Chapter 13
Receiving a full dose of pitiful gazes from her fellow students, Anita rolled her eyes. Most of them sympathized with her, as the professor kept calling only her name while leaving the rest of the class alone.
“Nucleotides, or the base sequence of…”
Only then did Anita realize the professor’s question was on a topic she had studied just a few days ago. With a calmer expression than before, she proceeded to explain. Once she finished, the professor gave her a look that practically screamed, “Don’t bring shame to your mother’s name,” and gestured for her to sit back down.
While everyone else was fully enjoying college life…
Anita felt pathetic for deciding to work at a café just to avoid one guy.
Liber Bookstore & Café
Despite the half-hearted sign dangling at the entrance, the store’s interior was cleaner than she expected.
On the left side of the store were the counter and kitchen area, and lining the opposite wall were bookshelves. In the center sat neatly arranged wooden tables and plush armchairs.
It was a cozy place where the rich aroma of coffee mingled with the distinct scent of old books.
“This is the apron. And these booklets explain how to make the drinks, kind of like recipe guides…”
Since she had already started, she decided to give it her best. Remembering her father’s words—that it’s better to start social life early—Anita listened attentively to the owner’s instructions.
She didn’t have much else to do after her regular classes anyway.
As expected, the work wasn’t too difficult. When customers came in, she took their orders and made drinks. If any books were left lying around on tables, she simply returned them to the shelves. That was pretty much the whole job.
Anita’s father, Nathan Rodel, had believed from a young age that one should earn money on their own. He had an almost obsessive pride in self-reliance and constantly told his daughter:
“No matter how trivial it seems, every job has its own worth.”
Of course, Anita didn’t really need money right now, so she hadn’t paid much attention to how much she’d be earning. Whether it was 10 Riddels or 500, she didn’t care.
When she first arrived at work, the sun had still been up—but now, it was pitch dark. Relying on the streetlights on her way home, Anita let out a long sigh. Nothing seemed to be going her way these days. Was it just her imagination?
“Where are you headed?”
Startled by the sudden voice in the darkness, Anita jumped in place.
“We’re not weirdos, promise.”
“You idiot. People who say that are always the least trustworthy.”
The whining voice followed by a scolding one felt oddly familiar. Anita squinted into the dim alleyway. Two figures emerged, staggering slightly. The shorter one appeared to be supporting the taller.
As they finally stepped under a streetlight, Anita could make out their faces.
“Senior?”
The one being dragged along—barely keeping his feet under him—was none other than Edmund, the student council president. And the woman supporting him was Vice President Liche Noheim. What on earth were these two doing here at this hour?
“Sorry, but could you grab this guy’s other arm? He drank like a fish even though he can’t hold his liquor.”
“Ah, okay.”
Seeing Edmund’s arm flailing uselessly in the air, Anita rushed over and draped it over her shoulder. Supporting Edmund between them, Anita and Liche were too exhausted to say anything for a while.
Oddly, Edmund didn’t smell much like alcohol. He couldn’t even walk straight—so why didn’t he reek?
“He’s a total lightweight. One drink and he’s out. Isn’t that fascinating? He should be studied.”
As soon as the word “studied” was uttered, Edmund twitched. He mumbled something unintelligible.
“Speak clearly.”
Liche grumbled, and Edmund suddenly lifted his head. His soft golden hair brushed against Anita’s cheek.
“She’s always trying to put me on an operating table, you know? Last time, she said she wanted to take out my brain… Wait, who are you again?”
He had been speaking to her as if they’d known each other for ten years, then suddenly narrowed his misty gray eyes at her suspiciously. He had just spent the last 30 minutes being supported by her, and now he decided to get wary?
“Anita Rodel.”
“Oh right, the stalker—wait, did you say Rodel? Rodel Rodel?”
“Yes, I think so…”
Edmund’s eyes lit up.
“Oh! Why didn’t you say so sooner? You’re Dr. Miranda Rodel’s daughter, aren’t you?”
“……”
“Damn it! I never wanted to be adopted by some old miser. I always dreamed of becoming someone like Dr. Rodel’s foster son!”
“…Sorry, what?”
Unlike earlier, his pronunciation was suddenly quite clear. He was definitely speaking in the Empire’s common tongue. But Anita had no idea what on earth he was going on about.
“Do you want to be my little sister?”
Dodging away from his overly cheerful tone, Anita leaned back instinctively—and locked eyes with Liche. The vice president silently mouthed the words:
“Ignore him.”
But Edmund clearly didn’t want to be ignored.
“Liche… What was my name again…?”
Anita had never drunk alcohol before. But if it could make someone forget their own name, she decided she never wanted to drink in her life.
“Edmund. Fa-sium.”
Liche replied through gritted teeth, pronouncing each syllable of his name slowly. It seemed like even she was struggling to remember.
