I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 238

Chapter 238: School Trip (1)

“Huh.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the unexpected scenery.

The bright sun, shining down from a clear blue sky.

The fine, white sand, gleaming in the sunlight.

The gentle lapping of waves against the shore.

The salty tang of the sea breeze.

Yes, this was…

The ocean.

‘Why am I here?’

I stared blankly at the ocean, replaying the events that had led me to this place.

…

…

…

“Carsein.”

“Yes?”

“Read this.”

It was time to be discharged from the infirmary.

Harnie handed me a notice.

The contents were simple.

“I’ve already received my evaluation… Hmm? All symposium participants are required to attend?”

A summons to reconvene at the conference hall where the Eastern Nobles’ Conference had been held.

It applied to every noble, without exception.

‘There’s no mention of the reason… Why would they call for everyone?’

I was suspicious.

I had already received my evaluation.

There was no reason for the organizers of the Eastern Nobles’ Conference to contact me again.

My involvement with the symposium had ended with the conclusion of Chapter 2.

And yet, they were calling for another meeting?

Something felt off.

“Did you receive one as well?”

“Yes.”

So if Harnie had received one as well, it meant every noble was being summoned.

My eyes instinctively flicked to my status window.

Chapter 2 had definitely been cleared.

I had completed the Hospital Visit episode, and had already cleared one episode in Chapter 3. This meant there was no chance of Chapter 2 being extended by some hidden episode.

And this message was displayed:

▶ Time required until the start of Episode II. ◀

▶ Waiting period: 3 days ◀

Episodes with waiting periods like this usually didn’t deviate from their predicted course. It meant there was a mandatory event, a compulsory episode.

In other words, I was relatively safe from any unexpected episode triggers.

‘Well, I’d rather avoid any unforeseen events, but…’

‘…It’s difficult to refuse a summons from them. ’

The Pesselus Imperial Family.

This notice had been sent by the organizers of the symposium, the Imperial Family themselves. There was no way to refuse.

It couldn’t be helped. I had to go, regardless of the consequences.

“Let’s go. We can’t refuse.”

So we headed to the conference hall.

“Please board this carriage.”

Upon arriving, guards appeared and directed us towards a waiting carriage. Harnie and I boarded together.

This already felt ominous.

And when I opened my eyes… I was at the ocean.

“Everyone here… Don’t tell me…”

“The symposium participants?”

“I don’t see any parents or relatives…”

I was surrounded by the same young nobles I had thought I would never see again after Chapter 2.

As they murmured amongst themselves, confused, a voice rang out.

“Well, if their parents and relatives were here, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy themselves, would they?”

“Is that… Princess Arsienne?”

“And Prince Florence!”

“But… their clothes…”

Unlike the other nobles, who were dressed in formal attire – dresses, suits, uniforms – the two of them were dressed… differently.

So that’s why she mentioned enjoying ourselves. They had come prepared.

-Bang!

A firework exploded, unfurling a banner.

The words written on it made me speechless.

“You are all individuals with much to learn, much to experience. However, after observing the results of this symposium, we have determined that sometimes, learning requires a different approach. Therefore,”

Yes.

That word… it was all too familiar.

“We have decided to implement a new program this year, a journey for educational purposes: a school trip!”

-Ding!

▶ An Emergency Mission has occurred! ◀

▶ The school trip has begun. Earn points to win prizes and rewards. ◀

A school trip.

This game… had a school trip event.

***

At the mention of a school trip, the symposium participants erupted in confusion.

Some worried that it was another test.

Others grumbled about having to take two exams back-to-back.

Some fretted about being scolded by their family heads, while others silently prayed for a swift resolution.

But after seeing the attire of the princess and prince, and listening to their brief explanation, their worries dissipated.

Yes, while it was framed as an educational journey, it was essentially a vacation.

A chance to escape from their daily routines, from the stifling world of noble society, from the pressure of the symposium, and simply enjoy themselves under the sun.

They returned to the nearby hotel where they were staying, and soon reappeared, dressed in attire more suitable for the beach.

…And I was no exception.

“Seriously? Why did this game even have a swimsuit item? For this?”

I finally understood the purpose of this useless item that had been in the game since the beginning. It was ridiculous.

“Well… I suppose the most ridiculous thing is this entire situation.”

-Thwack!

“Take my spike!”

“That won’t work on me!”

“Then try this!”

Some were playing beach volleyball.

-Splash!

“Whoa! This is harder than it looks.”

“It takes practice.”

Others were attempting to surf.

-Splish, splash.

“Hah… hah…! Did… did I make it far?”

“You only went 10 meters?”

Some were swimming leisurely in the ocean.

“Gotcha!”

“One left!”

“Try and hit me!”

Others were playing dodgeball.

And countless others were scattered across the beach, enjoying the various water activities.

This entire scene was surreal.

‘What kind of game is this?’

Ah, it was better not to think about it.

This school trip, completely out of place in this world, was bizarre, but overthinking it would only give me a headache.

I shook my head and checked my status window.

▶ An Emergency Mission has occurred! ◀

▶ The school trip has begun. Earn points to win prizes and rewards. ◀

“The episode isn’t in progress, and the Emergency Mission rewards don’t seem worth the effort…”

Which meant I didn’t have any reason to stay here.

A school trip.

While the other nobles were still struggling to comprehend this new concept, I was probably the one who adapted the fastest.

I was intimately familiar with this type of event, not just similar, but identical, in both name and purpose, to the school trips of my world.

But I didn’t enjoy them.

“Are you leaving already?”

As I rose from my spot in the shade, preparing to return to the hotel, the princess approached me.

“Hmm. Is my carefully planned trip not to your liking?”

“That’s not it.”

“It certainly seems that way. The other nobles, eager to relieve their stress, have changed into more appropriate attire and are enjoying themselves. And yet, you’re leaving. If it’s not because you’re not enjoying yourself, then what is it?”

Arsienne tilted her head, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Is there something wrong with my intentions? I planned this trip so that you could all relax and enjoy yourselves without the watchful eyes of your elders.”

“I believe your intentions, and your plan, are sound.”

In fact, organizing a trip like this in this era was quite innovative.

“Isn’t it? Then since you’ve come all this way to the ocean, why not enjoy yourself a little longer? Aren’t you curious about the grand prize for the symposium winner?”

…How annoying.

Just like the student council president…

This made it difficult to leave.

It couldn’t be helped. I had to be more direct.

“Your Highness, you seem to have forgotten my origins.”

Arsienne’s expression froze.

“Why bring that up now?”

“You know the reason why no one has spoken to me since we arrived, don’t you, Your Highness?”

It was obvious.

Just like during the school trips in my world.

Carsein was an outcast here.

“No one wants to associate with a commoner like myself. They likely despise even being near me, let alone speaking to me. That’s why I’m all alone, isn't it?”

I had been the same.

Despite attending a prestigious school, everyone knew I was adopted, and that had created a barrier between us.

So…

“I don’t belong here. The only reason I came was because I didn’t want to disobey a direct order from the Imperial Family.”

That barrier… I was the only one who needed to be on the other side of it.

That was the best outcome, for both me and the other nobles.

My explanation was complete. There was no reason for me to stay.

But my path was blocked.

“It’s absurd that you, the star of this symposium, would be the first to leave, while even those with the lowest scores are enjoying their vacation.”

By Princess Arsienne.

“Was my explanation insufficient, Your Highness? You know that’s not what I meant.”

“I know. You’re saying that no one here wants you around, so you’re leaving, correct?”

She chuckled.

“Let’s make a wager.”

“A wager?”

“If even a single person here wants you to stay, you’ll remain. If not, you’re free to leave.”

What a ridiculous proposition.

But this time, I saw an opening.

“I refuse if you’re using my high score as justification. I’m well aware that no one here scored lower than me.”

“Heh heh. Unfortunately for you, that’s not what I meant.”

Arsienne’s gaze swept across the beach, where the other nobles were enjoying themselves.

But she quickly added, as if they weren’t the ones she was referring to.

“So, you’re saying that as long as I don’t use your position as symposium winner as justification, it’s fine?”

Then of course everyone would want me gone.

Just as I thought that…

Arsienne raised her voice.

“Carsein is leaving! He hasn’t even been here for long! Is there no one who wants him to stay?”

The nobles playing on the beach glanced at each other.

But no one spoke.

A heavy silence descended.

‘Just as I thought.’

I had been worried she might have some trick up her sleeve, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

I was relieved.

No one would stop me from leaving.

“It seems there are no objections. Then I’ll be taking my lea—”

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?!”

…What?

I turned around, startled, to see the pink-haired demon glaring at me.

“Seriously? You haven’t even touched the water. Are you scared I’ll throw you in?”

And then, a small figure, leaving tiny footprints in the sand, peeked out from behind Claire.

“He’s scared of the water! Hehehe!”

Flora chimed in, giggling.

What the hell? I was trying to leave quietly, and now they were stopping me?

I stared at them, bewildered, and Arsienne chuckled.

“Heh heh. It seems your family has other ideas.”

“I object.”

“Two of them, in fact?”

“Yes.”

Those two hated me as much as the other nobles.

There had to be another reason why they were stopping me.

“They have ulterior motives for wanting me to stay. Your Highness, your wager was about whether anyone here had any goodwill towards me, wasn’t it?”

“Hmm. That was indeed my intention.”

“Then there are no other objections. Which means I’m free to leave.”

Their gazes were still hostile.

Therefore, no one here had any goodwill towards me.

“Well, it seems there are some who wish for you to stay.”

“What?”

Who?

Where?

-Tap. Tap. Tap.

Footsteps approached.

Could it be… her?

“Hah… hah…! Are you leaving? A-already?”

“…!”

“C-can’t you stay a little longer? I… I just got here…”

Damn it.

So this was her plan.

“Heh heh. It seems your fiancée disagrees with your assessment. She’s on my side.”

“…”

“What? What wager?” Harnie asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Arsienne turned to her, a triumphant smile on her face.

“Enjoy your stay. Understood?”

“…Hah…”

“No take-backs. Heh heh heh.”

Arsienne turned and walked away, satisfied.

I had been played.

I should have been more thorough.

I had been too quick to assume no one here had any goodwill towards me.

‘…No. How could this happen twice?’

The student council president had used the same tactic to trap me back then as well.

I vaguely remembered it happening during our school trip.

And…

-So… Min-hyeok… you’re not leaving, are you?

“S-so… Carsein… you’re not leaving, are you?”

The outcome of the wager was eerily similar.

Just like with Jieun, Harnie’s timely arrival had prevented me from escaping this trip.

“…Yes. I’m not leaving. Or rather… I can’t leave.”

“What? What are you talking about? What wager did you make?”

Harnie took my arm and led me away.

She whispered that I needed to play along, to maintain the pretense of being a couple, or we would be subjected to unwanted attention.

Right.

That made sense.

If that was the case, I couldn’t leave.

‘…Just like with Jieun, I’m stuck with her…’

Why did these things keep happening?

Was it just me?

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