Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: People Serious About Drawing Originals (2)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ To be honest, I thought that line I just whispered was pretty damn good.
And as if to prove it, I could feel in real time how the dick clinging lightly to Rozaria's thigh was throbbing and growing harder.
A bit flustered, I pulled away from her and glanced around as I said,
"Uh, Senior Rozaria? Everyone's watching, you know? I'm turning into the most outrageous freshman on day one here."
"What's wrong with that? Isn't it fine to publicly declare upfront that no one should mess with my man?"
A few people seemed to recognize her as the magic prodigy from the Magius family, and I could hear them murmuring.
I'd been glad that, unlike being top of the class, second place let me blend into the background quietly.
But nope, starting on day one, Rozaria was pulling all the aggro onto me.
This really wasn't what I wanted...
Honestly, that whisper had been spot-on, but seeing her put me in such an awkward spot sparked a bit of mischief in me too.
I mean, it felt unfair to just be the one taking all the heat.
"So, what's with those strawberry panties? Does it mean you wanna cling to me and whine like a baby? That's such a cute personality you've got."
"N-No, that's not it. I just like strawberries..."
"I do like seeing my cute senior like this, though."
"Wha...?"
Since my image among the freshmen was already set, I figured it might as well spread academy-wide as a pair of crazies.
This should get the rumors flying through the student council to the sophomores by tomorrow, right?
No way I'm taking the fall alone.
"See you tomorrow, then."
"Y-Yeah! See you tomorrow, Kali!"
Her grinning like that as she said goodbye made me feel kinda guilty instead.
Still, starting off at the academy with no one knowing me would've been tough, but now at least I have a senior who knows me. Should make adjusting easier.
Having even one friendly upperclassman in your department changes your whole college life, after all.
"Um, excuse me, but what was your name again?"
After Rozaria left, the student council senior leading our group—Whiria de Hurio—approached me.
That whole scene probably looked insane, so yeah, it'd make anyone curious about who I was.
I answered without much thought.
"Kali Hu Gladys."
"...You're the sole heir of the Gladys family, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
The moment I finished, voices recognizing me echoed around.
I'm not really the type to do public activities, so my face and name aren't super famous.
But the Gladys family is well-known, so people put two and two together quick.
"No wonder Rozaria was so excited—it's really because you enrolled, Kali. And joining the magic club instead of swordsmanship...?"
"Is that a problem?"
"Huh?"
"I meant, is it not allowed for someone from a swordsmanship family to join the magic club?"
"Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that. Just surprising, that's all. I'm jealous. I wanna have a sweet romance like you two someday."
What was with this pure-hearted, flower-child vibe from her?
Or maybe she was just being cautious because I'm from a higher-ranking family?
Honestly, 'de Hurio' was a surname I'd never heard before either...
"Sorry about that. I just can't help being curious sometimes. I'm a fan of The Diary too. Anyway, let's move on to the next explanation. Everyone, this way?"
Did she just mention The Diary?
At that moment, an image of Rozaria's comic with strawberries and milk popped into my head.
And I quickly deduced that this girl knew the strawberry motif was Rozaria... and the milk was me.
She must've been thrown off seeing Kali—who she heard was learning swordsmanship from Rozaria—show up in the magic club.
...But seriously, why the hell does she go around telling everyone at school about me?
Wait, was it not just embarrassment from earlier spreading to the sophomores? Had rumors about me been circulating even before I enrolled?
This is getting awkward.
"Just keep that in mind, and you should have no issues starting academy life tomorrow."
All the events wrapped up, and they explained our next schedule.
Tomorrow was course registration day.
For freshmen, we'd been pre-assigned our subjects, so it was basically just practice following those, they said.
Thinking back, in my first semester of college, the department had set up our schedules for us freshmen, and we just followed it.
Last semester's grades determined lines for each class registration, then lining up again for the next—total nightmare.
Doing it offline instead of online made it sound terrifying.
If a class filled up, schedule tweaks might open spots, but it'd be chaos, apparently.
Hearing we'd spend the whole day on it made my head spin.
At that point, I'd just scrap the registration system altogether.
Most academies use fixed curricula to avoid this mess.
But Graveda Academy, aiming for the top spot, wouldn't sacrifice professor and lecture choices for convenience.
That uncompromising attitude is probably why it's the empire's best.
I get that quality lectures outweigh the hassle.
"That's why tomorrow, just practice registering as assigned. Everything's preset, so no worries about spots running out."
She didn't outright say it'd be trouble if anyone messed around.
But her sweet smile screamed zero tolerance for trolls.
Might as well ban it outright—that'd be less scary.
After that, nothing special happened; we headed back to the dorms to rest.
Had to wake up early for breakfast tomorrow, so I hit the hay a bit earlier than usual.
"Whew, good night."
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Night."
Dorm life felt kinda novel after so long.
Lately, it'd just been solo one-room apartments, so it brought back old memories.
Though calling it a dorm, this room was way bigger than my old place, with two large beds.
Still, sharing a room with a buddy after ages had that nostalgic vibe.
With Rozaria, it's all lovey-dovey romance; this same-sex roommate comfort is different.
Nia, though, wasn't used to this—tossing and turning, wide awake.
Surprising for a crown prince; figured he'd have plenty of girls.
Maybe in this world, where making a concubine means full responsibility if she gets pregnant, he's cautious.
Or rethink—no, the responsibility might make him extra careful.
Even knocking up a commoner servant means taking her as a concubine; that's the norm.
Doesn't want scandals messing up his girl situation before becoming emperor, so he's holding out.
Or maybe he's a pure romantic type?
"Hey..."
"Yeah?"
"If it's not too much trouble... could we tour the school together tomorrow? I asked the other group members from today's orientation, but no one was as chill and straightforward as you, Kali."
"Sure, no problem. But watch out—you might get kidnapped midway."
Rozaria's been itching for me.
Until she pounces and drags me off, we can hang and bond.
Roommates should get along anyway; just speeding it up.
"Kidnapped?"
"It's a figure of speech. Don't take it literally."
"...Okay."
Wait, was she tossing and turning just to ask that?
Feels like she conked out the second I answered.
What the hell is this guy?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In a World Where Lewd Comics Are Legal
The blinding sunlight pouring through the window stabbed my eyes like it was sashimi-ing them.
Even closed, the orange haze seeped in, annoying as hell, so I opened them.
Ah, fuck. This is why I need blackout curtains or a darkness magic tool.
I get that academy life means normal sleep cycles, but it's irritating.
"Whoa, what? You're already dressed and ready?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Just didn't wanna wake you."
"Waking someone sleeping well is rude. We didn't set a time anyway. I'd have woken you if we were late for breakfast."
Ugh, damn it.
His thoughtfulness was so sweet it made my stomach churn.
Of course, guy-on-guy, so that's why; girls would spread legs for that face and sweetness.
He seems oblivious, though...
Makes sense—no girl dares ask out His Highness the Crown Prince.
Get stabbed by a sword instead of dick? Pass.
"Sorry. I'll hurry."
"Wha...!?"
As I stripped for the bathroom, Nia made a weird noise.
Something wrong? I glanced over—he was looking away.
What's his deal now?
"Something to say?"
"Nah, nothing."
"Lame."
I showered quick, changed into uniform, and headed out.
Nia, who'd been by the bed, had vanished.
Turned out he was waiting right outside the dorm door.
I get I overslept, but him pulling this polite shit nonstop is kinda intimidating...
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