176th Chapter
“Teacher….”
“What’s the matter?”
Seere was looking at Nahun with a dissatisfied expression. On the other hand, Nahun didn’t even glance at her. He was sitting on the sofa, enjoying the sea breeze coming in through the open window while going through some documents.
“Do you have to handle business after coming all the way here?”
“You know there’s an urgent matter that needs approval.”
In fact, it wasn’t because Nahun was addicted to work; it was just a document that had to be processed quickly at the request of Ersha.
“…sigh, what’s it about?”
“I’m monitoring the movements of the upper echelon, and I’ve seen some suspicious activity, so I’ve requested to use Dein a bit.”
“Which floors?”
“From the 44th floor, Bine, to the 43rd floor, Shaz, and 42nd floor, Sabnack… all the way down to the 40th floor.”
The movements of five Demon Kings were observed simultaneously. At that, Seere scoffed and said.
“Are they planning to form an alliance? How pointless.”
“That seems likely. What’s curious, though, is that Shaz and Bine, as well as Phynox from the 40th floor, are part of the Plebs faction, while Sabnack from the 42nd floor and Sephar from the 41st floor belong to the Nobilis faction.”
“They must consider us a significant threat for the two factions to consider an alliance.”
It was only natural since they had brought an end to the Heavenly Demon War.
“By the way, does the Plebs faction have any reason to be hostile towards us? Lord Paimon and you….”
“Well, there is a reason. That alliance is probably unknown to the other factions.”
“Pardon?”
Seere tilted her head in confusion.
“So, are you saying Lord Paimon formed an alliance with you for… purely personal reasons?”
“Exactly.”
“Teacher….”
Seere narrowed her eyes. Nahun looked at her with a puzzled expression, as if asking what was wrong.
“That’s not allowed.”
“You’re saying something absurd. Are you implying that I have feelings for Paimon?”
“I’m just worried about the counter-argument.”
“…I can’t even begin to imagine that.”
Paimon having feelings for another man? It was unimaginable. The situation where Nahun himself fell for her felt like a more plausible scenario.
Of course, even that was slim, but the idea of Paimon harboring feelings for another man was completely out of the question.
Nahun finished browsing through the documents and signed them. He handed the papers over to the waiting messenger and said.
“Tell Ersha that these matters can be handled unilaterally. Don’t disturb me during my vacation.”
“Yes.”
The messenger disappeared as quickly as possible, and Nahun felt the temperature drop with the cool breeze and closed the balcony door. Then Seere said.
“You should have dinner, right?”
“Hmm, has it already gotten that late?”
Nahun nodded. It was indeed time for dinner. Seere smiled brightly and suddenly returned to the room.
Just as Nahun was puzzled by her actions, Seere brought out a large bag she had brought with her earlier.
“Seere?”
“Mark prepared some delicious things!”
“Ah.”
No wonder it looked heavy; it seemed Mark had cooked and prepared the food. Nahun felt embarrassed for having suspected the overly heavy bag earlier.
He smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Well then, let’s eat quickly.”
“Um? I can’t eat it just yet. I have to cook it first.”
“Hmm?”
Although everything Seere took out of the bag looked delicious, they were all raw ingredients. Nahun said, slightly flustered.
“You want me to cook it?”
“No? I will cook for you.”
“…Huh?”
Just at that moment when Nahun was startled, Seere smiled brightly.
“Look forward to it~.”
#
Sitting on the beach, Nahun stared blankly at Seere. She was skillfully frying vegetables in a pan while grilling meat over charcoal on one side.
He wanted to help, but Seere adamantly refused, leaving him no choice. All Nahun could do was sit and wait.
‘When did she practice that?’
Given the elaborate spread earlier, along with the fact that she could cook, her culinary skills had significantly improved. Nahun unconsciously asked her.
“When did you start cooking?”
“I did a little bit as a hobby… I haven’t been doing it for long.”
I wonder why.
‘Did she start for my sake…? Is that just my delusion?’
Seere’s words sounded that way to Nahun. While lost in thought, he shook his head.
“What are you thinking….”
“Why do you ask?”
“Oh…, I was just thinking it smells delicious.”
“Hehe, really? Just wait a bit. It’ll be ready soon.”
Seere added a few seasonings to the pan with the vegetables, sautéed them over high heat, and plated them. Then she cut the beautifully grilled beef into larger pieces and plated that as well.
“Here you go!”
“Oh….”
A genuine exclamation escaped Nahun. The smell was almost at a perfect level. The aroma of the charcoal from the meat and the scent of the stir-fried vegetables were both enticing.
Nahun picked up a knife and fork, first taking a piece of well-stir-fried bell pepper as an appetizer.
“!”
“Teacher.”
Seere smiled confidently and said.
“Delicious, right?”
“Mm, excellent.”
“Hehe… Mark praised me too.”
That was certainly warranted. Nahun nodded and this time took a larger piece of meat into his mouth.
“!!”
The taste was beyond compare. The quality of the meat was undoubtedly good, but the degree of doneness and the rich aroma of the charcoal was exceptional.
“There’s nothing to criticize.”
It wasn’t flattery. The more he ate, the more delicious it was, never becoming tiresome. Nahun couldn’t help but admit that a girl as pretty as her could also cook that well, making her an ideal woman.
“Is that so? Hehe, I’m happy that you’re enjoying it.”
Seere said that while also taking her share of food and bringing it to Nahun’s front. Then she sat opposite him and smiled softly.
“…Why?”
“I’m happy because you’re enjoying the meal.”
“Since last time, it seems like you’re treating this teacher like a child.”
“I didn’t intend it that way.”
Seere also began to eat happily like Nahun. The latter watched her for a moment and was suddenly taken aback.
“Seere….”
“Yes?”
“Your shoulder.”
Nahun tapped his own shoulder. Seere tilted her head and looked at her shoulder like Nahun.
“Oh.”
Unintentionally, the strap of her dress had slipped down. It seemed Seere felt embarrassed by it too, as her face turned slightly red.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
In truth, it was Nahun rather than Seere who should have been more concerned. Luckily, Seere quickly fixed it; otherwise, if she had taken advantage of the situation…
“…Sigh.”
“Teacher, why are you doing that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just feel a bit guilty for taking so much without giving back…”
“Hmm, is that so? Then if you’re really feeling that way…”
“Hmm?”
Seere rested her chin on her hand and slightly raised the corner of her mouth.
“Since I made you something delicious, how about you grant me a request?”
“…What is it?”
Nahun felt a bit uneasy. He wondered if he had said something unnecessary. However, unlike Nahun’s anxiousness, Seere made a simple request.
“Let’s take a walk at night.”
“Hmm?… Is that all?”
“Yes.”
Nahun looked at Seere’s expression. He questioned whether she was lying or if she wanted something more, but…
“…Alright, if that’s what you want, I can certainly do that.”
Seere’s face truly expressed that was all she wished for.
#
Nahun finished cleaning up after Seere had cooked.
“Seere.”
Seere, who was enjoying the evening breeze, turned slightly to look back. The blue moonlight cast a bluish hue on her white hair.
As soon as she noticed Nahun had come out after cleaning up, her face naturally broke into a smile, which was beautiful to behold by anyone. Nahun found himself staring blankly at her.
“Teacher, you’ve had a hard time.”
“…You did more work than I did. There wasn’t much to clean up.”
“Fufu, is that so?”
Seere, who had stealthily moved closer, reached out her hand to Nahun.
“May I hold your hand?”
“…Sure. But before that…”
“Yes?”
Nahun draped a shawl he had brought over Seere’s shoulders. Seere looked surprised, her eyes widening at Nahun’s unexpected action.
“The wind is chilly.”
“…T-thank you.”
Seere fiddled with the shawl Nahun had draped over her. As she did so, she suddenly regained her composure.
“Oh, shall we go now?”
“Yeah.”
Nahun willingly extended his hand. Seere blushed slightly and slowly took his hand.
Seere held Nahun’s hand tightly and walked, feeling the cool sea breeze. The sound of their footsteps rustling in the quiet and the crashing waves tickled their ears.
Just as this calmness began to feel a bit awkward, Nahun cleared his throat and said.
“Seere.”
“Yes?”
“It was not a bad rest. Thank you for preparing such a lovely spot.”
Seeing Nahun express his gratitude, Seere smiled slightly.
“Come again next time.”
“…If time allows.”
“That time, a little bit…”
“Hmm?”
As Seere hesitated while speaking, Nahun looked at her with curious eyes. She shook her head and said.
“Oh, no!”
Something was off… Maybe it was the emotional atmosphere that was different from usual; Seere felt a bit embarrassed about expressing her feelings. Nahun gazed at Seere for a moment before nodding and saying.
“Alright, shall we sit for a moment?”
“Ah, yes.”
The two of them gently sat down on the sand. Nahun said to Seere.
“Just wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
Nahun used his magic to carve out a space beside him and pulled something out of an empty dimension, handing it to her.
“Teacher, what is this…?”
“You turned into an adult, but I couldn’t even toast you.”
It was a wine glass. Nahun chuckled lightly as he said.
“I didn’t bring any snacks separately, but while we talk, won’t that serve as snacks?”
“Ah… yes, that sounds good.”
At that moment, Seere’s face felt hot. She ended up having some improper thoughts upon seeing the alcohol. As if trying to cool her face down, Seere fanned herself slightly.
“Are you feeling hot?”
“Ah, no? It’s nothing like that… let’s drink the wine quickly.”
“Hmm, alright.”
Nahun uncorked the bottle with his magic. Seere marveled at how he didn’t even need a corkscrew.
“Here.”
“Thank you.”
After pouring an appropriate amount into Seere’s glass, Nahun tried to fill his own glass. But then Seere quickly reached out and said.
“I’ll pour it for you!”
“Oh, please do.”
After Seere poured wine into Nahun’s glass, he raised it slightly and said.
“It’s a bit late, but… congratulations on becoming an adult, Seere.”
“Thank you, Teacher!”
Seere giggled and clinked her glass against Nahun’s. Then they both quietly took a sip.
It was sweet yet tart. The aroma of well-aged grapes gently enveloped their mouths.
“Delicious.”
“Indeed. It’s sweet.”
“Do you want more?”
“Yes!”
Nahun willingly poured more wine for Seere. She happily drank it down in big gulps as if she couldn’t get enough…
“Hehe….”
Before long, she became slightly tipsy. Nahun realized that he had unconsciously given her more than intended because she had been drinking so well.
“Seere… are you alright?”
“Yeees? I’m fineee….”
However, typically drunk people always believe they are fine and behave in ways that are anything but. Seere began to cling to Nahun with a goofy smile.
“Teacherrrr….”
“Seere, it seems you’ve definitely drunk too much.”
“Ehhh, just one more glass, pleeease~!”
Seere clung to Nahun’s arm, whining as if not letting go unless he poured her another drink. As a result, she pressed her body close, and Nahun started to feel a mix of pleasure and discomfort from the sensation on his arm.
“Ah, I get it, but please back up a little.”
“Hehe~.”
“Drink slowly now.”
Nahun had no choice but to pour her one more glass. Seere laughed giddily, then poured the wine into her mouth in one go.
“I said to drink slowly.”
“Hehe, it’s because it’s delicious~!”
Seere seemed to be in high spirits and began swaying her head back and forth without realizing it. Nahun watched his tipsy student, unsure of what to do… then he ended up chuckling softly and took a drink himself.
“Teacher….”
“Hmm?”
Seere curled her legs and wrapped her arms around them, resting her head on her knees. This made her look adorable with her cheeks slightly squished. Just then, Nahun recalled the chubby little Seere from his childhood as the moonlight shone down.
“…….”
Bathed in the blue moonlight, her hair sparkled lightly. Her blue eyes, shimmering in the moonlight, gazed gently at Nahun.
“Do I really not look like a girl to you?”
