I hate summer.
I can tolerate the heat somehow, but the dampness and stickiness? No way! The blazing sun is one thing, but the humidity feels like I’m trapped inside a sauna.
When I arrived in this world, I had some expectations.
Honestly, the settings never made it clear where the academy or the local areas are. While writing, I thought it wouldn’t be necessary to draw a map. I loosely based it on Korea’s climate, but that just aligned with when I started writing and the background of my story.
Surprisingly, February and March here weren’t all that cold.
Well, since I typically wrote inside buildings, I didn’t feel the temperature changes in real-time, whether it was winter or summer.
During history or geography classes, I thought I could figure out exactly where I was, but the map I saw looked nothing like the world map I’m familiar with. They say the land shifted due to 500 years of intense battles or something.
…Then again, if more than half the humans got wiped out, it wouldn’t just be from casual attacks.
They say some places got twisted due to dimensional rifts colliding. Because of the long 500 years of chaos, many histories and forgotten events were lost. There were separations and independence movements against the integrated government that escalated into wars, and several tragedies occurred due to racial, ethnic, and ideological conflicts.
Naturally, the demon armies never missed those opportunities to attack human society, resulting in multiplied losses.
It’s not just the elves who want separation. Among beastmen, gnomes, and even a small fraction of humans, there are still voices longing for independence. But due to the overwhelmingly powerful external enemies and the memories of past tragedies and wars, they can’t voice their thoughts openly.
It’s clear that even if the war with demons ends, we’ll just end up fighting over something else. The future looks grim.
…Well, anyway.
For those reasons, the only thing I could guess from studying the world map and learning history is that this region was somewhere in Europe. I couldn’t tell if it was a continent or an island, but there was a long horizontal strip of land with what used to be Africa at the bottom, so Europe is still Europe.
The Mediterranean seemed to expand to the size of the Pacific, and there were massive mountain ranges towering above and below it, making precise comparisons without an actual map difficult.
Regardless, no matter the explanation or settings, it was hot. Hot and humid. I wondered if the climate was affected by the magical energy transforming natural phenomena? No wait, Earth’s temperature had been steadily rising during my time, so maybe this was actually much better?
To think it snows in winter despite this weather, what a curious world.
“…Hah.”
It only took about ten minutes to walk from the convent to the church, but that pesky humidity made the Saint’s robe stick to my body.
This church exposes the legs of the Nun’s and Saint’s robes yet offers no short-sleeved version. The winter version is thicker than the summer one, but there’s no such thing as short sleeves.
Or is it? Maybe having exposed legs feels cooler? Then again, I don’t think short sleeves existed in the nun outfits back in my world either. Were all nuns superhuman or something?
“I see you dislike the heat.”
Leaning from the side, Linea smirked as she spoke.
“Yes… I’d rather it be cold…”
Of course, I knew I’d be saying how hot it was come winter. Especially after joining the military, I had become much more sensitive to both heat and cold. Was it because I lost weight?
This body seems to weigh less and have less body fat than before, so come winter, I might feel truly freezing. But considering the weather I experienced until March, it might not be that severe.
“Just hold on for a month! Once the month is over, it’ll be vacation!”
Aurora cheerfully exclaimed beside me, but I felt absolutely no joy.
What good is vacation if I’m just stuck at the convent?
Naturally, the convent’s cooling facilities aren’t great. The plumbing is more crucial than air conditioning, and it has been relying on a facility built decades ago. There’s no modern cooling or heating system at all.
But is there really none at all? Well, not completely, but it’s outdated as well. While there’s a central air conditioner installed, it only feels somewhat cool when set at the lowest temperature, enough to keep us from fainting from heat sickness.
Stepping in from the scorching sun feels refreshing for a moment, but soon enough, you just become numb to the temperature.
It’s far cooler in the National Academy with proper cooling and heating.
“That’s true…”
Still, I wasn’t so cynical as to react to Aurora’s consolation with ‘is that even comforting?’ I simply answered weakly.
Vacation. Vacation, huh.
I haven’t thought about that since graduating university. There’s no such thing as vacation for workers. Legally, it’s guaranteed we can use it freely, but in reality, companies don’t enforce those rights. It’s tough just to take a few days off or only be able to live as a bum unless you quit.
And for someone like me, with nothing to my name, living as a bum means I’d just starve.
Oh, how fresh that thought sounded.
Isn’t this a precious page of youth that I’ll never get back after finishing studying?
A student’s vacation is not just a time to relax. Not going to school means I can go anywhere with friends at any time, and even if we don’t trip too far, it’s the perfect time to create countless memories with shenanigans that we wouldn’t normally do.
Well, in my country, there was this thing called private education, so it wasn’t entirely free, but still.
No, think about it.
This isn’t Korea; it’s a world that some middle schooler influenced by Japanese manga and anime scribbled out in a light novel.
Surely, all the events that happen in light novels must exist here too?
Like summer festivals, beaches that open in summer, cool valleys, and so on.
There’s no shortage of fun things for teens!
And I’m ready to enjoy them without a shred of embarrassment. After all, I’m a teenage high school girl right now!
Seeing me suddenly brighten up like a dried seafood who got a jolt of energy, Linea and Aurora struggled to suppress their laughter. I guess my reaction to the word “vacation” was amusing.
…But, can nuns wear swimsuits?
*
“Uh…”
After finishing our morning cleaning as usual,
I moved my body, feeling completely refreshed thanks to the fully functioning air conditioner, and posed my question about whether we could go to the pool to Linea in front of me.
I expected an immediate response like “No way” or “You can go, but swimsuits are a no-go,” but Linea looked dazed as if she received an unexpected question.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard that it’s not allowed…”
Oh ho!
With Linea’s ambiguous answer, my eyes sparkled, making her ponder seriously while resting her chin on her hand.
“However, one of the convent’s rules is ‘Do not seduce sisters while nude.’”
“But it’s not nude, right? If we’re wearing swimsuits, doesn’t that matter? Plus, the showers are communal.”
Exactly.
From what I gathered, there’s no direct prohibition of same-sex relations within human society. Since it’s based on a Europe that was very sensitive to such matters, things like same-sex marriage are possible. However, private relationships are not allowed within the church.
After all, priests are not permitted to marry.
Orphans from convents and monasteries almost all follow the path of priesthood unless they leave for society as adults. And even aside from that, isn’t it the church? If it were sexually open, it would resemble a cult straight out of an adult game or adult novel. Even in the modern seven deadly sins, lust is still included.
Separately, banning lax sexual relationships in dormitories is common sense too.
Because of that, the convent has some rules that are either funny or scary, leaving me unsure of what to make of them.
Sisters shouldn’t hold hands or link arms when together.
Sisters shouldn’t face each other too closely or rub cheeks.
Two sisters shouldn’t sleep in one bed together.
And so forth.
If I’m a mental dude and usually watch TS yuri stuff, I can have a reaction like ‘Whoa, isn’t this a mess?!’ But just imagine reading those rules in a reversed-gender convent. Pure horror.
The amusing part is that while the rules are strict, there are compromises made with reality. As mentioned, showering together is allowed. Space and money are constraints; there’s not enough to create individual showers. Plus, we change clothes in the same area.
“While this is true…,”
Linea deepens her contemplation. Being a bit of an inquisitor, she’s particularly meticulous about the rules.
Or perhaps, she herself wants to go?
If Linea were a blind fanatic devoted to gods, she wouldn’t bother thinking about such things. For such a person, a vacation would be the perfect time to devote themselves to their gods.
But I know, don’t I?
Linea sometimes glances at my body when I change clothes. It’s no biggie for her to change, but she behaves that way when it’s my turn.
And she sighs softly.
No, it’s not that she has feelings for me.
It’s more about the fact that she’s reacting to my body that doesn’t match my age. Linea is slimmer than both me and Aurora, and naturally, certain areas are smaller.
That’s right. Linea’s behavior is clearly ‘envious behavior.’
I’m convinced. Beneath that mask of an inquisitor hides a lively teen girl with many curiosities.
If the rules say no, it means we shouldn’t; however, if they don’t prohibit it, it means it’s something she wants to do!
“Uhm… I also don’t think I’ve ever heard that we can’t do that.”
Aurora said seamlessly.
There was no need to gauge her feelings like with Linea; Aurora’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Yes, Aurora is much more of a typical young girl than a nun.
Even now, when she fiddles with her smartphone, her eyes shine. She surely doesn’t want to miss a chance to play with people outside the convent.
That’s right. The Trinity of the convent’s saint party (tentative) is already on the same page!
“Oh, but once vacation comes, we might have to live like all the other sisters in the convent…”
Aurora’s sparkling eyes quickly dimmed.
Well, we’re still living in the convent. It’s one thing if we become adults and leave after about five years, but while we’re at the convent, we have to follow its rules.
Normally, the three of us all attend the academy, and naturally, some freedom is guaranteed during academy time. Extracurricular activities or after-school activities are considered educational and offer some leeway. Going out to play with friends for a bit after school? As long as you maintain a limit, that’s still considered socializing for daily life. The modern church doesn’t enforce those details too strictly.
However, outside of academy hours, we follow the convent’s rules. On weekends, we pray during prayer time, study the Bible, and do copying work. There’s no lounging around watching TV.
Frankly speaking, there’s no need for a rule like “nuns aren’t allowed to wear swimsuits” because there’s no reason to create such a rule. It’s because nuns rarely would go to a pool, especially when they are required to wear provided clothing. Of course, nuns don’t carry swimsuits.
It’s only natural that some of the nuns in the convent are jealous of us.
Nevertheless!
“No need to worry about that.”
Aurora’s dimmed eyes brightened again. Linea, who had been staring into space, also turned her gaze toward me. What revelation is this saint trying to impart? That’s how it appeared to me.
“We have the right to act freely ‘within the scope of smoothly conducting our academy activities,’ right?”
Both Linea and Aurora nodded in sync.
“And extracurricular activities fall under ‘academy activities.’”
Their eyes sparkled with excitement. It seemed they had some inkling of what I was about to propose.
“If that’s the case, what if, during summer vacation, our club has a ‘training camp?’”
“But, if we take the lead in making that plan and it’s found out…”
Linea said with a serious expression, barely holding back a laugh.
I closed my lips to stifle my laughter, then slowly replied.
“Are we making this plan ‘ourselves’? We’re merely club members, after all. What authority do we even have?”
“Oh.”
Exactly. We’re just club members.
Among the three of us here, no one has the power to freely dictate the direction of the dueling club.
…In fact, it hasn’t been needed until now, but that doesn’t matter. After all, what’s important is merely the reason.
As Linea and Aurora’s expressions shifted to realization, the classroom door burst open.
“Hey~ It’s not like today’s very holy… huh?”
Seeing us staring silently, Selena was taken aback.
“What’s going on all of a sudden— Ah.”
Realizing it wasn’t directed at her but instead at Jian, who had followed her in, Selena anxiously looked back and forth between us three and Jian.
“Uh… Is there something you want to say?”
Jian, feeling the three girls’ heated gazes, began to sweat profusely.
That’s right.
All we need is just one reason that the club’s ‘president’ decided!
*
“…”
After school.
Even so, we’re not so uninhibited as to talk about these things in front of other students.
Hearing this story is sufficient for those participating in our extracurricular activities. Since it’s for an ‘overnight training camp,’ only participants can attend.
Seeing that there’s only one guy among us, it does seem very harem-like.
The look of disapproval in Rina’s eyes as she gazed at me was unmistakable. Rina often shot me these exasperated looks, but today’s was notably stronger. Today, it was more of a ‘seriously pathetic’ glare.
“Why?!”
I seized both of Rina’s hands as I spoke.
“You live in the convent too! It’s not better to at least come out for a breath of fresh air just once during vacation!”
“Wait a sec! Let go! That’s gross, so just let go! I get it! I got it!”
Ignoring all these nun’s feelings, I held her hands in desperation, causing Rina to jump back and yank her hands away.
Well, it doesn’t matter. Just her saying she understood is enough.
“…Whatever the purpose, I support the idea. Sometimes it’s important to clear your head.”
Saying this, Selena cast a sideways glance at Jian.
Her eyes clearly expressed that she wanted to see Jian in a swimsuit.
“…I agree that the training camp is beneficial.”
Even LaMihi commented, subtly glancing at Jian. Although she seemed to be awaiting the president’s approval, from my perspective, her gaze was not unlike Selena’s.
“I agree.”
Although she didn’t attach any particular reason to it, Satsuki also nodded in agreement. Among the three heroines, she was the only one who didn’t openly show her feelings towards Jian, but apart from that, she wore a slight smile. Of all of us, she was the most genuine in approving the training camp.
“Hm, well…,”
Jian scratched the back of his head as he spoke.
“Actually, before I asked you all, I already submitted the camp application. Well, now that I think about it, I probably should have gotten your agreement first. Sorry about that.”
“No, good job!”
Right, it’s better if there’s some proof. An application! Why didn’t I think of that earlier?
What could be more certain in establishing a reason than an official document? Whether sharing people, borrowing money, paying it back, purchasing items, we always wrote up all sorts of documents to clarify everything, right? From that perspective, Jian’s foresight is worth praising. We can simply hand over that document when the convent reacts with, “Aren’t you all just going out?”
“Ah, I see.”
As I fervently praised him, Jian appeared slightly flustered as he said that.
“Uh, but after I submitted the application, there were a few points I was called out on.”
“Called out?”
I tilted my head, just as the sound of the auditorium door opening came. Is it time for oiling again? Creeeeek Squeak, the sound stretched long.
Standing at the open door was—
“This application doesn’t specify where it’s going.”
It was none other than Seo-A, the duel club’s advisor.
*
“First off, just to let you know, camp applications are generally accepted, so there’s no need to worry about that.”
Seo-A said while gazing intently at me. She must have heard my voice from outside the auditorium. I inwardly sighed in relief when Seo-A continued.
“However, I’ll be attending the camp as well. While I’ve put it down as a formal title, I’m still the advisor for this club, so it’s required by the rules that a teacher accompanies the club during trips.”
It’s a perfectly reasonable rule. If a club has students of mixed genders, it’s unsafe to conduct an overnight camp without someone to supervise. In addition, since we’re a mix of years, it gets trickier.
Of course, Jian is one who throws himself at girls and is in the same grade, so there shouldn’t be any troubles.
But evidently, everyone seemed to nod, accepting that.
“And also, you’ll need to specify the location ahead of time. No vague details are allowed. Well, I don’t have any special plans during vacation, so I can handle the application a week prior, no problem. Still, wouldn’t it be better to draft a clearer plan? It is summer. This is a season when students take vacations and workers take time off. It’s better to reserve accommodations starting now.”
Ah, right.
Naturally, many people will go out during vacation season. If we don’t act fast, someone else will get to the lodging first, leaving us with nowhere to stay.
“Well, it seems you all just started talking about it, so I won’t rush you to set clear plans right away, but where are you thinking of going? As the advisor, I can book accommodations if you only tell me if it’s the sea or the mountains.”
…Is it just my imagination that Seo-A’s eyes are glimmering strangely?
Surely she’s not expecting to have a little fun for herself too?
“Of course, we will—”
Selena and LaMihi spoke at once.
“Going to the ocean.”
“Going to the mountains.”
However, the answers we provided were entirely different.
……
Is it just my feeling, or do I sense a storm coming?
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