Ch.169169. Week 2 Evaluation (5)

The man who had been insulting my senior was dragged out, screaming at the top of his lungs.

Though he claimed it was done in the heat of the moment, the testimonies of those present couldn’t be ignored.

Renias only felt relieved after receiving confirmation from officials that Junon wouldn’t face any charges.

“Ugh…”

As the tension suddenly drained from her body, her head began to spin. Her caring senior once again carefully supported her back.

“Are you okay?”

He asked if she was alright, but his hands told a different story.

They were tense and trembling.

That’s what this trembling meant.

The nervous trembling of someone afraid his touch might make her uncomfortable.

‘Don’t tremble, senior.’

It’s just a hand on my waist. And it’s not just anyone’s hand—it’s yours.

Renias deliberately relaxed her body more, making her posture unstable.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she entrusted her balance to him while complaining.

“No, I’m not okay… I shouted after drinking, and now I feel dizzy enough to die.”

Eventually, as if he had no choice, her senior wrapped his arm around her waist.

Warm body heat spread from his hand on her waist, and his trembling gradually stopped. She almost smiled with satisfaction for a moment.

“Why did you push yourself? This would have been resolved quickly anyway.”

“…But I couldn’t help it. When he insulted you…”

At that point, Renias couldn’t finish her sentence and trailed off.

‘When we reach the bottom of these stairs… will my time with senior be over?’

Her all-too-considerate senior would surely tell her to go home since she’d had too much to drink.

Then, as always, he would awkwardly wave goodbye.

‘That would be… disappointing.’

Renias had never felt this way before.

Even if they parted today, they could meet tomorrow. Even if she felt disappointed, there was always the next day, and the day after that to meet again.

But today, unlike what she had felt before, she felt a sense of disappointment.

“Thank you.”

Those words reached Renias as she hung her head low.

‘Does he mean thank you for helping…?’

It was what he always said. After she helped him, he would always say thank you and pat her head.

It was routine to smile and giggle at that pleasant touch.

But it always ended with just a pat. At most, a few dozen seconds? The time his hand touched her hair was so brief.

Because of this, Renias thought she knew how to soothe this disappointment.

“Ah…”

“Be careful.”

“Hehe. I’m still very dizzy…”

Yes, this is it.

If she made a mistake or showed vulnerability, he would always catch her.

He might find it a bit uncomfortable, but… this is what she wanted right now.

“I can see your family’s maid over there. You should go back quickly.”

“…”

Junon’s attention was currently diverted to Maria.

Seizing this opportunity, Renias sent a brief signal to Maria, who had made eye contact with her.

Though Maria looked quite surprised, the message must have been clearly conveyed.

“Renias?”

When she kept holding onto his arm and wouldn’t let go, her senior asked again in confusion.

And not long after, Maria cleared her throat with a “Ahem, ahem,” and casually threw a remark in their direction while pretending to be distracted.

“As a gentleman, you should escort a lady to her mansion.”

Maria had immediately understood what Renias wanted.

She would definitely need to prepare a gift for Maria when she returned to the mansion…!

“If a drunk lady seems unable to steady herself, it might be good to rest while getting some fresh air.”

And here was even more helpful advice.

Come to think of it, she was in a drunken state. If she pretended she couldn’t control her body, someone would need to take care of her.

‘Miss!’

Maria crossed her arms and positioned herself at an angle where Junon couldn’t see, then gave a thumbs up.

But the look she was giving Junon? It was as if she was subtly hinting, “Aren’t you going to take her?” And directing him toward the terrace.

‘Thank you, Maria!’

Impressed by Maria’s thoroughness, Renias closed her eyes while inwardly applauding.

“Hey, hey! Renias!”

“Oh my. This won’t do. She’s collapsed like this… Since she’s wearing a dress, you can’t carry her on your back, so you’ll have to carry her in your arms like a princess, won’t you?”

He seemed to consider for a moment, then sighed and adjusted his posture.

“…I’ll be at the terrace, so come get her when she’s sobered up a bit?”

“Of course. Certainly. But there are a few more things you should know before you go? Hehe.”

And so, the day stretched a little longer.

***

I’m now carrying Renias in my arms like a princess, heading to the terrace.

“…”

It seems absurd, but the maid’s gaze was so piercing that I’m practically fleeing.

The stare drilling into the back of my head after we entered the lower floor was also quite intense.

But my head feels the most painful.

-‘The evening is a bit chilly, and if she’s wearing something like a dress, she’ll be even colder. Especially if it’s a dress that exposes skin… A gentleman’s coat would be quite warm.’

-‘To sober up, she needs to get as much fresh air as possible, so it would be good to keep the conversation going, wouldn’t it?’

-‘If you go to the area with the wide bench on the terrace, she can rest more comfortably. It’s perfect for seating a drunk lady.’

-‘And the best thing is───’

…How many additional orders are there? What’s with that maid, why is she doing this to me?

My head hurts because of these additional instructions.

‘Even if she’s drunk, if the maid is worried about her mistress, shouldn’t she be the one to take her back?’

Despite my complaints, somehow I couldn’t refuse.

It was as if she was saying, “If you don’t take Renias quickly, I won’t let you off the hook!”

Having caught a glimpse of the axe-like eyes behind her smile, it wasn’t easy to deny that.

“Hup.”

For now, I’ve arrived at the terrace, leaving the piercing gazes(?) behind.

So, I carefully try to speak.

“Renias.”

“…”

“I know you’re awake, so you can get up now.”

As soon as I finished my suggestion, Renias’s eyelids twitched, and she covered her face with both hands, seemingly embarrassed.

But feeling she should answer, she slightly lifted her fingers covering her face and began to peek at me.

“Since when did you know…?”

“Since you suddenly collapsed strangely as we were coming downstairs.”

Compared to when I was supporting her, there was a noticeable stiffness in her body, so I actually noticed around that time.

Ah, she’s pretending to be struggling, I thought.

“Hiiing… I didn’t mean it in a bad way…! I mean, that’s not it, first of all… I’m sorry…”

The gap between her fingers closed again without fail.

…She seems quite embarrassed. That’s cute in its own way.

“No need to be sorry, let’s sit down first. It’s awkward to just stand here.”

“Y-yes…”

She sat down obediently, but she’s still peeking at me, checking my reaction.

I hadn’t planned on it, but it seems I have to naturally start a conversation.

“Do you usually enjoy drinking?”

“Huh? Oh… no.”

“Then? Do you usually drink like this…?”

“I-I don’t usually drink like this! Occasionally I might have a celebratory drink once in a while… but today…”

“Hmm. Seems like something bad happened.”

“…”

Judging by her lack of response, this must be the right answer. Considering her age, at around 18, she’s almost an adult, so there’s no issue.

I used to drink when things got too tough as well. It helped me forget this time, if only for a moment.

Even though it doesn’t taste that good when you actually drink it, alcohol is what people turn to when they’re struggling or want to forget memories.

And, it makes people reveal their emotions like this.

“Actually… to be honest, it’s because of you, senior.”

“Me? Um… did I do something wrong today…?”

I don’t think I did anything wrong to Renias, since I only participated in the faction competition…?

I didn’t know at this point.

“You deliberately forfeited everything. Even though you could have won it all.”

“…You might not know that.”

“I do know, senior.”

That this round, gentle girl has a sharp sword hidden within.

“You always hide your achievements. So that no one knows who accomplished these things.”

“…”

“It’s always like this. Stories that everyone would acknowledge once they became public, but you always cover them up. By the time someone else discovers them, it’s too late for you to receive recognition.”

By now, her hands, which had been fidgeting in embarrassment, were gripping the hem of her dress.

“I… really hate that. I want you to receive some recognition. Knowing what kind of person you are, but having to just watch.”

Our eyes meet. And then.

“Are you… afraid of people’s expectations, senior?”

She hit my most vulnerable spot.

It was truly, truly a sharp question.

In the end, I was the one who had to look away first.

The glass and alcohol on the terrace table. And a hangover remedy drink.

From there, I instinctively poured myself a drink and drank it.

Gulp, gulp.

Only after emptying one glass could I open my closed mouth.

“Afraid of expectations… maybe that’s it.”

“Why?”

“People’s expectations, they’re actually a fine line. If you deviate just a little, they become a burden on your heart. Don’t you have at least one such experience? When you were expected to do well, but couldn’t meet those expectations at all.”

“I… do.”

Renias answered with a trembling voice.

“If you deviate just a little from what they want, they start to clamor. They want something perfect, safe, and more certain. Even though they know it’s not easy to achieve such things. But what if you fail? What if you can’t bear the weight and put it down? In other words, if you don’t live up to expectations? From then on, expectations return as criticism.”

It’s like a plague.

A plague that needs to be identified and blocked before it spreads.

It starts with negative perceptions, then groups that resist emerge.

They simultaneously throw stones of criticism at the object of their expectations, and at some point, they turn their backs.

This is why a heavy burden is placed on one’s shoulders. Especially if lives are at stake.

“That’s why I gave up from the start. From the beginning, I didn’t want to receive any expectations.”

It could happen again, couldn’t it? This life won’t be any different.

The process of people turning their backs on you, from the neighborhood uncle you knew well or your peers, to nearby colleagues, was too painful an experience.

I don’t want to bear such a burden again.

“…No matter what results you produce, senior… I won’t doubt you. Like today…”

Renias gently grabbed my hand as I was about to pour another drink, stopping me.

“I’ve been watching you all along, so I know… so I… I want to see it. You winning… giving your best…”

Somehow her voice is becoming drawn out and broken.

“I… I’m confident I won’t… be a burden to you…”

I felt a weight on my shoulder. After that, Renias’s voice didn’t continue.

When I turned my head, Renias was resting her head on my shoulder with her eyes closed.

This time, it wasn’t on purpose; she had really fallen asleep.

She must have been very tired, so it wasn’t strange for her to fall asleep.

“Somehow… it ended up like this.”

I thought I wouldn’t follow that maid’s instructions as much as possible.

I carefully took off my coat, dusted it off once, and covered the sleeping junior with it.

-‘And the best thing is to wrap your arm around the lady so she doesn’t get cold? There’s nothing as warm as body heat.’

Just as I was wondering if I should really do this, the timing was uncanny.

The evening breeze must have been quite cold, as Renias wriggled and shivered.

“…I don’t know either.”

I pulled out my right hand that Renias had been holding, grabbed her shoulder, and pulled her toward me.

This is better than catching a cold.

‘Giving my best…’

I wondered if Renias would be any different…

But this girl, who looks like an angel even in her sleep, probably wouldn’t be. It’s not just a feeling or a guess; it’s because this is who Renias is.

And as I looked at the night sky, I too fell into contemplation until the maid arrived.

***

BANG!!

A forceful fist slams down on the table.

“This isn’t what we agreed on! How are you handling things? I clearly told you to identify and deal with them properly!”

“Sigh, I apologize. One guy caused a commotion.”

Erika had mentioned suppressing the Sirah faction, but specifically targeting only the students of a certain educator.

However, due to Demian’s rampaging, even the next day’s proceedings are in jeopardy.

‘Hah… At this rate, Aris might end up being pushed out by Junon! Having that kind of guy assigned to Class A again…’

The original plan was to elevate Aris’s class and spread rumors that Junon had interfered.

But now, instead of trampling on Junon, Aris might be relegated to a lower class? This wasn’t right.

“I’m warning you, handle this properly. Next time, it will be a breach of contract!”

“How could there be any doubt? I will make it absolutely clear.”

Erika storms out of Principal Mirpark’s office, fuming.

Shortly after, the principal called in Demian’s gang again.

“You know what I’m going to say, right?”

“…”

“I don’t know why you did such a thing and received penalty points, but if you tarnish the perfect Mirpark faction one more time… there won’t be a next time.”

The clearly angry principal points his finger at Demian’s head in an unpleasant manner.

Demian grabs the finger and glares with wild eyes.

“Fuck, I’ll take care of everything myself, so keep your nagging to a minimum.”

The principal stumbles back in shock.

“Th-that bastard…! What’s wrong with him?!”

“We also don’t really…”

Demian opens the door and leaves on his own.

He’s thinking only of punishing one person right now.

‘How dare you lay hands on my Lady Renias…!’

She’s not someone who should be arm-in-arm with the likes of you. Yet, you dared!!

‘Junon… I’ll finish you off today.’

An unpleasant magical energy enveloped his trembling hand.