Chapter 74

“Morning school commute time.”

As I headed to the front of the girls’ dorm to join Hania, she came out with Iris, just like always.

Iris looked pretty worn out, probably because her insomnia had hit new levels lately.

As soon as she saw me, she raised her hand.

It was as if the Steel Empress was chasing away the cold.

But again, I can’t just jump into her arms.

When I shook my head, Iris fidgeted with her fingers, looking a bit disappointed.

“Hanon.”

That’s when Hania crept closer.

“Can we do that body-switching thing again from last time?”

My eyes blinked in surprise.

“You mean that time you switched into my form?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“It is possible.”

My gaze drifted over to Iris.

“Is it because of Iris?”

“…Yeah, that’s right. She’s barely been able to sleep lately.”

Iris had slept soundly while hugging me last time, so it seemed she was hoping to use that again.

“Got it.”

I also needed to help manage Iris’s nightmares.

If she fell into one, it would be a real mess.

“Wait, I’m coming too!”

At that moment, Isabel appeared.

She wobbled over with trembling legs and stood next to us.

“Isabel, what’s up with you?”

Hania asked, bemused, as Isabel glancing nervously at me.

Then, scratching her head with a slightly embarrassed expression, she replied,

“I was training with Hanon this morning.”

It seemed she was embarrassed about being a member of Martial Arts and looking like this after training.

Hania looked between me and Isabel, dumbfounded.

“…You two seem a bit off. When did you become… like this?”

Hania’s eyes were a bit too sharp.

“It just happened.”

Isabel was avoiding eye contact with me while making excuses.

“But we’ll keep it going!”

She declared her resolve, causing Hania to look even more perplexed.

“…Shouldn’t you focus on being a student? What if something happens?”

“Huh? Isn’t it good if something happens?”

Isabel was talking about gaining muscle, while Hania was alluding to something much bigger and more precious.

“Well, that’s nice, but…!”

Hania’s face turned bright red as she ramble on with excuses.

Ultimately, she seemed to lose her words, biting her lips in frustration.

“…Isabel, you’re bolder than I expected.”

“Really?”

Their conversation felt entirely disconnected.

“Did you have morning training with Hanon?”

Thankfully, Iris stepped in as a savior to get them back on track.

Hania snapped her head around to look at me, and I shrugged.

I had figured out the gist of the conversation halfway through.

It just looked entertaining, so I let it be.

Hania’s gaze suddenly became sharp.

I had a feeling I was going to get poked in the side later.

“Oh no, I’m going to be late. Let’s hurry!”

With that, I quickly moved along.

* * *

After the morning ruckus, Isabel’s antics continued.

First off, she sat right next to me.

This meant I had Hania on my left and Isabel on my right.

Seron ended up squeezed all the way to the corner at the end.

She shot me a look that said she just couldn’t wrap her head around the situation.

Here I was, sandwiched between the two prettiest girls in the class, garden-style.

It was a natural response.

“Isabel, why are you suddenly sitting with that guy?”

“What’s gotten into you?”

As recess hit, the girls flocked to Isabel, trying to clear their confusion.

Isabel looked my way, shruggishly saying, “Well, you gotta help those who are hurting.”

Somehow, I had become the one who needed help.

“…Isabel, you have a really kind heart.”

“True, she is a pretty hurt one.”

The girls seemed to get that line for some reason.

Why did they understand?

Are they trying to pick a fight?

Regardless, Isabel kept her antics rolling.

During sparring class, she’d always be the first to come and invite me to train.

Even at lunchtime, she’d stick by my side.

If I missed a lesson because I was daydreaming, she’d show me her book.

She was sincerely enthusiastic about it.

Is this what it feels like to have a childhood friend who looks out for you?

I was starting to understand how Lucas’s life had been.

It was clear that Isabel had a big hand in Lucas’s more clumsy side.

But it wasn’t just the girls who were reacting to Isabel’s behavior.

“Hanon.”

As I stepped out of the bathroom, some guys blocked my path.

They were fellow second-year Martial Arts students like me.

Because I had that mean reputation with the girls, none of the guys dared to mess with me.

They just gazed at me with pity as they watched me get harassed by the girls.

But for the first time today, these guys decided to block my path.

And every one of them had a face that screamed trouble.

“I get that you and Hania are dating now, and we respect your skills and efforts.”

“But seriously.”

No, this was not just a face of trouble.

This was sorrow and grief.

And the rage was undeniable.

“But not Isabel!”

“What the hell did you pull? You two were like sworn enemies not too long ago!”

“No matter what, there should be at least some decency. This is just too much!”

I looked at the raging guys with a bitter smile.

The tears in their eyes felt all too real.

These kids in Martial Arts were the peak of adolescent boys.

Most of them had never even had a romantic experience yet.

While ordinary noble kids might be different, those who entered Jerion Academy had torn themselves away from the distraction of girls and strictly trained.

At this age, even a mere glance could cause a crush.

These boys had to face off with beautiful girls every single day in class.

Especially Hania and Isabel, who treated everyone warmly regardless of gender.

It was only natural that the boys would fall for one or both of them at least once.

Yet here I was, strangely sandwiched between the two.

It was a tough spot for the boys who were heartbroken.

But what’s the reality like?

With Hania, it’s a strictly contractual relationship.

All we really do is hold hands and stick together.

All of Hania’s affection is directed towards Iris.

As for Isabel, she’s my rival.

Right now, she’s just trying to heal my wounds from Nikita’s ordeal.

But the truth was far from what these kids were thinking.

Yet none of them could see this truth.

All they saw was me as a scoundrel cozying up to the school idols.

“…Yeah, sorry about that.”

All I could do was apologize to them.

It hurt my own tender feelings of unrequited love too.

With my honest apology, the boys looked completely baffled.

They knew it was embarrassing to complain about this situation.

So, they swallowed their tears and turned away without another word.

“…Be happy.”

“Now that it’s like this, do your best to make both of them happy.”

“Whoever shows some tears first, be prepared.”

With that, the boys left.

They were not bad guys, after all.

They just wished for the happiness of their crush.

Well, it looks like I’m the one who’s going to shed tears.

The others are standing by to cry for me.

“Lightning sweet potato.”

As I stepped out of the bathroom, Seron, who had passed by the boys, called out to me.

Once again, it was the shiny-headed Seron.

Apparently, he takes good care of that bald spot.

Now that I think about it, Seron’s name didn’t come up among the boys.

Was he not even considered as a romantic option?

Feeling a bit sorry for him, I patted Seron’s shoulder.

“I’ll buy you some juice.”

“What? Why do I feel bad about this?”

Seron swatted my hand away and waved his fingers dismissively.

As I lowered my stance, Seron quietly said,

“Lately, something strange has been happening.”

“Did you end up blinding someone with your shiny forehead again?”

“Shut up! Seriously!”

Alright, enough with the teasing.

“So, what’s going on?”

“You know about the student council, right?”

“Sure.”

“There are students talking about a boycott.”

Did the word get around even to Seron?

I guess he felt like he had to share this with me, being in the student council and all.

As I processed this information, I tilted my head.

“Seron, don’t you have any friends besides me to get news from?”

That statement struck a nerve, and Seron pursed his lips.

I sensed something from the way he acted.

“…You got invited, didn’t you?”

“Uh, no, I didn’t join.”

Seron had become an accidental lone wolf.

He used to hang out with me and Card, but since Card got caught up with his spy duties, he hadn’t been around much.

As for me, well, it goes without saying.

The top two girls in Martial Arts were guarding me.

Now Seron couldn’t even approach me to chat.

Seeing him with pity in my eyes only made him glare.

“Why do you look at me like that? It just makes me mad.”

“It’s alright, Seron.”

“Ugh, don’t give me that sad look. It’s like you’re saying you pity me for not knowing love, you know? It’s infuriating!”

I patted Seron’s shoulder again.

Only to have him swat me away again.

So harsh!

“Man, I should just go get myself a boyfriend too. This is ridiculous.”

“…You? A boyfriend?”

“Oh please, if I set my mind to it, getting a boyfriend would be a piece of cake!”

“Yeah, maybe in some alternate universe.”

Seron said in a world where he’s popular.

…Does that world even exist?

“It does! It totally does! Besides, I’m waiting for my prince charming!”

“Your prince?”

“The lightning sweet potato is the most amazing guy in a world where I could never have a boyfriend!”

“You must have an incredible imagination to think that!”

Seron began loosening her wrist.

“Lightning sweet potato, I haven’t seen you in a while.”

As she did this, I shrugged.

“I don’t really remember ever being hit by you.”

Then Seron lunged at me.

Of course, I dodged everything.

My dodging skills were improving with each passing day.

Now I could avoid all of Seron’s clumsy punches.

“Ah, just let me hit you!”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Seron huffed before letting out a big sigh.

It seemed she had given up on hitting me today.

Then, she glanced at my neck.

What’s she staring at?

“Hey, what’s that pendant? I haven’t seen it before.”

Ah, I must have inadvertently pulled it out while moving around a bunch.

I hurriedly put away the pendant.

“Just a little asset for the future.”

“It looks expensive, are you planning on selling it?”

“Kinda. I’m gonna use it when I need to trade with someone.”

Seron looked at me with disbelief, then took a deep breath.

“Anyway, there are folks planning a boycott in the student council. I haven’t heard the details, so just keep an eye out.”

“Got it. And you make sure you don’t get drawn in. Just because there’s a handsome guy doesn’t mean you should follow.”

“Hmpf, like I’d ever go for that kind of guy? If I did, I’d be one dimwit.”

Seron claimed to have high standards.

And that day, I encountered an unexpected sight.

In an abandoned building, 3rd-floor chemistry lab.

There, following closely behind Aeling, stood Seron, her face painted red while shouting at me, now transformed into Bickamon.

“I-I’m gonna join the boycott!”

Seron was such a dimwit.