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[Function Monopoly Theory]
-Thursday, 5th period, 17:00~21:00
-Professor: Stand Mill
-Administration Department, Liberal Arts
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There’s only one test on Thursday.
That means there’s a lot of time to zone out.
“Hey, Oknodie! Let’s have breakfast! The seniors sold the acorns they gathered from the squirrel burrow to the cafeteria, so today’s menu is packed with acorn dishes!”
“Later…”
What was it about that confession from Professor Destroyer?
Even after thinking about it again, it’s confusing.
The professor likes me…
Well, more accurately, they like a pitiful and lovable child like me.
Why did they develop such a strange taste?
“Hey, you little mouse. Aren’t you going to lunch? They said the special menu includes acorn pancakes, acorn buckwheat noodles, and acorn dumplings. You love rare dishes like that, right?”
“Later…”
After worrying all morning, the answer finally became clear by lunchtime.
Havi.
The childhood friend of Professor Destroyer, who met with a tragic fate.
Such a connection is not something easy to forget.
Let alone if it’s a relationship that ended tragically due to one’s own mistake; that would be even harder to forget.
It would be buried deep within Professor Destroyer like an indelible mark throughout their life.
‘This is it! The past of not being able to save Havi has warped Professor Destroyer’s preferences. It’s definitely true!’
I couldn’t save Havi’s unfortunate end, but I could rescue another child as pitiful and lovable as her.
If I can easily repay my guilt towards Havi with such an act, there’s no reason to refuse.
He has more than enough ability and support to save an unhappy woman.
‘Knowing the background makes it sad, but…’
But I can’t just accept a confession out of the blue.
It’s not just anyone; it’s Professor Destroyer!
It’s almost as uncomfortable as attending a lecture with Duke Andersen.
The Previous Hero has a sort of gimmick.
Someone who fails at everything.
Always a step behind.
It’s a perfect recipe for becoming a tragic heroine.
Even I, a veteran player, can hardly imagine the calamity that awaits.
Since I’m getting involved with major characters from the Warrior class, the risk of an unknown event unfolding is likely beyond imagination.
‘I feel bad for the professor, but this confession is something I can’t accept unless I want to die!’
But maybe things will be different in a few years.
If I can surpass a certain level in my growth.
If I can overcome the crisis facing the Warrior class.
This new event wouldn’t be strange at all if I actively confessed instead!
If not for Sing, I wouldn’t even have imagined such an event hidden away so deep, how can I not feel greedy?
Sigh. But how do I convince the professor?
I really want to use it for my graduation project like Sing, but rejecting the confession until then might be tricky.
I can’t just say, “Don’t fall in love with me, Professor!”
The professor is already projecting Havi onto me, getting overly immersed. What if they interpret my rejection as ‘being turned down by the pitiful and lovable Oknodie = failure to save Havi’?
They might just end it all!
I guess there’s no choice…
I need time until I become a fourth year.
Even if I can’t accept a love confession, I need to buy myself time and present a compromise.
Let’s just indulge the professor enough so that they won’t contemplate suicide.
‘What kind of person is Havi, I wonder?’
If Havi and the professor were together, what conversations would they share?
What expressions would they make?
What are their thoughts? Hobbies?
Meals? Gait?
What kind of Havi does the professor want to see?
A smiling Havi? A sad Havi?
A comforting Havi? An accusatory Havi?
A fine-tuned adjustment built on numerous failures and setbacks is taking shape.
The veteran player’s databank search is complete.
Personality processor activation complete.
[Concept: Havi] Activation start!
“Oknodie, I heard you skipped breakfast and lunch. Are you alright?”
“Thanks for your concern. But I have someone else to have dinner with, so don’t be too sad, Jezel!”
“…Oknodie?”
Havi-like eye-smile and relaxed grin, Jezel stepped back, surprised.
Hmm… The trial run has started, but the response is ambiguous.
Should I test it a bit more?
“Um, I’m about to go have dinner with my father’s trade partner.”
“Father, not Papa…? You’re sounding oddly unfamiliar today, little lady.”
“Ten points for noticing the distance!”
“…Is there something else you want from me?”
“Hehe. Well, not particularly, I guess. Please give my apologies to Dorothy and Uncle Son Ohchun for the missed meal invitations for breakfast and lunch.”
Saying it out loud is easy, but it doesn’t feel fun, so I imbue a strange nuance and walk away demurely instead of my usual cheerful skips.
Finally seeing Jezel’s dazed expression, I was certain of it.
‘The trial run is successful!’
In terms of duration, Jezel, the one who had watched me the longest this iteration, felt an unfamiliar feeling due to my dramatic change.
Different breath, different perspective, different way of thinking.
Despite having the same appearance, the modified concept is clearly revealing its alien quality.
I’m sure this will work.
As a closer substitute to Havi for Professor Destroyer.
‘Even if I can’t give love, I can show the professor Havi, fulfilling their emotions, right?’
I feel like a genius!
[You have moved Jezel’s heart with a polite rejection. Did the mature transformation of the Trickster impress them? This action is highly regarded in the Good Kid category.]
[Good Kid Experience Points +1]
Look at that!
Even the function experience points are impressed by my acting skills, rewarding me with a Good Kid certificate!
Brashly heading towards Professor Destroyer’s office, my hat crumpled down on my head.
[The little devil wouldn’t be as evil as you. Have you lost your mind? Who goes around rejecting love confessions and makes someone more obsessed?]
“Tch, so what should I do? I can’t just accept a confession, right? If I pretend not to notice and actually get confessed to, I’d be cornered then. Does Senior Alice have any better ideas?”
[Not really…]
“Then I’m doing it my way, so don’t interfere!”
My previously steady steps came to an abrupt halt.
Senior Alice showed her delight and joy.
[Good thinking. Let’s leave the poor professor alone and go back to studying for the test.]
“That’s not it. It would be rude to visit the professor empty-handed, right?”
[…What are you plotting this time?]
“Plotting? You’re saying something very insulting.
“A good kid should bring a gift!”
[What kind of gift?]
“If I have a gift that makes me look pitiable like Havi, wouldn’t the professor be even happier and become more immersed?”
I swiftly removed the hat that was crumpling down on my head.
“Hmph. No matter what, my mind is already set. I’m going to find a gift.”
The hat has calmed down.
Realizing it couldn’t change my determination, Senior Alice gave up.
[Where to?]
“To Jonnas!”
[…What are you going to get?]
What to get?
Of course, I’m going to get something from the Butler of the Foundation.
“My father’s orders!”
Senior Alice’s telepathy suddenly cut off.
She was so shocked that she seemed speechless.
“A good kid always listens to their father’s orders, right? I’m being dutiful while also preparing a gift. Isn’t that so Havi-like? Hehe.”
After some time, Senior Alice finally expressed a brief sentiment.
[Professor Destroyer is so pitiful…]
*
Jonnas couldn’t believe his ears.
“What did you just say, Agassi?”
“Please receive an order from my father!”
“…No one willingly asks for orders. Orders aren’t a good present or a toy just because you’re bored.”
“I want to help my father. Can’t you see my burning filial piety?”
“I see you’re not in your right mind.”
Puff, puff, the Oknodie’s familiar playful attitude was as it usually was.
Though her speech is slightly off, and there’s an odd sense of unease as if she’s mimicking someone. That’s just how kids act at that age.
A respectable adult.
A cherished celebrity.
It’s not unusual for a child to imitate someone.
The problem is that it has turned into mad behavior, aiming to be a good daughter and pulling authority out of the hat.
‘…I know this isn’t a well-thought-out request, but, timing-wise, it might still be a good attempt.’
Jonnas understood.
He knew just how much Oknodie’s actions were irritating the director.
The more time she spends in the academy, the rapidly declining reputation of the Foundation.
She’s consistently engaging in actions that disgrace her father as though saying the Foundation’s honor might as well be fed to the dogs, adding one more shield to protect herself.
The moment her reckless behavior crosses the line, severe repercussions will follow, but this request is an act of submission to the director.
This will serve as proof that it wasn’t her intention to tarnish the Foundation’s honor; she’s trying to earn understanding.
“Please give me a few days. I’ll try my best to bring back an order that has enough value to satisfy you.”
“Thank you, Jonnas. I always owe you for your kindness. You’re a Butler worth a perfect 100 out of 100.”
“…”
It’s hard to say exactly who she’s mimicking, but the fact that she’s such a grown-up and dignified Agassi makes it hard for me to not lend her my aid in this playful scheme.
