dragging her into these emotions.
I’m truly... unfit as an instructor.
Closing the fridge, Juyeon composed her expression.
She informed the pale girl sipping her juice delicately.
“Embarrassing as it is, I haven’t shopped lately. Is delivery for dinner okay?”
“Ah, of course... that’s fine with me...!”
“Then we’ll order when Rohan gets here. Not sure when that’ll be, though.”
Clara glanced at her smartphone at Juyeon’s words, then beamed brightly.
Her face plainly showed who she was messaging.
Juyeon smiled at the sight, waiting for her voice.
“Oppa’s just left... he’ll be here soon...!”
“Hmm, so he reports properly to you, Clara.”
The girl looked pleased at that. If she were a beastkin, her tail would be wagging, ears twitching.
It was an oddly relatable feeling.
Drip, drip—
Juyeon brewed coffee, filling the living room with its rich aroma.
She sat across from Clara with a steaming mug and notepad.
Now it was time for weightier talk, unlike their earlier chat.
“And about your immigration. Even sensitive info—I’d appreciate honest answers.”
Clara nodded clearly, as if she understood.
To Juyeon, the girl seemed less tense about this topic.
“Country of household registration?”
“Th-That’s something I haven’t told oppa yet...”
“Don’t worry. I won’t disclose your private matters without consent.”
“Thank you...!”
Her face relaxed at the firm assurance. Clara’s voice grew clearer.
Satisfied with the firmer tone, Juyeon opened her notepad.
She clicked her pen, signaling she’d take notes.
“Asking again. Country of household registration?”
“It’s... a country called Zeno.”
“You came from far away. Must’ve been tough.”
Even if Zeno was small and isolationist, Juyeon knew of its internal turmoil from rebellion.
She grasped most international situations.
Zeno couldn’t hide from the great powers’ eyes, no matter how tightly it wrapped itself.
“Any false info on your submitted documents? If so, request corrections now.”
“None...!”
“Rohan said you’re not a wanted criminal either.”
“Yes.”
Juyeon kept questioning; Clara kept answering.
The girl even shared foolish tales like selling her communicator from Zeno dirt-cheap to buy her flashy clothes, admitting her past ignorance of money’s value.
Juyeon listened earnestly, without mockery.
By the time Clara’s juice was nearly gone,
“Honestly, I have more I’d like to ask. But this covers immigration needs, so I won’t pry further.”
Juyeon’s gaze shifted to the weapon Clara had placed nearby.
Truly chaotic times. Power to protect oneself and loved ones was vital.
“...Thank you.”
The girl understood the intent behind Juyeon’s words and gaze, expressing gratitude.
“Finally, Clara.”
Juyeon called her in a lower, more solemn voice than before.
The girl’s eyes met hers, flickering like contained flames.
“If creating your identity leads to crime and causes trouble in Academy City, the Security Bureau—and I—would have to act.”
The air screamed she wouldn’t forgive it if it came to that.
The overwhelming pressure halted Clara’s breath.
“That’s my responsibility for helping with this. Understood?”
“Yes...!”
Clara nodded without hesitation. Juyeon’s lips curved in satisfaction, instantly lightening the heavy mood.
“Here’s my number. Contact me anytime for issues or advice.”
“!”
Clara thrust her smartphone forward with both hands.
…
…
After the heavy topic,
light chatter about Academy City flowed between Juyeon and Clara as they awaited Rohan.
The girl tapped her empty juice bottle with her nails before speaking up.
“Lady Juyeon. I have a worry... could you hear me out...?”
“If I can help, gladly.”
So trustworthy!
Clara felt Juyeon would pierce through her naive concerns with profound advice.
“W-Where I lived, Zeno... it’s a monogamy culture...”
“My home, Samhwa Nation, is too. Most countries are.”
A spark of hope they’d understand each other.
Clara asked with shining eyes.
“Um, by any chance! When you dated... was your partner ever from a polygamy culture?”
“Hm?”
Why would Clara ask that? Juyeon answered before pondering.
She knew where the girl’s interest lay.
Ah, Solarea’s like that. Tigrova too.
Fresh from studying Southern books for Rohan, it came vividly to mind.
So she showed honesty.
“I doubt I can help there. Regrettably, I’ve never dated a man.”
“!!!”
Clara was stunned by the casual revelation.
Such a beautiful woman never dated? Maybe no man caught her eye.
“Th-Then...! If a man you meet later is from a polygamy culture, what would you do...?”
“Hmm.”
Juyeon had never spared romance a thought in her life.
Yet now, she considered it seriously. The girl before her looked desperate.
Polygamy.
She’d never given her heart to a man, so imagining was hard.
She’d received plenty of proposals and confessions.
But she couldn’t comprehend their passionate gazes.
Polygamy is ultimately culture.
Assuming that, ideas arose. Academy instructors hailed from diverse nations.
Respect what’s respectable; yield on the incomprehensible if possible.
From that base, her answer formed.
“The approaching side should understand the culture.”
Like when Instructor Carrot suggested dining and booked a Samhwa restaurant for her.
Lacking experience in romantic emotions, that’s all Juyeon could compare to.
“...!”
Clara froze at Juyeon’s matter-of-fact reply, as if it were obvious.
Thoughts from meeting Tigrova’s Noah at the bookstore hammered deeper now.
“Let me explain.”
Juyeon lectured like in class.
A nation’s culture is its people’s pride, guiding principles.
The foundation of personal common sense and values.
Thus, over the table as lectern, the mini-lesson continued.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang for entry.
Rohan’s face peered into the camera.