Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Female Ares
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BOOM! BOOM!
Even though the sun had barely risen, the crackling bursts of fireworks lifted the students' spirits.
Stalls run by individual classes or students filled the academy from the entrance all the way inside.
Laughter and cheers erupted from the crowds pouring in, as if they'd all been waiting just for today.
The four-day festival at Aios Academy—longer and rowdier than expected—had begun.
"Whoa, there are really a ton of people here."
Tana grumbled irritably as I stared blankly out the classroom window.
"Look at that guy having fun all by himself. Hey, if you're bored, come help serve."
Our third-year Class E had set up a hotcake stall. Tana was handling serving, while Eve managed cooking inside, or so I'd heard.
She'd made them a few times for her younger siblings.
"Nngh!"
Eve was struggling to stack and carry five chairs for the class stall, grunting with effort. I couldn't just stand there watching.
"Sigh, here, give them to me."
I slid my palm under the stack and lifted it effortlessly. Eve's eyes went wide in surprise.
It wasn't as heavy as I'd thought, so I grabbed ten chairs—five per hand—and carried them over. Eve scurried after me.
"Hehe, thanks!"
"You've been doing cardio to lose weight, that's why. Looks like we'll have to add strength training after the festival."
"If I pushed Daniel down the stairs right now, would he die?"
It was a chilling remark, but she stuck out her tongue playfully to show she was joking.
Sorry, but I wasn't joking.
I was seriously planning strength training after the festival.
My little Eve was about to become my big Eve.
Muscles and all.
Watching her hum happily, oblivious to her future, melted my heart again.
Tana, following behind, laughed and asked if helping out like that wasn't so bad, then tilted her head.
"By the way, didn't your theater team say they'd meet separately?"
"Oh... yeah, Hayun's participating in some gathering there, selling stuff."
Flower beggar, fighting!
Wishing Hayun luck, I shuddered.
"Even if I went, there's nothing to do. They'd just chat among themselves and eat."
I'd heard the whole theater team was gathering under the guise of bonding, but that sounded like a hassle.
"Then come to our stall and eat some hotcakes."
"Yeah, I'll make some for you."
"I don't really like sweets, but I'll give it a try."
On our way to the Class E tent, I spotted some students running wildly in the distance and quickly hid my face behind a chair.
Once they passed, Tana pouted.
"Ugh, with all these outsiders around, why are they running like that?"
"Weren't those May's delinquent crew?"
"Yeah. Looked like they were searching for someone."
Right.
They were May's gang, and I knew exactly who they were after—which was why I'd been holed up in the empty Class E classroom.
'Now they're even mobilizing people?'
I'd agreed to hang out with May for the four-day festival, but I had no intention of following through completely.
'If you can find me, go ahead and try!'
Even if I honored the request, it'd be one day at most.
I wasn't about to let May drag me around for all four days.
Plus, May had been on a crazy hot streak lately...
At the Class E tent, I set down the chairs and took one for myself.
Hiding out for a bit, I waited. Then Eve, apron on, brought over a steaming hotcake on a plate.
"What syrup would you like?"
"Any kind, just pour it on."
"Okay!"
She handed it over with a fork, smiling. She seemed to be waiting for my reaction, so I took a big bite and overreacted dramatically.
"Mmm, oh yeah. Delicious. Even though I don't like sweets much."
It was good, sure, but hotcakes are hotcakes—what's the difference?
Still, Eve beamed happily.
"My little siblings love them, so I make them a lot at home. Whenever the smell fills the house, the whole family feels warm and happy."
Eve was nobility, but from a remote border area—practically like a common household.
"Sounds nice."
A soft, sweet aroma wafting through the home really does scream happy family.
Nodding as I munched, Eve leaned in with her bright smile.
"Right? Isn't it great? That's my dream too. Someday, when I have a family, making hotcakes with my kids in a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere!"
More modest than I expected.
'Or maybe not modest.'
If I couldn't stop Rin, humanity had about ten years left. To make her dream come true, she'd need to marry fast and start popping out kids.
Well, I'd just have to work hard and keep Rin's rampage in check.
"I'll give it a shot."
I muttered it while poking the hotcake with my fork and chewing.
"...Huh?"
Eve's eyes widened.
I realized my slip-up instantly.
"No, not like that. Sorry. My bad. Really sorry."
I tried to backpedal, but Eve just stared blankly, then smiled faintly and whispered,
"Please do."
"That's not what I—"
She spun away and left.
'You idiot.'
What was the difference between me and Ares now?
I sighed deeply, laced with self-loathing, watching Eve's faintly flushed face as she made more hotcakes.
"Sigh."
Rin and May definitely had feelings for me. How could I not notice with how aggressively they clung?
And probably Eve too.
'...Sorry.'
Staring blankly at the sky, I made a firm resolution.
After this festival, I'd tell all three clearly.
I have someone I like, and I have no intention of anything romantic with you.
Rin's case carried the risk of rampage, but lately she'd been suppressing it well on her own—probably getting used to it.
"Ha, I miss Eris."
I grumbled under my breath, sensing footsteps behind me.
It was Aldfrick and Ceria, fourth-year seniors.
They loomed over me in my chair, the atmosphere off.
Aldfrick looked like he'd overheard something he shouldn't, unsure where to look. Ceria wore a strange smile.
'Huh?'
Shouldn't they be at the theater team meeting by now? Aldfrick cleared his throat.
"Daniel, thought you forgot about the meeting today, so we came to get you."
"Oh..."
They were here to drag me along.
No point resisting—I'd just get an earful, and I needed distance from Eve anyway. I followed them.
As we walked, Aldfrick adjusted his glasses and sidled up naturally.
"Hey, you're after Ceria too, right?"
"...Pardon?"
What fresh nonsense was this?
Aldfrick glanced at Ceria ahead and whispered. My face involuntarily scrunched up.
But he thought I was hiding embarrassment and patted my shoulder reassuringly.
"She's definitely pretty. From that emerald turquoise hair and eyes to how kind she is to everyone."
"No explanation needed."
"Yeah, you know all that. But be careful. As the top beauty in fourth year, she's got tons of rivals. Even a radical fan club."
"No, I don't like her."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe. Still, watch out. I don't want to lose a talented underclassman like you. With Professor Bertio's connections, we're set for success. I want to share a pro stage with you someday."
Did this nutjob even know how to listen?
I turned to check if his ears were open. They were—clean as his image suggested, no earwax.
"Why on earth do you think I like her?"
Calmer now, I asked. Aldfrick smirked mysteriously.
"I heard you say you missed Eris earlier."
"What does that have to—"
A jolt hit my brain.
Ceria Deloa played the heroine competing with Rin for Ares.
Her character's name was Eris.
"Ha."
I smacked my forehead, vowing to watch my words today, but we'd already reached the auditorium where the theater team gathered.
They sat in a circle, food piled high, eating freely.
Rin waved brightly, but May glared like she might breathe fire, wondering where I'd been.
"Come on, over here."
Suddenly, Ceria grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the fourth-years' spot.
What was this? She sat me down and started piling food on me.
'What's her deal?'
If she'd overheard like Aldfrick, she might think I liked her.
But switching to this friendly over something so minor felt off.
We'd rehearsed together a lot, but we weren't that close.
Naturally, Rin went stone-faced, glaring at me and Ceria. May spat curses and warned she'd get me later.
"Why are you doing this?"
Flustered, I asked. Ceria just laughed and tried feeding me a cookie with an "Aaah."
And not just them—stinging glares poured in.
Feeling the fourth-year guys' jealousy, I glanced at Ares, sandwiched by girls on the opposite side.
Then at Ceria smiling beside me, offering cookies.
My instincts, honed from 18 years as Ares's childhood friend, screamed.
'This is a girl Ares, huh?'
A nauseated grimace escaped me uncontrollably.