Chapter 118
Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Recruiting Ivana
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ella, what should we do in the club?"
"You said you wanted to make one. Should I be the one deciding that?"
"Hmm... Honestly, I don't have any ideas beyond just hanging out together."
"......."
Well, it was an academy club, after all.
We still needed to come up with some kind of activity or purpose.
We hadn't decided yet, but since we didn't have to create it right away, I wasn't too worried.
"Should we ask Older Sister Karen? She might just suggest something like a reading club."
"Yeah... probably."
"So, Ella, you need to come up with a good answer, okay? If not you, none of us could think of a proper plan."
"...Hmph. Is that so?"
"Yes, you're super smart and diligent, Ella. I'm sure you'll come up with something great. I'm really looking forward to it."
"H-heh...!"
Ella was so easy to flatter in moments like this.
Anyway, that's what we were chatting about while sitting quietly in class.
There was still a lot of talk among the other students about me because of Ivana Nordal and Grace, but I decided not to pay much attention.
"But... to make a club, don't we need five people?"
"Oh. Don't worry about that. Just trust me."
"...Pardon?"
"Hehe, I've got it all figured out."
"...You're not planning something weird again, are you?"
"No way."
It wasn't anything weird.
In fact, wasn't it a perfectly ordinary and safe method?
I planned to ask an acquaintance to help fill the spots gradually, which seemed totally normal.
Of course, I hadn't told Karen or Ella about Grace joining yet.
It'd be more of a surprise once we had one more.
"Hmm... For the club's purpose, we should make it sound somewhat academic. Even if there are external activities, they need a positive justification..."
"Yes, yes."
Ella was right, of course.
Personally, I wanted to just make it about goofing off freely... but we couldn't submit that as the official purpose.
"Hmm... Regularly exploring dungeons seems tough, and we don't have to do desserts or cooking ourselves..."
"There's more to think about than I expected. Annoying."
"...You're the one who wanted to make it."
"True, but I suggested it just so we could hang out together."
"...You sure know how to talk. If it weren't me, you'd have gotten smacked for real."
"Hehe, really?"
"Sigh..."
She sighed, but Ella ended up helping diligently anyway.
Here I was, the one who suggested the club, just lounging around, while she diligently wrote up ideas for the application and pondered options... It made me worry.
What if she runs into some shady person later and gets scammed like a total pushover?
"Hmm..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
I just needed to look after her properly.
It'd be best to make sure Ella didn't get tangled up with weirdos. And while I was at it, I had similar worries about Karen... so I'd protect them both.
*
After Ella's deliberations, we finally settled on a purpose for the club.
Of course, the biggest goal was for us to have fun... but we couldn't submit that on the paperwork.
Anyway, it worked out well.
"Business Planning Club..."
It sounded pretty legit.
Plus, the activities we could do and the reasons for them were so varied—it had tons of potential uses.
We could plan a restaurant business and tour all the campus eateries, or desserts, comics, beds... the possibilities were endless, right?
"Hehehe..."
Good thing I'd asked Ella.
It was an idea I might've come up with myself, but I was too lazy, so yeah, smart move.
"Hmm... I gave the application to Grace, and to Karen and Ella too..."
Now, what about the last one?
Holding a single application form, I wandered the academy corridors.
A decent amount of time had passed since enrolling, but I really hadn't built any friendships with other students...
What to do?
"Hmm... Why don't they count maids as members? So frustrating."
If only we could include Lize, it would've been perfect and tidy.
"The people I know... Hmm... Uh..."
One.
There was exactly one person who came to mind. There was, but I didn't really want to think of her, so I hadn't.
"...Is this right?"
Hmm...
Ugh...
I paused in the corridor, mulling it over... It wasn't a great option, and there was no one else.
"...Nordal."
Ivana Nordal—the only candidate in my head right now.
She wasn't a bad person or anything, but she seemed kinda weird, so personally, I wasn't drawn to her.
Her looks were pretty... but she felt scary and off somehow.
"...No choice, huh."
I didn't like it, but no other options appealed.
It couldn't be helped.
"Sigh."
I decided to head back to class.
I had no plans during break anyway and thought I'd scout for someone while killing time... but now that I'd decided.
"...Hm."
Since that sparring match, Nordal hadn't spoken to me or secretly followed me.
She did glare at me intensely sometimes... Anyway, things had changed a bit from before, but she was still quietly sitting in the academy classroom.
"...Nordal Lady."
I approached Ivana Nordal, who was reading quietly at the front desk.
...Which naturally drew stares from everyone in the class, but I ignored it.
"Could you step out with me for a moment?"
"Yes."
"...?"
Unlike what I'd expected, Nordal followed without a fuss. What?
I'd thought she'd ask why or say a bunch of stuff, but her easy acceptance surprised me.
Bathing in everyone's stares, I entered an unused classroom with Nordal, just like with Grace.
Unlike with Grace, it was just the two of us... which was a little scary.
"It's been a while since we've talked, hasn't it?"
"...Yes."
I didn't jump straight into the club topic—instead, I started with greetings and small talk.
We hadn't spoken once since the sparring.
"Hmm... Just to check, you're not sulking because you lost the match, right?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Yes."
With her expressionless face and flat voice, she stared at me with those red eyes.
Honestly, even hearing her answer, I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
Everyone around me—Lize, Ella, Karen—wore their thoughts on their faces... so it stood out more.
"Hmm... So why'd you stop talking to me? You used to follow me secretly."
"......."
"Eh, I wanted to chat about that too, but let's get to the point. Break's almost over..."
Maybe five minutes?
No, less. Better speak fast.
"Nordal Lady, you heard about the academy clubs yesterday morning, right?"
"Yes. But why bring it up?"
"I have a small request related to that...? Uh... Ideally, just say yes. You haven't joined one yet, have you?"
"No."
"Oh."
Good!
Even I wouldn't bully someone into joining a second club if they were already in one.
I'd be super grateful if they did, but for those already committed... yeah.
"I'm starting a club. Would you join?"
"...Do I have to?"
"Hmm... I'd be thankful if you did..."
Truth was, unlike with Grace, it was trickier with Nordal.
With Grace, I'd playfully wheedled a bit—not blackmail, just teasing—but Nordal was someone I'd only chatted with minimally, so this was just a straight ask.
What now...
"Can't you really?"
"What's in it for me?"
"Good question... What would there be?"
I sat on a chair, answering her question with another since I didn't know either.
I had no clue what Nordal wanted.
We'd crossed paths a few times, but I didn't know her tastes.
We hadn't talked much to begin with... so it was natural.
"You kept following me around, Nordal Lady. There must've been a reason."
"........"
"Oh yeah... On the first day at the academy too. You suddenly stared at me and just kept watching."
"So?"
"There had to be some reason you did that. I just don't get it. Why you followed me, why you challenged me to spar..."
I really didn't know, but there was definitely something.
"You're not the type to do that for no reason. Instead of joining my club, I'll grant you one thing you want, Nordal Lady."
It sounded plausible but was vague in reality.
Still, I figured this ambiguity was the best play right now—and it seemed to work, somewhat.
"Hm..."
Unlike before, Nordal was making a slightly thoughtful face and humming in contemplation.