Awkward Neighbors (3)
Serena Eldark. She was the daughter of the Dragon Star. For a girl like her to move into Terra Hall wasn't all that difficult. The wealth of Ahajaka Eldark, the Dragon Emperor and one of the Palstar Heroes, rivaled that of an entire nation. The outrageous dorm fees at Terra Hall were little more than pocket change to the Dragon Star.
The Dragon Star had given his daughter, heading off to the academy alone, a hefty sum upfront under the guise of living expenses. Serena could enter Terra Hall anytime she wanted. She'd simply chosen to stay in Baren Hall until now because she hated wasting the money her father had given her.
"Why are you suddenly living in Terra Hall?"
The real reason Serena had abruptly changed her mind and moved into Terra Hall was...
"...Just because."
"Just because?"
It was all because of Seong Hyun-jin. Terra Hall already had so few residents, and with Ciela and Seong Hyun-jin constantly glued together, who knew what might happen—even if there was some reason behind it. The thought of Ciela growing closer to Seong Hyun-jin made Serena's stomach twist in a way she couldn't tolerate.
After agonizing over it, Serena had decided to move into Terra Hall herself to keep an eye on the two of them.
So she'd immediately contacted the Terra Hall dorm supervisor to request a room transfer. The supervisor, who'd been fretting over the lack of first-year residents this term, had welcomed her with open arms.
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head at Serena's casual explanation.
"You hate showing off like that. But you just... came?"
Seong Hyun-jin eyed her suspiciously, clearly doubting the truth of her words.
"Be straight with me. Why'd you really come?"
"It's... it's just my whim, isn't it?"
"Sure, but something feels off about it."
Seong Hyun-jin narrowed his eyes, staring at her. He recalled how she'd acted after class that day.
...No way?
With a "just maybe" look on his face, Seong Hyun-jin gazed at Serena.
"You... don't tell me it's because of me..."
"Wh-when you move into Terra Hall, you'll just brag about all sorts of stuff to me! So I'm nipping it in the bud now so I don't have to hear it! That's the only reason...! I swear!!"
Seong Hyun-jin seemed to catch on to something, but Serena's embarrassment made her kick the opportunity away.
Seeing her deny it so vehemently, Seong Hyun-jin faltered for a moment but nodded, finding her excuse plausible enough.
"...You're getting pretty good at predicting how I'll act, huh?"
"...Of course."
In truth, Serena's excuse was something she'd blurted out on the spot. But surprisingly, Seong Hyun-jin really had planned to do exactly that. She felt a mix of exasperation and relief that she'd dodged a bullet.
"So, which room are you moving into?"
"...203."
"What? Next door? That's allowed?"
"Why not? Next door's fine. Terra Hall doesn't even separate by gender anyway."
"Huh. Fair enough."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded along casually.
"Guess we ended up as neighbors."
"Looks like it."
"Don't cause any trouble. Keep it quiet."
"Shouldn't you be the one I'm worried about more?"
Serena shot back with a hint of absurdity, then hefted her luggage. "I need to unpack, so I'll head in first."
"Yeah, go ahead. Smart move."
Serena brushed past Seong Hyun-jin with the maids and entered 203. Seong Hyun-jin stared at the door for a moment before muttering to himself.
"Lately, something feels off..."
He sensed something strange in Serena's behavior but had no idea it stemmed from her awareness of him. Seong Hyun-jin figured he had zero appeal. The notion that a girl like Serena could like someone as unremarkable as him was beyond his imagination—the fact that Serena Eldark had fallen for him.
But even Seong Hyun-jin found her actions a tad suspicious lately. Others, who weren't him, certainly wouldn't miss it. Especially anyone else with a keen interest in Seong Hyun-jin, like Serena.
#
The next morning, Ciela Teraport woke to an absurd sight. Just as Seong Hyun-jin emerged from his new room in 202, Serena Eldark stepped out from the room right next door.
In the ridiculous scene, Ciela asked in a bemused tone.
"...You moved into Terra Hall too, Serena junior?"
"Yes, that's how it turned out."
"Aha... But why are you two coming out at the exact same time?"
Ciela smiled faintly, lobbing a barbed quip.
"Looks like you synced up with Hyun-jin junior?"
"Just a coincidence."
"Coincidence, huh."
Ciela peered into Serena's alert eyes—unlike Seong Hyun-jin, who looked like he'd just rolled out of bed.
This cute little junior...
Ciela raised her guard against Serena inwardly. And Serena felt exactly the same from her.
Serena picked up on Ciela's wary thoughts and felt confirmed.
...Can't leave them alone, after all.
She was glad she'd moved to Terra Hall, meeting Ciela's gaze head-on.
Ciela Teraport and Serena Eldark. An awkward, tense neighbor dynamic had been born in Terra Hall.
Noticing the subtly hostile vibe between them, Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head and glanced back and forth.
Unable to figure it out, he shrugged it off and asked Ciela.
"Senior, like yesterday—after class this afternoon, right?"
"...Yeah. But exams are coming up soon, so today's the last one. We'll take a break starting tomorrow. Your tests matter more right now, so we'll skip midterm season."
"Ah, right—exams soon."
Serena looked at Seong Hyun-jin and said.
"Not many days left. Time to start prepping, don't you think?"
"It's fine. Combat department exams are probably all practical."
"The instructor said there's written parts too, remember?"
"Ah."
Seong Hyun-jin recalled the forgotten detail and broke into a cold sweat.
"...What's the scope?"
"...What do I even do with someone asking that five days before midterms?"
"Haha..."
As Seong Hyun-jin laughed sheepishly, Serena let out a soft sigh. Glancing at him, she offered.
"I'll tell you. Now that we're in the same dorm, come straight back after class and study."
"Oh, for real?"
"Yes."
"Awesome, thanks!"
"Then..."
Seong Hyun-jin was about to jump at Serena's offer.
"...Hold on, Hyun-jin junior?"
But Ciela cut in.
"If it's studying, I could teach you."
"Huh? But you're magic department, senior."
"Ah, sure—I don't know combat classes. But there are common subjects across departments, right? Written exams cover those too."
"Ah... basics?"
"Yep. If you want, I'll go over them in detail."
Ciela thrust out her chest proudly.
"Looks can be deceiving—I'm top of second years in written scores too."
"Whoa."
Seong Hyun-jin's attention snapped to Ciela at that. Serena furrowed her brow slightly and countered.
"Seong Hyun-jin, I'm good at basics too. I can cover the combat scope and everything else while I'm at it. Wouldn't that be easier?"
"Yeah, that does sound convenient..."
"Think about it, junior. Might be a hassle, but studying with me will skyrocket your grades for sure. Great for after graduation, and you can brag to your master right away... two birds, one stone."
Ciela pressed.
"Think it over, Hyun-jin junior."
"Hmm, in that case..."
"Yeah? What'll it be?"
"Here's the plan."
Seong Hyun-jin eyed Serena and Ciela, then pointed toward the Terra Hall lobby.
"You two teach me together."
"......Huh?"
"Pardon?"
"We'll all study as a group. Way easier, right? No shuttling between your places."
Seong Hyun-jin turned to Serena.
"Sound good? It's just tutoring—faster to learn it all at once."
"Well, yeah, but..."
"...Sure, I'm in!"
Unlike Serena's hesitation, Ciela agreed readily.
"Doesn't bother me. Long as you're okay with it, Serena junior."
Serena eyed Ciela, wondering what she was scheming—no hint given. A twinge of unease hit her.
But refusing now would look weirder. It was just group study.
Serena nodded reluctantly.
"......Fine, let's do it."
"Sweet! Thanks, Serena. And thanks, senior."
"No biggie—I offered!"
Ciela suggested to Seong Hyun-jin and Serena.
"After class today, then? Check your condition quick, then dive into studying."
"I'm good. Serena?"
"Fine by me."
Serena agreed, shooting Ciela a subtle glare. But Ciela just smiled leisurely.
And thought to herself.
Sorry, Serena junior...
Ciela's lip curled up slightly.
As if she'd already claimed victory.
You should've pushed back and refused to study with me to the end.