Chapter 93: The Request Wow... I'm screwed.
To think I'd get caught red-handed by Yume-san while having sex with that woman, Rumiko or whatever her name was.
The shock must have been massive because she went straight home and didn't show up to the classroom even after the break ended.
The image I've spent so much time building crumbled in a single blow.
And they said no one would come. Dammit.
…But who can I blame? It's my own fault for giving in to temptation.
I let out a sigh as I leave the house, glancing at the place next door just in case.
But since I'm not Akito, Yume-san isn't going to suddenly come walking out of her door.
Creeak—
Oh?
My heart leaps for a second, only to sink in disappointment when I see Sara stepping out.
"Hey, why are you making that face the moment you see me?"
"It's nothing."
Sara meets my eyes with a dissatisfied look before approaching the fence.
This is what I love about detached houses.
The romance of neighbors chatting over a fence… well, maybe not a romance, but I used to be jealous of it when watching foreign movies.
It would have been better if it were Yume-san instead of Sara, though.
"I have something to ask you."
"… …"
Is it about Yume-san? About me getting an erection while modeling? About me having sex with a student while modeling? Or is it about your father?
There are so many things weighing on my conscience that I'm terrified of what she might ask.
"You… what were your entrance exam scores?"
"Huh? Entrance scores? I don't really remember."
Why bring up entrance scores all of a sudden?
As I stare at her in confusion, Sara hesitates for a moment before asking again.
"Your grades are good, right? What was your overall rank for the first semester?"
"8th."
"In your class?"
"As if! I'm a world-class player. We swim in different waters."
"…Yggdrasil isn't exactly the 'world,' but… anyway, you're 8th overall? You're actually smart."
I was in the top 7% until the midterms, but I killed it on the finals and climbed up to 8th.
Well, it helped that the top-tier students, Akito and Shiori, had their ranks dropped because of John.
Even if those two had taken the exams properly, I'd still be 10th. 10th!
These are grades I never even dreamed of in my past life. I really am working hard.
"Are you interested in a part-time job?"
"A part-time job?"
"Yeah. You're teaching Masayoshi and Rio, aren't you?"
"It's less 'teaching' and more just answering the questions they throw at me."
Personally, I don't really want to help them, but since I've been studying like my life depends on it, it seems to have rubbed off on the Comedy Duo.
Every time exams rolled around, they'd stick to my side, spouting nonsense, but they did actually hang out and study with me.
Hearing my answer, Sara ponders for a moment before speaking.
"Are you interested in… tutoring?"
"Tutoring?"
"Yeah. My younger sister is planning to take the Yggdrasil entrance exam next year."
Was her name… Setsuna?
I've never seen her face, but I've heard about her from Yume-san.
Among the junior heroines… there wasn't anyone named Setsuna.
Then again, if Setsuna were a heroine, Akito would have probably ended up conquering Yume-san's entire family.
"Is she pretty?"
"… …Get lost. I was crazy to even ask."
"Ah—joke, it was a joke. Keep talking."
"…If you lay a finger on my sister, I will literally kill you."
"I get it. So you need a tutor before the entrance exam? You need this body, the 8th best in the world?"
"I told you, it's not the world."
Eh, Yggdrasil is prestigious enough to be called "the world."
The prickly Sara continues her explanation with a disgruntled expression.
Her sister has talent, but she's still young and lacks field experience. Plus, since Sara's father is just a low-level civil servant, they don't have the resources to provide a proper magical education.
To get into Yggdrasil, you have to compete with mages who are already flying high in the field, so it's not easy to get in at a young age.
Usually, children from wealthy families receive elite education from a young age to systematically build their magic skills. For kids from common families like Rio or me, it takes talent, effort, and a bit of luck.
"Huh? Then how did you pass?"
"…I'm actually pretty good, you know?!"
Sara, who must have been in a similar environment as her sister but passed at a young age, scowls at me.
"Don't get mad. I'm just saying, your sister is in the same boat. Actually, she's better off now since she has an older sister who already passed. Why don't you just teach her?"
"I'm… not good at teaching."
As if I am.
I don't even remember the entrance exam. When it comes to magic theory, bringing in a random elementary schooler would probably be more helpful than me.
However, I am a player who raised even the useless Emma into an "absolute ruler of heaven and earth."
With the item buffs and walkthrough knowledge I have now, I can raise her to be the top freshman in terms of actual combat ability.
Plus, if I tutor her, I'll get to see Yume-san often.
"Is your sister okay with the written portion?"
"Yeah, she's smart. She probably knows more than I do."
"If she knows more than you, why isn't she taking the exam with you?"
"Uh… her mana is a bit lacking."
Seeing Sara avoid my gaze as she answers, it seems her sister is the type who's good at theory but lacks practical skill.
That's actually better. I only know the theory they taught me at Yggdrasil anyway.
"So you're saying you want me to train her, not just help her study?"
"Yeah, exactly. You're… pretty strong."
"Not just 'pretty' strong. I'm incredibly strong."
"Sure, sure. You're strong. Oh, and for the record, I can't pay you much."
"Doesn't matter."
If they were a family that could throw money around, they wouldn't have asked me to tutor in the first place.
Originally, tutoring is one of the part-time jobs that opens up if your exam scores are high.
I don't know if it's magic tutoring or sex tutoring, but either way, Akito usually goes around banging everyone while unlocking the junior heroine routes.
But looking at what this bastard Akito is doing, it seems like he's not doing any part-time jobs at all. Should I subtly nudge him?
As the game progresses into the latter half, the importance of part-time jobs decreases.
Requests take over the role of part-time jobs. Once you get a Temporary License, doing requests is much more efficient since they give better items, stats, and even character unlocks.
But skipping one of the game's systems entirely just makes the difficulty spike.
You don't have to do them later on, but skipping them entirely means missing out on perks, which is a definite loss.
I should probably give Akito a suggestion.
"I have to head to Yggdrasil first, so let's talk after I get back."
"It's a holiday, though?"
"I have a Temporary License, you see."
I pull the license out of my pocket—where I keep it ready at all times—and give her a grin. Sara's eyebrows twitch.
Take a good look at this magnificent sight. I went through hell for half a year to get this.
I twirl the card near Sara's face to show off before continuing.
"Teacher Erin called. Said there's a request."
"You're so annoying."
"Annoying, but I have a license. You don't."
"… …"
"Let's talk with Setsuna… right? That was her name. Let's talk with her when I get back. I'll take the job if I can, but if what she needs is different from what I can teach, it'd be better for her to find someone else."
After one last flex of my license, I turn around. Sara asks as if she just remembered something.
"Oh, by the way, did you say something to my mom?"
Flinch.
I never said anything. I just showed her plenty of things.
I stop in my tracks and turn back with an awkward smile.
"No? Why? Did you hear something?"
"Your name came up because of Setsuna's tutoring, and she seemed a bit flustered. Dad was acting suspicious, too."
"Well, I don't know anything. If they don't like the idea, wouldn't it be better to find someone else?"
"If it were that easy, I wouldn't have asked you."
Fortunately, Sara doesn't seem too suspicious. She just tells me to contact her later and heads back inside.
Hmm… it is going to be a bit awkward seeing Yume-san's face.
Should I just think about it after I get back from Yggdrasil?
*
When I arrived at the principal's office, Akito was already there, chatting amiably with the secretary.
What the hell? Why the discrimination?
The secretary, who had been smiling softly at Akito, wiped the expression off her face the moment I arrived and returned to her usual stiff professional mask.
I hope she's not just like this with me.
I can't remember her name, but Erin's secretary is a classic "secretary character"—stiff and constantly trying to maintain her dignity.
She's probably only loosening up because Akito is the protagonist who is loved by everyone. It's not that she hates me.
Telling us to wait a moment, the secretary leaves me and Akito alone and heads inside.
"How have you been?"
"Didn't we just see each other the day before yesterday?"
"Still, it's the first time seeing you on a holiday. I'm happy to see you, though."
That's creepy, so save those lines for the girls.
Akito spams his flirting regardless of gender.
I give a lukewarm response to the natural socialite's non-stop chatter while scrolling through my phone. I find a recruitment post and show it to him.
"Are you interested in a part-time job?"
"Huh? You want to do one together?"
No, you bastard. Stop flirting.
"No, I do part-time jobs often, so I check the sites occasionally—"
"Doing part-time jobs without neglecting your studies… Yeon-woo, I think you're truly amazing."
You son of a bitch, don't praise me while looking at me with those soulful eyes.
Sorry for swearing, but that literally sent shivers down my spine. Are you perhaps… No, right?
"Anyway, I found one while looking for jobs, and it made me think of you."
"I haven't really done many part-time jobs… but it made you think of me?"
"Yeah, I thought it would suit you. It's tutoring, the conditions are good, and the kid seems really talented."
"Does it say all that in the post?"
Yeah, it says so in the walkthrough.
For your information, if you don't tutor her here, this girl won't even be able to get into Yggdrasil.
I continue to coax Akito, who is showing interest, leading him as much as possible.
"But is it okay for me to take it? Weren't you going to do it?"
"I already took one. You know Sara, right?"
"Yeah, she's in our class. Of course I know her."
"I'm taking charge of her younger sister."
I watch Akito's reaction as he looks at the post, then add one more thing.
"Personally, it doesn't pay much, but I think this is something a Yggdrasil student should do."
"Tutoring?"
"Yeah. It's a shame to see talents that could pass the Yggdrasil exam wither away before they can even bloom. I believe it's the duty of those who walked the path first to lead those who are talented and good-hearted."
Hey, your face is too close. Back off.
When I drop a cheesy line perfectly tailored to his personality, Akito's reaction is way too much to handle.
His sparkling black eyes, the warm gaze he's giving me… if I were a girl, it felt like Akito would have kissed me right then and there.
Shi—it! I'm not gay!
And what do I mean by "lead"? Passing the Yggdrasil exam isn't that big of a deal.
Well, it is a big deal, but if you look closely at that cheesy line, it's actually a pretty arrogant thing to say, rooted in a sense of elitism.
But Akito probably didn't think that deeply; he just got hooked on the idea of helping and leading others.
"Yeah, I'll do it. Yeon-woo, you really are incredible."
"…You don't have to hold my hand."
I have zero desire to feel the warmth of Akito's hand.
As I try to pull away from his overwhelming reaction, I feel a gaze and turn my head to see the secretary staring at us.
It's not like that, so don't get any ideas.
Wait, is this the first time she's blushed while looking at me?
But this isn't BL, so don't misunderstand.
"Ahem. Please come inside."
The secretary, catching my eye, clears her throat and leads us in.
Erin, who still has an incredible chest, welcomes us and engages in some minor small talk.
Wait, I've heard this small talk somewhere before…?
Had I ever had a conversation like this with Erin?
Given her position, there might be a set of ice-breaking lines she uses, but this feels incredibly familiar.
What is it…? Is it like déjà vu?
While I'm feeling confused by the sense of familiarity, Erin brings up the request.
"I don't think it's quite right to ask this of you immediately after you received your Temporary Licenses, but I trust you two that much."
"… …"
Huh? This is…
"You know I have high expectations for you both, right?"
"I'm still lacking, but thank you for thinking well of me."
Akito smiles with practiced humility.
She's not talking to "both of us," she's talking to Akito…
Even as I stare blankly, Erin continues with a gentle smile.
"I want to entrust the investigation of the Adrian Factory District to you two reliable students."
The Adrian Factory District.
One of the cities outside the Wall. It's a city where mana stones are mined and processed immediately, making it a crucial resource production site.
And it's the location of Akito's first mission.
But why me? Why?
Erin gives me a playful wink.
"There are already Agents there, so it's safe, but we can't ignore safety when going outside the Wall, right? This time, it also serves as a test, so I want you two to each form a team and solve this together. Oh, it's not a competition, so please help each other."
This is a line that didn't exist in the game.
Akito beams with pure joy.
"So we can think of it as being on the same team in the end. I'm glad, Yeon-woo. We get to work together again."
When did we ever work together for you to say "again"? And don't even think about grabbing my hand.
Even as I pull my hand away, Akito clings to me happily, and Erin watches us with a satisfied look.
Ah… I really didn't want to get involved with this guy.
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