Episode 242. Final Exam Celebration (3)

After class ended.

After saying goodbye to Lucy and Lumi, I left the classroom.

Because I had a student council meeting scheduled for this afternoon.

‘Is Alice going too?’

Since they called me, who’s in the publicity department, I thought Alice would come too, but Alice left the classroom as soon as class ended.

It would have been nice to go together if she was going anyway.

Maybe she doesn’t want to acknowledge me outside.

Alice is a prodigy, a gem among gems, having studied abroad.

Perhaps the attention from the public or the media is a burden.

‘Of course, if you think about it that way, there aren’t any unfamous heroines.’

The Saintess Baek Ahyoung and the genius mage Im Sol.

Nam Daeun, famous for her strength among the first-years, and the promising, beautiful twins Lucy and Lumi.

Not to mention the student council president, Moon Surin.

Unless they’re like Scarlet, Liliana, or Rebecca, whose existences are unknown to others, everyone else is bound to be famous.

‘Come to think of it, Surin noona is here too.’

Surin noona and I have a really strange relationship.

It’s like a puppy that comes running and hugs me just once when I call its name.

She’s a heroine whose affection I could raise instantly if I wanted to, but the circumstances aren’t favorable.

For starters, the stalker incident, which was key to winning over Moon Surin in the game, has completely disappeared.

It’s a major obstacle for me, who used the original work’s information to win over heroines.

Because it’s not just about raising affection points to win them over.

There needs to be a specific event for the affection to reach 100 and achieve complete capture.

But I don’t know about Moon Surin.

‘Should I just try confronting it head-on?’

Actually, there are several things remaining.

Because Moon Surin had events even after the stalker incident in the original work.

Plot hooks like her missing father or the Academy’s chairman remain.

I might have to guide things in that direction.

Thinking about this and that, I slowly walked towards the club building.

‘It’s been too long?’

I thought while taking the elevator up to the top floor, the 17th.

I’ve done so little work that I wondered if it was okay to just have my name listed under publicity.

If anyone found out, they could report me, and it would be justified.

Ding-dong-

Arriving on the 17th floor, the elevator doors opened to reveal the student council room and the meeting room.

Except for the visit to celebrate my discharge from the hospital, it’s a place I haven’t been to in almost a month.

Even then, I didn’t do any work and just came back after seeing Surin noona’s face.

Anyway, the work itself was for publicity, and it ended with the first and last photoshoot.

The photos taken over several hours back then turned out so well that they said they still haven’t used them all.

As I went further into the student council room, I saw some seniors frowning while looking at a monitor.

They seemed busy as ever due to the staff shortage.

I opened the door and greeted them first.

“Hello, seniors.”

“Huh? Oh, junior!”

“Oh, long time no see!”

I smiled at the seniors approaching me.

My public image is pretty good, so I receive such good treatment.

Besides, the seniors remaining in the student council are all on Surin noona’s side, so I try to treat them well too.

“I came because I heard there was a meeting.”

It’s been a while since I did any work, so I should do it properly.

With that mindset, I tried to join the meeting, but the senior in front of me blinked.

“Huh? Ah, the meeting is over.”

“…What?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

I came right after class ended, and they’re saying I’m late?

“The president decided we’d have the meeting amongst ourselves and just relay the information to the first-years, so that’s what we did!”

“…Why?”

“Who knows? The president suggested it. I don’t really know either.”

I wanted to participate in the student council meeting too.

I tried to do some work as [Publicity Department Lee Hoyeon], but they wouldn’t help.

What a shame.

It’s probably Surin noona’s own way of being considerate.

I decided to accept it gratefully.

“Anyway, the president is currently working, so could you wait a moment? Alice-yang is also in the publicity department’s office.”

“Oh, really?”

What, she was already here.

I bowed my head in greeting and went into the publicity department’s office.

Desks installed facing each other.

A room for models, complete with fancy lighting and even a dressing room.

This is the publicity department’s office.

Of course, I’ve never used it even once.

Thinking about the money spent to build this facility made my conscience prickle.

Alice was sitting on the sofa in the back for relaxation.

“Alice?”

I called out to Alice naturally as I entered.

Alice, who had been looking at her smartwatch with her legs crossed, flinched in surprise when she saw me.

“What’s with the surprise?”

“…No, it’s just… it’s been a while.”

“I saw you in the classroom earlier, though.”

What on earth is she talking about?

We attended classes together all day today.

“….”

An awkward silence filled the office.

Since it had become like this, I considered asking why she doesn’t acknowledge me when people are around, but decided against it.

It seemed better to ask that after I’ve progressed further in winning her over.

Since I entered, Alice hasn’t looked at her smartwatch and has been subtly glancing my way.

When we first met here, I was the one clinging to her to have a conversation, but now it seems the opposite is true, which felt quite good.

I’ve also been making good use of the ‘If you’re good-looking, you can get away with anything’ principle I learned from Alice.

I’ve learned valuable things in many ways.

I could wait for Alice to speak first, but if I did, Surin noona might come in after finishing her work.

I didn’t want to miss this rare chance for a conversation just between the two of us, so I spoke first.

“Right. Alice. I’m also looking to get a place off-campus instead of the dorms, where should I inquire?”

“A place?”

“Yeah. I want to move out of the dorms, just like you.”

“You need to talk to the dormitory supervisor about that. You know, the building manager’s office? They’ll tell you if you go to the lobby there.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you.”

I actually knew that.

I wouldn’t have moved without researching things like that.

I just pretended not to know to start a conversation, and it seems to have worked well.

“Ahem.”

Alice started clearing her throat.

Since she seemed about to say something, I checked my status screen.

★ Heroine Status Screen

[Alice]

• [ Affection: 77 ]

• [ Lust: 83 ]

• [ Appetite: 50 ]

• [ Fatigue: 30 ]

Current Status: Business, no, talk about the Centaur, then naturally lead into massage talk. Yes…

‘So that was her goal.’

No wonder she kept glancing my way.

She was rejected last time when I brought up massage, so it looks like she prepared thoroughly this time.

“Um, about the Centaur-related matter.”

“Why the Centaur?”

“…Da- dad, no, the Guild Master isn’t telling me the progress. He said he’s proceeding with you alone.”

“Oh, really?”

I thought Alice would have figured it out too, but apparently not.

“Yeah. So, if a schedule is set, could you let me know? I want to go when the time comes.”

“Ah… Hmm, I guess it wouldn’t hurt? Okay.”

I’m a little scared Isaac might get angry, but surely he wouldn’t dislike his daughter coming to watch.

He’s a doting father, so it’ll be fine.

“But why do you want to come? It might be dangerous.”

“…It’s something I’ll have to do someday. I want to learn. Dad always says he’s protecting me, but he never takes me to places like that. If I go with you, maybe he’ll let me.”

“….”

With a reason like that, she might get scolded.

Isaac is overly protective of Alice.

“Ahem, and also. Um, you know. My body’s been feeling a bit stiff lately.”

“Body?”

I barely managed to suppress my grin from rising.

It was so cute how Alice, out of pride, spoke indirectly when she could have just said it directly.

Seeing my blank expression, Alice bit her lip slightly.

She seemed displeased that she had to say it directly.

“Um, I was hoping to get a massage.”

“Ah, a mana massage?”

“Yes. Uh-huh.”

Indeed, it was about time the effects wore off.

Lasting about a week was quite a long time.

Alice looked relieved, as if she had overcome a hurdle.

Her expression clearly showed relief.

Seeing Alice like that made me want to tease her.

“Can I check?”

“…What?”

Before Alice could misunderstand with her slight frown, I quickly continued.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, I just want to check directly how much your mana circuits have depleted. That way, I can set a definite date.”

“If it’s for that reason… But do I need to take my clothes off too?”

Alice nodded and looked at me cautiously.

“Huh? No. Let’s just do it like this. Skin contact is nice, but this is just temporary.”

Looking at a beautiful woman’s body is always enjoyable, but this place is a bit risky.

I don’t know when Surin noona might come.

Besides, the massage effect is pretty much the same whether clothes are on or off.

It was just an excuse, after all.

“Th- then, please check.”

Alice had gotten up from the sofa unnoticed and sat on a chair at the desk.

Sitting upright with her hands on her knees, she looked somewhat tense.

“Okay. Don’t tense up, relax.”

Squeeze.

I slowly placed my hands on Alice’s shoulders.

*

Meanwhile.

Moon Surin finally finished her backlog of paperwork and wrapped up the meeting notes.

“Hoo…”

Thinking about Lee Hoyeon, who would arrive soon, she organized her work as quickly as possible.

“You worked hard. President.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Moon Surin accepted the coffee brought by the secretary.

Still, a sense of accomplishment washed over her now that today’s work was done.

She planned to rest until Lee Hoyeon arrived…

“Ah, right. President. Hoyeon and Alice-yang are waiting in the publicity office.”

“Kuhuk! Cough Cough!”

“P- President?!”

At the secretary’s words, spoken with a wide, cheerful grin for some reason, Moon Surin started coughing as if she’d choked.

The secretary, who had been feeling good about finishing work, couldn’t help but be flustered by Moon Surin’s sudden reaction.

“Oh no! Are you okay? President!”

“Wh- why didn’t you tell me sooner!”

“Y- yes? Well, you told me not to disturb you during work… I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

The secretary, having been scolded by Moon Surin several times recently, bowed their head deeply and apologized. Seeing this, Moon Surin snapped back to reality.

This wasn’t the time.

“Ugh, alright. I’ll go.”

Moon Surin wiped the coffee from her mouth and got up from her seat.

Making Lee Hoyeon wait.

She had done something she shouldn’t have.

She already had so many things on her mind, why did more issues keep popping up?

There were two main things Moon Surin was concerned about.

The first was the [Lewd Clothes Worn by a Sexy Succubus] found under Lee Hoyeon’s bed.

At first, she thought about asking Lee Hoyeon directly, but she soon realized that was a foolish idea.

It would be like admitting she had searched his place.

She hadn’t come up with a clear solution yet, so the matter was on hold.

Next were the rivals.

There were three rivals Moon Surin knew for sure.

The Lucy-Lumi twins, whom he hung out with every day.

And the school nurse, Baek Ahyoung.

Not to mention the Lucy-Lumi twins, who spent time together daily and were in a club with him; Baek Ahyoung had a history of incidents.

She appeared on TV saying strange things as if they were dating, or her image was caught on CCTV looking like a touching couple, taking a knife for him.

There wasn’t a single thing she liked about it.

“Ugh.”

Could it be that she did something strange with Lee Hoyeon?

Surely not.

With a sense of unease she couldn’t quite place, Moon Surin quickly moved her feet.

Towards the publicity office where Lee Hoyeon was waiting.