Ch.72Academy Exhibition (2)

# Morning Remnants of Sleep

The remnants of sleep lingered in the morning.

Serin shouted angrily, mercilessly driving away the drowsiness that had been circling around me.

“What, what did you say?!”

“…I’m sorry, Serin.”

“No, haah…”

Serin let out a heavy sigh.

It seemed my withdrawal as her partner for the evening party was too cruel for her. Meanwhile, I too wanted nothing more than to attend the evening party with Serin, but I couldn’t ignore my given duties.

Serin understood this well, which is why she couldn’t express more disappointment than necessary.

“I’ll make it up to you later, as much as you want.”

“Make it up? Rian is working because he has to, what can be done about that?”

“…Still, I feel guilty about it.”

“Sigh, I said it’s fine. It’s fine, so… hmm, ah?”

Serin, who had been waving her hand dismissively, trailed off and rolled her eyes upward, lost in thought. Only after the cool spring breeze passed three or four times did a gleam return to her eyes.

“Fine, whatever. If Rian insists on making it up to me because he feels sorry, what can I do? You know a man’s word is worth its weight in gold, right?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve got your word, for sure.”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Good, that’s what I’m talking about…”

Serin subtly curled up the corners of her mouth. Her playfully curving eyes suggested mischievous intentions, making me regret my carelessly spoken words.

“The fair isn’t just at night. If we can’t enjoy the evening party, we might as well enjoy the daytime, right?”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Indeed. It was completely correct with nothing to dispute, yet an inexplicable anxiety began creeping over me.

But after already going back on my promise, even doubting Serin felt painful, so I kept my mouth shut.

I erased my anxiety and forgot Serin’s mischievous gaze to avoid disrupting future plans.

Not knowing how much this would test my patience.

Days passed, and the date of the Academy Fair arrived.

◇

Finally, the morning sun of that day climbed the sky. The beginning of a morning when my desires could legally be unleashed.

The moment my eyes snapped open, all sorts of fantasies consumed my consciousness, including imagining those fantasies consuming Rahilt, and I gracefully got out of bed and stretched.

“Hehe… hehehe…”

I have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s all Rahilt’s fault. It’s his responsibility for offering to make it up to me first.

After shoving breakfast into my mouth, I arrived at the Academy with a light jog slightly faster than a carriage at 06:00 AM. This was an hour and a half earlier than my high school arrival time in my previous life.

The streets were filled with decorations and stalls commemorating the first Emperor’s birthday, and the Academy interior was no different. Completely transformed from a place of learning to a festival ground, the Academy seemed almost sacrilegious.

After arriving at the Academy, I spent my time reviewing date courses while waiting for Rahilt to arrive. As I mentally planned the optimal route, the morning grew brighter.

Soon, merchants who had been granted permission to set up in the Academy began slipping through the doorway, and some students entered with expectant looks and light steps.

As the sleeping Academy gradually awakened, Rahilt arrived, showing his distinctive face.

‘Wow, there are two morning suns.’

One in the sky, and the other shining brilliantly before my eyes. The only problem was that it shone equally brilliantly before other girls’ eyes too.

Today I couldn’t tolerate that, so I immediately ran to Rahilt and grabbed his arm.

“Riaaaan!”

“Serin? Why are you at the Academy so early…! Have you been waiting long?”

“Oh, I just got here. Nothing to be surprised about.”

An hour or two is practically “just arrived” by my standards. At least by my standards when waiting for you.

“Your coat is cold. Wouldn’t it be better to go inside, even for a moment?”

“Oh…”

Look at that. Since when did Rahilt have such good sense?

Could it be that he regained his original work’s memories and acquired that sense along with them? If so, the thought that this sense was “made in Rashera” makes me feel somewhat annoyed.

Of course, Rahilt’s share in that dissatisfaction was zero. I couldn’t help but be grateful for his consideration meant only for me.

It was all just my fault for feeling inferior to Rashera.

Now was the time to set aside my guilt and melt into Rahilt’s kindness.

“My goodness, how can someone be so sweet?”

Indeed, Rahilt was a fantastic unicorn, befitting an experienced romance fantasy male lead. And I clung to this fantastic man’s arm as I changed my course toward the inside.

“Though I appreciate your concern for me, your solution is wrong.”

“I can’t think of another way. Using lightning to start a fire seems excessive… I can’t imagine what other solution there might be.”

Crazy, what kind of heating scale involves natural disasters?

I pretended not to hear and suggested a solution.

“What else? There’s a warm human heater right beside me.”

“…Pardon?”

“If we walk close like this, body heat rises. They say skin-to-skin heat transfer is good for health, you know?”

“R-really?”

I don’t know, how would a literature major like me know?

“Yes! Of course.”

But my answer was as cheerful as if I were confirming a universal truth.

“Still, this… somehow… ugh, might be inappropriate proximity for the Academy.”

“It’s fine, who’s going to complain?”

Bringing outside status into the Academy might be improper, but it depends on the status. If a princess and a grand duke want to have a cozy date, who would dare object?

As someone with democracy engraved in every nerve fiber of my body, I should feel extremely guilty…

Today, I intend to enjoy the privileges of the class system, with a truly sorrowful mindset.

“Besides, didn’t you give me your word? That you’d properly make it up to me. You can consider this part of that.”

“It seems I’ve set a trap for myself.”

“Oh come on, saying that hurts my feelings.”

“Feelings…?”

Though I’m using his rash promise as leverage, when he calls it a “trap,” it doesn’t feel good.

Does he dislike being with me like this…?

He probably doesn’t genuinely dislike it, but my feelings are hurt just about as much as Rahilt’s pectoral muscles.

“Whatever. Since you say you’ve bound yourself, I might as well join in and bind you too.”

“Serin…!”

I deliberately rested my head on Rahilt’s shoulder as if showing off. Then I flaunted our proximity, which didn’t allow even an inch of space between us, to the girls entering the Academy.

“Aah…”

“Gasp…”

“How could this be…!”

Sighs and murmurs full of disappointment could be heard from around us. Probably all girls who had harbored feelings for Rahilt or sent him gifts.

‘See that? Did you see?’

He’s mine.

He’s my male lead whom I rescued from the original plot route at the risk of my life. Don’t mistake his reluctantly accepted kindness for something else.

‘Some of us crossed the line between life and death just to remove his mask once, while you lot just try to get a free meal.’

This fair was the perfect opportunity.

I needed to properly mark Rahilt as the princess’s man. Any woman who approached after this would be considered brave enough to accept a conversation with my fists.

I secretly kneaded my favorite’s arm muscles, savoring the happiness.

“Rian, have you had breakfast?”

“Yes, Eshtiel has been picky with food lately, so I make sure to eat with him.”

“Oh dear, our Tiel…”

At nine years old, that’s a typical age for such behavior. But when he grows up, he’ll eventually be grateful to Rahilt.

Well, if Rahilt has already eaten, there’s nothing to be done. I’ll just pretend I haven’t had breakfast.

“Actually, I haven’t eaten yet. Since there seem to be various food stalls set up, shall we look around?”

“…You were hungry. I’m sorry I didn’t notice earlier.”

“W-why should you be sorry about that?!”

I had eaten a proper breakfast before coming, so it would be strange if he noticed. Rahilt was excessively conscientious as always.

“…I just wanted to fill my stomach while looking around the fair.”

“That’s… fortunate.”

I was half serious.

The Academy reforms I initiated included not only curriculum aspects but also events like fairs.

Since it was a school festival, I wanted to imitate university festivals from my previous life. For example, elements like bars set up at every corner and various stalls.

Since the Academy educated all ages, bars were unrealistic, but I succeeded in bringing in food stalls and various event booths.

The noble children and merchants, who were initially skeptical, now seemed quite satisfied.

It felt like I was finally receiving my reward through this quasi-campus life.

“Rian.”

“Yes, Serin.”

“Feed me.”

“Pardon?”

“Hurry.”

I handed Rahilt a chicken skewer dripping with juices. Though he seemed flustered, as soon as I mentioned “making it up,” he immediately complied.

“Oh, Rian? When you feed me, say ‘aang.'”

“Is that normally requested first…?”

“Because I know you’d never do it otherwise!”

“That’s certainly true…!”

Rahilt quickly understood, overwhelmed by my spirit. Somehow caught in the festival’s strange atmosphere, Rahilt seemed to be losing his mind too.

Yet his face was blushing red, his lips trembling—that was the point.

“Se-Serin.”

“Yeees.”

“…”

“…”

Silence descended around us.

Many people were watching us.

Rahilt seemed unaware of this. Probably because all his attention was focused on my request.

It was the perfect opportunity.

Trembling.

Rahilt, whose lips had been quivering frustratingly, finally fulfilled his promise to make it up to me.

“A… a, aang… here.”

“…Khup.”

“Se-Serin? Aang, aang here…!”

“Hic… hehe…”

How noble.

From his face scrunched up as if about to cry, to his hunched shoulders, his trembling hands, and the chicken skewer. So many perfect options tightly squeezed my heart.

“Ah… what should I do?”

“Serin…! It’s getting cold. Um, aang. Do it.”

“Crazy…”

How can he produce such a desperate voice?

I’m going crazy.

I already want to eat something else.

“Haah… haah…”

The chicken skewer before my eyes and Rahilt’s cheeks that looked about to burst.

I’m not sure which caused it.

But my mouth was watering.