🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 75
Inside the cup was a dark brown drink. It was the same color as the chocolate drink in Jaeyllin’s cup.
‘I doubt it’ll taste any different.’
There was very little liquid inside the cup. She could probably down it all in a single gulp, but since she couldn’t drink all of Adrian’s, Jaeyllin decided to just taste a little.
The moment she held a small sip of coffee in her mouth, she gagged immediately.
“Ugh—blegh!”
A sharp, overpowering bitterness clung to her tongue, so strong it almost knocked her out. It was a flavor she never wanted to taste again.
“W-what is this?”
Adrian burst out laughing, snickering at the sight of Jaeyllin’s scrunched-up face.
Hurriedly, Jaeyllin gulped down her own drink. The chocolate’s sweetness neutralized the bitterness on her tongue, and she felt like she could breathe again.
“Tastes good, right?”
“N-no… not at all.”
“Adrian, don’t laugh at Jaeyllin for suffering. It makes you look mean.”
Stefan defended her, but Adrian just kept laughing and replied without a care.
“Peanut laughed first, you know.”
“W-why would anyone drink something like this?”
“Doesn’t it wake you right up?”
“I-I mean, yeah, but it doesn’t taste like something people should be drinking…”
The flavor was so terrible that, as Adrian said, it did jolt her awake. But Jaeyllin had no desire to wake up that way.
“Exactly. That nasty coffee is only for Adrian and his nasty taste.”
Adrian’s smile faded at Stefan’s words.
“Nasty? Call it refined taste.”
He finished his coffee and set the cup down on the table. Maybe it was just because he insisted on calling it “refined,” but somehow, the way he put the cup down looked oddly dignified.
‘Ugh, what nonsense.’
If there was one person in this academy who most deserved the title of delinquent, everyone would unanimously point to Adrian.
Stefan quickly erased the thought from his head.
“Anyway, how did you advertise so that no one’s coming to your booth?”
“What do you mean how? I went to crowded places and shouted my throat dry.”
Adrian folded his arms and looked down at Stefan like he was pathetic.
“There’s a much better way.”
“Oh? Better than mine? And what’s that?”
“Community.”
Stefan’s eyes lit up for a second, then his face fell flat.
“Wait… don’t tell me you mean posting on the anonymous community?”
The tables turned instantly—now Stefan was the one looking at Adrian like he was pathetic.
“Who even sees ads there? It’s just a place full of people posting ads, not people looking at them.”
“What? But Nathan said I should post there.”
“Who checks the community during a festival? Everyone’s busy enjoying themselves or working at booths. Plus, there’s so much spam that posts just get buried instantly.”
“No wonder… damn it, Nathan, that bastard…”
Adrian muttered through clenched teeth.
“Last year, I advertised our booth there and it was a total flop.”
Stefan already knew from experience that advertising on the anonymous community was useless.
“Th-then what do we do? We worked so hard on this. If nobody comes, it’ll be such a waste.”
“Exactly! I thought this year would be better, but maybe our club’s doomed after all.”
Stefan’s voice was weak with disappointment.
“Would anyone like to order?”
Just then, Sasha appeared, looking around their table.
“No. We’re busy right now, so go away.”
Stefan waved a hand as if shooing a fly.
Sasha gave a knowing smile at his dismissive gesture.
“Stefan, your spot’s empty. It’s one drink per person here.”
“Come on, cut me some slack. It’s not like we don’t know each other. Don’t be so harsh.”
“Rules are rules. If you’re not ordering, leave.”
“Ugh, so stingy. Fine, just bring me anything. I don’t care.”
Stefan pouted as he complained.
“Okay. I’ll bring the most expensive one. But hey, what’s with this gloomy mood? Is it just me, or is your table the only one that feels depressing?”
“Probably not just you…”
Stefan sighed deeply, answering without energy.
“What’s wrong? Something happen? Wait—what are you guys even doing here? Why are you hanging out here instead of at your booth?”
Jaeyllin’s face twisted in distress.
“N-no one came to our booth.”
“What? Why? It was really cool! Not even one person?”
“O-one person came. Just one.”
“Only one this whole time? No way!”
“The booth’s too far from the academy entrance. Nobody passes by the greenhouse.”
“Oh, right… it’s next to the Pharmacy building. Ah! So it’s a location problem.”
Realizing the issue, Sasha thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Alright. I’ll help you promote your booth. If people don’t pass by, we’ll make them come on their own.”
“R-really?”
Jaeyllin’s gloomy face lit up with hope.
“Of course! Leave it to Sasha.”
“Then do it now!”
“You want me to do it here, right now? No way. Tonight’s the best time.”
“Why? You’re just stalling because you’re not confident, right? Do it now! Please?”
Stefan pleaded, eager to draw people to the booth as soon as possible, but Sasha was firm.
“No. Timing is everything. Anyway, meet me in the community at 8 p.m. tonight. Watch how I do it. Got it?”
She definitely seemed to know something big. Jaeyllin looked up at her with eyes full of expectation.
“O-okay! I’ll be there.”
But Stefan didn’t trust her. Narrowing his eyes, he gave Sasha a skeptical look.
“You’d better not be bluffing.”
“Relax. This’ll be way more effective than running around begging people.”
“Everyone’s doing that, though. Didn’t you see outside? They’re all luring people in person.”
“You didn’t do that, did you? Only idiots do that.”
“U-uh… no?”
Stefan stammered, unwilling to admit it and be called an idiot.
“Good. I know a way more effective method.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not spoiling the surprise. Oh, but there’s something we need to prep ahead of time… you guys free in an hour?”
The three of them nodded. Since they’d basically given up running the booth for the day, Stefan, Adrian, and Jaeyllin had plenty of time.
“I mean, we’re free… but why?”
Stefan, still clinging to his pride, replied with feigned arrogance.
“Then let’s meet at the cafeteria entrance in an hour. My booth duty ends by then.”
“You expect me to wait a whole hour for you?”
Sasha smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescents.
“Why? Don’t want to? Then forget it.”
As she turned to leave, Stefan panicked and grabbed her.
“When did I say I don’t want to! Fine, see you at the cafeteria entrance in an hour.”
An hour later, after switching shifts with another student council member, Sasha stepped out of the cafeteria.
Along with her, other council members who had been stationed there all morning switched shifts with the afternoon team and poured outside.
Among them were Lionel, Nathan, and Rosia. After exchanging thanks and encouragement, the group dispersed.
Spotting Jaeyllin’s group waiting off to the side, Sasha approached with Lionel and Nathan.
“They’re coming too?”
Adrian asked, jerking his chin toward Lionel and Nathan.
“Yeah. I asked them to help. With their support, it’ll be more effective.”
Adrian turned away without a word. Before heading to the greenhouse, Sasha stopped by the student council office to grab a camera.
“What are you gonna do with that, huh?”
“Just watch. I’ll show you the skills I’ve honed since I was a kid.”
They set off toward the greenhouse where the Astronomy Club’s booth was set up.
To get there from the student center, they had to pass the rose garden.
Although roses were planted all around the academy, nowhere were they as abundant as in the rose garden.
The closer they got to the entrance, the more crowded it became, to the point that it was hard to move. One wrong step and they could get swept away by the crowd.
Jaeyllin tensed up, afraid of being separated from the group.
Just then, someone behind her shoved past, sending her stumbling sideways. She lost her balance and teetered right into Adrian.
Adrian caught her by the arm before she could fall.
“What the hell’s wrong with that guy? You okay?”
He checked her over, scanning her up and down after glaring at the man who had disappeared without even an apology.
“Y-yeah. Th-thanks.”
“You’re so flimsy you can’t even hold yourself up? You’re really just a peanut.”
“I-I’m not flimsy! And what does being a peanut have to do with it?”
“Of course it does. You’re so light you get tossed around easily.”
Raising an eyebrow at her flustered retort, Adrian said mockingly:
“Don’t deny it.”
“I-I said I’m not!”
He ignored her protest.
“Whatever. Just hold on to me. Don’t go falling again.”
He held out his arm, but Jaeyllin, stubborn, refused his help.
Yet the crowd was so thick she kept bumping into people and getting pushed backward.
In the end, she had no choice but to grab onto Adrian’s bare elbow for support.
