Yerim’s intense reaction took a while to settle down.
Finally, once she calmed down, Yerim asked everyone not to mention Ryu Kang-hyuk to others.
She said he was a retired person and famous, so there could be unpleasant associations.
It didn’t seem wrong, so I decided to follow her words obediently.
Meanwhile, about 10 minutes after arriving at the infirmary, I recalled the last part of the earlier fight.
“When I first cracked Jeong Ah-yeon’s head, the red numbers went up.”
I thought Jeong Ah-yeon smiled because she had won in the future before the regression.
So, seeing a completely different future must have caused the red numbers to rise.
However, when Jeong Ah-yeon exploded, none of the numbers went up.
Either she couldn’t regress, or she impulsively exploded.
“Or maybe both.”
Ryu Kang-hyuk said he could regress for up to 30 minutes with a 1-hour cooldown.
Assuming that the more one experiences the distant future, the harder it is to use it multiple times.
“Jeong Ah-yeon can regress from a future farther than Hyeji, but she can’t use it as often as Hyeji.”
If it weren’t for me being a variable, Jeong Ah-yeon would have probably gone through the future as it was.
Regardless of the result, I thought since I won, I’d just let it go.
On the other hand, looking at the peacefully sleeping Hyeji made me suddenly feel indignant.
I was struggling while someone was sleeping.
Is it time for doodles?
“If I doodle with a magic marker, would she die? But I’d probably only half-kill her, right?”
I was contemplating whether to use a magic marker or a gel pen.
Just then, the infirmary door swung open, and Jeong Ah-yeon walked in, glancing around with her green eyes.
“That bitch is still alive.”
Even if I turned her into half a vegetable, I thought it would count as self-defense, so I hit her hard.
Yet, she looked surprisingly fine, which was quite disappointing.
“I came to get some medicine.”
“Oh my. You’re the one who was sparring with Shinwoo earlier, right? Was it Park Ah-young?”
“My name is Jeong Ah-yeon. Please do not rename me with such a vulgar name.”
“……Does naming it after an aphrodisiac even make sense?”
“……”
As soon as her Achilles’ heel was hit, Jeong Ah-yeon fell silent.
“So what medicine do you need? You don’t seem to be that injured.”
“….I’m seriously injured internally.”
She was rambling, hesitant yet trying to explain why she needed the medicine when she suddenly spotted me behind Yerim.
“What are you doing here!!!”
“A certain crazy bitch came here because our top supporter got knocked out even though the sparring was over.”
“You…you cowardly sneak attacked from behind instead of facing me…”
“Who’s the bastard speaking when they got ambushed with their eyes closed? Shut up.”
Stiff-
Jeong Ah-yeon was grinding her teeth.
Regardless, I decided to get to the point and spoke up.
“Do you remember what I said? If you lose, you have to do what I say.”
“What shameless act are you planning? Are you trying to tempt me?”
“You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”
“Just kill me instead!!”
“I actually want to kill you, you damn dog.”
What a bitch.
This isn’t a humiliation novel.
But whether she knew my feelings or not, Jeong Ah-yeon was slipping into her own world.
“B-but I can’t help it.”
“Stop the nonsense.”
“But even if I concede, I will never give you my heart.”
“Should I kill you? Can I kill you? Just let me kill you, you bitch!”
Due to Jeong Ah-yeon’s useless words, Yerim’s expression was gradually dying.
Especially when she kept glancing at me while covering her skirt with her outer garment, my irritation just doubled.
“Give me your contact info. I’ll make you suffer all day on Sunday, so be prepared.”
“Hmph. Is that your preference? I told you, I will never submit.”
“Hurry up and get your medicine and get out!!!!!”
In the midst of the chaos, with professional diligence, Yerim had neatly gathered all the medicine.
Receiving the medicine, Jeong Ah-yeon bolted out of the infirmary.
After a brief silence, Yerim’s gaze turned toward me, her focus trembling.
“Um…Shinwoo, could it be…”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“…Is Ryu Kang-hyuk into the same things as you?”
“…..Please, I’m getting dizzy, so stop asking.”
“You could end up following the people around you.”
Because she persistently asked, I ultimately admitted that Ryu Kang-hyuk’s preference wasn’t on humiliation stories but rather large-breasted feminized domination.
Since it wasn’t something I had to experience anyway, I told her to prepare for a penny ban for the sake of communication.
With a serious expression, Yerim jotted down my not-so-sincere advice as she got ready to leave.
“Alright, Shinwoo, I’m off for dinner.”
“Please bring back some food when you come.”
“You want snacks higher than what’s in the infirmary? Isn’t that a bit greedy?”
“That’s a different novel. Go upstairs. Besides, you’ve earned a lot of money anyway.”
However, Yerim shot me a sharp glare in rebuttal.
“This money is mine, so why do you talk like it’s yours!”
“…But I kind of helped you earn that money, didn’t I?”
“I only bet on the reverse. Today you happened to hit a jackpot.”
“You crazy reverse gambling addict, there you are.”
Then, Yerim seemingly started to show kindness.
“If you hit another jackpot, I’ll tell Ryu Kang-hyuk to strip for you.”
“What benefit do I get from that?”
“……Actually, I wanted to do it myself.”
Just before leaving, Yerim reaffirmed as she grasped the doorknob.
“Sleeping with someone is a crime?”
“Fuck, seriously.”
As soon as Yerim left, I messaged the old man, saying, “Be grateful.”
Immediately a red flag popped up, but I quietly ignored it.
“Be grateful. You’ll lose both a virgin and the sympathy you had.”
In the end, only Hyeji and I were left in the infirmary.
While Hyeji slept, I was about to sit by her bed and look at my phone for a novel.
Yep. The server crashed again.
Fuck.
Just as I felt the impulse to throw my phone, Hyeji grunted and began to wake up.
“Ugh… my money.”
“Hey, Hyeji, are you up?”
“Uh? Shinwoo? Where’s my money?”
“…Can’t you at least greet me when you see my face?”
“Right, nice to meet you. So where’s my money, Lebowski?”
I pulled Hyeji’s phone out of my pocket, turned on the screen, and handed it to her.
“Check it once. There wasn’t a password on your phone.”
“It’s the undignified ones who put on passwords.”
“The search history seems pretty forthright, huh?”
Hyeji’s actions suddenly came to a halt.
With her pupils shaking wildly, Hyeji slowly turned her gaze towards me and asked.
“………..Did you see?”
“It seems your preference is a bit hardcore.”
“……Fuck.”
In the awkward atmosphere, worried that if I said more, Hyeji might commit suicide, I hurriedly changed the topic.
“So how did checking the money go?”
“Shinwoo, I’m so happy right now. I’m going to do reverse betting from now on.”
“You crazy girl, get a grip.”
“Just from one brawl is this much money? Is this the only gambling allowed at the academy?”
Gambling? There’s no way I could match Sea Story Season 2.
“Hey, it’s sports.”
“Oh, right. It’s proper sports.”
Of course, as a proper supporter, Hyeji responded perfectly.
I whispered to Hyeji, who was still enthralled by money.
“Since we earned money, let’s forget about writing your name on the application tool item.”
“…….Do you have a conscience, human? Most of it feels like I did.”
“If you can’t catch it, no assist comes.”
“Ha…sure. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have touched this much money.”
Then Hyeji suddenly started to look gloomy.
“I’m so pissed that I couldn’t hit that bitch earlier.”
“I have a gift ready for you for such moments.”
“What is it?”
With a sinister smile, I said.
“Do you remember when I told her that if I win, she has to do what I ask?”
“……Is that about humiliation?”
“Fuck, seriously why does everyone freak out when they see me?”
“Anyway, why?”
I began to tell Hyeji my plan.
By the time I finished speaking, Hyeji’s previously dark expression had turned into a sinister one, just like mine.
“Shinwoo, please let me join this plan.”
“Of course. You’re my lifelong supporter.”
For Sunday’s summon of Jeong Ah-yeon, Hyeji and I discussed a few more necessary things.
I also sent a unilateral notification to Jeong Ah-yeon via messenger.
The message, “If you don’t follow quietly, I’ll tell your sister what you said” came as a bonus.
When a frantic call came in, I quietly switched it to mute mode.
Since my business was concluded, I spoke to Hyeji about leaving the infirmary.
“You did well today. Are you going to sleep here?”
“I don’t know why, but my legs keep feeling weak. I think I’ll just sleep here.”
“Okay, got it. Shall I turn off the lights before I go?”
“…….Shinwoo?”
“What?”
Hyeji looked a bit frightened and spoke slowly.
“……Could you… not turn off the lights?”
“Hm? Sure.”
“And.”
Suddenly a number rose above Hyeji’s head.
Then Hyeji suddenly smiled and said.
“No, it’s late, so you should head back. I’ll fall asleep soon.”
What the world did she experience to talk about.
Why is she suddenly smiling awkwardly?
Did I leave just now?
That’s infuriating.
“Forget it. I’ll wait until you fall asleep.”
“Uh?…Why?”
“Why? You fought so hard today; I can do at least that much.”
“Huh? Really?”
At that moment, a red number rose above Hyeji’s head once more.
Looks like leaving while someone was sick was right.
I really must be a piece of crap.
“Are you really okay?”
“What are you worried about? I’m more worried if the lights are on and you can’t sleep.”
“Are you really going to stay until I fall asleep?”
“I’ll definitely stay.”
Hyeji’s tense expression relaxed.
Hyeji hesitated before quietly saying to me.
“….Then if you’re going to watch, you can turn off the light.”
“Okay.”
With that, I turned off the light and pulled the chair closer to Hyeji.
I thought about turning off the light and leaving to tease her, but looking at Hyeji’s expression, I no longer felt like doing that.
As soon as the lights went out, Hyeji confirmed I was still there, perhaps feeling anxious.
“Shinwoo, are you still here?”
“Yep, I’m right here.”
“……Thank you.”
Worried that Hyeji might not fall asleep, I refrained from looking at my smartphone and just closed my eyes.
As my eyes gradually adjusted to the dark, enough time passed for me to distinguish Hyeji’s face.
Suddenly, Hyeji spoke with her eyes still closed.
“Shinwoo, you’re still here, right?”
“Yep. Right next to you.”
With an even more hesitant voice, Hyeji stammered.
“……Could you… hold my hand?”
“…..Why the hand??”
“Ah, no! I just said it! Ignore that.”
I saw the number rise above her head.
I immediately grabbed Hyeji’s left hand.
Then the red number above Hyeji’s head increased again.
“Is this how I hold it?”
“Uh?…Uh? Um?”
“Yo, get a hold of yourself. Get a hold of yourself. Get a hold of yourself.”
“Uh? No? Why? What? Why?”
Hyeji seemed to malfunction due to the unexpected situation.
“Why is it already malfunctioning when I hardly used it? You asked me to hold your hand.”
“Ah? Ah… right.”
“Okay, feeling better now?”
“…..Th-thank you.”
After a while of silence, Hyeji finally opened her mouth again.
“Shinwoo.”
“What?”
“…Am I strange? Suddenly turning off the lights and asking for a hand to hold?”
“Not really strange.”
“But if anyone else sees, they’ll think I’ll be putting handcuffs on me.”
“What’s wrong with holding someone’s hand? Hey, but wasn’t it done against my will? Got it?”
“I’m not going to report it, so no need to make it a big deal.”
“That’s a relief. But is it really okay for me to hold your hand like this?”
“No, it’s okay. You’re a bit strange, but… it’s okay.”
“….Was the middle part really necessary?”
As Hyeji, lying down, squeezed my hand gently.
“Oh no.”
That hurts.
“Let me know if you need anything. Given that I have many eyes, I feel a bit uncomfortable going to the girls’ dorm.”
“Should I come to your room instead?”
I thought about it.
About Hyeji coming to my room late at night.
“……Nothing really changed, did it? No, it even got worse.”
“……Ah… Right, sorry.”
Due to the sudden awkward atmosphere, Hyeji and I fell silent.
To quickly switch the mood, I brought up a different topic.
“You don’t hate your father, do you?”
“I don’t hate him… but what should I say?”
Hyeji pondered for a moment before speaking again.
“It’s a bit awkward. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just talk about anything.”
“Any reason at all? Just like that?”
“Talking between parent and child doesn’t need a reason.”
What’s family supposed to be?
Just talking nonsense, bickering over trivial matters, then making up.
Of course, I wish my parents would look out for me a little.
No, why is the noise making a baby when the son came home?
I sensed Hyeji’s expression improved a little more than before.
I asked while still holding Hyeji’s hand.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yep, thank you. I feel much better thanks to you.”
“That’s good. Lie down. I’ll hold your hand until you fall asleep.”
Hyeji paused for a moment but then smiled at me and replied.
“…Thank you. I’ll sleep now.”
“Okay. Good night.”
Just like that, Hyeji fell asleep about 30 seconds later.
Meanwhile, I also began to feel drowsy, possibly from earlier when I closed my eyes to meditate.
However, since Hyeji’s grip was stronger than mine, there was no sign of release.
Just as I was thinking of loosening it later, my thoughts suddenly dissipated.
And just like that, both of us quietly fell asleep.
A faint smile lingered on someone’s lips; it was that person’s little secret.
*
“Fuck.”
A woman in disheveled office attire thought as she supported Yerim.
Dragging a drunk and passed out Yerim all the way to the infirmary.
“Damn it, I can’t believe they trust me.”
It all started with a simple invitation to grab a meal with other women, leading to this disastrous fate.
Realizing that all of them were old maids and not escaping at that moment was a premonition of this devastating future.
And now, she was a woman paying full price for it.
“When it comes to drinking, they’re more useless than my puppy.”
At that moment, Yerim’s body began to stir.
Then, alcohol-induced, filterless words began to spill out chaotically.
“Our dear! Baby preparations are done? I’m also prepared!!!!”
“Please just shut up.”
Honestly, it would have been less tragic if I had drunk too.
If I had done the same, I would’ve been slumped and getting supported by someone else.
In reality, I hadn’t drunk at all, and this deranged Yerim had dived into the liquor.
Naturally, the emotion I was experiencing was unfairness.
“Fuck, I should’ve just drunk.”
Suddenly feeling relief from the burden on my shoulder.
Yerim plopped down on the spot.
As she sat down, suddenly, she began to rub her lower abdomen and groin.
“Hehehe! The baby is all done~~.”
“You crazy bitch! Please stop!!!!!”
I had to forcefully cover the rambling mouth of the already crazy Yerim and pull her into the infirmary.
Of course, while dragging her, she was still blabbering about ‘the womb! Ready to go!’ and so forth.
“This is why damn old maids are scary.”
Was coming to the academy just because of the high salary a mistake?
I put up with the current situation with the intention of buying some treats for my only comforting puppy.
As soon as I opened the infirmary door, I saw two students just holding hands, lying on the bed.
The male student looked extremely uneasy, about to collapse from the chair.
On the other hand, the female student seemed to be precisely lying on the bed with a faint smile.
Of course, those thoughts didn’t last long.
Yerim’s crazy rampage was about to begin.
“Wait, wait! They’ve already held hands?”
“Do you know them?”
“I’m not! I haven’t even held hands yet!! Why are you betraying me first!”
“I mean, don’t wake them up while they’re sleeping!!!!”
Yerim was trying to hit the students who were sleeping.
However, in her current drunken state, she couldn’t manage to approach.
Instead, she flailed around and fell, hitting her stomach on the desk.
“Well done! Well done!”
With a high blood-alcohol level, she seemed to forget not only her judgment but also her pain.
Proof of that was the sight of her getting up as if nothing had happened and starting to yell.
“You’re not as pretty as our dear!!!!”
“I get it, so just be quiet already.”
“Now I too…”
“Uh?….”
Chills enveloped my body.
Instincts cried out.
I was screwed.
Truly screwed.
“Ah. Fuck. Damn.”
The earlier collision with the desk seemed to trigger a chain of chaos.
Before the storm struck, I hurriedly grabbed Yerim’s hair and started running.
The goal was the bathroom.
“Don’t throw up here, hurry to the bathroom.”
“Ugh…..”
“Please, please, please.”
Thanks to my frantic running, I barely arrived at the bathroom.
Right, just arrived.
“Ughweweweeeek.”
One step.
If I had taken just that one extra step, I would’ve been at the toilet.
That extra step wasn’t enough.
“Fucking bastards.”
When drunk, people tend to grab onto or lean against something.
That something can be various things.
Utility poles. Walls. Dog houses.
And underclassmen.
Yerim held on to her underclassman and started throwing up on her clothes.
The acrid smell pricked my nose, and the clothes became increasingly sticky with the concoction of human stomach contents.
Simultaneously, tears slowly welled up in the eyes of the underclassman.
If there’s any consolation for the underclassman, it’s that this is the bathroom, and water is nearby.
And secondly, that this hellish moment will end someday.
“Baby, Mommy is struggling like this.”
That day, someone grew up a little more.
It was an insignificant story.
