I Need the True Ending to Graduate - Chapter 71

As long as I studied dimensional transfer magic a bit more, paid close attention so I wouldn’t make typos when typing, and practiced drawing magic circles by following them precisely, it seemed there would be no problem with graduating.

Besides, I had already entered into relationships with all three capture targets, so if I worked hard to raise their affection during the vacation while the library was closed, I would likely be able to see the true ending easily.

‘And then I’ll return to reality.’

If there was one single problem with this perfect plan, it was my real thesis that would be waiting for me in reality.

‘In the game, it feels like I can somehow graduate, but in reality, it doesn’t look like I have any chance of graduating at all.’

When I thought about the thesis I’d left behind, all I could do was sigh. The thesis review was just as daunting.

I wasn’t a brilliant talent like Lucia. I was in a position where, instead of receiving praise, I would have to cling to their pant legs and beg and beg just to barely be allowed to graduate.

And unlike in the game, there was no one who would write a wonderful thesis for me in my place.

‘Even if I go back, the thesis is still the problem. And since I possessed this body just a week before the thesis review, I’ll have to write nonstop the moment I return.’

Thinking about my half-written thesis made my chest feel tight.

‘Should I just not see the true ending and keep living here?’

Then I would never have to write a thesis. I wouldn’t have to suffer headaches over writing one either. Spending the rest of my life with handsome capture targets even felt like a pretty good option.

But I soon stopped imagining it.

That was because I knew that even if I lived here, things wouldn’t turn out very well.

Right now, thanks to Ruad and Jeran doing their best for me, I was living relatively comfortably, but Lucia wasn’t a noble, and she had no money.

All she had was her outstanding ability, and that alone wouldn’t make it easy to live comfortably. She would probably have to constantly prove her abilities.

And I, who had possessed Lucia’s body, didn’t have the ability or the competence to use her talents to their full potential.

‘They discriminate and hurl insults even at the academy. Once I enter society, it’ll be even worse, not better. I don’t have a family or anywhere to rely on either.’

In that case, writing the thesis was still better. I hated writing it to the point of horror, but it was only a single moment in my life.

Lost in fleeting thoughts, I walked aimlessly, and before I knew it, I arrived at my destination, Bell Restaurant.

Bell Restaurant was already filled with the atmosphere of summer.

On the second-floor terrace that had been closed all winter, pure white parasols were spread out beautifully, and the interior, which had once looked warm and cozy, had been changed to a refreshing and clean atmosphere to match the season.

I glanced through the large glass windows into the interior.

Perhaps because it was still a bit early for dinner, there were hardly any people.

‘It’s a little early, but if I eat here and then go to the office, the timing will be perfect.’

Calculating the time in my head, I opened the now-familiar restaurant door and stepped inside. A few employees who recognized my face greeted me warmly when they saw me.

After going in and out of Evan Bell’s office for several months, we had naturally become familiar with each other.

“Ah, Secretary! It’s been a while since you’ve been here. Are you heading straight to see the boss again today?”

“No. Today I’m planning to eat dinner here briefly before I go. Is that all right?”

“Of course. You’re always welcome, Secretary. Shall I prepare shrimp tomato pasta for you?”

The employee led me to a quiet corner seat inside the restaurant out of consideration and asked.

I nodded as I sat down on the chair he pulled out for me.

“Yes. That, please.”

“You won’t be having wine, right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I thought so. Then I’ll bring it right out. Please wait just a moment.”

Once the order was finished, the employee gathered up the menu that had been on the table and headed toward the kitchen with a bright smile.

From behind, I faintly heard him calling out, “One shrimp tomato pasta.”

Soon, the pasta arrived along with a glass of cold water. I hadn’t even taken a bite yet, but just the smell alone made me feel happy.

“Enjoy your meal, Secretary. The chef said he put in two extra shrimp just for you.”

The employee came closer to me and spoke in a whisper, covering his mouth with his hand.

It felt like we were sharing a secret that absolutely couldn’t be discovered, and I let out a small laugh.

“Haha. Please tell him I’ll enjoy it.”

“Of course.”

I picked up my fork and took a bite of the shrimp tomato pasta.

‘Ah, as expected….’

It was pasta that was always delicious, no matter how many times I ate it. The fact that the same sense of emotion washed over me every time made it the best.

Although it was a ridiculous price where I had to work ten ordinary hours just to eat a single plate, I had money I’d borrowed from Evan Bell. It was more than enough to buy pasta.

‘Well, that doesn’t mean I eat it often.’

Even if I had the money, it was certainly a burdensome price to casually buy, so I only ate it very occasionally. And the shrimp tomato pasta never disappointed me.

‘When I return to the original world, I won’t be able to eat this either, right?’

A sudden sense of loneliness washed over me. Thinking that I’d never be able to taste this pasta again filled me with emotions that were hard to put into words.

‘Food I ate abroad, at least I could save money and travel to taste it again, but I was possessed by a game. Unless I get possessed again and come back here, I won’t even be able to taste it.’

Thinking that way made me feel both wronged and sad. Still, I couldn’t live here for the rest of my life just for a bowl of pasta.

‘Maybe once the affection goes up a bit more, I should ask him to tell me the pasta recipe?’

If my memory was correct, the last affection level I saw for Evan Bell was 40%. After two or three months, I’d probably reach around 70 to 80%, and at that point, it could objectively be said that he had a lot of affection for me.

‘If he has that much affection, he’ll tell me a pasta recipe or two. It’s not like I’m trying to do business with it. I just want to make it at home.’

If that still didn’t work, I could even sign a contract promising not to use the recipe commercially. Evan Bell was a businessman. If nothing else, he would trust what was written and signed in a contract.

‘But these days, things have been a bit awkward between me and Evan Bell. I don’t know if I’ll be able to raise the affection that much.’

As I was eating the pasta with those thoughts in mind, the employee who had shown me to my seat suddenly pulled out the chair across from me and sat down. Then, with a friendly smile, he spoke to me.

It was something that happened occasionally as I’d built rapport with the restaurant staff.

“How have you been doing lately?”

I didn’t look surprised and answered naturally, “Not bad. How about you, Aaron?”

“I just wish vacation would come as soon as possible. No customers, an easy body, and lots of money.”

I let out a small laugh at the employee’s sincere reply. Whether in games or in reality, it seemed the wishes of people who worked were all quite similar.

“Do you work during vacation too, Secretary?”

“Probably, right? Unless the boss gives me time off, I’ll be working.”

“Ah. That must be hard for you too. You won’t even be able to rest and will have to keep working together with the boss.”

I didn’t actually do any work at all, and merely showed Evan Bell a face twisted with shame and excitement, but it wasn’t information worth mentioning, so I laughed it off.

“Haha. Still, since I’m employed, there’s nothing I can do. If the boss tells me to do something, I have no choice.”

“Well. That’s true.”

The employee nodded and showed a sympathetic smile. As fellow employees hired by Evan Bell, we were empathizing with each other’s situations.

The small talk we were sharing came to a brief pause.

While I finished eating the pasta, the employee strangely didn’t leave his seat. Like someone who still had something to say, he kept watching my reactions, pondering how to start the conversation.

Then, timing it with when I briefly set my fork down, he cautiously asked me. It seemed that this was the real point.

“By the way, you work closely with the boss, right, Secretary?”

I couldn’t quite grasp the intention behind the question, but it didn’t seem like he was asking with bad intent. It also didn’t seem like he’d noticed what kind of contract existed between Evan Bell and me.

For now, I nodded honestly.

“Yes. I was hired for the boss’s personal matters too, so I do see him up close quite often. Why do you ask?”

When I asked back, the employee let out an awkward laugh, then wiped the smile completely off his face and said with an extremely serious expression, “No, it’s nothing in particular. Um… I don’t know what you might think, Secretary, but hasn’t the boss been a bit strange lately?”

Having opened with that, the employee began pouring out the words he’d piled up in his heart all at once, as if he’d been waiting for the chance.

“It’s like his mind is elsewhere. He often seems spaced out, you know? Even when I ask if he’s tired or has something on his mind, he just says it’s nothing and doesn’t really answer. But from what I can see, it feels like something is going on. Haven’t you noticed?”

“Hmm….”

“And last time, he came by to check the restaurant supplies and even broke a plate. I’ve been working here since this place first opened last year, and I’ve never seen that before. Really. He’s never broken a plate or dish before, not even by accident.”

After pouring out his words in one breath, the employee let out a deep sigh for a moment. Then, with an endlessly worried face, he continued,

“I know he usually doesn’t sleep well. He’s always busy and has so much work, so I thought it couldn’t be helped. But until now, he always seemed perfect, so I thought his body must be holding up. Lately, though, I’m a bit worried about his health. He even seems to be drinking quite a bit of alcohol he never used to drink.”

“….”

“The boss isn’t sick or anything, right? Do you know anything, Secretary?”

The employee asked me with a desperate expression. Since I was someone who saw Evan Bell up close, he seemed to think I might have some idea of why Evan Bell had been acting strangely lately.

‘Outwardly, I’m listed as Evan Bell’s secretary, but we’re not actually that close. I didn’t even know until now that he couldn’t sleep well because of insomnia.’

…That said, it wasn’t as though I had no guesses at all.