I’m Not Doing This With A Friend - Chapter 1
To begin with, I did it with Karsion.
I knew of his identity, but it’s all unrealistic to even think about marrying him in the future. Let alone, becoming a duchess.
Just once.
I did it with him just once…
Yeah, I just wanted to try it out with a handsome guy.
And I just wanted to keep one more memory of Karsion.
We’re both adults, and we’ll soon graduate from the academy a few days later.
I won’t see him anymore.
And even if we encounter each other, I doubt we’ll be having the same relationship as it is now. He and I are two different worlds apart.
That’s why, finally…
I decided to engrave a deep memory of him.
If someone finds out about this, they might call it a miracle.
And even if it does happen, I still can’t accept his heart.
Well…
What’s wrong with being a little greedy?
I know that Karsion likes me.
And I also like him.
However, it was something I couldn’t bet my life on with just the feeling of love.
The gap in status could not be easily narrowed just by trying.
Even more so if you’re a commoner who has nothing to do with the highest aristocrat, the Duke.
After I graduate from the academy, return to the duchy, wake up from reality and go out and get involved with the social world, this interest that I feel for Karsion will soon disappear.
… That’s what I thought.
Karsion, who liked me, started clinging to me more so after ‘that day.’ And seeing him like that made me think that something big will happen.
The academy graduation is just around the corner, the fateful day where the big problem will occur.
* * *
Unlike other people who usually enter the academy around the age of 10, I entered the academy at the late age of 15.
Entering the academy at 15 doesn’t mean that you have to start from the Junior year.
Fortunately, I was able to enter the senior 1st grade by passing the transfer test which is suitable for my age.
Seniors are up to 4th grade, so if they got great results from their graduation exam, they’d be able to graduate just in time for the year of adulthood.
If only one can graduate without paying anything…
My problem is not about the graduation, but the reality that’s right before my eyes.
Arena Academy.
Despite being private, it received tremendous support from the Lagras Empire.
It is the pride of our Lagras Empire as it produces talents in various fields.
Arena Academy is such a great academy.
There was even a club named, “Mosquito Torture Club.”
However, I couldn’t join any of these clubs, even the strange ones.
Because…
I missed the deadline to apply for the clubs…!
What an idiot.
Thanks to him, the situation worsened.
What if I miss the deadline for my club application again?
Will I miss it?
If I miss it, they will assign me to unpopular clubs. Of course, only for the clubs that accept new members.
There are many unique clubs out there, among them are the non-popular clubs that were very eccentric.
Surprisingly, the mosquito torture club was very popular. Even the professors were good at giving scores to the said club.
The most unpopular club is that one club that finds and eats the body of a monster.
Last weekend, I did a mountaineering activity.
Isn’t it terrible just thinking about it?
But just as an excuse, I didn’t have any friends to remind me that yesterday was the last day to apply for the club.
I just entered the Academy, so it’s only natural for me to have no friends. Other students must have been friends since they were in their first grade of junior high.
So the conclusion is, I am forced to join the club to have friends.
That’s why I need to join a club.
I started walking along the promenade inside the academy, hoping that it”ll soothe my depressed mind brought by the harsh reality.
Missing the deadline won’t be solved by just going to the school office and crying about it.
With the cool breeze touching my skin and spending a long time walking around,
“Hey, you! You, the kid named Rien!”
someone suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder.
I greeted him with a kick.
I was so surprised. My legs went numb and started to lose strength. I slipped down on the spot.
I was still calming myself down, when the brown-haired student who grabbed me by the shoulder urgently asked me.
“Huh? You’re Rien, right? Please say yes.”
You saw me slipped down and got hurt because you grabbed me by my shoulder, yet that’s the first thing you’re going to say to me?
How dumb…
I crumpled my face and denied it.
“No, I’m not.”
“What? You’re not Rien?”
His face full of conviction suddenly turns into a disappointed one.
“I’m very sorry. I mistook you for your black eyes and hair.”
“Why are you looking for a student named Rien?”
“…Ah, there’s this thing…!”
That’s it? After all that happened, this is all you’re going to say?
I only remember taking my classes quietly during the time I spent inside the Academy.
As far as I know, I didn’t know anyone inside the Academy. So it’s a surprise that someone’s looking for me.
The only thing that a professor could scold you is if you sleep openly in the middle of the class.
Don’t tell me a professor’s looking for me? Is it because I fell asleep as soon as class started?
Indeed, sleeping in the middle of classes wouldn’t be a good idea.
But you’ll get punished more if you swing a fencing sword in the middle of a normal class.
Should I just tell him I’m Rien?
I rather got scolded a hundred or even a thousand times.
I know it may sound like a joke, but I’d rather be punished verbally. I don’t want to get hurt physically.
Anyway, if the professor’s looking for me because of that, I’d choose to be scolded no matter where and what day it is.
Phew.
I sighed as I started walking slowly along the walking path.
How long has it been since it became this cold?
I can feel my head starting to cool itself down as the breeze touches my skin.
However, I was still dejected from the fact that I missed the club applications.
“If this goes on, I think I’ll never be able to learn anything. I didn’t even do anything on my mountaineering activity last weekend.”
“Then, why don’t you join our club?”
I turned my head from the direction where the voice came from.
I seem to meet a lot of strange people from this day alone, not to mention that it’s been over a week since I’ve entered the academy. But I’ll talk to you.
No one else was walking except for me.
But as I turned my head, a boy with a curly and cherry blossom hair was in sight.
Eh… Are you sure you’re a human?
His handsome face seems too good to be true, not to mention his pink cotton candy-like hair that seemed to melt me away.
Looking at his face, I can see a subtle redness around his eyes. His red lips also complement his white skin. It’s no doubt that his handsome face is a feast that attracts people.
It’s strangely colorful, but it’s appealing to the eyes.
But that’s all.
For a moment, the thought of dating him crossed my mind. I know I don’t deserve to look him in the eye, so I shouldn’t even dream about it. I composed myself and wore my poker face.
“You do know that the club entry period has ended, right?”
“…huh?”
The pink-haired guy looked at me blankly. It took him a few seconds before he opened his mouth and answered my question.
“Oh… then, you can write down your name here. The club meeting will start tomorrow.”
He simply said those words to me as he handed me a paper with “Application for opening a club” written on it.
I think this isn’t a club application, but an application for a club that is yet to be created.
“Hey, pink hair. The deadline for the club application is already finished, right?”
“No. Today’s the deadline. Anyway, I’m glad you decided to join in.”
“…?”
“If you don’t want to fill out the form, I’ll take care of it. Can you sign it for me? Your name is Rien, right?”
Are you deaf?
Ugh. Too bad you’re still young.
I briefly clicked my tongue and turned around without any hesitation. But then, he quickly grabbed my hand and made me face him.
“…Where are you going? You haven’t signed the form yet.”
He looked at me. Surprise is written in his face.
His eyes were wide, as if he was surprised that I did that.
Perhaps, it was because of his wide eyes that made the awkward atmosphere disappear in an instant.
His face suddenly reflected the impression of pure and innocence that seems befitting for his age.
I want to break your shin, but I’m holding it in because of your handsome face.
With a small sigh, I said…
“I’m telling you this for the third time. The deadline for club application was yesterday.”
He titled his head.
“I don’t think you know this, but the club application is due today.”
“What?”
“In other words, you can join our club if you write your name here.”
Of course, I originally thought the deadline for club application would end quickly.
That’s probably true for those who didn’t get permission to establish a new club. On the other hand, those who didn’t apply for a club would be assigned to a club randomly.
Once I sign this club application form and submit it, will I be given permission?
I thought it might be possible after trying such strange clubs…
“No, I won’t join your club.”
I shook my head and refused the offer quickly.
I can already feel it just by looking at his face. If I enter his club, I won’t ever have a normal life in the academy.
This is just my hunch but I think he has his own fanclub and supporters that follow him.
He bit his red lips as if he was shocked by the unexpected rejection.
“A club should have at least three members, but we only have two including me. Help me, please.”
Oh my, that’s terrible.
There’s probably no other fool like me who missed the deadline for club application.
It was a pity, but I didn’t want to sacrifice myself and help.
In the first place, I didn’t even know what kind of club he’s trying to open.
I bit my lips, trying to come up with the words of refusal once again. But then, he beat me to it. His words clearly show that he’s expecting me to say some good news.
“Wow, really? You’re joining our club?”
I thought I said I wasn’t going to join the club at the moment.
“Not that…”
“Huh? Do you have any more questions?”
He smiled at me beautifully. His eyes were bent into a crescent moon.
The first thing that came out of my mind while looking at his smile was that he’s ‘perfectly handsome.’
The second is that if you can see that face, it means you’re going to have a good academy life, and I can not throw that away.
No matter how hard I try to hide my expression, I’m blinded. My mind can’t seem to work right at this moment.
Laughing with that face is pure cheating.