NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42
Tap-tap-tap…
The fluffy tail dances happily in the gentle breeze.
Tap-tap-tap…
The scent of dewy grass and the rich aroma of coffee wafting from the café lift the corners of my mouth into a smile.
Tap-tap-tap…
The street outside resembles a chaotic battlefield.
Yet, inside the Academy, even with the crowd, it feels serene and warm.
Thinking this, the Squirrel Beastman, Pina, chuckled as she looked at the name inscribed on the Device in her hands.
[Lady Eliaernes Eustetia]
For the first time in her address book that she thought would always be empty, someone’s number had been saved.
Though it was written in small letters on a wide screen, Pina’s heart felt utterly full.
The one expected to be the most beautiful at Karela Academy—Eliaernes.
The one who single-handedly took down a Red Ogre in an illusion.
With fierce eyes and a rough tone, yet incredibly kind—Eliaernes.
And the strongest among all students, no, across the entire school—Eliaernes.
Today, she’d received her number.
Beaming with a pure smile, Pina slowly reminisced about the dawn when she first met her.
In the early morning, the wind knocked on the window, and the scent of grass awakened her from sleep.
Wondering what was happening, she hurriedly dressed and followed the guidance of the breeze.
Where the wind stopped, spirits of corrupted air and the spirits of grass were gathered in large numbers.
Did they come from outside?
The wind spirit was severely sickened by potent magic.
However, it wasn’t a big problem for Pina.
Because she had light.
The spirit of light that nurtured and looked after all other spirits.
Sometimes nagging, scolding, or being scary, but to Pina, it was a benefactor of life, like a parent.
So, Pina immediately asked the spirit of light for help.
Though it wasn’t yet time for the sun to cast its glow, this amount of magic was nothing the light couldn’t cleanse.
Warmed by the tender purification, the wind spirit soon revived energetically, rubbing its body against Pina’s cheek and playfully teasing her.
At that moment, while chatting happily with numerous baby spirits…
All the spirits turned their gazes simultaneously.
Even those spirits who had kept their distance began to dash towards one spot—woosh-woosh-woosh.
Pina knew the reason for this. So, she quickly hid behind a large tree and peeked out.
Her guess was right.
There was a single cherry blossom.
Lady Eliaernes Eustetia.
For some reason, she was a person who received the love of all spirits.
A person who held the awe of every spirit.
Even that noble light could not hide its admiration for her.
This was not the first time it had happened.
When she first entered the classroom, even the spirits that had flown in from outside, and those she was already chatting with, flew towards her.
Even the light that always stayed within Pina’s soul to protect her detached a part of itself to approach Eliaernes.
Dozens, hundreds, thousands.
Surrounded by all the spirits in the area, her presence brought vivid spring into the stark classroom, causing cherry blossoms to bloom—so beautiful and dazzling.
…She seemed a bit eccentric, scary, rough, hotheaded, and prickly… but her heart seemed kind.
Otherwise, she couldn’t have received the love of all the spirits.
…Anyway.
Pina had been secretly watching Eliaernes from behind the tree.
And she got caught.
After that, she faced many suspicions… like whether she was doing something behind the tree, had to explain herself, and took a moment of silence before parting.
In the end, she bravely asked for her number.
In truth, she hadn’t planned on asking for the number.
But since the light so desperately urged her, she had no choice but to ask.
Then the light said, as long as she was near Eliaernes, she would be safe no matter where or when.
So, squeezing out any courage she had, she mustered the strength to ask for it.
She expected to hear “Who do you think you are?” and was ready to flinch, but Eliaernes did not do that.
At first, it seemed she would refuse, but ultimately she handed over her Device and told Pina to save her number.
As expected, she seemed a bit eccentric, scary, rough, hotheaded, and prickly, but deep down she was kind.
Giggle-
Recalling the memories from that time, Pina smiled wider and hurried to an empty bench, plopping down.
Then she pulled out the rye bread she had hidden in her tail and began nibbling on it.
Meanwhile…
Ding-ding-ding—
The Device started ringing.
[Lady Eliaernes Eustetia]
“Eek, eek… Huh?!”
From slightly parted lips came sounds that were more like air escaping than actual words.
What’s happening?
Why is she calling me of all times?
Why not a message?
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
Flustered- scurrying-
Pina hastily gulped down the rye bread with milk and held the Device with both hands.
Thump-thump—
I guess I have to answer…?
But even if I pick up, I won’t be able to speak!
Still, I should answer… I should definitely answer.
Otherwise, she might shoot me that scary glare like last time.
After her thoughts spiraled into despair, Pina pressed the call button with a determined expression.
[Pina.]
Gulp-gulp— She tried to respond, but all that came out was the sound of escaping air.
[It’s okay if you don’t respond. I’m watching you.]
Gasp!
Pina’s eyes widened in shock as she quickly looked around. Regardless, the sharp voice of Ellie continued.
[Do you see the café to your right?]
Café? Café?
She glanced at the place where the coffee aroma had just wafted in.
Inside the café, clear as if there were no glass, Pina didn’t need to search for Eliaernes. She recognized her instantly.
A swarm of spirits surrounded a single cherry blossom.
Her pink eyes met Pina’s.
With a mischievous smile, Eliaernes waved gently and whispered.
[Come in.]
Her expression was undeniably kind, and her gestures soft.
Yet, for some reason, it felt frightening.
Instinct warned Pina that something bad might happen, pulling her neck back for safety.
But Pina’s heart, along with the voice of light, urged her to go to Eliaernes.
Inhale- huff…
Releasing a trembling breath, Pina tucked away the rye bread and hurriedly ran towards her.
With her short legs, she moved busily, all while thinking.
If the spirits liked her, and the light that always protected her praised her…
Lady Eliaernes wouldn’t do anything bad to her.
*
“Eat this.”
Pina tilted her head.
“Don’t eat that dried-up rye bread. Eat this instead.”
With a gentle smile, Eliaernes pointed at cakes, brownies, madeleines, ice creams, and cookies.
To drink, she ordered a warm Tofinut Latte.
She didn’t know what Tofinut was, but assuming it contained peanuts, she ordered it.
Being a squirrel, it made sense she would like peanuts.
After trembling for a long time with her tail wrapped around her and her eyes closed, Pina picked up a madeleine with her shivering hands.
Then, while nervously glancing at Eliaernes, she began to nibble on it.
I handed her brownies topped with ice cream, cakes piled with fruits, soft caramel, sugar-coated fruits, and bananas slathered in chocolate.
Each time, Pina shook with excitement, and eventually, she melted into the sweet invasion upon her tongue.
Finally, after slurping down the Tofinut Latte…
With a completely melted and euphoric face, smiling broadly, Pina looked at me, and I gently smiled back.
“Did you eat it all?”
Nod-nod—
“Was it good?”
Nod-nod-nod—
“Don’t you want to eat this all the time?”
Pausing for a moment as if deep in thought, Pina slowly nodded again.
Watching this, Yurasia’s eyes sparkled with affection for the cute Pina.
Stella appeared conflicted, seemingly overwhelmed with feelings.
Then, Pina took her eyes off Stella and looked at me with an expression that asked, ‘So what’s going on?’
She seemed to obediently listen to my unspoken promise to get one more club member.
“Pina.”
Tilt of the head?
I picked up the paper and pen from in front of Stella and held them in my hand.
“We’re friends, right?”
Not understanding immediately what I meant, Pina tilted her head, then pulled out her Device and started tapping away.
[Friend? You mean with Lady Eliaernes?]
Tears filled Pina’s eyes as she offered her Device to me, overwhelmed with emotion.
“Yup. Friends.”
I answered brightly.
Immediately, Pina nodded vigorously.
Shiny tear droplets plopped down onto the table.
Stella looked at Pina with sympathetic eyes.
Yurasia carefully wiped away Pina’s tears.
I then smiled widely while handing her the paper.
“Then, write your name here and put your seal.”
“A- A Young Lady?!”
“Wh-What?! Wait a second…!”
Yurasia, who was wiping Pina’s tears, turned to me with shock.
Stella, who looked like she might cry at any moment, frowned and glared at me.
Meanwhile, the pure-hearted Pina, without a hint of doubt, wrote her name on the application form.
Then,
Crack—
“Pina?!”
“Hey, you…?!”
After biting her thumb and drawing blood, she truly put her seal on the form.
“Wow…”
In her oddly twisted and poise display of madness, even I couldn’t help but be amazed.
Thanks to Stella’s healing, the wound on her thumb quickly healed, but seeing the flesh and blood that had fallen on the table…
The triangle in my heart poked my conscience, poke-poke-poke.
“Hmm…”
I blinked and gazed at Pina’s face.
In response to my unsettling gaze, she flinched.
As I received Yurasia’s “You scoundrel.” glare and Stella’s “Young Lady, that was too much.” gaze, I scratched my cheek.
But we still had to go through with it.
The explanation about the club.
I had initially wanted to keep quiet, but ignoring it seemed like it would turn that triangle in my heart into a blade.
Of course, she couldn’t back out now since she had already sealed it.
“Do you want to have some more desserts?”
Pina was about to shake her head, but I added,
“We’re friends, right?”