Chapter 316: The Eve of the Festival
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 316: The Eve of the Festival
Well, after a hectic preparation period, Leilan Academy was burning hot in more ways than one on the eve of the festival.
“The Cosplay Cafe hosted by the Holy Fire Class! We look forward to seeing you there!”
First off, Cheon Yu-hak went on a full-scale offensive. Using his employees to hand out flyers was just the beginning; he even had posters produced and plastered over every authorized surface until it was practically wallpaper.
For the record, when Ha-ni called him underhanded, do you know what the guy said?
— I was told I could use what I have at home, so there’s no problem. Oh, and I gave the staff a bonus for their help, and they were all quite happy about it. Is there any reason for me to hear complaints?
…Or so he said.
To counter this, Ha-ni stayed up all night preparing dishes for a tasting corner. She started giving out food the day before the festival and was even training the cooking staff to improve their skills on top of the promotion.
— I’ll win…! I’m definitely going to win…!
Mmm, how adorable. Our Ha-ni is even cute when she’s angry!
To be honest, I was a bit worried that the competition between the classes would get too heated and ruin friendships, but thanks to Lilac’s mediation—and the fact that most of the delinquents had been crushed during the first semester—it didn’t go that far.
At this point, couldn’t you call it a healthy rivalry?
And while the two classes were locked in this fierce competition, what was I doing…?
“How’s this one?”
“Hmm, it’s tasty, but the difficulty level seems a bit high for the other kids to make besides you.”
“Ah, damn. Right.”
“So-hyun, what about mine?!”
“Oh, it’s good. But it tastes like a major corporation made it.”
“I-I did use a bit of instant soup base, but wouldn’t it still be okay?!”
“Well, since you might have to make it in a hurry, this level of quality might actually be perfect.”
“No…! We can’t beat Cheon Yu-hak’s financial flex with a taste like that…!”
I was acting as the official taster for the Holy Sword Class.
“Hey?! So-hyun, I wondered where you went?! You traitor…!”
And right on cue, Lilac appeared, staring at me as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“What nonsense are you talking about? A guy can’t have a little snack at a friend’s class booth?”
“So-hyun! Ignore Lilac! The next dish is out!”
“Ah, this is good. For pizza, as long as you prep plenty of sauce, the flavor stays consistent. Going in this direction would be a good idea.”
“Ah! The sauce! I see!”
“So-hyun, how about this?”
“The souffle will lose its shape if too much time passes, don’t you think?”
Lilac and the late-arriving Cheon Yu-hak seemed quite shocked to see me happily scarfing down food from Ha-ni and Ga-eul without even giving them a proper response. But honestly, isn’t this obvious?
The Holy Fire Class with Lilac and Cheon Yu-hak vs. the Holy Sword Class with Ha-ni and Ga-eul…?
Is there any reason I shouldn’t be helping the Holy Sword Class?
“You better say it straight! Is it Holy Fire or Holy Sword?!”
“Hail Holy Sword.”
Lilac retreated to the Holy Fire Class’s prep area, muttering about how he couldn’t believe me.
Oh, for the record, their spot was less than a meter away, so he was just trying to get a rise out of me.
“So-hyun, don’t be like that! Just come join our class entirely!”
“I’m sorry, but that would be difficult.”
The moment Ga-eul said that with a smile, I briefly considered just doing it. However, Cheon Yu-hak stepped in, blocking Ga-eul with a cold smirk.
“…Why?”
Well, seeing as the two of them were just glaring at each other instead of actually fighting now, it seems like a lot of the old resentment has faded. That’s a relief.
“Unlike Lilac, I don’t challenge a battle I can’t win. I only placed the bet because I have a surefire way to take him with me.”
I wonder? I don’t see any reason why I’d abandon Ga-eul and Ha-ni to work for you and Lilac…
“So-hyun.”
I flinched, my body trembling at the voice.
“You should come over here. It’s our Holy Fire Class, after all.”
I turned around with mechanical stiffness to find Professor Cathy standing there with a slightly sorrowful expression.
“Yes, ma’am…”
Left with no choice, I returned to the Holy Fire Class and began diligently participating in the work.
“Hmph…”
“Ga-eul, it’s fine. If we win in sales on the first day, we can bring him back.”
“Ha, you’re dreaming the impossible.”
“Just you wait. That guy you want so badly is our class’s secret weapon.”
As Cheon Yu-hak laughed like some sort of villain and Ha-ni burned with the determination to overcome all that with pure skill, the rest of the Holy Fire and Holy Sword students began to fire up as well.
Well, yeah. When you’re a student, you tend to give your all even to the little things.
* * *
The problem was, I had slightly underestimated Ha-ni’s sincerity.
“Next…! Cream pasta…!”
“Wasn’t the last one cream pasta too…?”
“I increased the milk by 30ml when making the sauce this time.”
I didn’t expect her to keep muttering about it all the way home and then continue even after we got back to the dormitory.
Luna and Wolf had already retired, exhausted from eating. I was only holding on because I’d reinforced my digestive capacity.
…Oh, of course I fed Luna and Wolf too. I just sent them to the back because I thought they’d be in trouble if they ate any more.
“It’s too greasy…”
“Greasy?! Should I reduce the milk after all?! Or maybe add some spice? Ah, but then it overlaps with the Rose pasta…!”
…Boy, I can tell the blood has rushed to her head, if nothing else.
“Ha-ni.”
“Just a little, I think just a little more will do it. Just a second…!”
“Ha-ni.”
I slowly hugged her from behind, and Ha-ni’s body gave a small jolt.
I don’t usually like hugging her from behind while she’s cooking because it’s dangerous, but a hug is the best way to calm down an agitated girl.
Was it said that humans find stability in the heartbeat of another?
Indeed, Ha-ni slowly began to melt.
I turned off the gas and gently stroked the hair of the girl melting into my arms. Ha-ni twitched and tried to pull away, but there was no strength in her body at all; she was clearly just pretending to try.
“You need to calm down. The festival is tomorrow. If you change the recipe too much now, it’ll be hard on the other kids too.”
“…Still. Since we’re doing it, I want to win.”
“You have to make the sauce starting now, and it was plenty delicious when I tried it earlier. Isn’t it a bigger problem if the head chef ruins her health by overdoing it?”
“…A Superhuman doesn’t get sick just from overworking for a day or two, you know?”
“You haven’t been overworking for just a day or two, have you?”
Left with nothing to say, Ha-ni chose silence.
“I’m not saying being competitive is bad, but you know you shouldn’t overdo it to the point where you can’t manage your condition, right?”
“…Are you treating me like a child right now?”
Ah, she caught me. Well, the kids used to love it when I did this.
“So, you hate it?”
“Hah…”
Based on statistics, people seem weak to this kind of smiling face, so I tried it. Ha-ni let out a hollow laugh as if she found it absurd.
Hmm, was it a bit much?
“…Do I look like I’m overdoing it?”
“Honestly, a bit.”
“…Do you think the other kids got dragged into this against their will because of me and Cheon Yu-hak?”
“I didn’t go that far. I doubt it. One way or another, they all seem to be having fun. Everyone seems to enjoy the hustle and bustle.”
Well, just holding her was getting a bit boring, so I started kneading Ha-ni’s cheeks, which looked a bit gloomy. Ha-ni began to resist.
“Ah~ what are you doing~”
Only with her words, of course.
“Hmm, I’m kneading the cheeks that are worrying over useless things. They’re squishy.”
The kids used to giggle and immediately forget why they were sulking when I did this. Even if it’s not as effective as it was with them, it should have some impact.
“…Your intuition is really too good for your own sake. That’s why women keep swarming around you.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
It’s hard to imagine now, but I actually used to think I had to push you all away.
Before I regained my memories, and even after.
Right up until the moment I realized I couldn’t possibly be apart from you.
“I know. Even for me, I was the one who said I liked you first. Why would it be any different for others?”
…Wait? Now that I think about it, my conscience is pricking me. Come to think of it, have I ever properly confessed my feelings?
I’ve said it in passing, but I don’t recall ever sitting down and properly telling them I love them.
Meanwhile, whether she knew what I was thinking or not, the melted Ha-ni kept burrowing into my arms and rubbing her cheek against me.
“Ah, it’s unfair. Truly unfair. You always smell so good that I can’t get up.”
After rubbing against me for a long time, just as Ha-ni began to look up at me with slightly moist eyes…
Ding-dong.
The call came.
Ha-ni’s expression soured for a split second, but she let out a breath when she realized the visitor was someone she had invited.
“Ah, right. I asked Professor Cathy to help with the tasting.”
“What about Ga-eul?”
“She ran away earlier, saying she ate too much.”
“Aha.”
Ha-ni hesitated significantly, perhaps because she had been caught up in the mood, but she eventually concluded she couldn’t ignore the guest she had invited and obediently opened the door.
“Ah, I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something…?”
And Professor Cathy, who had just stepped in, apologized—though I have no idea how she sensed the atmosphere—while Ha-ni just gave a small chuckle, as if the moment had already passed.
“No, I was the one who called you. Have you eaten?”
“No, I skipped dinner on purpose since you said you’d treat me. Oh, instead, I brought some drinks and basic necessities as a gift.”
“Ah, we just ran out of dish soap. Thank you.”
Watching the two of them chat and laugh, the thought I’d had moments ago came back even stronger.
I’ve said I like them many times.
But I don’t think I’ve ever confessed the way my Master did.
…I’m not saying a couple only starts dating when the man confesses, but still, isn’t this a bit much?
Of course, one might think it’s a bit late for that now, but they might feel anxious if I don’t put it into words.
Maybe Cathy, Ha-ni, and Ga-eul all wanted me to say it clearly but were holding back for my sake.
“Um…”
“Hmm? What is it, So-hyun? Oh, don’t feel pressured. I didn’t buy anything too grand.”
“Or did you decide you want to eat a bit more?”
No, that’s not it.
For a moment, I was so flustered I almost asked something stupid like, “Do you two want to hear me give a proper confession?”
You idiot.
The moment those words leave your mouth, you’d be a clueless moron that even Lilac would disown.
Of course they want to hear it.
Who on earth asks before doing something like that?
…Wait, is that not right? Is it rude to do it too suddenly, so I should ask first?
I’m in trouble.
A confession.
I’ve really never done this before…?
“No, just… I was wondering if it’s okay for a female professor to enter the male dormitory at such a late hour.”
It was an excuse I came up with on the spot, but it wasn’t half bad.
“Ah, it’s fine, So-hyun.”
But a rather shocking answer came back to my hastily improvised excuse.
“Leilan is my friend. If I say it’s not a problem, what can the reporters even do?”
Judging by the faint flicker of loathing in her eyes for a moment…
It seemed Professor Cathy really disliked reporters.
Well, I wasn’t asking about news articles; I was just asking if it was ethically okay, but let’s not dig any deeper.
Anyway, the small question about confessions that popped into my head on the eve of the academy festival would later develop into a much larger incident.
But as always, at that time, I had no way of knowing.