episode_0054

After pulverizing the golem human into dust, the instructor called out to the students who were taking cover behind him.

“Keep the citizens waiting! Start with the restoration of the city. Do it as you learned during the training! Quickly, let’s get to work!”

The instructor was unwavering, even though he seemed to be constantly on edge. Just like how some officers look like soldiers even when they are off duty, this instructor in his late thirties appeared to be a true military man, whether he was agitated or not.

FM didn’t like it. Somehow, it made him nod his head in agreement.

The students were diligent. Not a single one of them complained, and there was no idle chatter among them.

It was understandable, as the instructor had lost his arm while fighting monsters to protect them.

They had become students not to be protected but to protect someone else.

Feeling ashamed and sorry.

No one dared to crack a joke.

So, they scolded themselves for being weak and cowardly, but they worked hard to do whatever they could.

Strong students cleared the debris and moved the damaged cars to the outer lane to normalize traffic.

The golem human was too strong, and the students here were quite lackluster in comparison. If they were close combat specialists, they could easily move a small car together, and the long-range combatants were all experts in garbage incineration.

Clear, gather, transport.

He wanted to ask what would happen to gas and air pollution if they burned everything like this, but he decided not to, as the author of this world, ‘Kkojab-Dwipang,’ probably didn’t consider such things.

“I like it. Godeen, I like it.”

…They were also going through their own hardships. Such good problems could be dealt with later.

“I’m here, my arm hurts too much. I wish Godeen would lick it.”

“Lick the wound…?”

“Lick it, I wish he would.”

Gone was his usual arrogant demeanor as Dakota leaned on Lager, gazing vacantly and licking his neck with his tongue.

The embarrassment belonged to Lager.

“How can I lick the blood? I don’t even eat ox bone soup.”

“Am I a pig?”

“No, that’s not it…”

He briefly considered advising him that if he were in his shoes, he wouldn’t want to lick a completely torn-off limb either, but then he might end up experiencing a dismemberment show like that golem human.

“Like this, hahrip, churrip, like this.”

“Dakota, stop now…”

“Do it like this. Churrip, heueup…”

Dakota’s behavior of clinging to Lager with his only arm, sucking and licking his neck and ears, was more eerie than lewd.

He glanced at Lager’s collarbone, slightly concerned.

“…Doesn’t this seem weird in this situation?”

Seeing Lager’s gentle condition, I turned away at this point. Any further embarrassment would be Dakota’s responsibility alone.

“Hahrip, chureup, heueup, Godeen…”

…But how long will he keep this up?

In the end, Lager and FM met again after spending about two days as a patient. As expected, aside from a fractured rib, there were no serious injuries, so he was discharged quickly.

“Are you feeling better now?”

After work, Lager, whom he met at the convenience store, asked him that first.

“How many times are you going to ask that?”

“It’s our first meeting after you were discharged.”

“Is that really so important? Calling in the morning to ask, sending texts while going through discharge procedures. Isn’t it enough to ask when we’re eating together with Lina?”

“Morning, lunch, and dinner conditions are different. Something might have happened in between.”

Sighing deeply, I stirred the bibim ramen that I had poured hot water into.

“It’s okay. There’s no problem. Are you done?”

“I’m just happy that you’re safe.”

“Ugh, seriously.”

Threatening with chopsticks, Lager once again shrugged his shoulders mockingly. With his large build, it really felt like I was being teased.

“Tell me honestly. Are you doing this because you find my reactions funny?”

“You’re just realizing that now?”

“I want to die.”

For a moment, I had the urge to splash the water inside the bibim ramen on Lager’s face. I resisted the urge and got up to pour out the water, but the microwave also made a sound. It seemed like the frozen dumplings and chicken were ready.

“Why are we eating this kind of food? There’s a café in the academy.”

Taking out the frozen dumplings and chicken, I brought them to Lager and said, “Here you go,” as I brought my hand to my ear, causing Lager to chuckle at the sight.

“You’re cute.”

“Now you’re just treating me like a girl openly?”

“What can I do if your appearance is cute? I’m just saying what I see without any ulterior motives.”

Ugh, if you can’t say anything. I poured liquid sauce on top of the ramen and stirred it mockingly.

“So, did you enjoy that time? You and Dakota seemed to be getting along well.”

Thinking back to that time seemed to make Lager flustered for the first time, as he waved his arms in confusion.

“Ah, that wasn’t really my intention! She was clinging to me like that, what could I do? And strictly speaking, it’s because of you that it happened.”

“Well, who knows? Did I stab Dakota or did I stab you?”

Raising his tail like a flag, Lager swayed the arrow-like tip of his tail as if in protest, nervously chewing on the dumplings.

“Whoo!”

“Oh my, oh my. It’s chaos.”

After burning his mouth on the hot dumplings, Lager exhaled steam from his mouth. I quickly got up, bought the banana milk I had seen earlier, and handed it to him.

“It’s a one-plus-one deal. I bought it for myself, so you don’t have to thank me.”

“Hoo, hoo, hoo… I don’t have to thank you?”

It seemed like he was too annoyed by the honeycomb, so I lifted his tail end and gave him a light tap on the head.

“Ouch?!”

“The tail is starting to listen. Don’t be stubborn.”

“You’re getting more mischievous.”

“Do you want more hits?”

“No, ma’am.”

Being stubborn.

I crossed my legs the other way and focused on eating the ramen.

The food in the cafeteria was so good that I was actually drawn to junk food. In the military, boiled ramen was precious, but in the academy, cup ramen and frozen foods were scarce.

Not only us, but many students were sitting around enjoying ramen and frozen foods.

People, when they’re close, don’t seem to feel their preciousness.

After drinking half of the banana milk I handed him, Lager spoke up again.

“Oh, right. I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Seeing Lager pretending to be serious in an unfitting manner, I looked at him instead of picking up a large bite of ramen.

Lager cautiously spoke after glancing at me.

“Dakota came up in the conversation.”

“Why are you beating around the bush like this?”

“Can I take on the role of caregiver until your arm heals?”

Upon hearing that, I set down my courage and chopsticks, crossed my arms, and chuckled.

“Hey, why do you need my permission for that? Just do it.”

“I just thought you might feel bad about it.”

“What’s there for me to feel bad about? We’re not even dating. I have absolutely no romantic feelings for you, you know?”

Originally, saying this made me feel too sorry, but now it seemed like it didn’t affect him at all, so I casually brought out the words, “I’m not interested in you either.”

Lager nodded and grabbed a piece of chicken.

“Then it’s settled.”

“It’s not about permission or anything, just do as you please.”

“Still, Ale, don’t be too upset or worried. Even if I take care of Dakota, my love for you will never change…”

“Eat your ramen, I’m starving.”

Thinking the matter was settled, I waved my chopsticks like chasing away a fly and focused on eating my ramen.

It was bland. Muttering to myself, I picked up a piece of chicken.

Whether it was undercooked or the weather had turned cold.

The chicken was already a bit cold.