Chapter 131

R&e;ａd ȯｎ ‌K&a;tṚεad‍in̂ｇ​Câf̈e​

Children are truly cunning creatures.

They get away with all sorts of mischief simply because they’re young.

Common sense doesn’t apply to them, and they act however they please.

They actively use their cuteness to throw tantrums or wield their innocence to enchant people’s hearts. When they look up at you with those innocent eyes and beg you to play, it’s hard to refuse.

It’s a direct attack on the heart. Ugh, how cruel! My time was stolen by these adorable little bandits. 

Caught in the schemes of these mischievous little devils, Lucia ended up being held captive by the children until the sun set.

“It was so much fun, big sister Lucia!”

Anna said with a bright smile. Thinking back, we did a lot of activities. We ran around the spacious yard playing tag, used the area near the orphanage for hide-and-seek, and played catch with a small ball. Time flew by as we played all sorts of games.

It was a bit disappointing that I didn’t get to see Carlos fetch the ball.

I really wanted to see it at least once.

At first, I was taken aback, but when I thought about Carlos’ supernatural ability, it didn’t seem all that strange. Think about why Carlos is called the family’s hunting dog. It’s both a metaphor and a literal description.

Honestly, I didn’t just want to watch—I wanted to try it myself.

I’m good at walking on all fours, you know?

But I held back because I couldn’t embarrass myself in front of the kids.

Lucia’s true nature is a top secret.

I won’t tell anyone about it.

Especially not to innocent children.

I initially intended to just play with the kids for a bit, but before I knew it, I had regressed to my childhood self and was having just as much fun as they were.

By the time curfew was approaching, I even felt a little sad to leave.

But I couldn’t stay with the kids forever.

The setting sun signaled that it was time to say goodbye.

Considering the distance between the orphanage and the academy, it would be cutting it close to make it back by curfew.

“Big sister, you’ll come back, right?”

As if sensing it was time to part, Anna tightly grasped my hand and asked.

Surprisingly, she didn’t throw a tantrum to get me to stay longer.

She just looked up at me with round, expectant eyes.

Even though I had just met the orphanage kids today, they all listened to me well, and Anna in particular seemed to really look up to me. It seemed like she had some admiration for me after I saved her during that crisis. 

Though, honestly, Frey deserves more credit. But to Anna, it was me who had directly helped her, so I must have left a stronger impression.

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back.”

“Okay! Hehe, you promised!”

Next time I come to the orphanage, I’ll definitely bring Alice with me. I should introduce her to Anna. 

That day, I was always with Frey. Strictly speaking, Alice (Frey) is also Anna’s savior. It’s unfair that only I got to receive the thanks.

After saying goodbye to the director, who thanked me for playing with the kids, and the children, who were sad to see me go, I left the orphanage.

I didn’t decide when I’d come back, but I’ll make sure to visit again when I get the chance.

“…”

Carlos is also a student at the academy.

Even though he’s in Class D, he still has a curfew like I do.

After leaving the orphanage together, Carlos silently spread his arms.

Not sure what he meant, I just stared at him, and he calmly said,

“Hold on.”

“That’s quite a bold statement.”

A man telling a woman to hold onto him.

Even though the sun had set, it wasn’t nighttime yet, and more importantly, we were in a public alley.

Is he really saying he’ll carry me in such an open place?

What kind of shame play is this? Lucia is a woman of unwavering loyalty and premarital chastity.

If someone were to take Lucia’s virginity, it would mean she would serve and devote herself to them for the rest of her life.

I might consider it if it was Eugene, but I have absolutely no intention of giving my purity to any other man.

Not that Eugene is special, but because he’s the protagonist of this world and the person the “original Lucia” truly loved.

“…?”

At my response, Carlos openly showed his confusion.

He looked at me as if I was spouting nonsense.

I chuckled and walked over to Carlos.

My joke didn’t land at all with this stoic hunting dog.

“Hold on tight. You’ll get hurt.”

He picked me up in a princess carry again.

His strong hands supported my back and legs.

I naturally wrapped my arms around Carlos’s neck.

I pressed my body close to his, bracing for the speed that was about to come.

The after-service is excellent.

Providing comfortable transportation both to and from the orphanage.

The gray-haired boy bent his knees slightly, then kicked off the ground and leaped into the air.

Like a spring being released, Carlos began running at an incredible speed.

◈

“I think we overreacted.”

Arin muttered as she reflected on the day’s events.

The troublemaker from Class D, who had suddenly picked up Lucia and sprinted away at full speed.

To chase him, Arin and Anastasia had to move frantically.

They were the top students of Class A, and among the most talented in the entire academy.

Especially in combat, their latent talents had explosively blossomed.

The sensation of real battle, where blood splattered and flesh was torn—something that could never be gained through training alone.

Having acquired this, the Golden Generation had improved at a remarkable pace.

Yet, even they struggled to keep up with Carlos.

He was swift and agile, even while carrying Lucia.

When he leaped across rooftops, it felt like watching a wolf chasing its prey.

At one point, Anastasia slipped on a rooftop and nearly fell to the ground, almost losing him.

When they finally managed to catch up, what awaited them was Lucia, laughing and playing happily with the children at the orphanage.

“I’m jealous. I wanted to play too.”

“Sorry. Just bear with it a little longer.”

Anastasia mumbled while fidgeting with her thumb.

It was Arin who had stopped Anastasia from joining the children’s games.

Sneaking around and following someone was rude and improper.

She didn’t want Carlos and Lucia to find out.

“Maybe we were too wary of Class D.”

Alice and Arin had good reason to be cautious.

Class D was treated specially at the academy. A class of only three people. All of them were criminals who had committed acts that violated the law. 

Under normal circumstances, they should have been sent to juvenile detention, not the academy. 

They were only allowed to enroll because they were talented supernaturals. That didn’t mean they had truly repented, nor were their crimes fully pardoned.

Someone who has crossed the line once can do it again.

In fact, the second time is much easier.

That’s why Alice and Arin were wary of Carlos.

Troublemakers aren’t called troublemakers for no reason.

What they saw while secretly trailing Carlos was Lucia mingling with the children at the orphanage.

Though they couldn’t see the details from afar, the children approached Lucia and Carlos without hesitation.

“Did our prejudice cloud our view and judgment?”

“Your glasses are transparent though, Class Rep.”

“It’s a metaphor. I mean our bias.”

They continued to watch, just in case.

Lucia left the orphanage, escorted by the children.

There was nothing dangerous about the scene—it was heartwarming, in fact.

Arin smiled wryly and said to Anastasia,

“Let’s head back too. Curfew is almost here.”

The class representative couldn’t be seen breaking the rules.

Arin stared at the distant figures of Carlos and Lucia, who were already far away.

He’s carrying her in a princess carry even on the way back? They’re not actually dating, are they? Even though they just met today, I can’t help but feel suspicious. 

There’s a reason people say love at first sight exists. It’s probably nothing, but if Lucia and Carlos really hit it off… No, let’s not jump to unnecessary conclusions. 

Arin shook her head, brushing away her stray thoughts.

She took one last look at the orphanage.

It was an ordinary, unremarkable care facility.

Arin narrowed her eyes behind her glasses.

The way her eyebrows furrowed was strikingly similar to her father, the captain of the 2nd Division.

‘Why does this feel so… unsettling?’

There was nothing unusual.

Nothing suspicious.

Her supernatural ability remained quiet.

Her danger sense hadn’t activated even once.

So, this wasn’t her supernatural ability—it was just her personal intuition.

She felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

It was a subtle discomfort, something she could easily dismiss as a vague illusion.

It was the kind of feeling she could brush off with a sigh and move on.

But not knowing the specific reason made her feel a little frustrated.

Just in case, she tried using her supernatural ability, but her danger sense remained silent.

In other words, there was no danger.

If she had to find a danger, it would be the relationship between Carlos and Lucia.

Knowing about Eugene’s unrequited love, the appearance of a rival was unsettling.

At first, it felt like an interesting spectacle, but the progress between Carlos and Lucia was surprisingly fast.

A princess carry? Eugene’s never done that, has he?

“…Sigh, if only Eugene would act a little more proactively. It’s frustrating to watch.”

I guess that’s the reason.

I’ll have to subtly warn him when he gets discharged.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Arin is frustrated with Eugene’s love life.

Originally, Arin was Eugene’s heroine too.

Isn’t it great that Lucia is keeping the other heroines in check for Alice?

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
A very not suspicious kid at all.