My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 19
But it struck her only after speaking that pointing out how late it was to turn back and offer a greeting was itself strange.
It almost seemed as though Ibby were watching Quinton’s reaction.
……
Cyrus, sensing something odd, turned back and said nothing for a long moment before finally……
“Hello, Ibby.”
“Yes.”
What was she supposed to say now? That she hoped they’d get along in the new year? That would be ridiculous.
Unable to find her words, Ibby raised her hand and then let it drop.
“I’m going.”
She quickly turned and hurried up the remaining stairs.
‘Why did I do that?’
The moment Ibby returned to her room, she threw herself onto the bed and tore at her hair.
She’d looked even more awkward, and by now Cyrus was certainly laughing at her for it.
Why would she show her rival such a weakness?
* * *
Starting the next morning, Ibby had to prepare the New Year Resolution Event with the senior class officers of the Third Dormitory.
This was why she’d needed to return early instead of staying longer at the Royal Palace.
The event existed to let students greet the new year together, renew their resolve, and begin the new semester with health and vigor.
So far, so good.
“Truth is, no student cares about the spirit of it. They work themselves to the bone for the privileges.”
According to the senior class officer, the original meaning had long since faded.
The school’s decision to sweeten the deal by offering “two special privileges to dormitories with high participation” had been the start of this tragic history.
“What kind of privileges are there?”
Ibby asked what privileges could make them forget the true purpose, and the answer came back:
“Outside Food Delivery Privilege.”
Ibby felt her expression turn cold despite herself.
They were willing to stake their lives just for this?
‘Well…… I suppose I can understand it.’
In an age where ordering food with a single app was standard, the value seemed questionable. But this was an antiquated place—the Royal School—and naturally the administration imposed draconian restrictions on outside food.
Yet with this privilege, students could order whatever they wanted delivered.
“It’s only good for a week, but there’s a special thrill to it, you see?”
“A thrill?”
“Eating boldly in the Cafeteria where students from other dormitories can see you.”
“Really?!”
“Ever since the First Dormitory threw that massive delivery party last year with all kinds of food, everyone’s been grinding their teeth, waiting for this day.”
“They boast about it that much?”
“People always feel more satisfaction when they flaunt something juvenile. Haven’t you noticed Tiffany Vance from your year?”
Remarkably persuasive. Ibby found herself nodding along.
“So what’s the second privilege everyone’s expecting?”
“Oh, nobody cares about that.”
The senior officer yawned just thinking about it and added:
“It’s a one-point deduction of Demerits for everyone in the dormitory. But as you know, not a soul in this place cares about Demerits……”
Ibby sprang from her seat.
“That’s an incredible privilege!”
A Demerits reduction—that was solid proof she could show in a graph.
If her Conduct Score dropped again next time, she might be able to use this as evidence to argue back.
‘And that’s not even all.’
Winning the New Year Resolution Event as class officer would prove her leadership.
She could definitely aim for additional points.
Ibby clenched her fist.
Wasn’t this something that would make everyone happy?
The ravenous Third Dormitory students would get their outside food, and Ibby would get her extra points.
The perfect New Year activity.
“I’ll work hard at whatever you need. What should I do?”
“There’s a crucial task for each year’s class officer.”
Ibby nodded seriously, determined to accomplish whatever it was.
“It’s to encourage all the students in your grade to attend. The Participation Rate carries very high marks. Your entire Third Dormitory must be united.”
“Leave it to me! That’s not even a problem. Of course everyone will……”
As Ibby answered enthusiastically, several faces flashed through her mind.
First, Tiffany Vance.
The woman who ate nothing but salad in the Cafeteria, picking at it grain by grain—worldly food rewards held no appeal for her.
Moreover, ever since the Headband incident, Tiffany had treated Ibby like an enemy, and the Angels of the Third Dormitory had joined her ranks.
More than once, they’d passed her in the Corridor with a scoff, bumping her shoulder lightly. There’d been no real harm, so she hadn’t raised it as an issue.
Would Tiffany and her Angels willingly attend the Third Dormitory event when Ibby was the one asking?
Absolutely not.
And the problem wasn’t just Tiffany and the Angels.
Among the first-year students, there remained a massive obstacle: Cyrus Quinton.
Why he was the biggest obstacle needed no explanation.
“Then we don’t need to worry about getting the freshmen to participate?”
The senior officer stood and asked, and Ibby found herself nodding without thinking.
When in fact her worries were endless.
* * *
After the New Year break ended, students returned one by one.
Ibby was standing in the Dormitory Hall when an unwelcome memory forced its way in unbidden.
The first time she’d distributed the Conduct Code here.
Thinking back on how badly she’d botched it, her head still spun with vertigo.
But today was different.
Because Joy was at her side.
And Joy still wielded considerable influence in the Third Dormitory.
The extent of that influence was this:
“Ugh, I think that sounds annoying.”
A boy who’d claimed the event sounded tedious to Ibby—scratching his head indifferently—
“Come with me.”
nodded without hesitation at Joy’s single command.
Ibby watched with admiring eyes and sighed in wonder.
“How on earth do you do that?”
“Simple. Starting the new year surrounded by annoying relatives and the moment your grades get exposed—anger just comes naturally to your eyes.”
And Joy crossed her arms, fixing Ibby with a mock glare.
“Plus, anger that my only friend never bothered to call.”
“Right.”
Ibby laughed awkwardly, fidgeting with her glasses.
“I was planning to call you, actually.”
Her words trailed off.
She couldn’t exactly mention that she’d run into Cyrus on the way back to her room and completely forgotten about it after that.
No, wait.
That encounter and the phone call had nothing to do with each other.
“I’m sorry. I should have been more thoughtful.”
“Anyway.”
Joy pinched Ibby’s cheek lightly.
“You really are hopeless sometimes, you know? When something like this happens, you’re supposed to say, ‘If you wanted to talk so badly, you could’ve called me yourself,’ right?”
“Just because I say that doesn’t erase the fact that I did forget.”
“You’re stubborn as hell. Sometimes you seem like someone from another age, honestly.”
Ibby offered an awkward smile. The comment about being old-fashioned seemed almost unavoidable given her status as a member of the royal family.
“While I was gone, nothing happened between you and Cyrus Quinton, did it? I heard he stayed at the dormitory instead of going home for the holiday.”
“Oh, really?! I, I didn’t know that.”
The lie slipped out before Ibby could stop herself.
“Logan whined about it to me, but I ignored him. That guy’s so annoying.”
“What was Logan whining about?”
“That he was bored. Said Cyrus Quinton was dutifully watching the Royal New Year Address broadcast.”
“What?”
Ibby’s eyes widened.
Cyrus had watched the broadcast?
The moment that realization hit, the memory of him staring intently at her face when he’d returned suddenly felt entirely…… different.
‘Did he recognize me?’
Was that why he’d hesitated when she spoke to him?
No, that couldn’t be. Princess Evelyn and Ibby Underwood on the screen were completely different people.
“Wow, there are still people who watch those broadcasts these days?”
“Maybe he was trying to catch a glimpse of the Princess. She’s been first in her class the whole time, after all. Anyway, I watched it yesterday too, and she’s gotten even more beautiful.”
……!
Joy had watched it too?! Wait, didn’t Owen say nobody watches those things anymore?!
“What’s wrong with your face? Ibby. Don’t tell me……”
Joy began studying Ibby’s expression intently, using the words “don’t tell me.” A chill ran down Ibby’s spine.
Unlike Cyrus, Joy really did have keen eyes.
“I, it’s not……!”
“You’re upset that Cyrus is interested in the Princess?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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