As they were finishing lunch,
Mina, who had been staring at Theo and Irene, spoke up.
"By the way, you two haven't gone on a date yet?"
"Pff-!"
Irene was startled and covered her mouth.
Theo asked back in confusion.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
He couldn't understand.
What on earth was she talking about?
'Irene does say I should show my face more often... I don't think she dislikes me, but...'
Isn't dating out of the question?
Of course, Theo had grown more comfortable with Irene, but he didn't think they were close enough to go on a date.
Of course, if she wanted to, he wouldn't refuse.
But... how do you go on a date? He had never been on one; he was too busy trying to survive.
"What, what, what are you talking about, Mina?"
Irene, her face redder than the red meatball pasta she was eating, shouted.
"Just curious. It's rare for engaged couples to attend the same academy. Hmmm~, I thought you guys might be going on dates, but I guess not. That's interesting. If it were me, I'd go on one every day."
Mina tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"...Is that so?"
Theo briefly pondered.
He couldn't tell if Irene liked or disliked the idea.
'Hmm.'
Judging from Mina's words, it seemed like going on dates wouldn't be a problem.
'Of course, other students have blind dates and stuff.'
But that had nothing to do with him.
In modern times, friends visiting each other's homes could be considered a date.
In the original story, pushover Neike had all sorts of relationships with named characters.
But they were ambiguous at most, not once was there a mention of a date.
What was allowed?
He had often visited the training ground with Irene; was that considered a date?
He couldn't tell where the line was drawn.
"What is considered a date, Mina?"
"...Wow."
Mina looked at Theo as if he were a rare species.
"Are you joking?"
"...No."
At Theo's serious answer, Mina's mind went blank.
'When you put two real dating idiots together, this happens. Sigh, how can this happen when they're both perfectly healthy... Even ten-year-old kids in the neighborhood are better than them.'
Mina sighed and opened her mouth.
"Going out together to eat something delicious, training together, studying together... all of it can be considered a date."
"Is that so?"
Theo scratched his chin.
"Don't agree with that! Training and stuff together... That's not a date!"
Irene raised her voice with a squeak.
Mina smirked at her somewhat childish demeanor.
"What do you think a date is, Irene?"
"Um, well..."
"Well, what?"
Irene hesitantly spoke.
"Getting dressed up nicely... and going to a wonderful place with someone you love... or like."
Irene trailed off.
'She's like a character from a fairy tale. This won't do. I expected it from Irene but... Theo is clueless too. I need to give these love novices a push.'
Mina smiled inwardly.
"Exactly, Irene. That's what a date is. But what I'm curious about is..."
"Uh, um?"
"If the two of you have ever been on a date."
"Um, well..."
Irene's face turned from red to pale.
Mina cried internally.
'I can't believe how frustrating this is...'
Still, Mina didn't give up.
'These two are hopeless if I leave them alone.'
At this rate, they might not even kiss before graduating from the academy.
Mina glanced at Theo.
He seemed better than Irene, at least.
'Ugh, he's still an idiot.'
Their eyes met, but Theo still didn't say anything.
He should have gotten the hint by now.
'I have no choice.'
Mina resorted to a drastic measure.
She mouthed the words without making a sound.
[Ask. her. out.]
'If he doesn't understand after all this, I give up.'
As Mina wallowed in self-pity, Theo finally spoke up.
"I haven't been on a date like in the way Irene described."
Mina and Irene's faces rapidly soured.
But at his next words, Mina silently rejoiced.
"Let's go on a date, Irene. When are you free?"
"Yes!"
Mina sent out a quiet cheer.
"Uh, um, uh..."
Irene, her eyes wide, didn't know how to react.
"I'm free any day this week. I'll adjust to your schedule, Irene."
"I, I'm free anytime too."
"Alright, then. Excuse me for a moment. I'll be right back."
With that, Theo rose from his seat and walked out with an elegant stride.
"Did they just fight?"
"Seems so. What did Irene say?"
"Handsome guys do have their charm. Just the other day, he was hanging out with the Elf Princess. They were inseparable."
"What do we do...? Poor Irene..."
Many students in the cafeteria murmured as they watched his retreating figure.
Regardless, Irene's bewildered expression disappeared, and she finally broke into a giddy smile.
***
'No one's around.'
I tugged on the communication crystal's string.
─Yes, young master. Did you call?
Amy's voice reached me through the crystal, much clearer than before, with hardly any noise.
This proved that she was close, probably within the academy.
'I guess she's not wandering off somewhere for Equilibrium.'
"I have a favor to ask, Amy."
─Please, go ahead.
"Reserve a table at a nearby fancy restaurant for tomorrow, between 6 and 7 PM."
─Understood, young master. Will you be dining alone?
"For two."
─···Understood. I'll check the options and contact you again. Is there anything else you need?
"Nothing. I'll leave it to you."
─I'll do my best, young master.
Click-
I ended the call and returned to the cafeteria.
Irene, who looked somewhat dazed, and Mina, looking at me suspiciously, were there.
"Ho~, what happened-"
"Irene."
I interrupted Mina and called Irene's name.
"Uh, y-yes?"
"Would you like to have dinner at a restaurant tomorrow?"
"······."
Irene stared at me with a puzzled expression. After a moment,
"Yes! I'd, I'd love to!"
With her cheeks blushing, she smiled brightly.
***
After lunch, it was time for practical duels.
"I request a duel, Hero Department."
"I was here first. And it's not Hero Department, it's Theo. Don't you even know the name of the person you're challenging?"
"What nonsense. I've been waiting to hit that guy from behind since this morning. And does the name matter?"
Many students had gathered in front of Theo.
Their eyes were all burning with determination.
'I can't forgive him... That parasitic bastard. I'm still single, and he turns everything upside down every time he appears.'
Their target was none other than Theo.
They couldn't forgive him for walking around with the Elf Princess and Irene by his sides.
'For the crime of toying with beauties, accept your punishment!'
As Theo wondered who to face first,
"Everyone, step back for a moment."
A woman with a thick, strong voice spoke up.
Her well-developed, coppery muscles stood out more than most men's.
It was Julia, the female barbarian and the top-ranked first-year student in the Knight Department.
The students immediately cleared a path.
'That's right, Julia is a sure bet.'
Then they gazed at her with twinkling eyes.
There was no one here who didn't know of Julia's strength.
She would surely bring humiliation to that parasitic scum.
Julia stood in front of Theo.
"Let's have a match, Theo."
"..."
As Theo remained silent, Julia added,
"I've always wanted to have a blood battle with a man who emits such powerful energy as you. Let's fight."
'She's a bad match. I'll be at a disadvantage against her.'
Contrary to his inner thoughts, Theo looked at Julia with calm eyes.
'How do I get out of this...'
Theo spoke up.
"Why?"
Julia smiled brightly.
“After receiving your help last week, I've looked into you quite a bit. In the process, I heard an interesting rumor. Even the orcs, who worship strength, call you a true warrior. Since then, I couldn't contain my excitement. Is that answer enough?”
“Hmm.”
...Those damn orcs.
"Wow-!!"
The students were caught in a frenzy of enthusiasm.
They stopped their own duels, gathered around Theo and Julia, and cheered her on.
"Julia! Julia! Julia! Julia!"
"Wow-! Julia, win! The treasure of the Knight Department! A true warrior!"
"Today, we're rooting for you, Julia! Please, crush that guy's face!"
...These bastards.
