Chapter 60: Hero Academy Amusements
"You went on a date, huh…."
"……?"
A quiet murmur echoed through the silent library.
Bang-gi adjusted his glasses as Siu looked up from his book at the words from the gray-blonde girl.
His face was full of bewilderment.
Did I do anything that could be called a date?
No matter how hard he racked his brain, nothing specific came to mind.
Having just returned to the Hero Academy after completing Han So-young's mission, he hadn't done much here lately. Walks with Elaine or Hildear were routine, so they weren't worth mentioning now.
Anything else…? Hmm… Ah.
What Siu finally recalled was the petty revenge he'd taken a few days ago by toying with that harmful woman.
"Hmm, was that something you could call a date?"
"W-Was it?"
Siu tried to downplay it, emphasizing there was nothing special between him and that woman, but Ash looked even more shocked.
She'd misunderstood his intent completely. She thought something like that didn't even qualify as a date—that it had to be something far more intimate.
For a lonely girl whose worldview was shaped mostly by novels, a casual chat over tea at a café with a guy counted as a date.
Fortunately, Siu realized it quickly.
Instead of excuses or explanations, he flashed a grin.
Then he stood from his chair and moved to the seat beside her.
"……?!?!"
The sudden closeness between man and woman left Ash gasping silently in shock.
"You really think that was a date?"
"B-But…."
How should she explain it?
Her lips trembled.
"Hmm, looks like you've never been on one, Miss Ash."
"I-I, uh, th-that's…."
Her cute face, framed by her messy hair, flushed bright red.
Through her occasional glasses, her eyes shook violently.
The question from her crush—whose intentions she couldn't read—was a devastating blow. Unlike novel characters whose thoughts flowed clearly, reality felt like reading a book in pitch darkness.
"Right?"
"Ugh, y-yeah…."
"Then I get to claim your first date."
"?!?!"
"A date. You'll go, right?"
"………Y-Yes…♡"
Ash nodded with a blissful smile.
Her heart-eyed, adorable response brought a warm grin to Siu's face.
He knew she liked him, but her passive attitude and tricky personality had left him unsure how to proceed. Now, a perfect opportunity had arisen.
Who knew that bitch would be this helpful.
Ash, who might have shied away in fear otherwise, seemed quite stimulated.
Jealousy and love had overridden her self-doubt and distrust of others.
It meant her affection and trust in him had grown. The girl, scarred by family and clan back in her home world, was overcoming it through love for a man.
"Next time, let's meet at a café instead of the library."
This time, she just nodded.
Her flushed face brimmed with anticipation.
But faint anxiety flickered in her eyes too.
It was just a café for academy folks only.
With graduation nearing—less than half the time left—she'd seen most faces around, even if she didn't know names or had never spoken. Yet Ash feared the café.
"Wanna go together?"
"……."
The meaning was obvious.
Still, she hesitated to reply.
"Think of it casually."
"…I-I'll… g-go… by myself…."
"Sure. Let's see… day after tomorrow at 4 PM at the café. I'll wait till you show."
"T-Till I… show?"
"Yeah. Till you do."
"……."
Ash felt her heart pounding wildly.
Till I show.
Someone waiting for her. Such an unfamiliar sensation, unfamiliar words.
Waiting had always been her burden, never reciprocated.
Not from her father, who gave her a room in the library corner for his unwanted child and never visited.
Not from her mother, who vented rage at her husband's bastard on her constant visits.
Nor from their daughter, worse than both combined.
She desperately avoided relying on people, yet this man kept shaking her heart.
"Wh-What if I can't make it before the café closes?"
"Closes at 9, right? I'll just wait out front."
"……I-I'll… definitely… come…."
"Good."
Ash vowed to arrive on time.
Others might scoff at making such a big deal, but for a lifelong loner who'd never formed real bonds, it was monumental. Her fists clenched under the desk, knuckles whitening.
"By the way, Miss Ash."
"Y-Yes!"
"You can speak softer."
"A-Ahaha…."
"Those glasses uncomfortable? You've been wearing them a lot lately."
She already had a habit of hunching and hair that sealed her beauty away like a powerful barrier. Now she was reinforcing it with glasses.
No guys had shown interest in her. Why bother with a potentially pretty but annoying loner when isekai women were eager for him?
The female candidates, busy powering up themselves, were similar. Some tried with Ash but gave up in frustration.
"Th-These… m-make it a bit… easier…."
"No prescription, right?"
"Y-Yeah…. N-No. A little… a little bit."
Siu nodded thoughtfully.
She did squint sometimes; must be her vision.
Glasses beauty isn't bad…. Sigh, before graduation, I gotta get her new glasses and fix that hair somehow.
"……?"
Receiving his lustful gaze without understanding, she just tilted her head.
Siu's room.
The smooth academy routine was starting to feel a tad boring.
"Hilde. Rest today."
"No, sir. As your guard knight and servant, I can't— Kyaa?!"
"Hahaha! Cute scream."
"Eek! Th-That was…."
Hildear thought any woman would react the same if a man suddenly hugged her from behind and tumbled onto the bed.
"Ahh, this feels good…."
Holding a woman in the middle of the day and lounging on a soft bed was pure bliss. Too bad she was in light armor.
Since entering the academy, Siu rarely saw Hildear out of armor. Different dorms, and she always arrived prepared. He'd glimpsed her without some pieces occasionally, but that was it.
As one who saw her as both guard and lover, it left him wanting.
"……."
Meanwhile, nestled in her beloved's arms, she felt the same.
Feels so good….
His sharp features filled her vision.
His warm embrace penetrated her armor.
Even the sheets, washed daily, faintly carried his scent.
Surrounded by him, her mouth watered and her lower belly tingled.
But I should get up soon….
"S-Siu? Could you let go now…."
"Nope. Rest together today."
"……."
Her light blue ponytail tousled, two thoughts clashed in her mind.
The loyal guard knight demanded duty; the lovestruck maiden craved his company. It seemed balanced, but the maiden cried out.
If Siu says rest together, that's an order—top priority mission!
Ah…!!
The knight surrendered instantly.
"…Mmm, y-yes…."
"You've been busy these past months. One day off won't hurt."
His half-lidded eyes and drowsy voice were irresistible.
It was undeniable fact.
The party member training annex of the Hero Academy.
Siu had tasked Hildear and Elaine with scouting talents and gathering intel. They handled most things, but some only Hildear could.
Like approaching candidates.
Elaine's saintess role intimidated many, so Hildear bridged the gaps.
"Ahh, wish graduation would hurry up."
"…Is the academy that boring, sir?"
"Nah, more like…."
Siu's eyes snapped open.
"I wanna take my girls' virginities soon."
"Ah…."
"Our Hilde's virginity… six months should have ripened it perfectly."
Her light blue-haired knight's face flushed scarlet.
Hildear ducked her head unconsciously. Objectively not stunning, but Siu was handsome enough—and to her, the handsomest man alive.
"Less than two months left? Can't wait."
"……♡"
His sweet anticipation for her hymen made her heart flutter.
After a brief hesitation, she peeked up and kissed his cheek.
"Ah… Hilde."
"Eek, y-yes…."
"Teasing me? Begging me to deflower you already."
"N-No! You've waited so well, just a bit longer…."
Shocked by his seriousness, the knight floundered.
They'd waited this long; she couldn't lose it now. Her belly sparked hot, but she needed more time.
"Hmm, if you say so…."
"Ah, y-yes…."
"Heh. You were a little disappointed, huh?"
"Wh-What?"
"Graduation… really can't wait. Deflowering you and Elaine, then busy with all sorts of stuff."
"…Y-Yes. So… exciting…♡"
Gratified smiles spread across their faces.
Compared to Elaine, the harem cartel's assistant, he'd spent less time with Hildear lately, but he truly cherished her.
"Though… not sure about Miss Elaine."
Hildear suddenly brought up the pink-haired saintess.
"Huh? What about her?"
"Her virginity. She seems… pretty frustrated. No, really frustrated."
Not jealousy—just observation.
Alone, they traded barbs sometimes, but training together had bonded them. They'd even promised no badmouthing other women in front of Siu.
"Frustrated? She's always like that. And I feed her semen plenty."
"That's why it's worse. Meeting the man she's longed for, yet only sucking him off."
"Ah. Yeah…."
Classic Elaine logic; Siu nodded.
"Still… it's almost time. She'll hold out."
"Mmm… y-yeah…?"