Chapter 128

The last place I visited was the student council room.

With the Changsung Festival, a major event, coming up, the student council would undoubtedly be busy.

Even so, I thought it was only polite to show my face and have a word.

After all, she is my fiancée.

Creak.

“…It’s warm in here.”

As soon as I stepped into the first annex where the student council room was located, I felt the busy atmosphere.

Students were bustling down the hallway.

Students were diligently decorating unfinished ornaments on the floor.

Students were writing letters on banners to be hung on the day of the festival.

Everyone was working hard.

This building housed not only the student council but also various club rooms, so everyone was undoubtedly busy.

Seeing everyone so busy while I was the only one with free time made me feel a bit guilty.

But I had to do what I came for.

I went up to the top floor where the student council room was.

Step, step.

As I climbed the stairs and reached the door of the student council room, I heard several people inside.

They were probably student council members.

I waited quietly.

I couldn’t interrupt them.

How much time had passed?

The door opened, and students came out.

There were several familiar faces.

Vice President “Dual-Eyed Swordsman” Wayne Raimundo.

Student council member “Blessing of the Baguette” Amy.

“Ugh.”

As soon as she saw me, Amy let out a disgusted sound.

Her face automatically scrunched up.

As always, she was holding a baguette in her left hand.

Anyone would think it was a weapon.

“Hmm.”

Vice President Wayne also gave me a cold look.

Half wary, half jealous.

I knew the reason, of course.

If Amy was upset because of Regina, this guy was upset because of Hiresia.

Given his illustrious record of being rejected by Hiresia three times over three years, it was understandable.

Jealousy over my good senior-junior relationship with Hiresia, and wariness over the possibility of getting closer.

It was easy to understand.

“Hello, seniors have you been well.”

I greeted politely.

I was more mindful because I was in front of my fiancée.

“Hmph, I’m not fine.”

Amy pouted.

Despite being a third-year, she had a childish side.

That’s why she was a popular heroine, but not my type, so I decided not to pursue her.

“Amy, that’s rude.”

Wayne calmly scolded her.

That level of emotional control was fitting for a future president.

“It’s been a while, junior Max.”

Wayne continued.

“Do you have any business?”

“Oh, with Regina.”

“Ugh, don’t call the president so casually, even if you’re a junior!”

Munch, munch!

Amy angrily bit into her baguette.

I knew why she was angry.

In such a setting, I should use a formal title like “President Regina” or “Senior Regina” instead of addressing her as my fiancée.

If this were a workplace, I would, but this isn’t a workplace, is it?

Not wanting to cause trouble, I kindly corrected myself.

“With President Regina.”

Amy’s expression finally softened a bit.

“Hmph, at least you understand.”

“My ears are open.”

I chuckled.

“Then I’ll go in before any other guests arrive.”

“Alright. See you later, junior.”

“Go or don’t.”

Ignoring Wayne’s greeting and Amy’s dismissal, I entered the student council room.

* * *

“You look fine.”

I said, seeing Regina without any signs of fatigue.

She truly was superhuman.

“You, on the other hand, look quite tired.”

It seemed the fatigue from running around making appointments was showing on my face.

I gave a wry smile.

“I’ve been running around a lot. The good news is that it will soon be over.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Regina continued reading the documents in front of her while talking to me.

The stack of documents covered her desk.

Just seeing that showed how busy she was.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Yes. Please make it quick.”

The fact that she didn’t kick me out in such a busy situation showed she was treating me as her fiancé.

I felt strangely touched.

“I was wondering if you have time on the evening of the second day of the Changsung Festival.”

“Is this a date request?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Unfortunately, I already have prior commitments and can’t make time.”

Regina answered firmly.

Her response left no room for negotiation, showing she was busy even on the festival day.

“I see. That’s a shame. I wanted to make some last memories as students at the festival with you.”

Regina was a fourth-year.

This would be her last festival as a student.

I had hoped it would be possible, but it was not.

“It’s surprising to hear you say something sentimental.”

“Even rational people have sentimental sides.”

“I suppose that includes me.”

“You would know best.”

I chuckled.

Not wanting to disturb her further, I wrapped up the conversation.

“Well, that’s all I wanted to say. I’ll be going now. Good luck.”

Just as I was about to open the door and leave.

“Congratulations on being selected as the best student in the mock battle.”

I turned my head at the unexpected words.

Our eyes met.

Regina’s eyes sparkled like starlight.

“You did an excellent job.”

“…Thanks for the compliment.”

I replied a beat late.

“You’re welcome.”

Regina’s gaze returned to her documents.

I left with a faint smile.

* * *

“Hmm, this should be fine…”

In her dorm room, Hiresia, dressed in casual clothes, twirled in front of a full-length mirror.

Normally, the academy was filled with uniforms, but it was different during the festival.

It was a parade of pretty casual clothes.

Many girls wore their best outfits, with short skirts or tight clothes that showed off their figures, naturally drawing the attention of the boys.

But no matter what, Hiresia couldn’t wear such clothes.

They were beyond her comfort zone.

“With a good figure, it doesn’t matter.”

Admiring herself, Hiresia smiled.

“So pretty, really.”

She made a narcissistic comment that would make even narcissists cry.

Then, resting her chin on her hand, she looked thoughtful.

Why is he so indifferent when I’m this pretty?

Could it be that thing?

The one that starts with ‘G’…?

“Ugh, what a ridiculous thought.”

Hiresia knocked her head with her fist.

“…Anyway, I need to prepare a dress too.”

The Changsung Ball, the highlight of the Changsung Festival.

She remembered rejecting numerous dance requests from male students when she first attended in her first year.

So, she didn’t attend in her second year.

Rejecting them was no easy task.

Especially at the Changsung Ball, where each rejection meant the boys had to leave with a look of utter defeat.

And this year, as a third-year…

Of course, she would attend.

Her high elf pride was on the line.

She would definitely accept his dance request.

So, she needed a dress.

The problem was, as a student, she didn’t have the money to buy one.

It couldn’t be helped.

She would have to rent one again.

“Well, rentals have gotten better these days.”

Hiresia left in her casual clothes.

* * *

“Money.”

As soon as she arrived, Riviera said this out of the blue.

Lapit put down his coffee.

“Why money?”

“To buy clothes.”

“Clothes? Why suddenly?”

“For the festival.”

“What?!”

Lapit almost spat out the coffee he had just sipped.

The person who seemed least likely to care about the festival wanted to buy clothes for it?

…What was going on?

“Festival? What are you planning to do?”

“Drink with a guy.”

“Pffft!”

Lapit, who had just taken another sip, spat out his coffee.

He didn’t even think about cleaning the coffee mess; he urgently asked,

“Who, who is it? Who’s the guy?”

“Max Celtrine.”

“That, that bastard finally!”

Lapit jumped up from his seat.

“I’ll deal with that bastard right now!”

“What does a professor have to do with it? Are you my dad?”

“Ugh.”

Riviera’s words hit Lapit hard.

The shock was greater because her words were objectively true.

“I handle my school life.”

Riviera used magic to evaporate the coffee.

In an instant, only the marks of evaporated coffee remained in the room.

“A wet wipe will do.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Money.”

“…After being so cold, now you’re asking me for money?”

“Students have no money. Professors do.”

“Sigh, fine. Take it, take it.”

Lapit threw a pouch full of gold.

“Thanks.”

Riviera took the pouch.

Then she asked,

“Can I buy a dress with this?”

“A dress? Why a dress? Don’t tell me…”

“For the ball.”

“Hey, seriously, it’ll just break your spirit. Don’t do it.”

Lapit warned her seriously.

Who would ask a kid like her to dance?

No way.

She’d set a record of zero dance requests and go home with a broken spirit.

“Challenge.”

No, what challenge…

Lapit shook his head in disbelief.

“Can I buy it?”

“Yes, you can buy it, you can buy it.”

If she wanted to taste the bitterness of the world, what could he do?

Just let her do what she wanted.

“Thanks. I’m off.”

Whoosh.

Riviera disappeared in an instant.

Lapit, left alone, sat there with an incredulous expression for a while.

“Ah, I’m tired.”

The fatigue hit him all at once.

* * *

“Hmm…”

Elaine was deep in thought.

It was about clothes.

Having grown up in a poor family, she always wore plain clothes.

She had never felt embarrassed or ashamed about it.

Everyone has their own circumstances, and they live accordingly.

But now, for the first time, she was worried about clothes.

She knew.

Girls who enjoyed the festival with a boy usually dressed up beautifully.

She understood why.

So, she was worried.

“Hmm…”

Elaine sat there, lost in thought.

Then, with a determined look, she said,

“No, that’s not like me.”

There was no need to follow others.

Just thinking about wearing such clothes made her feel psychologically uncomfortable.

Being herself felt right.

“Yes, I’ll be myself.”

Elaine nodded and stood up.

She went to her old wardrobe.

Inside were her late mother’s belongings.

Creak.

Inside the wardrobe hung a dress.

It was well-maintained, spotless.

It wasn’t as beautiful or luxurious as an expensive dress.

But it was neat and elegant enough.

The dress strangely matched Elaine’s image perfectly.

“Sorry, Mom. Your daughter is going to use this.”

Elaine smiled nostalgically as she spoke to herself.

In her first year, she hadn’t attended the Changsung Ball.

She thought it wasn’t a place for someone like her, who had no immunity to men.

But this time, she planned to enjoy the festival to the fullest.

She had accepted a man’s invitation to enjoy the festival together, so why not?

She would muster the courage to go.

“I can do it.”

Time passed.

The first day of the Changsung Festival arrived.