sickly chapter 5

A chill in Rodney’s demeanor caused the delinquent, unlike before, to shrink back and mumble, “S-sorry.”

Immediately after, as if they didn’t want anyone to see their faces, the group he was with quickly lowered their heads and vanished from sight.

Staring blankly at where they had been, I turned to Rodney and said, “Th-thank you.”

“Who are you?”

Rodney, however, spoke as if he hadn’t even noticed my existence, then turned and began walking toward the Academy.

[You have failed to make a lasting impression on Rodney Houston.]

…What am I supposed to do about that? Right, the character Rodney Houston wasn’t known for his good nature to begin with. Thinking of him, I clicked my tongue in disdain. What good is a handsome face if his personality is terrible?

Ah, but I shouldn’t be lingering here. I had to quickly ask someone for directions and head to the administrative office. I hurried my steps.

Soon, I started to see many students again. Who should I ask? Let’s see, someone who looks kind…

As I looked around, pondering, a loud cheer suddenly erupted from behind me. What is it?

Curious, I quickly turned my head, and there, among the students with glittering eyes, were four distinct faces. Four people who stood out immensely. Hamilton, still looking tired and trapped among the students; Rodney, whose face was crumpled as if he might hit someone; and two other faces vaguely visible in the distance.

Simultaneously, I heard something utterly unbelievable near my ear.

“The Four Heavenly Kings are finally all gathered!”

Wh-what ‘Heavenly Kings’?

I poked my ear, doubting what I had just heard. Yet, the students continued, gazing at the four men scattered and walking in their separate directions with eyes full of admiration.

“How have all four of them become even more amazing?”

“They truly are the Four Heavenly Kings of Brickhurst Academy.”

Were they being serious and not just trying to be funny? Goosebumps rose on my arms, and I hugged myself. Please, stop!

The four most prominent men in this game could only be the capture targets. That childish phrase, ‘Four Heavenly Kings,’ was clearly directed at them. How on earth did they write the game dialogue?

Sure enough, as my prediction proved correct, three status windows flashed by in quick succession with a ding! sound.

[First encounter with Leo Peyton!]

[First encounter with Ashton Valentine!]

[With this, you have met all the capture targets! Charm stat +10]

But wait a minute, since I’ve encountered Hamilton again, wouldn’t it be better to just ask him to take me to the administrative office?

Even if I wanted to ask another student, not a single one wasn’t focused on the four men, so there was no opportunity to speak to anyone.

Yes, I must ask Hamilton!

I thought so, but a mass of students was blocking me, continuously cheering for the four men.

“Hamilton Haith…!” I shouted his name with all my might, but it didn’t reach Hamilton. The waves of students pushed me this way and that, draining the strength from my legs.

“Ah, Brother!”

I grew anxious as Hamilton, unable to hear my voice, was about to disappear into the building. Finally, after a moment of deliberation, I took a deep breath and yelled, “Hamilton Haith, one of the Four Heavenly Kings!”

To utter such a phrase with my own mouth… calling him a ‘Heavenly King’ felt humiliating. Fortunately, my effort was not in vain, as many students, and Hamilton himself, snapped their heads in my direction.

“…Catherine?” Hamilton walked toward me with disbelieving eyes. “Why, why are you still here…?”

His expression, initially one of surprise, quickly turned bright red, and he even began to stammer. I gave him a light shrug.

“Well, I got lost and couldn’t find my way in. Anyway, what’s with that nickname?” I asked playfully.

Hamilton rubbed his face several times with his hands and replied in a voice filled with despair, “I wonder, too. Why they do that…” He muttered that he didn’t want me, of all people, to hear it. Seeing how much he disliked it, I decided to drop the subject. More important than that was finding the administrative office.

I ignored the students’ curious gazes fixed on Hamilton and me and continued, “More importantly, can you take me to the administrative office? I have no idea where anything is.”

“Yes, of course.” Hamilton smiled faintly and nodded.

At that exact moment, a hand suddenly shot out to grab him. “Uhm, Senior Hamilton. Who is the person next to you?”

The trembling hand suggested the person had gathered their courage. Centered around that student, many people were openly gawking at me.

In response to the question, Hamilton carefully took hold of me. “She’s my little sister, but we’re in a hurry right now, so please move aside.”