Red Panties
The molecules of the fluid move in different directions depending on the temperature. Hot ones rise, cold ones sink. It is called convection.
"...Is it passing?"
The answer came first from Muriel's smiling lips.
"Of course, hehe. There's no doubt about it—you passed."
Meanwhile, Alwilda—
"Kya~!"
She answered by rushing over without fail. Of course, she dodged it without any trouble this time either.
"Sigh."
Muriel looked at the scene, seemed about to say something but gave up, sighed, and then smiled.
"Congratulations, Albi. Finally, the number of students has increased?"
"Hehe... Just wait~ Soon, one more will appear."
"I hope so. Please muster your strength and fill up to twenty?"
"Hmph, that's too many."
Alwilda opened her eyes wide and pouted, but Muriel ignored her and turned to me.
"Congratulations on passing, Jade. Your observation and insight are exceptional. There must be a reason behind the splendor of your past?"
"Eh?"
Alwilda perked up her ears like a curious cat. Even though her hair was covering it. But this guy is saying something unnecessary now?
No, Alwilda's eyes widened and she shouted loudly.
"Past? What past?!"
"Hehe. There is such a thing. It's a secret between the two of us."
"A secret between the two of us! This is outrageous! If you knew I couldn't stand that—"
"Then I'll see you next time, Jade."
Muriel just laughed hehe and disappeared with a swish. Irresponsibly.
"Secret, secret...!"
Huff, huff.
With rough breathing, Alwilda turned around with sparkling eyes.
"I have no intention of telling."
I said firmly.
Hiiing.
Alwilda drooped her shoulders. Surprisingly quick to give up, but there was a reason.
Gurgle, gurgle.
"...I'm hungry. Let's eat first."
It was already lunch time.
*
Since a returnee eats alone is the norm, Alwilda insisted that I eat with her. In exchange, she added a condition that she wouldn't ask about the secret.
"I have someone I can introduce too."
"I'd rather not. I prefer to be alone."
"Is that so? Good! She also eats alone, hehe."
If I continued refusing, she'd follow me everywhere, so I eventually agreed to eat together. It bothered me that I had to add one more person, but since I'd have to face them sooner or later anyway. From the mention of "alone", I could roughly guess who it was.
The only other student.
And my guess was correct.
"Alright, introduce yourselves~"
"Ah, hello...! I'm Aren Forest!"
Short bob hair reminiscent of green, bright olive eyes. Aren was a student who fit the name Forest perfectly.
"Jade~?"
"It's not Jade, it's Jade."
I corrected him and said to Aren.
"Jade Netherpike. I transferred back this time, and we're in the same first year."
I knew Aren was first year. I saw him in the general education class. Even here, the green hair color wasn't common, so it stood out. Of course, until then I thought she was a girl.
...He was a boy.
A pretty face, delicate voice, slender build—anyone would mistake for a girl. But I couldn't be fooled.
"Yes, I know! You were sitting in the back during the general education class!"
The guy knew me too. Of course, it was obvious. My gaze had been focused since the first lecture.
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue internally and replied.
But.
"Im-impressive...!"
What fresh reaction is this. I didn't do anything special. I originally didn't want to do anything.
"Saw someone sitting next to Stellarisa for the first time!"
The platinum blonde name is Stellarisa. Nice name.
"By any chance, are you—"
"No. Not what you think."
Absolutely not. I didn't sit there because I wanted to sit next to you, did I? Ah, of course I sat there on purpose, but there was a reason.
Hmph.
I cleared my throat unnecessarily and tore open the wrapper. It was the sandwich provided as a meal at the academy. If I wanted, I could eat a full meal at the restaurant, but I didn't want to go to a crowded place, so I took it as a bento. Students who didn't have time to eat or wanted to enjoy the outside scenery leisurely could also receive it this way.
"You know, Jade?"
It was when I took a bite of the sandwich.
"Even so, Aren is actually a boy~?"
Alwilda, while saying something I already knew, kept poking Aren's flat chest.
"Hiiik!"
Aren wasn't the only one surprised by the sudden attack. I almost spat out the sandwich I was chewing.
Hey, that's sexual harassment. Did my mind break and my head split in half? If Alwilda had been born in the place I lived, it would have been immediate ironclad punishment. Well, this place is a healthy society that accepts such pranks pleasantly.
But then.
Why isn't he resisting?
"I don't like it, please stop."
"Eh?"
After wiping my mouth, I reprimanded, and the hand that was poking stopped.
"Heu..."
Finally freed from the grasp, Aren let out a seductive moan, then bowed his head and said.
"T-thank you...!"
There was a lot to be thankful for. I waved my hand saying I was done, and thought it was truly fortunate that the guy didn't have to enlist like me.
"Mmm, delicious~"
In the meantime, Alwilda was eating the sandwich as if nothing had happened, naturally. Eat it cleanly. Now I understand why the research lab is such a mess.
"Ah!"
Just as I thought she was focusing on eating, Alwilda couldn't hold back and opened her mouth.
"Since the number of students has increased, I'm assigning the first homework~ What do you think?"
"I don't really want to hear it during lunch."
"Too much."
Alwilda pouted, looking dejected. But if it's the first homework, does that mean she hasn't assigned any homework so far?
"Y, Jade-nim, could you at least hear what it is...?"
"...Remove the 'nim'. Just call me hyung."
By the way, what happened to this guy's brain? He's acting like he's been waiting all day.
How much does he like science...
So, he was listening alone to Alwilda's lecture.
"...What should I do?"
Because of Aren's eyes sparkling with green light, I reluctantly asked.
Well, eventually I have to do homework or exams for graduation—
"Kya!"
"Huh."
I pushed Alwilda's forehead that was about to lunge. Now, I respond reflexively.
Tsk.
Alwilda clicked her tongue in frustration but ignored it.
"Tell me what it is quickly."
"Mmm. It's nothing special and super easy~"
At the moment I felt uneasy.
Alwilda extended her right index finger and said.
"By immediately bringing in one more student."
I held back the impulse to snap my fingers and asked.
"Why is that easy?"
Where's the professor who assigns homework that they themselves can't do? They're just telling us to do what they want?
"Hehe. It's fine~ Since you're handsome, Jade. Just bring in anyone."
Hah.
I burst out laughing in disbelief. Of course, my owner Jade is quite handsome, but at the academy, he's only average. As I said, everyone is from a prestigious family, so their genes are superior. Moreover, boldly saying to seduce with looks in a meritocracy academy like this, it was even more unbelievable.
"Then I'll give you full marks on the midterm~"
"...If I bring in two, will you give full marks on the final too?"
"T, that... what would the headmaster say..."
Tch, too bad.
Aren fidgeted and asked.
"Does it matter who...?"
"Hmm, no."
Just like the test, Alwilda set conditions again. Gender doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter. Only, the student must have red hair.
"Why?"
Curious, I asked, and Alwilda's finger pointed at me.
"Blue~"
Was she talking about hair color?
"Aren is green."
Surprisingly, the answer was correct.
"So, it seems like red is needed~?"
I couldn't even answer and opened my mouth wide.
Not a Super Sentai or anything...
It seems like there's some obsession with colors.
"The deadline is before the midterm~"
Well, what can I do. If I have to, I have to. ...It seems like it will take some time to get used to military discipline.
*
After finishing lunch, Alwilda said something inspired and went back to the research lab, and Aren headed to the dorm. Finally alone, I lay on the grass and leisurely looked at the academy scenery. More precisely, I was scanning the students with red hair, pretending to enjoy the leisure.
Fewer than I thought.
Recalling memories, even in the general education class that all first-years took, there weren't many with red hair. But since it says no age restriction, it means no grade restriction, so the pool will be wider. Of course, I have no confidence that I'll succeed. After all, who would want to listen to such a lecture. Unless they're crazy.
"Sigh."
I sighed and lay back. The sky I looked up at was incredibly clear.
The north was always gloomy.
It felt like another world.
?
The sound of footsteps. Tap, tap. The footsteps on the grass were getting closer.
Who is it?
From the stride and volume, it wasn't Alwilda or Aren. Height about 160, weight around 45. A girl.
Eventually—
Swish.
A face with a shadow, blocking the sun, appeared in my field of view. But on the pretty face, there was a clear sign of displeasure.
Who is this? It felt familiar somehow...
"Hey."
Look at the sharp voice. It seems full of complaints towards me, but I don't remember doing anything wrong to anyone.
More than that, show me your panties.
I swallowed that line. Useless guy.
"Hey! Aren't you listening?"
"...Who are you?"
"Hah!"
If you're upset that I don't know, sorry. But I really don't know who you are. Except that you're a first-year in the general education class.
Ah, now I know the color of the panties. The passionate red that matches the hair color—
......Ah?
I widened my eyes and sat up straight.
Found it.
Red pan... no, red hair.