Chapter 161. Party Preparation is Tough (2)
Ding-
I returned to the dorm after parting ways with Lumi.
- Scout, what is this...
I heard Liliana's voice from inside and thought Scarlett would be goofing off again, but surprisingly, both of them were staring at a smartwatch screen.
They could've just each looked at their own screen, but instead, they were pressed together, watching Scarlett's screen.
Has she just decided to live at our place? She's sitting on the bed so naturally.
"What's so interesting that you're watching it like that?"
I asked them while taking off my coat.
"Lee Hoyeon-nim. You're back."
"Perfect timing. We were just watching this because your name came up."
Scarlett and Liliana were watching a replay of an interview.
I sat next to them and looked at the smartwatch screen.
- I heard the Saintess will be attending the upcoming association's social party. It's your first external activity since transferring to the Academy, right?
- Yes, that's right.
The screen showed Baek A-Young being interviewed by a female reporter.
Her face clearly showed how nervous she was.
Cute, but... what is she doing?
Why an interview all of a sudden?
- It's a bit of a sensitive topic, but there are a lot of questions about your partner. Are you attending solo, or will someone be accompanying you? Could you clarify that?
- Actually, I already have a partner. I'm sure everyone knows. It's the genius mage cadet of Victoria Academy, Lee Hoyeon.
- Wait a minute. You're saying you're attending the party with cadet Lee Hoyeon? Hold on. Camera, make sure we're rolling. Saintess, you're revealing this for the first time in an exclusive interview, right?
- Yes, that's right.
- ...Everyone! This is huge news...!
"What the hell is this."
Ms. A-Young. You never said anything like this.
Why are you doing this to us?
"If this has nothing to do with you, shouldn't we deal with it quickly?"
Scarlett looked at me with concern, but... it wasn't false information.
"Uh... technically, she is my partner. The issue is that she just revealed it out of nowhere."
"Ah...."
"Party? Can I come too? I wanna be your partner."
"... No. There'll be a lot of people. If they find out you're a succubus, you'll be dissected on the spot."
"Eek. That's kind of scary. But I still want to go to the party."
I gently patted Liliana's cheek, trying to comfort her.
Meanwhile, the video was still playing.
They were now asking how we met, so I focused on watching.
- Ah, you got closer after the dungeon practice terrorist incident.
- Yes. We've been meeting personally since then and have maintained a good relationship...
- Oh, oh! Does that mean...?
- Hehe... I won't say more. Cadet Lee Hoyeon has his own position too.
- Aaaah! Got it! We know nothing then!
"Are they kidding me right now."
Saying it like that, it obviously sounds like we're dating.
This really is spreading false information.
"When was this video posted?"
I looked at Scarlett as I asked.
"About an hour ago. It caused quite a stir as soon as it went up."
"Wow... we're so fucked."
Fortunately, Liliana didn't seem too fazed.
And well... Elise, Nam Daeun, and Im Sol probably won't react that strongly either.
Nam Daeun doesn't have the time to care about stuff like this, and Elise doesn't like me yet.
Im Sol... she'll probably just contact Baek A-Young directly and ask.
The real problem lies elsewhere...
Ding-
- Surin Noona: Hoyeon, I think Ms. Baek A-Young is spreading false information. I'll file a lawsuit through the Academy immediately.
- Me: Noona, hold on. It's not false. It's just a simple party participation. She needed someone to go with her to the social party.
I quickly calmed down Moon Surin, who was about to blow up.
Why is she suddenly talking about lawsuits, seriously.
- Surin Noona: I'm going to the party too. You could've told me.
"Ah...."
I didn't think about that.
After seeing Im Sol and then Baek A-Young, I completely forgot about Moon Surin.
But if Moon Surin got an invitation, I should've received one too, right?
I'm pretty famous, after all.
Wait a minute. Maybe...
"Liliana. Nothing like an invitation came to the dorm, right?"
"Invitation?"
Liliana rubbed her face against my hand and closed her eyes, thinking.
"Hmm... There were a bunch of flyers from restaurants, so I threw everything out except the chicken place ad. Didn't really check the rest..."
"...."
No way. It can't be.
Someone like me wouldn't get an invitation anyway. Yeah.
The past doesn't matter.
What matters is what happens next.
- Me: Sorry, Noona. But it's not a big deal, so don't worry.
- Surin Noona: ...You're not dating, right?
- Me: Of course not.
- Surin Noona: Got it.
"Damn it... She probably likes me less now."
Thanks to Baek A-Young's unexpected move, this is getting annoying.
The next dangerous heroines are Lucy and Lumi.
I need to explain things to them too, but they haven't contacted me.
Still, I can't just text them first saying 'It's just the Saintess and me going to a party! Nothing weird!'
It'd be ridiculous to explain like that when we're not even dating.
And since they haven't contacted me, it's awkward to reach out first.
I'm not the type to initiate contact anyway.
If I started with casual conversation, it'd still seem weird since it's right after this whole mess.
"Should've kept in touch better..."
Tsk.
Regretting it a bit, I spoke to Scarlett.
"Scarlett. Did you gather the intel I asked for?"
"Yes. I've compiled the information about the social party and placed it on your desk."
"As expected of Scarlett. Reliable as always."
I sat at the desk and read through the materials Scarlett had prepared.
"The social party... Seems like a lot of big names will be there."
As long as I can rescue Nam Dahee before the party, the party itself isn't that important.
It's just a backup plan, after all.
But now that things have turned out this way, I definitely need to go.
Baek A-Young seems to be counting on me. After going this far, she'd be really disappointed if I didn't show up.
"Tsk... How's Nam Daeun doing?"
Nam Daeun hasn't shown her face at the Academy since that day.
"She hasn't left her dorm bed. Seems like she hasn't eaten in days."
"Sigh..."
I've tried calling her using the number we exchanged, but she doesn't pick up.
"If she moves even a little, tell me right away."
"Yes. Understood."
"No issues with Elise?"
"She's been watching the video you left on the smartwatch every night. Her usage time keeps increasing. First night was 2 hours 15 minutes. Last night, 3 hours..."
"...That's more detail than I wanted."
I don't want to hear about Elise's masturbation schedule in that much detail.
"Apologies."
"Scout. What about this? 'Jungle Flavor Jungle Chicken.'"
At some point, Liliana had opened a delivery app and was browsing chicken places.
"Sounds good. I approve."
"You like jungle chicken too?"
I gently pushed away Liliana who clung to me.
"Do what you want."
My mind was too cluttered to care whether it was jungle chicken or Amazon chicken.
While the two of them picked chicken, I prayed that Kang Hyorin would wrap things up quickly.
And I started thinking about what I needed to do.
*
Inside a dark meeting room.
The executives of Pandemic, seated around a massive round table, were waiting for Maestro's arrival.
Seeing them sitting perfectly still like puppets, Rebecca clicked her tongue.
"Ugh..."
Just pawns for Maestro's game.
Dolls that follow Maestro's orders without will or opinion.
"Sorry. I was praying and lost track of time."
'Lost track' my ass.
She arrived two hours late to the meeting, but no one voiced any complaints.
No, complaints weren't the issue.
You just can't feel any emotion from them.
Maestro sat and finally spoke.
"Shall we begin the meeting... But Rebecca, why the sour face?"
"How long do I have to wait? You said you'd send me to the Academy."
Her heart had been racing at the thought of meeting a descendant of the Rune clan, but the standby order had dragged on for a week.
"Well, the terror damage was minimal, and with the festival and exams over, things should calm down soon. Maybe in about a month..."
"A month? Are you crazy? I can't wait that long."
"Rebecca! How dare you talk back to Maestro-sama!"
The bull-headed demon beside Rebecca released mana and yelled.
But Rebecca simply scoffed and didn't even flinch.
"It's fine, Joshua. Calm down. Rebecca, look into my eyes for a moment."
Ziiing—
Magic emanated from Maestro's body, enveloping the room.
The bull-faced demon who shouted at Rebecca lost focus in his eyes and immediately calmed down, sitting back down.
Maestro stood up and slowly approached Rebecca, locking eyes as she spoke.
"Rebecca. You need to stay put for one month. Understand?"
The fury faded from Rebecca's face as their eyes met.
"...Yes. Understood."
Rebecca replied blankly to Maestro's gentle words.
"There's something more urgent than the Academy. And you're just the person I need."
Seeing Rebecca so subdued, Maestro smiled.
Thursday afternoon.
Time flew, and now only two days remained until the social party.
Today, I spent time at a cafe with the twins, Lucy and Lumi.
I passionately explained that I wasn't dating Baek A-Young, just going to the party with her.
Surprisingly, they understood right away once I said it to their faces.
Smooch—
"Is that drink actually good?"
Lucy looked at the green beverage I was drinking.
"Yeah. It's tasty."
I ordered the Claire Rose Latte.
It's Moon Surin's favorite drink.
Honestly, it tastes bad, but I've been drinking it regularly to keep up appearances.
I'll probably get used to it eventually.
"What does it taste like?"
"Hmm... a blend of rose's subtle scent, mint's freshness, and a spicy kick."
"...Sounds gross."
Lucy slurped her chocolate frappe.
"Hoyeon, you should try this too."
"Thanks. You take a bite too."
Lumi sliced up her cake and offered me a piece. I handed her my Claire Rose Latte in return.
"Uh... I'm good."
"Come on. Just one sip."
Honestly, I didn't want to finish it alone, so this was perfect.
"...Okay. Slurp. Ugh."
"No need to look like you're about to cry."
Lumi tightly shut her eyes and sipped the latte like she was drinking poison.
It's not that bad.
"Didn't I tell you not to bully my sister."
Seeing that, Lucy threatened me with her cake fork.
"No, Lucy. It's actually not that bad."
"Yeah. Lumi says it's okay, so why are you making a fuss."
I waved my hands frantically, and Lumi sided with me too.
"...Seriously? Are you two teaming up against me again?"
Lucy pouted.
When Lumi and I act close, Lucy's jealousy is always obvious.
"Heh. Sorry, Lucy."
Unlike other heroines, it's relaxing being with the twins.
Compared to the others, this level of jealousy is something I can laugh off.
Lumi and I worked hard to cheer up the sulking Lucy.