Chapter 10

<Chapter 11> There’s a Plan For Everything. Before Going Down Like A Dog…

“So you’re meeting that girl this weekend?”

“Yes, I just need you to drive me there.”

Mr. Park, the secretary, is literally my personal assistant.

But why would a mere student even need a secretary?

Yu-jin could only think of Mr. Park as some kind of babysitter sent from home.

‘Must be ’cause we’re loaded, so they want someone keeping an eye on me.’

Drugs, violence, debauched sex life—aren’t these the usual drama tropes for rich kids screwing up?

Why else would they assign such an intimidating guy as my personal secretary?

‘Honestly, he’s still kinda intimidating…’

Look at that worried gaze right now.

He seems like the type who could bury someone without breaking a sweat, doesn’t he?

For all we know, he might be worrying if I’m about to do something bad.

‘Of course not! I’m totally legit!’

Bad stuff? Crime? Nah, none of that applies to me.

A highly developed loner is basically indistinguishable from a pacifist.

If someone talks to me, I’d probably just bow and ask them to leave me alone.

‘Then again… maybe Mr. Park really likes me?’

If his job is to make sure Master doesn’t screw up, and I’m not screwing up…

That means Mr. Park has nothing to do!

Seriously, besides driving me to school, what else does he even have to do?

From his perspective, this must be like a dream job.

‘Thinking about it this way, he’s been living pretty comfortably off me. Kinda annoying though.’

Still, we’ve known each other for a while now.

Well, technically I haven’t seen his face since he always wears sunglasses, but still.

Anyway, Yu-jin decided to be a little more considerate.

“You can drop me off and go back home if you want.”

Drive for a few minutes and call it a day! What a sweet gig.

Yu-jin felt proud of his own generosity.

However, Mr. Park firmly shook his head.

“I can’t do that. Serving Master is my duty.”

Hmm, so monitoring me is non-negotiable, huh?

Guess that’s what happens when you’re too good a kid.

But if that’s his job, then there’s nothing I can do.

“Tomorrow, I’m planning to watch a movie with Young-hee.”

“Ah, a movie, huh?”

For a socially awkward person, movies are a great choice.

You don’t have to talk during the whole thing, and afterward, you can naturally discuss the film.

Kills time and provides conversation topics—all in one package.

To be honest, I have no idea what else to do besides watching a movie.

I already picked out a romance flick.

That should keep things smooth for a while.

“Here’s the plan.”

I explained my strategy to Mr. Park.

Not much to it really.

Just watch the movie, eat dinner, go to a café, chat, and call it a day.

The movie’s set, but I haven’t decided where to eat yet.

Don’t know what Young-hee feels like eating.

Still, I’ve prepped a list of nearby restaurants, so whether it’s Japanese, Western, or Korean cuisine, I’m ready to adapt.

At the café, I’ve even practiced saying “Iced Americano, extra shot” to avoid any ordering mishaps.

Heh, with all this prep, the plan feels pretty solid, doesn’t it?

Mr. Park nodded thoughtfully after hearing it.

“Hmm, sounds good. Leave the rest to me.”

Huh? What’s he preparing?

Is he scouting the location ahead of time?

No need for all that…

Wow, he’s such a diligent guy.

Never judge a book by its cover, huh?

Another lesson learned today!

“The theater will be the turning point,” Mr. Park noted.

“Will it?”

Yeah, the movie idea was entirely mine.

Maybe Young-hee doesn’t even like movies.

If she rejects it, that’ll be a big problem.

Our whole plan would fall apart from the start.

“What if she says no?”

“That won’t happen.”

His tone was filled with confidence.

Oh, so this guy knows what he’s talking about!

Looks like he’s got plenty of experience under his belt.

Better pay attention to his advice.

“If anyone refuses, Master just needs to propose first—they’ll end up doing it anyway.”

“Even if that’s true in general situations… If I prefer another option, should I prepare separately?”

“Prepare?”

“It’s about creating a situation where rejection feels natural. Of course, we could force it, but if that’s what you wanted, you’d have done it earlier.”

Whoa, seriously? All that fuss over a simple movie date?

Feels like overkill, honestly.

Still, better listen to the social butterfly here.

Considering my lack of knowledge about this world…

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Park. Handle the rest.”

“Understood. On my honor, I’ll take care of it properly.”

Hmm, I was originally trying to give him a break…

How did it end up like this?

Still, if he’s offering to help, rejecting it outright would be rude!

“By the way, Master…”

“Yes?”

“Did I make some sort of mistake?”

?

Yu-jin blinked.

What’s this sudden question about?

“Because you suddenly started being polite.”

Wait, wasn’t he using casual speech before?

Even if he’s older, is that okay?

Granted, I don’t know much about this world’s etiquette…

‘Now that I think about it, all the teachers and people around me were using polite speech…’

So in this world, being formal is the norm, huh?

Then it shouldn’t be weird for me to use polite speech too.

A socially awkward person should just follow what others do—it keeps things balanced.

“I believe I should use polite speech when addressing you, Mr. Park.”

You’re older, and technically my superior.

Besides, you’re working hard for me.

Treating someone like that casually feels wrong.

For some reason, Mr. Park looked deeply moved.

“Oh, thank you. I never expected Master to think so highly of me.”

Uh? No need to get so emotional about it…

“Been working for the organization for over ten years, and now I finally feel recognized…”

“…”

I decided to stay quiet.

If he’s happy about it, let him enjoy it.

Good vibes are good vibes, right?

“But using polite speech isn’t appropriate. Black Heaven has certain traditions. People might look down on us.”

Huh? That’s how it is?

Thought it was weird how ridiculously wealthy we seemed.

Turns out our family is basically modern-day nobility or something.

‘Still some remnants of aristocratic etiquette and pointless traditions hanging around, huh?’

Honestly, sounds super annoying to follow.

I’m a commoner from the 21st century, after all.

Don’t wanna bother with all that noble authority nonsense.

‘But if I don’t follow it, I’ll just end up being a total loner again…’

Mr. Park rarely makes suggestions.

Always kept his distance, observing from afar.

For him to insist so strongly on this…

Must be pretty important.

Decided to follow his advice for now.

‘Sounds good to me.’

“Right, that’s more fitting for the heir of Black Heaven.”

Using casual speech feels so unnatural.

……….

………

…..

Like wearing clothes that don’t fit?

Or forcing yourself into shoes two sizes too big?

Gonna have to keep using this tone…

Is this my silver spoon karma coming back to bite me?

Still, thanks a bunch, Mom and Dad.

Keep raking in that cash!

“From now on, speak casually to everyone. Whoever it is, as the master of Black Heaven, it’s only proper.”

Ugh, don’t wanna…

But seeing the firmness in Mr. Park’s eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

‘Guess I’ll just stop using polite speech altogether.’

Yu-jin nodded silently, making up his mind.

*

“Huff…”

Young-hee stood at the meeting spot, trying to calm her trembling heart.

The person she was waiting for was her childhood friend’s rival: Yu-jin.

Chul-soo had tried countless times to defeat Yu-jin,

but in her eyes, Yu-jin was an unbreakable wall.

Someone not worth fighting against.

Even if Chul-soo managed to beat him, Black Heaven loomed behind Yu-jin.

No one could stand against them and survive.

‘So… if I sacrifice myself, everything will be fine.’

She knew Yu-jin was interested in her.

But it wasn’t pure like Chul-soo’s feelings.

More like a lecherous male desire.

The way he shamelessly ogled her chest and butt.

The dirty comments he threw her way.

Yu-jin saw her as a woman.

That’s why he kept pursuing her and tormenting Chul-soo.

In other words, if she became his girlfriend, everything would be resolved.

‘Still… I don’t want to.’

Like Chul-soo, Young-hee loved him deeply.

A love that couldn’t be hidden or disguised.

She had vowed to give her first time only to Chul-soo.

The thought of being defiled by someone else made her skin crawl.

But she also didn’t want anything bad happening to Chul-soo.

If she kept refusing, Yu-jin would keep targeting Chul-soo.

Just look at what happened recently.

The Ogre that appeared during class practice.

Though officially ruled as an accident, it was clearly intentional.

Why else would such a powerful monster randomly show up?

Only someone with Yu-jin’s connections could control an upper-tier monster like that.

And the fact that they suppressed the academy’s investigation with brute force…

‘This is Yu-jin’s warning.’

A reminder that he could threaten her life anytime at school.

If Chul-sou hadn’t intervened, he would have died for sure.

How could she stand by and do nothing after witnessing that?

‘One last time… Just one last try.’

She planned to plead with him again, like last time.

Didn’t he promise in the hospital that he wouldn’t touch Chul-soo?

If she asked nicely again, maybe this time he’d truly leave Chul-soo alone.

As for what he might demand in return…

She had a vague idea.

Still, whatever it is, she had to avoid it.

It would be a betrayal to Chul-soo, who trusted her so much.

Somehow, she had to convince him to spare her that.

Who knows?

Maybe if she pleads enough, he’ll eventually lose interest in her.

With that resolve in mind…

The man in question appeared.

“Hey.”

Young-hee forced a smile despite her weary expression.

Today, she’d do her best to cater to his mood while making her plea.

Praying that somewhere deep down, he still had some humanity left.

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