Chapter 119: Could it be...
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 119: Could it be...
...
"Hmm?"
After leaving the martial arts arena, Muen suddenly came to a halt on the small path carpeted with plane tree leaves.
His gaze swept across the surroundings, tinged with a hint of suspicion.
Since classes were currently in session, there were no other students on the road. The area was silent, save for the rustle of the wind blowing through the leaves.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
"But why do I feel like someone is watching me?"
Muen couldn't help but frown.
That faint, lingering sense of being watched was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, flicking its tongue out at him.
"Is some pervert stalking me?"
Muen shuddered at the thought.
"But wasn't that guy Kelun caught already?"
Shaking his head, Muen decided not to linger. He quickened his pace and hurried away from the spot.
...
The library was nearly empty during class hours.
"Oh? Junior?"
Senior Sister Anna was dressed in the black uniform and long skirt of a librarian. Her silky hair was braided and draped over her shoulder, giving her the appearance of a gentle, "big sister next door" type.
However, when she saw Muen, the way her eyes curved into slight crescents revealed a hint of her "little devil" nature.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have a class right now?
"Unless..."
Anna leaned half her body over the desk, supporting herself with her hands. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted toward him as she gave a tender, playful smile.
"Did you skip class just to come see me?"
"I..."
Oppressed by Anna's "imposing aura," Muen leaned back slightly, yet his eyes couldn't help but drift downward.
So big.
So high.
So... majestic.
From this top-down perspective, he not only had a full view of those two magnificent peaks but could even catch a glimpse of the bottomless cleavage through the strained gaps in her shirt.
"Junior."
Noticing where Muen’s gaze had landed, Anna’s tone took on a hint of mock reproach.
She reached out a finger and playfully flicked Muen’s forehead upward, forcing him to look away.
"Lewd thoughts are forbidden, you know."
"Nonsense, I wasn't," Muen protested loudly, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"Honestly."
Anna straightened up and sighed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"This librarian uniform is practically the most conservative outfit in the entire Academy. If you can still stare at me with such lewd eyes, Junior, you really are beyond saving."
"Well, it's because you're so beautiful and your figure is perfect, Senior Sister," Muen said with a silly grin.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Anna gave a charming smile and lowered her head to resume the work she had been doing before Muen arrived—organizing a stack of books.
"So?"
"Hmm?"
"My question from before."
"Oh."
Muen realized what she meant. He immediately struck a "cool" pose, leaning against the nearby wall and flamboyantly brushing back his bangs.
"It's just as you said, Senior Sister. I came here specifically to see you."
"Is that so?"
Anna looked up, casting a meaningful glance at Muen’s other hand.
"You came to see me and brought a gift? Hmm, let me see what it is... Magic Basic Theory? My, my, Junior Muen is so impressive. How did you know this was my favorite book? So favorite, in fact, that even though I don't take this subject, I've flipped through it dozens of times lately."
"Uh..."
Muen awkwardly hid the textbook behind his back and gave a sheepish laugh. "You must have seen wrong, Senior Sister. How could I be so shameless as to disturb you during your working hours?"
"Oh, is that how it is?"
Anna arched an eyebrow.
"Since I saw wrong, then please, feel free to do as you like, Student Muen. There’s hardly anyone in the library during class, so you can do whatever you want. Just... don't disturb my work."
Anna patted the neatly organized books in front of her and gave a mischievous grin.
"It is working hours, after all."
"I was wrong, Lady Anna!"
Muen immediately pressed his palms together in a gesture of prayer, begging for mercy.
"I am a shameless scumbag! Please, forget what I just said and educate me thoroughly!"
"That's more like it, my cute little scumbag Junior."
Anna giggled, her body trembling slightly with her laughter, causing Muen’s heart to sway right along with her.
"Let's go, then."
Anna put the books away and pushed open the small gate of the counter.
"Eh?"
Muen blinked in surprise as he watched Anna walk straight out.
"Is it really okay to just leave your post like that?"
"Don't worry, I'm not leaving the library. We just need to find a spot where I can keep an eye on the counter. Besides..."
Anna stared at Muen with a beaming smile.
"During class hours, who else would come to the library besides a bad student like you who's probably skipping?"
"...Fair point."
Muen scanned the library. Aside from a few upperclassmen quietly looking up references, there was no one else.
...
After finding a seat near the counter with Anna, Muen’s "painful yet blissful" study time began once again.
Complex knowledge was broken down by the skilled Anna into bite-sized pieces that Muen could easily absorb, which she then steadily funneled into his mind.
Muen could clearly feel himself improving.
But for him, the pleasure didn't just come from learning.
Whenever he looked up and saw Anna’s expressions as she became immersed in her teaching, Muen couldn't help but wish that time would slow down—slower, and slower still.
If only moments like this could last forever...
"Junior, you have the scent of a woman on you."
After finishing a section of the lesson, Anna flipped a page in her book and spoke as if it were the most casual observation in the world.
"Uh..."
Muen, who had been lost in his pleasant daydream, suddenly froze.
"Do... do I?"
"I've smelled this scent before, haven't I?"
Anna put down the book, her expression becoming somewhat meaningful.
"It's the same as when I went to visit you in the infirmary. It's that Student Council President, isn't it?"
Muen was stunned. After that encounter, he had been in "close contact" with over thirty men—and she could still smell it?
"My sense of smell has always been very keen," Anna said with a smile, as if reading his mind.
"So, am I right?"
"Yes..."
"In other words, before coming here, you met with the Student Council President first?"
"Ah... yeah."
Muen answered stiffly.
How strange. Why do I feel the guilt of a scumbag getting caught red-handed? I didn't even do anything!
No, I have to...
Just as he was about to say something to break the awkward atmosphere, Anna leaned in, resting her cheek on her hand.
A sweet fragrance enveloped Muen’s nose.
"Speaking of which, Junior, you're quite the famous playboy in the Academy."
"Haven't I told you? Those are just rumors," Muen said with a bitter smile.
"That may be what people say, but you always seem to be very close to the famous girls of the Academy, Junior."
"Am I?"
Muen scratched his cheek.
He hadn't really noticed the girls, but he certainly felt like there were plenty of boys eyeing his physical well-being.
However, for Senior Sister to suddenly bring this up...
"So, I wanted to ask..."
Anna suddenly brushed a strand of hair back. Her eyes, which seemed to hold the shimmer of spring water, curved slightly as she asked softly:
"Junior, is there someone you like?"
"Eh?"
Anna's words were so clear, yet so sudden.
It was as if a professional boxer had suddenly landed a heavy blow to Muen’s heart, leaving it pounding wildly.
Muen’s eyes widened, and he instinctively looked left and right.
Without him noticing, the other people in the library had all left. Only the two of them remained.
It was incredibly quiet.
Wait, wait, wait.
This environment.
This atmosphere.
Senior Sister suddenly asking a question like that.
Could it be that she's about to...