The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 116

Ha Ye-jin quickly conveyed only the important matters and ended the closing ceremony.

Perhaps her mood had soured from the belongings inspection incident, as she didn’t engage in her usual small talk today.

In the deflated atmosphere, I packed my bag and left the classroom. Then I headed to the nurse’s office with Gu Jun-hyeok. We were going to check on Jeong In-ah’s condition after she had fainted.

"Hey, but I don’t know if it’s okay to ask this..."

Gu Jun-hyeok opened his mouth as we walked down the hallway.

"What was in the box? I wasn’t curious originally, but I suddenly became curious because of what happened earlier. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to."

After asking, Gu Jun-hyeok added various explanatory remarks as if making excuses. I answered nonchalantly.

"Nothing."

"Oh, really? But why didn’t you show it? You even grabbed his collar, so I thought it must be something really important."

"Well..."

There really was nothing in the box.

The bone powder that had originally been inside was all used as material for the succession ritual, and my father’s sorcery had already lost its effectiveness. Even if the box had been opened, nothing would have happened.

However, that box was something that shouldn’t be held by anyone other than me.

There was no reason not to open the box, but I also thought there was no reason to open it and show it to others. But when he forcibly tried to snatch it and open it, I guess I got angry without realizing it.

"I don’t know, I think I just didn’t like it."

"Yeah, it was pretty fucking annoying. But whatever, it’s not like the baldy bastard has been doing this for just a day or two. I’m not even getting angry anymore."

While we talked behind the baldy’s back, namely the Divine Material Science teacher, we arrived in front of the nurse’s office.

After greeting the nurse’s office teacher, we went to the bed where Jeong In-ah would be lying. Only her silhouette was briefly visible through the curtains, and she seemed to be lying down using her phone.

Swish!

"Oh, ah!"

When Gu Jun-hyeok roughly pulled back the curtains, Jeong In-ah was startled and dropped the phone she was holding.

She stared blankly at the fallen phone, then raised her head and looked at me with vacant eyes.

Brief silence flowed. She turned her gaze to look at Gu Jun-hyeok who was next to me.

"Uh... what brings you all here?"

She spoke while looking back and forth between me and Gu Jun-hyeok. Clear signs of confusion were evident in her eyes. Gu Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh and picked up the phone that had fallen on the floor, handing it to her.

"To pick you up. I texted you yesterday about eating together after school. Didn’t you see it?"

"Ah...? Oh! Right. No, I saw it. I just forgot to reply. I often forget that."

Jeong In-ah added an excuse. Then she got up from the bed with weak, listless movements. She looked at me with a drowsy face as if she hadn’t fully woken up.

Seeing the bandages wrapped around my neck and palm, she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"At lunch time, what happened with that? And what are those bandages..."

Fear could be glimpsed in Jeong In-ah’s eyes as she asked. I quickly explained the whole story, worried she might misunderstand.

Only after hearing that I was injured but not seriously did Jeong In-ah sigh in relief. Then she glared at me subtly with narrowed eyes.

"You, why do you always do dangerous things? I thought my heart was going to drop, really..."

"When did you wake up?"

I quickly changed the subject, feeling like it would lead to nagging. Jeong In-ah raised her eyes upward as if thinking and opened her mouth.

"5th period... no, just now. I just woke up. I woke up after you guys came."

"You woke up in 5th period but just didn’t come? To skip class?"

"Yeah. No! No, I said I just woke up. Really, really..."

Jeong In-ah seemed to nod, then corrected her answer while hastily shaking her head. She had woken up a while ago, but it seemed she just lay in the nurse’s office because she didn’t want to attend class.

I understood. Actually, I had also skipped one class using the wound from being cut by So Do-jin as an excuse.

"Hey, so you were just lounging in the nurse’s office even after waking up? Are you a delinquent?"

Gu Jun-hyeok, who had been listening, scolded her. This Gu Jun-hyeok had also skipped afternoon Divine Mechanics class. The excuse was that he suffered severe mental damage from the incident that occurred during lunch. What a shameless guy.

"Ah, what delinquent! Did I skip for no reason?"

Jeong In-ah got angry.

"Then what reason was there? You woke up in 5th period. You just didn’t come up because you didn’t want to attend class."

"Ah, not 5th period, I just woke up... Geez, Do Seon-woo!"

Jeong In-ah, who had been arguing with Gu Jun-hyeok, turned her head to look at me.

"You. Because you said unnecessary things, I really did wake up in 5th period. Ah, no, not 5th period but just now."

"See, you really did wake up in 5th period."

"...You’re annoying."

When I spoke teasingly, Jeong In-ah glared at me as if sulking. Then she left the nurse’s office with angry steps, beginning to mutter.

"Petty, ganging up on me. If you’re going to do this, why did you come to pick me up? Just go by yourselves. Just live together, really."

"Oh, so you’re not going?"

"...I’m going."

"Hey, then let’s call Kim Jin-seo. Honestly, is there any need to take Jeong In-ah?"

Gu Jun-hyeok lightly tapped my shoulder while speaking as if for Jeong In-ah to hear. She whipped her head around to glare at Gu Jun-hyeok and me, shouting angrily.

"Ah, I said I’m going!"

* * *

The restaurant Gu Jun-hyeok took us to was a meat house located quite far from school. It was a place that specialized in beef, and it was quite expensive, making it burdensome for students to visit.

"Why aren’t you going in? Are you vegetarian? Then let’s go somewhere else."

Seeing me stop in front of the restaurant, Gu Jun-hyeok said. I slowly shook my head.

"No, that’s not it."

"Oh, I was just asking. So why aren’t you going in? Aren’t you hungry?"

I carefully examined his expression as he asked casually. It was the same innocently pure face as usual, but something still felt uncomfortable.

It wasn’t just because I suspected Gu Jun-hyeok of being a Satan worshipper.

It was because Uncle’s frequent saying suddenly crossed my mind: ’If someone buys you beef for no reason, you must be suspicious.’

"...Isn’t this place a bit expensive?"

"It’s not cheap, right? But whatever, I’m paying anyway. I’m buying because I’m grateful, so it’s better than going to some mediocre place."

Nominally, I was getting a meal as compensation for saving Gu Jun-hyeok’s mother, so it wasn’t exactly buying beef for no reason. Even so, I entered the restaurant with the suspicion that this might be too excessive.

The smell of meat filled the entire place, but it was moderate, not excessive. Rather than unpleasant, it was an appetite-stimulating smell.

"What do you want to eat?"

As soon as we sat down, Gu Jun-hyeok took out the menu that was available and handed it over.

Jeong In-ah received it and flipped through the pages, pretending to seriously consider. Then with a mischievous face, she pointed to one of the menu items with her finger.

"Oh, shall we eat this?"

What Jeong In-ah chose was the most expensive item on the restaurant’s menu.

Like a course meal, each cut would come out in order, with staff grilling it for you each time. You could also request your preferred doneness from the staff. The service was exceptional, and so was the price. It wasn’t money you’d pay for a single meal.

"You’re eating that?"

Gu Jun-hyeok frowned slightly as if somewhat flustered. When Jeong In-ah nodded with a smile, he called over a server.

"Three of these, please. Yes~"

Then he completed the order without a moment’s hesitation. It was that menu Jeong In-ah had chosen, so expensive it was hard to think of as a single meal cost.

This time, it was Jeong In-ah who was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

"Uh, uh...? Wh-what if you really order it? It was a joke."

"Really? Then you should have said so earlier. I already ordered it, so just eat."

Gu Jun-hyeok spoke as if it was nothing.

He wasn’t stingy with money, but he wasn’t a big spender either. But today he was strangely throwing money around.

No, rather than throwing it around, he seemed to feel no particular meaning in spending money itself. As if he was spending money that wasn’t his own.

"Did you steal money from somewhere?"

I asked, thinking it might really not be his own money. Gu Jun-hyeok made an incredulous expression and waved his hands.

"Bullshit. Why would I steal money when I have plenty of it?"

"Plenty? You must have a lot of money?"

Jeong In-ah, who had been listening, joined in. Gu Jun-hyeok slightly lowered his head and answered.

"Not a lot, but... What’s the point of just saving money? If you save it, it’s just paper scraps. Just having enough not to starve is sufficient for me."

It was something that would make Uncle faint if he heard it. My neck also stiffened slightly. Did Uncle’s miserly traits transfer to me?

"The meat is... here. Please enjoy~"

Meanwhile, the meat arrived. The server irritably placed the meat on a wooden cutting board on the table, then left as if fleeing.

Watching the server’s retreating figure, Gu Jun-hyeok tilted his head. I was also a bit puzzled. It was a back view that seemed quite familiar, as if I’d seen it somewhere before. The voice also seemed like I’d heard it somewhere.

"What, isn’t the server supposed to grill this? Excuse me. Excuse me!"

Gu Jun-hyeok raised his voice to call the server back. The server flinched and stopped in place. Gu Jun-hyeok grabbed the shoulder of the server who had been trying to sneak sideways into the kitchen.

"Excuse me, aren’t you supposed to grill the meat for us? That’s what it said on the menu."

"...If customers prefer, you can grill it yourselves."

"What? I don’t particularly prefer that. I’d like the staff to grill it for us."

Perhaps quite annoyed by the server’s attitude, Gu Jun-hyeok spoke sarcastically. The server and Gu Jun-hyeok engaged in a pointless argument.

All the people, from other customers eating to staff, focused their attention on Gu Jun-hyeok. Fortunately, it was still early for dinner time, so there weren’t many people in the restaurant.

"...Yes, I understand."

Perhaps feeling the customers’ gazes, the server sighed reluctantly and turned around.

Her hair was neatly tied up, and she wore an apron, making her atmosphere quite different from usual, but even so, that face was too familiar to me. I could immediately recognize her.

The one serving at the meat restaurant was none other than Yeo Min-seo, the Holy Name of Kindness.

She pressed her hand to her forehead as if trying to drive away a headache, frowned, then soon picked up tongs and scissors and walked sluggishly to our table.

"Yes, how would you like it cooked?"

Yeo Min-seo asked bluntly. I was too flustered to answer immediately.

Jeong In-ah also kept her mouth shut with wide eyes, looking quite surprised. Gu Jun-hyeok, who had stood up, sat back down and looked at Yeo Min-seo as if watching a zoo monkey.

"Blue rare, please."

"This cut tastes better medium."

"Oh, really? Then do it that way. But what are you doing here?"

Gu Jun-hyeok asked while randomly picking at side dishes. Yeo Min-seo picked up meat with tongs and placed it on the fire.

Sizzle!

With a stimulating sound, a savory smell scattered in all directions. Yeo Min-seo calmly grilled the meat while answering Gu Jun-hyeok’s question.

"Work."

"As staff? Or part-time?"

"Part-time."

"Ah. But can we work at our age? Isn’t this a violation of employment law?"

"No, why is that your business? Shut up and just eat the meat, bastard."

Yeo Min-seo roughly spat out profanity while cutting the meat and placing it on Gu Jun-hyeok’s plate. Despite her rough and crude mouth, her hand movements were extraordinary.

Following Gu Jun-hyeok, meat was also placed on mine and Jeong In-ah’s plates.

"Excuse me, is this really medium? Isn’t it well-done? Ah, I prefer rare."

"...Then why didn’t you just order beef tartare?"

"Huh? The staff is talking back. I can’t tolerate this. Call the manager."

Gu Jun-hyeok joked and tried to scare her, but Yeo Min-seo didn’t even pretend to listen. When the meat was mostly cooked, Yeo Min-seo put down the tongs.

"The next meat will take some time. Please take your time talking."

With those final words, Yeo Min-seo left our table. I thought she might sit in a chair and rest for a moment, but when another table called, she immediately ran over there and started grilling meat again.

Unlike when dealing with us, she wore a gentle smile and skillfully served customers.

It was awkward. The awkwardness was so extreme that I even felt unpleasant.

"...Isn’t she from our school? What was her name?"

After Yeo Min-seo left, Jeong In-ah lowered her head and brought her face close, asking in a small voice. She knew Yeo Min-seo’s face but didn’t know her name. I picked up a piece of meat and answered her question.

"Yeo Min-seo. Holy Name of Kindness."

"Ah, so that’s her..."

Only then did Jeong In-ah nod as if understanding.

Like Jeong In-ah, there might be people among Florence deacons who didn’t know Yeo Min-seo’s face, but there weren’t many who didn’t know her name.

She was that notorious for her bad personality, and contrary to her personality, she was well-known for good grades. The story of her beating Kim Jin-seo in a duel was famous.

I also became somewhat famous for the story of beating such a Yeo Min-seo in a duel.

[Subtly bragging about yourself...]

I ignored Legba’s muttering.

"Wow, but she’s really kind when working. Only when working, she’s pure hundred percent Holy Name of Kindness..."

"Customer, please eat quietly~ Other customers are saying they’re uncomfortable."

What cut off Gu Jun-hyeok’s words was Yeo Min-seo who suddenly appeared.

She brought the next meat and placed it on the fire, and when it was well-cooked, she cut it to appropriate sizes and served it on our plates.

While we ate and talked, the next meat came out, which Yeo Min-seo grilled again, and it repeated.

"..."

The meat was delicious. However, I couldn’t taste it well. There were too many things to think about.

Why was Yeo Min-seo working here? Maybe her parents were the owners here, so she was helping with work. Or she might be securing an alibi through after-school part-time work to avoid suspicion of being a Satan worshipper.

She might really be working part-time because she lacked money, but it didn’t seem like Yeo Min-seo would be poor enough to need part-time work. There was no basis, but that’s just how it felt.

While thinking, I suddenly felt thirsty and drank water. My muddled mind finally cleared. But Jeong In-ah was nowhere to be seen.

"She got sulky because you weren’t listening to her talk while spacing out. She said she’s going home?"

Looking at me as I looked around for her, Gu Jun-hyeok spoke as if it was nothing.

"Really?"

"No? Just kidding. She said she’s going to the bathroom and coming back."

"Are you crazy..."

I stared at his face as he casually told lies. No signs of lying were visible on his face.

If he’s this good at lying, then the possibility that he’s a Satan worshipper...

"Hey."

What cut off the thoughts that were about to continue endlessly was Gu Jun-hyeok’s low voice.

He was looking at me with the same expressionless face that showed no emotions, just like before. Happy, sad - no such emotions existed on his face.

Somehow, Gu Jun-hyeok’s face looked especially cold and hard today.

In that place without Jeong In-ah, we faced each other in silence for quite a while. Gu Jun-hyeok, who had kept his mouth shut for some time, finally continued speaking.

"Satan worshipper or whatever... You don’t think that’s me, do you?"

Gu Jun-hyeok asked with a faint smile on his lips. It was a tone and expression as if assuming there’s no way that could be true, but asking just in case.

However, I couldn’t smile.