I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

66 – 66. Scenery by the Lake

“Time has flown by already.”

I stood up from my seat, moved my body around a bit. After my stiff body loosened up a bit, I blinked my eyes a couple of times and went outside the academy building unnoticed by others.

Then, without anyone noticing, I headed towards the lake.

Vanessa had mentioned that she would prepare the food. Well, I don’t have high expectations. She might buy it or maybe it’ll be simple, one of the two.

“If it’s just at an eatable level, I guess there’s no need to worry much.”

With that thought in mind, as we arrived at the lake, Vanessa had already spread out a blanket and settled in. I naturally plopped down beside her.

“I’m here.”

Vanessa, after a brief pause as if choosing her words, simply smiled and said, “Yes.”

Seems like the reaction is a bit subdued. I said with a wry smile, “Did you wait for me?”

Upon hearing that, Vanessa blushed and replied, “Uh, not really. Why would I wait for so long?”

I raised my hand to her cheek and said, “Your cheek feels a bit cold.”

Even though the scent of spring was already in the air, and summer was approaching, the night breeze still carried a chill. Whether it was innate or due to the wind, Vanessa’s cheeks were certainly cool.

“Oh, um, it’s just because my body temperature is naturally low…”

“Ah, is that so?”

I chuckled at Vanessa’s bewildered face and looked at her. Despite her blushing, her skin still felt cool, as if she naturally had a lower body temperature.

Then, Vanessa sneakily looked into my eyes and said, “…Why are you staring at me like that?”

I made a thoughtful sound and replied, “Because you’re beautiful?”

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At my words, Vanessa suddenly clutched her chest. I was surprised and asked, “Where does it hurt?”

Did I go too far with the joke?

Vanessa shook her head, her hand gently moving over her chest. “No, it’s nothing. Really, don’t worry about it.”

I shrugged at her words. Then, I asked her, “Is that so? …I’ll believe you. But, aren’t you starting to get hungry?”

Vanessa made a sound of acknowledgment and took out some food from the basket.

“A sandwich?”

“Yes. I’m not great at cooking, but I made this myself.”

I tilted my head at her statement.

“I’ve never seen a sandwich cut so neatly before. Why? It seems like you have a talent.”

Upon hearing those words, Vanessa looked at me with a complex and delicate expression, then spoke with a faint, distant gaze.

“Yes… I’m relieved….”

What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?

I looked at Vanessa in confusion. However, she seemed completely unaffected as she picked up the sandwich and took a bite.

“It’s delicious. Please have some.”

I put the sandwich into my mouth. It didn’t have any particularly unique taste. It was just faithful to the basics, so to speak.

Well, it was tasty in its own way. I continued to savor the sandwich.

Noticing my reaction, Vanessa asked softly.

“… Does it taste good?”

Ah, I just ate it without saying anything. I was too hungry.

“It’s delicious.”

Upon hearing that, Vanessa’s eyes showed a noticeable relief.

“I’m, glad.”

“There’s nothing to be relieved about. It’s just stating the fact that it’s delicious. The ingredients are fresh, everything is good.”

“Ah… so it was fresh?”

…?

I looked at Vanessa.

“Well, I lived in the north, so I didn’t have much connection with things that die so quickly in this cold weather, so I can’t really tell if it’s fresh or not…”

It suddenly felt very unsettling that I was chewing on this.

I tried my best not to show it and continued to chew the sandwich.

… It’s fine. It’s not like I’m going to die from eating it.

Vanessa seemed satisfied as she watched me eat. After we filled our bellies to some extent, Vanessa and I began to have a conversation.

“How is it in the university these days? Can you endure it?”

“… It seems like you’re quite interested in me, but, somehow… a lot.”

“Weird?”

“Yes, well. That’s the word. Honestly, I’ve never experienced that kind of interest before.”

I chuckled.

“Yeah, they said I would be popular when I came to the academy.”

“I didn’t expect it to be to this extent.”

Amidst the mundane conversation, Vanessa suddenly looked at me and spoke.

“…But until when will you keep speaking like that?”

I made a puzzled sound in response to her words.

“How long are you going to use formal language with me?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I usually use formal language with students.”

“Am I just an ordinary student to you?”

…Oops, I think I answered that wrong.

Vanessa’s mood deteriorated visibly. I hastily added, “But meeting Vanessa Yang wasn’t initially a student and professor encounter, so, well.”

Looking at me in that way, Vanessa made a peculiar expression.

“So?”

“…Well, damn. What do you even want?”

Vanessa replied calmly.

“Just use informal language.”

Then, she added casually, “Using formal language makes the distance seem too far.”

I stared quietly at Vanessa in response to her words. She looked back at me.

How long did the standoff continue? I sighed and said, “Alright. It’s just informal language then, whatever.”

Vanessa’s expression brightened. It’s fascinating how someone can be so transparent.

Looking at Vanessa, I said, “Is this okay, then?”

Vanessa nodded.

“Yes. It’s much better. Less stiff.”

I chuckled. It was amusing how pleased she looked just because I used informal language once.

As we continued our conversation, a sudden vibration echoed from my pocket.

I took out the communication device and placed it against my ear. Then, the voice of the communication teacher came through.

“The results of the request to the lectern side are out.”

“…How did it go?”

The teacher sighed before speaking.

“I understand for now. But… to be honest, the way they looked at us wasn’t exactly friendly. Probably because they have other pressing matters.”

“If it’s other pressing matters…”

“…the next Saint.”

“…”

I closed my mouth. It wouldn’t be easy to fulfill the request from the academy while also keeping up with the next Saint’s development. He wasn’t someone with idle time.

Moreover, the fact that he even bothered to consider my request was an exception among exceptions.

“Instead of splitting my time to accommodate the request regarding the next Saint… the academy might demand various things from the institution. It’s inevitable.”

Certainly, that could happen.

“However, just because of that, we can’t ignore the request, can we?”

Thinking logically, it wasn’t easy to disregard the fact that terrorists targeting the academy had their eyes set keenly on it.

“…Yes, that’s true.”

It meant the situation had become quite difficult in various aspects. I sighed once more. Vanessa, beside me, seemed to sense my discomfort and was rolling her eyes, aware of my predicament.

“…It’s quite a mess in many ways. Still, I suppose we’ll have to negotiate the best way we can.”

“Will the institution settle for reasonable negotiations? Even the Pope and the next Saint seem eager for the institution’s active political interference.”

True. I’m not entirely sure. But… even so, there are things that must be done, right?

I sighed again.

After a moment of silence, the signal was cut off from the communication device.

Vanessa asked me with a hint of concern, holding the device close, “What happened? Is there a problem?”

To reassure her, I conjured a smile and replied, “No problem. Oh, no, there’s no problem. It’s just that I’ve gathered some clues about the culprits who messed up the last entrance exam.”

However, Vanessa seemed skeptical. Seeing her reaction, I decided not to delve into how I had found those clues.

After all, hearing that there was almost a terrorist attack on the ship wouldn’t sit well. Instead, I ruffled Vanessa’s hair.

“Oh, come on! I’m not that young!”

“In my eyes, you are.”

“It’s only a five-year age gap, how is that…”

“Vanessa, that’s almost a third of the life you’ve lived. It’s a huge difference.”

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Annoyed, Vanessa exclaimed, “A five-year gap is an age difference where one could even get married!”

“Who do you think I am, trying to marry you?”

Vanessa, upon hearing my words, turned beet red.

“Oh, no, it’s not like that!”

Oh well, teasing her is just too entertaining.

I burst into laughter while looking at Vanessa’s face. She stared back at me with a puzzled expression.

In many ways, it seemed that looking at her made some of my complicated thoughts fade away.