There are both advantages and disadvantages to the fact that the school you attend is located right near where you live.
First, let’s talk about the advantages. The good thing is that you don’t have to worry much even if you leave your house a little late. While others might take 30 minutes or, in very unlucky cases, even an hour to travel, I can easily reach the school in just 10 minutes. This means I can sleep in for at least 10 more minutes in the morning, lounge in bed for an additional 10 minutes, and still not be late after getting ready.
In other words, my morning condition feels completely different. I can start the day feeling refreshed and in a good mood.
As for the disadvantages, since it’s so close, there’s a risk of getting too relaxed and being late.
Of course, this isn’t really a disadvantage. For those who live closer, being late is solely a matter of their own will, but for those who live far away, being late can happen due to reasons they can’t control.
Especially when using public transport, if there’s even a single transfer, the moment there is a problem with either of them, being late is practically guaranteed. And whether it’s school or work, I’ve never seen a place that would consider late coming a valid excuse. Most just shrug it off with, “Well, you should have left earlier.” How harsh.
Anyway, part of this advantage applies to me as well. Since the school is right next to the convent where I live, I can take my time walking without ever being late.
That’s right. “Never late.”
During my three years of school life, even once a year being late due to oversleeping isn’t tolerated.
The rules at the convent are extremely strict to prevent negative impacts on school performance, but there’s an even more direct reason.
The reason being, oversleeping at the convent itself is impossible.
As I mentioned earlier, the convent has a characteristics reminiscent of military life, waking everyone up forcibly at 6 AM, which is 2 hours and 30 minutes before the school start time of 8:30 AM. If a nun doesn’t show up for morning prayers after a headcount, she gets called immediately, leaving no room for hiding.
And the students who have entered the academy—this year, it’s just me, Linea, and Aurora—are taken out separately during morning prayer to have breakfast before heading to school by 7:30 AM.
As a result, we arrive at school around 7:40 AM.
Why?
No, there’s always a set time for school to start at 8:30 AM, so I don’t understand why we have to arrive 50 minutes early. In other words, I didn’t set this time myself. The only ones who would know the reason are probably the priest who oversees the nuns and the Mother Superior.
Does that mean we’re supposed to come and study?
Yesterday, there were still some students present.
That’s because after the entrance ceremony, there was a notice saying, “On the day of enrollment, students must arrive by 8 AM as an exception,” since we would be having class for an hour.
Fortunately, the church didn’t make us arrive by 7:10 AM like some kind of madness, so some students who decided to arrive earlier were already there, meaning the awkward scenario of three of us just sitting in an empty classroom was avoided. But of course, from today onward, it was a different story.
“…There’s nobody here.”
I muttered that with a respectful tone that had now completely stuck with me. It’s not that I was getting into the character of a nun, but it was customary to use formal language among sisters in the convent. No one forced it, but since everyone was using formal language, it felt awkward for me to be informal even among those I was close with.
…To be honest, there was no one to talk informally anyway.
Since the three of us were under special management, we hardly encountered other sisters, and when we did, it was only during meal times or prayer times, during which private conversations were prohibited.
Thinking about it, there was hardly anything that would lead us to become close.
Well, I’ve heard that once you become adults, you have a little more freedom and get to go out together and talk during breaks, but I had every intention of bolting as soon as I turned an adult, so it didn’t matter much to me.
“That’s understandable.”
Linea said with a bittersweet smile.
For now, the three of us entered the classroom. Since we had extra time, wandering around could risk being late, and we didn’t want to be the talk of the town. The three of us were already eye-catching in our nun outfits.
“Oh, then should we at least clean up?”
Aurora clapped her hands and said.
…Cleaning?
All of a sudden?
“That’s a good idea. Wasting this time would be a sin against the Goddess.”
Huh? What is that supposed to mean? I never set up such a scenario! Ariel isn’t some goddess of diligence, right?
No, more importantly, you guys usually growl at each other, so why are you suddenly getting along so well?
“Perhaps the reason the convent made us come to school at this time is to carry out the work we do at the convent out here as well. Since we still have plenty of time, let’s do a quick morning cleaning!”
No, even if that is the case, wouldn’t it be fine if we didn’t do it? After all, this isn’t just any school; it’s a high-rise building school. Surely there are professional cleaners?
However, if I didn’t do it, I would clearly be the odd one out, so I had no choice but to suppress a sigh and grab a broom from the cleaning supply room.
*
“Oh, these must be the students sent by the church. Hardworking early in the morning.”
The person who said that was Seo-A, our homeroom teacher.
Yes, that’s right. One of the three characters with Korean names in this story, including the male lead.
The other one was the one-off antagonist, Cardinal Kwon In-Soo, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there were only two of us.
Why are there only two protagonists in a Korean novel written by a Korean author? Let’s skip that as it’s related to my embarrassing past.
I’ll just say at that time, I was thinking, “This country is just rotten! The only answer is to escape!” and believing “Having so many Korean names in an internationally-set novel is strange” at the same time.
Is it really international? Why did I care so much while writing a novel that no one would see? Ah, those were indeed turbulent middle school years.
I was already a high school student back then.
…I really hope nobody looks at that notebook after I die. I just want it to be treated as a keepsake and left somewhere.
Trying to shake off the gathering feelings of realization, I looked back at my homeroom teacher.
Well, is there really a need to describe this? Of course, she was beautiful. It’s only natural since she was a character I was considering adding to my harem, and she had the looks and figure to match. Her personality was very straightforward and incredibly open-minded.
This openness was reflected in her clothing, as she had unbuttoned three buttons on her shirt, making her cleavage quite prominent and almost revealing her bra. Her skirt might have been even shorter than the nun outfit I wore.
Her hair was tied back, and though it wasn’t very long, it was just about shoulder-length. She had a soft and gentle beauty, but there was a long scar cutting across her nose, reminiscent of something fierce.
She gave off the vibe of a heroine from a past age.
I might be too young to use the term “past age,” but who cares about such things in a harem story?
“Are you embarrassed? How cute.”
Huh?
Embarrassed?
That can’t be directed toward me. I looked left and right, and Linea and Aurora were all looking around as if they didn’t know where to direct their gaze. With her impressive cleavage almost spilling out of her shirt, it was nothing to be embarrassed about, yet didn’t they stare at me when I changed clothes?
Is the mature beauty emanating such a sensual aura that it shakes even other women?
…
Well, honestly, it is quite the sight.
To be honest, I want to hold her just once.
I quickly cut that thought off, gritting my teeth and raising my gaze. Although my content is that of a male, it wouldn’t be right to develop any lust towards a school teacher. That requires an incredible amount of mental fortitude. Resisting the overwhelming pressure of her gaze without divine protection seemed utterly impossible.
“Hehe, are you jealous?”
Did she notice the way my gaze was glued to her chest? No, honestly, it would be strange if she didn’t notice, given how glaringly I stared.
“Don’t worry. You’re still growing! And besides, I see potential in you.”
As I watched Seo-A, who gently ruffled my hair with a smile, I felt a sense of pride for my foolish self who created such a character filled with youthful craving.
*
The day after the entrance ceremony was quite a significant moment in the story.
Because it was the day to experience the start of the textbook tsundere development of Selena, who, while initially refusing to acknowledge the protagonist, gradually clears up misunderstandings and starts to fall for him.
Naturally, since I went straight to the cathedral after school, I didn’t see it directly, but Selena and the protagonist had already gone through an event the day before. It was an event that cemented the worst image of the protagonist in Selena’s mind:
The place was near a memorial stone.
In this world, there’s a massive memorial stone erected in every region, dedicated to honoring the heroes who died while protecting the world. The names of the fallen heroes were densely inscribed in tiny letters on the huge stone, and naturally, the name of Selena’s recently deceased sister, Alyssa Lowell, was included among them.
As Selena paused for a moment on her way home to look at the stone, the protagonist approached her. Knowing they were in the same class, he thought to introduce himself.
“I want to be someone like those written there.”
And suddenly, he stepped on a landmine.
“What?”
Before the protagonist could respond to Selena’s sharp reply, she glared at him and said, “Are you wishing to die?”
Indeed, after recently losing her sister and being subjected to the outrageous words of the Cardinal at the funeral, who deemed it heretical not to be grateful for her sister’s death, Selena took the protagonist’s words as if he were saying, “I want to die like those people over there.” After firing off a few more sharp words, she turned on her heel and stormed away, leaving the protagonist in shock at her retreating figure.
The protagonist would not learn that Selena’s sister’s name was written there until much later, and after they experienced various events to clear up the misunderstanding, even though Selena could not fully convey her feelings, she would awkwardly accept an apology, awakening as the quintessential tsundere heroine.
So, it was clear that if the protagonist approached Selena, she would definitely turn her head and ignore him.
“Hey, Selena.”
“Hi.”
Ignoring…? Huh?
Selena didn’t smile brightly, but she welcomed the protagonist’s greeting with a friendly smile.
Huh?
What’s going on?
Am I mistaken?
This seems odd. I’m sure I wrote it that way. Is there a different version? Did I forget to save the draft somewhere? That can’t be!
“Clara, hey there. You seem solemn today as well.”
While I was caught off guard, Selena approached and greeted me. No, it’s been the third time seeing her today, so to say I looked solemn is a bit unfair.
“Of course. I came early today and even cleaned the classroom!”
Aurora declared proudly with her chest puffed out.
No, how can a little cleaning make one solemn?
“Cleaning?”
Selena’s eyes widened as she asked back.
“Yes, the mornings at the convent are too early. Since I came early, I did some cleaning.”
As I responded using the now habitual respectful speech, Selena made a cartoonish sound of surprise.
“Impressive…”
It’s not that impressive, is it? If someone were to come in 50 minutes early to clean their workplace, they would think positively or negatively that such a person is remarkable.
“It’s not that big of a deal. The Lowell sister… well, Miss Lowell also comes pretty early compared to other students, right?”
“Selene.”
“Hmm?”
Upon hearing Linea call her name, Selena brightly responded, and Linea tilted her head.
“Call me Selene. That’s my nickname. All my close friends call me that.”
“Close friends?”
When Linea asked further, Selena pointed at me.
“Friends,”
And then pointed at Linea and Aurora, seated in front and beside me.
“Her friends are my friends. So call me Selene. Clara, you too.”
“Friends…”
As Linea placed her hand on her chin, repeating the word “friends,” she eventually nodded in response.
“Then, I shall call you Selene from now on.”
“Me too! I’ll call you Selene too! Because we’re friends!”
No, Aurora, if you react so passionately, it makes it seem like you’ve never had friends before.
Well, it might actually be close to the truth. Back during their convent days, Aurora followed Matthew around. She might not have anyone of the same gender to call a friend.
“Great. Call me however you like.”
Selena beamed with a radiant smile. Just as the warm conversation continued,
“What were you talking about?”
An oblivious male, unaware of the situation, interrupted.
Lacking awareness… but wow, he’s incredibly handsome. As a guy, I don’t feel anything beyond that, but for a girl, his lack of awareness might be forgiven due to how good-looking he is. With his moderately cut black hair and black eyes, at first glance, he might come off as an ordinary protagonist. But, how should I put this?
That moderately cut hair looks incredibly good on him. It’s the kind of beauty that’s simply hard to express in words.
Indeed, he’s the quintessential protagonist. I don’t know what happened yesterday, but it seems he and Selena had a good conversation and, seeing as they got closer, he thought it was okay to interject. Truly a harem master. Though, I did write that he was to be a harem master in the setting.
Harem protagonists are typically quite dense.
“Oh, just chatting with some new friends.”
“Oh, really?”
The protagonist who unwittingly jumped into the conversation didn’t seem to think much of it, but Selena’s face flushed slightly. What’s this?
Could it be that the setting of the overly attractive protagonist being completely unaware of his good looks is actually going so well that Selena is acting aloof towards him? Is that what it is? Could it be that this guy will stick to his good looks and derail all storydevelopments?
If so, it completely usurps me using the developments I’m familiar with!
Cold sweat began to bead on my forehead.
“Hi, I’m Lee Ji-An. Remember, a friend of a friend is also my friend. Let’s get along.”
That’s right. His name is Lee Ji-An. One of the three characters with a Korean name in this story.
At the word “friend,” Selena’s face turns red. While looking at Ji-An’s outstretched hand, Linea and Aurora grew stiff and their faces flushed red. That’s right. His bright smile delivers a 200% lethal damage to women!
At this rate, Linea and Aurora have probably joined his harem already!
This is definitely a harem story! The very essence of a harem tale!
The problem is that I’m not the protagonist!
Damn, I’m envious!
*
The afternoon of the day of the entrance ceremony.
Even at the Academy, it seemed they weren’t having class on the day of the entrance ceremony as after the principal’s lecture and the homeroom teacher’s orientation and self-introduction concluded, we were directly told it was okay to go home.
There wasn’t even enough time to get to know those around me, and unfortunately, all the friends who lived nearby ended up going to regular high schools instead of the academy, so Selena was simply walking home alone.
While doing so, she paused at the sight of the large memorial stone resembling a small building.
Originally, she hadn’t planned to come this way. Looking at the memorial stone reminded her of the sister she had just lost not long ago.
Regretting that she had absentmindedly walked this way, Selena quickly tried to move away from the spot.
“I want to be like those people.”
…She tried to leave.
But turning to the source of the sudden voice, there stood a remarkably handsome male student. So handsome. Incredibly handsome. To be honest, the thought of being in the same class made her heart race a little.
While she didn’t remember the names of the other students besides Clara, she could never forget that face.
But instead of admiring his appearance, Selena focused on his words.
You want to be like those people?
Selena looked up at the memorial stone.
The imposing black stone had names inscribed so small that they were barely visible. Moreover, with so many empty spaces left, it felt like it could swallow the names of thousands more in the future.
A multitude of names that she couldn’t even read.
Once, she wished to have her name written among them.
But after losing her sister and coming here, as she searched for her sister’s name, she realized the truth.
Above the name at the very end was a myriad of heroes’ names that she had never known.
She knew there were heroes. But that was about it.
Selena did not know any of those heroes. No matter how hard she searched, there were so many names that she didn’t even know where to begin. She didn’t even see her father’s name. It was probably buried among all those countless names somewhere.
So many names.
So many names of the victims.
So many people who died just to protect this world, merely this world, leaving behind countless precious people.
“Want to die?”
The words almost escaped her mouth.
[The gods have never commanded you to die.]
Then, she suddenly recalled a girl’s voice, freezing her words.
[It must be your own choice to fight for justice, to fight for the smiles of countless people, not as livestock, dragged out of obligation.]
[It’s not merely about fighting to die, but rather, it must be the result of fighting and struggling until the very last moment.]
Countless precious names.
So many people who fought till the end for the sake of so many precious lives, refusing to give up even in their last moments.
“Want to die… no, that’s not it, right?”
“Of course not.”
Hearing Selena’s words, the boy grinned widely.
“I want to live proudly like all the heroes here. I want to protect those I love, those I care for. There’s no way I’d want to die. I’ll do my best to stand till the end, to return without any regrets. That’s what being a hero is, right?”
As the boy spoke, he blended into the image of a girl.
There are people like this in the world.
Many who strive to live without regrets.
“…”
Selena, rendered speechless, watched as the boy stretched out his hand.
“I’m Lee Ji-An.”
And you?
Gently clasping Ji-An’s hand, Selena replied, “I’m Selena. Selena Lowell.”
She thought about how she looked forward to the experiences that awaited her at the academy.
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