Chapter 48

<Episode 49> Misunderstanding, Regret, Exhaustion: We’ve been awkward lately… Shall we meet again?

As Yu-jin returned after taking a shower, Rime was sitting on the bed, concentrating on something.

As always, her cross-legged posture made her body lines quite revealing.

At least, couldn’t she do something about that missing lower garment?

Should I point this out? After pondering for a while, I shook my head.

Because I already know she won’t listen even if I say something.

“What are you doing?”

Instead of asking directly, I inquired with curiosity. Rime turned her head…

But didn’t answer, just staring at me silently.

Her gaze feels like a cat eyeing its prey.

“Again, why?”

“Hm…just. When you came out of the shower all wet, you looked kinda…tasty.”

“…Did you mispronounce ‘handsome’ or something?”

“Maybe~ who knows?”

Rime nonchalantly turned away, completely unfazed.

!

!!

……

“Anyway, check this out.”

She extended her hand, offering a lump of some green liquid.

Yu-jin blinked in confusion upon seeing it.

“Did you have a kid or something?”

“You insane moron! You’re saying things without thinking!”

She kicked me hard in the shin.

Though tears welled up, since it was partly my fault, I let it slide.

“Joke, joke. So what is this thing?”

“You were upset about not being able to receive training from that Class President chick, right?”

Her sudden words left Yu-jin looking perplexed.

Why did the topic of the class president come up all of a sudden?

“I’ve been secretly studying that girl’s training method. It seems to involve blending your own energy with someone else’s to create a smooth flow.”

“Hmm…is it like how getting a massage improves blood circulation?”

“It’s a weak analogy but, annoyingly, the principle is correct.”

“So…what does this have to do with the Class President and this liquid?”

“Hehe!”

Rime proudly puffed out her chest.

Not that it emphasized much, given her originally slim figure.

“This liquid contains my magic power! If you drink it, your magical energy circulation will improve, giving you the same effect as that Class President chick!”

“Wow, really? Oh, food waste should be properly disposed of in bags.”

“You, why?! Hurry up! Twice more!”

“Am I supposed to drink this suspicious liquid? It looks like some kind of algae!”

Listening to her explanation, no matter what, this liquid is essentially part of her body.

I’m not a pervert.

And I refuse such suspicious plays.

“You throw this away, and there’s gonna be war! I’ll strip down, crawl into your blanket at night, and make sure you don’t get any sleep!”

What kind of absurd coercion is this?

Despite resisting, Yu-jin couldn’t hold out against Rime’s unreasonable demands.

Forced to gulp down the strange liquid.

“Hmm, surprisingly, it’s not bad.”

“Hehe, isn’t it? Though it might take time, the effect will be better than that Class President chick.”

Saying this, she grinned smugly.

Seeing her expression, Yu-jin couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Did you prepare this for me?”

“…Didn’t you see that Class President chick’s face when you helped her out?”

“The Class President’s expression?”

“I guarantee it. That fox will definitely cling to you.”

Fox…?

Even so, it’s too harsh to evaluate a diligent friend who helped with training like that.

‘Still, maybe Rime has a point?’

The Class President seemed genuinely grateful for the help.

There’s also a sense of guilt because she can’t assist with training anymore.

Perhaps she might still try to help despite everything.

It’s unnecessary though.

To be honest, Yu-jin doesn’t need to become stronger like Chul-soo.

He doesn’t want to fight if possible,

and his current strength is enough.

If the Class President wants to help Chul-soo, that would be better.

‘In any case, this way, the Class President won’t feel guilty anymore.’

Now there’s an excuse to decline, so she doesn’t have to force herself to help him.

With that thought, Yu-jin took out a beverage and rinsed his mouth.

Though he didn’t mention it for Rime’s sake,

honestly, the taste wasn’t great. …*

The next day.

The Class President cautiously called out to Chul-soo when they arrived at the Academy.

“What’s up, Class President?”

Glancing sideways,

she peeked at Chul-soo with only her eyes.

How should I phrase this?

She spent the entire night racking her brain over this.

But it had to be done.

No…maybe it’s more accurate to say she wanted to do it.

“I…decided to help Kim Yu-jin with his training.”

Chul-soo’s reaction was dramatic.

After briefly struggling to find words, he finally spoke with a serious expression.

“No way Kim Yu-jin pressured you too, right?”

A natural question from Chul-soo’s perspective.

The Class President bit her lip tightly.

Of course, she couldn’t say it.

That while you were gone, I helped train our enemy Kim Yu-jin,

and ended up falling for him due to the magical stimulation.

‘How could I possibly tell that to a friend?’

The Class President was still a teenage girl.

There’s no way she could easily share such an embarrassing story about having feelings for someone.

Especially when the person is Chul-soo’s rival, Kim Yu-jin.

Just mentioning it would surely cause immense pain for Chul-soo.

Yet hiding these feelings wasn’t an option either.

“…Kim Yu-jin helped me.”

“Helped?”

“Yes. No matter who Kim Yu-jin is, I received help, and I believe there’s a duty to repay it. Therefore, I plan to help him as a way of showing gratitude.”

This was the excuse the Class President managed to squeeze out.

She knew it was a cowardly lie.

Of course, Kim Yu-jin saving her was true.

But there were countless other ways to repay the favor.

She just wanted to use this as an excuse to spend more time with Yu-jin.

‘Still, there’s nothing I can do about it…’

The previous incident made her fully realize her feelings.

There’s absolutely no escape from this emotion.

No matter if she showers, lies down to sleep, or simply stays still, he kept coming to mind.

When going to school, she gets excited thinking about seeing Yu-jin,

and when leaving, she feels regretful for not seeing him.

Initially, she thought ignoring it would make it go away.

What a ridiculous misunderstanding.

The heart doesn’t disappear that easily.

Rather, it kept growing until it overflowed within her chest.

If she continued denying it, she felt like she might go crazy.

‘Sorry to Chul-soo, but…’

This is the best decision for her now.

At least during her time at the Academy, she wants to stay close to him.

“What exactly did that guy do to help you?”

“A villain attacked me, and he saved me.”

The Class President forced herself to speak, suppressing her guilt.

At least it was the truth.

“If it weren’t for Yu-jin, I would’ve been violated by a monster and wouldn’t even be alive today. I’m not heartless enough to just ignore that.”

“Since when did you two become so close, calling each other by first names?”

At Chul-soo’s words, the Class President’s shoulders trembled slightly.

The thorns of guilt pierced deep into her heart.

The fact that she betrayed her friend,

for a diligent Class President, acted as a fatal weapon.

Put another way, it also meant she liked Yu-jin enough to overcome that wound.

“In any case, it’s true that I received help.”

“There’s no way that guy would help without a reason! He must be hiding some suspicious plan!”

“Don’t talk nonsense when you don’t know anything!”

Without realizing it, she suddenly shouted.

Chul-soo wore a genuinely bewildered expression.

His expression carried no anger or negative emotions.

Worry, confusion, concern, sadness.

You could feel that he truly cared for his friend.

That’s the kind of person Chul-soo is.

‘Ah, what am I doing getting mad when I haven’t done anything right…’

From Chul-soo’s perspective, it was understandable to be confused.

Coming back to school after a long absence and finding his friend wanting to hang out with their enemy.

Since she has no intention of telling the truth,

at the very least, she should understand Chul-soo’s position.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“I know you’re upset, and I understand why you can’t comprehend this. But right now, this is how I feel. Can you wait until I sort things out?”

Chul-soo’s lips moved.

Clearly, he wanted to say something.

But ultimately, he swallowed all those words.

Instead, he sighed deeply.

“To be honest, I don’t understand why you’d want to hang around with someone like Kim Yu-jin.”

“…”

“Is there some special situation? Did that guy threaten you or something?”

“No. I decided this on my own.”

“…So helping Kim Yu-jin with his training is entirely your choice?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Alright then, it’s settled.”

“Huh?”

Chul-soo exhaled as if relieved.

No, it was more like he was reassured.

“I thought you were being coerced like Young-hee or something. If that were the case, I would’ve been even more worried. Really, it’s a relief.”

“…Are you not angry with me?”

“I’m not. Of course, I don’t understand, but you’re a smart kid, so you must have your reasons.”

Her chest tightened.

Guilt overwhelmed her to the point where she felt like suffocating.

Truly, Chul-soo is a ‘good friend’.

Someone like him might not come along twice in a lifetime.

“Still, keep this in mind. No matter what you think, I’m going to take him down. I have an obligation to do that.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Good. Anyway, since it’s the path you’ve chosen, give it your best shot.”

With that confident statement, Chul-soo walked away.

The Class President stood there dazed for a moment before covering her face with her palms.

‘Damn, I’m such trash.’

I like Kim Yu-jin.

I feel sorry for Chul-soo.

These are clearly the emotions I carry.

But somewhere in between…

I’m relieved that Chul-soo didn’t get extremely angry,

which makes me feel even more disgusted with myself.

‘…Idiot, it’s too late now anyway. You’ve already disappointed Chul-soo. What are you trying to hide now?’

The Class President forced herself to stand up.

I’ve already chosen Yu-jin.

So whatever happens, I’ll do my best with that decision.

With that resolve, she headed toward the classroom.

‘There he is.’

Black hair, towering height.

A sharp, cold impression that seemed impossibly aloof.

The man who unknowingly stole her heart stood there.

“Yu-jin.”

“Hmm?”

Before speaking, she took a deep breath.

Like a girl confessing her love.

With trembling heart and lips, she slowly opened her mouth.

“As a way to repay the favor from last time, and since Chul-soo isn’t available, I’ve decided to train with you instead. Do you want to practice after school today?”

“Ah, it’s fine.”

“Eh?”

The Class President’s body stiffened.

Not just her body, but her heart as well.

It felt like turning into stone.

Something went wrong.

She realized that almost immediately.

Her chest sank.

Slowly.

Like falling into a deep, dark void.

A feeling of despair, unfamiliar yet undeniable, began to creep up.

While completely disregarding her emotions,

Yu-jin casually said,

“I found a replacement. You can just continue with Chul-soo.”

“…What?”

With those words, Yu-jin left his seat.

The Class President blankly stared at his retreating back.

What did he just say?

This isn’t right.

Why did I hurt Chul-soo for this?

Why did I betray my friend if this is how it ends…?

And what does he mean by a “replacement”? Who?!

Unconsciously, the Class President started biting her nails.

Jealousy and anxiety, feelings she had never experienced before, began to surface in her heart.

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