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 [Chapter 121]

[Drink Up to My Friend Too (4)]

Currently, the groups dominating the domestic food service and cultural industries can be said to be Luminous and YH.

Especially in the case of Luminous Sweet, it was gaining popularity regardless of class by using a strategy of segmenting consumers.

To the extent that people lined up in front of stores to buy the limited menu items released monthly.

[OMG ㅠㅠ Did you guys hear?

Luminous Sweet is pre-releasing their April menu at the academy! ♥o♥

Apparently you can find Luminous Sweet at any academy cafeteria for today only. You know how it's causing a stir on SNS right now? ㅠㅠ

But what's more surprising is that it's free? I don't know why they're doing this, but they say it's not first-come-first-served, so we shouldn't have to compete!

Let's honestly not discriminate by grade just because of one food item. ㅠㅠ

ps. They say Luminous Viking is coming to the academy cultural center cafeteria too! We might have to compete for this...

No good. I'm going to line up!

Everyone enjoy your lunch~!! :)]

Such Luminous Sweet suddenly announced they would provide next month's event menu exclusively at the academy for one day.

On EveryFine, which academy students frequently use, joyful screams were being posted in real-time.

It was only natural that fighting spirit burned in the students' eyes.

Above all, the news that Viking would be provided at the cultural center where you can enjoy a meal while viewing the lake boosted their morale.

"Run! Hurry! This time slot will probably have the most people!"

"Since we can't use the 2nd floor seats, we have to secure 1st floor seats! There won't be anyone who's gone ahead to grab seats, right?"

"This is bad! It'll take time to run from here to there... There won't be a line already, right?"

"...Why did I make my schedule to eat late lunch? Ah... should I just skip one class today?"

"It's still the adjustment period! Just drop one and add a different class! Run!"

As soon as it became 12 o'clock.

All the students in the academy were busily running around the grounds.

It was truly a battlefield.

"...Won't we not have seats?"

Eun-ha who had to eat lunch after finishing class finally muttered in a dejected voice.

Seeing the crowd gathered in front of the cultural center, his motivation was about to drop.

"Don't worry about that. I anticipated this and reserved a few 2nd floor tables for today."

But unlike Eun-ha's concerns, entering the cafeteria wasn't very difficult.

Because Yu Do-jun had made reservations in advance, Eun-ha and his friends were able to pass by receiving envious gazes from students lining up.

"Yu Do-jun, did you know they were doing this at Luminous Sweet today?"

"Huh? Of course. Yu-cheon hyung and I are really close."

"...Why didn't you tell me about this."

"I guess we're not close enough."

"That can't be... Hmm..."

"Hey! Why are you thinking so hard! You're getting to eat Luminous Sweet and Luminous Viking that you like, so cheer up!"

Something's fishy.

Eun-ha stared blankly at Yu Do-jun who seemed to be trying to hide something.

Then Yu Do-jun changed the subject and pushed Eun-ha's back.

"Ah, Eun-ha. It's here."

"He's always the latest... Everyone was waiting for you without eating."

"That's right! We couldn't even eat because of you!"

Going up the stairs to the 2nd floor, those who agreed to have lunch together today were sitting at the table.

Jung Ha-yang, Kim Min-ji, Jin Pa-rang.

Eun-ha greeted the friends who spoke to him first.

It seemed some friends had classes left so they agreed to eat separately.

The people not here now are Kaede, Eun-hyeok, Su-bin, Min-ho, Cheon-seo?

Still, almost everyone's here.

And─.

"Hello?"

"Oh, welcome..."

Eun-ha looked at the students sitting among friends he usually ate meals with.

Bong Gu-rae, Yoon I-byeol.

Until now, Eun-ha had been maintaining somewhat favorable relationships with the two.

So he arranged this meeting to make his friends and those two become closer using this opportunity.

Fortunately, the two seemed to have had exchanges with some friends before meeting. They looked quite cheerful mixed in among friends.

And one more.

"Eun-ha, you don't know Ariel, right? She happened to have free time during lunch so I brought her. She's a friend I got close to in telepathy class."

Actually, Eun-ha was trying to naturally meet On Tae-yang's party member he hadn't seen yet while introducing the two people.

Under the pretext of introducing friends they made to each other.

I thought Seo-na would do well.

The Ein connection is tight.

So Eun-ha had previously asked Jin Seo-na to find On Tae-yang's telepathist.

And now the result was right next to Seo-na.

"Hello? I'm No Eun-ha."

"I know too. There's probably no one in the academy who doesn't know your name."

"Really? I-byeol didn't know though."

"I... I knew your name too. I just didn't know your face..."

"Anyway! I'm Ariel. As you can see I'm an Ein, so don't discriminate too much. If there's anything I do wrong, I'll correct it right away. Got it?"

Hair color close to reddish pink.

Translucent sky blue fins protruding on both sides of her head.

But the tail proving she was an Ein wasn't visible.

Of course, it's not that she doesn't have a tail.

It was the same gift as Pa-rang hyung.

Gift <Beast >.

When she entered water and manifested mana, her two legs transformed into a mermaid's tail.

So even Eun-ha had only seen her tail once in his previous life.

"I don't care about that. You can just treat me comfortably like other kids do."

"Hmm... Looks like what Seo-na said is right. She said you don't have prejudice against Eins, and it seems that way to me too. Okay. I'll do that. Thanks!"

<Mermaid > Ariel.

She who had excelled in naval battles in the previous life looked with drowsy eyes then smiled brightly.

Confidence was evident in her voice, and it was loud as it came up vibrating her whole body.

Loud enough to be heard from afar even without using telepathy.

[I did well, right?]

"We must have had a hard time waiting, let's go down and get food quickly."

"I was so hungry! I've never used Luminous Viking or Sweet before, so I was curious how delicious it is."

Eun-ha nodded to Seo-na sending telepathy beside Ariel who was chattering away.

The fox puffed out her chest and cleared her throat.

Soon they went down to the lower floor starting with Ariel and piled food high on their plates.

Needless to say for Eun-ha.

"...Aren't you eating too much? You're not Bingu oppa, how will all that fit in your stomach? You have class later too!"

"I'll just digest it by then."

"Hey! Why are you picking on me!"

"That's right. I can digest this much by the next class."

The food piled up in layers wobbles.

There was one more adding Eun-ha and Pa-rang's portions.

Ariel with her skinny build had her eyes sparkling looking at the food tower placed in front of her.

"Wow..."

Yoon I-byeol exclaimed softly.

Because Ariel was stuffing meat into her mouth while cutting clumsily.

The size of her mouth opening was like a shark opening its jaws.

...I didn't know she was like this.

She was someone with a mermaid princess image who even filmed commercials and was a promotional ambassador.

Eun-ha clicked his tongue inwardly.

She was already loved by many people before being called On Tae-yang's sixth wife.

That's how unique an Ein modeled after a mermaid was, and since there was nothing to prove Ein characteristics except her ears in daily life, she looked like a person.

Moreover, her appearance of two legs transforming into a mermaid's tail when entering the sea was reminiscent of the mermaid princess in movies.

'Oh, I only eat dew. Even if party members tell me to eat a lot, I'm originally not the type to eat much!'

Eun-ha recalled Ariel who was praised as <Mermaid > saying that in an interview in his memories.

However, seeing her in front of him now, the woman who waved her hands and smiled innocently felt like a lie.

But still...

This looks better.

But Eun-ha felt more affection for Ariel's appearance of emptying her plate as if competing with Jin Pa-rang.

Personally, he thought party members should have good appetites.

"Huh?"

"You eat a lot too."

"I told you I can't eat a lot since I have basic physical training class later?"

"You won't have trouble eating that much. From what I see, you need to gain more weight."

"Really... I'm telling you it won't go in..."

Eun-ha put food on Ha-yang's plate.

Ha-yang made a sulky expression, but he wouldn't back down.

In the end, Ha-yang had to empty her plate with her cheeks bulging.

☆

On Tae-yang was in the cafeteria too.

He who now naturally ate lunch on the 2nd floor still showed a negative reaction to Eun-ha.

He frowned at Eun-ha and deliberately sat far away.

...There's no choice but to get closer in the club.

If Min-ho had been here too, On Tae-yang's mood would have been even worse.

He who had tried to at least speak to him at first had no choice but to eat lunch with his friends.

Though On Tae-yang was an important talent, the value of the other three people couldn't be said to be less than him.

"Friends, shall we do that now?"

"Yeah, let's do it. Other kids seem to have eaten to some extent now too."

Then, Yu Do-jun who was just enjoying sweets without properly eating opened his mouth.

Jung Ha-yang nodded her head at the same time as some other friends nodded too.

Huh?

Not just friends.

Yu Do-jun's faction sitting at nearby tables showed the same reaction.

He who had been blankly listening to his friends' conversation finally came to his senses and expressed doubt.

What's that?

Yu Do-jun's faction who stood up from their seats pushed a cart placed in the corner and moved it to a position overlooking the 1st floor.

Then friends including Yu Do-jun stood up from their seats.

"Eun-ha. You get up too."

"What? What are you doing now?"

Jung Ha-yang urged him.

Eun-ha who had been sitting still in his seat reluctantly stood up following his friends' calls.

Then he walked to the cart covered with a white cloth.

"..."

A student removed the cloth.

Eun-ha opened his mouth wide seeing the object loaded on the cart.

It was a huge bell that even people on the 1st floor looked up wondering what was happening. And it was gilded too.

"What... is this?"

"It's a bell specially made by Eternal Group this time. Friend, don't be surprised and listen. That's made of gold, gold."

"Huh..."

Eun-ha was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Yu Do-jun's faction soon manifested internal mana and lifted the bell.

There was a device to hang the bell on the ceiling.

When they struggled to fix the golden bell, people eating lunch on the 1st floor also exclaimed and raised their heads.

"Eun-ha. Ring the bell once."

"...What are you guys thinking?"

Eun-ha didn't understand the situation.

In such a situation, Ha-yang gently pushed Eun-ha's back.

He who took a step forward turned around and looked at his friends' faces.

His friends were sending affectionate gazes.

Why are they suddenly acting like this?

Could it be a trap?

Eun-ha doubted his friends for a moment but shook his head inwardly seeing their faces.

It didn't seem to be that.

Nevertheless, he who couldn't hide his skepticism took steps towards the bell after long deliberation.

""""...""""

The students' gazes were focused.

Eun-ha felt their gazes but stretched out his hand and pulled the rope back and forth.

The golden bell rang loudly.

A clear sound spread.

As the bell sound was about to stop.

"Everyone pay attentiooon─!!"

Kang Si-hyeong had suddenly jumped out and shouted with all his might.

Gift <Howling >.

It was a voice that made even those not looking turn their gazes without realizing.

"Actually, all the food you ate for lunch today was treated by Eun-ha! He says it's to ask for your favor since it's the start of the semester, and an expression of his heart wanting to get close with you!"

"...What?"

It's nonsense.

Eun-ha was so dumbfounded hearing those words that he couldn't speak.

Right then, friends standing behind sent signals to Eun-ha to be quiet.

Eun-ha was incredulous.

He was inwardly angry too.

Why are you selling my name like this without my permission─.

[─You said to sell your name as we please, right? But that doesn't mean it has to be sold in a bad way. Sometimes we wanted to try doing good deeds in your name too.]

As if reading his mind.

At that moment, a telepathy flew into Eun-ha's head.

Eun-ha hesitated hearing Jin Seo-na's telepathy.

For a moment his head didn't work, and then he completely gave up thinking.

"Once a month from now on! Eun-ha decided to provide free lunch and dinner for us who can't rest properly because of training!"

The students cheer.

Joyful screams are heard.

Eun-ha just quietly watched the scene his friends secretly carried out.

Meanwhile, listening silently as Seo-na explained through telepathy how this event came to be planned.

Luminous Sweet, Luminous Viking, Alice Life, and Alice Distribution jointly led the free meal service.

And the groups that systematically promoted this and provided funds were Sirius and Eternal Group.

They sometimes acted beyond my imagination but...

This is really unprecedented.

They're truly incorrigible.

They turned all the credit over to him completely.

Eun-ha laughed in disbelief.

His anger had disappeared before he knew it.

"Eun-ha has a lot of affection unlike how he looks! So don't believe rumors about Eun-ha too much, I hope you'll approach Eun-ha directly!"

"He's originally very shy!? But he's the type to greet you first once he gets familiar with your face!"

Jin Pa-rang jumped out and shouted.

People on the 1st floor giggled.

In that way, some friends explained what kind of person Eun-ha is.

"Hey... stop it."

"Nope. I don't want to?"

When Ha-yang gave enthusiastic praise, it was now embarrassing.

Jung Ha-yang stuck out her tongue playfully and went back to her friends.

The atmosphere had ripened by now.

And Kang Si-hyeong shouted in the loudest voice among those he had shouted so far, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"Let's say thank you to our Eun-ha! Eun-ha! We ate deliciously!"

Starting with Kang Si-hyeong.

Students poured out words of thanks one by one.

The voices of many people mixed and mixed until it became a thunderous cheer that could no longer be understood.

"I ate until my stomach burst today!! This is the first time in my life I've eaten such delicious food! Please treat us to delicious food in the future too!"

Eun-ha felt like his ears would go

 Students on the lower floor burst into laughter, agreeing with Ariel's opinion as she shouted.

"Thank you. I ate deliciously."

"You're not only charming but have good manners too. I ate deliciously."

Yoon I-byeol and Bong Gu-rae too.

Including those two, other friends each threw in a word.

I didn't do anything though...

Eun-ha made a wry smile with an embarrassed face.

It was hard to maintain a poker face.

In the end, he decided to shrug it off nonchalantly.

"Eun-ha, shouldn't you say something too?"

"I won't. Why should I?"

"Look at him being shy. I never thought I'd see No Eun-ha acting like this."

"Because the 'No' in No Eun-ha means surprising... Gack! Hey! Why did you hit me!?"

"I knew Eun-ha was kind. Unlike some people who just rationalize things, Eun-ha has consistency."

"Wow... friend. If you're going to say that, just mention names directly."

Amidst the friends' chatter.

Jin Seo-na suggested naming the golden bell "Eun-ha Bell" while they were at it.

He opposed, but couldn't overcome his friends' public opinion.

In the end, Seo-na took a picture of the bell and uploaded it to EveryFine, making it known to the community as "Eun-ha Bell".

"It'll be a big deal for you too, Eun-ha. You'll have to come here every month to ring this bell. Won't you end up eating alone at this rate?"

Seo-na mischievously wags her tail.

But Eun-ha replied nonchalantly.

"Why would I bother coming alone to ring a bell? You guys pulled this stunt, so you have to take responsibility and come with me."

He can't be the only one bothered.

Eun-ha chuckled.

☆

Meanwhile, at that time.

While Eun-ha was receiving applause from many people.

Kim Min-ji quietly retreated and approached the table where On Tae-yang was sitting.

"...So I was eating food that No Eun-ha bought?"

"Tae-yang, why are you like that. What's wrong with someone treating you? The food was really delicious too."

"A-ra, don't you have any thoughts? I feel like I'm being treated like a beggar! My dad said before too."

"I ate deliciously... Okay, what did your dad say?"

"He said... um... don't eat food given like charity from above like a dog or pig. There's no such thing as a free meal in this world."

"...Did your dad really say that?"

"Of course! You don't believe me?"

Kim Min-ji quietly sighed.

She had grasped the general situation.

This person's personality is twisted.

He's trash except for his face.

A petty person. A master of self-rationalization.

Hypocritical. Full of a sense of defeat.

Selfish. A hypocrite.

Kim Min-ji regarded On Tae-yang as such and cleared her throat.

Then she recited as if in passing.

As if for On Tae-yang to hear.

"Wow! No matter how I think about it, Eun-ha seems really kind! Shouldn't people naturally say a word of thanks to Eun-ha for eating well?"

"..."

"People who don't do that and just keep sneering aren't even human. Right, guys?"

""""That's right!""""

She even drew in students around her.

As they agreed, On Tae-yang nearby had no choice but to read the atmosphere.

In the end, On Tae-yang clapped with a face like he'd bitten a bug.

Who is he to give face to my friend?

He should know I'm only going this far considering that Eun-ha guy!

Kim Min-ji glared at On Tae-yang briefly and left her seat.