Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: A New Monday!
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A brand new Monday had begun!
"Ugh... slept well."
"D-Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Sure did."
The moment I opened my eyes, there was Choi Eum-a in my room! Not weird at all! It even felt familiar now!!
Mondays started with morning classes, so I had to get ready quick. Splash some water on my face, brush my teeth, shave a bit! For clothes, I just yanked out some track pants I'd shoved in the closet and threw them on!
"T-Track pants look cool on you, Ji-hyeok-ie..."
"Yeah, yeah. You're cute today too."
"R-Really? H-Heh... I-I'm happy..."
It wasn't empty flattery—I meant it. For some reason, she seemed extra cheerful today, dressed even cuter than usual.
A white blouse topped with a pink cardigan, short shorts, and thigh-high socks showing off that absolute territory.
'Fashion expert.'
Damn it, succubus Choi Eum-a!! Trying to rile up Jju-ji first thing in the morning, are you?!
Of course, all Jju-jis get mad in the morning!!
Knowing I'd draw endless stares from classmates if I acted on it first thing, I barely suppressed my lower half's rage and headed to the lecture hall.
Bang.
The second I swung open the door, my eyes met Mo Myo-mi's among the classmates already there... Huh?
Didn't she usually scowl the instant our eyes met? But today, she's looking at me kinda softly?
And then.
Blink. Blink.
Mo Myo-mi slowly blinked twice! Isn't that the cat greeting?!
Does that mean Mo Myo-mi just greeted me?!
The equally shocked Eum-a whispered.
"L-Looks like Mya-mi's grateful for yesterday?"
"Seems that way. What a thorny cutie."
"T-Thorny cutie? W-What's that?"
"It's a thing. A compliment!"
Way better than furball, at least!
Cats are creatures of routine, sticking to their daily patterns.
Since she wasn't hissing at me like usual and just watched quietly, the other cat beastkin in Mo Myo-mi's crew went wide-eyed. Eyes won't fall out if you keep staring, you scruffy bunch!
As Eum-a and I sat down, Mo Myo-mi got up from her seat and came over to us.
And then whoosh.
She quietly held out a can of cat food.
What, should I open it?
'Sigh. Good ol' me will open it!'
I went through hell yesterday, so this time I'll just close my eyes and!!!
"Eat."
I'll feed her!!
"Wait, huh?"
For me to eat?
This?
Eum-a and I stared at Mo Myo-mi in bewilderment, but she didn't say more and just walked off.
W-Wait. She's giving this... for me to eat...?
Humans can't eat cat food...!!!
"M-Mya-mi's acting d-different from usual?"
"Tell me about it. Thought she only knew how to bully, but she's repaying a favor... even if it's cat food..."
"I-It'S the thought that counts!"
True that!
Always treated like a Churu-eater can thief, and now getting gifted food to open and eat—hit different. After all the snark, this one nice act made Mo Myo-mi look even cuter than yesterday!
Gasp!
Is this why people get cats!!
No cats for me!!
I want a cat!!
"J-Ji-hyeok-ie just thought about cats... didn't you?"
"Gahk."
How'd she know?!
"N-No way. Ji-hyeok-ie has to be satisfied with r-rabbits."
Somehow reading my mind, Eum-a puffed her cheeks out sullenly.
You damn succubus Choi Eum-a! If this were the dorm, I'd stuff her with mecha-kucha!! Damn it!!
Moments later, the professor arrived.
Monday's lecturer was Professor Park Deok.
Duck beastkin Professor Park Deok had this confusing look—duck head that's either furry or beastkin?
'Heard somewhere duck dicks are weirdly shaped.'
Spiraling corkscrew, long and twisty, right...?
"......"
Professor Park Deok wore a wedding ring on his left ring finger.
What did Mrs. Park Deok see in Professor Park Deok to marry him?
Got me wondering.
'No, wait a sec.'
No time for that! Then I remembered Professor Park Deok also handled Thursday lectures!
'Gotta tell him about the MT schedule ahead of time.'
Or attendance would be an issue!
I chanted "MT schedule reminder" in my head all lecture so I wouldn't forget. But despite my efforts, as class ended, Professor Park Deok spotted me.
"You there, human student. You're the department head, right?"
"Gasp. Yes!"
"TA said your group's going on MT Thursday to Friday. Who's teaching Friday?"
"Professor Black Flame Dragon!!"
She's a black goat beastkin, btw! Not a dragon!
"Black Prof's strict. Haven't told her yet?"
"No, sir! I need to!"
"I'll pass it on then. Department head, look after everyone and go on MT. Thursday's a free day if all 23 freshmen attend. Got it?"
"Yes!!"
"Yes!!"
Professor for the win!
Makeup classes later, who cares! Thursday off to party is what matters!!
"Have fun on MT, everyone. Oh, and department head, collect notes and give to TA. Dismissed."
"Thank you!!"
The 23 freshmen cheered Professor Park Deok out! What a beautiful scene!
Even if I got stuck with paperwork!
"P-Prof Park Deok stepping in is a relief, Ji-hyeok-ie."
"Right? Was worried it might not work out!"
"Hehe."
Eum-a grinned, flashing her cute bunny front teeth, and handed over her notes first.
"I-I'll help collect assignments."
"Awesome! Let's do it!"
With Eum-a's help, we started gathering them.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I'd approached the other beastkin first?
Pretty novel experience!
Used to be pure scary, but now half thrilled, half nervous!
"Everyone!!! Submit notes before leaving!!!!!"
I bellowed loud across the room before anyone slipped out. Instantly, all eyes on us!
Eum-a tugged her droopy bunny ears down with wide eyes.
"J-Ji-hyeok-ie! B-Beastkin have good hearing...!"
"Whoops. Sorry, everyone!"
Hoping no one got offended, I apologized quick.
Luckily, the 23 visual design beastkin were all good eggs—they exchanged glances then beamed.
"Right! Almost forgot my assignment!"
"Hey, did you do yours? I didn't."
"I did."
"You traitor!"
Beastkin bickering with friends as they turned in notes.
'What is this...'
Totally different vibe from my first day here.
Back then, just their stares stressed me out. Now? I wanna grab cafeteria grub with these classmates!
Notes piled up in front of me. For the shy ones, Eum-a fetched them.
And the cat beastkin!
"Here."
"Oh. Helping out? Thanks!"
"......Hmph."
Mo Myo-mi dropped hers off then flounced away primly! She's turning into a total tsundere scruffball!
Eum-a beamed chubbily at the huge stack.
"N-Now let's take it to the T-TA quick!"
"Let's gooo!!"
I scooped up the mountain of assignments and headed to the department office.
At the door, I paused. Gotta knock, but hands full.
What now!
"Eum-a!"
"Y-Yeah!"
Knock knock knock!
Eum-a rapped daintily with her tiny hand. Immediate reply from inside.
"Come in~"
Gyeon Nari TA's laid-back voice!
Using Eum-a's hand to open the door... Whoa, what's this? Black and white fuzzies rolling on the floor? Ah! TA fur!
'Dog hair explosion!'
Fur balls everywhere my feet touched!
This much shedding? Natural winter insulation right there!
"Ji-hyeok-ie's here? With Eum-a~"
"Yes! Notes from Professor Park Deok's class!"
"Our department head's working hard since day one~"
Gyeon Nari TA greeted us mid-task from her desk.
With her natural two-tone hair—black outside, white inside—she stuck out her tongue with a "Heh~" and wagged her tail.
And shedding fur flew.
'Tail wagging causes the shedding.'
...But isn't it a bit much?
Not alopecia, right? Just shedding?
Gyeon Nari TA nodded at the desk.
"Put assignments there~"
"Got it!"
Setting them down as instructed... Whoa, what? A quick motion and hidden dog fur puffed up then settled.
'...Dark Templar?'
Dog hair with stealth skills? Stealth master fur?
As I marveled, Gyeon Nari TA's thick triangle ears perked up. Then... sniff sniff!
"Oh?"
Sniffing the air, her gaze landed on me and Eum-a.
Then her big black eyes sparkled!
What! Creepy!
Gyeon Nari TA asked with keen interest!
"You two dating?"
Eeeeeek!
'Did she just smell our scents...?!'
Can she just sniff that out? Does everyone else know too?!
'So embarrassing, ugh!!'
My heart pounded at my "secret" life being exposed!
Unlike me, Eum-a mumbled shyly.
"N-Not yet..."
Kugh! Sorry, Eum-a! Couldn't let you claim this man!! So sorryyyy!!!
'But I'm scared...!'
Scared one slip-up makes me daddy to fourteen buns!!!
"Uhahahaha!"
Suddenly, Gyeon Nari TA burst out laughing, clutching her belly!
"W-Why are you laughing!!!"
"I was joking~"
She wiped tears.
"Dog beastkin have better noses than humans, but not dog-level! People always mix it up, so I fake-sniff and they think I uncovered secrets! Haha!"
So... her hobby's testing "Does this fool 'em?"...?
And I fell for it without knowing...?
"Arrrgh!!! Gyeon Nari TA!!! How dare you trick me!!!!!!"
"J-Ji-hyeok-ie, d-don't be like that to the T-TA!"
"Grrr! Can't hold back, Robin!"
"J-Ji-hyeok-ie!"
"Uhahahaha!"
How is everyone at this school nuts!!
Except me!