episode_0069

“Are you dating Rohan by any chance?”

“!?”

Clara’s head, which had been tilted down, suddenly rose.

It seemed to both of them that this was the first time they had exchanged gazes directly from the front like this.

“I have no intention of interfering with the cadets’ love lives as a teacher in charge. I am aware that it can be a good source of motivation.”

“읏···!”

Even though the lead actor said that, the agitation Clara felt did not subside.

So he hurriedly continued his story.

“Just a simple curiosity. You were with Rohan at the bookstore and during this incident. They seemed to be particularly close.”

“When you say dating, you mean, dating··· right? Lo, lo, lo··· Rohan oppa and I···?”

“That’s right. It could be interpreted in other ways, but that’s what I meant.”

After finishing speaking, Joo-yeon headed to the kitchen with calm steps and opened the refrigerator.

As I brought the cool juice, the girl was playing with her hair with a red face.

Even the juice given to me is used to cool down my feverish cheeks rather than to drink.

“I’m not dating oppa···yes···.”

A voice that stretches out as if holding onto an ankle while denying it. Fingers that waver and wobble, and a body that twists like a twisted egg.

Clara’s actions were transparent enough to make even the main character, who didn’t know what love was, understand right away.

A pleased smile appeared.

I find myself sincerely rooting for the girl’s innocent love.

“I see. I hope you get good results and I’ll be cheering you on from afar.”

“···!”

“Rohan seems to have a strange tendency to get involved in incidents. It wouldn’t be good for him to be alone even after leaving the academy.”

Of course, it is not right for boys and girls to be together in the academy dormitory.

In such a chaotic time, if there was a brilliant girl like Clara at the bookstore where Rohan worked, the protagonist would feel a little reassured.

To that answer.

The girl was impressed.

‘ah!’

The lead actor didn’t think the words of encouragement were all that great.

It was a huge shock to the girl, clearing away the fears she had been harboring.

‘Joe, what a nice guy…!’

A refreshing hit from the main character in Clara’s heart.

You will be asked to hold the juice you have been given with both hands as if you are praying.

“Clara.”

“Yes···!”

“Is there any food you can’t eat?”

“You, you’re so bitter… It’s hard.”

“Oh, I see.”

Clara started to follow the lead actor in the direction he was heading.

Joo-yeon sat Clara down at the table and opened the refrigerator to check the ingredients.

‘There’s no meat.’

Joo-yeon, who had opened the vegetable compartment below and finished checking, was lost in thought.

‘The ingredients are poor quality. If it doesn’t work, it might be better to have it delivered.’

I don’t care about the price. I just want to feed them well.

But the protagonist hesitated even to do that.

Because Rohan and Clara have one hidden problem in their hearts that they are happy about.

‘ha···.’

It is part and parcel of the protagonist’s desire to feed two people.

It was a place so full of reflection and regret that it was difficult to say that it was simply desirable.

The protagonist felt sorry for the two people.

Perhaps so heavily that it could be called guilt.

Even if imagination and delusion do not seek the other person’s consent, it cannot be denied that the frequency with which the protagonist himself projects his lost younger brother onto Rohan is increasing.

But I kept denying it and making excuses.

Now that Rohan has returned from the brink, it is no longer possible to ignore that fact.

The fact that he is receiving help from Rohan to overcome a trauma that he has been struggling to shake off for a long time seeps into his mind, penetrating his tough body that cannot be cured by medication.

I just feel sorry for Clara for letting her get carried away with these emotions.

‘Really… you’re disqualified as an instructor.’

The protagonist closes the refrigerator and manages his expression.

I informed the fair-skinned girl who was sitting and sipping juice.

“I’m embarrassed to say this, but I haven’t been able to go to the market lately. Is it okay if I order dinner delivery?”

“Ah, I··· Of course I’m fine···!”

“Then I’ll order it when Rohan comes. I don’t know when he’ll come though.”

Clara looked at the smartphone she was holding in her hand at the lead actor’s words and smiled bashfully.

An expression that clearly shows who the person is communicating with.

The protagonist smiled at the sight and waited to hear the voice.

“My brother is leaving soon···!”

“Hmm, am I reporting this properly to Clara?”

The girl seemed delighted by those words. If Clara were a water creature, wouldn’t her tail be twitching and her ears be wiggling?

It’s a feeling I can understand somehow.

Slurp slurp──.

The protagonist poured coffee and spread a thick coffee scent throughout the living room.

I sat across from Clara, holding a steaming mug and a notebook.

Now, unlike the conversation before, it’s time to talk about something more substantial.

“And about immigration. I want you to be honest when you ask questions, even if it’s sensitive information.”

Clara nodded her head as if she understood.

In the protagonist’s view, the girl seems less nervous about this topic.

“What country are you registered as?”

“That, I haven’t told you about this yet···.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t reveal Clara’s private parts without her consent.”

“Thank you···!”

His face relaxed after hearing the answer. Clara’s voice sounded clearer.

The protagonist opened his notebook, satisfied with his voice, which was more powerful than before.

He clicked the pen and showed the girl that he was going to take notes.

“Ask again. What country are you registered as?”

“It’s a country called Zeno···.”

“You came from far away. You must have had a hard time.”

Even though Zeno is a small and exclusive country, the protagonist knows the inside story of the country being turbulent due to civil war.

Because I have most of the information about the situation between countries.

Even if you think Zeno is hiding it tightly, you cannot avoid the eyes of the great powers.

“Is there any false information in the documents submitted to the agency? If so, you should request correction immediately.”

“There is none···!”

“According to what Rohan said, he wasn’t even a wanted criminal.”

“Yes.”

The protagonist continued to ask questions and Clara answered.

The girl even told a foolish story about how she sold the air conditioner she brought from Zeno for a pittance to buy the fancy clothes she has now, and she even talked about a time when she didn’t really know the value of money.

The protagonist listened with a serious face, without laughing.

That was when the juice Clara had been sipping little by little had finally hit the bottom.

“Honestly, I have a lot more questions to ask. But this is all the information I need for my immigration request, so I won’t ask for more than necessary.”

The protagonist’s gaze turned towards the weapon Clara had placed.

In a time of literal chaos, it is important to be able to protect yourself and what is precious.

“···Thank you.”

The girl expressed her gratitude, knowing what the protagonist’s words and gaze meant.

“Finally, Clara.”

The protagonist calls in a lower and more serious voice than when he was talking.

The girl’s gaze met his eyes that seemed to be filled with flames.

“For example, if the purpose of creating a status leads to a crime and causes an accident in Academy City, not only the Metropolitan Police Agency but also I have no choice but to take action.”

If that happens, there’s an air of really not forgiving.

The overwhelming momentum that poured out made Clara hold her breath.

“It’s my responsibility to help you with this. Do you understand?”

“Yes···!”

Clara replied without hesitation. The lead actor showed a satisfied smile and the heavy atmosphere was relieved in an instant.

“I’ll give you my number. Feel free to contact me if you have any problems or need advice.”

“!”

At those words, Clara held out her smartphone with both hands.

··

··

After the heavy topic was over.

There was a series of conversations about Academy City between Joo-yeon and Clara, who were waiting for Rohan.

The girl tapped the empty juice bottle with her fingernails and took out the words inside.

“Main character. I have a concern. Can you listen to it···?”

“If I can be of any help, I’m happy to listen.”

How can you be so trustworthy!

Clara felt as if the lead actor was going to give her some incredible advice that would penetrate her immature consciousness.

“The Zeno I lived in was a monogamous culture···.”

“My home country, Samhwa, is like that too. Most countries are like that.”

Somehow, I hope that things will make sense.

Clara asked the protagonist with sparkling eyes.

“Ho, by any chance! When you were dating, did you ever have a partner who practiced polygamy?”

“Huh?”

Why does Clara ask such a question? The protagonist came up with an answer before even chewing on the question.

Because I know where and who the girl’s attention is focused on.

‘Ah, Solarea was like that. And Tigrova too.’

While I was in charge of Rohan, I read a lot of books about the South, and it came to mind vividly.

That’s why I decided to be honest.

“I don’t think I can help you with that. Unfortunately, I have no experience with men.”

“!!!”

Clara was surprised by the fact that the protagonist confessed so easily.

How can such a beautiful woman never date? Is it because she just hasn’t had a man catch her eye?

“Then…! What would you do if the man you met in the future was from a polygamous culture?”

“Hmm.”

The protagonist had never had a romantic relationship in his life.

Still, I felt like I needed to think about it seriously now, because the girl in front of me looked desperate.

‘Polygamy.’

To begin with, the protagonist had never given her heart to a man. So it wasn’t easy to even imagine it.

I’ve received many proposals and confessions.

But the protagonist couldn’t understand the passionate gaze they were sending him.

‘Polygamy is ultimately a culture.’

If we assume that, some things come to mind. Just look at the countries of origin of the academy instructors.

We respect what we can respect from each other, and if there are parts that are difficult to understand, we back off if one side can.

Based on that, the main character’s answer was created.

“The person approaching needs to understand the culture.”

It’s similar to making a reservation at Samhwaguk Restaurant when Instructor Carrot recommends a meal to you.

Since the main character had never felt the emotions that come with a romantic relationship, there was no other way to compare him to.

“···!”

Clara froze in shock at the lead actor’s answer, which seemed to be a given.

The thoughts that came to mind when I met Noah from Tigrova at the bookstore. They were hammered into me and ingrained deeper than before.

“Let me explain.”

The protagonist shared his thoughts with Clara as if he was teaching her a lesson.

A country’s culture is both the pride of its citizens and a principle of behavior.

It also serves as the basis for each individual’s common sense and values.

While continuing a small class using the dining table as a podium.

Ding dong!

The bell rang, signaling the entrance to open.

Rohan was seen leaning forward with his face thrust into the camera.