The Reason for the Meeting
Hwaak.
Aris’ face flushed upon hearing Kim Deok-Sung’s words.
Thump, thump.
Aris’ heart raced.
‘You say you’ll heal my mother…’
Aris clenched her chest clothing tight.
She lowered her head.
Her body trembled.
‘My mother…’
The image of her sick mother floated in her mind.
Her mother, always unwell yet still caring for her.
She hadn’t been able to repay her mother properly.
And now, it was Kim Deok-Sung—not her—offering to heal her mother.
Drip.
A tear slid down Aris’ cheek.
‘I’m already grateful just for being saved…’
Let alone her mother.
Aris bit her lip, swallowing her words.
Just how kind is he trying to be?
If he gets any kinder… She might completely become his prisoner.
Aris thought this while trying to calm her racing heart.
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded.
“…Thank you, Kim Deok-Sung.”
As she said this, a faint smile lingered on her lips.
Grab.
Aris clutched Kim Deok-Sung’s hand.
He jolted.
“It’s not something you need to thank me for.”
Kim Deok-Sung spoke with his usual blunt tone.
Seeing that, a sly smile appeared on Aris’ lips.
He’s always like this.
He’s blunt on the outside, and sometimes he seems ruthless enough to earn the nickname ‘Black Beast.’
But deep down, he’s a kind person.
“Still, I’m grateful.”
How could she not fall for him?
Aris thought this while feeling her heart race and smiled.
*
The visit to Aris’ hometown over the weekend ended without any incidents.
“Our son-in-law can come again any time!”
“You can think of it as your home and come anytime!”
“Please take good care of our daughter in Tokyo!”
No matter the son-in-law talk, the two-day stay at the countryside home had a surprisingly family-like atmosphere.
As Aris’ grandmother, mother, and father saw me off, I got into the car driven by Seira, heading back to Tokyo.
The trunk was filled to the brim with boxes of tangerines from Aris’ hometown.
Even though I said I didn’t need them, they insisted I take them, so I had no choice but to accept a box along with Seira.
“Well then, let’s set off.”
As the farewells ended, saying this, Seira drove us away from Wakayama and back to Tokyo.
With Seira’s words, we left Wakayama Prefecture and returned to Tokyo.
After a long journey, I found myself back in my dorm room.
It greeted me perfectly clean, not a speck of dust in sight.
I guess it’s because Han Seo-Jin took care of it.
Buok, buok.
I could see the goldfish that Rin caught during the festival swimming in its tank.
Above it were the tengu mask that Eri bought during the festival and the stuffed bear that Hoshino Kasumi won for me.
Next to them were the Legion of Honor medal I received from France and the Founding Medal of the Republic of Korea I got from Korea.
Looks like unnecessarily extravagant decor.
Letting out a sigh internally, I plopped down on the bed.
[Partner? Aren’t you eating any tangerines?]
I could hear Black Prince’s voice in my head.
A box of tangerines that arrived before me caught my eye.
Bueok.
I tore open the box and peeled one tangerine.
It’s autumn now, so the seasonal tangerines might not be 100%, but they’re still pretty tasty.
[It’s a relief that things have been peaceful lately.]
As I quietly peeled and ate a few tangerines—one, two, three—I heard Black Prince’s voice again.
The episode with Makoto transferring occurred in the first semester, so now that we’re in the second semester, nothing noteworthy should be happening according to the original story.
But even if we’re off the track from the original source, it would be premature to assume nothing is going on.
Who knows what schemes the League is plotting?
It was frustrating to think about, but there isn’t much I could do at the moment.
For now, all I can do is prepare to the best of my ability.
[Speaking of which, partner. Isn’t the school trip coming up soon?]
“Yeah.”
I nodded at Black Prince’s words.
With the cultural festival over, the school trip was approaching.
The school trip itself is a key event, a major setting in Volume 9 of the original.
It’s still a bit far off, but soon we’d be picking out teams for touring together, right?
As it goes with episodes that take place outside the academy in the original, the League will naturally send villains to stir things up.
Even though we’re straying from the original flow, the League’s tricks will likely remain unchanged.
What’s concerning is that the main villain from the original Volume 9 school trip episode, Manhunter, was unexpectedly taken care of by Yuji at the Blue House in Seoul during the summer break.
[Partner? What are you thinking so deeply about?]
Thanks to that, I no longer have any idea which villain might show up during the school trip.
There’s a possibility an EX-rank villain could make an appearance if things go wrong.
For this part, should I rely on the President and the Association Chairman like during summer school?
No.
If I hastily request the accompanying presence of an EX-rank hero, there’s a high likelihood the enemies will bring an even stronger force.
That would be more dangerous for me.
Ultimately, the best course of action is to move together while establishing a quick support system in case of emergencies.
Seira has been pushing for enhanced security lately due to various incidents, so I believe she’ll handle this part, but casually mentioning it wouldn’t hurt.
Having come to that conclusion, I peeled a tangerine and popped it into my mouth.
I’ve wrapped up all the preparations I can do.
Now all that’s left is the school trip.
‘Hot springs…’
[Ah, when you think of Japan, it’s hot springs! I’m excited!]
Black Prince chirped in my head with excitement.
What on earth is he looking forward to?
It’s hilarious.
*
Shuo Hero Academy.
Hero Academy.
Small Auditorium.
[1st Field Trip Planning Meeting]
In this place adorned with a banner featuring impressively crooked crayon writing, four beautiful girls were seated.
Olivia, Rin, Eri, Makoto.
They were all members of the cooking club, in the same class as Kim Deok-Sung.
A heavy silence settled in the small auditorium.
Crumble, crumble.
In the midst of the silence, Makoto quietly munched on snacks spread out on the desk.
Bang.
Rin slammed the desk.
Flinch.
Makoto’s body trembled as she chewed.
“Bonaparte.”
At Rin’s call, Olivia crossed her arms and shot a sideways glance at Rin with her blue eyes.
While looking at her, Rin said:
“What’s the reason for calling this meeting? What kind of measures do we need for the field trip? And who wrote that childish crayon nonsense plastered on the wall?”
Rin pointed at the banner that read “1st Field Trip Planning Meeting” in poorly written crayon.
“Childish crayon writing? What are you talking about? Cow! That’s the cutest writing I’ve ever seen! Eri writes even better than you, you know?!”
Bang.
Eri retorted, shouting in response to Rin’s comment.
Her orange twin-tails swayed.
“Who wrote this nonsense? Oh, it was you? Washboard. Your writing looks as dull as your flat chest.”
Rin laughed coldly.
Seeing this, Eri puffed up her cheeks.
She growled back.
“Coming from a cow burdened with unnecessary fat… Did all the nutrients in your head get diverted to that chest of yours, preventing you from acknowledging Eri’s cute writing? So unfortunate.”
“The envy for my fullness is pathetic, washboard. And I write well. I learned calligraphy in the Shinozaki Style Priest Class.”
Rin said, brimming with pride.
If it was cooking, she might not be confident, but in flower arrangement and calligraphy, she was.
All of this was a result of the hellish training in the Shinozaki Style Priest Class.
At least she could write way better than that childish scribble.
That’s what Rin thought.
“What?! Who would ever envy such a filthy, lewd blob of fat? Eri swears she’s not jealous one bit! And Eri’s still in her growth phase! Drinking milk every single day! I’m definitely going to get bigger too!”
Eri flared up at Rin’s rebuttal.
The white milk in the bottle she held splashed lightly.
Still growing.
There’s room to grow.
“Oh? Is that so? Have you finally acknowledged my voluptuous charm? Washboard.”
Watching this, Rin’s eyebrows twitched.
Rin crossed her arms under her chest, deliberately showcasing her fullness.
When it came to physique, she was confident she could outdo anyone.
Especially someone like Eri, who had the smallest chest.
Just as Eri was about to mumble a retort to Rin’s question…
“Both of you, cut it out!!”
Olivia shouted with a flushed face.
Tch.
She placed her hand on her chest.
“W-w-w-what kind of vulgar and dirty argument is this?! Just hearing it makes my ears feel contaminated, so shut up!! That’s not even important right now?!”
Olivia huffed as she spoke.
“Ugh…”
“Cheh…”
Rin and Eri close their mouths at Olivia’s words.
Crunch.
Watching this, Makoto keeps munching on snacks.
“The reason I’ve called you all here is that we’re officially starting preparations for the school trip next week.”
“I know that already. So what specifically do you want me to prepare for?” Rin shoots back immediately after Olivia finishes speaking.
Seeing Rin’s reaction, Olivia crosses her arms and speaks.
“The school trip is an event only for first-years. If we flip that around, it means the president won’t be around during the trip.”
“That means…!”
Rin’s eyes widen at Olivia’s statement.
She just now realized the point of what Olivia was trying to say.
The formidable rival that recently emerged, Student Council President Saionji Aris.
However, unlike during the cultural festival, a golden opportunity has arisen as her influence is officially blocked during the school trip.
“…Have you finally caught on? Honestly, everyone is so dumb. If it weren’t for me, we’d all be in big trouble. So, you should thank me, the generous French princess Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte. Got it?”
Seeing this, Olivia lets out a noblewoman’s laugh.
“Anyway, the purpose of this meeting is to block Kurosawa Haru’s approach during the school trip and prevent any other stray cats from getting near that fool. There’s nothing we can do about those who are already infatuated… but I absolutely cannot allow any more to increase as a personal maid! Our goal is to concentrate on keeping other stray cats away from that fool!”
Olivia passionately declares.
She has accepted the harem plan.
However, she will not tolerate any more women increasing beyond this point.
Everyone nodded at her words.
Rin, Eri, and Makoto also accepted the harem plan, but they did not wish for any more competitors.
Let alone the strong rival Kurosawa Haru, who is on par with Saionji Aris.
What they have now is already overflowing enough.
Seeing this, Olivia speaks again.
“So, I propose that during the school trip, we temporarily suspend competition and actively cooperate. It would be even better if one of us is assigned to the same group as that fool. Do you all agree?”
At Olivia’s words, Rin, Eri, and Makoto nod their heads.
Olivia’s mouth curls into a satisfied smile.
Clap.
She claps her hands.
“Then we’ll conclude the meeting here! Everyone disperse!”
Clap clap clap clap.
The three of them applaud at Olivia’s words.
Everyone agreed with her opinion.
‘Of course, the one who will be in the same group as that fool is none other than me, his personal maid!’
‘Duk-seong, I will definitely be in the same group as you!’
‘Master! Wait! Eri Ring will be in the same group with you and serve you a lot during the school trip!’
‘My lord… I too want to be in the same group with you…’
But naturally, their true feelings were all different.
Thus, the meeting ended in a clash of dreams.
It was a week before the group allocations for the school trip.
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