Chapter 45: Operation: Get Closer to Teacher

There were two reasons why Ruah chose Juju.

The first was Juju’s role in the current world.

Juju had taken the protagonist’s place as the 10th rank in the special class upon enrollment. This meant that Juju would experience the storylines originally intended for the protagonist, who was meant to be 10th in the special class.

The scholarship selection camp was one such storyline. The reason the protagonist was originally selected as the school representative was because the target was a student whose grades had improved in the special class. Juju’s rank had coincidentally risen from 10th to 8th.

“Ah, student Yoo Juju. She was actually one of the students I had in mind as a candidate.”

Since Chairman Pyo also said that, it was clear that choosing Juju would cause the least disruption to the story.

And the second reason was her position.

Juju was a tank, an offensive tank at that.

‘Compared to other positions, there are significant benefits when nurturing a tank.’

The scholarship selection camp not only offered a scholarship but also indirect support from the ‘Nick’s Brothers’ Guild. The guild members, whose fighting style was similar to Juju’s, would provide valuable assistance to her.

‘Himari and Suah… next time.’

There would be plenty of opportunities to develop damage dealers and mages later. It was more logical to focus on helping Juju this time.

“Alright. Should I inform student Yoo Juju?”

“I’ll do it myself. She often visits the infirmary.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

The chairman gathered the necessary documents, placed them in a file, and handed it to Ruah. She needed to get Juju’s signature and submit it.

“The camp is scheduled to start next Wednesday. Please help her prepare until then.”

“Yes.”

Saying so, Chairman Pyo leaned back in his chair.

“That’s all. Do you have any questions?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Alright, then you’re dismissed. Thank you for your help, Teacher Han Ruah.”

Ruah bowed deeply and left the chairman’s office.

‘Prepare…’

She remembered the camp schedule even without looking at the documents. The interview questions and strategies for the activities as well.

The first thing to do was to inform Juju and focus on training that was tailored to the camp program. She had to ensure Juju placed second, just like the protagonist in the game.

—Click!

Ruah opened the infirmary door and stepped inside. The room was as messy as when she left.

“Huh? Did someone clean?”

The infirmary was unusually tidy. Come to think of it, Himari had visited right before she left. It seemed she had cleaned the room.

“Teacher!”

“Oh, you’re here?”

The curtains around the bed parted, revealing two female students. It was Himari and Juju. She didn’t know what scheme they had cooked up to be in the same bed, but it was perfect timing.

“Thank you for cleaning the room.”

“Himari did it all by herself.”

Juju said, pushing Himari forward.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry if it was a bother.”

“No, no. It’s much cleaner thanks to you. Would you like some tea?”

Ruah filled the kettle with water and brewed tea in three mugs. Meanwhile, Himari and Juju whispered to each other.

“…?”

Now that she noticed, Himari was acting strangely.

Before, she would politely lower her gaze when their eyes met, but today, as soon as their eyes met, she averted her gaze nervously and then lowered her head.

‘Is she hiding something?’

“I-I’ll gladly accept it.”

Himari politely accepted the teacup Ruah offered. Their fingers brushed slightly.

“?!”

Himari flinched, and some tea spilled from the cup.

“Be careful!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Himari, you’re acting strange today. Is something wrong?”

Himari shook her head, keeping her gaze lowered.

“…There is something.”

“Juju!”

“Just kidding. Nothing’s wrong.”

Juju grinned and picked up her teacup. Ruah simply tilted her head.

“Anyway, I have something to tell both of you.”

Since there wasn’t much time left during lunch break, Ruah went straight to the point.

“First, Himari.”

“Y-Yes!”

Himari straightened up, overly tense. Definitely something was off today.

“About the task I gave you before, performing Battoujutsu on an unstable platform, you succeeded at the Sports Festival, so I should give you a reward.”

“Ah…!”

Himari’s Battoujutsu, cutting down the swarming Mega Wasps, was quite impressive.

“It would have been nice if we could have spent time together at the Sports Festival, but since it’s over, I should give you a new reward. Is there anything you want?”

“I, I…”

Himari fidgeted with her fingers, pondering.

“…How about a similar reward!”

Juju slung an arm around Himari’s shoulder.

“Like a date with Teacher outside of school.”

“…!”

Juju winked at the surprised Himari.

“Like the shopping mall we went to before, or there’s an art museum a little further away. You can eat delicious food and have fun.”

“Ah, outside again…”

Ruah wasn’t keen on going to crowded places, but she was willing to endure the discomfort if Himari wanted to.

“What do you think, Himari?”

“I-If you’re okay with it, Teacher… I’d like that.”

Himari looked at Ruah with a hesitant yet hopeful gaze.

“Okay, let’s do that.”

“Thank you!”

—Thump!

Himari bowed her head so deeply that she bumped it on the desk.

“Himari, are you okay?!”

“Yes, I’m fine. He, hehe.”

Himari smiled brightly while rubbing her forehead. Ruah cast [Healing] on her just in case, still tilting her head.

‘Definitely something’s strange…’

“Do you have something to tell me too?”

“Ah, right.”

Ruah placed the documents she received from the chairman’s office on the desk.

“‘Nick’s Brothers’… Scholarship Selection Camp? What’s this?”

“Exactly what it says. They’re selecting students for a guild-sponsored scholarship, and you, Juju, are participating as the first-year representative of Felix Academy.”

“Why me…?”

“I recommended you to the chairman.”

Juju scratched her head in surprise.

“Uh… thank you, Teacher.”

“That’s a lukewarm reaction.”

Ruah chuckled and teased her.

“Well, I’m a little surprised.”

“Why?”

“Hehe, there are many students better than me, but I got this opportunity.”

“I told you before, didn’t I?”

Ruah tilted her teacup.

“That I’d make you the best tank.”

“…”

“The ‘Nick’s Brothers’ Guild is a tank-focused guild. Considering the camp program and everything, you’re the perfect fit, Juju. I put a lot of thought into this.”

Juju looked seriously at the words ‘Scholarship Selection Camp’ and then nodded.

“Alright. I’ll do my best so you won’t be disappointed, Teacher.”

“Good. It’s from next Wednesday for two nights and three days, so let’s practice hard until then.”

“Huh? Not just one day?”

Juju looked at the document in surprise.

“Yes. It’s a 2-night, 3-day camp, and I’ll be going as the supervising teacher. It’s the chairman’s orders.”

“So, Teacher and I will be together for three days…?”

“We’ll be staying together. Eating together, training together.”

Juju looked troubled at Ruah’s words.

“Uh… this is a bit unexpected…”

Juju glanced at Himari. Her previously bright expression was gone, replaced by a clear dejection.

“Don’t be too disappointed, Himari. There will be other opportunities like this.”

Ruah offered words of comfort, but Himari shook her head. It seemed Ruah had misunderstood.

“That’s… not it.”

“Then why…?”

“Teacher… and Juju… alone…”

Muttering so, Himari puffed out her cheeks, resting her chin on her fists. It was an expression Ruah had never seen before.

‘She’s like a sulking child, so cute.’

Ruah couldn’t help but think so. Especially since Himari was usually so mature.

“I-In that case!”

—Clap!

Juju clapped her hands, drawing Ruah and Himari’s attention.

“I’ll participate in the Scholarship Selection Camp, but on one condition!”

“Condition?”

Juju patted Himari on the back.

“Before I go to the camp, Teacher and Himari will go on that date you talked about.”

“…!”

“You two go have lots of fun, and then, I’ll go to the camp with Teacher for a short time! Wouldn’t that be nice, Himari?”

Himari nodded silently at Juju’s words, who nudged her.

“What do you say, Teacher?”

Ruah narrowed her eyes and looked at Juju and Himari’s faces.

‘What did they talk about before I came back?’

She had been feeling it since earlier, but Himari was definitely acting suspicious today. Her displeasure at Ruah going to the camp with Juju alone, her slightly off-kilter words and actions, and Juju seemed to be desperately covering for her.

‘I should subtly ask them later.’

She was curious, but for now, she wanted to get Juju to participate in the camp and appease Himari, so Ruah nodded.

“Okay, I’m fine with that. Since it’s the weekend, how about we go tomorrow?”

“O-Okay!”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Th-That…”

As Himari hesitated, Juju quickly took out her phone. With lightning speed, she opened a map application, pulled up a list of places near the Academy, and showed it to Himari.

After looking at it for a while, Himari tilted her head and chose one.

“I want to go to this… Water Park…?”