Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: 19. Roommate's Circumstances
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Shaking off Iris, who clung persistently, I let out a sigh of relief for a moment.
"...Why?"
The entire time we walked down the hallway after leaving the dining hall.
Imir had been eyeing me with a strange look.
"Stop side-eyeing me like that and just say it."
"That girl earlier. The way she looked at you wasn't normal."
As if testing the waters.
Her mouth laughed, but her eyes didn't. She poked my side and said,
"Master. You two know each other or something? Like, a girl you hit on in the past and got rejected by?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Me hitting on Iris? Ridiculous.
Especially before gaining the Black King's power. That would've been suicidal.
She would've taken my head before I even made a move.
I dismissed the suspicion curtly and quickened my pace.
"Hmm... if not, whatever. You seemed flustered, which isn't like you, Master."
She still looked suspicious but didn't pry further.
Fortunately, Imir seemed perceptive enough.
Or maybe she was just full and lazy.
We arrived at room 301.
Click.
Opening the door revealed an empty room shrouded in silence.
Along with the dim twilight view outside the window, the soft glow of magical lanterns peacefully lit the space.
"Yawwwn... So full after stuffing myself."
The moment we entered, Imir flopped onto the bed spread-eagled without a care.
Her already short skirt flipped up, but she didn't mind, just patted her belly.
"Act a little more ladylike. People might see."
"See what? No one's here but you, Master. Or..."
Hmm.
Like a child finding a fun toy.
She curled her lips mischievously.
"Maybe..."
[Ooh yeah.]
Twisting sideways on the bed, she looked up at me intently.
Her red tongue tip slowly licked her dry lips, leaving a glistening trail of saliva.
Like a predator eyeing prey, or a cat craving attention.
She narrowed her eyes and parted her red lips.
"...Does my body bother you, Master?"
Her glowing red eyes shone seductively.
Honestly, it was exasperating.
Even her clumsy seduction attempts were obvious fakes.
But.
'Damn.'
I couldn't deny the overwhelming physical allure that overshadowed her awkwardness.
The curves blatantly straining against her tight maid outfit,
And above all, that primal gaze devouring me—it stirred my instincts oddly.
Any normal guy might've gulped and approached in a daze.
[Ooh yeah! Ooh yeah!]
What kept me grounded was Tundra hiding in my shadow,
Spamming exclamations and killing the mood.
'That was close.'
Of course, I knew she wasn't seriously seducing me—just enjoying my reactions.
But such raw, unguarded wild charm could be more lethal than polished techniques sometimes.
'Whew.'
Watching her blatantly shake her hips would just tire me out.
She'd get all hyped if I reacted and act up more.
"...Bother me? Nothing to see anyway."
"What?! You jerk! Don't you know I'm the mountain's top beauty?"
"Yeah, yeah. Among bears and wolves, sure."
"Argh...!"
She bristled at my mocking jab and tried to sit up, but I had no energy to engage. I shoved her aside and buried myself deep in the bed.
"Shut up and go shower."
Instead of falling for her cheap provocation as she sat there gaping,
I grabbed a pillow from the bed and tossed it at her face.
"Ow! Why hit me?!"
"Didn't hit you. And shower. Don't you feel gross after wandering all day?"
"Hmph. I don't smell. Wanna sniff?"
She lifted her arm, pretending to shove her smooth armpit at me indignantly. I waved her off in disgust.
I don't have those tastes, so back off.
"Fine, go away."
"...Sneaky bastard. Fine, I'll shower."
Imir pouted but gathered clothes and headed to the bathroom.
Not that it mattered—her "clothes" were just another maid outfit.
Rattle rattle.
"...Master? Someone's in there?"
Imir jiggled the locked knob and turned to me sullenly.
What, now? Probably Kailun.
He got here first, so he'd finish first too.
"...Then shower in your room? It has one."
Another bathroom?
Figures for a luxury dorm.
"Yeah."
Clunk.
Imir slipped into her room, and silence returned.
"Whew."
Finally relaxing fully, I leaned against the headboard and exhaled deeply.
What a long day.
Left the territory, arrived in the capital.
No breather before the placement exam, entrance ceremony.
And the encounter with Iris, tied to my survival.
'Feels like years shaved off my life in one day.'
Not physically exhausting, but mentally draining.
Especially enduring Iris's suspicious stares.
'The real trouble's ahead.'
Her instincts were terrifyingly sharp.
Asking if she knew me out of nowhere, saying I looked familiar.
Perfectly picking actions outside my script.
At this point, killer exam questions to off me.
"..."
The next three years.
Could I evade her radar until graduation? Already worrying.
...Whatever.
I'll manage.
Didn't I grind a year for survival?
...Well, "grind" was just taming the Black King's power.
Shhh...
Faint water sounds from the bathroom.
Kailun still showering.
'Why does he shower so long?'
What guy takes over ten minutes? Scrubbing that hard?
'Definitely OCD.'
Explains it.
As drowsiness crept in, eyes half-closed.
"..."
Click.
Bathroom door opened with a cheerful pop.
Whoosh.
I forced my eyes open at the sound.
Steam billowed out as Kailun, fresh from showering, emerged.
"...Whew."
His black hair damp and settled calmly.
Water droplets trailing down his nape.
And his white collarbone peeking from oversized pajamas.
'...'
My gaze lingered unwittingly.
Even as a guy, it wasn't unpleasant.
No—delicate to the point of seductive.
'...Like a pretty boy gigolo.'
Honest impression.
Knowing he's male, yet heart-stirring prettiness.
Slim long neck, wrists peeking from sleeves—fragile, breakable.
How'd that body swing those sword strikes in-game? Mind-boggling.
And this fragrance filling the room.
Too sweet and floral for plain soap, tickling my nose.
...Does a guy smell like this?
'No wonder the cross-dressing rumors.'
Staring blankly at Kailun, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
With that delicate look, fans spinning "IF Kailun were a girl?!" isn't surprising.
But reality is reality.
Raven Duke's heir, next duke. That's him.
"...Ah?!"
Kailun, drying his hair, spotted me on the bed and flinched.
Got a guilty conscience? Why jump like a girl?
"W-When did you get here?"
"...Earlier."
I replied indifferently, sitting up.
"...Why stare?"
"Nothing."
Noticing my gaze, he wrapped his neck with a towel and snapped sharply.
His wary eyes saw me like a peeping creep.
Why glare like that.
Anyone'd think I spied on his shower.
"...Hmph."
He snorted at my shrug, hastily fastening his collar.
Movement too unnatural.
Like desperately hiding something.
Clutching his chest tightly.
'Really a girl?'
Try not to suspect, but.
That attitude fuels it.
'...Nah, impossible.'
Dismissing the absurd thought, I shook my head.
"Guess I'll shower too."
I dragged my sluggish body off the bed.
Grabbing towel and clothes, heading to the bathroom. Felt Kailun glancing.
'Sensitive guy.'
Roommate showering—what's the big deal?
Worried I'll smell when I come out?
Clean freak much.
I chuckled, opening the door.
Hot steam and sweet floral scent filled it.
"So steamy."
Visibility poor from vapor. Said it all.
Grumbling, stepping in—
"W-Wait!"
"...Why?"
Kailun's urgent voice from behind.
"I-I... left something inside."
"Something?"
What? Toiletries?
"Then get it."
I held the door ajar, stepping aside. Not urgent, so whatever.
But contrary to his haste, Kailun hesitated, not approaching.
"...I'll grab it after you shower. N-No, I'll clean up later. You go first."
"...?"
Left something, but?
Why hesitate? Just take it.
"...What? Come get it."
"S-So... I'll get it after you finish!"
He stammered incoherently, ears flushing like shame.
'What's his deal?'
Left something super embarrassing?
Like teddy bear soap?
'No weird hobbies, right?'
Unpleasant thought flashed, but I shoved it away.
Not judging hobbies.
"...Do what you want."
Averting from his mumbling,
I shrugged and shut the door.
Click.
Wiping the foggy mirror revealed my weary face.
Disgraced Evan Dreadnote stared blankly back.
Early possession, this face felt alien and loathsome.
Now familiar after a year.
Initially, dead-fish eyes I cursed inwardly.
Now, some life in them? Or venom.
'...Venom, probably.'
Chuckled, winked at mirror self.
Lame even to me. Never again.
Turning on the shower, hot water melted the day's tension.
Shhh...
Relaxing under the spray,
Something caught my eye on the sink corner.
"...What's this?"
White cloth bundle placed oddly.
His "something"?
'Towel?'
No, too thin and long.
"...?"
Curiosity won; I picked it up.
Damp cloth longer than thought.
Holding the end, it unrolled smoothly.
"...Bandage?"
If not mistaken, compression bandage. Thin, soft material.
'Injured?'
Sword training injuries happen.
But why leave it here?
'He panicked earlier—hiding a wound?'
Proud guy, plausible. Hates weakness, even hiding bandages.
I nonchalantly rerolled it to replace.
But rolling it, something off.
'...Pretty long.'
Too long for arm/leg. Wide too.
'For torso?'
Torso.
One thought hit.
Cross-dressing girl.
Chest-binding bandage.
No way.
Nah.
'Looks pretty for bandage too.'
Embroidered flower edges. Faint sweet scent.
Not medical.
"..."
I neatly folded it back on the sink.
'Pretend I didn't see. Best policy.'
No prying into privacy.
Toweling my wet hair, I exited. Room still quiet.
Imir asleep in her room, no sign.
"..."
Kailun buried under covers, motionless.
"...Done showering?"
He mumbled from under at my exit.
"Yeah. But you left something."
"...Ah."
Covers twitched; he peeked out.
Face red as ripe apple.
"D-Did you... see it?"
"Nah. Didn't see."
Meeting his wildly shaking pupils, I lied calmly.
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Worry'.]
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Fear'.]
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Anxiety'.]
[Absorbing negative emotion 'Shame'.]
'Saw it crystal clear.'
But saying so, he'd draw a sword and charge.
Too tired for today's drama.
Classes start tomorrow—need to stay sharp.