Chapter 37: The Pairing Plan
The calendar kept flipping rapidly, each page turning to a new day.
[As the days passed, the schedule you had previously set is fast approaching.]
[Tomorrow is the two-day, one-night "outdoor class" organized by Chaldea Academy, and all students from every grade are required to participate.]
[This so-called outdoor class is a nature-experiencing and sightseeing activity held by Chaldea Academy. Students can temporarily leave behind their heavy studies to immerse themselves in nature, enjoy a picnic and camping trip — it's an out-of-school activity loved by many students.]
[Everyone in class is eagerly discussing tomorrow's trip, excited and impatient to go camping.]
[You've caught a slight cold, but it doesn't dampen your anticipation for the outdoor class tomorrow morning.]
[Though there's no clear evidence, you can't help but suspect this cold might've been triggered by Tezcatlipoca scaring you.]
The night before the outdoor class, in the academy dormitory, three guys were frantically stuffing items into a suitcase.
"Have you packed water, snacks, and cooking ingredients?"
"All packed."
"What about power banks and board games?"
"All packed."
The suitcase wasn't very big, but with the combined effort of the three of them, they managed to cram in double its capacity.
Seeing the suitcase filled to the brim, Eikou let out a sigh of relief, then popped open a can of cold coke and took a long gulp.
"Sir Eikou, since you've got a cold, you shouldn't drink cold stuff," Gawain reminded him.
"It's fine, just a minor cold."
Eikou replied nonchalantly. His cold wasn't serious anyway—no dizziness, no fever, just a slightly runny nose.
He figured sweating it out tonight under the blanket would probably fix it.
"You shouldn't underestimate a cold. If you leave it untreated, it could easily develop into a serious infection. Then your lower respiratory tract will be in trouble too." Gawain rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a medicine box. "Stop drinking cold stuff and take your medicine before bed."
"Yes, Gawain-mum."
"You'd better behave and take your meds. If your cold gets worse, I doubt Finn-sensei will let you go on the camping trip," Tristan chimed in from the side.
Since the two of them said so, Eikou obediently put down the cold drink and waited for the water to boil.
The outdoor class might be the last recreational activity for a while — afterward, students would have to get serious about preparing for the midterms.
"Time really flies. It's almost the end of the month already."
"More than that — even the change of seasons feels like it happens in the blink of an eye," Tristan agreed. "Have you guys thought about where to go during summer? How about we ride motorcycles to the beach, enjoy the crashing waves, the crystal-clear sea, and also…"
"Swimsuits!!!"
All three said in unison.
Totally in sync.
"But summer's still a long way off, and I don't even have a license or a motorcycle," Eikou said while wiping his nose with a tissue. "When the time comes, we'd have to go take the license exam together, what a hassle."
"Actually…"
Gawain pulled out his driver's license, and on it was clearly written: "Riding B+"
Forget motorcycles — this level could even drive a large truck.
"You bastard, running ahead without telling us!"
"Listen to me. In this school, lots of girls have the Riding skill. If we don't even know how to ride, how are we supposed to invite cute young ladies out on dates? We're Round Table Knights, the face of Our King — how could we let others think we can't even drive? More importantly…"
Gawain's gaze suddenly turned sharp.
"Men who can ride motorcycles look super cool and are more popular with girls!"
"Sounds like bullshit! But… there's some truth in that!" Tristan nodded in agreement.
"Anyway, I suggest you guys take this time to go learn how to ride. It'll make everything easier later. We might not end up riding motorcycles, but at the very least, we should know how."
"Motorcycles, huh…"
Eikou nodded thoughtfully.
If he had a motorcycle and a license, his daily range of movement would really expand — he wouldn't have to always hang around near school.
Now that he thought of it, he remembered Baobhan Sith had the Riding skill. If lucky, maybe he could even learn from her.
Only thing is, buying a motorcycle would be a pain. Even the cheapest lightweight model was still quite a burden for a student.
Just finished the social party, but looks like he'd still have to keep working part-time after all…
"Guys, just imagine…"
Tristan began to speak dreamily:
"When you're giving the girl you love a ride on your motorcycle, and you deliberately speed up to make her nervous — her heart races and she clings tightly to you — that's when the suspension bridge effect kicks in. At that moment, you can clearly feel your souls becoming one, soul touching soul, skin touching skin, and love ripening naturally."
Goddamn it, why does this playboy have to sound so romantic!?
Eikou was honestly swayed by that imagery.
Tristan continued:
"If the weather's too cold, it won't be suitable for a ride, so it's best if we try to get our hands on a motorcycle before summer break, then we can organize a trip together, invite some girls — I shall call this plan…"
"The Pairing Plan!!"
[Your schedule has been updated: additional part-time shifts after school, motorcycle license exam in May, and the beachside Pairing Plan for summer vacation.]
[You fantasize about the bright future ahead and receive an Encouragement Dice.]
[You now have five Encouragement Dice.]
You take cold medicine, then turn off the lights and go to sleep.
Lying in bed, Eikou received a message from Morgan — along with a selfie.
In this selfie, the seductive and alluring Morgan was standing next to a stove, wearing an apron.
To be exact — she was only wearing the apron.
Morgan-san, I have outdoor class tomorrow and need to go to bed early… but how the hell am I supposed to sleep with you like this!?
Morgan: "This is a reward for you."
He froze, then replied: "Reward for what?"
Morgan: "I saw the video Baobhan Sith posted. In that dangerous moment, you bravely protected her — even though you grabbed Tezcatlipoca's hand by mistake — but I truly appreciate the courage and thoughtfulness you showed at such a critical time, and how you cared for us family. It moved me deeply."
That embarrassing video actually reached her…
That damn Baobhan Sith — she just wanted to humiliate him. That video was clearly ridiculous and dumb, so how did Morgan see any kind of heroic vibe from it!? This must be that saying, "love is blind."
Morgan: "Because I cherish it, I asked Baobhan Sith for a copy. I plan to preserve that majestic image of you forever — we'll play it at our wedding ceremony for everyone to see, how about that?"
I don't want to be publicly executed at our wedding!
If you really cherish me, please delete that video immediately!
Right then, Baobhan Sith sent a message too.
Baobhan Sith: "I sent that embarrassing video to Mother-sama. She didn't even hesitate before demanding a copy. Looks like the filter she had on you is shattered. My prank — great success~!"
"..."
These two women are really hard to deal with.