The next day, Qwelin Academy was buzzing with excitement because Iroha and Yao Lin had recovered and were able to return to school.
Meanwhile, Nic casually listened to the commotion from inside the botanist room as students endlessly flocked to the Beauty Club.
"They really are popular," Nic said while watering the plants.
---
At the Beauty Club, Iroha and Yao Lin were being hugged by their club president, who was moved that they had finally returned after relapsing a few days ago.
"Are you completely cured this time??" the club president asked.
Iroha scratched her cheek and smiled. "Well, we don't know. Let's just pray it doesn't relapse again."
A few moments later, loud screams from girls erupted in the front area of the club. They immediately cleared a path to the Beauty Club so someone could pass through.
Enter the figure called the "perfect human" and an important asset of Qwelin Academy—he was like the symbol of Qwelin Academy's perfection itself.
Shen Akira, a guy who was perfect to some. He was handsome, incredibly smart, had a mind far more mature than his age since childhood, was full of achievements, and came from a wealthy family.
"Wow, you guys finally recovered?? Truly a crazy surprise. I'm glad you could come back... Qwelin feels empty without our beauty ambassadors!" Akira said with a cheerful smile.
However, Yao Lin only smiled and thanked him, and Iroha just nodded.
Still smiling with closed eyes, Akira's eyes slowly opened in surprise. Usually, these two beautiful girls would be flirtatious with him, as expected, but this time their reaction was flat.
"By the way, are you willing to tell us what cured you? Because this is very important," Akira said, looking curious.
"Sorry, this might disappoint you, Shen, but the two of us just recovered on our own without the help of medicine or anything," Iroha said.
"Seriously...? Wow, that's crazy. It means your bodies adapted and defeated the illness. Okay, noted... oh, I'm busy, so I'll get going! If you want to find me, I'll be on the 3rd floor as usual! Byeee!" Akira said, then left with his cheerful smile while greeting other girls.
The club president nudged Iroha and Yao Lin. "Psstt!! Why didn't you flirt with Shen Akira? Usually, when he comes, you guys get flirty immediately and don't want to lose to the others."
Iroha and Yao Lin looked at each other.
"How should I put it... maybe because we're tired? Hehe," Lin said with a small laugh.
They didn't realize it, but because their hearts were already 100% in love and loyal to Nic, looking at others felt ordinary.
---
Back in the botanist room, Nic, who was relaxing, suddenly heard a knock on the door. When Nic opened it, it was Shen Akira.
"So you're the new botanist room caretaker, huh?" Akira said with a slight smile.
"Correct. Do you need something here?" Nic asked.
Shen Akira's eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, and he chuckled.
"Wow, you are very diligent. The room is very clean and organized, even though botanist rooms are usually messy because there's so much to do... Does that mean you aren't doing anything?" Akira stared sharply while unwrapping a lollipop and sucking on it.
Nic stayed silent, knowing the person in front of him was different. "Correct again, because there isn't anything I absolutely must do unless there's a serious order."
"Oh, I see... in that case, can I give you a serious order?" Akira asked, his eyes looking very serious.
But Nic deliberately smiled. "Sorry, but I just remembered I'm busy and want to do something important."
"Something important? What is it?" Akira said, biting his lollipop until it shattered.
"Do I have to tell you?" Nic asked, staring back at Akira sharply.
"Huh... AHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!" Suddenly, Akira laughed loudly.
"..." Nic was surprised by his reaction.
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry, it's just the first time someone has said something like that to me... it's truly relieving to meet a normal human who doesn't consider me superior!!!" Akira said, wiping away tears of laughter.
After that, Shen Akira apologized. "I like this place... I hope you can let me hang out here to chat... you'll learn things from me!!"
Akira Shen left.
But Nic's face had remained flat the whole time. He sighed because inside his head, Zeta had already given a warning, and Nic's passive anti-lie skill was active, indicating Shen Akira was acting like an innocently smart person.
"Considering him superior, huh... another puzzle piece found. Sigh, he said he wants to make my place his hangout spot? I'll make him uncomfortable," Nic said flatly.
Then, when Nic was about to go out to buy a drink, Lingmei was at the door again, carrying a board game.
"Huh, Lingmei? Do you need something?"
Lingmei showed her board game. "Come play snakes and ladders with me once!"
"Eh, wait, I want to buy a drink," Nic said.
But Lingmei immediately gave Nic a very adorable pink water bottle.
"Um... what does this mean? You're giving me your water bottle?" Nic asked, confused.
Lingmei nodded. "There's no poison, it's my favorite strawberry drink! Drink if you're thirsty and let's play snakes and ladders! DEFEAT me!"
Seeing Lingmei's strange behavior, Nic complied, and they played in the botanist room.
The game started, and even though it was just snakes and ladders, for some reason Lingmei's aura was very strong; she was so serious about playing this game.
Nic tried to go with the flow, then suddenly Lingmei opened the conversation first.
"Do you know about Iroha and Yao Lin?" Lingmei asked while continuing to roll the dice.
Nic moved his piece up a ladder, then looked at Lingmei. "Do you already know the answer or not?"
"I wouldn't ask if I knew," Lingmei said, pouting.
"I'll answer if you accept a condition," Nic said, trying to play a trick.
"A condition... fun, like a bet! What's the condition??" Lingmei was excited.
"If you want my answer, then you have to answer my question afterward," Nic said with a smile.
Lingmei looked confused and innocent. "Just that? Ok, agreed."
Nic wrongly thought it would be hard to ask Lingmei, but it seemed easier than imagined.
"Yeah, I know about Iroha and Yao Lin being sick from Teacher Shiori, and that they're recovered now. I heard it from students passing in front of this room," Nic answered.
"Oh, I see... okay then. Now, what's your question?" Lingmei said.
Nic paused for a moment. "Hm, how about this: if your piece gets eaten by a snake, then I'll ask."
Lingmei's eyes sparkled, and she threw the dice. Then, magically, the dice directed Lingmei's piece to a snake that made her go down.
Nic was surprised—whether it was a throwing trick or just coincidence—but he had to ask now.
Lingmei looked ready with her innocent and serious face, but unbeknownst to Nic, Lingmei's hands looked restless.
"Do you like iced tea?" Nic asked with a smile.
Lingmei's hands, which were trembling earlier, suddenly slammed the snakes and ladders board until the pieces flew.
"SUDDENLY I FEEL ANGRY!!! MOVE!!!" Lingmei threw the snakes and ladders board at Nic.
"HAH?? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU??" Nic panicked and dodged.
Then Lingmei calmed down again. She tidied up the board game and apologized to Nic.
"Hehe, sorry, my brain was a bit active just now. I'll consider it a draw... and for your question earlier, I don't like iced tea."
Lingmei left.
Nic sat on the floor in silence, genuinely confused by Lingmei's reaction.
[ Master Nic didn't realize? ]
"I realized, Zeta... it's just that her behavior is still mysterious. Why did she have to go that far... earlier she looked ready to be asked something important, right? And was totally prepared to answer it? I deliberately baited her to see her reaction... I didn't expect her to be that angry while wrapped in absurdity."
[ It seems she really has something pent up, Master Nic. ]
"Yeah, save that for later, because my girlfriends will be here soon."
---
On the rooftop of Qwelin Academy, Shen Akira stood staring down with sharp eyes. As usual, he was sucking on a lollipop.
"The puzzle pieces keep appearing, huh... and it seems this puzzle is a dangerous one for me... Hah, so interesting that I feel like jumping from here..." said Shen Akira.
To be continued...