Hidden Schemes and a Pizza Feast
Since it had to serve as lodging, the only option close enough to the academy that could qualify was an apartment. Among them, this place was by far the best. Of course, being an apartment meant Seo Moon-min-hye's personal house was still superior, but that was unavoidable. Her residence had been built specifically for the wealthy living on Hero Island.
"Oh, so this is Cheon's lodging! It's quite nice!"
Yee Eun-chae exclaimed in admiration as she looked around the interior of the 53-pyeong apartment. The rooms the girls stayed in at the dorms were technically dormitories, but thanks to Yucheon Group's investment, they had been expanded into something closer to spacious studio apartments with proper facilities. Even as two-person rooms, they came equipped with refrigerators, wardrobes, bookshelves, and air conditioners, so daily life posed no issues. Still, they couldn't compare to a 53-pyeong apartment.
"It's pretty good for lodging."
There were four rooms and two bathrooms. The living room was spacious enough for five people to sit and eat together, and a plush sofa sat invitingly in the corner.
"I ordered the pizza on the way here, so it'll arrive in about ten minutes. I'll get the cola out now."
"Ah, I'll help pour it into cups."
Arian approached with a gentle smile. Even as a princess, she showed no hesitation toward such simple tasks.
"Sure, I'd appreciate that."
As I pulled the cola from the fridge, Arian took the bottles and began pouring them into glass cups. Just then, Yoo Eun-chae rose from her seat and walked over to me.
"Um… Cheon. If the cola gets lukewarm, I can cool it down for you."
Her cautious tone made even the small offer sound tentative. The fact that she spoke so carefully about something as minor as chilling cola told me she still hadn't shaken off her awkwardness.
If we were alone, I might have tried to get closer physically…
But with so many eyes watching, that wasn't an option right now.
"Anyone who wants to eat on the living room floor can do that, and anyone who prefers the table can eat there. I ordered thirty extra-large pizzas, so there'll be plenty."
"Oppa, you ordered thirty pizzas?"
Seo Moon-min-hye, the only one here unfamiliar with Yee Eun-chae's appetite, looked slightly startled. It was true that mana awakeners tended to eat more than ordinary people. However, ordering thirty extra-large pizzas for five people meant six pizzas per person. That was excessive even for mana awakeners.
"It's fine. Eun-chae will eat more than twenty of them herself."
At my words, Seo Moon-min-hye turned her gaze toward Yee Eun-chae. Despite the surprised look, Yee Eun-chae smiled brightly without a hint of embarrassment.
"No need to worry, Min-hye. Since I'm a physical enhancement type, I eat quite a lot. I can easily handle over twenty pizzas on my own."
Seo Moon-min-hye nodded in understanding.
"Eun-chae unni specializes in physical enhancement?"
"That's right. Hmm~ You look pretty strong too, Min-hye, even if physical enhancement isn't your main focus. As expected of Cheon's little sister."
Yee Eun-chae had already gauged that Seo Moon-min-hye's abilities were nothing to scoff at. In fact, after spending time with me, Seo Moon-min-hye's current strength surpassed Arian's, Yee Eun-chae's, and Yoo Eun-chae's. She simply kept it hidden. If she truly set her mind to it, she would be stronger than Seo Moon-hyun.
Of course, that would change if I got serious.
I sensed the pizza delivery drivers arriving. Feeling them ride up in the elevator, I stood up.
"Everyone, get ready to eat. The pizza's here."
At my words, Arian, who had been sipping cola while seated, set her glass on the table.
"There are thirty pizzas, so I'll help carry them too."
"Ah! Oppa, I'll help as well!"
"Cheon, I'll lend a hand too."
"I-I'll help too…"
All four of them offered to assist. Hearing their voices overlap didn't feel chaotic; instead, the harmonious sound of their beautiful tones made it pleasant. If any academy student saw four stunning beauties rising at once, I was certain at least ninety percent of them would lose their composure.
"Thanks, everyone."
Chuckling softly, I walked ahead and opened the door. Moments later, three delivery drivers arrived carrying the pizzas.
"Delivery… is here."
"Here are your thirty pizzas."
The moment the drivers saw my face, they recognized me as the Yucheon Group heir who had been all over the news since yesterday and looked visibly shocked. They clearly hadn't imagined the heir to Yucheon Group would order pizza delivery. Still, they completed the handover without issue. Payment had already been handled by card.
"Enjoy your meal…"
The three drivers left with dazed expressions after seeing not only me but also Seo Moon-min-hye, Arian Liberin, Yee Eun-chae, and Yoo Eun-chae coming out to help carry the boxes.
Even if others don't matter, Arian Liberin is a princess. If rumors spread, they'll have to be prepared.
If something like that happened, the Liberin Kingdom would undoubtedly intervene. Still, to be safe, I gave Lucifer an order.
Lucifer, plant suggestions in those three so they don't do anything unnecessary.
Understood, my lord.
After receiving Lucifer's reply, I carried the pizzas inside with the others. Feeling the warmth of the freshly baked pizzas, I stacked twenty-five boxes on the living room floor and placed five on the dining table.
"If anyone needs more, just say so. We can order again while we eat."
"No, this is plenty."
Arian smiled brightly as she placed one pizza box on her lap and opened it to check the contents. Seeing the world's most famous princess in her National Hero Academy uniform, casually balancing a pizza box on her knees instead of wearing the elegant, revealing dress of the Liberin Kingdom, created an oddly charming contrast. On the surface, she looked like she should only dine on the finest, most refined meals.
"It's cheese crust?"
At Arian's words, I opened a box as well.
"I ordered everything with cheese crust. It feels a bit lacking without it, doesn't it?"
"That's true."
Arian agreed. Not just her—Seo Moon-min-hye, Yee Eun-chae, and even Yoo Eun-chae nodded unconsciously in agreement.
"Hmm, should I have ordered chicken too?"
Some of the pizzas were chicken-flavored, but they weren't the same as plain fried chicken. I didn't particularly care either way, but if any of the girls wanted chicken, I was ready to order more. Delivery would arrive while we ate anyway.
"No, this is enough. Mmm~ Slurp! Thanks for the meal, Cheon!"
Yee Eun-chae, who had been swallowing saliva at the smell of pizza, also said it was fine.
"This is enough for me too."
"Me too… it's enough."
"Oppa, this is fine for me as well."
Since everyone agreed it was sufficient, I nodded.
"All right. But if you feel it's not enough, speak up. We can order more."
And so, we began our pizza meal. Even Arian Liberin joined everyone on the living room floor instead of the table. While eating with four top-tier beauties, I glanced at Seo Moon-min-hye sitting right beside me.
She doesn't seem lonely anymore.
Seo Moon-min-hye had become deeply dependent on me psychologically. Spending the evening eating together like this clearly brought her quiet joy.
For now we're just eating quietly, but things will change later.
Eventually, Lee Se-na would join this table, and all five of them would become my women. When that time came, sharing meals together would feel completely natural, and Seo Moon-hyun would grind his teeth watching us.
Arian dislikes Seo Moon-hyun more than I expected and keeps her distance, but that's not a bad thing.
It was more than I had anticipated, yet Seo Moon-hyun still delusionally considered Arian Liberin his friend.
I need to deal with Rotten Bendision first.
And before that, I had to resolve the problem facing Arian Liberin.
Rotten Bendision is currently monitoring Arian's movements. He'll make his move when he decides to target her seriously—during the field training class.
"Mmm! This is delicious!"
By the time Yee Eun-chae had already finished four pizzas by herself, I had finished one as well. My gaze drifted to her lips, where bits of pizza clung. Wiping them away would look strange with everyone watching, even if it wouldn't matter if we were alone.
So many restrictions.
Arian Liberin and Yoo Eun-chae sat demurely, both looking quietly pleased. Eating pizza together with friends was clearly enjoyable for them as well.
"Seo Moon-jin."
Arian suddenly called my name.
"What is it, Arian?"
"Instead of just eating normally, how about we try something a little different?"
"Something different?"
"Yes. For example… feeding each other?"
Arian Liberin grinned mischievously as she picked up a slice of pizza with her hand.
"Seo Moon-jin, say 'ah~' first."
This surprisingly competitive and playful princess seemed eager to tease, especially with an audience present.