76 – Apple Gift

“Ah, what is the lady doing at this hour… … ?”

My hand stops at the unexpected voice.

I thought it was Johnson, of course.

I thought you came to get coffee again… … .

“Howa-!”

A stranger is standing in the break room.

Of course, the voice itself was very familiar.

Instead of a taciturn and grumpy voice like John Johnson’s, a hearty and cheerful voice rang in the break room.

“Miss Raylin?”

“What is it! Yesterday, I couldn’t say thank you properly and seemed to only show my selfish side… … .”

It was none other than Raylin who entered the break room.

Today, as expected, she is dressed in a cheongsam style.

But today is a little different from yesterday.

The top and bottom are all black in color.

Even the top was short like a tank top,

The bottoms also came only to the knees.

Does it feel like the clothes were cut extremely short for activity?

Rather than being a lady full of noble grace, she was dressed up for battle.

Well, it was the same that the breastbone seemed to stand out more than necessary. No, rather, because of the black outfit, Raylin’s flesh color was more clearly emphasized.

‘Could it be a training outfit?’

What I felt when I saw the seniors

Everyone seems to have different outfits.

It seems that she doesn’t wear a school uniform except for roll call.

It seems that from the time of the 3rd year, it is possible to wear plain clothes and do activities. It’s like starting with a corporal and above, you can turn up the collar of your active clothes, or you can take off your rug from a sergeant onwards.

“… So I stopped by to say thank you and also to apologize!”

“Yes? An apology?”

“okay… ! Were you very embarrassed yesterday?”

Reirin entered the room while keeping an eye on her.

It seems that yesterday’s work was bothering me.

The girl who used to have a hot personality is quite hesitant today like everyone else.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t embarrassed.”

“That, that… … . I lost my mind for a while because I felt the taste of my hometown after a long time. What is it? I’m sorry for unintentionally showing you an embarrassing side.”

“Yes? You’re going to apologize for that—”

“Nope! Uh, yesterday was a little mischievous! I’m truly sorry, Whitebeard… … !”

The Fire Dragon bows its head in front of me.

The restless expression is good enough for the eyes.

Seeing this, I feel like I really succeeded in communicating yesterday.

‘But do I have to apologize for something like this?’

Raylin was definitely different from the other girls.

Are they similar in character to Sophia and Derke?

If it was like the other dragons, I would have been angry just because I saw their ugliness.

It is said that the predecessor was reduced to ashes just because he stepped on his tail, so it would not be very impossible. It would have been possible to destroy evidence and restore pride just by burning the witness.

“I am okay. Did you enjoy what I made? That alone is enough.”

“No, it must have been difficult to deal with the flowers, but it is natural to say thank you-! You deserve to be paid for that! I think it’s unfair to be treated unconditionally just because you’re a dragon.”

ㅡTurbuck, turbuck, turbuck… !

Reylin carried out her will and approached me in the break room. Making the sound of thick boots that looked like clogs.

ㅡTeouk!

“… Come on, take this!”

Then, he puts a heavy paper bag on the counter. It was so bulky that it would be difficult to lift it without opening your arms and hugging it.

“What is this all of a sudden?”

“A token of gratitude and a gift of apology.”

“A gift… … ?”

“There is nothing to be so embarrassed about. It’s really no big deal.”

He smiles and nods his chin.

As if to take a quick look at the contents.

Even though it wasn’t a big deal, it looked like he wanted people to be moved by the gift he prepared.

ㅡBussleuk… !

I looked inside without hesitation.

As you can see, there are several things in it.

What filled the inside of the envelope like that was none other than… … .

“what? What kind of fruit is this?”

It was the first fruit I had ever seen.

It was the size of an apple bigger than a fist.

The brown rind was incredibly thick.

It even stretched like a thorn.

A shape resembling the rough scales of a lizard.

Even the tip of the fruit sprouted strong blue leaves.

It was a fruit that looked like something I had seen anywhere, but felt different.

“How-wah-? Am I seeing it for the first time? This is called Drill Apple.”

“A drill apple?”

“Yes, it got its name because the inside of the apple is hollow. It’s a rare fruit that only grows in small quantities on Valkyrie Island.”

“yes? Can’t you see the hole?”

“Of course. You say you have to peel it off to see it?”

As if waiting for my question, Raylin grabs the leaves of the drill apple. Then… … .

ㅡQuad Deuk… !

Grab the green leaf part and gently twist it to tear it off. The tail of the drill apple was separated with a simple grip.

It was obviously a very hard and thick shell, but it came off as easily as a sheet of paper.

“Look, look. Are the holes open?”

Reirin holding a section of the fruit at me.

“Oh, is it really round and empty in the center? It doesn’t look like the wick was pulled out… … .”

At first, I thought it was just cut out with a knife.

Surprisingly, the inside is empty.

It is also in an elaborate and perfect circular shape.

The flesh was yellow in color.

Fiber that looks full of water and sugar.

If you peel the fruit and cut it horizontally… … .

‘Wait, isn’t this a perfect pineapple?’

It looked like only the size of the pineapple had shrunk. However, pineapple is not a fruit without a core from the beginning. It’s just something that was cut to make it easier to eat during the processing process at the cannery… … .

But does processed pineapple exist in the wild?

“I was lucky to find a few while returning from practice training yesterday. I brought it especially because I thought of you, so take a bite.”

Raylin skilfully peeled off the skin and thrust a chunk of bright yellow flesh at me.

“Ah, then I’ll be grateful.”

I tried to get my hands on it, but… … .

“It’s not like that.”

“yes?”

Raylin shook her head and refused to hand her the fruit. Could it be that he didn’t politely extend his hands?

“… Hurry up and do it.”

“Yes?”

“Hey, open your mouth… !”

“???”

“It won’t be uncomfortable to eat by yourself with the dough on your hands!”

Bringing the fruit to my mouth, I will feed it myself, so I will open my mouth.

She is also very different from the other girls. Serving fruit for humans by hand? Is this something that can be done?

“Uh, hurry up… ! If I keep holding it like this, will my arms hurt?”

Reirin blushed and urged.

I guess it’s because of the sensitivity.

I am still at the ‘blind trust’ stage with her.

Even so, in Raylin’s actions, I felt something affectionate toward me.

“Kuhm! Then I’ll eat well… … .”

ㅡHaap!

There was no reason to refuse this favor.

If you don’t be polite, you’ll only lose your goodwill.

When will you enjoy this luxury again?

Take it quickly and do what you were doing. I haven’t even gotten my hands on the things I need to do yet… … .

ㅡCrunchy, crunchy… !

The pulp of the drill apple is crushed against your teeth, and the sweet and sour juice is sprayed in your mouth. The texture of the flesh made of cool yet sweet juice and fiber is quite good.

No, it just felt like taking out a pineapple. If there is a difference, is it a little more sour taste and crunchy chewing texture?

“What do you think? Isn’t it delicious?!”

“Yes, it is very sour.”

“to? Is that the end of the reaction?”

“ah… ! Sweet and sour is just what I like! Thank you so much for taking care of me. Thanks to you, the fatigue has completely gone!”

Oops, I almost made a big mistake.

Even if it’s a sympathy target, the opponent is a dragon.

You shouldn’t respond lightly just because you’re busy.

No matter how Raylin is, the dragon’s pride must be respected.

“okay? I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“Of course, it tastes even better because it was prepared for me!”

“Pu-huh-! It seems you’ve been busy anyway, sorry… ! Don’t mind me, just do what you do.”

“yes? no. To put it simply… … .”

Raylin was exceptionally considerate.

It felt like an older sister was born in the family register.

I don’t think my older sister, who has real blood, will treat me this well.

“it’s okay. I came to see your face for a while before going to practice training later this afternoon.”

“Practical training? Oh, come to think of it, didn’t you come back late by yourself during the last roll call? What kind of training are you… … .”

ㅡChideokchideok… !

I finished the dough by agreeing with Reirin’s words. It’s like washing your hair while chatting with customers at a hair salon.

“That’s right, I’m training myself to operate the Extermination Artillery every day.”

“Destroy… A canvas? I’m hearing it for the first time. Is it like a weapon?”

“yes-! It’s the name of a weapon made to deal with Detronos. It is the beginning of the weapon made with the technology of our ancestors, but among the current students, I am the only one who knows how to handle it.”

“Oh, is that true?”

“Because of this, I’m in the special class for using magical weapons. Thanks to that, even though I was skipped in the morning class… a bit lonely I quit being the student representative this semester because I was busy with training.”

Laylin makes a lot of noise as if she was really lonely.

To put it in perspective, is it a class with a major specialty?

Like the main skill like a tankman or a mortarman.

Anyway, I’m afraid it’s not an SSR class, it was an elite after all.

To say that he also held the position of class representative, wouldn’t this be enough to be recognized as a competent person in many ways within the academy? That’s why Tiana, the current 3rd year representative, couldn’t say anything in front of Raylin.

ㅡDrureuk!

Laylin naturally sat in her seat and grumbled as if her teeth were shaking at the mention of training, saying, ‘Now I have to pick up an assistant shooter, but I don’t know who would be better.’

“okay. It must be hard every time— Ah? this… … .”

I was distracted by her words and made a mistake.

It was a dough for making basic coffee biscuits, but I forgot to add anything to the dough while chatting with Raylin.

If you bake it like this, it will be nothing but bland wheat bread.

“What’s wrong, White-headed?”

“Ha, nothing.”

“Nothing? Tell me. You have a day off in the break room today, so who the hell are you making something for?”

“yes… … ?”

At first I thought I heard it wrong.

“What do you make like that early in the morning on your day off? I’m just curious, so let me know~”

“Le, Le, Lady Raylin… ? just said that… … . Are you serious?!”

I couldn’t help but be shocked by Raylin’s words.

All voices tremble.

“yes? What is real?”

“… Is the break room a day off? Is it a weekday today?”

“How-wah-? white boy… ? Could it be that you didn’t know anything?”

“How do you know when no one tells you that… … ?!”