Chapter 106

<Episode 108> Is this an episode for the Class President… or what?

“So you said you wanted to go out, but you’re heading home after all?”

“No, I’m not going home.”

Before they knew it, the sun had set, and the moon had taken its place in the sky.

The two walked side by side down the slightly dim street.

Their hands were clasped tightly like lovers, neither willing to let go.

Neither of them made a move to release the other’s hand, so they ended up walking like that the entire time.

Looking at them like this, even the successor of Hwagcheon and the top-tier Slime were just a pair of young lovers after all.

“Now that I think about it, we don’t really hold hands like this often.”

“Well, I’ve always been in your head anyway.”

Jin-yu and Rime, who spent more time together than anyone else—if only mentally.

But that was purely spiritual interaction.

The frequency of holding hands or hugging might be less than most couples.

It kinda made her feel like they were more like an old married couple.

Rime let out a small sigh.

“Hmm, is that why? Honestly, I’m worried.”

“Worried?”

“Once the tournament starts, I’ll have to stay away from you for a while.”

Of course, it’s only temporary.

After the last incident, Rime used way too much Magic Power.

On top of that, she fought against Biseo Park, who was rated as at least a Scorpion-class Hero.

She needed rest since her body was worn out.

“While I’m gone, you’ll be on your own. I’m not sure if those idiot classmates will mess something up. This older sister can’t handle the anxiety.”

“That figure of yours claiming to be my ‘older sister’? That’s pushing it!”

Rime kicked him in the shin.

Are you really feeling unwell?

Actually, maybe she just wanted to slack off?

“Anyway, what’s the deal with this tournament thing?”

At that, Jin-yu belatedly realized he hadn’t explained the situation to Rime.

As usual, he assumed Biseo Park would take care of it.

Looks like even Biseo Park didn’t know everything about the Academy’s internal affairs.

“The Academy is picking representatives.”

“Representatives?”

Confused, Rime tilted her head as Jin-yu explained.

There would soon be an international competition called “U-Academia,” where they’d select two students to represent their school.

This Martial Arts Tournament would decide the representatives.

“So, are they just picking based on strength? In that case, sending you and Chul-soo should be enough, right?”

……

………

…….

“Oh, I see. They’re picking one Martial Artist and one Mage separately, huh? And instead of going by grades, they’re having this special tournament just this once.”

“Mage, huh. Then it’ll probably be Young-hee or the Class President.”

No matter how you look at it, both Young-hee and the Class President are already above-average Heroes.

It seems unlikely there’d be three Mages of that level in a single grade.

“Martial Arts Tournament, Coiled Rank Group 1, and Academy Representatives… huh…”

Even though Rime is far more perceptive than the average person, she started piecing things together after hearing Jin-yu’s lackluster explanation.

A smirk crept onto her face.

“Hmph~ The Association bastards are playing dirty, aren’t they?”

“Playing dirty? What do you mean?”

“From the Association’s perspective, it’d be awkward if you, the heir of Hwagcheon, were chosen as the representative, right? So they probably set these conditions to avoid that.”

“But what does not wanting me to be picked have to do with the Martial Arts Tournament?”

“In this world, there’s no way any Mage would want to team up with you.”

Incredibly convincing!

Jin-yu took 530,000 damage!

“But the bastards didn’t expect one thing.”

Rime grinned slyly.

“It’s that the girl most likely to be chosen as the Mage representative happens to have a crush on you.”

She chuckled mischievously.

If this were anime, she’d have a black tail wagging happily behind her.

“I can already picture the other kids and officials screaming in disbelief when they see you paired up with the Class President! Muahahaha!”

“Anyone watching would think we’ve already won.”

“If I’m not there, and you come back beaten up, you better believe I’ll beat *you* up!”

“I, uh, will be careful then.”

While saying that, Rime subtly glanced at Jin-yu’s face.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem overly tense.

‘Hmm, if it were a straightforward duel, it wouldn’t be so bad. But this is a team event, especially a complicated tournament spanning several days with Coiled Rank Group 1. Honestly, I’m a little anxious.’

Of course, Jin-yu and the Class President’s team has the highest chance of winning.

But things won’t go that smoothly.

There’s another strong team with Chul-soo and Young-hee.

Besides, it’s a large-scale competition.

There will undoubtedly be various variables.

Even the top contenders could drop out unexpectedly.

‘Well, Unlucky Jin-yu might make it work somehow.’

Trying to convince herself of that, but she still couldn’t shake off her worries.

Why did she have to recuperate during such a crucial time?

Maybe she should’ve just left it to Chul-soo and Young-hee to handle things?

Thinking about all this itself felt unlike her.

But all of this was because she got hooked on Jin-yu, so there wasn’t much she could do about it.

“By the way, where are we going?”

Rime suddenly asked.

They were already near Hwagcheon Mansion.

However, they weren’t heading directly home.

Instead, they were taking a slight detour.

“Hmm, there’s something I want to show you.”

“Something to show me?”

The place they arrived at turned out to be a wide-open field.

Looking up at the night sky, Rime couldn’t help but let out a gasp.

“Wow!”

The night sky was filled with stars.

They shone brightly amidst the darkness, densely scattered across the heavens.

Rime’s eyes sparkled with pure admiration, making her look like a genuinely innocent girl.

“What, what is this? Is it real? How can you see something like this here?”

“There aren’t any other buildings around here.”

Most of the land surrounding Hwagcheon Mansion belonged to Hwagcheon.

Naturally, there were no significant structures or light pollution nearby.

Thus, the stars were visible much clearer than elsewhere.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful…”

Rime couldn’t tear her eyes away from the night sky.

Her slightly flushed cheeks and innocent gaze made her appear incredibly adorable.

“So why did you bring me here to see the stars? We could’ve come anytime, right?”

“……I’ve always wanted to make you as happy as possible.”

“A-are you remembering that?”

That offhand comment she made while shopping for clothes.

How she once saw such a beautiful night sky filled with stars,

And later regretted not being able to see it anymore.

“After listening to that, I decided to keep it in mind and try to make every day happy for you.”

Hearing that, Rime’s ears turned red.

She felt embarrassed, but also incredibly happy.

Under the starlight, Jin-yu looked more handsome than ever.

“My heart is racing faster than ever before.”

“No matter how happy or joyful today is, I want you to believe that tomorrow will be even better. I’ll keep working towards that.”

As he approached her,

Rime couldn’t bring herself to look up.

If she saw Jin-yu now, she was afraid she’d break into a silly grin from sheer happiness.

“……Idiot, that’s impossible.”

“I promise.”

His voice carried immense strength and determination.

Only then did Rime finally look up at him.

‘Really, what a fool.’

He’s become even more likable. She thought it couldn’t happen, but here she was, falling harder.

Overwhelmed by the rising emotions, she couldn’t bear it anymore.

In the end, Rime pulled him close and kissed him.

His scent, warmth, breath, and affection filled her completely.

Under the dazzling starlight,

They remained locked in a kiss for a long time.

“Lonely…”

The Class President thought to herself as she buried her face in her knees.

She wasn’t thinking anything particular.

Fighting with Young-hee felt stupid now.

Especially since everything Young-hee said was true.

Right now, she was undoubtedly the epitome of pitifulness.

She used to despise people like that.

How did she end up like this?

“I also said some harsh things to Young-hee…”

She knew it was just venting frustration on a friend.

But she couldn’t control her anxiety.

Like a frightened puppy barking at a giant, she lashed out without thinking.

‘So foolish.’

Even knowing that, she felt lonely and couldn’t bear it.

She wanted to see Jin-yu again.

If he told her she was needed, she thought she’d feel better.

Just as she was heading toward him,

The Class President saw Jin-yu and Rime together.

She knew. She had known all along.

Yet, seeing them exchange such loving glances and kiss broke her heart.

“Black…dark…”

Hiding in the shadows, feeling so pathetic.

Compared to the radiant couple under the starlight, she felt so inferior.

“I love…I love too…”

The Class President felt lonelier than ever.

Sitting alone in the dark, where no one could see her,

She simply burst into tears.

While looking forward to the upcoming tournament,

She consoled herself, deciding to find satisfaction in that alone.

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