Chapter 174: Summer Vacation Finally Arrives, and a Letter.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 174: Summer Vacation Finally Arrives, and a Letter.
I think I’m actually going to lose my mind.
I didn’t even need any other fancy words to describe it.
Thanks to the insane behavior of the others over the last two days, I felt like my own sanity was slipping away.
There was Ha-ni, who, while less intense than the first day, was still trying to cater to my every whim. Then there was Lilac, who insisted on sticking to me at all times—except during training and class—claiming he wanted to “confirm our friendship.”
On the other end of the spectrum, there was Cheon Yu-hak, who kept his distance but watched me with an expression that said, “I am ready to listen to your troubles at any time.” Even Lee Yu-na and Ju Ri-ra, who didn’t do anything overt, were getting on my nerves with their strangely softened attitudes.
But the biggest problem of all was me.
That’s right.
While I found this crazy doting behavior uncomfortable, a part of me felt strangely happy about it.
“I’m really going crazy.”
At first, I thought it was purely annoying and embarrassing. But once I started thinking that they were doing all this for my sake, my heart began to itch in a weird way, and I found myself wanting to just accept it.
…I didn’t know because I’d never really been treated like this in my life, but it seemed I was weaker to this kind of thing than I thought.
— So-hyun! Call me Mom! Mo~m!
No, wait. It wasn’t “than I thought.” I just lived in denial because I couldn’t admit it, but I really was a patient suffering from a chronic lack of affection.
Suddenly, I remembered the glasses I had tucked away in my desk drawer.
“She did say all sorts of things would start clinging to me.”
She wasn’t lying.
Being loved more than I deserved and then betraying that love… once was enough.
So, I would work even harder without letting my guard down.
“It’s finally summer vacation.”
The end of the first semester. It was the time to reap the seeds I had sown, and simultaneously, the period where the fortuitous encounters I needed to snatch up to prevent failure were concentrated.
Since it was also a point where many opportunities to help the kids grow would arise, I thought I might be even busier than I was during the first semester, but the thought didn’t feel unpleasant.
* * *
“I was a fool.”
I thought, how far could their borderline-insane doting really go?
I expected something big since it was the day of the closing ceremony, but I never imagined they would pull this kind of shit.
To put it bluntly, a palanquin was waiting in front of the dormitory.
You know, the kind you see in historical dramas.
“Hey! Get in!”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
The moment Lilac, who was at the very front holding the carrying poles, shouted, everyone’s eyes gathered on us.
Was this actually a new type of nightmare?
Or maybe Lilac was actually a regressor who held a grudge against me and was trying to kill me through sheer embarrassment.
“So-hyun! Hurry up and get in! Lilac got this from somewhere, and it’s sturdier than it looks!”
Ha-ni. Is this really right?
…What is wrong with them? Why do my friends have no middle ground?
It’s true I worked hard to ensure the atmosphere here wouldn’t be gloomy anymore, but this wasn’t “bright”—this was stepping into the realm of madness.
Is this my fault too?
And where the hell did they even get that palanquin?
“…Lilac asked an acquaintance of his father and received one that was no longer in use.”
“Right, thanks for the appropriate explanation. While you’re at it, why don’t you tell me why you’re down there helping him carry it? Hmm? Yu-hak.”
“…I was possessed.”
Oh, really? Wow. What a perfect explanation.
If you’re possessed, does that mean you can do anything? Should I go find your father and suggest a ‘Cheon Yu-hak’s Birthday Party: Returns’?
“I’m the one who suggested it. It’s the last day of the first semester, so I wanted to do something that stands out.”
Yeah, I know you suggested it. Who else but you would do this, Lilac?
“So-hyun. Don’t be mad for a second and listen to me. There’s a reason for all this!”
“Right, I’m glad you know I’m mad. I’m sure there’s a reason. There better be a damn good reason for me not to destroy you right now.”
“Of course! The reason I got this is… for the ‘memories.’”
“Stack one.”
“I’m getting a bad feeling here, but what kind of stack is that?”
“They say if you endure three times, you can avoid a murder.”
“Oh, uh. Okay. You’re really mad, aren’t you?”
“Stack two.”
“You’re so merciless! Anyway, think about it. Of course, we’ll all meet up and hang out during the summer, but we won’t be able to see each other every day during vacation, right? Some kids will be going back to their hometowns, and even I have to go back to my family for a bit.”
“Hmm.”
“In that case, should we really just spend the day commemorating the end of the first semester in a boring, ordinary way?”
“And?”
“I think it’s better to experience failures and embarrassing things while we’re still young. So-hyun, what’s the worst that could happen just because we ride a palanquin today?”
“I think we’ll get our photos taken and get roasted for eternity.”
“I think even that will become a memory later. We can talk about it in the future, saying how embarrassed we were but how funny it was. It’ll be a great story.”
Huh? This guy is actually making sense today. I was almost tempted for a split second.
But we usually call that ‘nostalgia filter,’ you bastard.
You might have fooled Cheon Yu-hak, but you won’t fool me.
“Stack thr—”
“Okay! Wait! So-hyun, hold on. Substitution! Han-hee!”
“Is it my turn now?”
What, Lilac, you bastard? You think I’ll get in just because Ha-ni asks? Seriously, no matter how much you talk about memories, who the hell rides a palanquin on the day of the closing ceremony? It’s not even a festival.
However, Ha-ni, who took the baton, was looking at me with a very confident attitude.
“So-hyun. I understand. You don’t want to ride this, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then how about this? There are four legs, so you come over to the carrying side too.”
What kind of fresh nonsense was this? She wanted me to carry an empty palanquin?
“And let’s put the cowards who are standing back and pretending this has nothing to do with them inside.”
Ha-ni’s gaze shifted toward Ju Ri-ra, Lee Yu-na, and Kim Ga-eul, who were standing apart as if they weren’t part of the group.
…Now that is tempting.
Wow, I really thought I wouldn’t be swayed, but she actually made me consider it.
For a moment, my eyes met the three trembling girls.
Why are they shaking? It’s making my heart flutter.
We caught each of them as they tried to flee.
Lilac seemed to think it was fun enough just having me participate, and Cheon Yu-hak was probably following the proverb about ‘drinking the poison along with the cup.’
And Ga-eul…
“He… hehehe.”
…I don’t know what she was fantasizing about, but she was in an ‘actually, this is better’ state.
In the end, we lifted the palanquin with the three of them inside and sprinted toward the Academy using our superhuman leg strength.
Ah, seriously.
It hurts my pride.
Why is this so funny and enjoyable? Dammit.
* * *
There were no classes on the day of the closing ceremony. Essentially, we just had to show up, talk to our professors, listen to the Chairperson’s speech, and then vacation would finally begin.
Of course, since everyone was excited, minor accidents could happen, but I had asked Rose and my father to ensure the campus security was extra vigilant. So far, no major variables were in sight.
“Well, since it’s the last day of the first semester for the Holy Fire Class, shall we just exchange brief greetings and finish? You’ll probably hear similar things during the Chairperson’s speech anyway.”
Professor Cathy, as if she didn’t want to drone on with trivial things students would hate, finished after giving only the most basic precautions.
“Ah, right. I forgot the most important thing. You are superhumans, but you are also still cadets. Some of you may have grown during this first semester, while others may have stagnated or even regressed.”
Wait, she is doing it? She’s giving the speech?
“Of course, you might feel anxious. You might feel rushed. But sometimes, pushing yourself too hard can have the opposite effect.”
For some reason, it felt like she was looking directly at me.
“It’s summer. And you’re still freshmen. As long as you don’t slack off too much, I think it’s fine to relax and rest a little! Well then, have a great vacation, everyone!”
Cheers erupted from the classroom.
Ah, for the record, the Chairperson liberated everyone with a miraculously short speech: “Would young people these days even like my speeches? There is a code for heroes, and I trust that you cadets will handle yourselves well.”
In the original story and before my regression, Choi In-ho would have attacked here.
And that guy Lilac, who’s currently stretching over there, would have fought the mage to the death.
“…Now that I think about it, I’m a bit curious.”
The black mage Choi In-ho, who was supposed to form a provisional contract with him, is dead, and so is his subordinate devil. I wonder what that slothful demon will do next?
“Well, it’s not like he’ll do anything immediately.”
“Whoa, Lilac, what the hell do you have stuffed in your desk drawer?”
“Ah, this? The kids occasionally sneak snacks in there, but it’s a bit much today since it’s vacation.”
“Let’s throw it away.”
“…Yu-na, that’s a bit much. It’s a waste.”
Wow, popular people really are on another level.
It seemed the inside of Lilac, Cheon Yu-hak, and Ha-ni’s desks were all quite a mess.
“…Huh?”
I figured mine would just have honey water in it again, but when I reached into my drawer just in case, I started feeling various things.
“What’s this? A letter?”
Besides the honey water that was there as expected, and a note that said, ‘I thought it might be inconvenient for you to throw things away, so I have cleared out the useless items. From your loving servant,’ there was something else in the desk.
“Hey, So-hyun. Lilac’s desk is full of weird stuff! Oh? What’s that?”
A pink envelope. It was carefully sealed and somehow seemed to give off the scent of plum blossoms.
At Ha-ni’s questioning words, everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward me.
“I don’t know, it was in my desk. Is someone playing a prank?”
“…A prank?”
“Oh? What? So-hyun got a letter?”
“What is it? What is it?”
Seriously, I can’t even receive a letter? Why are they making such a fuss?
“No, So-hyun, why is your expression so grumpy?”
“Because of the guys making a fuss over me getting a letter?”
When I confessed my honest feelings, the kids started looking at me as if they were looking at a madman.
“You’re really not in your right mind, are you?”
Why? At least tell me the reason.
“Anyone can see that’s a love letter.”
What kind of fresh nonsense is this?
“Hey, look at the era we live in. Who sends love letters anymore?”
“Why? Even if times change, sincerity is sincerity. I don’t think it’s bad. And if it’s the day of the closing ceremony, isn’t the timing perfect for a confession?”
“Ah, someone’s probably just playing a prank.”
Who would even do such a classic confession? Jokes aside, the probability of it not being a love letter was high. Except for Ga-eul, the girls who showed me favor were all rather aggressive; I didn’t think they’d confess in such a cute way as a letter.
The only one who could possibly do it was Ga-eul, who was currently trembling and thinking, ‘What if it’s a love letter!?’ but honestly, even Ga-eul wasn’t at the level of confessing via letter.
“Watch. I’m going to open it right now. It’ll probably say something like, ‘Did your heart flutter? Always stay on your toes,’ or something.”
After my confident declaration, I broke the seal of the letter, and my body shivered at the somewhat familiar scent.
“It smells so good~”
“…This isn’t scented paper, it’s just normal paper. How does it smell like this?”
I hadn’t noticed it earlier because it was faint, but perhaps because the letter had been sealed, the scent remained strong on the paper.
At this point, I had a feeling I knew who the culprit was.
But wait, we haven’t even interacted yet at this point in time, so for what purpose would she send me a letter…?
I hurriedly checked the letter, and this is what was written:
* * *
I apologize for sending a letter so suddenly when we have not even been introduced.
However, today is already the day of the closing ceremony. If I delay any further, the opportunity to convey these feelings will vanish until next semester.
Thus, I have mustered the courage to overcome my embarrassment.
I would like to speak with you, even if only for a moment, at 6 PM this evening at the clearing on the mountain behind the school where you usually train.
* * *
A letter with no name, only a purpose.
It was a format of letter that was very familiar to me.
— You want me to write my name? In this day and age, who else but me would send a letter?
“…You call this a prank?”
“…Uh, well. Maybe they’ll just say, ‘Psych! No one came~’? It doesn’t even say who sent it.”
Since I didn’t react, everyone started chattering amongst themselves, but it was difficult to answer because of my throbbing headache.
Ah, well. I mean. What the hell.
I don’t know how this happened, but…
“…I guess I have to go.”
“What?! You’re going!?”
Everyone seemed surprised, but knowing who the culprit was, I couldn’t not go.
…I don’t know how Master found me, but it’s not like it’ll be a confession anyway.
So, stop looking at me with those shocked faces.