Academy Heroine’s Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 389

"Scarlett, are you all set?"

"Yeah, it's all ready, let's go!"

"You seem really excited. Are you that eager to meet the others?"

"Of course I am! There have been a few people who’ve visited separately, but this is the first time we’re all getting together at the same time!"

After finishing my preparations, I excitedly shouted out.

The reason I was so excited was that today we were having a reunion of sorts with everyone from the academy.

To be precise, it was a gathering to commemorate our graduation, and because I had been unconscious for a while, they had postponed it until now.

Isn't that touching? These loyal friends, really...

Anyway, this gathering was something I had been looking forward to.

That’s because, except for a few people who came to visit during the two years I was unconscious, this was the first time I was meeting everyone who had changed during that time.

Some might think that just two years isn’t a long time and wonder why there should be such a big change, but they don’t understand.

Two years might seem short, but it’s enough time for someone to finish their military service.

There were friends among us who were nicknamed "Baby Pig" and "Jolaman." After they finished their military service, they evolved into "No-Pig" and "Machoman," so you can imagine—those I was meeting today were probably unrecognizable, having changed just as much.

Anyway, I couldn’t help but be excited about seeing how everyone had changed during the two years I missed.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Yoon Si-woo came out from the hallway and spoke.

"Shall we head out now? I see there’s still some time before the appointment, but most of them have already arrived."

"Oh, then we should hurry! Let’s go!"

"Hold on, Scarlett."

"Huh? What? Did you forget something?"

Just as I was about to leave, Yoon Si-woo suddenly hesitated.

Thinking he might have forgotten something, I looked back at him, and he gave me a sly smile.

"I like you. Will you go out with me?"

"Ugh, seriously…! No, no! Stop it already! Let's go before they start waiting too long!"

"Ha ha, alright. Got it."

Ugh, this guy. Even now, a confession?

I clicked my tongue inwardly and rejected yet another one of Yoon Si-woo’s confessions, not even bothering to count which one it was anymore, as we headed outside.

Still, I must really be looking forward to meeting everyone.

With my heart racing like this, it seems so.

After stepping outside, I followed Yoon Si-woo’s lead to the meeting spot.

The meeting place was a bar located in a secluded alley that would have been hard to find if you didn’t already know about it.

"Wow… How did you even find a place like this?"

"Heh, I was introduced to it by Captain Martina, and after coming here a few times, it became my regular spot. Because of that, I was able to get the owner’s permission to host today’s gathering here."

Apparently, for today’s reunion, the owner had agreed to rent the place out for the whole day.

I nodded and entered the bar with Yoon Si-woo.

"Oh, it’s Yoon Si-woo!"

"Yoon Si-woo, are you really going to be the last to arrive? We’ve all been waiting here for a while!"

As soon as we entered, everyone who had already arrived welcomed Yoon Si-woo excitedly.

"Eh?"

"Excuse me, but who’s this next to you?"

However, unlike the warm welcome Yoon Si-woo received, everyone awkwardly stared at me as if they were seeing a stranger.

I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

...What’s going on? Did they forget me during the time I was unconscious?

Or is this some sort of bullying thing?!

As I was bewildered by their shocking reaction, I suddenly realized I still had my disguise spell active. I quickly deactivated it.

"...Ah! It’s Scarlett! Ha ha, I thought I didn’t recognize you for a second!"

"Wow, you really surprised me. I thought Yoon Si-woo brought someone else, not you. But I guess that’s impossible."

"Heh, judging by your reactions, it looks like I wasn’t the only one surprised. Anyway, both of you, come on in. You’re the last ones here."

Fortunately, as soon as the disguise was lifted, everyone recognized me and greeted me warmly. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that it wasn’t some sort of bullying, and sat down with Yoon Si-woo at an empty spot.

The moment I sat down, it was as if everyone had been waiting for me to do so, and a barrage of questions started from all sides.

"Anyway, Scarlett, you look healthy, I’m so glad. We were all so worried when we heard you were unconscious for so long. Are you feeling alright now? No pain anywhere?"

"Huh? Oh, I’m totally fine. Thanks for worrying."

"I heard you lost your abilities completely? Is it inconvenient at all?"

"Well, that’s true, but it’s not that inconvenient. If I had to say something inconvenient, it would be that I can’t dry my body immediately after a shower, haha."

"By the way, I heard you’re living with Yoon Si-woo? I’ve been dying to know what happened, please tell us everything!"

"Eh…? Ah, well, that’s…"

In the middle of trying to answer all the questions that were being thrown at me, I got embarrassed by a sensitive question, and just then, Yoon Si-woo suddenly stood up, blocking the space between me and the others, and said.

"Hold on a second, everyone. I get that you have a lot of questions for Scarlett, but can we order some drinks first?"

"Ha, look at him, already taking care of things."

"...It’s not like that. Anyway, Scarlett, what would you like to drink? They’ve got all sorts of wines and cocktails here."

At Yoon Si-woo’s question, I was taken aback.

Since this was a bar, I assumed it would be alcoholic drinks, but I had sworn never to drink again for the rest of my life.

Ugh... no more embarrassing moments... please...

In order to avoid triggering any embarrassing memories, I quickly shook my head and replied.

"I’m fine. I don’t drink at all..."

"Well then, how about some orange juice? The orange juice here is really good."

"Orange juice? Okay, I’ll go with that..."

As long as it’s not alcohol, I was fine, so I nodded, and Yoon Si-woo went straight to the bartender to order.

"Master, one martini and one orange juice, please."

Not long after, Yoon Si-woo returned with the drinks and handed me the orange juice.

"Here, try it. I bet you’ll say this is the best orange juice you’ve ever had in your life."

"Hey, no way! Orange juice is just orange juice, how different can it be... Whoa, what is this! I’ve never tasted orange juice like this before!"

"Right? Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything here that tastes better than that orange juice."

"Wow, maybe you’re right… But why are you drinking martini and not orange juice? Does martini taste good?"

"...Ah, this? To be honest, I’m not sure, but I’ve gotten used to it after coming here so often. And... it reminds me of my parents."

"Your parents?"

"...Well, actually, my parents were in the same unit as Captain Martina. After they... passed away, Captain Martina took care of me and my dad. And... well, I guess you could say it feels like a bit of a connection to them."

I tilted my head, curious, as Yoon Si-woo, with a nostalgic look in his eyes, took a deep breath before telling me about the martini, Captain Martina, and his parents.

The story was quite meaningful, so I listened attentively. As I did, everyone around us gradually moved away, giving us some space to talk.

"...Hey, Scarlett? I still haven’t heard about your living situation with Yoon Si-woo..."

"Hey, can’t you see we’re having a good time here? Why would you interrupt? Just move aside and let them talk."

"Ugh, I’m still curious though..."

"Sigh, why are you so obsessed with other people’s love lives? Focus on your own, will you?"

"Ugh, why do you talk like that? You’re not going to take responsibility for my love life, are you?"

"...Take responsibility?"

"...Huh?"

"...If you’re not against it, follow me. Let’s go somewhere quiet and let them talk."

By the time Yoon Si-woo finished his story, all the kids around us had disappeared. The noisy bar suddenly felt like it was just me and Yoon Si-woo alone.

As I settled into a deeper conversation with Yoon Si-woo, I began to listen in on other people’s discussions, which had naturally shifted to the topic of recent updates in everyone’s lives.

"What have you been up to lately? This is what I’ve been doing..." I glanced around at the others.

Contrary to what I expected, none of them had dramatically changed, like the ones who had evolved from "Baby Pig" to "Machoman."

However, just by shedding their youthful appearances and carrying themselves with a more mature aura, everyone looked different enough that it was fascinating to watch.

The stories about how they had grown from students to adults and found their own paths in life were even more interesting.

"Wow, who would have thought we’d all end up working together after all these years?"

"Hehe, working with close friends is great, right?"

"Well, I don’t really care about the work, but I’m glad it’s with people I know!"

Mae, who had once brought me home after I crashed into a wall, worked in the city’s security department. Interestingly, Jessie, Daniel, and Andre had all gotten jobs there too.

Apparently, after seeing Mae apply to the security department, the others decided to follow suit.

Mae didn’t seem to dislike it, even though she used to complain a lot. It looked like they were all still on good terms.

It was interesting to see how four people who had come together through me had kept up their connections over the years.

"So, Yoon Si-woo, didn’t you go to the western coast with Scarlett a while ago?"

"Ugh, how did you know?"

"I saw footprints in the sand that didn’t match yours, so I checked the guest list. It said ‘Yoon Si-woo and one companion.’ Who else would you bring besides Scarlett? I guess you really wanted it to be just the two of you. If you had told me, I could’ve shown Scarlett a tour of the underwater world, but you went quietly, huh?"

"Eh, underwater tour?! Marina, I really want to do that..."

"Heh, if you want, just let me know. I’ll take you whenever. Unlike some people, I don’t mind going with more than just one person."

"...I’m good, just stop teasing me."

Marina worked in marine environmental restoration, using her water manipulation abilities. She was crucial in making the beautiful sea we visited with Yoon Si-woo possible.

I also heard that Marina might soon have a new mother figure, and the candidate was none other than Captain Martina.

After Captain Natalia’s passing, Captain Martina had kept an eye on Marina’s family, and lately, Marina’s father, Captain Lucas, and Captain Martina seemed to be getting along quite well.

When I cautiously asked if it made Marina uncomfortable to have a new mother so soon after her own mother passed, she smiled and answered.

"...My mom used to say something like this: ‘Martina might never get married if she keeps going like this. If anything happens to me, can you and Marina take care of her?’ Hearing that from my mom, I didn’t feel as uncomfortable as I thought I would. Captain Martina has always been kind to me and my dad. Oh, and this is a secret, okay? If Captain Martina ever finds out, she’ll get mad."

Marina’s smile brought a sense of warmth, and after hearing her, I couldn’t help but nod in agreement. It seemed everyone was overcoming their struggles in their own way.

"By the way, Dway and Flone, are you enjoying your newlywed life?"

"Ha, I can’t believe it. Dway was always more focused on magic than anything else. How did he end up marrying Flone, of all people?"

"Heh! Even though he’s like that, Darling treats Flone really well! They’re totally lovey-dovey! Right, Darling?"

"...Yeah."

"Wow, Dway’s not denying it. I guess marriage really is a good thing."

"Haa, I guess I lost. I can’t deny it anymore…"

Everyone was really interested in Dway and Flone’s recent marriage.

It’s not surprising, considering we all watched how opposites they were back in the academy.

At first, everyone worried Dway would be too absorbed in magic research and neglect Flone, but it turned out the opposite.

Dway never spent a night in his workshop without Flone, which was proof that he loved her more than magic.

After hearing this, everyone teased Dway while whistling, and of course, he used magic to make them all shut up.

Anyway, after talking for a while, I realized something.

I was the only one without a job.

Once I realized this, I suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

My bank account had more than enough money, but I knew I might need it for something big in the future, so I should probably find something to do.

Thinking about this, I muttered to myself.

"Everyone’s found their path and is working, but I feel like the only one here without a job... I really need to find something to do soon."

But what can I even do without my abilities?

I’m good at paperwork, but should I ask Sylvia if she needs a secretary?

As I thought about it, suddenly, a burst of laughter came from the group.

"Scarlett, you’re really something. You just saved the world and woke up, and now you’re already thinking about finding a job."

"With that attitude, Scarlett’s probably someone who can’t sit still even as a rich unemployed person. People who dream of being rich would wonder what’s wrong with her."

Huh...

Their reactions made me feel like I might have been overthinking things.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, and one of the others spoke to me.

"If you don’t have anything to do, who cares? Why not just marry Yoon Si-woo and become a full-time housewife?"

"Yeah, right! So Yoon Si-woo will work, and when he gets home, his wife will always greet him with ‘Welcome home!’? Damn, I’m jealous...! Heroes usually marry other heroes, but this is the real dream."

And with that, someone else chimed in.

I thought to myself, maybe this is what bullying feels like.