Chapter 31: Valuable Guest (3)

Clara’s connection with The Flower Bookstore began around summer, long before Rohan started working there.

So it had already been quite some time since the girl had claimed a corner of The Flower Bookstore.

And thanks to the bookstore manager, who happened to learn of her circumstances by chance, the corner quickly became Clara’s resting place and designated seat.

In that space, the girl delved into a pile of varying knowledge.

Her daily routine involved spending time reading worn-out magazines and books that had been donated or discarded to the bookstore.

Mystery, history, fashion, horror, essays, dictionaries, and more.

Reading whatever she got her hands on, without regard for genre, Clara filled her head with all sorts of diverse concepts and experiences.

Sharack— Sharack—

“…”

Today, she was looking through a workbook someone discarded after completing it.

She had no particular reason for doing so. She just reached out and grabbed the topmost one, and it happened to be this.

And judging from the cover, it was a book used for preparing for the Orion Academy entrance exam.

Lately, many similar books were coming in bundles.

The one she had picked up today was filled with solutions and interpretations handwritten in every available space on the pages.

Cute handwriting.

Clara even enjoyed everything written on the paper as part of her reading.

And trying to understand the solutions felt like solving puzzles, which she also found enjoyable.

Ah! I’ve seen this Monster before…

So, the girl spent her time quietly today as well.

She was now comfortable even when the manager left and Rohan took over the counter.

Because Rohan didn’t ask about things she didn’t want to talk about.

Even when they conversed, he maintained a mysterious distance that allowed her to answer without difficulty, without being at a loss for words, and to speak while looking him in the eye.

Besides that, he was quite serious about games, so talking to him was fun.

When he asked in-depth questions about Company Wave, she couldn’t help but get excited and chatter rapidly.

Ugh, embarrassing…

She recalled the time she got carried away with the explanation before coming to her senses.

Rohan simply smiled and asked her to tell him more, but whenever Clara thought about that moment, her face flushed hot.

Anyway,

Rohan was an Academy Cadet, so he must be a year or two older than her, but at this rate…

…F, friend?

Wouldn’t such a glorious, dazzling relationship, one she was almost too humbled to even speak of, somehow… be suitable?

“Heheh.”

A ticklish feeling. A silly laugh escaped the girl’s lips.

As Clara, with upturned lips, reached for the next book, the door chimed open.

Following that,

Rohan’s and a woman’s voices.

Rohan’s voice sounded more excited than when he was dealing with other customers, so Clara minimized her presence and moved closer.

With silent steps, she shifted her position and peeked at the counter.

─ The manager went home already and I’ll be closing up soon as well.

Rohan looked somewhat excited as he conversed with the woman.

How should she put it? She felt an indescribable feeling wash over her as she watched them.

S, so he has other acquaintances besides someone like me…

Clara averted her gaze from Rohan to examine the other person.

Then she briefly held her breath.

Wooow…

A beautiful woman who drew involuntary admiration.

A sense of inaccessibility instantly dispelled the dust-like flicker of longing in Clara’s heart.

Her red hair and sharp eyes made the word “cool” come to mind naturally.

Huh?

Clara, who had been observing the customer intently, tilted her head in question.

Was she imagining things?

She felt like she had seen that person in some magazine.

─ I would have greeted the owner if they were here… You’re trusted, I see. That’s good.

How long had Clara been secretly watching Rohan and the customer converse?

Then, Clara sensed something unusual.

Uh…?

It wasn’t a murderous intent that prickled her skin.

It felt more like a reprimand, telling her that her current actions were wrong, impolite, and that she should stop.

The aura emanating from the red-haired woman showed that she had clearly detected Clara, despite her attempts to conceal her presence.

“!!!”

It was the first time her location had been given away so easily. Clara’s legs began to tremble.

In that instant, the girl saw a powerful and dazzling sun.

Its light swallowed the shadow where she was hiding, making her feel exposed.

She had never seen such power. She was a frightening person.

The girl averted her eyes, as if fleeing, and sat down in the corner of the bookstore.

S, she’s watching me!

The feeling that her location was being tracked, no matter where she went, was distinct.

She desperately wanted to make a run for the entrance and escape the bookstore, but it seemed impossibly far.

The pressure of having no place to hide in the bookstore terrified Clara.

“Hooo…!”

Just then, Clara, who was still trembling even after Juyeon left, came into Rohan’s view.

Rohan stopped on his way to fetch a mop and headed straight to the girl.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

“…”

The girl grabbed Rohan’s apron with trembling hands.

An instinctive action, devoid of reason. Something Clara would never do normally.

Rohan’s mind began to piece things together.

“Is it because of the Instructor?”

“Th, that’s…”

Looking at the stammering girl, Rohan had a hunch.

This was a chance to naturally approach a sensitive topic.

“Heave-ho.”

Rohan sat down and lowered himself to Clara’s eye level.

Then, he waited in silence for a while.

The grip on his apron loosened and the trembling subsided.

Sitting on the quiet bookstore floor, Rohan gauged the timing and spoke softly.

“Feeling a little better?”

“…”

A slight nod.

“Want some water?”

“…”

A shake of her head, indicating she was fine.

Looking at Clara, who kept her mouth shut and her gaze fixed downwards, Rohan chose his next words carefully.

A positive reaction was crucial.

“More than that, that was impressive.”

At the unexpected praise, Clara slightly lifted her head in response.

He subtly touched upon the secret the girl was yet to speak of.

“An ordinary person would only feel intimidated by the Instructor. But you were able to read her Mana?”

As Rohan expressed genuine admiration, wondering how she suppressed it so subtly, the girl’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.

“Ah, uh, that’s…!”

“The Instructor does have a very strong presence. But you don’t need to worry. And you don’t need to be afraid either.”

Before Clara could come up with a nonsensical excuse in her flustered state, Rohan expressed his indifference to it.

“The Instructor is a very kind person.”

Rohan wouldn’t pry anything from this girl.

It was enough for him to simply acknowledge Clara’s uniqueness.

Rohan quickly replied that it was okay, told her not to worry about it, and that he’d see her tomorrow.

Ugh, I need to go quickly.

He had already spent more time than usual closing up, reassuring Clara.

Rohan placed the bookstore key under the flowerbed and hurried out.

As instructed, he came out of the alley and spotted Juyeon immediately without having to look around.

Rohan dashed over and stopped right in front of her.

“Sorry I’m late!”

“It’s alright. It’s rare for you to leave exactly at closing time.”

Juyeon’s hands were empty.

Had she already left the books at home?

“I have a place in mind. Let’s go there.”

“Yes!”

Juyeon smiled faintly at Rohan, who followed without complaint.

“Aren’t you curious about the menu?”

“Honestly, I am.”

Juyeon glanced to the side as if prompting Rohan to look.

There stood a large building.

“We’ll be going to a family restaurant on the 4th floor of the shopping mall. It’s a franchise that’s also present in the Three Kingdoms Union.”

“Ooh…!”

With an excited gasp, they exchanged small talk as they entered the shopping mall.

Groups of cadets in uniform were visible everywhere.

Many cadets recognized Juyeon and gave her a deep bow in greeting.

They took the escalator to the 4th floor.

A restaurant with an interior similar to the famous steakhouse in Rohan’s memory came into view.

It felt strange.

“How many?”

“Two.”

It was later than dinner time, so the inside was less crowded than expected.

Rohan was led to a table and sat facing Juyeon.

“Order whatever you want.”

Juyeon slid the menu over to Rohan.

Since everything on the menu was unfamiliar, Rohan looked around instead of at the menu.

Besides the food, many customers were drinking beer with greasy snacks.

“Weekday Special… It says beer is on discount today.”

“Ah, that’s why everyone has a drink.”

“Do you not drink beer, Instructor?”

Juyeon shook her head at Rohan’s question.

“I don’t drink alcohol.”

“Do you dislike it?”

“Not that I dislike it. In fact, I crave it at times.”

Juyeon brushed her bangs aside and showed a bold smile, then continued.

“You never know when an emergency might occur.”

A short but immediately understandable statement.

Rohan could relate.

“…It’s not an ordinary job.”

“Well, I was called to Academy City with this purpose stated specifically, so it’s fine.”

“Thanks to you, Instructor, everyone will grow to be incredibly strong.”

Rohan always thought about this during his time as a Hunter.

Having others acknowledge your hardships was a crucial element of mental care.

With upturned lips, Juyeon rested her chin on her hand and gazed at Rohan.

“This Instructor has quite high expectations of you, Rohan.”

“I’ll get stronger quickly so you can relax and have a drink whenever you feel like it, Instructor.”

“That’s reassuring. I look forward to it.”

“And when that time comes, I’ll pour you a drink, Instructor.”

Juyeon seemed undeniably pleased at Rohan’s words.

She even chuckled softly.

“Heh… I’ll accept that drink when I feel confident that public safety won’t be compromised even when I’m not around.”