Chapter 84

The white-haired person kept staring, so I glared back, and they finally looked away.

How boring.

If you have any complaints, I am willing to consider them seriously.

I moved to the club room wall deep in thought, trying to optimize the bedroll setup, but the white-haired person spread out the futon right in the middle of the club room. Judging by their slightly puffed cheeks and sulky expression, they seemed deflated.

A certain emotion gradually crept up. Yes, it’s pity. The reason being, I possess an extremely kind-natured disposition. Isn’t it pretty amazing? Upon reflection, this might be a bit of an exaggerated statement. In all honesty, it feels a bit presumptuous to outright claim it.

Let me clarify: The reason I feel pity is because I have a normal level of compassion along with a kind-hearted nature. This is not because the written notes were erased and Yumina gave me a lecture. It’s also not because after ignoring the lecture and spacing out, she threatened to inform my mom.

From the start, I’m not someone with such a bad personality, nor am I someone who would destroy the effort of a diligent individual and act carelessly. Yumina didn’t particularly say anything like that in the first place—I was most likely just reading a book.

In any case, since I’ve rewritten the erased notes by hand with a pen for the poor white-haired person, that effectively serves as proof of my kind nature. How many people in this world can accurately reproduce erased notes word for word without making a single mistake? There’s only one person here capable of such a feat—me. It’s almost angelic. Though, I don’t practice any religion.

Trying to cheer up the deflated white-haired individual, I rummaged through the club room. There were snacks available—likely left over from the school staff rather than the security team, judging by their quality being different from our usual snacks. They even had bedrolls and pillows, and they had prepared snacks too. If they were going to do that, they might as well install blackout curtains. Because of the absence of those curtains, the white-haired one had to painstakingly tape drawing paper over the windows.

I fetched the snacks and handed them to the white-haired person who had properly prepared everything.

“There’s some snacks, do you want one?”

Caught off guard by this unexpected kindness, they accepted it hesitantly.

“Would you like a cup of coffee too? After drinking coffee, a nap will let you wake up feeling refreshed thanks to the caffeine.”

“…Okay!”

The white-haired person nodded enthusiastically, looking a tad flustered by the sudden kindness but still happy. This isn’t so hard.

As expected, people respond better to occasional acts of kindness after a prolonged period of receiving none, rather than being treated nicely all the time. Being overly good to someone doesn’t yield much benefit.

From a corner of the club room, I pulled out a cup of capsule coffee and handed it to them. They blew on it gently and sipped it. They flicked their tongue over their tongue tip after the first sip, but continued drinking afterwards without issue. I thought they wouldn’t be able to handle espresso since they’re too young, but it was unexpected.

“Would you like one?”

“It’s espresso, right?”

They tilted their head inquisitively, so I elaborated.

“It’s bitter.”

If you need a caffeine boost, espresso is more effective, but that’s an old tragedy from my previous life. Coffee remains, after all, a kind of beverage. Black coffee without milk—there’s something off about it.

Am I being too childish? Of course, it’s natural considering their age. This is an absolute truth no dissent can exist in. Even if I grab the flighty Yumina and question her the moment she gets back to Seoul, she wouldn’t disagree—not that she’d look happy about it. Probably she’d scold me for asking something like that when she’s been skipping school due to her busy schedule, but that’s the truth.

Observing the white-haired person holding the coffee cup with both hands as they drink, I suddenly felt curious.

“Why are you following me?”

They froze upon hearing that, interpreting the question as an accusation, their demeanor akin to someone suddenly stabbed in a good mood.

“Not in the way you’re interpreting it, but why do you want to be friends with me?”

I already had a sense of what the reason might be. In Yumina’s case, it was her wealth, and in Doyugeon’s case, it was the time we spent together.

The white-haired person had been timid and cautious from the moment we first met during the school tour, so neither of those reasons seemed to apply.

Then, it must be obvious.

It has to be the appearance.

Indeed, the good looks are what draw them in. It’s impossible not to be attracted. Suddenly, I feel the urge to look in a mirror.

The white-haired person, holding the coffee cup, gave a shy smile in response.

“Because your personality seems trash-like.”

“…”

I thought I heard something strange, so I massaged my ears for a moment.

“Say that again.”

They seemed awkward.

“Because I don’t like being alone.”

They turned red as though making a grand confession and sipped their coffee.

For a while, only the sound of coffee sipping could be heard.

Umm…

Am I tired? It felt like I heard some indirect criticism. Maybe I’ll just sleep.

I spread out the bedroll in a slightly distant spot. Although sunlight penetrates through the drawing paper, it won’t be that bad for a nap.

“Sleep well.”

The white-haired person softly remarked.

I ignored it.

Leaning my head on the soft pillow, I admired the ceiling. In the midst of this silence, I faintly hear the sound of my heartbeat. Why can’t I fall asleep?

By the time snoring could be heard, I stood up. Removing the covers, I approached the white-haired person who was sleeping in bewilderment. They seemed like they might drool if left alone. They fell asleep so quickly.

I observed for a bit then gently pinched their nose. They looked distressed struggling to breathe. Soon, they started breathing through their mouth. Watching for a moment longer, I released their nose. Could it be my grudge-filled personality? Despite their innocent looks, they might have some hidden spunk.

It seems I’m the only normal person around here. Searching through the club room, I found a permanent marker. Crouching down, I was in the middle of drawing mouse whiskers when the door of the club room carefully opened.

It was Yumina and Doyugeon. I don’t know how they ended their soccer club activities and came here. As the boy was trying to sneak in and noticed me still awake, he froze and turned back.

“Just go?”

Yumina smiled slyly and questioned the boy.

“Uh-huh.”

He disappeared quickly. What’s this? Why did they come?

As Yumina chuckled and approached me, she frowned.

“What are you doing right now?”

“The permanent marker really wanted to be used, so I granted its wish. You see, I cannot deny such a request because of my helpful nature.”

The permanent marker was snatched away from me. Poor permanent marker, it wasn’t meant to live its life as a mere decorative piece instead of fulfilling its purpose.

“Don’t torment them.”

“It wouldn’t be torment if I hadn’t done such a thing. It’s so unfair.”

I pointed at the white-haired person’s cheeks with a look of unfairness. Yumina noticed the mouse whiskers and hummed in approval.

“Isn’t it cute?”

“Uh…still, don’t do this next time.”

That will depend on the situation next time.

Yumina looked around the club room and sprawled herself on the open futon. She’s so bold to take another person’s bed without hesitation.

With no other option, I brought out another futon.

“Why did the truant come back to school? If you’re going to bunk off, why not just stay home?”

“Unlike some people, I get an official day pass when I leave and return.”

She mumbled as her face was buried in the pillow. Despite participating in club activities, it seems like she’s realizing that sleeping is far more appealing. Who was the visionary person who started the ‘Sleep Research Club’? I forget. Whoever it was, it must be some completely flawless and kindhearted little girl.

“What brought you here?”

I laid down the blanket neatly for my bed as Yumina settled next to me. She’s a student who drinks wine during school hours, sleeps during class, and engages in mafia activities on holidays but still doesn’t cause problems. That’s debatable as her actions sound delinquent enough, but in her own words, she tries to act like a student.

“Things have been chaotic lately, so I went to supervise the organizations.”

Her voice was small but thoughtful. Since she’s trying to sleep, I’ll let her rest. I guess it’s related to the discord between the school-going and non-school-going magical girls. Whatever, I’ll let her handle it in her own way.

By the way, the unrest must be due to the coup document. Some soldiers secretly reviewed the contingency plan if a second invasion from another dimension occurs. The media had a brief noise about it, but now discussions revolve around political scandals, so it’s no big deal.

Still, for someone in back alleys who carries a gun, it’s a different story.

As we both lay quietly, Yumina began to look calm. She must have fallen asleep. Checking, she was indeed sleeping. If she’s that tired, why come to school? She could’ve bunked off. No flexibility there, huh? Because she comes from a judge’s family, maybe.

Checking the permanent marker I had lost, I found it sticking out between the folds of Yumina’s blanket. Quietly, I retrieved it and popped the cap. Since she acknowledged that mouse whiskers were cute, let’s see how cute she looks with them.

Before bringing the marker near Yumina’s upper lip, I placed my finger there to check her breathing. It was steady and calm. Good.

When I approached her cheek with the pen, my arm was grabbed.

“You haven’t been sleeping…?”

“I woke up.”

It wasn’t a joke—she woke up looking extremely irritated. Moreover, she wasn’t even controlling her strength, so it hurt where she grabbed me. Hmm…though irritation is cute, this feels like I’ve crossed a line. Nothing can be done now.

With the free hand, I transferred the permanent marker and drew on my cheek.

“Ta-da! A mouse! Isn’t it cute?”

Yumina made a deflating sound, probably amused.

“…It’s cute. Now stop messing around and sleep.”

She released my arm and pulled the blanket around her, burrowing into it.

“Alright then. Sleep well.”

After all, a good appearance makes life easier.

I massaged the part she had gripped while standing up. I wonder if it will bruise.

I pulled out a wet wipe from the club room and wiped my cheek. The mouse whiskers slightly faded but didn’t disappear completely.

What’s this?

Checking my face by puffing my cheeks, nothing seemed out of place, so I wiped it again with force. My tender cheek got red, yet it slightly faded and then stopped.

What’s this?

Checking the permanent marker, it said “oil-based permanent.” Closing and reopening my eyes, it was still “oil-based permanent.” Wasn’t it water-soluble?

I turned on the club room lights. Even with the fluorescent light aiding me, the marker remained “oil-based permanent.”

I turned off the light and threw the marker aside carelessly.

Whatever.

It’ll be fine when I wake up.

Goodnight.

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