10. I Need a Lonely Orphan
My mood was awful.
Opening ceremony as usual, but why was this year so much busier than ever?
"That damn singularity or whatever..."
I headed to the shop, but Grid wasn't there.
Oh right, his little brother was coming. Yeah, that makes sense.
I just want to get to the inn quick, scarf down a plate of bulgogi, and crash...
-ding-a-ling~.
"Welcome, Lady Iris."
"Yeah, I'm here, Manager. Nothing out of the ordinary today, right?"
"Of course not. Just another uneventful day."
"Hmmm~. Is that so? Then you better spill whatever you're hiding."
The manager's face twitched for a split second. I've known you for years—think I can't read you like a book?
"Normally, you'd have told me about the little brother Grid brought in..."
Why hide it? What the hell?
Did he bring a girlfriend instead of a sister?
The manager broke out in a cold sweat and let out a sigh.
"Lady Iris. You have to promise not to lose your cool when you hear this."
"What kind of news from you could possibly make me snap? I promise."
It's not like Grid's suddenly getting married or something.
"Actually, Mr. Grid didn't bring a little brother. He brought a little sister."
"So?"
Why hide that? What gives?
Maybe I need to give the manager and head chef some vacation time later. They're running me ragged.
"...Mr. Grid will be sharing a room with his sister for the time being."
Eh?
"That's it?"
"Yes. That's everything I was hiding, Lady Iris."
"Manager... what the hell do you take me for?"
What kind of person flips out just because a friend is crashing in the same room as his sister for a bit...?
Do you think I'm some obsessed stalker hung up on Grid?
Ugh, no. Time to blow off some steam.
"Looks like it's time to correct that image of me you've got in your head."
"N-no! That's not it. I don't think anything weird about you at all, Lady Iris!"
The manager started groveling, sweat pouring like a waterfall.
"No. Hand off cooking to the assistants today and come to my room. Right. Now."
"No, please! I was short-sighted. Lady Iris...! Lady Iris...! Sis!"
You're dead today.
After a short but long check-in, I returned to my room. The bed had been split in half into twins.
Guess I'll have to be careful not to roll off in my sleep.
Done inspecting the beds, I turned to today's undisputed MVP: Silbi.
"Thanks. You saved my ass."
"Yeah."
One-word answer again. How's she gonna make friends at the academy like this?
Not my problem, though. Just graduate healthy, okay?
"Tomorrow, we're going shopping."
"Shopping?"
"That bag you brought? What's in it?"
"Clothes."
"Knew it. Not many outfits, right?"
"Why?"
What girl doesn't care about clothes? No, wait—that's a stereotype. She might just not be into fashion.
Got to keep an open, equal mind. Right, Grid!
"Dorm life means you need a lot of clothes. Plus, grab some daily essentials while we're at it."
I have the hotel for everything, but she'll need towels in the dorms and who knows what else...?
"Anyway, full march tomorrow, so heads up."
"Yeah."
Silbi, still expressionless.
After room service dinner, she said she was washing up, so I stepped out.
No matter how pure my intentions, a strange guy hanging around while she showers would be awkward.
Coffee in the lounge.
Caffeine never used to hit me hard, but this body's different—one cup doesn't mess with sleep anymore.
Means I can enjoy coffee anytime, not just mornings.
No manager at the desk. Must've clocked in early or something.
"Oh? Coffee this late?"
"Doesn't keep me up, so I'm sipping for the aroma."
Iris plopped down in the seat across from me.
She looked super refreshed. Must've worked out.
"Heard your sister's here."
"Yeah. Just arrived today. Academy enrollment tomorrow."
"You haven't even applied yet? Less than a month left!"
"Should be fine."
The original protagonist applied like three days before, I think.
Seemed lax, but the donation admission is basically open to anyone not a criminal.
'It's a system to pad the academy's tight budget.'
"Still, it's not cheap. Why not come early, take the exam?"
"Family motto: 'Save where you can, but spend to make life easier.'"
Enrollment fee's 500 gold. Most nobles enter via recommendation or exam—no need to pay.
Rumors of buying in can dent your rep, too.
"Coming early for exam prep, then heading back? Donation's a bargain."
"Huh. Put like that, no reason to skimp."
Iris nodded along. She gets it—time's worth more than money.
She'd blow every coin from the inn on vacation if she could buy time off with it.
We chatted about stuff we'd normally cover on a walk.
Mostly business I barely followed.
"So many talented newbies this year, the academy's a madhouse. Twice as busy as last year!"
Iris puffed her cheeks in a pout.
From this angle, she looks more freshman than department head.
Maybe the casual speech? Hard to believe she's over 200 sometimes.
If not for those long-lived elf ears, I'd still think it was a joke.
Flowing straight hair, flawless skin, toned figure... Whew.
Chat drifted to shopping for Silbi's dorm essentials tomorrow.
"Useful dorm items? Hmm..."
Figured she'd have tips from years at the academy.
Arms crossed, chest propped up, deep in thought—then the unexpected:
"You don't need any!"
"Huh?"
"Why prep like you'll be cut off for months when you live right by the academy?"
True.
Iris smirked, like of course.
"Lots of nobles come from afar—no surprise assignments or supply demands."
But in the stories I read, it was all curveballs?
"They announce at least two weeks ahead for prep time. That's why the academic schedule kills me."
Oh, a real educator... If Silbi picks swordsmanship, gotta bribe with food.
"So."
"So?"
"Just pick good clothes. You said she's been busy since she was little? Time to step up as big bro."
"Hmm... Know any good shops?"
"Just words?"
"No way. Grant you one wish if it works out."
"Ooh! No take-backs!"
"Veto on the ridiculous."
An Eastern merchant's wish ain't cheap.
Though mine's a steal thanks to the skill.
This sells Iris on how precious my sister is to me.
Can't have doubts from her side.
"That big a prize? Tips won't cut it, huh?"
What? Fancy restaurant rez or something?
"Grid, you don't get girls' tastes, do you?"
"...That obvious?"
Busted. I'd be a mage by thirty in my old life.
"Tomorrow's Saturday. If your sister doesn't mind, I'll tag along!"
Professor, what?
"What about good big bro duty?"
"You don't know tastes? First time—better with a guide."
Makes sense the more I hear.
"But Iris knowing Silbi's age-group tastes..."
-crunch.
Iris's smiling face hardened as her fist made a sound it shouldn't.
"...Thinking it over, as swordsmanship head, you must know student trends inside out!"
Face relaxed. Close call.
"You bet~. I know all the hot styles among the kids."
"If Silbi's cool with it, please."
"Of course. Her call matters most."
Chatted another thirty minutes, then headed up.
Silbi sat on the bed, swinging her feet.
Damp black hair clung perfectly. Her delicate face glowed with moisture—adorbs.
Heh, kid's a cutie.
Surprisingly, Silbi was cool with Iris joining.
"Swordsmanship head. Gotta impress for the contract."
Why's this kid better at adulting than me?
Whatever. Doesn't matter. I thanked Iris again and crashed.
Moonlight filtered softly through the window.
Across from her, the man who'd become her brother slept.
"Sign here! The world of 0s and 1s exists!"
Incomprehensible sleep-talk, and he never stayed still.
'Weird guy.'
When the director said they needed an 18-year-old, she figured there was an angle.
Usually, when they pick older kids, it's obvious: fake adoption for a young wife, or forced labor.
But this guy was different.
'Would he adopt a smart kid for no reason and pay steep tuition? You think adopting a grown kid isn't weird?'
'Nah.'
He hadn't spilled everything, but seemed he needed a sister at the academy for an alibi.
'Plenty of parents would send their own kids for those terms.'
Why the orphanage, then?
'Weird guy.'
Pulling rank with the contract wouldn't faze her, but he kept checking her mood, being considerate.
When he was sweating at the front desk, she even helped.
Asking her opinion on the swordsmanship head tagging along—he could've just told her.
But no: it's fine to say no if uncomfortable, you okay with it?
'Weird guy.'
Not real family. Just a contract. Yet every action felt affectionate.
"Agh! Air raid! Air raid!"
...
Too noisy—she muted the space around him.
Flailing in silence was hilarious. Guess this is my life till academy starts.
'Really weird guy.'
She smoothed her slight smile and closed her eyes.
Only three women I've tangled with in this world.
"Mr. Grid? Lady Iris? And who's that...?"
"..."
"Leperi, you... what the hell happened over break?"
Didn't expect to see all three together before classes even started.