Cooking Class!
Chirp chirp—the birdsong announcing morning pulled me out of bed. I thought it was my imagination at first, but real bird calls were drifting in from the yard outside. Peering out the window, it didn't seem to be coming from our house but from Ellis's mansion right next door.
I'd definitely fallen asleep hugging Nam Da-eun last night, but she wasn't beside me anymore, so she must've gotten up first.
"Ahh... I'm beat."
Stretching as I shuffled out of the room, a rich coffee aroma greeted me. There was Nam Da-eun, seated at the living room table.
"Good morning."
"Yeah. Sleep well?"
As always come morning, Nam Da-eun gave a slight smile, the corners of her mouth lifting just a touch. Cramped dorm or spacious house—it made no difference.
"Huuuuh...."
Soon enough, Liliana staggered out of her room like a zombie. Had she already forgotten her embarrassment from last night? Yawning, she headed straight for the bathroom. Looks could be deceiving—she was surprisingly diligent about cleanliness.
I plopped down on the sofa in a daze, watching Liliana, then turned to Nam Da-eun.
"Ugh, Mondays always suck."
"But today's a breeze, isn't it?"
Slurp— I blinked at Nam Da-eun as she sipped her coffee. A breeze? On a Monday?
"How's it a breeze?"
"Didn't you see the group message from the academy?"
"Group message?"
"Yeah. They announced shortened classes."
Hearing that, I checked my smartwatch right away. Messages piled up. I'd turned off notifications except for ones from the heroines, which was why it was like this. Somehow my number had leaked everywhere, flooding me with useless crap—interview requests, ad shoot offers, guild recruitment texts.
"No kidding?"
Sure enough, there was the announcement about shortened classes. Guess I'd have to change my number and turn notifications back on. Couldn't miss important stuff.
"Huh?"
I was just starting to feel glad about the shorter classes when a glowing message at the top caught my eye. From Professor Im Sol. She'd sent it in the dead of night while I was asleep, so I'd only spotted it now.
Professor Im Sol: Sorry. Can't contact for a while. Gonna be super busy ㅋ
"...?"
How busy could she be for the meticulous professor to make typos like that? I considered calling or texting, but... she said she was busy, so I'd leave it for now. I planned to drop by for a final goodbye before heading to France anyway—I'd ask her then.
"By the way, how are you and Da-hee gonna get to school while I'm gone for the week?"
The house was under my name, so it'd eventually come out that it was mine. But if word got out that Nam Da-eun was living with me, it'd be a huge hassle.
"I have something in mind for that."
That's when Scarlett approached from behind.
*
Nam Da-eun's commute issue resolved surprisingly easily. Scarlett told us about a magic tool used at Ellis's place. Apparently, it made the house invisible from outside when entering or leaving. The effect covered the whole property, so just placing it there would do the trick.
Who knew such a handy magic tool existed? It was too big for dorm use, but our place had plenty of yard space, so I just tossed it out there.
"The world's come a long way."
"What was that, Ho-yeon?"
"Nothing."
"Lame."
Lumi and Lucy, the twins who always sat next to me in class. Time to say goodbye to the cute duo for a week.
"You two have that Iron Blood Guild internship, right?"
"Yeah. Pretty much."
"Damn, you're killing it."
Iron Blood Guild only reached out to top first-years. Meant Lucy and Lumi had gotten pretty strong.
"Ho-yeon's with Iris Guild... A whole week without seeing you if it's overseas."
"Can't be helped, Lumi. It's a great chance for Lee Ho-yeon."
"... "
Lumi looked glum, and Lucy patted her sister's back. Seeing their clueless innocence made me feel a bit guilty, but what could I do? It really was a big opportunity for me.
Lucy, who'd been comforting Lumi, met my eyes.
"Still... you'll say bye before you go? At the clubroom?"
"I-I'm looking forward to it too..."
"Of course. Obviously."
I had to meet all the heroines once anyway. A whole week apart? Had to say goodbye properly.
...Though how proper that goodbye would be was another story.
*
Morning class was cooking. Sounds ridiculous, but apparently it's a vital skill for dungeons and such. On long dungeon or gate expeditions, you pack ingredients more than pre-made food. Plenty of sub-space artifacts halt time, but some dungeons nullify them. So you bring durable stuff and whip up simple meals.
Of course, for someone like Ellis, it was pointless... but no need to say that in regular class.
All the cadets started cooking with the ingredients in front of them. It wasn't that serious—the guest chef even said to relax before internships, so most goofed around.
Surprisingly, Nam Da-eun got high marks. Her stew looked delicious, perfectly on-theme with vibrant color that made your mouth water.
"...Cadet Da-eun, impressive. You'll make a fine bride."
"Thank you."
By old-world standards, that was blatant sexism, but here no one batted an eye. In a world where anyone could die regardless of gender, standards differed. Guess you need hardship to wise up—upbringing really shapes you.
Then there was Ellis blankly staring at her pitch-black muffins. Best to pretend I didn't see.
Meanwhile, the guys around me were suffering.
"Does Lee Ho-yeon cook well too?"
"Sadly, no."
Kim Young-han, who'd given up on cooking, sidled over for banter. I'd made basic kimchi jjigae. Protagonists in these genres usually cook great... but no such perk for me.
Self-taught from solo living, though, so simple kimchi jjigae was doable.
"...Looks kinda dark. You sure it's good?"
"Wanna try?"
"Been waiting for you to ask."
To check for issues, I used Kim Young-han as taste-tester before heroines or myself. Ladling a hearty bite with meat, he nodded.
"Oh..."
"Taste okay?"
I'd honed this living alone. Kimchi jjigae's foolproof: kimchi, meat, veggies, water, boil.
How hard could it be?
Savoring it, Kim Young-han spoke.
"Dude, you suck at cooking."
"...Really?"
I scooped some with my spoon. No, it was fine. Perfectly edible...
"Ho-yeon... C-can I try some too?"
Lumi approached, seeing my gloom.
"Of course. Give it a fair review, Lumi."
Yeah. No way a jealous guy like Kim Young-han would judge fairly. My Lumi would set it straight.
Slurp...
Gulp.
"I-it's... good..."
Lumi's eyes trembled as she swallowed.
"...That bad?"
One person, maybe—but two? Confidence killer.
"Lemme try. I will."
Lucy approached, seeing Lumi's stiffening face.
"You're my last hope, Lucy."
Nom. Lucy eyed me sideways after tasting.
"Hmm... Not bad, but uh..."
"Forget it."
Premise was flawed from the start. Why cook when others do it? Like a great future wife—Nam Da-eun.
Yeah, she'd handle it.
As that thought crossed my mind, someone crossed the noisy classroom toward me.
"Professor praised this. Want a bite?"
"...? Uh, sure."
Nam Da-eun stood before me, naturally scooping stew into my bowl—like at home.
Flustered, I took a bite. Savory aroma, umami-packed broth. Chewy bits were shockingly good for preserved rations.
Nom nom.
"...This is really good."
Compared to this, my kimchi jjigae was trash.
"Good. Made it with your favorites."
Smiling satisfied at my praise, she took her stew and returned to her seat, cleaning up expressionless as if nothing happened.
"You and Nam Da-eun that close? Wild."
Other cadets whispered, staring. Only Kim Young-han, on friendly terms, said it outright.
"...Kinda."
"Feels more than kinda."
I couldn't respond—sudden shift baffled me. We'd agreed not to act close in public. What changed?
Current Status: Was I a bother after all...? But I wanted to try it once in front of others too.
"... "
I let out a hollow chuckle at Nam Da-eun's status window. Would've been nice if she'd warned me. Impulse got the better of her, huh. Da-eun-ah. Maybe from pounding her so hard last night? Even she lost composure sometimes.
In the corner of my vision, Ellis eyed us suspiciously. Since telling her about the cohabitation, that gaze bugged me more.
"Lee Ho-yeon! Try mine too!"
"P-please try mine..."
Lucy and Lumi blinked at Nam Da-eun, then shakily offered their food. Visually inferior, they lacked confidence.
Of course, compared to my kimchi jjigae, theirs were delicious.
"...What the hell. Why's everything so good?"
Shockingly so. Now I saw—my stew sucked; others were just pros.
"Really? Phew... But when'd you get so close to Nam Da-eun?"
"Should've made you try my fried rice first..."
"...We'll talk later."
I dodged the twins' clinging stares.
"When? Lunch?"
Lucy grabbed my arm, unrelenting.
"...No. Got stuff at lunch."
"Infirmary?"
"Yeah. Meet after."
"Got it."
Lumi nodded, and seeing that, Lucy released me.
"Waiting in the clubroom... you have to come."
"I'll hold my breath till Ho-yeon comes. Sniff."
Lucy peeked up cautiously; Lumi cutely clenched her fists, puffing her cheeks.
"Don't worry. I'll be there."
Grinning at their aegyo, I dug into my hard-earned kimchi jjigae.
Lots to do. Lunch was tight—no time to eat, so this would tide me over.