I'm an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 33

In a sudden turn of events, Karl became the overall responsible person for the cooking booth, but nonetheless, he was passionate in his own way.

After quickly taking control of the Four and deciding on the menu, he meticulously laid out the plans.

Whether it was a skill honed through military life or a trait he inherently possessed, the cooking booth was perfectly prepared under his leadership.

Yes, it was prepared up to a point.

“I have some urgent business to attend to. I need to ask you for a favor.”

With the opening time approaching, and the actual sales just around the corner, he abruptly entrusted Selena with a significant task before disappearing into the crowd.

“….”

He said he’d do me a favor later, so I let him.

I don’t know if I can really do what he thinks I can do, or what he wants me to do.

She returned to the cooking booth with these thoughts in mind.

Honestly, I felt overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

I came because Karl asked me to. It was true that I volunteered to help.

However, of all people, it had to be the Four. They were the ones who I had rejected their confession.

It was slightly less awkward when Karl was around.

But now that Karl had disappeared and I was left alone, it felt uncomfortable for no reason.

It seemed like forgotten lines from those days resurfaced within a few days.

‘What should I do? It feels a bit awkward to approach them first.’

I wanted to say something, but I worried about making them uncomfortable.

Aren’t they just talking amongst themselves over there right now, with me around?

Surely the four boys must be feeling uncomfortable about the matter—

“No, come on. Keep it down. Asshole.”

“It’s the correct amount. Wilhelm! Look! That’s right!”

“Stop it. Karl said it’s okay to give a little extra.”

“That’s right, Alexander. The problem is giving too little. Look, Wilhelm!”

Hmm. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them arguing amongst themselves.

I didn’t really want to get into that kind of trouble.

“It’s time. Joachim! get out there and get started!”

“Ah… do I really have to?”

“If you don’t want to, should I tell Karl everything?”

“Ugh! Alright, alright! I’ll do it!”

Joachim grumbled while preparing something hastily from behind.

What’s wrong with him? What’s wrong with him? What is it that he hates so much?

Shortly after silently watching from behind, I soon realized.

“…Pfft!”

I had to cover my mouth to keep from bursting out laughing.

“Hey, don’t laugh! Selena!”

“Oh. It suits you well, Joachim.”

“Yeah. You could go to a dance party wearing that.”

“You bastards! Are you even my friends?!”

Joachim exploded in anger. However, no one was afraid of him.

It was only natural. How could anyone be scared when he was wearing such a ridiculous Bungeoppang outfit?

“Good luck, Joachim! Have fun with your street performance!”

“It’s like they don’t even care because it’s not their own work. Seriously, they’re just being indifferent. Huh?!”

“Oh, if you’re upset, why don’t you cook better?”

As Wilhelm said, Joachim was the worst among, excluding Karl.

The menu sold at the cooking booth consisted of Bungeoppang and hotteok. Both dishes needed to be cooked thoroughly.

But Joachim is not good at cooking, so how can he be trusted with the job?

I even heard Karl saying, ‘Your food is so undercooked, it might come back to life!’

So Joachim was left outside sobbing like a wind-up doll.

A few people, intrigued by the absurdity of it all, and a few more, intrigued by the odd look and the rather good smell, approached the booth with curiosity.

“Uh. Seniors?”

“Hello. What would you like? We have two menu items!”

“Um… which one is delicious?”

“Both! They’re developed by none other than the recipient of the Medal of Honor!”

“…?”

Wow. I wonder if this was all planned?

I checked the booklet supposedly made by Karl, but there was nothing of that sort.

I guess they just decided to do it on their own. Is this okay?

Meanwhile, as the first customer took a few Bungeoppang and took a bite, I observed their reaction.

Let’s see. If the response isn’t good… Ah, here it is on this page. If the customers’ expressions become strange, immediately press the heads of the Four and order them to kneel in apology.

‘…What’s Dogeza?’

[PR/N: Dogeza is an element of traditional Japanese etiquette which involves kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself while touching one’s head to the floor.]

I look down a little further and see a detailed description of what the dogeza is.

‘Ah, so it means to kneel and apologize.’

Actually, there were more options added later, but Karl excluded them.

Anyway, I thought that method would be appropriate and watched the customers’ reactions.

Their expressions… Hmm. Seems okay? They’re even asking for two more?

“Oh. Well, that’s better than I expected.”

“Haha! Indeed, this genius chef is undoubtedly me!”

“Shulifen, if you have a conscience, shut up.”

“Okay.”

It was a better response than I expected.

“Selena, could you add more ingredients? My gloves got dirty.”

“Oh, okay! Where should I put them?”

“Here. Ah, not here, but there.”

More and more people started coming, and things got a bit busier.

Karl calls them wenches, in reality, these Four were always popular.

Plus Selena, who’s still the eternal crush of many boys.

Just that fact alone guaranteed their popularity.

So, it’s only natural that their workload is increasing.

“Heh, heh. I can’t do it anymore. How long do I have to stay out here?”

“Ugh, Joachim, you weakling. Move aside! I’ll do it instead! Selena, could you do me a favor?”

“Huh? This is my first time doing this! How should I do it?”

“You can do it, for Karl!”

When Karl’s mentioned, I squished the hotteok with a ‘Hoo!’

While watching me, the Four smile and suddenly shout in unison.

“Selena, stay strong.”

“Don’t make fun of me! It’s already hard enough!”

No, that’s not it. It’s to stay strong in another aspect.

Karl wondered, in novels, why isn’t there a possessive, obsessive male lead?.

The answer to that is, in romance novels, there’s also a position of cleanly surrendering to victory and cheering.

And by pure ‘coincidence,’ all four of them were taking on that position.

* * *

Meanwhile, as Karl headed to a secluded place while nibbling on a Bungeoppang…

“Have you found them?”

I met with the special forces agent who had previously visited with Eloise.

I greeted the agent, who quickly filled me in on the current situation.

“Yes. Some individuals who have been under surveillance since before have entered the academy under the pretext of bringing supplies for the academy’s autumn festival.”

“And?”

“The recipients of these supplies are booths operated by foreign students.”

“Foreign students?”

There were foreign students at the academy?

“Yes. As you already know, there are not only students from the Empire here at the Academy, but also students from other Kingdoms and elves. So, students from Hyzens are also here.”

“…I see.”

Sorry. I didn’t know. It’s my first time hearing about it.

“Some suspicious individuals are constantly hovering around foreign students. It’s safe to assume they’re targeting students from other Kingdoms and Hyzens.”

“We’re also expecting that.”

But why foreign students? Why?

“Their goal is probably to cool the relationship between the Empire and other countries.”

“…Haven’t they considered the possibility of retaliation?”

“Regardless, it’s not good news for any pro-Empire faction within.”

“It’s plausible. Even if Hyzens are unaware, the two kingdoms have ambiguous relations with the empire.

In that process, if an unfortunate incident happens to a native student, it could be diplomatically advantageous.

If we’re unlucky, another war might break out, and in the meantime, Luzernes could recover again.

“Wait. If that’s the case, why not just grab them now instead of waiting?”

“They haven’t anything yet, so we’ve been observing a bit longer. If we capture them too early, we might miss other hidden individuals…”

I clicked my tongue at the agent’s response. These people don’t seem to know much about Kanfras.

“Just leave this to me.”

“Student Karl?”

“I mean the Kanfra guys. When a colleague is in trouble, especially if it’s with the ‘Empire,’ these guys rush in immediately. Instead of watching, you should apprehend them as soon as you see them. Then they’ll come to us on their own.”

Even with suggestions to think it over, I waved my hand dismissively.

Ah, just trust me with this. I’m a recipient of the Medal of Honor. I’m a Kanfra expert!

“Just trust me and wait. Here, have some of this.”

“…What’s this?”

“It’s called ‘Bungeoppang’ and ‘Hotteok.’ They’re very delicious snacks.”

Hey, give it a try. Do you know Bungeoppang? Do you know Hotteok?

“Mmm… Oh. This sweet and warm taste is really nice.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“Did you make this?”

“I just helped a bit, the rest was made by others.”

“When you say others?”

“Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.”

The agent looked very puzzled and repeated the names of the four men.

It seems a bit surprising that the sons of noble families of the empire are involved in this.

“Ah, Student Karl, this.”

The agent handed something forward. It was a pistol and a greatsword.

“You should be armed, just in case.”

“This is an academy. Shooting guns would be a big problem.”

No matter how festive it is, guns are crossing the line. I don’t want to turn this place into a funeral.

“…Then how about the greatsword?”

“That’s not necessary either. It would be unpleasant if blood started splattering during the festive atmosphere.”

“If you refuse this too, then what will you do about arming yourself…?”

“I have this. Here.”

I confidently offered the remaining Bungeoppang and Hotteok.

“…Surely you’re not trying to convince them with food, are you?”

“Of course not. I’m not that crazy.”

What, you don’t think you can kill Kanfra with this?

I think I can.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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