Chapter 42

<Episode 43> Ahh, nothing’s going my way today!!

A warm breeze blew through the classroom windows.

The wind gently drifted over and softly brushed against his hair.

The Class President sat silently as the wind caressed him.

“…….”

He was sitting on top of a desk.

Normally, he wouldn’t do such a thing.

How dare he desecrate the sacred classroom desks by sitting on them!

For someone as diligent as him, this would be unimaginable.

Yet, the reason he acted so freely was because Yu-jin Kim was sitting beside him.

“What’s wrong, Class President?”

He called out to him with an affectionate voice.

Turning his head, Kim was smiling kindly, unlike his usual self.

His heart raced reflexively at that smile.

“……Yu-jin Kim.”

“Yeah? Why’d you call me, Class President?”

Concern and affection could be felt in his tone, far from his usual apathy.

Still, the Class President didn’t find it strange.

“Our… why are we doing this here?”

“Do we need a reason?”

Kim reached out his hand, tenderly petting his head.

The Class President let him continue.

For some reason, it wasn’t unpleasant.

In fact, it felt kind of good.

“I just wanted to see the Class President.”

“No way.”

“Why?”

“You’re the bad guy who tormented our friends Chul-soo and Young-hee.”

“Is that really what you think?”

Suddenly, Kim pulled him close.

He tightly embraced him in his large arms, showing off his affection.

“Ah.”

Kim’s scent filled the air.

The smell of sweat mixed with gunpowder.

An odor that normally he wouldn’t like, the distinct aura of a dangerous person.

Yet, it strangely excited him.

“If you were a real friend… wouldn’t you understand something like this too?”

“That’s impossible!”

Kim’s hand caressed his back and shoulders.

Through the thin fabric of the school uniform, he could feel the touch of his fingers.

“Kyaaah!”

A shiver ran down his spine.

Yet, he couldn’t resist.

Instead, all his strength drained away as he gave himself over to Kim.

“I can give up anything for the Class President.”

“As long as I have you, no obstacle matters.”

The Class President shook his head vigorously.

That guy mercilessly bullied their friend Chul-soo.

He stole Young-hee away from them.

Yu-jin Kim is a bad guy.

Anyone would confirm that fact.

Clearly, that’s true…

But then—

“The Class President doesn’t hate me, right?”

Kim gently tilted his chin upward.

Their gazes naturally met.

His dark eyes were unreadable.

Yet, infinite affection could be felt within them.

He looks cool. I want to entrust everything to him. He’s adorable.

Without realizing it, those thoughts crossed his mind.

“If you don’t like it, you can resist.”

The Class President gazed at him dreamily.

What kind of expression am I making?

I must look like a girl falling in love.

How did it come to this?

Why am I in this situation?

Even those thoughts don’t cross his mind.

“Then, shall I take this as permission?”

“……”

Kim moved his face closer.

The Class President closed his eyes tightly.

Soon, their lips were almost touching.

Chiiik—

The Class President woke up in bed with a dazed expression.

Outside the window, sparrows chirped.

The morning sunlight shone brightly.

Looking groggy, she glanced around.

This was definitely her own home.

The only unusual thing was that the bed and clothes were slightly damp.

“…..Am I going crazy?”

The Class President buried her face in her hands.

Her ears and face turned crimson, as if they might burst.

What age am I to be having dreams like this?

Moreover, why was it specifically Yu-jin Kim?

Why did I even kiss that damn trash in my dream?!

A wave of humiliation and shame hit her late.

*

Scratch scratch.

The sound of a pencil moving could be heard.

The quiet classroom.

The teacher’s lecture seeped through the silence.

This was the Class President’s favorite time.

She liked hardworking people.

Proving that, she studied diligently more than anyone else.

However, recently, she had been different.

“Class President?”

“……”

“Class President?!”

“Yes, yes!”

Suddenly startled by the teacher’s shout, she snapped back to reality.

Unknowingly, she had been lost in thought.

Since the beginning of the semester, she had always shown diligence.

The teacher’s face showed worry rather than reprimand.

“Are you feeling unwell? If it’s about the lesson, it’s fine. Would you like to go to the nurse’s office?”

“No, no! I’m fine.”

Hastily shaking her head, she focused back on the book.

But soon her concentration began to waver.

When she regained awareness, her thoughts had wandered off again.

‘Ahhh, seriously…!’

The Class President tightly shut her eyes and shook her head.

Lately, it’s been so hard to concentrate.

Originally, she was the epitome of diligence.

That girl had started to change.

No matter how much she tried to study, she only felt restless.

Whenever she opened a book, her mind wandered elsewhere.

And every time after-school ‘that time’ approached, her heart raced.

‘…It’s all Yu-jin Kim’s fault.’

The Class President glared resentfully at Yu-jin Kim.

Surprisingly, he was listening attentively to the lesson.

Contrary to his reputation as a vicious mafia member, his gaze was unusually serious.

That look somehow made him gap-moe and cool—

‘No, what am I thinking?! Pull yourself together!’

The Class President denied her own thoughts and quickly regained composure.

Yu-jin Kim is the villain.

He’s the biggest bastard.

What’s wrong with having feelings for someone like that?

‘This is just a temporary phenomenon because I’ve been helping Yu-jin Kim with his training.’

Recently, the Class President had been assisting Yu-jin Kim with his training.

During the process, she had to connect their magical power circuits.

And its effects influenced her mental state as well.

Yu-jin Kim’s magic power was overwhelming… Honestly, the stimulation was too intense.

‘So! It’s not because I have feelings for him but because his magic power is wildly surging!’

This emotion is just an illusion caused by that.

There’s absolutely no way I have feelings for Yu-jin Kim.

‘Of course! Considering what Chul-soo and Young-hee went through! How could I possibly like him?’

While reaffirming this, the class ended before she knew it.

She hadn’t taken proper notes again.

When will I ever have the time to organize all this?

Just as she was sulking, someone approached her.

It was Young-hee.

“Class President, are you okay? You seem off today.”

“Huh? Oh, I’m fine.”

Young-hee looked genuinely worried.

Could there be any kindness as pure as hers?

After glancing around briefly, she whispered quietly.

“…Did something happen between you and Yu-jin Kim during your training?”

Instantly, the Class President’s face flushed red.

At the same time, her heart thudded.

Or rather, her chest prickled.

“Wha- What happened?”

“Just asking. Honestly, Yu-jin Kim…”

Young-hee suddenly sighed deeply mid-sentence.

Her face was full of concern and exasperation.

“Never mind, it’s nothing. But if you ever have any tough times, I’m here to listen.”

“Uh, yeah! I’m fine! Nothing’s wrong with me.”

“Good? That’s a relief.”

Young-hee smiled brightly, genuinely relieved.

Seeing her like that, a sharp pang struck a corner of the Class President’s heart.

Such a pure friend who worries about others…

And yet, here she was worrying about trivial things while having such a friend.

‘Hmph, I need to pull myself together.’

Just as she resolved that, Yu-jin Kim came back inside.

At the same time, Young-hee’s expression changed.

Pure, innocent, elegant.

Her face, which seemed to embody those qualities, instantly transformed into something more mature.

It was an acting performance that sent chills down one’s spine.

“Master Yu-jin~ Is there anything uncomfortable today?”

Maintaining that smile, she clung to him.

Now, even Yu-jin dealt with her without any awkwardness.

Crack!

‘…Huh?’

Suddenly, the pencil she was holding snapped.

Why did my hand tighten like that?

Despite pondering this, the Class President’s gaze remained fixed on Yu-jin Kim and Young-hee, who were still attached to each other.

“Alright everyone~ We have some good news~”

The short homeroom teacher grinned widely.

Seeing that expression, Yu-jin felt a slight unease.

From his experience, whenever the teacher wore that grin, it inevitably led to complicated situations.

Not that these situations were always bad.

Meetings with Tae-jin Kim and the connection with the Class President brought many positive influences.

Still, it was certain that annoying incidents were bound to occur.

“Hehe, you all know about the recent Ogre incident, right?”

Nowadays, it was an event known by everyone.

During academy practice, an unexpected ogre appeared.

The incident where the ogre attacked Yu-jin Kim, Chul-soo, and Young-hee.

Strangely enough, the investigation into that perilous event fizzled out.

Most people assumed it was part of Yu-jin Kim’s scheme,

but due to the name “Hwagcheon,” no one dared to bring it up.

Ultimately, the academy’s decision was to prohibit practice for a while in the name of stability.

It was undoubtedly a case of turning a blind eye and pretending everything was fine.

‘Anyway, it’s probably due to some dirty adult politics! Something about insufficient safety management or whatever.’

The dirty adult in question being Secretary Park,

who Yu-jin unknowingly associated with Hwagcheon, thought along these lines.

Regardless, the teacher continued speaking.

“I imagine many of you were disappointed because of that. Everyone must be itching to get back into practice.”

Many students nodded their heads.

One of the academy’s advantages was the opportunity to experience real combat.

With that forbidden, complaints were inevitable.

“But finally! If done as group assignments, it’s been approved that we can resume practice!”

The students’ eyes lit up at this announcement.

They would finally be able to engage in actual combat training!

It meant elevating their skills to the next level!

As future heroes, it was exciting.

Everyone except Yu-jin.

‘Man, this sucks.’

Fight monsters again?

Sure, he’d gotten stronger recently, eliminating the fear of death.

Still, the thought of battling grotesque monsters filled him with worry first.

What if they encounter another monstrous creature like the ogre?

Well, fortunately, it seemed the school had prepared somewhat this time.

“Of course, safety concerns remain. So, we’ve arranged for a supervisor to assist during the practice period. Please come in~”

The classroom door opened, and a man entered.

He was a tall, handsome man dressed in a doctor’s coat.

Though he looked slightly tired, that added to his distinguished charm.

The man stood by the podium, glanced around the students once, and spoke.

“I’m Jekyll, and I’ll be serving as your temporary supervisor. I have a medical license as well, so if anyone gets injured, don’t hesitate to come see me.”

Jekyll’s gaze met Yu-jin Kim’s.

Jekyll smiled faintly at him.

Yu-jin thought to himself.

‘Does a doctor really need to wear a lab coat?’

At his composed demeanor, Jekyll inwardly marveled lightly.

‘Even with a high-ranking officer infiltrated into the classroom, he shows no signs of disturbance. Either his poker face is incredible, or he already knew the information.’

Either way, it was quite impressive.

Indeed, Kim Yu-jin was not someone to underestimate.

Of course, the current Yu-jin had no memory of Jekyll,

but still…

•

Thus, the historical moment where the successor of Hwagcheon and a high-ranking officer met took place in the classroom.

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