“Wow. I knew it would be amazing.”

I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration at the dazzling white building that unfolded before my eyes.

A gray roof sat atop the white stone mansion with symmetry. The long, rectangular windows and the landscaping decorating the mansion were also stunningly symmetrical.

On top of that, the white building standing tall against the blue sky looked like a movie set.

‘Well, it’s not wrong to say that.’

Ah, I don’t want to be the kind of rustic character who gets intimidated in such a grand house. Every single reaction of mine to this mansion feels like a movie scene.

For the sake of my pride, I don’t want to be an extra who gapes in admiration in a rustic manner.

After hesitating for a moment, I spoke nonchalantly while holding my forehead.

“Well, it’s just as I thought. It would be nice if there was a guest house, yacht dock, swimming pool, sauna, and artificial pond here. The rest is just as I imagined. It’s not that surprising. I expected you to be well off. The house is clean and nice to look at.”

I shrugged my shoulders, speaking in the most pompous voice possible.

At that, Adrian laughed awkwardly as if embarrassed.

“Right? Actually, it’s an old mansion that’s been renovated, so it has a bit of a rustic style. Roman style, I think. I’m not sure though.”

Then, as if remembering something, he added.

“Ah, but there is a guest house in the back garden, so if you ever need a separate space later, I can lend it to you. Just let me know then.”

I thought it was just a guess, but there really is a guest house…

I was just saying it.

“Th… Thanks.”

I answered hastily.

* * *

We climbed the stairs connected to the garden and arrived in front of the mansion.

Opening the door revealed the interior with bright wood tones.

I immediately looked around and thought.

‘Good, no housekeeper.’

Adrian headed familiarly to the kitchen and said.

“I told them I was bringing a friend, so Johanna left some juice for us to drink together before she left.”

“Johanna is?”

“Our housekeeper.”

“…”

I silently downed the 100% organic apple juice Adrian handed me in one shot.

“Just in case, do you also have a gardener?”

“Huh?”

“Just curious.”

“Not a gardener, but someone comes once a week to manage it.”

“…”

“Why?”

“It’s nothing.”

I wiped my lips with the back of my hand and thought.

‘I wonder if I shouldn’t have offered to pay for the taxi.’

Belated regret washed over me. I feel like a silkworm in front of a cocoon.

We put on slippers and walked down the carpeted hallway to Adrian’s room.

According to Adrian, his parents come home late from work and Johanna also left early.

“Actually, my parents don’t like me bringing friends home. But they allowed it since I said we were coming to study together. They’ll allow anything related to studying, both of them.”

Adrian said.

“No wonder no one has ever been to Adrian’s house.”

I nodded understandingly.

If he lived in such a grand and nice house, he would have invited kids over every day, but strangely, no one had ever been to Adrian’s house.

‘His parents must be quite strict. So am I the first guest to be invited?’

Adrian’s room was a neat room with the bare minimum furnishings.

The dark wood bookshelves, bed, and long desk were harmoniously matched in a similar tone. It was spotlessly clean.

Adrian immediately put down his bag and headed to the bookshelf.

“These are the reference materials I mentioned.”

Adrian thudded thick related books totaling 3,000 pages onto the desk.

Seeing the overwhelming volume, my motivation was already dampened before we even started. I made a pitiful face with despair.

“Do you think I can finish the essay by today? Adrian.”

“Don’t be so sad. You can do it.”

Adrian comforted me with a small smile.

Adrian’s desk was long enough for two people to sit and study comfortably. While I wrote the essay, Adrian, who had already finished his assignments, decided to study next to me.

Of course, writing the essay was not easy.

This darned war. What would change even if I added my opinion to a story that has already ended?

Unfortunately, my concentration limit was one hour.

Ah, I don’t want to do this.

As I flipped through the thick books and diligently refined the draft of my essay, I glanced sideways at Adrian.

Adrian was solving problems with his head tilted.

As I stared intently at him, Adrian, who felt my gaze, met my eyes.

“What? Is there something you’re stuck on?”

“No, it’s not that…”

I rested my chin on my hand with a bored face and stared at Adrian.

“I was wondering why you even joined the dungeon team in the first place.”

“…Huh?”

“You’re already good at studying, you’re the student council president, and you’d probably write good essays too. I heard from somewhere that both your parents are Ivy League graduates, so you have a high chance of getting into the same schools. Why did you join the dungeon team? You could easily get into a good college without extra points.”

At those words, Adrian raised his eyebrows as if it was an unexpected question.

In fact, blinded by my college extra points, I had never asked about Adrian’s motivations before.

Victor became my teammate because he ratted me out for being a high-rank awakener and even helped my skill bloom, but why did Adrian end up joining the dungeon team?

‘It would have been bothersome and time-consuming, so he didn’t have to reveal that he was an awakener.’

Moreover, Adrian tended to have a somewhat negative view of his own abilities.

To the point where he wouldn’t reveal his skills or excellent stats in front of civilians.

Adrian was silent for a moment as if lost in thought.

“Then I’ll tell you why I joined the dungeon team, but will you also answer my question, Juno?”

“Huh? A question?”

I thought for a moment and nodded.

“Yeah. Ask me anything.”

“First, to answer one question, it’s because of my parents.”

“Parents?”

The corners of Adrian’s mouth drew a short arc.

“My parents want me to get into an Ivy League like them. Everyone in our family has attended prestigious universities.”

“But you could easily do that without joining the dungeon team, right?”

At that, Adrian shook his head.

“My parents don’t want me to be on par with people who get extra points. They always want me to win overwhelmingly.”

“…”

“If I were a non-awakener, my parents would have wanted me to do much better than the kids with extra points and increased my club activities. But I was lucky enough to become an S-rank awakener. My parents want me to actively participate in school activities while also collecting extra points to easily get into college.”

For a moment, a bitter smile flashed across Adrian’s face.

“Actually, I had no choice but to join the dungeon team because of my parents’ nagging. I couldn’t get out of it once they found out I was an awakener.”

“I see…”

Whether in Korea or the United States, there are parents who are extremely enthusiastic about their children’s academic background and grades.

Especially in elite families, maintaining a good academic background was sometimes felt as an obsession.

Adrian’s family members were famous people who graduated from prestigious universities for generations or engaged in professional occupations.

So Adrian’s parents would have also wanted Adrian to follow the same path as the family.

Instead of hasty consolation, I quietly waited for Adrian’s silence. Adrian hesitated for a moment, then looked at me and smiled.

“But thanks to joining the dungeon team, I’m glad I got to become close with you, Juno. I told you before that I feel comfortable with you, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I think you’ve also become comfortable with me.”

Adrian showed a carefree expression as he looked at me. Seeing that, I really felt that the two of us had become close.

At first, I was a bit worried if we could become friends as we seemed like polar opposites.

Seeing Adrian smile sincerely, I also grinned. Then Adrian spoke.

“Now, my question.”

“Ask me anything.”

I said, putting my mouth to the remaining apple juice.

“Is Allen Jade your boyfriend?”

“Cough.”

I barely swallowed the apple juice I almost spit out.

“He’s not my boyfriend, okay? We’re just childhood friends!”

I get asked this question a lot, following my parents’ blabbermouth.

Adrian’s eyes widened at my intense reaction.

“Sorry, I thought you two went to see McQueen’s game together, so I thought you were in that kind of relationship.”

“Strictly speaking, I went to see the football game with Michel from the newspaper club, and I just happened to meet Allen there. I don’t know why I’m explaining this though.”

“I see.”

Adrian blinked his clear eyes a couple of times and smiled brightly.

“That’s a relief. Then what’s your type, Juno?”

“Why are you curious about that?”

“I just thought it would be good to know.”

I don’t know what’s so good about it…

I glared at Adrian with an incomprehensible face. He just grinned brightly despite my gaze.

“First of all, I have very high standards for looks. I like handsome guys.”

“Is that all?”

Adrian asked, resting his chin on his hand. I thought deeply.

“Whether he has a lot of money or not, I feel like I’ll make my own, but more is better than less, as they say. But having too much more than me would be burdensome.”

“Too much of a difference… What else?”

“Guys who are weak to gambling or addictions are also a no-go. Those weak guys are bound to use loan sharks, do drugs, or develop a sugar addiction. I like someone who may be a bit nutty but is solid. Even if he starves himself, he shouldn’t let his wife and kids starve.”

“…That’s quite specific. I didn’t ask about someone you want to marry though.”

“What about you then?”

Adrian tilted his head at my question. Then, after examining my face carefully, he said.

“Hmm, first, I think I prefer long straight hair over curly hair.”

“Nine out of ten guys like girls with long straight hair.”

“I’d like it if pants suit her better than skirts.”

A certain song came to mind, but I ignored it.

“And?”

“Someone who looks good in glasses? It makes them look smart and cute.”

Can smart and cute coexist?

Something felt off, but I nodded for now.

“Anything else?”

“I’m not sure. Someone who makes me feel stable when I’m with them? I didn’t know before, but these days, I like someone I want to rely on. Of course, if I rely on them too much like a child, they would hate it.”

“There might be people who don’t.”

I listened to that with my arms crossed and chuckled.

“Even if you say that, don’t guys always like pretty girls?”

“Not necessarily…”

Adrian stopped mid-sentence. Then he stared intently into my eyes.

“I’d like to see you without your glasses too.”

“What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”

“No, I was just talking to myself.”

“How boring.”

We continued to exchange silly conversations like that.

Perhaps it’s because the fire of the essay has fallen at my feet. Or maybe it’s because the two of us have really become close.

I didn’t find it boring to chat about trivial things.