Did You Think I Was a Fool?
Sniff. Sniff sniff—.
"No matter how I look at it, it's Sion. For real…."
The only people who might drop by my Professor's Residence were Laval or Alrun Orlan. But Laval wouldn't come into the residence to tidy up or anything like that…. He'd just see me passed out, give me that pitiful look, and pat my shoulder.
So the one who came in last night was definitely Alrun.
But even that was creepy enough. And on top of it, the clothes I'd hastily thrown on because I was running late—Sion's perfume scent was unmistakably clinging to them. Not some lingering trace, but a fresh spritz, like someone had just sprayed it once.
No way she came over…? Well, she might've visited, but would she really spray perfume just because she did?
But thinking it over, it actually made sense. For whatever reason, if she'd snuck into the residence and found me dead to the world, of course our dangerous little ice lioness would leave some mark that she'd been there.
"Damn it, damn it…."
Once that thought hit me, my already heavy steps toward work felt even heavier.
I knew damn well I never looked good when I was drunk. And last night, I'd gotten so plastered I couldn't even remember it.
From the looks of things, I'd probably whined and put on some pathetic show again.
What the hell had I…. What the hell did I do? What kind of mistake….
And right in front of my little lady, no less.
I couldn't exactly ask anyone about it.
Agh, screw this. I'm gonna lose my mind.
Clatter—.
"G-good morning, everyone. One, two… you're all here already?"
As always, Anemone Class was a scene of chaos and destruction until I walked in. The moment I arrived, they all quieted down on their own.
"We've been waiting for morning assembly, Professor."
Irina Pernova greeted me like the class president she was. Zikrinde von Ainhart had her arms crossed, grumbling about something. Lulua had her nose in a book as usual, and Valentina was giggling beside Tiel Kelga, treating the unusually quiet girl like a toy.
It'd be nice if all this felt like everyday normalcy.
But even as I instinctively scanned them, today I paid extra close attention to Sion Lagrange, sitting at the far end, and Alrun.
"……."
When I glanced their way, both young ladies met my eyes.
Sion folded her fan and gave me a composed smile. Alrun tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded politely.
But why was I so uneasy that they both seemed completely unchanged, acting just like always?
"Today's first class is… the advanced military tactics lecture. We'll go by the textbook."
But with a mountain of duties piling up, I couldn't exactly halt the lesson and run to them begging, "Please, just tell me I didn't do anything embarrassing."
I just had to push through in this dazed state, fulfilling my wage-slave responsibilities.
Because… because I'm a damn adult.
* * *
Even after class ended and lunchtime rolled around, I still couldn't bring myself to chase after those two and yell, "Hey, students…?"
Lately, everything had been a chain of complicated, heavy situations, and this self-inflicted disaster of mine made me not even want to poke at it.
There are plenty of things in the world it's better not to know.
This might be one of them.
Yeah, if I screwed up last night, they wouldn't be acting this normal. They'd demand an apology or show some special reaction.
So as soon as class wrapped, I bolted down the hallway like a dog desperate for the bathroom.
Eventually, I ended up leaning on the rooftop railing, gazing down at the Academy Grounds.
No smoking. Students would see me on their way by; I couldn't risk it.
"Haa…."
Instead of cigarette smoke, I let out a sigh even heavier.
I knew it weighed enough to cave the ground in, but apparently not yet—that must mean I'm still human?
Where the hell did all this hopeless mess start, anyway?
Setting aside not knowing what I'd shown Alrun and Sion…
Was it not telling Laval that Sion was under surveillance? Or worrying about what would happen to Alrun after pursuing the Orlans? Or maybe Lulua, getting dragged into surveillance with me?
…No.
"It's been like this since birth. Screw it. Yeah, that's the mistake. Probably."
No appetite thanks to the hangover anyway.
So I mocked the meaning of life and let myself relax in the silence of this empty space for a bit.
Then I spotted something.
In the middle of the flower garden down on the grounds, on a low hill that looked made for sitting, someone was quietly perched.
The wind was high today, the sky clear.
Soaking in the perfect spring weather… letting a butterfly land on her hand before releasing it, elegantly sitting and blissfully observing the flowers.
"Irina…?"
Was she waiting for someone? Nah, that didn't match the patient vibe from last time when I'd gone to tutor her; she seemed utterly chilled out.
More like just enjoying the world.
Pfft. What a weirdo she is.
Class had just ended, so lunch would barely be half over in this short window. Back in my school days, the bell at noon had me sprinting to the cafeteria.
But this cute kid heads to the flower beds to… admire flowers alone and look happy about it?
"…Yeah, that's a student for you. Only they can just sit there doing nothing and call it relaxing—because that's what ends after school."
Thinking about it, she probably knew nothing.
All the tangled problems I'd been mulling over moments ago were, ironically, tied to our class students.
But she kept her distance from all that, treating me just like any professor.
That realization made her face stand out more clearly to me today.
Something about her made me want to talk.
So I consciously headed her way.
She's just taking a break; she'll leave if she has other stuff to do. She'll vanish around this corner. Over that hill—gone.
But even as I strolled slowly, she stayed put.
This time, she was even plucking flowers and clumsily weaving something.
It didn't look like a proper flower crown.
Just flowers strung haphazardly on bare twigs… like a circular necklace with blooms dangling that hadn't fallen off in time.
But she seemed pleased with it, like she'd made something great.
So very Irina.
Normally I wouldn't think twice, but today her unchanging nature really appealed to me.
"Looks good."
Flinch—!
"Oh my, isn't that Professor Joseph?"
So I spoke up, and she responded with her signature smug grin, holding it out to me.
"What does this look like to you?"
"A flower crown made from spring blossoms."
"…Hehe!"
"—Wrong?"
"As if. As expected of the strongest—your eye for beauty is impeccable."
Truth be told, I'd just guessed to avoid hurting her feelings like the original character would be if I said something off-base.
But apparently, it really was a flower crown.
"Well, I know it's not quite up to par yet. But sitting here relaxing, the flowers were so pretty I couldn't resist."
"Good job. You're living life right."
"Of course. And you, Professor? What's up?"
At that question, I clasped my hands behind my back and tapped the ground like a rabbit, thinking.
Nothing much, really. I just saw our class president and came over.
I'd needed some light conversation, so I'd snuck over.
But saying that outright felt unseemly.
Irina would 100% ask what was wrong.
"I saw our proud Anemone Class president playing alone in the flower beds, so I got worried and came to check."
At my excuse, she flashed a hearty smile, her sharp eyes crinkling sideways—sharper than even Sion's.
"Worried? I'm fine. This is just my way of unwinding."
Unwinding…? Without eating?
Might be too Korean of me, but this sturdy girl skipping meals—what kind of break does she need?
Maybe assuming she was the same as always was just my illusion.
"Shall I sit?"
"…Hehehe. An honor. But you're here to relax too, Professor?"
"Something like that."
"Ahem."
So, old habits die hard—I sat naturally beside Irina.
A big lug like me plopping down might annoy anyone, but as I settled, she scooted her hips closer, right up against me.
But what came out of her mouth next was nothing like I'd expected.
"Professor, you don't seem very skilled at lying."
"…Pardon?"
"Doesn't our cool, strong professor have some other reason for coming to see me?"
"Me?"
No. Well. Yeah, but.
I'd never imagined hearing that from Irina.
Not that I was dismissing her, but.
This… this ice block…?
Then Irina tilted her sharp nose skyward like it was a badge of pride, flicking her gaze at me.
"You said you were worried, but it seems like you might be the one who needs worrying about. Ah, no offense. I just… want to know more about you, Professor."
Her red eyes swallowed me whole.
This… vixen….