episode_0054

1.

It’s broad daylight, nearing the end of lunch time.

Today is another day to continue my life as a janitor at the academy.

-Swish swish…

It’s just an ordinary day, like sweeping the fallen leaves, dust, and trash off the floor with a broom (formerly a holy sword).

“Mr. Caesar?”

A familiar voice from behind blurts out an unfamiliar name.

“…Yes, Professor.”

Knowing why the owner of the voice called him that, he matched the tone of his acting and responded in a seemingly cowardly manner, turning around.

Casselina is a prominent professor at the academy and I am just another ordinary janitor, so maybe it’s a subtle difference in status.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“I have a midterm exam tomorrow. I’d like you to help me out then.”

“Ah… Is it that time already? Yes, yes. Then, can I go to the training center tomorrow morning?”

“I would appreciate it if you could do that.”

I guess it’s getting close to summer already.

The hellish days of training continued and the glorious finale, the midterm exam, was approaching.

Why are we using a janitor for the midterms?

“…I cast a shielding spell on you, Casselina. Are you comfortable talking?”

“Yeah.”

“Are there a lot of new students this year?”

“Isn’t that the largest number of new students ever?”

“Oh. The professors must be having a hard time. Cheer up.”

The midterm exam will be conducted in a tournament format.

It’s just a simple and ignorant way to select the strongest person in the academy.

Of course, not all students participate in the tournament.

Some students are suited to support positions, while others are suited to research positions, so it’s unfair to only consider interpersonal skills.

Faculty members prepare separate tests suited to each student’s aptitude and grade them separately.

“Is this similar to what you did last time?”

“Uh. Weapon placement, student guidance, cleanup. You’ve done it a lot, so you’re used to it, right?”

“Nothing much.”

Just because there are so many different ways to play doesn’t mean there aren’t many students participating in tournaments.

It’s like the best defensive defense competition in the world.

Many students participate in tournament-style exams to somehow show off their skills.

To lead and manage that many people, the academy’s professors alone are not enough; they also have to bring in janitors like this one.

“You’ve worked hard too. You even came to tell me in person.”

“Other cleaners probably got the notice, but you can’t do anything about it.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Actually, my status as a worker at the academy is a bit flawed.

Since he was already a person whose resident registration had been cancelled, or rather, a person who had been reported dead, he was given the opportunity to work at the academy in a shady way.

It’s a barrier system that isolates outsiders… Since Casselina designed it herself, I was the only one who was made an exception.

Anyway, unlike the cleaners of other academies, I am not officially recognized and have to do my work through Casselina.

It would be fortunate if you weren’t accused of being an illegal intruder, let alone a full-time employee.

“Then I’ll take care of you tomorrow.”

“It’s something that should be done, but I’m being a burden.”

“Is that so?”

After finishing what she had to say, Casselina turned to the main building.

‘Students these days are acting up… They must be preparing for midterms.’

Even now, the training center is overflowing with students continuing their training.

‘…Is Taina having a hard time because she has midterms?’

Seeing the students exhausted from fatigue reminded me of Taina.

I’ve been thinking about the cause of the things that are affecting my grades lately, and I think it might be because I’m putting too much effort into preparing for midterms.

“I’m worried.”

‘What are you worried about?’

“…No.”

I couldn’t continue talking because Yuli would become sharp for no reason whenever the topic of Taina came up.

2.

A late spring afternoon with a late sunset.

I am sitting on a chair reading a book while leisurely looking at the sunset.

Yuli, leaning on my shoulder, is dozing off, pretending to read a book.

A special guest came to visit the usual cabin.

“Hello.”

I thought it was Srenya, but it was an unexpected guest.

Of course, I greeted him with the utmost courtesy, even though my face didn’t look that happy.

“…Tyna?”

“Please accept the gift first. I prepared it with Kai in mind.”

“Oh, is that Shizu To Wifey’s dessert?”

I think it’s trendy these days among students to give desserts as gifts.

Besides, it’s exactly the same gift package that Srenya brought last time.

Still, I should say thank you since I am grateful.

“Thank you, Taina. Would you like to come inside the cabin for some tea time?”

“Then, if I may be rude…”

He continued speaking in a stiff, burdensome tone.

It’s clear that you have a purpose for coming here with dessert just now.

I think I should bring out some black tea first.

“Can you make me some Yuli black tea?”

“It’s annoying.”

Huh.

When guests come, Yulin gets excited and brings out tea, but now she turns her back.

Besides, I wonder if I still feel that chilly atmosphere I felt last time.

I had no choice but to pour the tea myself and hand it to Taina, who started the main topic.

“I came here because I wanted to start our relationship from scratch.”

But then a strange sound popped out.

Doesn’t it sound a bit strange to say that you’re going to end a relationship and start over again?

“I had a lot of questions for Kai. And I also wanted to become close with him personally… That’s what I thought.”

“Yeah.”

“But I guessed that Kai had impure intentions. So I approached him impurely.”

“…I understand. That could be possible.”

I remember when I handed over Srenya’s school uniform a long time ago.

I was grateful to receive the uniform, but I looked a little disdainful when I saw that the hand handing it to me was that of a rough man.

After seeing that, I guess he thought the janitor was trash who stole girls’ uniforms and used a beauty trap.

“But I thought that method was wrong and I did my own reflection. That’s why I also wanted to apologize for the sexual harassment incident that happened.”

“Sexual harassment or something…?”

“Unauthorized physical contact, regardless of gender, is sexual harassment that should be punished, so it is clear that I was wrong. Please accept my apology. ”

After saying that, Taina bowed her head deeply and apologized.

mom.

Without permission.

‘Kang!’

physical contact

‘Kaaa …

I had no choice but to bow my head to Taina as my conscience pricked me.

From now on, I’ll only do it once…

I can’t give up.

“…Raise your head, I’m the one feeling sorry.”

“Thank you for accepting my apology.”

Taina raised her head without changing her expression.

And he said it without even moving an inch.

“I am greeting you again like this because I want to become close with you as a person, not by using this kind of beauty trick or sexual charm to become close with you.”

Then he got up from his seat and faced me.

Feeling puzzled by Taina’s actions, I looked into Taina’s eyes for a moment, then Taina bowed and greeted me.

“Hello, Kai.”

-Slightly.

“…!”

Bow your head straight enough to give off a noble air.

He gently swished his tail once.

That sincere look washed away even the slightest doubt that she might be acting like she had been acting so many times before.

I really hope Taina will face her mistakes sincerely, apologize, and approach me again.

“It’s okay to talk comfortably, Taina.”

“…Is that okay, oppa?”

“Of course.”

A soft smile appears on my face without me knowing it.

It is common for children to try to avoid acknowledging the mistakes they have made.

Either lie or run away without taking responsibility.

But if you admit your mistakes and take responsibility for them, you will be one step closer to becoming an adult and not a child.

That is, growth.

And I feel joy in watching those children grow.

“That’s great, Taina. You’re apologizing like this and learning how to truly approach people.”

“It’s nothingㅡ”

“The Red Fox Tribe never hides their feelings throughout their lives.”

As an adult watching such growth, I wanted to share some wisdom.

“It’s easier and more advantageous to hide my feelings as much as possible. When I first approach someone, I reveal only a little bit of my true feelings…”

“Huh?”

“I hope I can always approach people with sincerity from now on.”

Don’t hide your feelings.

With confidence.

Because there are relationships that I might miss out on if I hide my true feelings.

Because there are some people who are noble and can only be obtained when you approach them sincerely.

With those words, Kai placed his hand on Taina’s head.

A fluffy crown that looks like it’s going to make a sound, and Kai’s large hands that can easily cover such a crown.

-Tsdam tsdam

A large hand caresses the ear and head at the same time.

“…”

The atmosphere suddenly became serious, and Taina nodded without saying anything.

The fox’s blood responded to the gentle caress, making Taina feel tired and comfortable.

That’s when Taina was enjoying Kai’s touch without even knowing it.

“Ah.”

Only then did he come to his senses and hear Kai’s absentminded voice.

‘Unauthorized physical contact’

At the same time, one phrase comes to mind.

“Ughhh! I’m sorry!!!!!”

“…Oops.”

When I took my hand away from her head, Taina came to her senses with a sound as if she had woken up from sleep.

When he saw Kai’s apology in a half-asleep state, he said as if nothing had happened.

“Well, well… If you’re an adult, you can do that.”

“When you were in beast form, I got used to it and before I knew it, I…!”

“…When I was a beast, did you just touch my body?”

“What.”

I made a mistake.

Taina wrapped her arms around me and glared at me, then began to argue in a resentful voice.

“You’re a pervert, aren’t you…!!!”

“…Are you aware of the Good Samaritan law?”

“I don’t know!!! Pervert!!!”

Only after explaining the Good Samaritan law, its application, and its application in real-life cases was I able to free myself from Taina’s resentment.

3.

Silence and darkness descended upon the cabin.

It’s so quiet that it’s hard to imagine that just a moment ago, this was the place where people were enjoying tea time in a bustling manner.

Taina and the beast, midterms, human relationships, fox tribe, etc…

We had so much conversation that we couldn’t even eat enough desserts and tea.

“Yulli, are you okay?”

“…What the heck is asking a sleeping person if they’re sleeping?”

Yuli, who had been outside the cabin, later came into the cabin, mumbling, and we enjoyed tea time together.

Although Yuli looked a bit sullen, her expression brightened up a bit after eating the sweet dessert.

“While you weren’t sleeping.”

“You think I didn’t even sleep right before going to bed?”

“…I’m sorry.”

He hugged Yuli tightly, nodding.

I don’t usually do this kind of intense skinship, but today I felt like I needed a little bit of Yuli’s warmth.

“It’s hard to breathe, so go slow.”

“Huh…”

When I slightly relaxed my grip, Yuli dug into my arms and hugged me tightly.

Thank you.

Through my heavy eyelids, the image of the pleasant tea time I shared with Taina lingers like an afterimage.

And then Altina’s afterimage overlaps with Taina’s afterimage.