Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Vien Café
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Rustle, rustle.
Warm morning sunlight filtered through the window.
"Yawn... Sleepy."
I barely pushed back the wave of drowsiness and got ready to head out.
My body still ached with fatigue that hadn't fully faded.
But I had a lot to do today, so I had to ignore the tempting option of sleeping in.
"I've got that promise with Lea, too."
The promise I'd made to appease Lea after hiding my visit to the mage's workshop and making her pout.
Of course, Lea had gotten over her anger long ago, but that didn't mean I could cancel.
'Plus, there's stuff I need to do there.'
As I'd mentioned before, Avillon Academy was dotted with minor achievements that granted free stat points.
Things like attending the gym for four weeks straight or completing ten or more requests in a day—small stuff.
Still, I needed to grow as much as possible before midterms, so I planned to train and chip away at them in my spare time.
"Mm..."
As I hurriedly prepared to arrive at the meeting spot first, a sleepy mumble came from Arien beside me.
'Oops, gotta get out before he wakes up.'
I had a packed schedule, so leaving early made sense for me.
But Arien, who had no friends, had no reason to skip sleeping in.
...Saying it like that felt a bit off.
I was just stating facts, but it made me feel like the bad guy.
Pushing aside a twinge of guilt, I finished getting ready and was about to leave the room.
"...Where."
A voice called from behind me.
Whoosh.
She looked a bit grumpy, still heavy with sleep.
His tousled hair and disheveled pajamas made me chuckle despite myself.
'What a sight...'
If I hadn't known better, his androgynous charm could've passed for a cute girl.
The more I looked, the more suspicious it got...
Too pretty for a guy. Too slender, and his voice had this deliberate huskiness.
Even when changing clothes or when I'd touched his bandages yesterday.
His extreme sensitivity fueled the doubt.
'...Nah, no way.'
Why go through the hassle of disguising herself as a guy?
Sneaking around to avoid discovery, living in the boys' dorm, enduring daily discomfort.
It was more reasonable to chalk it up to some timid personality quirk.
My sharp instincts kept signaling, though...
Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes.
—A thought that would make Arien freak if he heard.
Like a broken clock being right twice a day, my intuition seemed spot-on for once.
Too bad no one would tell him.
"...Where you going."
"Huh? Meeting a friend real quick."
When I didn't answer right away, Arien frowned deeper and asked again.
He probably thought I was sneaking off for something shady again.
"Obviously a girl. And weaklings like you only chase skirts..."
"Haha, she's a real friend. Not whatever you're imagining."
Arien's face was full of suspicion, like he didn't buy it.
...He had this clingy streak.
"You barely have time for training as it is. Quit daydreaming and focus."
"I've got my own training method with Lea, so don't worry. Not sure if you'd get it."
"W-What?"
Arien suddenly looked flustered, pointing a trembling finger at me.
What? Why's he like that?
I'd just planned to knock out a café-exclusive achievement while we were there.
Whatever misunderstanding he had, he seemed dead set on it.
"After that shameless thing yesterday, now you're off to do... that with another girl?"
"What thing..."
"Y-You...! Perverted jerk! Get out!"
Thwack!
Arien's furious kick sent me tumbling out.
Stunned, I headed to the meeting spot.
The café was filled with the aroma of fragrant coffee.
I'd arrived first and snagged a good seat.
Might as well claim prime real estate in a pretty café like this.
Sitting alone by the window felt a bit conspicuous...
Embarrassing, but for the vibe, no choice!
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome!"
As I idly gazed out the window, killing time, the door chimed.
Lea entered, bright in colorful clothes.
"Ah! Rowen~ You beat me here?"
Our puppy-like Lea appeared with her usual sunny smile.
Spotting me alone, she bounded over and plopped down across from me.
"Nah, Lea. I just got here too."
"Phew, good. I was worried you'd been waiting."
I'd actually been waiting longer than expected since I'd left early by accident.
No need to tell her that, though.
"Anyway, Lea, you look really pretty today. Suits you."
"Really? Ehehe, you look super handsome too, Rowen!"
Lea beamed, her eyes crinkling.
'I overdid it back then, even by my standards.'
Unlike Lea, who'd come date-ready, I'd thrown on just my uniform.
I'd felt too awkward in it, so I dressed up a bit.
To Lea, used to seeing me in uniform, even this seemed dazzling.
"Customers, ready to order?"
As we chatted idly, the server approached, noting our group was complete.
"Um... I'll have the green grape ade!"
"Right away. And for your companion?"
The server took Lea's order and turned to me.
No escaping order time now.
'Even for an achievement...'
No way I could order that in a café full of fresh-faced students...
"Um, haven't decided yet?"
"N-No. I'll order now."
Maybe the server's words drew eyes; I felt stares converging on me.
Just... say it quick!
Already mortified, the attention made me want to jump out of my skin.
"Strawberry glazed cream frappuccino, extra whipped cream, extra strawberries, and lots of syrup!"
"A-Ahaha. Got it. Coming right up."
The flustered server retreated as stares poured in.
"No wonder you took so long."
"It kinda suits him though, right?"
"Gross! A guy ordering that? Sorcery, definitely sorcery!"
"Shut up! They'll hear, idiot!"
Nope, we heard everything.
Me, the black-coffee-guzzling epitome of manliness, ordering this...
Yelling it in a packed café.
In-game, zero impact. In reality? Pure evil...
"Pfft, pfhehe. What was that, Rowen!"
"Even you, Lea..."
Lea, who'd been holding back, burst into her bright laugh.
Who the hell is this mocking?
Already dying of shame, and the status window pops up at the perfect moment.
And that new line? Felt like it was saying, 'You really ordered that?'
"You rattled it off so seriously, super cute! Couldn't help it!"
"Respect my tastes, please..."
"Haha, got it, Rowen. Everyone loves sweets anyway!"
Lea nodded understandingly, but her sparkling eyes held that 'aww, kiddo' gaze.
Me, the manliest of men, suffering this humiliation...
Heart-shattering, but 1 free point made it bearable...!
"Your orders!"
The server delivered our drinks soon after.
I spent time with the strawberry glazed cream frappuccino that instantly stole the show.
...Tastes too good, pissing me off more.
As we chatted amid Lea's subtle glances.
Ding-a-ling~
"Ah! Sorry, customer. We're full up..."
"...It's fine. I've got friends inside."
A voice, cold yet oddly piercing, rang out.
Click, click.
Footsteps approached us.
"...Hey. Rowen."
Estelle had sidled up beside me, looking down.
'...We're screwed.'
I'd hoped not, but here we were...
Her desired café matched mine; I'd worried we'd bump into each other.
Fate's prank, turning dread to reality.
"Rowen likes strawberry frappuccinos too, huh."
"Hey! Can't you see we're on a date!?"
Estelle plopped naturally beside me; Lea gaped in disbelief.
They'd been enemies since the infirmary; I'd wanted to avoid this...
Avillon Academy never went easy.
—Nom.
"W-What are you doing! Why eat Rowen's?!"
Estelle sipped mine like it was hers.
Lea flushed beet red at the shared straw, fuming.
"Weird. Same frappuccino, but yours tastes way better."
"Ignore me again and—you pervert!"
Estelle, devoid of shame.
Lea, embarrassed just watching.
Stuck between their bickering, I stopped thinking.
...It'll work out somehow?
Felt like I'd see this often.
Future me would handle it.
Students' 'Oh my, oh my!' buzzed around.
My experience said intervening got zilch.
...I just watched.