178 – The First Round

[Instructor Ju-yeon: Heard the news]

[Instructor Ju-yeon: Call me]

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[37 Missed Calls]

“···.”

He’d thought things would be settled, now that Eungaenose had relayed the situation.

But judging by the… state of things, perhaps he’d been too complacent.

‘A call… I should make one, even now.’

Unlike Ichinose Jun, this was a situation he hadn’t foreseen.

His throat constricted with tension.

Desperately trying to compose himself, he was about to tap the call button when…

Brrr! Brrr! Brrrr!

Ju-yeon was calling him again.

Startled, Rohan retreated to a corner of the parking lot and answered. His voice, involuntarily, rose.

“Yes! Instructor! It’s Rohan!”

─ Well, aren’t you quick to answer. I was just about to head to the Samhwa Nation myself if you hadn’t picked up this time.

A low voice, not entirely joking. But it lacked any true anger.

There was a palpable sense of relief mixed in, which only made Rohan feel guiltier.

“I apologize…! The situation has been resolved. I just came from the Public Security Office.”

─ Yes. I did hear that, too. Apparently you received help from quite the individual.

“···.”

Had she heard the news through her contacts in the Samhwa Nation? Or had Ichinose reported it?

Either was a possibility.

─ Are you hurt?

“Just a few scratches, but the Public Security Office took care of them nicely.”

─ …That’s a relief.

“It’s all thanks to your excellent instruction, Instructor.”

─ If you didn’t have that silver tongue, I would’ve hung up right there. Rohan, you always have to add that one extra word.

“Ah.”

─ I don’t know how many times I’ve said this already, but you’re the first student in a semester to surprise their instructor this much. Really…

Rohan could practically feel Ju-yeon wanting to say so much more.

Which meant Rohan’s responses were limited.

“I apologize.”

─ No, you did well. One must give praise where it’s due. You accomplished something quite extraordinary.

“···.”

Having received praise, would it be appropriate to express his gratitude?

Rohan, on the phone, rolled his eyes in a way unseen.

Juyeon continued, as if reading the action.

─ Even so, from an instructor’s point of view, it’s hard to simply dote on you. You understand, yes?

“…You speak truthfully.”

─ Ultimately, even if it was resolved neatly, the process… sigh, I’ll end up talking too long. We’ll discuss it when you return.

“Yes, sir!”

─ I like how decisive your response is.

Was that the wrong thing to say?

An intuition came over him, as if he’d taken a wrong step.

─ In that case, shall we arrange a brief interview with the instructor when you get back? Rohan has said he enjoys his time with the instructor, so I trust he won’t refuse.

“Of… of course…!”

Juyeon’s voice seemed laced with a subtle amusement.

Rohan, however, was breaking out in a cold sweat.

He ended the call with Juyeon and pulled out of the corner of the parking lot.

Joining the others, he immediately looked around. Ichinose Jun was nowhere in sight.

“Where is your father?”

“He just left. He said not to tell you, Rohan, since you seemed busy.”

Rohan drew a deep breath, regretting that he couldn’t say goodbye.

He fiddled with the car keys he’d been handed.

“Did you speak with Instructor Juyeon?”

“…Yes. He says we should have a little chat when I get back to the academy city.”

“I guess Noah and I will be having one when we get back, too.”

“There’s a chance.”

Hearing this, Noah started, his tail shooting straight up.

He playfully clung to Clara, rubbing his cheek against her, asking what he should do.

“While Rohan was on the phone with the instructor, we finished talking to our mothers. Noah’s mother was listening in, too.”

“Could I call again? I want to explain.”

Despite Rohan’s request, Ichinose shook his head resolutely.

Resuming the trip immediately was the right course.

“Mom says to talk to her when you get back. She’s absolutely not angry. She wants me to tell you that you did well.”

“Hoo… really?”

Watching Rohan exhale in relief, Ichinose chuckled.

Then, he guided Rohan toward a particularly luxurious SUV in the security bureau parking lot.

“Rohan, you got the car keys, right?”

“This is the car? It’s a little extravagant.”

He pressed a button on the key, and *beep beep!* the car responded.

At the sound of the doors unlocking, Noah dove into the back seat.

“I’m first!”

“Is it alright to get in?”

Ichinose nodded in affirmation to Sion’s question, answering for him.

Shion and Clara, hand in hand, plopped down on the wide seat.

“We’re riding too.”

“Ah…”

Ichinose, seemingly at ease, climbed into the passenger seat. Rohan, somewhat dazed, settled into the driver’s seat.

Even just sitting in the seat, one could tell.

This was a car of an entirely different class than the one they’d rented in Academy City.

“My father said I should use this car without worry. He said it’s okay even if it gets scratched or broken, so don’t feel pressured while driving.”

For a car they could scratch up, the odometer read only three digits.

‘This is practically brand new.’

Rohan, grateful to Ichinose Jun, started the engine.

Perfect for refreshing the mood as they resumed their journey.

*Vroommmm*—!!!

Even just starting it, you could feel the power befitting its size.

Unlike the previous car, there was plenty of legroom in the back, and everyone seemed much more comfortable.

“Alright! Shall we go grocery shopping first?”

“I’m the baggage carrier for this trip! You know? And you better grill the meat perfectly!”

As if she’d been waiting for it, Noah growled from the back.

“Of course. Feel free to boss me around.”

With that reply, Rohan stepped on the accelerator and pulled out of the security bureau parking lot.

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The group arrived at a supermarket that, while large, showed its age.

The atmosphere gave an even stronger sense of being on a seaside trip.

“Oppa… is it okay if I buy this?”

“Of course. Put in whatever you want to eat.”

Clara dropped the gummy candies she’d chosen into the cart. It barely made a difference compared to what Noah had already piled in.

The cart was already heavy with things like meat, sausages, vegetables, and instant ramen.

‘It’s nice that we don’t have to buy a grill or gas.’

The inn had all the basics on the first floor, so all they needed were the ingredients.

“Rohan. What kind of alcohol should we get? I don’t know anything about that.”

“Hmm… I think the best is to get something delicious! So, how about buying some sparkling water and making highballs? Wine is good too.”

“I’ll go with Rohan’s recommendations.”

“Clara, is there anything you want to drink? It’s your first time drinking alcohol.”

“I, I’ll go with Oppa’s recommendation too…!”

Rohan wanted to let Shion and Clara try something delicious, since it was their first time drinking.

They both had strong self-control, after all.

He hoped they would learn to enjoy it rather than associating alcohol with only negative impressions.

“What about you, Ichinose?”

He shifted his gaze to the girl next to him.

Ichinose, who had been closing her eyes, sensed his gaze and offered her answer.

“I think I’d like a highball too. I’ve had a little with my mother before. Noah would like the taste as well.”

Ichinose’s agreement added to the mix.

He poured generous amounts of carbonated water and whiskey.

“I should buy some extra ice too… but where did Noah wander off to?”

“He’s in the snack aisle. He said he doesn’t know anything about alcohol, so we should handle it.”

Just hearing that made him chuckle.

Noah always showed such amusing behavior.

“Did you find me?”

Speak of the devil.

Noah returned, his arms overflowing with things to eat.

“…Noah. What did you bring so much for?”

“Just snacks would be a shame, so I got ice cream too! Girls have separate stomachs for meals and dessert, right?”

“…”

Snacks and ice cream tumbled into the cart with a crash.

Ichinose, seemingly giving up, closed her mouth, and Rohan, amused by the sight, pushed the cart forward.

“That’ll be 83 coins and 30 tokens. Do you have a points card?”

“No, I don’t.”

“How would you like to pay by installments?”

“Please put it on a single payment.”

Once he’d gathered everything they needed, a bulging hill of ingredients rose above the cart.

And the price was, as you can imagine, considerable.

Most of it was for meat and alcohol, but spending this much on just a single meal at the supermarket was a first for Rohan.

“I’m hungry! Hurry up and go grill the meat! And ramen too!”

As they neared the parked car, Noah nudged him with her tail, urging him on.

Rohan let out a dry laugh and nodded. Where did those two bowls of rice he’d eaten at the investigation office disappear to, anyway?

“Alright, alright. You worked hard today, so I’ll treat you properly.”

Thankful that his tail wasn’t lashing like a whip, even though he volunteered to be the pack mule, Rohan carefully loaded the purchases into the wide trunk.

Upon arriving, Rohan let the girls rest and hurried to prepare.

He was determined to make sure that his companions, who had indulged his whim today, wouldn’t have to lift a finger.

‘It’s faster to do this kind of thing alone.’

Of course, there would be fun in preparing together too.

But if he proceeded that leisurely now, he might get bitten by the hungry tiger.

He prepared the water for the ramen, placing meat on one side of the grill, and vegetables like onions on the other.

At the same time, he distributed ice into the glasses, quickly made highballs, and arranged them appropriately on the table.

*Sizzle!*

When the meat was cooked golden brown and the ramen was bubbling vigorously,

Rohan was certain he could call everyone.

“Alright! It’s ready. Everyone, let’s eat.”

At Rohan’s call, the girls who had been strolling along the beach gathered around.

“Hwah! Our porter really went through it!”

“Rohan. Thank you for your efforts.”

“You worked hard.”

“Oppa… thank you!”

Rohan, dismissing it as nothing much, raised his glass.

Everyone, understanding the unspoken cue, lifted their own.

The first celebratory toast, a landmark event, had begun.