Chapter 88

### Chapter 88: Change (2)

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#3

"Food, it's ready."

As a professional, Yusefil was very skilled. He had a strong sense of professionalism and awareness. I could tell that much intuitively.

For a moment, his expression twisted, then quickly returned to normal, as if I had just witnessed a magic trick.

...But.

Why are you here?

He was wearing a uniform and smiling brightly, a smile that anyone could see was that of someone working in this café.

Are you working part-time?

I hadn't seen him earlier. Maybe he had just switched shifts for the evening. In any case, the person in front of me was definitely Yusefil Deria. The way he quickly composed himself upon seeing me was a clear sign.

However, his appearance was so different from the rough and tough guy he used to be that I almost didn't recognize him.

His spiky hair was neatly combed and tied up, and he had a slightly more subdued aura. It didn't quite match the image of someone who spouted vulgar language casually.

"Customer 53? Your food is ready."

For a moment, he stared at me in confusion, and the veins on his forehead stood out. He seemed to want me to take it quickly.

But I didn't.

"Part-time job?"

"..."

His angry voice seemed to say, "Can't you tell?" from within Yusefil.

Part-time job. It's not strange. If a student needs money, they might do it.

Maybe he paid for his tuition with loans, or needed money for living expenses or entertainment. People have various reasons. So, I couldn't know the exact reason why Yusefil was working part-time. There was no reason to pry into someone else's affairs.

I just thought:

The way he spoke to me as a customer, his composed demeanor, and his neat appearance made him seem like he wasn't a new employee. If he had been working here for a while, he must have started part-time when he enrolled at Frontier.

Last time, when I saw Raylin, I had a similar thought. I tend to admire people who are very dedicated and consistent.

However, Yusefil didn't seem to have any intention of studying properly. So, his dedication was in something other than his studies.

I didn't know the exact circumstances, but the fact that he had caused trouble for our group was undeniable. Therefore, I didn't hold him in high regard.

"You're doing well. Keep it up."

I said it lightly. It was a bit of a superfluous comment, but he was indeed working hard. Serving customers isn't an easy job.

Just as he was about to pick up the tray, with a somewhat indifferent tone.

I'm not sure if he read the atmosphere from my words, but with the same business smile he had when he first saw me, Yusefil said:

"Oh, are you hitting on me now?"

"..."

What did he just say?

His voice was a bit loud. A male employee who was making coffee nearby glanced over. Our eyes met.

After a moment, he muttered something to himself.

His gaze was like he was looking at a troublesome customer, and then he sighed and turned his head away.

It seemed the students sitting at the tables on the first floor had also heard. More eyes were subtly directed at us.

It looked like I was hitting on an employee.

...Ah, I get it.

He knows my personality and is trying to play along.

Yusefil saw me as a somewhat naive person. Why, he even said something like that the first time we met in the lecture hall. I could tell he was looking down on me. No matter how I reacted, Yusefil would lead the situation in a way that made me look more awkward. This made me even more annoyed.

I replied with a casual tone.

"You started it. Yusefil."

I answered with a hint that we knew each other. That way, I wouldn't be seen as a customer who suddenly approached an employee.

It wasn't a lie. He asked if I had a girlfriend right when we met. What else could that be if not hitting on me?

Seeing my unperturbed expression, Yusefil's eyes widened, as if he didn't get the reaction he expected.

—What? Who's hitting on who?

—He's good-looking. But doesn't he look familiar?

—Is that part-time worker's name Yusefil? I couldn't even talk to him properly... Is this life?

—Give up. With your face, it's impossible in this life.

The students, sensing something interesting was happening, were openly watching.

"Anyway, keep it up. You're doing well."

"Wait..."

I didn't mention that our group members were upstairs. Yusefil, who had been about to say something more, was left standing there as I picked up the tray. I carried the tray, which contained the honey cheese cake and other items, and went up the stairs.

"Ah, you're here."

It was Renny's voice. She beamed at the cheese cake she had ordered and salivated.

I placed it in front of her, and she picked up a fork, cut a piece from the side, and popped it into her mouth. A happy moan escaped her lips, and her puffed cheeks made her look like a cute squirrel.

"What took you so long?"

As I sat down, Alphris asked.

"Ah, nothing. I saw Yusefil working part-time downstairs. I just ran into him while getting the food."

"Really... What?"

Alphris looked up, and Renny also showed interest. She was surprised, and there was a bit of white on the side of her mouth, so I handed her a tissue and pointed to the spot. She nodded and wiped her mouth.

It wasn't a big deal. While it did catch my attention, it wasn't a huge, important matter.

"A noble lady working part-time... That's unexpected."

"Yeah, it was."

To be precise, she was the daughter of a fallen noble family.

Eventually, Alphris and Renny focused on their assignments again.

—Rustle.

Alphris's part was almost complete. Renny needed a bit more effort. Everyone was working hard. I couldn't just sit there, so I opened a textbook from another subject that I carried in my bag.

Hector was still standing with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. I wondered if he was thinking about something in that state. He would probably do well.

As the group members focused on their tasks, the atmosphere became quiet. When only Hector's steady breathing could be heard, I thought:

...Is he sleeping?

Of course, there was no way to confirm.

#4

"This... is my limit..."

"No, it's fine. You've really improved a lot."

Time passed, and it was late at night.

Renny, who seemed to have run out of energy, slumped over the table and lowered her head.

Alphris, as expected, successfully completed her task after much effort. Hector and I also filled in the colors without any issues. The problem was Renny, but aside from a few uneven spots, her work was nearly perfect.

It looked clean to me. I was quite satisfied.

Indeed, at Frontier, everyone is talented. It's a place where people can do anything they set their minds to. If I were my old self, I would have stayed at the same level no matter how many times I tried. I would have only had a vague idea of what precise magic manipulation was, and I wouldn't have even considered trying it.

I looked at the completed assignment sheet.

The central pentagon, mixed with subtle colors. The four corners were painted in crimson, brown, indigo, and white. I wasn't sure if the white part was actually painted, but it didn't matter as long as we got a good evaluation.

"Ugh, I'm so tired. Should I buy a mental stimulant potion and drink it..."

Alphris stretched her arms above her head and yawned. She seemed to have worked the hardest today. I asked casually:

"Need help?"

"...No, it's fine. It's quite interesting, so I think it will be a good motivation."

That's good to hear.

"But, what about this?"

"What?"

"Here."

Alphris pointed to a spot. There was an empty star-shaped space that hadn't been filled. It was probably the part that the absent group member was supposed to do.

I wondered if she was thinking of Yusefil, who might still be downstairs. Alphris's face had a strange expression.

I had been thinking about this while we worked on the assignment. It was too late now. After all, the absent member hadn't done anything, so it wouldn't be fair to give them the same score as us.

"This..."

"Leave it. If they really wanted to get a score, they would have shown up earlier. Since they didn't, they don't deserve an evaluation."

Hector, who had been questionable about whether he was sleeping or not, spoke. He wasn't sleeping after all. However, for some reason, his voice sounded a bit hoarse.

...Is he really not sleeping?

Despite my thoughts, I agreed with Hector and nodded.

"I'll talk to the professor tomorrow."

If we removed the name with the group's consent... the scores of the other members wouldn't be affected. The other members seemed to trust me to handle it.

I put the assignment sheet in my bag, tidied up the table, and looked around.

"Everyone did a great job. Alphris and I will meet in two days if we can't meet tomorrow... Shall we call it a day?"

"Yeah, everyone go home and rest. I need to work a bit more."

"Great job..."

We had been there for a long time. The window outside was pitch black, and it was well past 10 PM. The tram would stop running soon. It was time to head back.

Feeling a sense of relief and fatigue, I stood up, as did the other group members.

"Good job. See you later."

"Yeah, see you, Elio."

"See you on Thursday!"

We left the café and dispersed on the street.

...And.

As I stepped out of the café and glanced at the counter, Yusefil was nowhere to be seen.

#5

"Hey, Elio."

I thought she had already gone home.

As I was walking down the street to the tram stop, I heard a voice calling me from a dark alley.

The moonlight had seeped in, casting a pale glow on her hands and face. A girl, leaning against a rough wall, was holding a long, white object in her mouth. Her blonde hair was tied up, and she was wearing a white blouse.

Yusefil, whom I thought had gone home, was there.

"Did you wait for me?"

"No way. I just finished my shift. I saw you on my way out and called you over. Don't misunderstand. I'm not hitting on you."

I didn't think that.

"Come here for a moment. I have something to say."

"I don't have time."

"Ah, come on... Just a minute, really. Just come over."

The tram will stop running soon.

Despite the clear irritation in her voice, she seemed like she would say, "Fine, whatever" if I refused. So, I turned my feet reluctantly.

Then, I frowned and said:

"Put out your cigarette first. It smells."

"..."

Since Elena, the smell of cigarettes has made me shiver. I don't want to be around it again. I really don't like it.

Yusefil looked at me for a moment, then exhaled a puff of smoke and flicked the cigarette down. She stomped it out with her shoe and stuck her hands in the pockets of her jacket, which was draped over her blouse.

"Better?"

...I don't think the smell would go away just by doing that. What can I do? If she's going to talk nonsense, I'll just end it quickly.

I approached Yusefil. The aggressive and confident aura she had before, and the pretentious behavior, had all melted away in the moonlight. She leaned against the wall and looked up at me subtly.

I asked first:

"What do you want to say?"

"Just curious."

"What? Tell me."

"Are you being too cold?"

Yusefil grumbled. She had a point, but she muttered, "You did do that." Does she realize she was wrong?

"So, what?"

"Nothing, really."

Yusefil was silent for a moment.

Then she asked:

"How do I look?"

"..."

"How do I look right now?"

I had no idea what she was asking.

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