Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy

Chapter 194: Will it snow on Christmas? (9)

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Boom-!

The special hunting date with Moon Ga-eun.

And on the way back after having lunch.

My phone kept vibrating with notifications.

As expected, it was from Moon Ga-eun.

I naturally smiled.

How many messages is this already?

We just said goodbye after eating, but this was already the fifth message.

[Ga-eun] Anyway, Im the first! You cant complain later!

[Me] Alright, alright

[Ga-eun] Hmph.. I already miss youuu

Shes so cute, really.

I wonder how she endured this whole time.

Given her personality so far, its surprising.

Moon Ga-eun likes to joke around and be playful, but shes weak when it comes to embarrassing and awkward things.

Just look at when I pretended to be her boyfriend.

She was so startled and bashful just from holding hands I guessed even without asking that she probably had zero dating experience.

But now shes bolder than me.

The Ga-eun who used to be like that now expressed her feelings without hesitation.

She kept wanting to confirm my heart.

I who teased her so many times was now the one being teased instead.

Is this what they mean by late blooming feelings being scary?

I found her changed positive attitude curious yet cute.

Boom-!!

While looking at my phone,

another text notification rang.

This time, it wasnt from Moon Ga-eun.

[Chae-eun] Where are you now?

The last of Christmas.

It was from Kim Chae-eun, whom I promised to spend the evening with.

The name that used to be stiffly saved as Kim Chae-eun had now changed.

The reason wasnt grandiose.

The girls who approached me with interest.

As I began acknowledging the favorable feelings towards them

I slowly started embracing things I had feigned ignorance of and avoided.

Saving their names more affectionately was the beginning of that change.

I looked around briefly and replied to Kim Chae-eun.

[Me] Im almost home. But arent we not going out? Didnt we agree to go to Hongdae?

Last time when making Christmas date plans.

Kim Chae-eun had said lets meet in Hongdae.

She said there was a dessert cafe she really wanted to go to, so lets go early before it gets crowded with people.

But this morning

The schedule suddenly changed.

She just told me to go home after finishing my appointment with Moon Ga-eun.

Hmm

I did think it was odd, but I silently agreed to follow her wishes.

After all, Kim Chae-eun was the one who first suggested a Christmas date, so I wanted to accommodate her as much as possible.

That was also because I was grateful she had silently gone along with my dungeon raids, battles, club activities, and other plans so far.

Boom-!!

And then the answer that would resolve my questions came.

[Chae-eun] Were having a party at my house today.

[Me] At your house?

[Chae-eun] Yup yup.

[Me] Professor Kim Myeong-hyun isnt home?

[Chae-eun] Dads been really busy lately. Looks like he has to work even on Christmas.

I had heard bits about my master.

Originally renowned for his excellent swordsmanship and substantial classes, Professor Kim Myeong-hyuns reputation grew even more after this incident.

Within the academy, his status rose much higher than before, and in the Holder world, he established himself as a more respected Holder.

It was a bonus that he was on good terms with Professor Tak Won-ho.

From Taks position of holding the academys executive power, having no external restrictions on task delegation made him happy.

I also heard rumors hed become the department head of the Swordsman discipline starting next semester.

Given how busy he must be now, it made sense hed be busy even on holidays.

I nodded and sent a reply.

[Me] Then what about dinner? Should I go buy something?

But the answer to that question

Was the disastrous response I dreaded.

[Chae-eun] No need. I prepared everything today. Just come comfortably.

Ah

This time, it had truly come.

She prepared everything today.

In other words, she cooked Right?

Just thinking that far made my head spin.

I suddenly resented Master for being busy on Christmas.

***

Ippotranslation

***

After stopping by my house, taking a shower and changing my clothes,

I was at Kim Chae-euns house.

And

Kim Chae-eun was standing with her back rigidly turned to me.

Was I that unpleasant?

Hey, why do you say things like that again. I was just worried, thats all.

I feel sweat forming on my forehead.

Its a situation Ive experienced a few times before, but its endlessly awkward whenever it happens.

The reason she was upset was simple.

Kim Chae-eun had made food!

With that shocking news, I had entered the house showing obvious signs of anxiety

And she caught me red-handed with that expression right in front of her.

From her perspective, it was something that could extremely hurt her feelings.

And it wasnt even food I made myself.

She had told me she prepared everything, so I thought she had made the food herself like usual. But that wasnt the case either.

Kim Chae-eun had brought food to the house through a Home Party Catering Service.

Its formal name was <Rune Foods>

It was a company formed by Holders who possessed [Cooking] runes, dealing exclusively in high-end cuisine and expensive service.

With dishes made by Holders rivaling professional chefs, they boasted a quality far beyond typical catering services.

When did you prepare all this?

Dont know.

Im sorry, honey. What can I do to make up for it?

As Kim Chae-eun turned her head and spoke, she looked back at me again hearing those words.

There was an expectant look in her eyes.

Hug me.

You want a hug?

Yeah.

Are you a hugger too?

I laugh at the anticlimactic resolution.

Of course, Moon Ga-eun seems to prefer back hugs more, but still.

As Kim Chae-eun wanted,

I spread my arms wide and embraced her.

Despite her small stature, her proportions and figure are so good that she doesnt feel petite at all But shes still much smaller than me, so she lightly comes into my arms.

Maybe thats what she wanted with the hug.

I could feel Kim Chae-eun fully embracing me with her whole body.

This is a bit awkward.

In fact, weve done minor skinship before like linking arms or holding hands, but this was my first time facing each other and hugging.

And when you hug someone with a nice body, there are inevitable parts that touch.

I immediately felt that, making me feel awkward and flustered.

It was the same with Moon Ga-eun, and the same now.

I feel like Im under some strange spell.

Hehe.

After the hug ended, Kim Chae-eun stepped back.

Seeing her characteristic laugh, it looks like her mood has lightened.

Funny. Anyway, when did you prepare all this?

This morning! I got ready early in the morning.

I made a slightly puzzled face.

So you really did suddenly change plans? Why didnt you want to go to Hongdae?

Hearing that, Kim Chae-eun let out an awkward laugh.

Ah well, thats hehe. Isnt a home party like this better, Jae-hyun?

I guess so. Going out today would be packed with people.

Its crazy going out on Christmas.

Just looking at the date I had with Kang Juyeon yesterday, it was like that.

There were so many Holders gathered, it was even uncomfortable entering the venue.

If it wasnt for the double boss room that opened for Ice Rudolph hunting, I probably wouldnt have enjoyed much among all those Holders crowding the <Ice Garden>.

Wow But you really prepared this nicely.

I slowly looked around the interior.

There were a whopping 3 tables.

Dishes with food, wine, fruits, desserts

Arranged on the tables in a U-shape, each food item was laid out.

By the veranda, the drawn curtains and warm lighting created an atmosphere, with balloons next to a large Christmas tree.

In another corner, there was some kind of fireplace structure.

Whats that fireplace? Does it really make fire?

Yeah! Its burning with an alchemy item called Ignition Stone.

Wow.

Thats pretty hardcore.

[Ignition Stone] was an item crafted by alchemy-type Holders, utilizing magic stones to create fire in a fireplace.

While not too expensive for Holders, the fact that she used it just as a prop for the atmosphere showed how much effort she put into this.

Looking over the food on the tables, I asked,

All the dishes are from Rune Foods?

Yeah. I personally picked the wine.

I havent used them before so not sure, but arent Rune Foods pretty expensive? Ordinary people wouldnt even dare consider them.

Well Im not an ordinary person, am I? I splurged a bit.

Certainly so.

I could feel it wasnt just money she spent, but sincere care she poured in.

The arrangements of food and decor all blended together in this space, perfectly conveying a subtle, quiet Christmas vibe.

I kept praising our little party venue in admiration.

It was probably an ambience I wouldnt easily find anywhere else.

A home party Kim Chae-eun had set up herself.

Thank you. You mustve worked hard alone.

I went up to Kim Chae-eun and lightly stroked her hair.

While the sudden change of plans was surprising, I still wanted to compliment her over and over for letting us enjoy this party.

The thought made me find her actions precious and delightful.

Kim Chae-eun looked up at me with bright eyes and smiled.

Looking up like that, shes totally like a Maltese.

Then naturally, she linked arms with me and said,

Hehe, lets eat first. You must be hungry?

Yeah. I want meat.

This way

Kim Chae-eun suddenly paused.

Why, whats wrong? I asked.

She pointed her finger at the window.

Snow Its snowing.

Just as she said, white snowflakes were falling outside the window.

Snow.

Not the snow of the otherworldly boss room we saw yesterday at the <Ice Garden>, but real snow in the real world.

It was snowing on Christmas.

I blankly watched the scene.

The twinkling lights and warm fireplace.

And fresh white snow drifting down fitting that atmosphere.

It felt like someones wish was about to fully come true

It was a beautiful, white Christmas.

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