Confusion 2

First year, second semester.

A point that has now passed more than one-third of the original story.

At this point, the tragic protagonist gradually becomes a munchkin.

He heads to Japan for a preliminary survey of the Academy’s final exams.

He opens Lee Ha-yul’s heart.

And meets the mid-boss.

He encounters Kim Il-soo for the first time and stands at the crossroads of life and death.

…As if it were the truth.

It might be ridiculous that Han Seoyeon, no one else, is certain of this.

“What do you think?”

“Can I hear the reason? Why me?”

“The reason…?”

“…Yes.”

The Academy’s second-semester exam is conducted in a practical survival format.

Its difficulty is on a different level from the midterm and final exams of the first semester.

Not a hunting ground, but a true battlefield in every sense.

Students must form parties and survive there for a certain period.

As it’s a large-scale exam, the location must be strictly selected.

For this, the Academy’s student council president has the obligation to conduct a preliminary survey.

“…Even if you ask for a reason.”

The student council president can select and bring along a few people for this preliminary survey.

That discretion lies with the student council president.

In the original story, Lee Ha-yul recommended the protagonist.

The reason was purely for bullying.

But the current Lee Ha-yul is undoubtedly different from the original.

There’s no malice visible, and no killing intent felt in her tone.

Yet Lee Ha-yul was recommending Han Seoyeon.

Even though she should be on good terms with Michaela.

There must be some other reason.

She couldn’t help but think so.

For example, perhaps.

Lee Ha-yul too.

“Is there really a need for a reason to bring along a hero who has protected the Academy from terrorism twice…?”

“Is that all?”

“That’s about it. For now.”

Han Seoyeon felt a slight relief at that answer.

Because she was scared.

“So.”

Han Seoyeon no longer wanted to see a girl’s tears.

“Your answer?”

“…”

Lee Ha-yul asked again.

The answer is no different from what’s already decided.

Lee Ha-yul will meet him there.

Kim Il-soo.

If it follows the original story.

The original story has been distorted.

There’s a small possibility that Lee Ha-yul and Kim Il-soo might not meet.

But that was an easy-going thought.

If she’s not careful, Lee Ha-yul might lose her life just like that.

In the original story, Kim Il-soo knew Lee Ha-yul would come to Japan and waited.

If the protagonist hadn’t been there, Lee Ha-yul would have been killed.

That’s right.

As the protagonist, the correct answer should be clear, but.

“…Can you give me some time to think?”

Yet Han Seoyeon hesitated.

It was clearly not the right thing to do as a munchkin protagonist who saves everyone.

The dormitory was unusually quiet.

A gloomy sensation fills the air.

It was quiet because there was no sound.

With the curtains closed, the room was just dark.

Even the belongings weren’t properly organized.

“…Michaela.”

“Seoyeon.”

Han Seoyeon called that name a bit awkwardly.

The silver-haired girl looked at her with uniquely shining blue eyes.

That day.

Since receiving Baek Da-eun’s confession.

Michaela and Han Seoyeon hadn’t had many conversations.

Rather, they even unconsciously avoided each other.

It was a manifestation of inexplicable guilt.

It was irresponsible.

Talking to Michaela and Baek Da-eun,

She was afraid to talk to both of them.

Cowardly, Han Seoyeon even felt the urge to run away.

As if she had become a tragic heroine.

If her past life self saw this, she would have despised it.

At this rate, it’s hard to tell who the tragic heroine is.

But time flows.

She can’t run away.

Someone’s life and death depend on her hesitation.

“Um…”

“You’re making that face again.”

Michaela approaches.

With those thin, delicate, cold hands.

“The face of trying to shoulder everything alone.”

She caresses Han Seoyeon’s cheek.

Michaela was making a face Han Seoyeon had never seen before.

“The reason you’re making such a face is surely because of me.”

“No! That’s─!”

It was the face of someone always reliable, kind, and lovable.

A sorrowful expression that looked like it might burst into tears at any moment.

No, perhaps that expression was the true face of the girl named Michaela Ernst von Wittelsbach.

She had just been pretending to be strong all along.

Ever since meeting the girl named Han Seoyeon, consistently.

How could she show a dark expression in front of a girl more unfortunate than herself?

But this time was different.

She had made her loved one sad.

The emotion Michaela felt was guilt, just like Han Seoyeon.

“That’s…!”

She must deny it.

Han Seoyeon doesn’t want to see Michaela’s sad face.

Yet.

“…That’s.”

Unable to think of a single word to say.

Cowardly, Han Seoyeon couldn’t continue speaking.

“I’m sorry.”

She heard an apology from her lover’s lips.

Even though no one had done anything wrong.

“I was excited.”

As always.

Once again, it was Han Seoyeon who was unilaterally comforted.

“By the fact that I could monopolize you. By the fact that you became my lover. I was so excited that I unconsciously forced you. To look only at me and not at any other woman.”

That shouldn’t be.

“…Even though I knew it was cruel to you.”

“No.”

Just as Michaela wanted to be Han Seoyeon’s strength.

“I’m sorry. I ended up hurting you.”

“…No. No, Michaela.”

Han Seoyeon also wanted to be Michaela’s strength.

“The person I like has always been only one in the world.”

Han Seoyeon shook her head.

She had to face it.

“If there’s a bad person between us two, it would be me, not Michaela. I was arrogant, wanting everyone around me to be happy.”

Perhaps, the happy ending she desired.

May never come.

“So, I don’t want Michaela to be sad because of my selfish guilt…”

Even if the happy ending doesn’t come.

She must move forward.

“I’m going to Japan soon. For the preliminary survey of the final exam.”

“…To be honest, I don’t want to let you go.”

It was a weak voice.

Unlike her, yet more like her than ever before.

“But you want to go, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

A perfect happy ending is no longer possible.

Han Seoyeon can’t create a world where everyone is happy.

She made Da-eun cry.

It was Han Seoyeon’s own mistake, for which no one else could be blamed.

Yet she can’t stop.

As long as she’s the protagonist.

No, even if she’s no longer the protagonist.

“Then I’ll go too. With you.”

Even if she can’t achieve a happy ending.

Because she didn’t want anyone else to cry anymore.

“I will protect you. I will make you happy. If it’s your duty to make everyone happy, then that is my duty.”

Michaela declared.

“That is the greatest pride I can show as your lover.”

If Han Seoyeon wishes for a future where everyone is happy.

She wishes for a future where Han Seoyeon is happy, she said.

“…”

Was that enough?

Han Seoyeon hesitated, worried, and hesitated again.

“I…”

Han Seoyeon must move forward.

She must move forward.

She can’t turn back now.

She can’t retreat.

But she who hurt the heroine, no.

Her precious friend.

Can she shamelessly move forward?

A convenient miracle descends.

“No.”

A sudden word.

The cause of the guilt she had come to feel.

“I didn’t confess hoping to make you wear such an expression.”

It was strange.

If we were to divide this story into perpetrator and victim, the perpetrator would clearly be Han Seoyeon.

Han Seoyeon made her sad.

That was the only undeniable fact.

“I liked you.”

“Da-eun…”

“It’s common sense to want the person you like to smile, isn’t it?”

But.

Why is Baek Da-eun, the victim, comforting her?

Han Seoyeon doesn’t know the ending of the original story.

There’s no way to know if the original Baek Da-eun eventually ended up with the protagonist.

But she must have been happier than today.

Falling in love with such a hypocrite, unable to achieve that love.

Surely she would have met a happier future than such a pathetic ending.

“I’m sorry…”

Han Seoyeon had taken happiness away from Baek Da-eun.

Ruined her future.

“Sorry, I’m sorry…!”

“You don’t need to apologize. After all, you’re not bad, are you?”

Yet Baek Da-eun comforted her.

Comforted Han Seoyeon.

“Miss Michaela.”

Baek Da-eun looked past the girl to Michaela.

Every time she saw that face, low-level jealousy still boiled, and envy tried to dominate her body, but.

“You must protect her properly, okay?”

Because she never wanted to hear the sound of the girl crying.

If the reason for the girl’s crying was because of her, she’d rather die.

For the happiness of the person she loves.

Gritting her teeth.

“…No need to tell me twice.”

Baek Da-eun was able to smile.