"Rin, you already said you'd join the Traveling Club. Don't even think about backing out later."

Ryen brought it up out of nowhere, his tone leaving zero room for negotiation.

"Huh? When did I agree to that?" I blinked at him.

"You nodded yesterday."

"That wasn't a nod! I was stretching my neck!"

Ryen gave me a flat look, like he wasn't buying a word. "Same thing."

Leo snorted from the side, tugging one earbud free. "He's right, Rin. You're already locked in. Once Ryen decides, there's no escaping."

"Exactly," Ryen said with a satisfied nod.

I groaned. "This feels more like a kidnapping than a club invitation…"

Ryen chuckled at me.

Normally, I'd smack anyone who laughed at me like that. But out of respect—no, out of caution—that he was still the 1st ranker and, more importantly, the protagonist of this damn novel, I held back.

"Okay, fine. According to you, I said I'd come, right? So I will. No need to bring it up every time."

Ryen grinned, leaning in like a cat teasing a mouse. "Ah, just in case you try to back out again~ You do want to go, don't you?"

"Are you seriously that excited? Midterms are right after the trip."

He tilted his head. "Hmm? What do exams have to do with the trip? Rin, exams are about what you've already done."

"That's true~" Leona chimed in from the side, sounding way too carefree.

Of course. Ryen was a natural genius—studying probably felt like breathing to him. And Leona? She didn't care enough to worry. Meanwhile, Nora and Keira just stared at the two of them, half-dumbfounded, half-jealous, but kept quiet. Excitement for the trip was more important than nagging about exams.

"I'm so excited," Keira suddenly said, clapping her hands. "I've loved traveling since elementary school!"

"Really?" I asked, playing along even though I already knew. The settings book had mentioned it.

Then Ryen raised his hand, like he was declaring something official. "Ah, right. On the trip, I'm the one grilling the meat. Nobody else touches it. Just sit down and eat."

I blinked. "…You're that confident?"

"Of course. I'm good enough to brag about it without shame." His eyes actually sparkled.

Nora leaned in, smiling softly. "He's right. Ryen's father loves traveling, so he taught him. I've had his cooking—it's really good."

The second she backed him up, Ryen practically glowed. He started bragging about seasoning, fire control, and how to get the perfect crust on the meat. The more he talked, the more animated he became, like a kid showing off his favorite toy.

Everyone laughed and teased him, the atmosphere warm and easy. For a moment, it almost felt like a normal group of friends planning a fun trip.

Almost.

But as I listened to them chatter, a dull weight settled in my chest.

Because I knew better.

The "first trip" in every academy story wasn't just sightseeing and campfires. It was where the real danger started. In the novel, this was the episode where one of the villain alliances made their debut. Where the protagonist and his friends were stranded in a dungeon, fighting for their lives.

And here I was, walking right into it with them.

"Rin, you're frowning again."

Keira leaned over suddenly, peering at me with narrowed eyes. "Don't tell me you're already tired. We just finished class, you should be happy!"

"I'm not frowning," I said quickly. "This is just… my resting face."

"Then your resting face looks depressed," she shot back, puffing her cheeks.

The others chuckled. Even Leona smirked from behind her usual calm front. "She's not wrong. You do look like you're about to be executed."

I clicked my tongue, but didn't bother arguing further. It wasn't like I could explain the truth—Sorry, guys, my brain's busy remembering the part where we all almost die next week.

Ryen, of course, didn't miss the chance to poke fun. "Relax, Rin. It's just a trip. What's the worst that could happen?"

Oh, if only you knew.

"Right, right," I muttered, forcing a smile. "A harmless little trip. Totally no problem."

Leo stuffed his earbud back in and muttered, "If it's harmless, then maybe Rin's the one who'll cause the problem."

"Excuse me?" I glared.

He ignored me, humming along to whatever he was listening to. Typical.

Nora, who had been quiet, suddenly clapped her hands once. "Then it's settled. Ryen's cooking, Rin's joining the club, and…" She tilted her head with that soft smile that never quite reached her eyes. "…we'll all have fun together, right?"

Everyone agreed easily.

I… stayed quiet.

Because beneath the laughter, the casual teasing, the plans about who'd bring snacks and who'd pack tents, all I could hear was the ticking of a clock.

Counting down to the moment when the trip turned into the kind of story no one wanted to be in.

The moment when "fun" stopped being an option.

This event was always held around this time in the original story, so there was no way it was going to disappear just because I showed up.

Well, still…

Since I was here now, I wasn't going to let it turn into the nightmare it originally was. If the book said this trip was supposed to be blood, sweat, and trauma, then fine—I'd rewrite it. I'd make sure they grilled their meat, laughed by the fire, and went home with nothing worse than mosquito bites.

The "dungeon incident"? That could just stay as a surprising little detour, the kind you'd tell your kids about someday with a laugh. No one was going to get scarred for life under my watch.

At least, that was the plan.

What kind of unexpected variables could there be, anyway?

…Right. Like tempting fate with that exact thought wasn't just asking the universe to kick me in the teeth.

---

"By the way, where's the Traveling Club headed this time?"

Professor Lena leaned back in her chair, eyes curious.

The professor in charge of the club adjusted his glasses. "Since it's right before midterms, we're keeping it simple—somewhere local, not too far from the city. A short trip, just enough to refresh them without interfering with studies."

"Mm, that sounds good." Lena tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

The professor smiled faintly. "Honestly, I'd be happy if you came along. You're more approachable than I am. The younger ones will probably feel more at ease with you there." He paused, then glanced at the woman sitting beside Lena. "…And with Inspector Evans joining, that would be reassuring as well."

Rachel gave a small laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, I'd also like to help prevent any… unexpected incidents. Traveling with cadets always carries a few risks."

"Inspector Rachel Evans is practically a celebrity," the professor chuckled. "The kids will be shocked when they see you there."

Rachel's brows rose in mild surprise. "Really? I didn't think I was that well-known."

"More than you realize," Lena teased gently. "Don't worry, they'll be thrilled. And thank you for agreeing to come."

Rachel inclined her head politely. "It's my pleasure."

It wasn't until the morning of departure that Rin realized their group had grown a little larger without him knowing.

"Professor," Rachel murmured quietly, "what if Rin doesn't like the idea of faculty tagging along with their fun? You know how students can be."

"Don't worry," the professor Lena replied, her tone calm. "You know Rin isn't the type to make a fuss over something like that."

Rachel crossed her arms, looking slightly uncertain. "Still, I'd rather not intrude."

"You're not intruding," Lena assured her with a smile. "In fact, I guarantee he'll appreciate it."

Rachel blinked. "You're that sure?"

"Of course." Lena's smile softened, her voice quiet but confident. "He might not say it outright, but Rin will like it."

Rachel's fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag. "You sound oddly confident, Professor. Why do you think Rin will 'like it'?"

Lena tilted her head, studying her carefully. "Because I've watched the boy for a while now. Rin doesn't trust easily, but he values stability more than he lets on. If someone reliable stands nearby, he'll notice—even if he pretends he doesn't."

Rachel let out a quiet breath, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. "You're perceptive. Too perceptive, really."

"Am I wrong?" Lena asked gently.

"No." Rachel's voice softened, her usual professional edge peeling back. "He's like that. He acts indifferent, distant even… but underneath it, he clings harder than anyone else."

Lena's eyes flickered with faint curiosity. "You say that with certainty."

Rachel hesitated for a moment, lips pressing into a thin line. Then she gave a rueful smile. "Because Rin is my brother after all. I know him good enough.... Well I think I do."

"Hahaha....That is true." Lena just laughed at Rachel replied.

With that unexpected variable in place, the academy's first trip began.

----

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