Freshman Johan: Episode 30
I reveled in Scarlett sunbae's irritation and Bane's flustered panic. In Bane's case, I had to be careful with the tension, but teasing the delicate balance between the two of them created a subtly thrilling vibe that was a fresh kind of fun.
It was a bit disappointing that Rias sunbae didn't show much expression, but at least the flags were steadily being planted.
"Hello. I'm Bane Jest."
Bane was the first to bow her head.
For starters, Bane was a freshman at the academy, while Scarlett was the student council secretary and a dorm senior.
Naturally, Bane was the one who should greet first.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Scarlett Red, in charge of the student council secretary position. I'm not much, but please take care of me."
The two exchanged a light handshake. At a glance, it looked like a standard senior-junior greeting, but a strange undercurrent flowed in their eyes.
A battle between two women over one man always starts with the eyes. Just watching this made my stomach full.
"Sunbae, what brings you out to the city streets today? Isn't the student council keeping you busy?"
When I said that, Scarlett sunbae tore her gaze from Bane and turned to me. I didn't want their staredown to escalate too far.
"Worried about me?"
"Yeah. I'm concerned you might collapse from overwork."
I flashed a handsome smile, and sunbae quickly averted her eyes.
Damn, I really love my face. People really do look better when they're good-looking.
Silent prayers for the original Johan, who had this perfect face but never got laid.
"It's not that bad. I came out today for student council business."
"Student council business?"
I tilted my head, and Scarlett sunbae waved her hand dismissively.
"It's our business, so don't worry about it."
"Come on, that's cold. Tell me. I might be able to help, like last time."
Last time, of course, referred to finding the Black Adder Berry. Mentioning it creased a single line on her smooth forehead, as if recalling the past.
"Hmm... Well, you are human but oddly well-informed. You might actually be useful..."
She muttered to herself, then let out a short sigh and spoke.
"I'll tell you since you might help, but don't tell other students. Got it?"
"Of course. My lips are sealed."
We all focused on Scarlett sunbae's lips. She sighed softly and finally opened her mouth.
"The investigation report on that recent serial murder case came to the student council."
The recent serial murders were Bianca's doing. The secret society called the Seven Star Hall had offered sacrifices to their worshipped evil god, Kazan.
Bianca got caught by me midway, but to gain the Seven Star Hall's trust, she succeeded in the final sacrifice.
The academy security force was struggling with the investigation. A high-ranking member of the Seven Star Hall had deeply infiltrated their ranks, making even the initial response difficult.
"The murders stopped at the sixth, but there's no guarantee there won't be a seventh. We checked the victims' identities and found a common point: they all shared the same birthday."
"Oh ho. Really?"
I already knew, but Scarlett sunbae spoke quietly, as if sharing a state secret.
In truth, that info was already spreading among students. With six victims, guessing commonalities wasn't hard.
"Unless it's some psycho killer with a unique birthday fetish, it's clearly for a specific ritual."
"What kind of ritual exactly?"
"Hmm. Could be black magic related to necromancy, forbidden alchemy, or a summoning rite for an evil god. Too many possibilities—it's a headache."
"I see. So, how does sunbae's outing relate to that case?"
"If they're bold enough to pull this off inside the academy, it's definitely a secret society. That's why I'm meeting an expert in that field. This is a student council gift for him."
Scarlett sunbae lifted the paper bag adorned with a beautiful rose drawing. A faint rose scent wafted to my nose.
'Secret society expert—must be that guy. Come to think of it, the original story mentioned Scarlett getting info from him.'
A perfect chance to get acquainted with him.
"Sunbae, mind if I tag along?"
"I'm going to work. Not play."
Scarlett sunbae said with a troubled look. As if anyone thought otherwise.
"Come on. Let me expand my network. We can help each other~ Sunbae, you still haven't kept your promise from last time."
Last promise meant our demon realm date. Hitting her sore spot deepened her troubled expression, but she didn't soften her stubborn face.
"Still no. Telling you this much was already too much. Ugh~ Stop being annoying and go home."
Scarlett sunbae's guard was tougher than expected. But nothing I couldn't break.
'Scarlett sunbae has feelings for me. If I play this right...'
I deliberately grabbed Bane's hand.
"Eek~!"
Bane's delicate voice burst out forcefully. Scarlett sunbae's brow furrowed at the sight.
In the fable of the sun and wind, the sun made the traveler remove his coat by warming him. Rather than erode her will like the wind, I aimed to make her disarm herself like the sun.
"Too bad, sunbae says no. Let's head back."
"Eek! Y-yeah."
Bane replied, her face flushing red. Rias sunbae chuckled with an exasperated look.
"You two look just like our incubus kids. You sure you're human?"
At our display, Scarlett sunbae shot me a feral glare, then whipped her head away.
"Hmph! Fine, if you wanna follow, follow."
Turning away was probably to hide her anxious expression. Imagining her biting her lip where I couldn't see made me almost hard.
"Great, I'll tag along!"
Leaving now would tank all the goodwill I'd built with Scarlett sunbae. Hearing my reply, she stomped ahead.
"I'm warning you upfront: no causing a scene. I'm going to work."
"Of course. I'll act sensibly, sunbae."
"Sigh... Fine. Just act sensible."
Me, Bane, and Rias sunbae followed Scarlett sunbae through the bustling streets. Among the many shops lining the wide road, her choice was a tailor shop.
Opening the door with its small golden bell produced a tinkling chime that echoed softly inside. The owner, napping with a newspaper over his face at the counter, eyed us newcomers.
The awkwardly protruding small wings on his back and the angel ring above his head confirmed he was an angelkin—no doubt.
He looked mid-40s by human standards. Angels lived much longer, so his actual age was probably way older. His unshaven, prickly face clashed wildly with the holy angel image.
"Annoying customers. Where's the salt?"
Watching the angelkin owner rummage for salt gave a massive sense of dissonance.
This place blurred the line between Western and Eastern fantasy.
"Long time no see, Mr. Jake. Brought your gift."
"Don't need that crap. Go home."
Jake waved her off dismissively, his face screaming pure annoyance. He looked like he'd off himself if left alone with the world's tedium.
An angel's suicide. Pretty rare.
"And you brought a whole entourage. New student council members? No need to introduce them to me."
"No, they're just regular customers... well, regular juniors. For now."
"I'm same-year, though..."
Rias sunbae muttered softly at Scarlett sunbae's words—too quiet for Jake to hear.
"Why drag all these juniors along?"
"Personal request from the juniors. Treat them like air and ignore."
"You treat them like air."
True to the original novel, Jake was prickly as hell.
Jake Frederick, one of Silnakwon's top informants, was an angelkin exiled from the heavens.
Settled in Silnakwon, he'd once worked for various crime syndicates. Now, under a new identity, he ran this tailor shop in the city.
His old underworld connections lingered, making him unmatched for Silnakwon's dark secrets.
Scarlett sunbae placed the gift bag on the counter. Jake casually plunged his hand in to check the contents. He'd rejected it like some upright Confucian scholar moments ago, but flipped faster than a pancake.
"Oh ho. Fine herbal liquor. Bernehardt's work?"
"Yes. Teacher Bernehardt prepared it."
"Word is she brewed golden ginseng liquor. Gotta drop by for a taste sometime."
Licking his lips at the bottle, Jake's prickly demeanor softened into a meek gaze at Scarlett sunbae. The gift clearly won him over.
The "no guests" bit was never sincere anyway. Jake and the student council had a symbiotic relationship.
Not close friends, though. At this point, the council didn't know, but Jake sold their info to other secret societies too.
"So, what's your question?"
Jake crossed his arms and asked.