An Overly Trash Ability for Tteokbokki's Isekai Drop
The ability I'd gained upon tumbling into this isekai world with tteokbokki was trash to an absurd degree. It was the quest window.
This power held no real value. It was nothing more than a way to organize what I'd earned through my own efforts, so calling it a "quest window" felt wrong—something like a simple logbook would suit it better. Hell, I still hadn't received that heirloom (random) they claimed was the reward. In a game, or even with a proper system, shouldn't it just hand it over automatically?
Really, what a piece-of-shit ability...
That's what I'd thought up until now.
Midterm Supremacy Achieved
The moment I woke up that morning, I tilted my head at the alert floating before my eyes. Was there any quest I could've cleared right now?
Then it hit me—the quest to claim first place in the midterms hadn't completed yet.
Right, this one was still pending...
But just as the system was holding out on my reward, I'd already preemptively claimed it from Stella through my smooth talking, so I hadn't paid it much mind. Maybe since I'd talked my way into it, the system was giving Stella some hypnosis coupon or whatever to make her obey separately? At any rate, it was nominally a wish ticket......
Stella might have a bitchy personality and snap at everything, but she had the looks to more than make up for it. Killer figure included. As a guy, there was no way I wouldn't be interested in a beauty like that. And with a wish ticket that let you ask anything of a hottie, thinking something naughty first was only natural.
Wish Ticket (Used)
Stella Iritz Affection UP!
"No, you apply stuff like this instantly, so why hold out on my reward? Slacking off?"
[......]
But there was no way I could chat with a system that couldn't interfere with me anyway.
In the end, I'd wasted my morning energy on pointless griping before heading to class.
Sure enough, the kids were buzzing from the crack of dawn. No need to ask why.
"Ian! You got first, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Knew it?"
"Obviously."
If I couldn't snag top spot after all that, it'd mean there was some bribery scandal going on—that's how I saw it. I shoved Sheera aside.
But she casually plopped down next to me anyway, then propped her face on the desk and turned toward me. It was intensely uncomfortable.
"So, what rank'd I get?"
"Dunno."
"Why? You knowing your own rank means you saw the scores, right?"
"No interest in anything below me."
"......Ah, that was super annoying just now."
Still, Sheera seemed to fully buy that reasoning for why I wouldn't know her rank. But looking a bit regretful, she rested her chin on my shoulder and whispered.
"For the record, I'm second place~."
"......You got second? Why?"
"Why? We were the winning team. Written exam was perfect, and I didn't do anything to dock points, right?"
"Wait, then—Stella?"
"Stella? Hmm, no interest in anyone below me~."
She played dumb like that. But finding out Stella's rank wasn't some big secret. The academy publicly posted everyone's scores right away. Inhumane and outdated, sure, but no one complained. The ones who could change it were already in the top ranks anyway.
The moment class ended, I headed straight for the bulletin board. It had been up since morning, but plenty of kids like me were checking late, so it was packed and hectic.
Where is it... Stella. Stella...
Scanning from the top for her name, I spotted Stella Iritz way lower down than expected and pulled a serious face.
......Fifth place?
That Stella Iritz?
Even Ian Clark, who'd only known Stella Iritz from the game, was floored to learn she'd placed fifth. So how massive must the shock be for her, who'd lived it?
"Miss, you're going to be late for class."
"......So what? Late or not."
"Lying around like that will make you gain weight."
"I-I didn't eat that much!?"
But at that jab, Stella shot right up. Then she leaned against the wall, hugging her pillow tight.
Right now, without something to clutch, she couldn't calm down no matter what. That's how it felt.
......Fifth place.
She'd assumed second was a given. Had she been too arrogant?
Whatever she did, she'd always been number one among her peers. So anything less felt utterly unreal.
Especially since she'd plummeted even further than the worst she'd braced for.
......Scary.
What had let her act so high-and-mighty all this time? Sure, being the duke's daughter played a part, but her own skills backed it up.
Duke's heir among nobles, academy top student. Those were the pillars holding her up.
With them crumbling now, just imagining how people saw her was terrifying.
"Miss."
Nellia approached the brooding Stella. She peeked up from her pillow.
"Why not take the day off? I'll handle the sick leave for you."
"......Please."
"Yes. While I'm at it—anything you want to eat?"
"......Something sweet."
"You'll gain weight."
"Shut up, I'm eating."
On a day like this, even Nellia didn't say no. She headed out to shop, telling Stella to cheer up while she was gone.
Deep silence fell.
Stella flopped face-down on the bed, staring blankly and letting time slip by. She didn't want to think about anything. Force it, and her subconscious dragged her to the worst possibilities.
Lick.
"......Salamander."
Kiiing.
Sensing her gloom, Salamander emerged and gently licked her face.
The warm tongue-tickle made her break into a grin despite herself.
"Thanks."
Krrung krrung.
"...I know I can't keep moping like this, right?"
Stroking Salamander's head, she pulled it into a full hug and lay back. So warm and huge—perfect.
How long passed? Outside the dorm grew noisy. Nellia back from shopping already?
Stella headed to the door to help, swinging it open.
"Nellia, you're back quick—"
"Uh, sorry. Not Nellia."
Eye contact with Ian at the door.
Why's this guy here? How'd he even get in?
Random thoughts first, then—
She realized her state. Thin sleepwear from bedtime. No undies 'cause they were uncomfortable. Unbrushed hair a tangled mess. Bare face, no makeup.
In short, mortifying enough to die if seen by a guy outside family.
SLAM!
Stella shut the door without a word.
Ian, sensing the awkwardness, waited. After about ten minutes, Stella peeked out—hair neatly combed, fresh undies and sleepwear, light makeup.
"......What."
"Hey."
"...How the hell did you get all the way here?"
"Said I was here before, and they let me in."
"The guards...!"
Glare of murder toward the guard who'd opened for Ian, then she scanned him up and down. Basket in his hands, stuffed with ingredients. No way a guy like him bought that—must've run into Nellia nearby and come ahead.
"Where's Nellia?"
"Who's that... Oh, the maid?"
"Yeah."
"Not here."
"Not... here?"
Then what's that? Stella pointed at the basket.
Ian lifted it with a grin.
"You like tteokbokki?"
"Tteok-what?"
"Spicy stuff."
"......You can cook too?"
"Yup."
Ian nudged Stella aside and entered. Spotting Salamander tongue-flicking in the room, he hesitated but cautiously headed to the kitchen.
Chop chop chop chop.
Sharp knife work. Amateur compared to a pro like Nellia, but it showed Ian had stood in kitchens plenty.
......He can cook?
Stella felt some inexplicable, subtle emotion watching.
In this era, a man in the kitchen was near-sinful. The baron's sole heir knowing how spoke volumes of his rough life—and doing something that'd shame his house in front of her without a care? Kinda touching.
The pot bubbled, wafting sweet... nose-stinging spicy aroma. Addictively potent.
"Done."
Ian served the tteokbokki—bright red like her hair.
Stella alternated wide-eyed stares between him and the food.
"......What is this?"
"Never had it?"
"Nope."
"First time for everything, then."
Ian speared a tteok with his fork, holding it out to her.
Being fed? Last time was babyhood. She'd seen couples at the school cafeteria doing it all lovey-dovey.
"Y-You're insane!?"
"What?"
"Wh-What the hell are you doing?!"
"You said you don't know how, so I'm feeding you. Why snap?"
"......Y-You sure you don't have ulterior motives?"
"The hell you talking about?"
He kept thrusting the fork. Stella cautiously leaned in. Front hair in the way—she tucked it behind her ear. Don't gape or look ugly—tiny lip parting.
Plop. Hot tteok touches lips.
She nibbled carefully.
Chewy.
......And blazing.
Face-flushingly hot.
"How's it?"
"......Spicy."
"Milk."
Ian handed her milk. Stella daintily gripped the cup with both hands, sipping slow. Cool milk washed away the burn. Chewy texture was a hit too.
Waiting for more, she saw Ian eat the bitten tteok himself, then grab another with the same fork.
"Why're you eating that?!"
"......Why yell? And there's a fork right in front of you. Eat it yourself now."
"Th-That's not—!"
Why eat what I bit?! But she couldn't snap that— he'd act oblivious, making her seem obsessed.
She nibbled tentatively. Glared at Ian sidelong each time.
Face burned every time.
Just the spicy sauce, though.
Hot enough to flush her cheeks.
......So in the end, it was Ian who'd set her aflame.