Noodles, Friends, and Interviews
Professor, why? Despite my bold aspiration to join the student council, there wasn't any dramatic shift in my daily routine. For starters, it wasn't even recruitment season yet—what was I supposed to do? So, just like always, I poured my time into honestly and steadily honing myself. It might look insignificant from the outside, but this steady buildup would one day save my life. There's no such thing as too much training.
That's how a week of academy life passed by uneventfully. Around lunchtime, I was grabbing a meal with the kids. Unlike usual, we decided to eat at a restaurant outside the main building today. Tsuno Ume had been pitifully packing lunches for days straight, and Shaolin had been subtly dropping hints that she wanted to eat out.
So we ended up at a nearby noodle house. It was usually packed with a line, but today Professor Eirin had mercifully ended class thirty minutes early, leaving some seats open.
"You're really treating us today, right, Jeonghyeon!? Hehehe, you're in for it now. Can I order everything from here to there?"
Shaolin asked in an excited voice as soon as we sat down. I was about to tease her back when Ume, sitting next to me, chimed in with his usual beaming smile.
"Wow~ Shaolin's got quite the appetite. To think you could eat all that. Impressive."
His words praised her while somehow sounding sarcastic, making Shaolin pout. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Pig eater, pig eater."
"Ugh... that's not what I meant!"
Shaolin shot back indignantly, and I nodded lightly, playing it off as a joke.
"I know. Order whatever, it doesn't matter much. But I'll charge you for whatever's left."
"Hmph, I was gonna order reasonably anyway. Hmm... I'll have this!"
"One beef noodle soup. What about you, Ume?"
"I'll have one plain noodle soup, please."
"You're a wolf beastkin, but you hardly eat meat? You're not picking the plain one just 'cause it's cheaper, are you?"
Ume smiled serenely without a change in expression.
"Everything has its reason for existing, just as plain noodle soup has its own charm."
"Ume, you're... kinda bookish, huh? Even your word choice screams 'I've read a ton.'"
"Thanks for the compliment."
Ume replied with a laugh to Shaolin's remark. I decided on mine too—beef noodle soup, same as Shaolin.
"Oh? Wonder why you picked the same as me~?"
Shaolin grinned mischievously, narrowing her eyes and asking in a playful tone.
What else? It just looked tasty.
"Beef's delicious."
"Hehe, no need to be shy! My generous self will understand~!"
Shaolin puffed out her chest proudly, patting it with her hands. Her smug attitude irked me a bit.
"Then pay for your own."
"Sorry~."
"You two get along so well. That's great~."
After all that back-and-forth, we placed our orders and killed time chatting idly while waiting. That's when...
"Ah, there's a seat. Lucky today."
A familiar, drowsy voice came from the entrance. I turned my head instinctively, and there was Serena heading toward an empty table with heavy steps. Her shirt was slightly unbuttoned, making it tricky where to look. Ah, eye contact.
Knowing her personality, she wouldn't start talking first, so I gave a light wave.
"Serena, eating here too?"
"Jeonghyeon. Yeah. Usually the line's too long to even think about it during lunch, but luck's on my side today."
Serena half-lidded her left eye and gave a small nod.
"Hope the professor ends early next time too. Did you get today's lecture? I didn't understand a thing."
"Haha, fellow strugglers like us are in the same boat, right? I'm trying my best... but it's not easy."
"Not asleep?"
"Hehe, no comment on that rude question. Enjoy your meal~."
"You too."
Serena gave a small nod to Ume and Shaolin before trudging to her seat. As she walked away, Shaolin—who'd been stiff—asked me,
"Jeonghyeon... you close with Eldrain?"
Close? Our relationship right now... felt like casual acquaintances who'd nod hello if we passed on the street. We only really talked if we bumped into each other in the halls. Even if I wanted to chat more, during breaks she'd always pull out a pillow from her bag and nap. No real openings to get closer, even though I'd like to.
"Eh, casually. Just quick chats like that if we run into each other. Why?"
"Why?! She talks nicely if you approach her, but... she's hard to get close to. Always alone."
"I've never seen her with anyone either."
Ume nodded with a smile at Shaolin's words. Well, I got what Shaolin meant. Serena's way of speaking never offended, but it always steered conversations to a quick end. From the other person's side, it'd feel confusing—talk flows smoothly, but never lasts.
"How'd you even get close!? Tell me! Is it that 'problem child' thing she mentioned?!"
Shaolin's eyes sparkled as she leaned in. Yeah, about that... can't say. How do you explain we bonded over both royally screwing up the first written exam?
I was fumbling for an answer when—
Perfect timing—my phone pinged with a text. But oddly, all our phones—mine, Shaolin's, and Ume's—went off at once. We checked our smartphones in unison.
Oh right, I applied to the travel club last time.
"Yours too? Travel club text?"
I asked the kids as I pocketed my phone. Ume smiled back.
"Yes~ Mine's in the morning."
"Huh? Me too! We can go together! Jeonghyeon?"
"Afternoon for me. Eheh, guess I'll go all lonely."
Shaolin giggled at my joking mutter.
"If you're that lonely, want me to come with? Well, if you really ask nicely, I could."
"Didn't you straight-up ask me yesterday after class if I'd go shopping with someone else Saturday afternoon?"
"...Ah!"
What an airhead.
"Two beef noodle soups and one plain noodle soup. Who ordered the plain?"
"Me~."
Right then, steaming noodle bowls arrived before us. They looked mouthwateringly good.
"Plenty of time before next class, so no rush. Dig in."
"Wait! Gotta take pics first!"
Shaolin snapped photos of the noodles, then flipped the camera and stretched her arm out toward us.
"Everyone, look here! Group photo!"
Taking pics with peers during lunch. A bit annoying, but not bad.
"Ugh, my face costs extra."
"Whoa, a group shot?"
"Don't close your eyes? One, two, three—cheese~!"
-Click!
Shaolin checked the phone, nodded, and showed us.
"I'll send it via chat later!"
Shaolin with wide eyes and a bright grin. The scary-looking Ume with his usual innocent smile. And me, with a slightly awkward one. I etched that warm scene into my mind and scooped up some broth with my spoon.
Perfectly oily, savory, with just the right umami—addictively good. No wonder there's usually a wait.
"Kuh... refreshing."
The warm broth sliding down my throat drew out an involuntary sigh.
"Jeonghyeon sounded like an old man just now."
"...What're you yapping about, you little twerp."
Shaolin's casual jab hit right where it hurt. I wasn't an old man even in my past life—I was a spry twenty-eight!
I glared at her giggling face for a moment. Then—
My phone pinged again—this time just mine. Curious, I checked the text.
"Eh."
My mind blanked. What the heck?