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My meeting with Meilin senior ended pretty quickly. She didn’t seem affected by the start of the semester, but she was deep into her own big project, which was a major reason she wasn’t paying us any mind.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Heroes Company had put a bit of pressure on her, but even so, she didn’t show much interest in my changes.

What did she say? Something like, ‘Your body has changed, but your abilities haven’t…’

She just asked me to continue the club next year because she wanted to explore whether my altered body would impact my abilities in the long run.

Beyond that, there was nothing more.

Honestly, I thought she’d rush in with a scalpel yelling about how she wanted to dissect me, but she was too rational and logical, which threw me off a bit.

It’s good and all, but, I don’t know how to put it.

It’s weird to see someone who used to dress and act like a complete fool suddenly show up in formal attire and behave sensibly. You get the idea.

“I sometimes… remember that this is the Academy where only the best gather… I just see so many… strange people…”

Lucia looked a bit impressed, whether positively or negatively, by Meilin’s demeanor and reminded me of something I almost forgot.

“Just because someone has abilities doesn’t mean their character is directly tied to it. And, it’s just my belief, but… if those with abilities also had good character, wouldn’t that be unfair?”

If there’s a God, he would have balanced it that way.

As I replied to Lucia, I naturally turned to Minho and asked what he thought.

“Huh… What about?”

“About those abilities users who seem a bit off in the head. What do you think?”

“Oh, I see. Well, I suppose they can’t help but be a bit unique. After all, they were born with ‘abilities’ that are different from others, right? How could they be ordinary?”

His ‘ordinary’ is different from everyone else’s.

At that, Seolhwa chimed in as if adding to Minho’s comment.

“Yeah, I think Minho has a point. I just don’t understand why people praise air conditioner inventors.”

“And… well, the family environment you’re born into, and the living conditions around you, are all different, so… Hmmm. I guess nobody can be exactly the same, right?”

Even while saying this, Minho wrapped up with a clean, “Of course, showing too much of your quirks can be a bit much.”

That’s true. Even I hide my twisted nature. I’m just putting on a well-crafted mask.

“Alright then, let’s all go our separate ways. I decided to spar with Alice for a bit. It’d be nice if you all wanted to join… what do you think?”

“I don’t have anything else to do, and I’ve been wanting to fight that girl at least once. Sounds good. I’m in.”

“I, too… even if I’ve come late… I can’t just… not join.”

Of course, the two heroines decided to follow Minho, sharing the same intent to keep an eye on him.

Love battles are scary, man. Some find charm in that stuff, but I just don’t get it.

“I’m gonna sit this one out, I’m way too tired. And besides, I don’t really wanna meet that girl.”

“Haha, yeah… Blanca has her reasons. So, shall we head home now?”

Since Minho was right there when I got slapped by that girl, he made a surprised face like he realized he messed up.

“It’s fine, really. I was a bit much, so we’re even. I’m not bothered right now.”

As I calmed Minho down, I also mentioned that there wasn’t really anywhere else to go besides home.

Then Minho made a slightly disappointed face saying goodbye and wishing me well.

Waving him off, I headed towards the mansion in a suitably secluded area outside the Academy, crunching on some marbles.

A pristine hideout situated at the Lisbon port. The place where that person is waiting. It was the day for the board meeting.

“Still, shouldn’t I have changed into something else…?”

Wearing my Academy uniform didn’t seem like the best move. But then again, it might not matter much.

I’m not going out and about in town; just sitting in a room for a meeting is all.

As I pulled back the curtains and felt the somewhat warm morning sunlight, I headed for the room where that person would be sleeping.

At this time, they must be sprawled out and sleeping away. They probably fell asleep after working until dawn again.

Knocking on the door brought no response, so when I went inside, sure enough, that person was completely out.

“Boss, boss. Wake up. It’s already 8 a.m. Are you planning to keep sleeping until the meeting time? Do you want to hold the meeting here again like last time?”

Politely spraying menthol-infused water towards the boss’s face, they mumbled to let them sleep for just 10 more minutes while wiping their face.

“No, absolutely not. You slept for over 10 hours last time. That won’t work this time. Get up, quickly.”

After persistently bothering them for 3 minutes, they finally seemed unable to bear it anymore and rubbed their eyes as they got out of bed.

“The meeting… ugh, I should have scheduled it for the afternoon…”

“But if you do that, it’ll overlap with Butler’s schedule. Justitia also can’t make it at that time.”

“Ugh, being part of a global organization is such a hassle. Why is it so difficult to get everyone in the same room?”

“But for security, there’s no choice, right? Go wash up. I’ll tidy the room in the meantime.”

Pushing that person out of bed and shoving them into the bathroom, I tidied up the mess that they had made.

Honestly, wouldn’t this place have turned into a pigsty if I weren’t around?

The staff do clean regularly, but they definitely don’t do it with the care I put into it.

Documents are tricky; if you handle them wrong, they could get lost or the order might get messed up, so aside from the papers, I cleaned the room thoroughly.

The clothes were folded neatly, and I told them to hang them up properly instead of just piling them on the coat rack. Really, how long were they planning to keep that up?

…I shouldn’t be doing this. It’s making them spoiled. Yet, even so, I couldn’t stop my hands.

After I finished tidying up and took a breather, that person finally came slowly out to the living room.

“Hanchō, Aileen, Wei… and Jack… where did they all go, leaving the boss alone?”

They scratched their chin in contemplation before suddenly remembering and said they had gone to ‘talk’ with the weapon dealers.

“They raised the distribution fee to double, so I sent them to give them a lesson. They’ll be back soon. Justitia and Butler will also arrive in an hour.”

“Everyone’s busy, huh. I feel a bit guilty just lounging around.”

“What are you talking about? Blanca is the one who’s been the busiest. She’s been going to the Academy non-stop.”

…I wonder if I can actually see her.

Only thinking that internally, I found myself saying something I didn’t truly believe.

“Well, I’m in the first year now, so they haven’t taught me any particularly important things yet… but come the end of the semester, they might start to teach us.”

“That would be great.”

As I chatted about this and that with that person, the topic naturally drifted to when things would actually get executed.

“So… are we still planning to do it during the winter break ceremony?”

“Unless something goes wrong with the plans, yeah. By the way, Blanca, how’s it going with trying to recruit the kids?”

Oh. Um…

“Not much results yet. There are some kids who are dissatisfied with Heroes Company, but it’s a bit lacking to get them to side with us.”

“That makes sense. They are kids who dream of being heroes, after all. Just be careful not to let it slip. After all, there’s nothing more precious than you.”

“…Thanks, boss.”

At that heartwarming thought from that person, a smile unconsciously spread on my face. Maybe it was also because that person was giving me treats.

Whatever it may be, it’s all good. As I spent my time licking the treats, suddenly, black smoke rose in several places in the living room, gradually gathering.

“Cat, motion sickness meds, hurry, ugh…!”

“I, too… and the little one with that girl…”

I tossed motion sickness medication to Hanchō and gently handed the rest to the other three.

“Hey, why just me…?”

“Is that decoration on your shoulder?”

“Haha, what a weird attitude…”

“Okay, okay. Let’s not fight on such a joyous day. We have to get along. Blanca, can you prepare some for the old man and Justitia too?”

Already on it, she said while casually handing some motion sickness meds to the old Butler and Justitia as they appeared through the smoke.

“Oh, thank you… At this age, I really feel like my stomach is turning…”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, old man.”

“Indeed it has, Miss Blanca. But, don’t you think your expression seems a bit softer?”

“Softer…?”

When I couldn’t understand what he meant, Jack and Justitia chimed in saying they thought they could feel that vibe too.

“You’re hanging out with people your age, so of course, your aura becomes more radiant. Even with such a disgusting nature, you still are a high school girl, after all?”

“…This time, I don’t think you’re completely wrong. I have definitely improved since coming to the Academy.”

As Justitia said that, I began to doubt whether I really had changed at all.

Every morning when I looked in the mirror, I looked the same to me.

“Hahaha, that’s because you see yourself every day. Maybe that’s why you don’t notice the changes?”

“That might be true…?”

Being the youngest, it seems like I especially attract attention when everyone gathers like this.

If we’re just going by age, Wei is the youngest, but since I got scouted later, I’m considered the youngest.

It felt a bit strange.

Yet, before I could even voice that strangeness, the meeting began.

 

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