episode_0024

Though I had resolved to join the student council, my daily routine didn’t undergo any dramatic changes.

After all, it wasn’t even recruitment season yet—what could I possibly do?

So, as always, I devoted my time to diligently honing my skills.

Even if the process seemed insignificant on the surface, these small efforts would accumulate and one day save my life.

There’s no such thing as too much training.

By the time a week of uneventful academy life had passed, I was having lunch with the kids.

Today, unlike usual, we decided to eat at a restaurant outside the main building.

Partly because I felt a little bad for Ume, who had been packing lunches for days in a row, and partly because Xiaolin had been subtly hinting that she wanted to eat out.

So, we ended up at a nearby noodle shop.

Normally, the place had a waitlist, but today, thanks to the professor ending class 30 minutes early, there were still seats available.

“So, you’re really treating us today, right!? Ehehe, gotcha. Can I order everything from here to here?”

Xiaolin, seated at the table, asked in an excited voice.

Just as I was about to respond with a smirk, Ume, sitting beside me as always, smiled gently and said,

“Wow~ Xiaolin, you’re such a big eater. I’m impressed you can finish that much.”

Her tone, while seemingly complimentary, carried a hint of teasing, making Xiaolin pout. I stifled a laugh and added,

“Piggy eater, huh.”

“Ugh…! You know what I mean!”

As Xiaolin huffed, I nodded playfully.

“I know. Order whatever you want—just know I’ll charge you for whatever you leave behind.”

“Hmph, I was gonna order reasonably anyway. Hmm… I’ll have this!”

“One beef noodle soup. Ume, what about you?”

“I’ll have the banquet noodles, please.”

“You’re a wolf beastman, yet you don’t eat much meat? You’re not just picking the cheapest option, are you?”

At my question, Ume smiled faintly, her expression unchanging.

“Everything has its purpose. Banquet noodles have their own charm.”

“Ume, you’re… the kind of person who clearly reads a lot, judging by your word choices.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Ume smiled at Xiaolin’s remark.

I decided on my order too—the same beef noodles as Xiaolin.

“Huh? Why’d you pick the same thing as me?”

Xiaolin narrowed her eyes teasingly, her voice playful.

What else?

It just looked good.

“Beef tastes good.”

“Hehe, no need to be shy! I, in my magnanimity, will understand!”

Xiaolin puffed out her chest proudly, patting it with her hands.

Her smug attitude irked me a little, so I shot back,

“Then pay for your own food.”

“…Sorry.”

“It’s nice to see you two getting along so well~”

After that little back-and-forth, we placed our orders and passed the time with idle chatter while waiting.

Then—

“Ah, there’s a seat. Lucky today.”

A familiar, languid voice came from the entrance.

I turned my head as if drawn by magic, and there was Serena, shuffling toward an empty table.

Her slightly undone blouse made it hard to know where to look.

Ah, eye contact.

Given her personality, she probably wouldn’t initiate conversation, so I waved lightly and greeted her.

“Serena, here for lunch too?”

“Ah, Jeonghyeon. Yes. Normally, the line is too long to even consider during lunch, but today, luckily, there’s space.”

Serena half-opened her left eye and gave a small nod.

“Wish the professor would end class early more often. Did you understand today’s lecture? I was completely lost.”

“Haha, aren’t we both problem children in the same boat? I’m doing my best, but… it’s not easy.”

“Weren’t you just sleeping?”

“Fufu, no comment on such a mischievous question. Well then, enjoy your meal~”

“Yeah, you too.”

After a small nod to Ume and Xiaolin, Serena trudged off to her seat.

Once she was out of earshot, Xiaolin, who had been stiff the whole time, asked me,

“Jeonghyeon… are you close with Eldraine?”

Close?

The current relationship between me and Serena… probably feels more like classmates who greet each other when they pass by.

Honestly, unless we happen to cross paths in the hallway, we don’t really talk.

Even if I wanted to strike up a personal conversation, Serena always pulls out a pillow from her bag and naps during breaks.

In short, there’s no opportunity to get closer.

Though I’d like to.

“Just casually. We exchange a few words if we run into each other, like just now. Why?”

“Why? Well, Eldraine is friendly when you talk to her, but… how do I put it? It’s hard to get close to her. She’s always alone.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her with anyone else, either.”

Ume nodded along with Xiaolin’s words.

Well, I can’t say I don’t understand.

Serena’s way of speaking is designed to avoid upsetting the other person while simultaneously steering the conversation to a quick end.

From the other person’s perspective, it must be confusing.

The conversation flows smoothly, yet it never lasts long.

“How on earth did you get close to her!? Tell me! Was it something about being problem children, like she mentioned earlier!?”

Xiaolin’s eyes sparkled as she pressed me.

That aside—I can’t say.

How am I supposed to explain that we bonded after both randomly guessing our way through the first written exam?

As I hesitated, searching for an answer—

-Ding!

Perfect timing—a text notification chimed.

But the odd thing was, my phone, Xiaolin’s, and Ume’s all went off at the same time.

In unison, we each checked our phones.

-[Web Notification]

Thank you for applying to the Providence Travel Club, .

Due to an overwhelming number of applicants, interviews will be held this coming Saturday to select members who will join us on our journey.

Interviews will be divided into morning and afternoon slots.

Location: Main Building, Classroom 1202.

Jeonghyeon Park, your interview is scheduled for the ‘afternoon slot.’

Thank you for applying.

Ah, now that I think about it, I did apply to that travel club.

“You guys got the travel club message too?”

I pocketed my phone and asked the others.

Ume answered with a smile.

“Yes~ I have a morning interview.”

“Huh? Me too! We can go together! Jeonghyeon, what about you?”

“Afternoon. Heh, guess I’ll be going all alone.”

Hearing my mock-muttering, Xiaolin giggled and asked,

“If you’re that lonely, want me to come with you? I mean, if you really beg, I might consider it.”

“Didn’t you just ask me yesterday if I wanted to go shopping with you and someone else on Saturday afternoon?”

“…Ah!”

Is she an idiot?

“Two beef noodle soups and one banquet noodle, ready! Who ordered the banquet noodles?”

“Ah, that’s me~”

Just then, steaming bowls of noodles arrived before us.

They looked delicious at a glance.

“We still have plenty of time before the next class, so let’s eat slowly.”

“Wait! I need to take a picture!”

Xiaolin snapped a photo of the noodles, then switched to the front camera, stretched her arm out, and said,

“Everyone, look here! Let’s take a group photo!”

A lunchtime selfie with friends.

A little bothersome, but not a bad experience.

“Tch, my face is expensive, you know.”

“Wow~ A group photo?”

“Don’t close your eyes! One, two, three, cheese!”

-Click!

After checking the photo, Xiaolin nodded in satisfaction and showed it to us.

“I’ll send it to you guys later!”

Xiaolin, eyes wide and beaming.

Ume, smiling as brightly as ever (terrifying).

And me, with a slightly awkward smile.

Imprinting the warm scene in my mind, I scooped up a spoonful of broth.

Rich, savory, and just the right amount of umami—it was addictive.

No wonder there’s usually a wait.

“Ahh… so good.”

The hot broth slid down my throat, drawing out a satisfied sigh.

“Jeonghyeon, you sounded like an old man just now.”

“…What’s with this tiny rat calling me old?”

And just like that, Xiaolin’s offhand remark got under my skin.

I wasn’t an old man in my past life either, okay?

I was a lively twenty-eight-year-old.

I glared at her for a moment as she giggled.

Then—

-Ding!

Another text notification.

This time, only my phone.

Curious, I checked it.

-[Professor Aileen]

Are you free after class today?

“Huh.”

My brain froze.

What’s this about?