[Chapter 121]
[Drink Up to My Friend Too (2)]
There were multiple student cafeterias in the academy.
In addition, there were various facilities lined up like the Dangun Player Association where you could buy various items, franchise restaurants from outside, cultural facilities like movie theaters, entertainment facilities, and so on.
It could be said to be consideration for students who could only go out on weekends.
Of course, using the facilities required points distributed differentially to students by the academy according to grades and a considerable amount of money.
"Sorry I'm late! The instructor ended class late... Where should we eat!?"
"You didn't have to run here, why are you sweating so much? Aren't you tired? Here, I was drinking this earlier, have a sip."
"...You don't do this with other kids, right?"
"What are you saying? You're my only friend here."
"Hmph, well, fine. What do you want to eat for lunch?"
"What do you want to eat?"
"Hmm... Oh, come to think of it, there's an Italian restaurant in the academy run by a famous chef..."
"Ah, right. I heard they're serving some kind of premium set in the cafeteria today... How about that?"
"...Okay, let's eat that."
I heard the interior is pretty there, and the atmosphere is nice too.
A-ra who overheard female students talking about it in class earlier made a gloomy expression.
However, knowing On Tae-yang's circumstances, she quickly pretended to be strong.
"It looks like they're selling the menu I mentioned over there."
"Over there? Ah, I wanted to eat there once too. Okay, let's go!"
On Tae-yang pointed to a nearby building with his finger.
It was a building with a good view where you could see the lake while eating.
A-ra answered energetically and walked alongside him.
"Oh, right. Have you thought about what club to join?"
"No, not yet. What about you, A-ra?"
"Hmm... I'm thinking about it too, but it seems there's a photography club. I'm thinking of joining there because it seems fun. There's an explanation meeting later, want to go together?"
"Hmm... Should we? But we don't have cameras."
"I'm a bit worried about that too... I'll ask at the explanation meeting and if not, maybe buy a used one..."
"Wouldn't cameras be expensive no matter what..."
"That's why I said I'll ask at the explanation meeting if we can take photos with smartphones."
"Okay, I got it. I'll join too after asking once, if they say we can take photos with smartphones."
"Really?"
A-ra pouted her lips.
He who belatedly grasped her mood raised both hands as if surrendering.
Only then did A-ra's face relax.
Meanwhile.
"There's a kendo club explanation meeting! Come listen to the explanation once! There are refreshments too, so please attend!"
"Art club! Even if you say your hands are clumsy, the art club is always waiting for your membership!"
"You guys! Want to do an escape room with me!?"
In front of the door entering the cafeteria.
Some students were promoting clubs and making the surroundings noisy.
It was a sight that could be encountered recently in the academy.
To enter the cafeteria, they had no choice but to receive promotional materials from them.
"─The cultural exploration club is overflowing with kind, charming members! No friends? Want to make friends! A club where you can both play and study, and build your specs! That's the cultural exploration club!"
Then On Tae-yang discovered a particularly eye-catching female student among them.
Her appearance of shouting with all her might while being drowned out by other students' voices caught his attention.
A female student who gave the feeling of having some pitiful story.
Her downturned eye-smile is pretty. She looks modest.
"It's the cultural exploration club! Thank you!"
Tae-yang slightly moved his steps and approached her.
She who was frantically handing out promotional materials handed them to him and A-ra.
Only then did he realize.
That she was a middle academy graduate student wearing a red necktie.
"...It's strange. I thought middle academy graduates wouldn't do things like this."
"Who? Ah, Eun-woo?"
"Eun-woo? Do you know her?"
"Really... I told you to open your eyes and ears every day instead of just training, didn't I? Eun-woo is famously known as a representative kind person among the 031st grade. I talked to her before and she was really kind."
"Really? Somehow, she does look like she would be."
"...What does Eun-woo look like?"
"Just. You know how sometimes you can just tell something about a person when you see them."
"Oh, is that so? Then what about me?"
"You're... handsome."
"Do you want to die!?"
On Tae-yang chuckled seeing his childhood friend huffing beside him.
Soon he hardened his face at A-ra's additional words.
"But Eun-woo, I heard she's close with that Mok Min-ho."
"...What?"
"I heard they're childhood friends?"
Mok Min-ho.
An unpleasant name.
Tae-yang who lost to him once in a duel simply couldn't accept him favorably.
I can't believe Cha Eun-woo is childhood friends with Mok Min-ho...
How can someone who looks so kind be close with him? Did he catch her weakness or something? Well... there's no way someone like her could stand up to a thick-skinned guy like him.
Poor Cha Eun-woo.
If it were me, I wouldn't do that.
Having reached such thoughts, he was filled with an inexplicable sense of justice.
"Since there's an explanation meeting, shall we go once?"
"Huh? If you join the cultural exploration club, taking photos with me..."
"It says here you don't need any equipment? And lunch expenses are supported by club funds, so how about this? Isn't it good?"
"Hmm..."
"Let's join together. It's awkward to go alone."
"Hmm... okay. Since you say so, this noona will go with you!"
"What noona. Our birthdays are only a few months apart."
They giggle.
The two who entered the cafeteria joking soon exclaimed in surprise.
There were no empty seats visible.
"...Looks like we'll have to wait for seats to open up before eating?"
"Look over there. There are kids who won't even get up after eating to look at the lake... It'll take quite a while for seats to open up... Ah! A-ra, isn't that empty over there?"
The cafeteria consisted of a basic 1st floor and a 2nd floor with considerably less area than the 1st floor.
Looking up from below, the interior of the 1st and 2nd floors were starkly different.
The 2nd floor looked more luxurious. And unlike the 1st floor, it was even uncrowded.
"Let's eat there."
"Huh? Tae-yang, wait. Isn't something strange? Why are there so many people only on the lower floor, and on the upper floor..."
"What's strange about it. You come up too."
On Tae-yang urges.
A-ra climbed the stairs while flustered.
She who looked around the 2nd floor interior up close soon let out an exclamation.
The worries she had just before disappeared.
She who took a seat for two and leaned comfortably on the sofa tried to take a picture of the tray with food elegantly arranged.
If you think about it, it was her fault for getting too excited.
"─Hey."
""?""
A tone that seemed to be picking a fight.
A-ra who was about to eat lunch now looked up at the male student who approached the table with On Tae-yang.
Necktie, a Noble.
Only then could she objectively examine her surroundings.
All the students on the 2nd floor were wearing neckties.
"This is a place only special people can use, so go down."
"What?"
On Tae-yang frowned.
A-ra looked at Kim Byeong-guk, a collateral branch of Galaxy Group, with a frozen face.
Behind him, Kang Ye-seul, a direct descendant of Galaxy Hospital, was giggling.
No, not just her, but students around were wearing smirks on their lips.
"Go down while I'm saying it nicely. I'm doing this for your sake. We're fine, but if groups like Alice Group or others see kids like you using the 2nd floor, they'll find it distasteful."
A tone as if admonishing kindly.
Kim Byeong-guk sighed and pointed to the stairs going down with his chin.
But On Tae-yang refused to comply.
"Why should I? Why should I go down when I'm eating with my own money?"
"...What?"
On Tae-yang cannot endure injustice.
What's wrong is wrong.
"The academy says it doesn't look at status, so what exactly are you guys doing?"
"Hey. Watch your mouth. It's not just me here, there are other kids, and Ga-in too."
Choi Ga-in, direct descendant of Galaxy Group.
On Tae-yang hesitated hearing the name of the direct descendant of the place sponsoring him.
But what's wrong is wrong.
As his father said, injustice should not be endured.
"Don't be ridiculous. This place can be used by other students too, not just you. Don't decide things on your own."
"...Where did this crazy bastard come from... Why is Mok Min-ho not here today of all days..."
"Tae-yang... Let's just go down. Okay? I told you before there's nothing good about causing problems."
"A-ra, what did we do wrong!?"
On Tae-yang glaring at people who were just quietly sneering without stepping forward.
Kim Byeong-guk frowning saying a troublemaker came in.
A-ra anxiously trying to stop the troublemaker On Tae-yang.
The atmosphere naturally became awkward. All the students in the cafeteria were watching them.
In such a situation─.
"─You're receiving sponsorship from our group? We shouldn't treat you harshly since you're not Jung Ha-yang or Yu Do-jun. It's fine. Just let them eat here."
"Ga, Ga-in. But if we do that... Other kids will surely..."
"Why. Ye-seul, didn't you say those kids are expected as promising talents? Then that's fine. And─."
Choi Ga-in ended the situation.
Soon she looked at On Tae-yang as if evaluating him and murmured softly.
"─He's quite good-looking."
A visual that catches the eye.
Choi Ga-in showed interest in him.
"Aish, why are you making only me look like a bad person... I took the lead for their sake..."
Meanwhile, Kim Byeong-guk grumbled.
☆
The academy says in principle you can use any facility if you have points and money.
Separately from that, there were implicit usage restrictions on certain facilities among students.
There wasn't any in middle academy. In fact, there was no reason for there to be.
In a way, it was a privilege for groups sponsoring the academy.
In another way, it was a side effect arising from the academy allowing student autonomy.
Only middle academy graduates can use.
Only certain groups can use.
Only certain students can use.
I had a lot of complaints about this too.
In his previous life, Eun-ha had friction with students over such matters.
One day, he tried to eat on the 2nd floor with a good view because there were so many people, but Lee Yu-jeong grabbed him by the scruff and pulled him out.
Yu-jeong was shocked then.
From some point, Eun-ha behaved quietly in the academy because he didn't want to hear her nagging.
In the end, he didn't even glance at facilities that only certain classes could use.
"Really... There's never a day this place isn't crowded. Eun-woo, do you have class next?"
"No, I don't. I have a break until the class after next. What about you, Min-ji?"
"So that's why you were promoting the club until late. That's good. I happen to have a break next period too, let's go for coffee after eating."
"Okay, sounds good."
However, now he uses any facility as he pleases without minding others' gazes.
He who finished promotional activities with friends came here saying they should eat somewhere with a good view.
Though it's crowded with people, he and his friends head to the 2nd floor as if it's natural.
Students on the 1st floor look enviously at them going up to the 2nd floor.
"Come to think of it, what about Eun-hyeok and Min-ho?"
"Looks like they both ate roughly and went back to promote again."
"Anyone who sees would think they're the president. The president is now... Ah, look. Eating over there."
If the 1st floor felt lively, in contrast the 2nd floor didn't feel lively.
It's quiet.
Those eating on the 2nd floor glanced at Eun-ha and his friends then turned their gazes away.
Only a few close people greeted them.
"Actually... I didn't like places like this much before."
"Huh? Really?"
Then Cha Eun-woo opened her mouth as if she remembered something.
She nods her head holding her tray and continues speaking.
"It's nice to be able to eat comfortably and quietly without lining up... But it felt like eating separately while eating with people."
His friends nodded their heads as if agreeing with her words.
Eun-ha was the same.
What he felt when eating here was that it seemed like they were forming business relationships even while sharing the same table.
"But when I'm with you guys, it feels good not having to mind things like that."
Eun-woo smiles warmly.
The girls including Ha-yang look at her as if she's cute.
Eun-ha proudly looked back at his friends who had never fought even once until now.
Come to think of it, Eun-woo hasn't been using privileges from some point.
Soon he recalled before regression.
From some point, Cha Eun-woo who was considered Choi Ga-in's closest aide started eating lunch on the 1st floor with On Tae-yang and his party members.
It must have been Cha Eun-woo's consideration for them who couldn't eat lunch on the 2nd floor.
You don't know how surprised students were seeing Cha Eun-woo doing that at the time.
Now she eats well on the upper or lower floor...
Cha Eun-woo was someone who was like 31st grade while being 031st grade.
Eun-ha who awoke from his reverie decided to find seats with his friends.
Even if seats were empty here and there, it was work to find seats where many people could sit.
But as luck would have it, Choi Ga-in's table was next to a decent seat.
""""...""""
A subtle current flowed between those who recognized each other.
Meanwhile, Eun-ha doubted his eyes seeing On Tae-yang and Jo A-ra eating lunch at Choi Ga-in's table.
Why are they there?
It's strange.
With On Tae-yang's personality, he wouldn't have welcomed such a seat.
Eun-ha blinked his eyes.
Well, that's good.
I should try talking at this opportunity.
Eun-ha walked towards Choi Ga-in's seat holding his tray.
He had to sit at the next table anyway.
"Oh my, Eun-ha did you come to eat too? Today's lunch is really delicious. And hey, why haven't you been in contact lately? When you have time, let's have a meal sometime..."
Choi Ga-in's expression brightens.
However, Eun-ha ignored her and approached On Tae-yang.
He who was holding a spoon as if eating soup frowned and looked up.
"Hello?"
"..."
To be honest, Eun-ha didn't have a good relationship with On Tae-yang in his previous life.
Because their positions were different.
They generally didn't try to exchange
And unlike the previous life, there was no reason for them to be at odds with each other in this life.
Eun-ha inwardly expected a friendly response.
But his reaction completely missed Eun-ha's expectations─.
"─Ga-in greeted you first, I think it's impolite to ignore that."
On Tae-yang didn't return the greeting.
He just blurted that out and lowered his head to his tray again.
Then he continued as if talking to himself.
"He really has no manners like the rumors say. Coming in here putting on airs with his lackeys and all."
"..."
"Hey! What are you saying? Um... sorry. He's a bit rude to people he's meeting for the first time."
"What do you mean I have no manners? The one without manners is him who ignored Ga-in."
"Hey! Why are you really acting like this!? Don't you know how scary No Eun-ha is?"
"Hmph, what's wrong with saying people shouldn't be ignored even if they think they're the best here, when I haven't done anything wrong."
Eun-ha was at a loss for words.
On Tae-yang's reaction was hostile.
He felt dumbfounded.
"It's okay. Eun-ha is my friend so don't be too harsh."
"He's your friend? What are you lacking?"
"Eun-ha is really an amazing person, you know? It's nice that you're worried about me, but could you not bully our Eun-ha too much? I'm scary when I get angry too."
Choi Ga-in interjects with an eye-smile.
On Tae-yang looked displeased with her but didn't say anything more.
When Eun-ha examined Choi Ga-in's face, she seemed annoyed at On Tae-yang butting in as he pleased, but also seemed to secretly like it.
"...Hello."
"Hi, hello Eun-ha."
In the end, Eun-ha greeted Choi Ga-in.
The corners of Choi Ga-in's mouth reach her ears. And only then did On Tae-yang receive a greeting from Eun-ha.
"Guys, let's get up too. Eun-ha, enjoy your lunch!"
Soon Choi Ga-in gets up from her seat with her faction.
Naturally, On Tae-yang and Jo A-ra who were using the same table as her got up too.
"Ah, Eun-woo you were there too. Come show your face to me sometimes. Don't just hang out with Jung Ha-yang's kids every day."
"...Okay, I'll think about it when I have time."
Choi Ga-in leading her faction gave Eun-woo a jab.
Eun-woo responded to her words perfunctorily while flustered, fixing her expression.
"Hi, Eun-woo."
"Huh? Um... You said you were A-ra, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. If it's okay, could you maybe tell No Eun-ha later that Tae-yang is really sorry for doing wrong?"
Meanwhile, A-ra who was mixed in the very last row quietly spoke to Cha Eun-woo.
Eun-woo nods her head.
A-ra smiles brightly and makes a promise to have lunch together with her next time.
"Hey! I'm having a hard time because of you. Why are you picking fights?"
"You saw too, A-ra. Can't you tell just by looking? That No Eun-ha acted rudely. I thought he gave off a bad feeling from when I first saw him, look at what he just did."
"Aish, you dummy! How nice would it be if you just let it go nicely even so! What will you do if he abuses his power like the rumors say!?"
"Hmph, let him abuse it if he's going to. I don't know now, but I'm telling you, once I start properly learning swordsmanship here, I'll be able to beat No Eun-ha or Mok Min-ho."
"...Don't you think about auntie?"
"Of course I think about my mom too. But my dad said before. There's no need to treat people who treat others badly like people."
"At times like this, it's dad, dad... Tae-yang, uncle also didn't receive proper compensation because of that..."
"Don't bring that up."
"...Okay. Sorry."
Eun-ha watched A-ra and On Tae-yang bickering.
Standing blankly until they left the cafeteria.
...It's strange.
Even in high academy, he didn't look at me like that...
There's a discrepancy in memories.
Though they were on hostile terms, their relationship wasn't bad when they were attending the academy.
It couldn't be said they had a good relationship either.
Eun-ha and On Tae-yang just treated each other as 31st grade classmates.
He didn't treat him with hostility like he showed towards Mok Min-ho.
Could it be...
Because I entered as 031st grade?
The thought suddenly struck him.
Come to think of it, On Tae-yang didn't welcome 031st grade students.
Of course, even then it seemed rare for him to show hostility except towards Mok Min-ho.
It's properly tangled.
The other party members won't be like this, right?
Eun-ha sighed.
There's no choice but to get to know them slowly.
It was fortunate there was a point of contact through the cultural exploration club.
Meanwhile, his friends watching this scene from behind had hardened faces.
They all had faces like they'd bitten into bugs.
"It's fine for me to criticize him... but when someone who doesn't know him criticizes, it feels a bit dirty."
Kim Min-ji laughs in disbelief.
"...Should I follow and kill him?"
Fire lights in Bae Su-bin's eyes.
"Wow... isn't he crazy?"
Lee Cheon-seo makes a show of huffing greatly while reading the atmosphere.
"He seems to have no manners himself, so why is he insulting our kid?"
Seo-na raises her fox tail straight up.
"Should I... bury him?"
Jung Ha-yang is pitch black with bad thoughts.
Lastly, Cha Eun-woo─.
"─You don't need to be hurt because of what a kid like that says. From what I saw, he... seems like he won't listen to others' words. Thinking on his own, misunderstanding... Just like someone."
She harshly criticized On Tae-yang.
Blood is thicker than water.