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In the end, Ivan couldn't take it and asked Ron: "How did you even manage to come to this planet and get into the university then? Do you have adoptive parents or something?"

Ron paused mid-eating and began to tell them his story: "I have no family. I worked as a miner since I was old enough to hold a pickaxe. I saved money for years, that's about it"

He spoke very little and quickly. The reason was that he wanted to eat more of the cake. He was craving for more of this 'chocolate' that was so tasty.

The other four were flabbergasted by what he said though. How old was he even supposed to be? To have saved money from working as a miner? Was that even possible? They were really wondering if the kid was lying or not. Laila spoke on his behalf: "Well, the first time we met, he really looked shabby"

Nancy curiously asked: "How so?"

Laila replied: "Let me tell you, this guy wore orange shorts, one of those white "do or die" T-shirt and blue sandals. He looked so weird~"

Since they were talking about it, Ron added: "I just arrived on the planet with my miner rags. There weren't many shops that allowed me in and I am poor"

Laila retorted: "Then how come you got a suit soon after? One day, I see you in weird clothes, the next, you have an engineering job and wear a suit!"

He put down his spoon for a moment, which took him great strength and looked at her before he said: "I needed a job because I was poor and couldn't find any because I have no qualifications and can only do manual labor. You told me to get an education so, I went and registered at the university. But I would still need a job to live with I studied there. Then, you told me to go to the job center. Once I was there, I told them I was an engineering student and they sent me to a company. I told the guys there that I was an engineering student and they gave me a job. It was all thanks to your advices. As for the suit, I asked a shop salesman what I needed to get a decent job and he told me this was the outfit I needed. People look at you differently depending on what you were"

Vanessa added: "True. We bowed at him this morning when he came in, thinking he was the teacher"

She managed to defuse the serious topic with a light joke. It relaxed everyone and they began to exchange a bit more about what he did, without going too deep into it. It was obvious that he had some difficulties and a tougher life compared to them. They didn't want him to feel uncomfortable. Especially Laila, she felt bad for questioning him so harshly… She did her best to change topics.

After a moment, it managed to deviate to the clubs they were interested in. Both Nancy and Ivan were testing the waters, trying to sound out the other. The first wanted to dodge the second while the second hoped to be with the first. Their antics were quite funny in the eyes of Vanessa and Laila. Both of them were already set on the club they wanted to join.

Vanessa planned to go into a sport-oriented club while Laila decided to go to a study group on artificial intelligence programming since it gave additional credits. Laila, still feeling bad for before, brought Ron into the discussion: "So, Ron, do you think you will have time for a club with your work?"

He answered her as if nothing happened before with the same usual smile: "I don't think so"

To him, the previous questioning was only a form of them showing interest in his person. He was happy about it and not at all angry or anything.

Vanessa was interested in his job. It was rare for a freshman to have such luck where he could already be an engineering assistant. She asked him about it: "So, what kind of work will you do?"

Ron pondered for a moment before he answered her: "I am not sure yet. They told me I would be responsible for one of their projects, something about a new flying car. I will know tomorrow when I start work"

Nancy whistled before Ivan questioned him with a snickering gaze: "Don't you mean that you will assist them?"

Ron didn't get the implicit meaning as he responded: "No, they did say I would be in charge of it. Harold said it a few times and it was written in the contract too"

The girls chuckled at Ivan. They knew what he tried to do. He blushed a little but regained control soon enough thanks to his shamelessness, a talent he prided himself on. He rebounded by saying: "My bad. Make sure to tell us how it goes"

Ron thought that Ivan was trying to become closer as friends and hurriedly nodded with a bright smile. It made the girls laugh a little more. Ivan was truly having a difficult time dealing with this guy. He was unable to judge whether this guy was acting or being genuinely socially inapt. He decided to keep his interactions with him at a minimum else he might lose even more face in front of Nancy.

The rest of the afternoon was spent there with the group chatting merrily. As they decided to leave, Ivan offered to pay, planning to score points with Nancy. He ended up scoring them with Ron who thanked him profusely and commanded his generosity.

Ron loved food but free food was even better. At that moment, he even regretted not picking something more expensive. Though, the chocolate cakes had been delicious.

He really wanted to become friends with such a nice guy as Ivan!