Chapter 104

〈Episode 106〉 That Situation? Nothing Happened?

“In my opinion, Yu-jin seems to be pretending to be the villain.”

The class president and Yu-jin went off alone to the nurse’s office…

And after a long while, they found themselves walking home together.

Chul-soo, whose hair had turned white from the aftermath of their last fight, blinked in surprise at what Young-hee had just said.

Because there was no way that could’ve come out of a normal person’s mouth.

“Are you still feeling unwell?”

“N-No! I really heard what Yu-jin said!”

“And why are you still calling him ‘Yu-jin’ anyway?”

“W-Well… it just became natural over time. It’s not like we’re close enough for me to call him by his first name yet, right?”

Anyway, this is what Young-hee claimed:

While she lost her memory, she overheard Yu-jin talking with Rime, some girl.

According to what she heard, Yu-jin has been pretending to be bad all this time to protect their friends at the academy.

All the terrible things he’s done so far… were just an act?

“That doesn’t make sense. Look at all the stuff he’s done.”

“But even so… there are actions that don’t quite fit if you think of him as purely evil,” *Lo Lo*!

“Hmm…”

That made Chul-soo pause and reflect deeply.

It was true—Yu-jin’s behavior did feel a bit strange for someone in the mafia.

Like when he risked injury to save Young-hee during her berserk episode…

Or silently protecting her after she lost her memory…

Not to mention risking his life fighting Gyeol for her protection.

At the very least, Chul-soo couldn’t deny that Yu-jin didn’t see Young-hee as just some toy.

No sane member of the mafia would stake their life for a mere plaything.

“If Yu-jin truly wanted to harm me, he could’ve easily manipulated me while I had amnesia. Think about it.”

Upon further investigation, it seemed that Yu-jin’s standing within Hwagcheon wasn’t exactly great either.

Especially with this whole Gyeol situation.

It’s true that people close to him keep getting targeted.

Though Chul-soo doesn’t know all the details, it’s possible Yu-jin might actually be under threat within the organization.

“And maybe because of his fiancée being around, but while we were at the mansion, he treated me kindly.”

With all these accumulating doubts, Young-hee came up with one possibility.

Of course, from Chul-soo’s perspective upon hearing this—

“If he has a fiancée and still goes around touching other girls, he’s already disqualified!”

“B-But that’s true! Really, it is! Something feels off!”

To be honest, Young-hee half-suspects she might’ve been brainwashed during her memory loss.

But even then, Chul-soo admits there’s something unsettling about the whole situation.

Besides, he owes Yu-jin one for saving Young-hee—and himself.

“If it weren’t for that guy Yu-jin, both Young-hee and I might’ve died.”

Right now, it’s awkward for Chul-soo to outright attack Yu-jin like before.

•

Still, he doesn’t exactly trust him.

“So, you’re saying we should pretend to distance ourselves from him for a while?”

“At least until we confirm if Yu-jin is hiding something. But if you don’t want to, we don’t have to! Seriously!”

Chul-soo smirked and tousled Young-hee’s hair.

“A-Ah! What are you doing? Stop it!”

“Got it. I’ve got some things to look into too, so I’ll handle myself for now.”

Then, with a serious expression, he added:

“But remember, Kim Yu-jin is still someone I need to take down eventually.”

“Yeah… thanks.”

Young-hee genuinely appreciated Chul-soo’s understanding.

…

…

…

Given that he knows nothing about what happened at the mansion, this suggestion must’ve been hard for him to swallow.

He only agreed for Young-hee’s sake.

Anyway, as they were walking along…

“Sorry, Miss!”

“I promise never to insult Master Yu-jin again!”

“Alright, got it.”

The class president strolled past, receiving 90-degree bows from random male students.

Her smug demeanor practically screamed ‘queen of the world.’

Both Young-hee and Chul-soo facepalmed simultaneously.

“…I’ll go talk to the class president for a bit.”

Yu-jin’s weirdness aside, something needed to be done about their increasingly bizarre friend.

Thus resolved, Young-hee trudged forward reluctantly.

…

“Unbelievable! This is absolutely unbelievable!”

Inside a fancy restaurant.

Yu-jin sat cross-legged on his chair.

Fortunately, there was no one nearby watching.

Or rather, the staff had tactfully vacated the area.

What they didn’t know was that more than ten female employees—including Biseo Park—were eagerly eavesdropping behind the wall.

Though knowing probably wouldn’t have changed much.

“How much effort did I put into helping your empty-brained self, and how could you immediately set up a date with another girl?! Are you kidding me?”

“It’s not a date—it’s a competition entry…”

“Shut up! If you value your life, stop talking!”

Ah, this isn’t even the full extent of her wrath yet. Got it.

What should I do? I really want to run away.

But if I escape now, I’ll definitely get beaten to death.

So here I am, humbly bowing my head in repentance.

“Hmph. So frustrating. That thieving cat-woman.”

Rime leaned back in her chair, crossing her smooth legs.

She held up an empty wine glass, prompting Yu-jin to quickly refill it.

Without hesitation, she chugged it like soju.

Oh dear, maybe I should’ve poured her less…

“Pfft! So?”

“Huh?”

“And where exactly are things with that class president chick?”

This time, Yu-jin’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

There was nothing going on between him and the class president.

“Just nothing?”

“If I catch you lying, your head will roll!”

“What do you mean ‘roll’?! A human head isn’t detachable like a breadman’s!”

This slime’s concept of life is way too loose.

“Nothing happened. We just talked a bit, decided to enter the competition together, and that was it.”

Despite seeing through Yu-jin’s inner thoughts like reading the palm of his hand, Rime gave him a suspicious once-over this time.

A young man and woman.

A secluded infirmary with a white bed and curtains.

No one around to witness,

And a crying girl finding solace in love.

If this were Hitomi’s world, hearts or cherry blossoms would’ve been flying everywhere.

In such a perfect romantic moment, nothing happened?

Unless this is post-episode-97 Chul-soo, that’s impossible.

“Didn’t you at least kiss or hug her or something?”

“Not at all?”

Well, technically, they did hold hands—but only because the class president enthusiastically promised victory.

Afterward, they parted ways cheerfully, and nothing else happened.

“Oh, the class president said she’d work super hard this time. She wants to win badly. So I figured I’d give it my best shot too.”

“Haaah…”

Rime let out a heavy sigh.

‘There’s only one idiot like you in the world, but since he’s mine, I guess I can’t help it.’ That kind of sigh.

“You’re bad enough, but she’s no better. If a girl throws herself at you, you should at least let her suck on your tongue, right?”

Judging by her earlier reaction, if he tried kissing her, she might’ve stabbed him with a fork and crucified him on the spot.

Since Yu-jin lacks the ability to resurrect every three days, that’s problematic.

And mentioning this verbally would undoubtedly spark World War III, so he decided to stay silent.

“Anyway, you’re sticking to participating in the competition with the class president, right?”

“I promised, so I don’t want to back out.”

Yu-jin still remembers the bright smile the class president gave him.

She probably wants to achieve her dream of winning.

Honestly, he just wants to repay the expectations placed on him.

“Do you really want to go on a date with the class president that badly?”

“Uh, have you been listening to me at all?”

“Hmm, perhaps it’s your chest that’s the problem?”

Rime absentmindedly stroked her own ample bosom.

Through her white shirt, the curves of her bouncy assets were clearly visible, causing Yu-jin to instinctively turn his head away.

“Is it that by pressing against those big boobs, even a stubborn fool like you would cave? Tch, maybe I need to seriously consider working on my figure.”

“Did you just casually insult me?”

Rime looked oddly upset.

Was she dissatisfied about decisions being made without her input?

“Are you really that opposed to entering the competition with the class president?”

“I don’t like it.”

After saying that and tightly shutting her lips, she shook her head.

“But you’re not going to change your mind, are you?”

“Sorry… yeah.”

For trivial matters, Yu-jin would usually follow Rime’s wishes without question.

He knows she genuinely cares about him.

Conversely, for ‘trivial’ matters, Yu-jin doesn’t easily compromise either.

That’s who he is.

“I don’t want to break promises or betray my friends.”

“…Alright, that’s fine.”

Rime smiled faintly.

As if she expected this all along,

Or else she would’ve gotten angry otherwise.

Just muttering to herself, “Did I scare that girl too much?” while glancing at Yu-jin’s portion of meat.

Then, without cutting it, she proceeded to devour it messily.

Even though her body is slime-based, that sight still feels a little off.

“Slow down.”

“I always eat like this! Munch munch!”

“Don’t make slurping noises with your mouth.”

99

After eating, she took a sip of fragrant wine and finally relaxed slightly.

Seizing the moment, Yu-jin raised his hand to order dessert.

To him, this is also a somewhat nerve-wracking task.

But right now, he needs to do this much at least to save face.

“After finishing all this, let’s go on a date.”

Hearing that, Rime paused mid-bite of her ice cream and looked up.

“Did you just ask me out?”

“Would you rather not?”

“For a date proposal to someone you like, the mood is completely lacking.”

Despite her aloof expression, they’ve known each other long enough.

She’s clearly already cheered up but insists on acting this way.

If anything, it’s her subtle way of saying, “Pay more attention to me.”

Knowing this makes the slime in front of him seem all the more adorable.

“Didn’t you already propose to the class president first? Cheating mid-date is against the rules, isn’t it?”

Realizing this conversation circles back to the class president again, Yu-jin grinned mischievously.

“My eyes only see you as prettier.”

Checking her reaction, he received a glance that said, “Passable.”

They both burst into laughter at the same time.

It’s been a while since they’ve gone on a proper date.

Too precious a time to waste arguing.

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