Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Service Scene
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[Waaaaaaaaah!] I'm going to lose my mind.
Writer-nim's crying showed no signs of letting up.
No other choice.
I really, really didn't want to do this.
I agonized for a long time over whether I should even bring it up.
Can I really go through with this?
But wouldn't it be better than letting her keep bawling all day?
...It has to be, right?
"W-What you want."
[Sniff. ...Huh?] "One thing you want, I'll grant it for you."
[...!] Writer-nim's crying died down.
Definitely effective.
...The problem is the backlash. No clue what kind of demand she'll make.
Still, no helping it.
If this keeps up, she'll be sobbing the whole day for sure.
Even if I try to soothe her, in my current position as the designated villain, nothing gets through.
In the end, the only way I can console Writer-nim is by granting her something...
Material rewards are out of the question.
And the situation isn't right for emotional support either.
The only answer is a wish coupon.
...That's the conclusion I came to and voiced aloud, but honestly, regret was already creeping in.
Shouldn't have said a word.
Already dreading whatever demand she'll hit me with.
And sure enough, the request Writer-nim finally voiced left me stunned.
[Th-then... Can I roll out one service scene?] "Huh? W-We agreed not to do that!"
[But...! You said you'd grant one thing I want!] Ah.
...Really shouldn't have said it.
"I-I'm a guy, you know?"
[You're a girl right now! And I've already heard everything! No backing out just 'cause you're a guy?! Grant one wish! I've decided—service scene!] No, it's not too late yet.
Even for a service scene, I don't have to take part myself.
If I just peek at Amelia and Yoo Siu getting all lovey-dovey...
[The academy's a school too, so a swimming lesson wouldn't be out of place, right? Hehe.] They say you always have to watch your words.
I learned that timeless advice down to my bones.
All thanks to the catastrophe I invited myself.
The mouth truly is the root of all evil.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "First order, Laira."
...
Gulp.
Laira's throat bobbed.
Frozen stiff in extreme tension, Laira fretted anxiously over what command might come flying her way.
...VIP assassination?
Or maybe terrorism?
Could be robbery.
No, or perhaps she'd just be used up and tossed aside like a disposable tool...!
"For the academy's swimming class, what swimsuit should I wear?"
"...Huh?"
Laira reflexively blurted out the question before clamping her mouth shut in an instant.
What kind of mess would she get into for defying that woman?
Fortunately, she didn't seem too bothered.
"No, like... what swimsuit do women wear...? I have no idea."
"Um, excuse me. What are you..."
Ignoring Laira's thoroughly flustered look, Arte just kept saying whatever she pleased.
At least, that's how it felt to Laira.
"Alright. That's an order, Laira. Get me a swimsuit that fits my body. ...The least revealing one you can find."
"Sw-swimsuit...?"
"Swimming class is coming up soon. Hehe, it's embarrassing, but I don't have one."
...Some kind of code?
No, this is the first order.
And alone together like this, no need for cryptic codes anyway.
Really just telling her to buy a swimsuit?
"Oh, go ahead and buy it first, then bring the receipt—I'll reimburse you. No worries."
"Y-Yes..."
"The least revealing one possible. Please?"
Arte's beaming smile felt profoundly unsettling.
There hadn't been any swimming class in the curriculum up to now.
No word of one being added either.
But Laira nodded anyway.
No use dwelling on it at this point.
She must've dug up the info from somewhere.
The girl who knew about Übermensch like it was common knowledge.
Safe to assume she had the academy's secrets too.
"Under...stood."
"Good. Do a great job, and I'll give you a reward. You can look forward to it."
Laira let Arte's words slide right past her.
A reward? Probably nothing worth a damn anyway.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Everyone, attention. Official notice."
After class, with students chattering as they waited for Teacher Claire.
Claire's voice rang out, drawing all eyes to her.
"What's this about?"
"Dunno. Another transfer student maybe?"
Transfer.
A bitter smile tugged at Amelia's lips.
That's how they handled Laira. A transfer.
According to Yoo Siu, Laira was probably at odds with Arte—or even if in the same organization, their relationship was downright awful.
The showdown between Arte and Laira ended with Laira's death.
Arte didn't seem interested in killing me.
...That's what she said.
Even the academy must find back-to-back incidents too much to handle.
Makes sense they'd sweep it under the rug as a transfer.
Not like it was hard to understand.
A student turning traitor.
They'd barely gotten past the monster incident, and now this—even bigger scandal so soon after.
They must've done everything to cover it up.
"...You all entered the academy to become heroes. A true hero has to be able to save citizens in any crisis."
The students nodded in agreement with Claire.
A hero's goal was the safety of the citizenry.
Couldn't argue with that.
"Tomorrow's class will be prep for aquatic disaster rescue training. ...In other words, swimming."
"Ooooo!"
Swimming class?
Excited chatter erupted everywhere among the students.
Still just kids. The perfect age to love splashing around in water.
No surprise they were hyped for swimming.
"Quiet! ...A hero who can't swim is a disgrace. If you're the one getting rescued in a flood, can you even call yourself a hero?!"
"No, ma'am!"
"Good. Have your swimsuits ready by tomorrow. Dismissed."
The moment Teacher Claire vanished.
Students' voices brimmed with anticipation all around.
"Swimming—can't wait."
"Yeah. Wonder if that one I bought last time still fits."
"Fits? Didn't you gain weight?"
"...You wanna die?"
Swimming.
Against the backdrop of the students' rowdy buzz, Amelia absently touched her stomach.
...Not that much, right?
"Amelia, you can swim, yeah?"
"Duh? It's basic."
"Right? Phew."
Amelia snapped curtly at Yoo Siu as he approached, then suddenly froze.
Siu panicked at her abrupt halt and called out.
"A-Amelia? ...You okay? Hurt somewhere?"
Yoo Siu.
Swimming class.
Arte Isis.
And me, Amelia.
...That's it!
Every possibility flashed through Amelia's mind in simulation.
This could be the key to uncovering evidence on that 'Writer-nim.'
Amelia was convinced.
"Hey, Yoo Siu."
"G-Good, I thought you got hurt or..."
"That's not the point."
"...Huh?"
Didn't he pick up on it even after hearing about the swimming class?
She decided to check if anything clicked for him.
"Swimming class—you know, swimming class. ...Get what this means?"
"Nope, no idea."
He hadn't even considered it.
So frustrating.
No helping it. Time to explain her brilliant idea to Yoo Siu.
"To chat with that 'Writer-nim,' you'd need some kinda device, right? Like a micro communicator."
"Yeah?"
"And for swimming class, you're in a swimsuit plunging into the water—no way you can carry gadgets on you."
"...Ah!"
Yes.
He finally got it.
Yoo Siu beamed, having reached the same conclusion.
"So during swimming class, we sneak a check on her clothes...!"
"Exactly. We find evidence. Then we can get the teachers on our side."
"In-Incredible. I never thought of that."
Yoo Siu was clearly awed by her stroke of genius.
And rightly so.
It was the perfect plan.
"Then while I'm keeping an eye on her, you...!"
"Huh? What're you talking about? You search the clothes."
"Eh?"
What? Why's he so flustered?
Did she misspeak or something?
"Not me?"
"You're not friends with Arte. Can you even hang around her the whole time?"
"W-Well..."
Exactly.
Arte and Yoo Siu weren't friends.
Sure, Arte took a keen interest in him and kept tabs secretly.
But outwardly? Not close at all.
Couldn't just pretend to be buddies out of nowhere.
"I'm friends with Arte. I can stick close naturally and relay her position."
She'd been maintaining a casual friendship, hanging out with Arte now and then.
Staying glued to her the whole swimming class? Wouldn't raise eyebrows.
But Yoo Siu shadowing Arte all period? Too many risks.
So the surveillance gig falls to her—not him.
"Which leaves you with the natural role of rifling through her clothes. Got it?"
"...I really gotta?"
"Obviously. It's our shot at nailing down 'Writer-nim's identity."
Yoo Siu wore a dissatisfied frown, but nodded when she pressed hard enough.
Perfect.
"Tomorrow's gonna be fun. Our chance to expose 'Writer-nim' for real."
"Y-Yeah."
As expected of her.
The perfect plan.
A smug glow spread across Amelia's face.