Aren’t You Hungry?

“Ugh….. My arms feel like they’re going to fall off….”

I walked out of the single-person training room making all sorts of groaning sounds.

No, in reality, it was no different from crawling out.

“It’s killing me even using magic, I can’t believe there are people who do this with pure strength in real life. Unbelievable.”

I suddenly feel a newfound respect for all the gym rats on Earth.

If I had known I would end up like this, I should have built up the perseverance to exercise instead of just playing games.

“Ah, right.”

I store the two cubes that are clicking and adjusting around me into my inventory.

Since I’ve come out of the single-person training room, let’s stop the intelligence training here.

I don’t plan to advertise “Hey, I have this thing called Dolyeok~” to people, so it’s appropriate to put these away now.

“Urgh, I feel sticky. I need to go shower quickly.”

After putting the cubes in my inventory, I activated Natural Mirror.

Since I can’t turn the cubes, I should at least turn on Natural Mirror to improve my intelligence a little…

“Huh?”

Upon activating Natural Mirror, I sense a peculiar energy that I hadn’t noticed until just now. And it’s coming from right next to the training room I was using.

“This is….”

It’s an energy that’s truly hard to describe.

Its basic characteristics are similar to magic, but it makes the person sensing it feel melancholic.

The word ‘magic’ can’t fully describe this energy.

Sadness.

For some reason, I’m convinced that this word is the most appropriate to describe that energy.

In all my years playing Grand Fantasia, I’ve never discovered a being with such unique magical properties.

Who could be handling this unique power?

“…Lady Elise?”

Natural Mirror answers that the user of the adjacent training room is Elise.

‘…Indeed, if it’s Elise, that makes sense.’

Elise is a hidden NPC I’ve never met before; it wouldn’t be strange if she handled a new, fascinating power I’ve never seen.

‘But, did Elise originally train at this time?’

Just then. The sorrowful energy felt from the next training room gradually diminished, and I felt Elise approaching the door.

• • Slide.

And soon after, Elise walked out.

“…Oh.”

I made eye contact with Elise.

Her neck, wet with sweat, reflects the light and shines.

That image in the lighting appeared quite provocative, so I deliberately turned my eyes away.

“Lady Elise! What a coincidence to meet you here.”

“Yeah. It’s a coincidence. Are you done with training too?”

“Yes, I am. Ugh, I think I trained too hard, my arms are trembling. If I arm wrestled with Lady Elise right now, I’m confident I would lose. Ah, would I lose anyway?”

After hearing my answer, she slightly shook her head and said while flipping her hair back.

“…Seeing that glossy appearance, it seems you’ve fully recovered from your collapse earlier.”

“About that? Well, that….”

“It was simple overexertion, I heard. I heard it directly from the school nurse.”

“Ah, come to think of it, Lady Elise, you visited me when I collapsed, right? Haha, I could see how much Lady Elise values me. Thank you for your concern.”

I reflexively threw out a frivolous joke as usual.

“You don’t particularly need to thank me. You are indeed precious to me.”

“Wh-what?”

I was the one surprised by Elise’s straightforward response, which was clearly different from others.

If I had been eating something right now, I would definitely have choked.

“Is there something strange? You’re my helper. Of course you’re precious.”

“Ah, right. Of course.”

As I fanned myself with my hand and spoke, Elise narrowed her eyes and glared at me, saying.

“…You didn’t misunderstand anything, did you?”

“Haha, of course not. If I were to harbor such selfish feelings for Lady Elise, wouldn’t that itself be a sin?”

“No, it wouldn’t go as far as being a sin. Well, forget it. I’m going to shower now.”

“I was just about to shower too. Let’s go to the shower room together. Ah, you don’t find it unpleasant to walk with me, do you?”

“I don’t mind. Follow me if you want.”

Elise and I moved our steps toward the shower room located in the training ground.

“By the way, I never imagined Lady Elise would train this late at night.”

At my question, Elise slightly frowned and asked in a voice mixed with displeasure.

“…Are you saying I don’t seem diligent?”

“Haha, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that I don’t think I’ve seen you at the training ground until now.”

After hearing my explanation, Elise maintained silence for a moment, then slightly raised her head, looked into the air, and said.

“…It’s not that I’ve neglected training. It’s just that I thought the usual amount wouldn’t be enough to avenge my parents, so I’ve been training late these days.”

“Oh, that’s a spirit worth emulating. I’ll support you.”

“…It’s clearly a compliment, but it doesn’t sound welcome.”

As we continued walking while chatting about various things, we eventually arrived in front of the shower room.

“Even an ordinary walk is extremely enjoyable with Lady Elise. Thank you for keeping me company.”

“I enjoyed it too in my own way. See you tomorrow.”

Elise waved her hand slightly and entered the women’s shower room with her black hair flying.

After disabling Natural Mirror as a matter of courtesy and stretching, I also entered the shower room.

My whole body is soaked with sweat, which makes me want to shower as quickly as possible.

---

“Whew…. I just closed my eyes for a moment, but I fell asleep. I’m worried I might not be able to sleep tonight.”

I sighed deeply as I walked out after finishing my shower and changing clothes.

My mind, which had been drooping with fatigue until just a moment ago, is now incredibly energetic.

That’s because I dozed off for a moment just as I was about to change clothes after showering.

“Still, I feel refreshed.”

I stretched fully again, loosening my stiff muscles.

Ahh, the air I breathe after finishing a shower is so sweet.

“…Sion?”

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind me.

“Lady Elise! To meet you here again, what a coincidence!”

“…You, you weren’t waiting for me to come out, were you?”

Elise looked at me with an expression as if she was looking at a bug.

W-wait! It seems like she’s having a major misunderstanding.

“No. Haha, it’s embarrassing to say directly, but I accidentally fell asleep in the shower room…”

“…..”

After looking at me as if reluctant to believe my sincere explanation, Elise nodded her head slightly and said.

“Right, that’s possible for someone like you.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“I don’t know. Think about it yourself.”

Fortunately, Elise’s expression returned to normal, as if the urgent misunderstanding had been resolved.

Just then.

• • Growl…!

The sound of a rumbling stomach echoed from somewhere. Whose could it be?

It’s not mine. Then…..?

“……..”

Elise’s face turned bright red without saying a word.

“Oh my? Lady Elise, are you hungry?”

“…It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

Looking at how she doesn’t deny it despite blushing so much, she must be quite hungry.

“Well, this is perfect timing. I was feeling a bit peckish too. Lady Elise, how about having a late-night snack together?”

“Late-night snack?”

Despite her tone sounding like a question, her eyes clearly brightened.

But soon after, her expression darkened for some unknown reason.

“…What store would be open at this hour? They must all be closed, preparing for the next day’s business.”

Ah, so that was the problem. Well, that’s not an issue.

“Huhuhu. Lady Elise. If I tell you there’s a store that hasn’t closed yet, would you believe me?”

“Well, if you say there is, I believe you.”

“…When you say it so matter-of-factly, I feel somewhat embarrassed. Anyway, let’s go! Late-night snacks are always enjoyable!”

I took Elise to a restaurant, artificially raising my tension.

The store was located in an alley where not many people would likely find it.

Standing in front of the quaint-looking store, Elise murmured.

“I’ve never seen this store before.”

“Huhu, this is a hidden gem not well-known to other students. Come, let’s go in.”

As we entered the store, a subtle scent of spicy red pepper powder wafted through the air.

“Auntie! Are you still open for business?”

“Ah, is it Sion? There’s still a bit of business hours left. There’s also one take-out order remaining. Sit anywhere.”

“Ye-es. Please give us two servings of tteokbokki and one set of fried foods.”

If you ask why there’s a tteokbokki restaurant in Luin Academy with a fantasy background, I would answer that it’s because Grand Fantasia’s production company is a Korean company.

In fact, Grand Fantasia not only has tteokbokki restaurants but also many Korean elements subtly incorporated.

Some users complained that this breaks immersion, but I didn’t particularly care. As long as it’s fun, it’s fine.

“Alright. But… who’s the girl next to you? She’s really beautiful. Is she your girlfriend?”

“If only that were the cas…”

“No.”

Elise cut me off before I could say anything.

At her firm tone, the auntie smiled awkwardly and walked to the kitchen.

“Haha… if you speak so resolutely, even someone like me would feel hurt.”

“I just thought it’s better than causing unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“You speak only the truth, so it’s awkward to nitpick.”

I decided to engage in small talk until the food arrived.

“Lady Elise… do you have that sort of thing?”

“If you speak so vaguely, no one will understand.”

“How should I put it, like refusing to eat food that commoners eat?”

Elise shook her head and said.

“I don’t have that. I know how much effort and dedication it takes for these foods to reach my table. And, to begin with, I have the status of a commoner in this country. Such attitudes would be more natural for you rather than me.”

“Haha, I’m quite an oddball for a noble, aren’t I? Maybe that’s why, but I also like these simple foods.”

Of course, that’s not true. I, too, prefer expensive food made with expensive ingredients.

I came here simply because the tteokbokki restaurant is open late.

“Indeed, you are certainly an oddball.”

“Kugh, when you speak so directly, it feels like a nail is being driven into my heart…!”

“Not enough? Want me to drive more in?”

“No. This amount is just right.”

Even Elise’s chilly reactions, different from others, are refreshing, making the conversation truly enjoyable.

“Well, I certainly am an oddball. Even my step-sibling, Lady Chloe, refuses to touch food eaten by commoners, saying it lowers her dignity as a noble.”

Of course, that’s just on the surface. Chloe loves commoners’ food terribly, like street food and various snacks.

She just doesn’t touch them in public places due to her image.

“Here, sorry for the wait.”

While we were chatting, the auntie, who had approached at some point, placed a tray full of food on the table.

“Huh? Auntie, I didn’t order sundae (blood sausage).”

“It’s service because the girl is pretty.”

“Haha, our Lady Elise is indeed exceptionally beaut- .”

Elise hit me.

“Don’t say unnecessary things. Thank you.”

“Hoho, you two get along well. These are the good times. Enjoy your meal.”

The auntie, who was giggling, went back to the counter kitchen.

“I always think this, but I believe violence is wrong.”

“I think so too.”

“Your words and actions are completely opposite… Anyway, please try it. This is one of my favorite foods.”

“Since it’s a food you like, I’m a bit skeptical…”

Elise made a disapproving expression, but soon she picked up a piece of tteokbokki with a fork and put it in her mouth.

Chewing, chewing, Elise eating tteokbokki.

“It’s not bad. But.”

“But?”

“…It’s sp, kuhuk. Spicy.”

Elise, who was struggling and didn’t know what to do, and I, who was watching her directly, barely held back my laughter and handed her a cup of water.

“Huu….. You brought me here on purpose, didn’t you.”

Elise blinked her eyes and glared at me.

“Kuhup, n-no. How could that be? I really just came to a store that’s open late because Lady Elise seemed hungry. It seems tteokbokki is still too strong an enemy for Lady Elise. Here, have some fried foods and sundae. These aren’t spicy.”

Ah, delicious reaction. I feel full even though I haven’t eaten anything yet.

How can she show such a delicious reaction?

Good. Now that I’ve enjoyed it with my eyes, let’s satisfy my stomach.

With a bright smile, I also picked up a piece of tteokbokki and put it in my mouth…

• • Jingle~!

Just then, someone who looked obviously suspicious entered the store.