episode_0044

“I’ll put the cup and spoon here. The bright colors make them look good.”

“Yeah···!”

Rohan, who had wiped away the extra cups and spoons for Clara to use, began to move his hands to the other side.

I took out the ingredients for instant rice and side dishes that I had stored on the shelf for cooking.

“It’ll take a while, so if you’re bored, watch TV. I’ll call you when it’s done.”

“Ugh, I’ll just watch from here.”

Clara stood next to Rohan and continued to observe the cooking process with a happy expression, perhaps curious about it.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t cooked very often since I came here.’

With that thought in mind, Rohan washed the vegetables in water and placed them on the cutting board in layers.

Shake off the moisture from your hands and grab the knife.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

Onions, carrots, and leeks are being chopped into chunks on the cutting board.

Clara, who had been watching the process unfold smoothly, asked in an excited voice.

“Do you like cooking, oppa?”

“Rather than liking cooking, I thought that controlling food expenses would be more efficient in saving on living expenses.”

“Oh···!”

This was a story focused on a past life.

However, Academy City Elysium is not much different in that regard.

“These days, I only make it on the weekends. I can do it at the academy on weekdays.”

If there had been no affordable academy cafeteria for cadets, it would have been very difficult financially.

If I didn’t have that means, I might have wasted points on shop skills to forget my hunger.

‘I don’t want to be obsessed with money… but I think that having some order will give you peace of mind.’

Poverty was something I had suffered through until I became a hunter. The poverty itself was so tiresome.

So I know how much material poverty eats away at people.

That’s why I hate poverty.

If my wallet was thinner than it is now, I would have had to calculate the balance in my head when buying something delicious for Clara, and I would have had a hard time deciding what to give the store manager.

It’s a pleasant picture just to imagine.

I didn’t want to be stingy in that direction.

“Rohan Oppa.”

“Huh?”

“If I were to gain status in Academy City and live in a house with a kitchen···I’d like to be able to cook for myself, right?”

The house Clara is in now doesn’t even have a kitchen.

Rohan felt sorry about that.

“If Clara wants to do it, cooking is a good hobby. I don’t think there’s a need to force yourself to do something you don’t want to do.”

“Ha, I’d like to try it if I knew how, but I’ve never done it before···.”

“Would you like to make it with me next time? Just follow the recipe.”

“!”

Nodding, nodding, nodding.

Clara shook her head violently with a look of wanting to do it. Her twin tails twirl here and there.

Rohan continued cooking after he promised to do as Clara requested, even walking with his fingers.

Just microwave the instant rice and put it in a bowl, and you’re ready to go.

The two of them smiled naturally as they felt a special warmth that could only be felt when sitting across from each other at the table.

“I’ll eat well!”

“Eat a lot.”

“Eat a lot, oppa! Hehe···.”

Clara hummed and picked up her spoon as she ate the light meal Rohan had prepared.

The girl tasted the food with a face that clearly showed joy.

And then his eyes opened wide.

“The food my brother made was delicious···!”

“That one word is worth the effort.”

From Rohan’s perspective, he is grateful that she eats his simple food so deliciously.

When I see people being so amazed like this, I sometimes worry about what they usually eat.

One person who is holding back from eating with him.

‘Zion.’

The fresh princess brushed past Rohan’s consciousness.

But this is not a story to tell Clara now.

‘If you talk seriously while eating, you’ll get sick.’

It’s okay to bring up the main topic after you’ve finished what you have to do.

Shouldn’t we eat comfortably?

After a meal with some small talk.

Clara exhaled with a sense of satisfaction, touching her slender belly that had not even come out.

“Whew··· I’m full···.”

“Did you eat a lot?”

“Yeah! I enjoyed the meal!”

“I’ll put the side dishes in a container and put them in the refrigerator, so come and eat whenever you’re hungry. If you heat them up like I told you earlier, they’ll be ready in no time.”

After organizing the dishes, Rohan continued explaining to the girl while placing the large amount of comic books he had received from Noah and the items he had purchased.

In particular, the washing machine was a different model than the one in Clara’s room, so a simple explanation was needed.

“You only need to fill the detergent up to this line. Fabric softener is right next to it.”

“Okay, okay! I got it.”

“Please put clothes that need to be hand washed or clothes with zippers or decorations in the laundry net you just bought to reduce damage when washing them.”

“Ah···!”

Things the girl who ran away after receiving only a training in Zeno didn’t know.

Clara nodded, knowing what the laundry net was for, and listened to what Rohan was telling her.

“I think this is about the end. If I’m not here, don’t open the door even if someone knocks. Got it?”

“Okay!”

Rohan was quietly watching the girl who was excited and thrilled by small things.

I experienced a change of heart.

Even if it doesn’t work out as planned to bring Clara in as a colleague, let’s just let them get along.

Because this is reality, not a game.

If you force something that you don’t want to do, the future may be harsh.

“Clara.”

“Huh?”

The girl turns around with a smile on her face, asking if he had called her.

Rohan smiled bitterly at the innocent reaction and advised her.

“Hmm… Should I go out for a walk to help with digestion?”

··

··

The two walked with drinks in their hands.

Rohan had coffee and Clara had fruit juice just in case.

“You said you were going to use hot water starting Monday, right?”

“Yeah. Is it okay if I use it···?”

“Of course,” Rohan said positively.

“Anytime, no matter what. I’ll keep the window unlocked.”

“Hehehe.”

Clara smiles pleasantly at the reconfirmed approval.

“Please feel free to use it even if I am away for a long time.”

“Been away for a long time···? Because of the Academy?”

“The Academy doesn’t have any training plans yet. I just… might be away for a few days for other reasons.”

Clara blinked, trying to understand what Rohan was saying.

The girl, her lips dropping from the straw, looked questioning.

“Does your brother work somewhere else besides the Flower Pot Bookstore?”

“If you want to see it as work···? You could see it that way.”

“Huh?”

Clara’s head tilted in question as Rohan showed a rare, subtle reaction.

“There is a direction that I am trying to pursue as my main job. Part-time work at a bookstore is also part of the foundation for that job.”

“Is it okay if I ask what you’re trying to do?”

“I haven’t told anyone yet, but it’s something to do with force.”

“Then is this the first time I’m hearing your story···?”

“That’s right. That’ll happen.”

Since it was connected to force, I thought that something serious would happen.

I couldn’t deny that I was glad to be the first person to hear about it.

“Want to hear it?”

“If only it’s okay with you···!”

Rohan smiled as he watched Clara answer without even a hint of hesitation.

I stopped walking after confirming that there was no one around. It was a quiet alley near the dormitory.

“As Clara knows, I’m from the South, right?”

“···Yeah.”

“The most common path for cadets who graduate from Orion Academy is to return to their home countries and join renowned armed forces.”

Rohan quenched his thirst with coffee and continued his story.

“That doesn’t mean there’s no way out for cadets like me who have nowhere to return to after graduating. There are quite a few cases of cadets immigrating to other countries after graduating.”

“···.”

“There are only two years left until graduation. It’s a short time if you have a lot to prepare, but a long time if you just let your mind wander.”

Since it’s only been two years, does that mean there’s a lot to prepare for?

Clara bit the straw and stared blankly at the mouth from which Rohan’s voice flowed.

“I’m thinking of two cases.”

“Two···.”

“One is to join another country’s armed forces after graduation.”

“The other one?”

Rohan paused for a moment at Clara’s question.

Rohan, who had been drinking coffee and taking a brief pause, looked the girl in the eye and informed her.

“Stay in Academy City. As a sheriff or freelancer.”

“!”

Then I guess I can keep watching.

That point naturally came to Clara’s mind.

“The latter is what I want to achieve now. I like the school city and working independently suits me well.”

A single word that sounds as if one has experienced all kinds of hardships and has completely reflected on and introspected about oneself.

The girl blinked quietly.

The age difference isn’t that big, but Clara is amazed at how clear the direction he wants to go is.

“Clara.”

“Huh?”

“Is there anything you want to do in the future?”

“I, I don’t know···.”

Dori dori.

The girl shook her head weakly.

The road ahead is so dark that I can’t see any light, so I’ve never had the chance to think about what’s beyond it.

“It’s okay. Clara has done well so far. As for the future, you can find out slowly.”

“···!”

A strong appeal that seems to know everything, even if it’s just empty words.

Clara felt a surge of emotion swirling inside her chest.

“Clara.”

“Ugh, yeah!”

A voice that was moist. Clara answered, lowering her voice in embarrassment.

Rohan asked, gently raising the corners of his lips.

“Until you find what you want to do in the future. Do you want to go with me?”