Chaotic Academy Convenience Store -1-
-Murmurs.
-Clack. Clack.
-What's she doing here? Didn't she get expelled?
-Nah, it was a voluntary withdrawal, right?
-Still, what gives her the confidence to show up at the academy? She didn't reenroll, did she?
-Ah... fuck, that would suck.
With my hands shoved in my pockets, I strode down the academy corridor amid the excited whispers of the female students. Spotting a familiar face dotted with freckles—the young lady of Vienna, who I'd buried under a sandstorm in the rankings match—I noted how she was glaring daggers at me, as if thrilled to see me after so long and showering me with her "blessings."
Is this what a handsome guy's life is like?
In an academy full of ugly mugs, a looker like me was a rare sight, so I could forgive their over-the-top reactions with a generous heart. This was the burden a handsome man had to bear.
The Young Lady would probably clap at my fresh nonsense if she heard, but since no one here could understand my heart, I winked at my chattering classmates with a touch of regret.
-Ah, that jerk just winked! Look at her swooning. This is why good looks are the best.
The academy scent I'd missed for so long felt nostalgic. The students' chatter breathed life into the drab halls, and the everyday gripes about assignments soothed the harshness of society.
Youth.
It put me in a good mood. At the same time, thoughts like I used to have days like that crossed my mind.
I flashed a bittersweet smile and unfolded the paper in my hand.
-Academy Senior Director's Office.
"Almost there."
The paper was an academy map. Just like in the novel, it marked where Malik, now appointed senior director, had set up shop.
In the novel, Malik had lived like half a wreck. Traumatized by losing Hanna, he couldn't pick up a sword and resented his father.
-You want me to take the academy director position...? Are you kidding?
Back then, Malik had stepped in for the comatose Shartia as director since no one else could. It was a tough choice born of regret—not wanting to repeat the same tragedy—even knowing the Histania family had killed Hanna.
Malik was a man of endless regrets to the end. The fragile type who'd stand at Hanna's grave, spacing out and sobbing all day.
In the novel, becoming director naturally linked him with Yuria, securing his spot as a sub-male lead without ever becoming the protagonist. Though now he was business-obsessed.
"Hm."
Shaking off idle thoughts, I hurried toward where Malik waited. The longer I lingered, the more the people who didn't welcome me would hate it. I wanted to wrap this up quick and bounce.
I didn't have many good memories here. No close friends either.
Maybe peek at Hanna on the way out, I thought, eyeing the signs above the doors as I walked.
[Disciplinary Committee Room]
[Student Council Research Room]
[Student Council President Research Room]
"Hmm..."
-Clack.
"Hm?"
-Hic!
"Feels like someone's following me."
I shrugged at the glimpse of purple drill curls peeking from behind a pillar and kept walking.
Shuen, huh.
Her reason for tailing me was obvious without looking. No big deal. Rival idols crossing paths was par for the course.
Whatever.
Busy now—ignoring her was the play. I'd found it anyway.
"Here."
[Senior Director's Office]
Pushing aside complicated thoughts, I cautiously knocked on the door where Malik waited.
-Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Boss. It's your doormat."
"Come in. And it's Malik."
At the familiar boss's voice, I smiled faintly and slowly opened the door.
Oh...
Malik's cologne wafted through the open door—modern and crisp. Fitting for a businessman who sweated the small stuff; his refined touch impressed me. I bowed slightly to Malik seated in his chair.
"Long time no see, boss."
"How many times do I gotta say it? Malik. You're a proper boss now yourself—why so stiff?"
"Why am I a boss? You handle all the real management."
"Not 'sir'—'Mr.' Casual's even better."
"Haha... I'll ease into it."
"Tough nut."
Malik seemed pleased by my caution, smiling faintly as he started brewing tea. Steam rose from the mana pot behind him as he meticulously added leaves to the cups.
"What's that tea? Not black tea."
"Mandrake. Sales on the mandrake candy were good, so we're packaging it as measured tea leaves."
"Hm... Won't it be too bitter?"
"Don't worry about taste. Splurged on the drying process."
Malik grinned at the brownish brew, carefully setting the cups on the table.
"Sit."
-Slurp.
"Pretty good. Not too strong, just the right bitterness—nobles'll love it."
"Told you I was confident."
Malik beamed at the business praise, lifting his cup with a smile. He clasped his hands calmly and got to the point.
"You know why I called you—mentioned it before."
"Ah, the convenience store?"
"Yeah. Drew up a rough plan like you said, but hit a snag."
Malik gave a wry smile, placing a stack of documents on the table with a sigh.
I thumbed through the docs, nodding.
"Super detailed."
"Money hates stupidity—gotta do it right. First opening can't be sloppy."
"Permit approved?"
"Got it already. Thanks to the unintended director gig."
"Senior director?"
"Yup. Skipped student council approval. You know how powerful they are here."
"Student council's got real clout."
Malik wryly muttered to himself, If I'd known, I'd have rigged it a bit when I was president. Classic Histania eldest son—justice incarnate. I chuckled dryly and nodded.
"So this part's the issue."
"Yeah."
Malik nodded at the page he pointed to.
"Listened and jotted notes, but can't nail the image. Kimbap or interiors we can tweak chatting, but no one to run the store early on."
"Just hire clerks."
"First-of-its-kind here—no ordinary staff. Plus trade secrets."
"Hm... Fair point."
Malik sighed at me.
"Get what I'm asking?"
[Counter]
"Plan to hire students hourly later like you said, but need someone early to set framework and feedback."
Got it. The guy who pitched the idea staffs the counter till a successor shows, then hands off.
But he knew.
"Makes sense, but boss—you know if I man the convenience store here, it'll tank before launch."
"..."
"Egg bomb city."
Malik nodded gravely.
"I know. But I trust something surer."
"What...?"
He smiled at me.
"Your face."
I nodded like an enlightened sage at his words, then grinned brightly.
"Spot on."
Couldn't betray the faith as self-proclaimed world's hottest. Novel had no business arc, but smoothing it was a possessor's virtue. Convenience stores were worlds apart here.
I smirked slyly at Malik.
"Discarded food mine then?"
"...Ho. Using your head. Desmont butler perks? Histania'd never think of it, even dead."
"Thanks for the praise."
He extended a hand.
"Call when done."
"Week tops?"
"If handover's perfect. Personally want longer."
"Premium talent, y'know."
"Pay's generous."
I shook, nodding.
"Pleasure, boss."
"Malik."
And so the chaotic convenience store days began.
*
Meanwhile.
A girl peeking into the senior director's office from the hall clutched her fists, eyes sparkling with fervor.
"That guy's the one Hanna from Histania likes...!"
Purple drill hair. Ample bosom. Shuen hid behind the pillar, but her curves gave her away as she spied curiously.
No ordinary guy. Rare for Shuen's mana-sight to see nothing.
-Whoosh.
Immense power. Or none at all.
Shuen figured the latter.
"Suspicious."
She wanted to investigate. Friend's crush, tormentor of her idol.
Peel off his mask.
-Ding-dong-dang-dong.
"Ah! Class time."
Absentmindedly peeking, Shuen bolted at the bell.
And.
-Creeeak.
The office door opened simultaneously.
Shuen sped up. Far from athletic, her legs tangled, foot slipped naturally.
"Kyaa...!"
Stair edge loomed before her eyes. This angle, forehead smash.
No. My face.
Eyes squeezed shut, bracing for pain.
That instant.
"Whoa there."
Faint cologne, collar grabbed—Shuen tumbled into his arms.
Eyes wide.
"Eh...?"
Kind voice snapped her back.
"You alright?"
Ricardo.
Shuen met the academy's most hated man.