The next afternoon.
I headed towards the academy in Ji-a’s car, who came to pick me up.
As the car moved, the outside scenery passed by like whoosh waves.
Arriving at the academy, it was a peculiar place where old buildings and newly constructed ones harmoniously blended together.
“Looks like there are some new buildings mixed in?”
“They reused the land from the university that went down during the Great Cataclysm,” Ji-a explained.
“Aha.”
Recycling isn’t so bad.
The car passed through the entrance and drove along the internal roads of the university.
Maybe it was designed with care, as a beautiful landscape featuring harmoniously arranged flowers and trees unfolded before us.
The lush trees created shadows that swept by outside the window.
Ji-a parked the car in front of a building’s parking lot.
As we got out of the car, Ji-a smiled softly and said, “That headband looks pretty. It suits you well.”
“I, I see…? Hehe… Si-yoon gave it to me!”
At her compliment, I couldn’t help but smile broadly.
I turned my body back to show off the headband better.
The feeling of my tied hair swaying gently made me a bit giddy.
Maybe I was too blatant in showing off my headband, as Ji-a chuckled softly and said, “So you can decorate your hair and know how to tie it?”
“Oh, this? Of course, Si-yoon helped me!”
“Aha. How about learning it yourself? Si-yoon can’t do it for you all the time.”
“…In the future, maybe.”
Doing it myself still seemed too difficult.
I’m sure future me will know how to do it.
But now, in more ways than one, it’s a bit much.
“We arrived a bit early. Want to stroll around the campus? We came here to get some fresh air, after all.”
“Should we?”
Nodding at Ji-a’s suggestion, we started walking together.
Buildings divided by majors and a wide sports field.
Strange sculptures popped into view occasionally.
It felt nostalgic seeing the campus after so long.
“Ji-a, have you graduated?”
“No? I took a hiatus when I awakened, but eventually chose to drop out instead.”
“Aha…”
So, no diploma, just like me.
Of course, there are differences whether it was unavoidable or a choice.
“Why? Do you want to go back to university?”
“No, not really… Just curious.”
“Hehe, that time was really peaceful and nice.”
Suddenly, a breeze blew.
Ji-a’s hair fluttered lightly.
I caught a glimpse of her graceful neck as she held onto her fluttering hair.
I found myself captivated but quickly turned my gaze forward.
Ji-a smiled softly and said, “The weather’s nice, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I think it was a good idea to come out.”
“Thanks for coming with me today. It would’ve been lonely alone.”
“…It’s nothing, really.”
I nodded lightly at Ji-a’s gratitude.
Sometimes, just going out without a purpose feels nice.
It feels healing.
“By the way, what are you doing at the academy today?”
“Oh, the president keeps trying to persuade me to take a part-time lecturer position. I’m going to decline properly.”
“Part-time lecturer? Is that a thing at the academy?”
“Of course. Why? Interested?”
“…I’m not sure.”
It’s true I feel sorry for dropping out of university halfway.
But isn’t it odd to jump right into teaching?
I don’t even know if I have the qualifications or abilities for that.
“Hehe, it’s similar to a regular university but also very different. If you’re interested, let me know.”
“Okay, got it.”
I nodded lightly.
After walking around a bit, we returned to where we parked.
As we reached the entrance of the building, Ji-a said, “Since we’re here anyway, want to come with me? It’ll be boring waiting outside.”
“…No, it’s okay.”
“You’ll meet the president eventually anyway; wouldn’t it be better to introduce yourself while I’m here?”
“…You’re really good at persuading.”
“Hehe.”
I was easily convinced by Ji-a.
If we’re going to meet them anyway, it’s definitely better to say hello while I’m with her.
In the end, I went with Ji-a to the president’s office.
– knock knock
– “Yes, come in.”
Hearing the voice from inside, Ji-a opened the door.
We timidly followed her in.
A woman in her late thirties, engrossed in paperwork, looked up.
“Ah, Ji-a, you made it. Hmm? Who’s this next to you?”
“Hello, this is my acquaintance, Si-hyun. Jeong Si-hyun.”
“…Hello.”
“Hello! Nice to meet you.”
We exchanged awkward greetings.
Well, I was the only one being awkward.
The president stood up and moved to the consultation desk.
Ji-a sat down opposite her, and I naturally sat next to her.
“The fact that Ji-a introduced you means you’re a beautiful lady here, too. Are you a hunter?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Both of them turned their attention to me.
“…I recently awakened to E-rank, and I’m a paladin.”
“A paladin? That’s a new class! Awakening is truly mysterious, isn’t it?”
The president engaged me amiably.
But this was a prelude to an attack.
“If you’re planning to continue your hunter life, how about enrolling at the academy?”
“Um…”
“If money’s an issue, you’ll earn enough while being a hunter. Right, Ji-a?”
The president’s gaze turned toward Ji-a.
Ji-a responded with a wry smile.
“I explained everything already, and we talked about it. Let’s leave that topic there.”
“Hmm, I see. Well, think it over.”
With a nod, the president smiled gently.
Nice one, Ji-a! You’re amazing!
Just like she promised not to let me do anything, Ji-a skillfully redirected the conversation.
“By the way, about what we discussed earlier…”
“Hm?”
Ji-a began discussing something with the president.
I stared blankly at the two of them, as it didn’t concern me at all, so I turned my head.
I slowly looked around the president’s office.
Piles of papers and books.
It was clearly the office of a busy person.
“…I’m going to the restroom.”
“Okay, see you.”
I quietly stated my business and stood up.
I slightly nodded at the president out of courtesy and left the room.
As I stepped into the hallway, the cool air stimulated my lungs.
I took a few steps in the direction I thought the restroom would be.
Whether it was the building itself or it wasn’t the middle of the term yet,
there wasn’t a single person around, making it feel quiet.
Somehow, it brought back memories of the past.
I used to enjoy the quietness like this when I arrived too early or stayed too late.
My college life… though I didn’t enjoy it like a social butterfly, it was still fun in its own way.
I guess it was fun in a regular person’s way.
Hehe, I miss it…
Lost in thought about the past, I unconsciously headed to the restroom.
Just before I entered the restroom,
I bumped into a man coming out.
“……”
“Uh….”
The man silently stared at me.
With broad shoulders and a sturdy physique, his well-chiseled face looked oddly handsome for his size.
His eyes started to twitch slightly.
“…This is the men’s restroom…”
“…?”
Surprised, I quickly stepped back to check the sign.
There was a simplified male pictogram indicating the entrance to the men’s restroom.
…Oh.
I zoned out and made a mistake.
“Ah, ahhhh! S-sorry!”
“Ahem…”
Hastily apologizing, I scrambled away into the women’s restroom.
The lingering gaze felt like daggers on my back as I went inside.
That handsome guy must’ve been startled because of me. Sorry…
A wave of embarrassment washed over me, and I covered my face with my hands while sitting on the toilet.
I felt like I could die from the shame…
*
The man stared blankly at the entrance of the women’s restroom.
Lost in some deep thought, his blank expression contrasted with his fair and beautiful face.
When he realized the mistake, his face turned bright red like an apple.
The sight of his beautifully styled long white hair fluttering in the air became etched strongly in my memory.
He looked to be around my age.
Could he be a newcomer at the academy this semester?
Maybe we will run into each other again.
He left the scene, reflecting lightly on his thoughts.
*
After finishing up in the restroom, I peered cautiously outside.
shush shush Looking left and right.
No one around, it’s safe.
“Phew…”
Letting out a sigh of relief, I stepped back into the hallway.
I never thought I’d make such a mistake in my life.
…But it wasn’t too deep of a blunder!
I only tripped lightly over the entrance!
Anyway, safe.
No one said anything, but I reassured myself and headed back to the president’s office.
It seemed the conversation was coming to an end by now.
Ji-a was getting up from her seat and giving a light farewell.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
“Alright, take care.”
The president gave a somewhat sad expression.
Her gaze shifted from Ji-a to me.
“Hehe, Si-hyun, please take care on your way back too.”
“…Yes, goodbye.”
So she wasn’t too clingy after all.
Well, a busy person wouldn’t have any reason to obsess over me.
After exchanging light farewells, I stepped outside with Ji-a.
“Did everything go well?”
“Yeah. Honestly, it’s something that happens every year, so it felt like a conversation we both know the outcome of?”
“Aha.”
I nodded, feeling like I understood roughly.
We chatted lightly while getting into Ji-a’s car.
As the car started moving, I instinctively checked my phone.
There was a new message.
It was from Han-gyeol.
We exchanged numbers but had never contacted each other before, so I was curious about what it was.
I lifted my finger to scroll through the message on my phone.
“Hmm…”
“What’s up?”
“Oh, it’s nothing much. By the way, what do you want to do for dinner?”
“How about inviting Si-yoon and going out to eat?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
Having a car is really convenient.
By the way, I need to meet Han-gyeol tomorrow.
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