Ch.88Episode 18. Preparing for Vacation (3)

The day of the final exams, marking the end of the semester before vacation, had begun.

“Good luck on your exams.”

“Aren’t you going to grant a wish this time?”

Jung Iyeon asks with expectant eyes. She’s quite greedy, still wanting to make another request.

“No.”

“But Instructor, you have to come to Comic World with me!”

Gu Yeonhwa suddenly shouted.

…I had forgotten about that.

Do I really have to go there? I’ve never been before. I guess it’s too late to back out now?

“I see you’re really looking forward to it, Instructor!”

“…No, I’m not.”

“Come on. It’s written all over your face. That’s definitely an excited expression!”

I gave a bitter smile as I watched Gu Yeonhwa pointing at me.

“It’s a look of disgust. Can’t you see the wrinkles between my eyebrows?”

“Aha! You’re such a tsundere!”

“I’m not.”

“That’s exactly what all tsunderes say. Denying the truth.”

This one’s hopeless. I’ll have to give her a proper workout during training after the exams. I’ll make her pay for being so cheeky.

“Anyway, make sure your semester average is at least a C+ after the final exams. If you can’t manage that, I’ll consider all the requests I’ve granted so far null and void.”

“That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“Woo! A man speaking with two mouths!”

Gu Yeonhwa protested following Yu Ari’s comment.

“Gu Yeonhwa, step outside.”

“Men can speak with two mouths too. Aren’t stereotypes meant to be broken?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Gu Yeonhwa’s innocent audacity as she winked and gave me a thumbs up. I’ll let it slide because she’s cute.

“Doing well on midterms but failing finals means you only studied for the reward. That’s impure intent and inexcusable. So if you want to keep the requests you’ve made, study.”

After speaking firmly, I looked at the post-it note attached to the attendance book. I had written down what to say during homeroom.

“And you know the curriculum is changing next semester, right?”

The proportion of instructor-led curriculum has increased significantly. If I had to put a number on it, instructors would account for 80%. They’ve drastically reduced theory and shifted focus entirely to practical training.

“Until now, I’ve handled all the practical training, but from now on, you’ll learn from other instructors as well.”

Until now, I only taught the special class, but now I’ve been assigned to teach specific subjects. In other words, I’ll be teaching not just the special class, but classes A through D as well.

For reference, the subject I’ll be teaching is “Fundamentals and Understanding of Skills.”

This must have been the result of what Lee Bangsil said when he was dragged to the chancellor’s office after the special class duel.

He probably said something about how the special class students were stronger than expected. Not helpful at all. I should call him later and have a word.

Anyway, as long as I’m an instructor, I have no choice but to teach well, whether I like it or not.

And naturally, these kids will have to learn from other instructors too.

“So don’t cause trouble. Especially you, Yeon Muhui.”

Yeon Muhui, who had been quietly reading a book as if cramming, flinched noticeably. Her eyes wandered for a moment. After glancing at me cautiously, she said quietly:

“Those weaker than me—”

“I’ll ask the other instructors regularly. Just try saying something arrogant. I won’t help with your training anymore.”

“…Okay.”

After hearing Yeon Muhui’s reluctant response, I turned my attention to the others.

“The same goes for all of you. Don’t defy your instructors and learn well. If I hear you’ve caused trouble, you’ll be in for it.”

“Yes…”

Their response was somewhat deflated, but at least they answered.

Normally, except for Jung Iyeon, they would have ignored me or talked back, but the fact that they responded despite their displeasure shows that some trust has been built.

“Good. And… thanks to your focus on building stamina these past few months, I believe you can now learn new skills without much strain. So I’m planning to start intensive skill training during the vacation.”

“Um… Instructor Yujin.”

“Yes?”

Jung Iyeon timidly raised her hand.

“I’m planning to go on a trip for about a week during the vacation…”

“Really? That’s fine. Go ahead.”

“Oh… really?”

When I answered straightforwardly, she looked embarrassed and lowered her hand while glancing around.

“It’s fine as long as you’re not going home for the entire vacation. But let me ask, is anyone planning to stay at their family home during the vacation?”

Most academy students often return home during vacations. They go out to relieve the stuffiness that builds up from being at the academy all semester.

“If not, come to the annex training hall whenever you want. I’ll be there during the vacation.”

Since vacation is starting, I should begin upgrading my Destruction skill. I’ve been training occasionally, so I can maintain it for over 2 minutes now, but considering the maximum is 5 minutes, I still have a long way to go.

“What time?”

Yeon Muhui asked.

Since I plan to sleep or exercise in the morning…

“I’m thinking from one to six. Obviously, we’ll rest on weekends. And you’re excused if you have other commitments.”

“Okay. Got it.”

“Good, then good luck on your exams.”

I glanced at Bin Yuni. She was glaring at her book as if she wanted to tear it apart. With that kind of passion, her final exam results shouldn’t be too bad.

Maybe I’ll grant her one wish if the status ailment potion is successfully developed.

“I’m off.”

After closing the attendance book, I left the classroom.

I should go for a drive now. It’s been a while since I’ve been behind the wheel.

* * *

It wasn’t until the end of June that the exams were finally over and the semester ended successfully.

Their grades weren’t bad. Everyone seemed to have done well on the finals, with semester averages around B. Jung Iyeon and Yu Ari got A+.

And so, right before the vacation began after the exams ended.

I was summoned by Gu Yeonhwa.

“Now! Take off your clothes!”

She shouted as soon as I entered her room and closed the door. She was holding a measuring tape in her hand.

“You suddenly called me here, and now you want me to undress?”

“I need to take your measurements, Instructor!”

“…Why?”

“I need them to prepare your cosplay outfit. We have less than a month left, so we need to get ready quickly!”

“…I told you I’m not doing it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll prepare everything for you!”

“Are you not listening to me?”

Despite my frown, she didn’t even blink. What kind of stubborn passion is this?

“I heard cosplayers need to buy a different kind of ticket anyway.”

“Yes, that’s right! That’s why I went ahead and bought cosplayer tickets! Hehehe! Aren’t I clever?!”

“No. You’re not.”

“There you go again~! You pretend not to care, but you’ve clearly done your research!”

I had looked into it in case she needed money. The tickets were about the price of movie tickets, so it wasn’t necessary, but still.

“I’m still not doing it, but let me ask one thing.”

“What is it!”

She kept speaking in a high-pitched tone, unable to contain her excitement about going to Comic World.

“What cosplay are you planning?”

“Oh, about that!”

She put down the measuring tape and opened her closet, which seemed to contain Pandora’s box. It was still full of black dresses.

How does she have more dresses than normal clothes?

Gu Yeonhwa crouched in front of the closet and opened a drawer, from which numerous creative works spilled out.

“This is it!”

I looked at the light novel she confidently held out.

“Among the Heroines, a Witch Who Will Destroy the World is Hiding.”

It’s very light novel-ish, I suppose. The title is quite long.

But did works like this exist in that world too?

“…I’ve never seen this before.”

“You don’t know this?!”

“I might not know it. Why are you getting angry?”

“I’m not angry! I’m surprised! I’m amazed that you haven’t seen this even though it was made into an anime! I’m amazed! Amazed!”

To begin with, I don’t know much about subculture. I’m just a casual otaku who occasionally watches manga or animation.

I simply enjoy the stories and find them entertaining, but I don’t obsess over characters or engage in intense fandom.

“Must be trash.”

“Trash?! You’re calling this masterpiece trash?!”

She screamed as if having a fit after hearing my mumble. Gu Yeonhwa stood up, glared at me indignantly, then let out a big sigh.

“Phew, I guess there’s no helping it! Instructor! You’re free today, right?”

“…No. I’m busy.”

“You’re free? Alright!”

“I said I’m busy.”

Ignoring my words completely, I wrapped my arm around her head as she nodded. When I applied pressure, she frantically tapped my arm and shouted.

“Gahk! Ow! That hurts!!”

After releasing the headlock, she crouched down, pressing both hands firmly on her head. After staying like that for a while, Gu Yeonhwa suddenly stood up.

“Hmph! I can’t tolerate you insulting my favorite work! I’ll make you so addicted you won’t be able to escape!”

She scurried over to turn on the television. She immediately went to Netflix and found an animation with the same name as the book I was holding.

“Here! Sit down!”

She sat down on the bed first and patted the spot next to her. I asked incredulously:

“…Are we really going to watch anime before vacation even starts?”

“Of course! If you’re going to cosplay, you need to know the lines! By the way, you’ll be playing the black-haired man in that uniform. He’s handsome like you, right?”

“But do cosplayers actually recite lines?”

“Usually not.”

“Then we shouldn’t either.”

“Accuracy is important. Stop making excuses and sit down!”

“I thought you were going to take measurements.”

“We’ll do that later, so come here!”

When I stubbornly remained standing, Gu Yeonhwa jumped up and forcibly dragged me to the bed. Yielding to her momentum, I reluctantly took the seat beside her.

“Sit up straight and watch.”

She grips my wrist tightly as if afraid I might run away. Even if unintentional, this is clearly physical contact.

Is she careless? Or does she trust me completely?

Despite her chuunibyou-like speech and behavior, Gu Yeonhwa is truly beautiful.

She has exotic Western features, but her deep blue eyes like the ocean, straight nose, and vibrant red lips come together to create a harmony that exudes the unique cuteness of an Asian face.

If I were another man, I would have immediately developed feelings for Gu Yeonhwa.

“Fine, let go.”

“No way. I’m going to keep holding on. I know you’ll run away and not come back.”

“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“Not for me. Is it uncomfortable for you?”

“Yeah.”

“In situations like this, you’re supposed to say it’s not uncomfortable! Geez! So insensitive!”

She snorts and releases my wrist.

“I’ll let you go as a special favor. But no running away!”

“Why are you acting like you’re doing me a favor?”

“Because I am. I wanted to hold your wrist tightly until the anime ended so you couldn’t go anywhere. But I’m not doing that.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

Her confident answer leaves me speechless.

“If it gets boring, I’m leaving.”

“You won’t even have time to get bored.”

Isn’t the first episode usually boring?

Anyway, I’ve stated my terms. I’ll really leave if it’s not interesting.