Chapter 82
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Irregular
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Melissa's gaze turned toward Luena.
It wasn't overt.
But she wasn't trying to hide it either.
It was a calculated rudeness, subtly grating on the nerves.
Looking at Luena like that, Melissa broke into a bright smile.
"That croquette looks delicious."
"...What? Croquette?"
"Yeah. Mind if I snag one? The cafeteria line was too long, so I gave up and just grabbed some bread from the school store. Now I'm starving."
Melissa reached for the lunchbox.
At that moment—
Luena shot up from her seat and thrust out her hand to block her.
It was remarkably quick.
Unlike Luena's usual laid-back, sluggish demeanor.
Of course, the situation warranted it.
It was emotional enough for Luena to react that way.
From my perspective...
I knew why those two had shown up,
and I'd heard there was something to check via telepathy, but Luena had no clue.
I glanced at Luena.
Her hand was positioned precisely between the lunchbox and Melissa's hand.
Her expression... I couldn't see it since her back was to me.
But the atmosphere made one thing clear.
This wasn't something to brush off lightly.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 To Melissa: "What are you trying to pull?" 🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 From Melissa: "I just need to check something real quick." 🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 To Melissa: "Check what? Can't you see she's upset?" 🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 From Melissa: "Yeah. That's why I just need a moment to check." 🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 To Melissa: "...Know when to quit." Melissa's gaze flicked briefly toward me.
For now, I'd just watch how things played out.
A momentary silence.
Then Luena's voice came, a bit lower than usual.
"...No."
It was familiar yet somehow different.
The tone was firm yet calm, like an Eliad's,
but her emotions seeped through more openly than normal.
'Can't blame her...'
Marian and Melissa.
They were unwelcome intruders disrupting her precious lunch.
Not content with that, they were even trying to steal her food.
No way she'd react well.
Melissa surely knew this would rub her the wrong way.
Which made her sudden behavior all the more baffling.
'...What the hell is she scheming?'
Melissa.
She was a bit selfish, but not the type to start trouble for no gain.
Unlike Marian, she wasn't oblivious,
nor foolish enough to misread the room.
If anything, her wariness was excessive—she'd spent the past month hiding her presence to avoid Luena's notice.
That's what made it so strange.
This was the first time in this loop she'd spoken to Luena.
It wasn't the move of someone avoiding attention.
It almost seemed deliberate, like she wanted to provoke dislike.
No matter how I thought about it, there had to be some ulterior motive.
I glanced at Melissa.
Her hand hovered frozen in midair, blocked by Luena.
She stared at her own hand for a moment before slowly lifting her head.
Their eyes met.
Melissa narrowed her eyes playfully and asked back.
"No? Why not?"
"It's ours."
Luena stated it more firmly than before.
A short, concise answer.
No frills, no intention of explaining further.
Melissa smirked again, one corner of her mouth lifting.
She eyed Luena with narrowed eyes before letting out a soft chuckle.
"Aw, that's harsh. I'm not asking for everything—just one little croquette. And it's the smallest one there."
"......"
"Here, take this apple juice instead. It's unopened. Deal?"
"S-Sis... maybe we should just go now..."
Marian cautiously tugged at Melissa's hem.
She'd picked up on the tense vibe.
Even someone as dense as Marian.
But Melissa just shrugged, refusing to back down.
"Why? Isn't this a fair trade? Right, Celen?"
"...Huh? Why drag me into this?"
Melissa's gaze slid...
toward me, sitting next to Luena.
Suddenly pulled in, I blinked in confusion and shot back at her.
Right then—
I noticed Luena's fist clenching tight.
Her knuckles were white.
Anyone not an idiot could tell.
Luena was seriously pissed at this situation.
'Time to step in.'
Tsking, I started to stand.
Seemed like she was testing Luena, but I wasn't about to let her harass her for whatever goal.
At that moment—
Luena reached out and grabbed my hand.
Unlike her tightly clenched fist, her grip on me was gentle.
Luena didn't look at Melissa.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly toward me.
"No. Celen made it for me."
"...Hm?"
"We're short on food as it is. Go find some elsewhere."
Melissa's playful gaze dropped downward.
Luena's arm wrapped protectively around the lunchbox.
Her hand gently holding mine.
Observing it all, Melissa raised one eyebrow.
"Aha..."
A short exclamation.
The tone was subtle, but I could tell.
It was less "I get it" and more "Confirmed."
Glancing between us, Melissa smiled brightly.
"Got it. Sorry for the interruption. We probably ruined your lunch. Eat in peace—don't mind us. Bye."
"...Huh?"
Melissa shrugged lightly and took a step back.
Then she vanished in a flash.
As if her earlier annoyance had been an illusion.
So compliant.
Unnaturally so.
Even Marian jumped in surprise, staring after her.
"S-Sis—?!"
"Hurry up, Marian. Lunchtime's almost over."
Oblivious to her confusion,
Melissa even dragged the bewildered Marian along.
Marian stumbled after her, utterly lost.
Finally—
They were out of sight.
'What the hell was that...?'
Luena seemed just as baffled.
A brief silence fell.
The noisy campus sounds continued,
but our spot felt oddly hollow, like the noise had drained away.
Luena still held my hand.
Gazing intently in the direction they'd gone.
Her eyes were different from usual... a bit tense, I opened my mouth.
"...Luena?"
"...Huh?"
I called her softly.
Only then did she release my hand.
Blink, blink—
She blinked at me before looking down at the lunchbox.
Then came a slightly deflated voice.
"...Sorry. Did you hate that?"
"Hate what?"
Luena fell silent.
She just pulled the lunchbox closer, eyes downcast.
Another silence.
Luena took a small breath, hesitating for a long moment.
A bit later—
She finally spoke, even more subdued.
"...Not sharing the croquette."
"Huh?"
What random thing was she saying now?
Chuckling, I ruffled her hair.
"It's yours. You decide. What's to hate?"
"...Really?"
"Obviously. Besides, they were the rude ones. Not you."
"...Yeah."
Only then did Luena's face brighten a little.
Watching her, I mumbled softly, like an ant crawling.
"...And I made it for you to eat."
"Yeah!"
Luena beamed as if she'd never been down, replying brightly.
She'd heard that whisper.
My neck itched, so I scratched it roughly.
"Hurry up and eat. It'll get cold."
"Yeah? But yours tastes good even cold..."
"...Eat. Now."
"Okay! Thanks, I'll dig in!"
Luena nodded vigorously, grabbing her fork.
Our lunch resumed, barely.
I thought we'd finally eat in peace.
"Ah—?!"
"......"
"Awoooo..."
"......"
"Eeee, ah—! I dropped it..."
With the intruders gone,
now Luena was battling the lunchbox contents.
And—
A cherry tomato arced through the air, landing squarely on my knee.
Luena reached to grab it, but...
She couldn't even pick it up with her fingers anymore,
and it bounced back onto the blanket's center.
'...If you can't even use a fork properly, what're we gonna do?'
A sigh escaped at her unchanging clumsiness, no matter her age.
"What are you doing? Seriously."
"...Huh?"
"Give me the fork."
"O-Okay..."
Sighing, I took the fork and picked up something she liked.
Then—
Holding the lid to catch any spills, I held it to her mouth.
"Eat. Ah."
"...Ah?"
"I'll be waiting till lunch ends if you dawdle. Hurry."
"Okay! Ahh—"
Luena eagerly took the croquette I offered.
Crunch—
A crisp sound rang out.
"So good—!"
"...Good."
My neck itched again, but I ignored it.
The boisterous campus.
Laughter and footsteps from afar.
The lunchtime clamor filled my ears again.
Finally feeling back to normal, I let out a small sigh.
'Melissa... deal with her later.'
Yeah.
For now, focus on the everyday.
I gripped the fork again, turning to the lunchbox.
"Here, carrot."
"...Urk."
"No pickiness. You won't grow."
"Height... Aren't I done growing?"
"Don't give up. You could still hit 3 meters."
Luena puffed her cheek but scrunched her eyes and ate the carrot.
Crunch, crunch.
She grumbled but ate it anyway.
That hadn't changed either, and it oddly comforted me.
"...Celen."
"Yeah."
"You'll make it again next time?"
"...Depends."
"Ehe. Means you will."
So shameless, so matter-of-fact.
It was ridiculous, but a chuckle slipped out.
Lunchtime passed like nothing had happened.
🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 From Melissa: "Celen, enjoy your cozy lunch?" 🔮 TELEPATHY 🔮 From Melissa: "My guess was right after all. You're definitely an Irregular." Until Melissa's telepathy came through.