VIP
VIP can mean a lot of things, but let’s be real, when Han Seo-Jin mentions VIP, she’s not talking about department store loyalty program members.
“The President? He’s coming to see me directly?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Han Seo-Jin nods.
This suddenly feels like it’s turning into some international diplomatic incident.
Was it really supposed to get this big?
I sneak a glance at Bella.
Her face is still as expressionless as ever.
Can’t read her thoughts.
“Details will be provided directly by the VIP visiting tomorrow.”
“Got it.”
It seems like meeting up would be a good idea.
Even if the President is flaring up national pride during interviews, he’s still one of the powerful sponsors supporting me with a hefty budget.
If he’s offering help, there’s no reason to refuse or to make myself look bad.
“Bella.”
Han Seo-Jin calls out to Bella.
Bella’s gaze shifts to Han Seo-Jin.
“Here’s a secure phone that cannot be tracked or hacked. Future cooperation requests will be made through this phone, so please keep it with you.”
“Understood.”
Bella accepts the phone.
“As you know, this matter must never be leaked outside. Not even if it’s the French royal family.”
“I understand.”
Bella’s brown eyes shine at Han Seo-Jin’s words.
“I too was once involved in the shadows.”
The thief Bella.
With her gift of Shadow Master, she once operated across Europe, a vigilante robbing the rich to provide for the poor. Her past will be revealed in volume 6 when she collaborates with Yuji.
“Well then, I look forward to our internal cooperation on this mission.”
Han Seo-Jin extends her hand to Bella.
Without hesitation, Bella grabs her hand.
“The pleasure is mine. I look forward to it.”
And thus, the meeting of the day came to an end.
*
Shuo Hero Academy.
Dormitory, maid’s quarters.
A room plastered with Kim Deok-Sung merchandise and posters.
In the dimly lit room, only the monitor’s light flickers faintly.
Han Seo-Jin’s gray eyes shine with determination.
Tap, tap, tap.
She skillfully pounds on the keyboard.
[Kim Deok-Sung Harem Plan Midterm Report]
[Engagement Cancellation Operation]
The title of the document is visible.
The opening act of an operation that could change the fate of South Korea.
The Engagement Cancellation Operation, on a scale unmatched by supporting Makoto and Eri’s date.
Before proceeding, creating this report is essential.
‘The final objective of the operation is to eliminate William, a significant obstacle to the Harem Plan, and fully capture Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte.’
When this operation is over, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte will completely belong to Kim Deok-Sung.
Kim Deok-Sung will fall for me.
But I can’t relax.
There’s always a one-in-a-million chance in this world.
So, the performance must be as extravagant as possible.
“Like a drama.”
A myriad of Korean soap operas quickly flashes through Han Seo-Jin’s mind.
The tumultuous wedding scenes of the villains are one of the enduring clichés of messy dramas.
Even though they get criticized, their dramatic and stimulating developments make them quite popular.
“Declaring, ‘This engagement is null and void,’ while carrying Olivia, dressed like a princess…”
As Han Seo-Jin imagines the scene, a blush rises on her cheeks.
Maybe I could also carry her like a princess…
Han Seo-Jin shakes her head.
That’s ridiculous.
She believes she doesn’t qualify for a harem.
Sure, if it’s for enjoying some casual fun or a one-night fling, maybe; but to become his official wife? That’s a long shot.
So.
Just performing her current role is enough.
She’s satisfied.
Han Seo-Jin takes a deep breath to suppress her fantasies.
Tap-tap, dadadadadadak.
Her fingers dance across the paper as she writes up the operation plan.
Finally, she completes the document and sends it directly to the National Intelligence Service.
“Done with today’s work here.”
From tomorrow, things will get busier.
The real operation will begin.
She needs to build up her stamina for that.
She’s the shadow of that person.
Whenever, wherever, she must be ready to carry out any command they may have.
Even if it means accepting a request to share a bed, she should be able to do so joyfully.
“Ah, I forgot to upload the YouTube video.”
Not like me.
Thinking that, Han Seo-Jin quickly edits the video and uploads it to 13 national pride YouTube channels.
[K-Hanbok Expanding Worldwide! Why did the French princess wear hanbok alone at a traditional Japanese festival?! “Hanbok is the most beautiful traditional dress in the world.” The world is now swept up in the K-culture wave! At the center is K-hero Kim Deok-Sung?!]
As soon as she uploads it, she sees the view count rapidly climbing, and a faint smile spreads across her face.
*
The next morning.
Before meeting with the president, I requested a one-on-one interview with the chairman.
After all, my identity is as a student of Shuo Hero Academy.
Approval from the academy is needed for long absences.
I could ask Student Council President Aris, but that would complicate the process a bit.
It’s better to get the leave approved directly through the chairman’s authority.
In front of the heavy wooden door of the chairman’s office.
It’s a place I’ve frequented often, but today it feels oddly unfamiliar.
I steady my breath and knock.
“Chairman, this is Kim Deok-Sung. May I come in?”
“Come in, kiddo.”
Hearing Seira’s voice, I open the door and step in.
Before the floor-to-ceiling glass showing the view of Shuo Academy, sits a beautifully plump black executive chair with Yoshizaki Seira, who appears like a 15-year-old girl dressed in a black gothic dress.
Ritsuko, who always follows her like a shadow, is strangely absent today.
“Where’s Ritsuko?”
“That is…”
Seira slightly flusters at the simple question.
Her face turns a bit red.
“Oh, I sent her on an errand to Toraya in Asakusa for some yokan.”
I barely hold back a chuckle at Seira’s words.
Just look at her, struggling to resist her love for yokan and matcha like a spoiled grandma.
[Seira, your taste is still the same, huh?]
“Did you not know? I had no idea there were so many types of yokan in Japan until then.”
“I had no idea there were so many types of sweet red bean jelly.”
Guess I’ve had the taste of an old man since my youth.
“Sit down.”
Seira clears her throat and invites me to take a seat.
I plop down on the guest reception sofa.
This sofa is always wonderfully comfy no matter when you sit on it.
Swoosh.
Seira sidles up next to me, putting on a killer smile.
Honestly, I’ve adapted to most things in this crazy world, but Seira’s antics still throw me off.
“Well, kiddo, what business do you have needing me all alone today?”
Seira flashes a flirtatious grin.
“I’m feeling particularly good today. If it’s something I can do, I’ll take care of it, so go ahead and let me know.”
She puts a hand on her flat chest and boldly declares.
“Oh dear. Sister Seira, how old are you acting like this?”
Even the Black Prince sighs at her behavior.
I suppress the urge to hurl my breakfast from my throat and say, “I would like to request permission for an extended absence. Let’s say about two weeks.”
“Th-that’s…”
Seira’s eyes waver at my words.
Her face tightens a bit.
She averts her gaze.
“That’s…”
Repeating the same words like a broken record, Seira lowers her head.
What the heck is wrong with her?
‘Was my request really that hard to grant? Doesn’t feel like it…’
“Such antics. Just pure antics.”
The Black Prince chimes in.
Seira’s antics aren’t new, but I’m puzzled as to why she’s stuttering like a lagging computer right now.
Oh well.
If the best option doesn’t work, then we go for the second best.
If that doesn’t work, I guess it’s just going to be an unauthorized absence.
After all, I’ve built a pretty decent reputation, so I wouldn’t worry about getting expelled for an unauthorized absence.
With the current mood in the country, even the President is backing this operation, so worrying about the backlash is pointless.
There’s really no reason to cater to the old chairman’s whims.
I’m not the one who’s at a loss here.
“Is it a no? Well then, I’ll go through Saionji-senpai…”
“Y-yes! Of course, it can be done! There’s no way it can’t!”
Before I could finish, Seira waved her hands frantically with an awkward smile.
“Got it.”
“The reason for my absence… no, wait. I don’t really care. You don’t want to know, do you?”
Seira slumps her shoulders.
It’s hard to read her expression with her head down.
Clap.
She snaps her fingers.
When she lifts her head, her face has returned to the usual mischievous old hag she always is.
“Alright. I’ll take responsibility for that, so don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you.”
I give a formal greeting.
A faint smile dances at the corners of Seira’s mouth in response to my thanks.
“Save your thanks for later, kiddo. Haven’t you got to be going? I heard you have an important schedule today.”
Seira smiles.
An important schedule, huh?
A meeting with the President and a public luncheon definitely counts as important.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“…Kiddo.”
Seira calls me back.
My feet stop automatically.
“You… absolutely must not die.”
“I won’t die.”
I’m not going to be that foolish protagonist charging recklessly into danger without a second thought.
I’ll check the bridge—even smash it if necessary—before crossing.
Safety first. Always!
It’s the best!
“Then it’s settled.”
Seira quietly smiles with her eyes closed.
[Big sis…]
Raul utters with a voice full of regret, trailing off.
Tap.
After closing the door to the Chairman’s Room, I head briskly towards the academy parking lot.
“I’ve been waiting, Kim Deok-Sung.”
Han Seo-Jin stands by the black Rolls Royce with the Taegukgi, politely opening the back door for me.
Leaving the academy, I arrive at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel.
As expected of a top-tier hotel where world leaders stay during state visits to Japan, the building towers magnificently.
The venue for the reception and public luncheon is the Great Hall.
Under Han Seo-Jin’s guidance, I stand at the door of the Great Hall, protected by bodyguards wearing sunglasses and black suits with Taegukgi badges.
“We’ll need to verify your identity.”
“K-Kim Deok-Sung?! Y-You’re cleared!”
The bodyguards’ poker faces instantly break upon seeing the Shuo Academy student ID.
“It’s an honor to meet you!”
“Pl-please, go right in! The VIP is waiting for you!!”
The sight of burly bodyguards, looking like they could take down a tiger with their bare hands, turning into starstruck fans is something I’d never want to experience again.
Clunk.
The moment the Great Hall doors open.
Click.
Click, click. Click, click, click.
A barrage of camera flashes overwhelms me.
[South Korea’s pride! Student Kim Deok-Sung has entered!]
The announcer’s voice, tinged with emotion, booms through the speakers.
Simultaneously, all eyes in the hall turn to me.
Each gaze is filled with a maniacal, starry-eyed enthusiasm, reminiscent of the bodyguards from earlier.
The pressure of “national pride” rising from the crowd bears down on me.
‘This is so overwhelming.’
My stomach feels uneasy for the first time in a while.
I need to find my seat quickly by asking Han Seo-Jin, I think, just as I spot a familiar figure on the huge screen installed in the hall.
A middle-aged man in a suit, a face I’ve seen often on the news and nationalist YouTube channels.
[That person’s partner… Huh?]
The President of South Korea.
Kang Myung-Hyun.
From my seat, I can clearly see President Kang’s tear-filled eyes staring at me from afar.
Why is he crying like that? I wonder, just as his head starts to droop.
“The President has fainted!”
“Medical team! Bring in the medical team!”
Wait, why are we fainting again?
Time to apply some makeup, come on.
Tap.
The Chairman’s Room door closes.
In the oddly spacious office, only Seira remains.
The smile that she had maintained until the end slowly fades from her face.
She murmurs in a quiet voice.
“He’s gone.”
Though the news of Olivia’s engagement hasn’t been announced yet, everyone who should know is already aware.
Even the sole survivor of the Five Crowns, Yoshizaki Seira, had caught onto that much.
With a trembling voice, Seira mutters.
“The little one must have gone on a long mission… to save her.”
There are many girls around him.
Yet Olivia was a bit more special to him.
