I got into school for nothing - Chapter 229
I got into school for nothing (229)
Lesson 45. Preparing for the Founding Festival - 4
“You actually eat this greasy stuff, huh?”
Dokgo Yeon muttered, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the croquette in her hand.
The two of them were now standing in front of a street stall—a place Ban Yuwon inexplicably found himself visiting every time he came to Ronica—each holding a croquette.
“That’s exactly why it’s delicious.”
“Ack—!”
Ban Yuwon shoved the croquette in his hand towards Dokgo Yeon’s mouth.
Ordinarily, she would have glared at him, her eyes widening at such a bold and impudent act, one he would never have dared to attempt. Yet, as he sharply exploited the moment her mouth opened, like a strike from his Giwon Sword, she instinctively bit into the croquette.
“Mmmph mmmph mmmph... nom nom nom...”
Dokgo Yeon chewed and swallowed the croquette in her mouth first, even as her cross-shaped pupils spun fiercely.
Even the sight of her munching, then raising a clenched fist as if telling him to brace himself, was adorable.
“Eek.”
“Hm?”
He turned at the sound to see the stall owner—who was notorious for peeking at customers—stop staring at them and duck down under the counter.
Dokgo Yeon, sensitive to presences, naturally didn’t miss it. She shot a glare at the owner, then strode away from the stall.
As Ban Yuwon hurriedly followed behind her, Dokgo Yeon, who had already devoured her share of the croquette, frowned and spoke.
“This feels unpleasant.”
“You’ve been saying that all day. Was it perhaps not tasty?”
“It was delicious, but...”
Indeed, her integrity, refusing to lie about her feelings, was truly characteristic of her.
“I cannot tolerate all of this; it feels like some sort of prank. You saw that man get scared just now, didn’t you? Even if I try to imitate a woman, which doesn’t suit me, I cannot hide my true nature. There’s no need for you to put on such a farce...”
Of course, anyone would be scared if their cross-shaped pupils were spinning.
No, to Ban Yuwon, who had already adapted, even that seemed cute...
Perhaps Dokgo Yeon herself didn’t realize it, so Ban Yuwon didn’t bother to point it out.
Instead, he asked her,
“What is your true nature, then?”
“I will answer if you turn off that recorder. If you do not, I will teach it to your body directly.”
Ban Yuwon, with considerable regret, turned off the recorder.
Then, he took Dokgo Yeon’s hand again.
“Ugh.”
Her fingers straightened as if startled, then, whether from adaptation or resignation, she carefully clasped his hand in return... which felt a little ticklish.
“I think I roughly understand the reason. And what kind of misunderstanding you’re under.”
“I told you it’s not a misunderstanding—.”
“Oh, the flower garden attached to the Spring Shrine looked pretty; perhaps we should go see that instead?”
“...A flower garden?”
Though she glared steadily at Ban Yuwon, who kept changing the subject every time she tried to speak, Dokgo Yeon had no choice but to humor him.
Come to think of it, she had always felt this way, except for their very first encounter.
No matter how curt or cold she pretended to be, her innate consideration ultimately shone through.
“What is that gaze? It seems to me that you are currently laboring under an absurd misconception.”
“It’s not like that. About the flower garden, you mean? Actually, the Spring Shrine... it’s a place similar to a monastery, and the wine brewed from flowers there is quite famous.”
“You keep changing the subject. ...Wait. If they brew wine from flowers, wouldn’t that make it a farm, not a flower garden?”
“You’ll like it once you see it.”
“I don’t particularly care for flowers. Really...”
There was a flower garden at Union Academy, too.
In terms of both scale and variety of flowers, it was a place that couldn’t be compared to the Spring Shrine’s. The key difference, however, was that it was always bustling with people.
The Spring Shrine, on the other hand, was a place where human access was strictly controlled. It was originally a space exclusively managed by a specific race—the same race as Yumina.
Ban Yuwon believed that this difference would be quite significant for Dokgo Yeon.
* * *
—Whoosh
As the wind brushed past, the flowers blooming all around swayed in unison.
“Ah...”
“How is it? It’s nice, isn’t it?”
Against the backdrop of the beautiful white brick temple visible in the distance, Dokgo Yeon stood in the center of the flower garden, bursting with blossoms of every hue. Her appearance, enhanced by her attire, seemed perfectly suited to the scene.
He was grateful for Yumina’s jewel brooch, which had allowed them to enter this flower garden without any hindrance, though he hadn’t quite anticipated that Yumina herself wouldn’t be too pleased if she found out.
“Ah... no, it’s not that I feel good looking at the flowers. It’s because those who were subtly watching us earlier have disappeared.”
Dokgo Yeon, who had been standing idly for a moment, surveying the blooming flower garden, felt Ban Yuwon’s gaze and quickly offered an explanation.
Ban Yuwon didn’t bother to deny it, merely nodding his head.
“Yes, that was indeed part of the intention.”
Because the news had spread throughout Union Academy, Ban Yuwon and Dokgo Yeon’s date was incredibly conspicuous.
Perhaps it was fear of Dokgo Yeon, but no one openly interfered. However, a martial artist of her caliber couldn’t possibly fail to notice all the gazes.
Visiting the Ronica monastery, where outsiders’ entry was restricted, certainly had the intention of buying them some time away from prying eyes.
“But the flowers are pretty, aren’t they?”
“Let me ask you in return. What would you think if you saw me looking happy at flowers?”
“First, I’d probably wonder if I was dreaming.”
That was why, ever since earlier, he had been confused whether he was truly in reality or just dreaming.
To be honest, it had been that way ever since he saw Dokgo Yeon dressed in Earth’s attire.
He even felt a strange gratitude towards Ortima, who had unexpectedly created this opportunity.
No, that bastard was probably tailing this date anyway.
...He hadn’t really thought about it until now, but what would Ortima be thinking, seeing Dokgo Yeon on a date with another man, the day after he put a date as the victory condition for their special match?
What emotions would he be feeling?
“Ban Yuwon, if you are trying to provoke me, speak frankly. I will accept any challenge you present.”
“No, the one I was picking a fight with just now was someone else entirely.”
“?”
“Well, it just means you’re not usually very honest.”
Whether it was flowers, clothes, or makeup, Dokgo Yeon generally tended to unconditionally shun anything feminine.
Ban Yuwon had no intention of meddling in others’ tastes, but in Dokgo Yeon’s case, her somewhat blatant and unnatural demeanor bothered him.
It felt as if she had defined a specific image for herself and blindly rejected anything that didn’t fit it.
He wasn’t sure if it was due to her innate circumstances or her experiences, but it was clear that this was why she was misinterpreting Ortima’s affection for her.
“You’ve been too awkward and too tense since earlier. Let’s take a breather and relax here.”
“It is true that it’s awkward, but I was not tense. There is no enemy threatening my life, so why would I be tense?”
“Shall we sit down for a bit?”
“Ignoring me again...!”
The people of this monastery, who revered Yumina like a goddess, offered every convenience the establishment could provide to Ban Yuwon, who wore the badge proving his status as her proxy.
Thus, it was entirely possible for them to spread a mat in the flower garden and enjoy the blossoms.
“Come sit.”
“...You are truly strange today.”
“Of course, I am, since I’m on a date with you.”
At the word "date," Dokgo Yeon shivered again, then, as if resigned, slumped her shoulders and approached, settling down beside him.
Ban Yuwon poured a magical elixir, one that would resolve her complex emotions, from a thermos into a cup and offered it to her.
In other words, it was hot chocolate.
“Do you think I am such a simple human that I will silence myself if merely given something sweet?”
Dokgo Yeon narrowed her eyes and glared.
Even that was cute now.
Ban Yuwon felt as if he had truly understood the meaning of "gap moe" today.
In any case, this was dangerous.
On this date, which he had begun to correct Dokgo Yeon’s misunderstanding and make her feel a little more at ease, he felt as if he was about to exhaust all his resources.
“There are sweet cookies, too. They’re handmade right here at the monastery.”
“...I will accept them for now, but.”
Only after holding two kinds of sweets in her hands did Dokgo Yeon finally regain her composure. She bit into a cookie, a fleeting smile gracing her lips, then, as if realizing it, she quickly raised her teacup to cover her face.
“This is truly strange.”
“There you go again.”
“It’s not just you who is strange; I am too. Wearing these cursed, peculiar clothes... yes.”
Dokgo Yeon took a sip of hot chocolate, then sighed again, finally admitting her current state.
“It’s true, I am tense. These are not clothes I should wear. I feel as if I am imitating something else, and I simply cannot calm down. As I said from the beginning, such things do not suit me...”
“Dokgo Yeon, you’re not usually like this, but you’re strangely conscious of other people’s gazes.”
“Me? That’s a ridiculous statement.”
Ah, she was completely back to her usual self now.
“I am confident in myself and lack nothing, so why would I need to be conscious of others’ gazes? I do not retreat before anyone.”
“But you’re not doing that today, are you?”
“That’s because! Because I’m wearing these strange clothes...”
“Didn’t you just say you weren’t conscious of others’ gazes?”
If Dokgo Yeon had a short sword, a fierce duel between the two of them might have commenced at that very moment.
No, to Dokgo Yeon, who was glaring at him with a gaze so sharp it made him think she might truly lunge for his throat, Ban Yuwon decided to simply voice the pure thought that was on his mind.
“Are you afraid of being seen as a woman?”
“...Ban Yuwon, sometimes, even if something is true, it should not be uttered.”
Feeling Dokgo Yeon’s aura intensify, Ban Yuwon smiled.
Though he felt sorry for her, at this moment, with her emotions greatly shaken and self-control faltering, he was able to read her true feelings.
“I’m sorry. But I think we need to address this now. And I also believe it’s important to perceive oneself objectively.”
“Objective? Objectively, I am—”
“Objectively, you are a beauty.”
To objectively define beauty and ugliness was utterly foolish in itself, which was why a somewhat absurd remark had just slipped out.
“Ban Yuwon, that is not an objective statement.”
“My apologies, you are correct. Then let’s rephrase. Let’s objectively recognize the situation you are in. I’m talking about Ortima.”
“Are you truly suggesting that man harbors genuine affection for me?”
“I’m not trying to deny your martial arts. I don’t know the secrets of your world, and I won’t deliberately mention them. ...However, it’s clear that’s not the entire picture.”
Rusein Ortima was the heir of one of the Ten Great Families.
There were deep secrets concerning Dokgo Yeon and her dimension, profound enough for him to harbor ulterior motives... He wouldn’t deny that much.
However, if that were the only factor, his approach would have been drastically different from what it was now.
More than anything—it was unmistakably visible in his eyes.
“He genuinely likes you. It’s not a lie; he truly perceives you as beautiful.”
“That cannot be.”
“Dokgo Yeon, that’s not a very objective statement. The perception of beauty and ugliness, after all, is subjective.”
“But!”
“And.”
Should he say it?
He probably should.
He wondered if he was being too aggressive—but still, he couldn’t miss this timing.
“I also think you’re beautiful.”
“That cannot...”
“Do I look like I’m lying?”
Ban Yuwon looked Dokgo Yeon in the eye with a serious expression.
She tried to avoid his gaze, but ultimately failed—and clenched both her fists tightly.
It seemed she was trying to mask her embarrassment by feigning anger, but unfortunately, Ban Yuwon could read every bit of it in her eyes.
Dokgo Yeon didn’t lift her head, mumbling,
“You truly are a pervert.”
“Oh, that’s a strange conclusion...”
“In any case, I understand. If you insist on that, then so be it.”
“I’m serious, though.”
“Still... honestly.”
Dokgo Yeon, who had barely lifted her head, hurriedly covered her face with her teacup as soon as her eyes met his.
“I cannot discuss it any further right now. My mind is too complicated... so.”
“Well, it’s enough that you know that. I just wanted to point it out because I didn’t want you to fall for Ortima for no reason.”
“That could never happen, really...”
Dokgo Yeon didn’t say anything further, but he felt he understood what she truly wanted to say.
As a bonus, after she finished her tea, he got severely beaten.
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