I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

32 – The Princess and the Academy City -2-

“Well… I have plans today, so it might be difficult.”

“…!”

The girl froze like a statue.

Rohan had never seen Clara so shocked.

Her lips trembled, unable to continue speaking.

What should be done here?

Rohan knew.

“Instead!”

Clara’s courage had reached its limit with her first suggestion, but she knew she couldn’t stop speaking.

With a joyful heart, he sincerely recommended it.

This opportunity was precious to Rohan as well.

How about tomorrow? I’ll buy you a drink. Any other day when you’re free is fine too.

You, you must be busy, there’s no need to go out of your way for someone like me…

Someone like you? You shouldn’t undervalue yourself like that.

Rohan’s intuition told him that Clara’s mind was currently filled with nothing but apologies.

In such a situation, having firmly told her to stop apologizing, she must have been at a loss for words.

Rohan spoke again and took action.

Hold this.

…?

Could he just grab and lead the delicate hand of such a delicate girl?

When Rohan handed over the apron like a rein, Clara, with a puzzled look, hesitantly took it.

Let’s go.

W-where to?

Rohan, while stepping backward, continued to exchange glances with the shrinking Clara as they moved.

He led the girl to a table next to the counter.

And he seated her.

He opened the snacks the shopkeeper had left for them to eat and brewed warm tea, placing it in front of Clara.

The girl alternated her gaze between the refreshments set before her and Rohan. It was a look that showed she didn’t understand the situation at all.

…Um, what is this?

“This is too much for me to eat alone, right? I was hoping you could help.”

Rohan casually handed over a snack.

Clara hesitated, then accepted the snack and expressed her thanks.

Rohan watched the girl munching on the snack like a hamster.

He picked up the conversation where it had left off.

“Sorry. I’m usually not someone who has plans, but things got tangled up this time.”

“Oh, no! It’s because I spoke without thinking…”

“How about tomorrow? Are you busy?”

Clara shook her head. She wasn’t busy.

Her short twin-tails and the ribbons on her clothes swayed together.

“Then I’ll buy you something delicious tomorrow, so help me with the weekly boss.”

Rohan extended his finger as a sign of promise.

Clara hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and hooked her finger with his.

*

The princess, as always, told the elders she was training.

She left the tracker in the ruins and stepped into the academy city, Elysium.

On the surface, it looked like a deviation, but deep down, it was a struggle to escape the doubts rooted in her heart.

Click!

The princess arrived at the rendezvous point in Area 2 and removed the goggles she was wearing, putting them in a case.

She lowered the mask that had been covering her nose.

Knowing that she had to blend in as naturally as possible.

‘…’

She lifts her head on the street.

Dazzling signs and lights come into view.

The girl was purely amazed at the prosperity of the academy city as the sun set.

‘Two hours…’

To the princess who had lived in a ruin without infrastructure, the academy city was nothing short of a bundle of interest and curiosity.

Two hours of waiting for the appointment was rather insufficient.

If she wandered around alone, that amount of time would pass quickly.

Step. Step. Step.

She walks along the street following the passersby.

How should she describe her current state, where excitement and worry are mixed, making her heart pound?

‘…’

The girl who was moving like that slows down her pace.

A small sense of vigilance sprouts.

‘What’s missing?’

The princess felt eyes on her every time she walked.

She thought she had dressed as naturally as possible, remembering the last time this happened, but she still drew attention.

‘There’s no hostility mixed in.’

Still, it bothered her.

There was an unnaturalness in an unexpected part, a sign that it didn’t harmonize.

‘…I should ask if there’s an awkward part when we meet.’

The princess naturally moved towards the shopping mall.

She had known the currency system since childhood. Thanks to that, she always carried a few coins for emergencies.

While wandering around abandoned houses in areas where people could no longer live, killing monsters, she sometimes picked up dust-covered coins.

She continued to explore each floor as she rode the escalator up the shopping mall.

The princess got off on a lively floor and moved her head around.

‘There are many people wearing similar clothes.’

She vaguely remembered hearing that it was the uniform of an educational institution called an academy.

She deduced that it was because there were many stores selling school supplies and office supplies on that floor.

How much had she moved around the floor?

“!”

The princess’s keen eyesight spotted a familiar blue sign.

[ Waterdrop Friends ]

The princess moved with subtly quickened steps.

Her lips twitched in a way that didn’t match her cold face.

‘…To think this store would be in Area 2 as well.’

It was the same brand as the store where she had secretly bought a notebook and pen with a plump dragon and a naive shark character drawn on them when she had sneaked out to the academy city in the past.

As the princess approached, the automatic door slid open.

With a bubbly sound, like a bell, the employees’ gazes turned towards her.

“Welcome! This is Waterdrop Friends!”

Thanks to the bright voices of the staff who greeted her, the princess’s mind calmed down a bit.

The princess politely bowed her head in response to the greeting and stepped inside.

Mostly female customers or children.

The princess mingled among them, browsing the items.

‘A suit and a fedora on a droopy character, interesting.’

Taking in the characters dressed in various fashions, the princess moved sideways, one step at a time.

Passing by the cute products, she was greeted by large characters.

‘Dolls?’

She was honestly tempted.

She wanted them so badly. But the problem was getting them back.

If such dolls suddenly appeared in her dark room, their presence would stand out, so no matter how much she wanted them, it was impossible.

‘It can’t be helped…’

It was truly unfortunate that she had to be satisfied with just looking.

The princess couldn’t leave and poked the soft dolls with her finger.

How long had she been standing there, trying to soothe her regret?

A voice that made the princess perk up her ears was heard.

“102 coins, 28 tokens have been charged.”

“Please deliver everything to the address.”

“Understood! Thank you as always!”

What could one buy here to spend such an amount?

The princess’s head naturally turned towards the counter.

‘…Blind?’

It was a graceful girl with her eyes closed.

The sword she held like a cane suited her, yet also felt out of place.

The princess held her breath as she watched the girl finish her payment and turn to leave.

‘Strong.’

The girl seemed to sense the presence from this side and turned her head.

As the princess stood stiffly, the girl with closed eyes gave a gentle smile and a nod before disappearing.

“…”

The princess, who had also nodded in return, realized that there was not much time left until the rendezvous.

She hurried her shopping.

“1 coin for 10 tokens.”

“Here…”

Jingle jingle.

The princess bought a new notebook, pen, and stickers before leaving the store.

…

…

I know where it is. I’ll go there.

After ending the call with the man’s answer, the princess stood still in front of the public phone and waited.

With few passersby, she felt at ease without drawing attention.

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps, as if to be heard.

The princess’s gaze shifted and met the person she had been waiting for.

“I’m here.”

The princess thought she wasn’t on friendly terms with this man to exchange warm greetings.

She still couldn’t tell if he was an ally or an enemy.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

If the purpose was camouflage, there would be less conspicuous attire.

Wearing the academy uniform, which seemed to be well-regarded in the academy city, must have a purpose.

The princess thought so.

“I came straight after finishing my part-time job because I thought you’d be kept waiting if I went to the dormitory.”

“Are you also infiltrating the academy?”

Rohan smiled without further explanation at the princess’s question.

“Let’s move first. A place to talk…”

“Wait, there’s a problem we need to solve first.”

“Yes?”

The princess showed her attire to Rohan.

“Is my outfit strange?”

“It’s not particularly strange.”

“Hmm…”

There was no large sniper rifle, and even the goggles were hidden.

The zipper of the outer garment was pulled all the way up to hide the magazine inside.

Considering the evening weather, it wasn’t such a strange appearance.

“Did you get stopped by the police for a random check?”

“No, it’s just that I get a lot of strange looks. If I don’t solve the problem, I might get stopped for a random check.”

“Ah.”

Rohan nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

“Do you know why?”

“You don’t need to worry too much. It’s a simple problem.”

“Simple?”

The princess became more curious about the reason.

Not recognizing a simple problem can be dangerous.

“Answer me. What’s the problem?”

Rohan answered nonchalantly to the princess, who was glaring at him with sharp eyes.

“Because you’re pretty.”

“W-what…?”

“I’m saying your appearance catches people’s eyes.”

Rohan gave the obvious answer as if wondering why she was asking.

He hurriedly said, “Let’s go,” and started walking ahead.