A Night Without the Dormitory Warden. We Advance to the Capital.
A Night Without the Dormitory Warden. We Advance to the Capital.
The last day of the MT.
Morning.
Opened my eyes.
Tent ceiling.
Birdsong.
Thor-sunbae was lying spread-eagled next to me, snoring.
Kaiden was already gone.
Got up.
Came out of the tent.
The air was cold.
Smell of grass.
Smell of dew.
Ash remained at the campfire spot.
Traces of last night's fire.
Half-burnt firewood was scattered around.
'.............'
I took gloves out of my bag.
Knelt down.
Gathered the ash.
Covered it with dirt.
Picked up the burnt firewood and stacked it to one side.
Next, the tents.
Starting with mine.
Untied the ropes.
Pulled out the stakes and shook off the dirt.
Disassembled the poles.
Folded the fabric.
Matching the corners.
My body moved on its own.
I'd done this dozens of times back in the territory.
No need to think.
Second tent.
The girls' tent.
Confirmed there was no movement inside and started folding it.
While untying the ropes, a hair clip was lying at the tent entrance.
Pink.
'Must be Aria's.'
Picked it up and placed it next to the tent.
Folded the fabric.
Disassembled the poles.
Pulled out the stakes and shook off the dirt.
Third.
The Teaching Assistant's tent.
Heard tossing and turning inside.
'............Still sleeping.'
Let's skip it.
Took the water bottle to the spring.
Washed it.
Scrubbed the inside with my hand to remove the moss.
Dumped the water and turned it upside down to dry.
'.............'
The sun was rising.
Light shone through the trees.
No one was up yet.
Thor-sunbae's snoring flowed out of the tent.
Saw Hana-sunbae taking a walk alone somewhere.
Riel hadn't come out yet.
I waited in front of the Teaching Assistant's tent.
Waiting for the tossing and turning to stop.
5 minutes.
Finally stopped.
"Teaching Assistant-nim."
"............Ugh?"
"Need to fold the tent."
"Ah...... is it morning already?"
The Teaching Assistant came out.
Three leaves were stuck in their hair.
One more than yesterday.
Folded the third tent.
Checked the watch.
'A little over an hour.'
Thor came out of the tent.
Stretched.
"Hm? You folded all the tents?"
"............Yes."
"Hey, when did you do that?"
"A while ago."
"By yourself?"
"............Yes."
Thor looked at me.
"Ian. You."
'Don't praise me.'
"............."
"Want an apple?"
'Guess it wasn't praise.'
"............Yes."
Took the apple and ate it.
Crunch-
It was sweet.
Inside the carriage returning.
Clatter-clatter.
I leaned against the window and closed my eyes.
Since I have squinty eyes, no one knows even if I close them.
It was comfortable and nice.
Before long, we arrived at the Academy.
Got off the carriage.
"Good work, everyone!"
The Teaching Assistant waved.
"............."
I walked to the dormitory alone.
Passing through the first-floor hallway of the main building.
Heard a familiar laugh.
Thor-sunbae.
Standing by the hallway window, chatting with someone.
Two men. One woman.
I lowered my head and walked quickly.
Invisible man mode.
Past this hallway is the school gate, past the gate is the dormitory, and in the dormitory is the game.
Thor-sunbae's voice was loud.
Tried not to listen, but heard it anyway.
"Didn't tell you about the MT? Man, it was awesome."
'Can't hear it. I can't hear it.'
"My club junior, you see. He set up three tents all by himself."
'...Actually, I can hear it.'
"3 minutes. 3 minutes per tent. What we were tangled up in for 15 minutes, he did in 3."
'I can hear that fucking clearly, too.'
Sped up.
But the hallway was long.
"Hey, and the fire was one shot, too. One strike of the flint. Laying down twigs, putting grass on top, and so on. He's a real expert."
One guy asked.
"Who is it?"
"Ian. Ian Valentine."
'Why my name....'
'Can't even tell him to stop because he's a senior.'
The woman reacted.
"Ian Valentine?"
"Yeah."
"Which family is he from?"
"Valentine... isn't that a frontier Baron family?"
One guy said.
"Right. Heard the territory is super rural."
"Isn't he good at that stuff because it's rural?"
"Well... maybe?"
I passed through the hallway almost running.
Heard the woman's voice last from behind.
There was a silver brooch on her school uniform.
Didn't see it.
Because I didn't look back.
But I heard the sound of the brooch clinking.
A loser's ears are sensitive.
"He's in the Druid department. A freshman this year."
"Druid? There were people there?"
"Heard he's the first applicant in 2 years."
Barely escaped and headed to the dormitory.
Opened the door.
Humidity, perfume, and the smell of flowers.
'Back again.'
'To the battlefield.'
Put my luggage down in the Dormitory Warden's room.
Took out the game console.
From between the towels.
Wrapped in a blanket.
'............Fuck. I want to play games right now.'
'But inspection comes first.'
Since the Dormitory Warden was away for 1 night and 2 days.
Curfew record.
[Dormitory Warden absent — No issues.]
Three reports of malfunctions.
'Later.'
Headcount first.
Took the list and went up.
3rd floor.
Checked the lights for every room.
Room 301 — Light. Present.
Room 302 — Light. Present.
'Aria is there.'
Room 303 — Present.
2nd floor.
Room 201 — Light. Present.
Room 202 — Present.
Room 203 —
Room 203's light was off.
'.............'
Listened.
No sound.
'Sleeping early?'
Room 204 — Present.
Room 205 — Present.
Room 206.
Absent.
'.............'
Room 207.
Absent.
Room 208.
Absent.
'.............'
Room 203. Room 206. Room 207. Room 208.
4 rooms.
Checked the overnight stay reports.
None.
'.............'
'Ha.'
'Just because the Dormitory Warden is gone.'
About 6 hours before that time.
Dormitory.
2nd-floor hallway.
Room 208 ran out of her room.
Ran down the hallway.
Slippers clacked.
Knocked on Room 206's door.
Bang bang bang bang bang.
"Hey!!"
The door opened.
"What, you're noisy."
Room 206 came out in pajamas.
Hair in an explosive state.
"The Dormitory Warden-sunbae went on the MT!!"
"Yeah. I know."
"He's not coming back today!!"
"............."
Room 206's eyes widened.
"What?"
"He said he's not coming back until tomorrow evening. No Dormitory Warden tonight."
"............."
"............."
2 seconds.
"This is crazy."
Room 206 knocked on Room 207's door.
Bang bang bang.
"Hey, wake up!!"
The door opened.
"What...... it's only 7 o'clock......"
Room 207 came out rubbing her eyes.
"The Dormitory Warden-sunbae isn't here tonight!!"
"............Really?"
"Really!!"
Room 207 went to knock on Room 203's door.
Bang bang bang.
"Hey!!"
In 30 seconds, four people were standing in the 2nd-floor hallway.
In pajamas.
Hair explosive.
Eyes half-closed.
But their eyes were sparkling.
Room 208 declared.
"Today. Capital. We're going."
"Where?!"
"La Bella Notte. A newly opened social club. They say the 2nd floor is general seating. Just have to pay."
"Isn't that expensive?"
"It's fine if we split it four ways."
Room 203 clapped.
"I'm going! I'm going!"
Room 206 crossed her arms.
"But what are we wearing? Not school uniforms, right?"
"Do you have a dress?"
"I have one. But it's from 3 years ago."
"Anything is fine. As long as it's not a uniform."
Room 207 tilted her head.
"I don't have a dress."
"Want to borrow mine? We're about the same height."
"Really? Thanks!"
Room 208 ran to her room.
"Meet in our room in 30 minutes! Let's get ready together!"
"Okay!!"
The door closed.
Opened again 30 seconds later.
"Oh, and!! It's a secret from the 3rd-floor kids!!"
"Got it!!"
30 minutes later.
Room 208.
Four people gathered.
The room was a battlefield.
The closet was open.
Three dresses were spread out on the bed.
Four pairs of shoes on the floor.
Cosmetics spilled on the vanity.
Room 208 stood in front of the mirror.
Held up a silver dress.
"Isn't this too short?"
Room 206 looked.
"No. It's perfect."
"Really?"
"A hand's span above the knee is just right. Hey, it actually makes your legs look longer."
Room 208 looked at the mirror.
Looked at the side profile.
Looked at the back.
"............Maybe it's okay."
"It's not just okay, it's pretty. Wear it."
Beside her, Room 207 was drawing eyeliner.
Pushing her face close to the mirror.
Her hand was shaking.
"............."
"............."
Slip.
"Ah."
A black line was drawn under her eye.
"Ruined."
Room 203 ran over.
"Wipe it, wipe it. I'll do it for you."
Held a cotton swab and got close to Room 207's face.
"Close your eyes."
"Okay."
"Don't move."
Scratch-scratch.
"............Hey, it tickles."
"Bear with it. Almost done."
Room 206 was putting her hair up.
But her arms hurt, so she lowered them midway.
"Hey, do my hair."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Put it up."
Room 208 stood behind Room 206.
Gathered the hair and put it up.
Fixed it with a pin.
"Like this?"
"Look in the mirror."
Room 206 looked in the mirror.
"Oh."
"How is it?"
"............Was I this pretty?"
"You were always pretty."
"Nah."
"It's true. You only wear training clothes usually, so you didn't know."
"If we don't wear training clothes during roll call, the Squinty Dormitory Warden catches us."
"The Squinty Dormitory Warden isn't here today!!"
"Right!!"
"Kyaa!!"
Room 208 took out perfume.
"Hey, try this."
"What is it?"
"Bought it in the capital. Rose scent."
"Oh. Nice."
Sprayed it on her neck.
On her wrists.
"Hey, me too."
"Me too!"
Psh-
Psh-
The four of them took turns spraying it.
The room was filled with the scent of roses.
Room 208 stood in front of the mirror again.
Silver dress.
Hair up.
Earrings.
"Not bad."
Room 206 stood next to her.
Room 207 stood.
Room 203 stood.
The four of them looked in the mirror.
"Hey."
"Yeah."
"We look fucking pretty right now."
"Really pretty."
"I didn't know a day without the Dormitory Warden-sunbae would be this happy."
"Usually, when he looks at us with those squinty eyes, we can't even breathe."
"Today is freedom!!"
"Kyaa!!"
Carriage to the capital.
Four of them were riding.
All dressed up.
The smell of perfume filled the carriage.
Laughter didn't stop.
"Hey, what do we do first when we arrive?"
"Let's go in and check the vibe first."
"What if there are men?"
"There will be. It's a social club."
"I'm nervous."
"Why are you nervous? We're the prettiest in the Empire today."
Room 208 looked out the window.
Streetlights passed by.
The capital was getting closer.
'A night without the Dormitory Warden-sunbae.'
'Just for today.'
'Let's have as much fun as we want.'
[La Bella Notte]
Arrival.
Mana lights were dazzling.
People were lined up at the entrance.
Music flowed out to the outside.
"Wow."
Room 208's eyes widened.
"This place is awesome."
"It really looks like a social club."
"It is a social club."
"Right."
2nd floor general seating.
Sat at a table.
Ordered drinks.
Sweet fruit wine.
A sip.
"Delicious."
"Hey, the vibe here is good."
"The music is good too."
Looked down at the 1st floor.
People were dancing.
Lights were spinning.
"Hey, look over there."
"Where?"
"3 o'clock direction. Brown hair."
"............Oh? He's handsome."
"He's looking at us!"
"Nah, no way."
"It's true!"
"Hey, wave at him."
"Are you crazy?"
Giggling.
Time passed.
Drinks decreased.
Laughter increased.
Room 208 got up from the table and leaned against the railing.
Looked down at the 1st floor.
Lights flowed over her face.
'Nice.'
'I didn't know a night like this existed.'
'Getting roll-called by the Dormitory Warden-sunbae every day. Bowing my head in the hallway. Keeping curfew.'
'Just for today...'
Clenched her fist.
Then.
"Are you alone?"
A man's voice.
Room 208 turned around.
Brown hair.
The man who was looking earlier.
He was even more handsome up close.
He was tall too.
Since he wasn't in a uniform, he didn't seem to be an Academy student.
A noble family's child.
"May I drink with you?"
Smiling.
Room 208's heart raced.
'He's hitting on me.'
"............I came with friends."
"Is that so? Your friends can come too."
"It's okay."
The man stood next to her.
"Where are you from?"
"............From somewhere far away."
"Far away? So you're not from the capital."
"Yes."
"What is your occupation?"
"I'm a student."
"Student? Where?"
"............It's a secret."
Room 208 smiled.
The man smiled too.
'I've never done this before.'
'I just studied at the Academy.'
'Today, I feel like a different person.'
The man handed her a drink.
"This is the most delicious one here."
"Thank you."
Reached out to take it.
Then.
A voice was heard from behind.
"Room 203."
'............?'
Low voice.
A voice that drops when tense.
"Room 206."
'This voice.'
The voice I hear every morning.
"Room 207."
'No way.'
"Room 208."
Heart stopped.
It wasn't 'no way'.
Room 208 turned around slowly.
He was standing there.
Squinty eyes.
School uniform.
Crossed arms.
Under the mana lights.
In the middle of the social club.
The Dormitory Warden was standing there.
The squinty eyes were shining under the light.
No expression.
He was always like this.
But seeing him inside the social club, he was ten times scarier.
People around glanced.
Because a squinty-eyed man in a school uniform was standing in the middle of the social club.
'.............'
The man who was handing the drink looked at Ian.
"............Who is that?"
A sound came out of Room 208's mouth.
"Do...... Dormitory Warden...... sunbae."
"Dormitory Warden?"
The man looked at Ian again.
Squinty eyes.
Crossed arms.
School uniform.
"............Ah. I see."
Took the drink and went back.
Quickly.
Hitting on her ended.
At the table, Room 203, 206, and 207 were frozen.
"............."
"............."
"............."
Where did the giggling from earlier go?
It was a funeral.
Ian said.
"Let's go back."
His voice was low because he was tense.
It felt like the entire 2nd floor of the social club went quiet.
It wasn't.
The music was still playing.
But the temperature around this table seemed to have dropped.
"Submit the apology letters by tomorrow morning."
"Yes, yes!!"
2 AM.
Late-night carriage.
5 people were riding.
Me.
Four girls in dresses.
Where did the "Kyaa!!" from earlier go?
The inside of the carriage was a funeral.
I sat in the very corner and looked out the window.
'Fuck, I went into a social club for the first time.'
If you replace the social club with modern times, it was just a club.
With a few more entry requirements.
'A place I would never come to in my life.'
Heard Room 206 whispering next to me.
"Hey, the Squinty Dormitory Warden is really scary."
"Did he come all the way to the capital to catch us?"
"Crazy."
"How did he know?"
"Is he really a surveillance camera?"
"I can never deviate again."
'It's not that I'm scary, I came because it's the rules.'
"Um...... Dormitory Warden-sunbae."
"............Yes."
"Are we...... getting scolded?"
"Just submit the apology letters."
"............."
"............."
Silence.
Clatter-clatter.
The funeral atmosphere continued.
1 minute.
2 minutes.
Then.
Room 206 raised her head.
"............But Dormitory Warden-sunbae."
"............Yes."
"You said it was your first time at a social club too."
"............Yes."
"How was it?"
Since I can't say 'It was loud, crowded, and hell for a loser.'
"............It was loud."
Pfft-
Room 206 laughed.
Quietly.
Starting with that laugh, Room 207 chimed in.
"Sunbae, you standing there with your arms crossed in the social club was really scary?"
"I was crossing them because I was cold."
"Liar. Really!! It was fucking scary."
Room 203 leaned forward.
"Sunbae, did you see that guy run away? He ran away as soon as he saw your squinty eyes."
"It was really funny."
Giggling-
The atmosphere was changing.
From a funeral to something else.
Room 208 looked out the window.
Silver dress.
Her hair up was slightly disheveled.
"............Dormitory Warden-sunbae."
"Yes."
"Um."
Room 208 looked at me.
"Next time...... won't you go with us?"
'What?'
"The social club. You said it was your first time too. You've never really played properly, right?"
Trying to say 'Forget it.'
Room 206's eyes sparkled.
"Oh, that's good!"
Room 207 clapped.
"Right! Dormitory Warden-sunbae should play a bit too!"
Room 203 leaned forward more.
"We'll pay for everything!!"
The four of them looked at me at the same time.
The kids who had expressions like they were going to die just a moment ago.
Their eyes were sparkling.
The funeral became a travel agency.
"Sunbae, just once!!"
"Sunbae, you were fucking cool at the social club!!"
"Really! If you're next to us, I don't think weird men will come!"
"That's a bodyguard."
The four of them pushed forward at the same time.
"Should we turn the carriage around and go back right now!?"
The carriage was narrow.
"It's not that late!"
I backed away.
Backed away more.
Thud-
My head hit the carriage ceiling.
"Ouch."
"My head."