Ch.142Episode 29. Battle of Nerves (3)

“Hmm? It’s rare for Senior Yoo Ari not to come to weekend training?”

At Gu Yeonhwa’s mention, I inwardly gave a bitter smile.

Even though I’m usually quite active physically, sex uses completely different muscles, and she had her legs spread for a long time, so she must be suffering from quite severe muscle pain.

I should give her a massage later when she comes.

“Do you have the luxury to worry about others? With your skill level?”

“Wow! Look at that disrespect!”

“Don’t speak informally to me. Want a knock on the head?”

“Eek!”

Gu Yeonhwa covers her head while stretching.

“…If I beat Yujin, I’ll be the unofficial number one.”

“That’s just a delusion.”

I don’t know about unofficial rankings, but at her current level of martial arts, she’s practically guaranteed to pass the certification exam that third-years take, and her skills are good enough to be deployed in active duty.

Of course, since the certification also includes a written test, she’ll need to study during the break.

It’s already suffocating to think about making these kids who never study hit the books, but I guess there’s no choice.

“Enough chatting, let’s start today’s training.”

As I said that, I glanced at Jeong Iyeon.

She was unusually quiet today. She was just loosening up with her usual leisurely stretching.

I hope she hasn’t noticed that there might be something between me and Yoo Ari.

* * *

“Fish drawn to a fishing pond will escape if not properly managed?”

After training ended, while I was cooling down and wiping sweat on a bench, Jeong Iyeon approached quietly and spoke.

“…What are you talking about, coming up to me out of nowhere?”

“Something happened between you and Senior Yoo Ari, right? After the MT trip. Or rather… before coming back.”

Could she have noticed from Yoo Ari’s attitude right before we boarded the bus? A woman’s intuition really can’t be underestimated.

I think it would be right to confess since she’s caught on, but I couldn’t be the first to say it.

No matter how much of a trash person I am, I can’t just openly say, “I’m two-timing!”

If I did that, I’d lose whatever affection she has for me. After all, who would still have feelings for someone who took a girl’s virginity and then gave another girl hope?

“Who knows.”

“Well~ I came in voluntarily. I don’t regret it.”

She sat down next to me. Then she took my water bottle and naturally put it to her lips and drank. As I absentmindedly watched her throat bob, she removed the bottle from her mouth.

“Ahh~ That’s refreshing. Oh, you don’t mind indirect kisses, right? We’ve already kissed anyway. Hehe.”

The way she shakes the water bottle while speaking is incredibly cute. I didn’t stop the smile that escaped.

“What do you want to say?”

“By the way, I haven’t told anyone.”

She paused briefly before continuing.

“I used the expression ‘fishing pond,’ but I don’t really want to be part of one.”

That’s obvious.

Who would want to share someone they like?

Even I would hate it. The thought of a woman I like having a quasi-relationship and even sex with another man.

“But being in a fishing pond means I have a possibility too. If I can remain the most memorable woman in your mind, then becoming your ‘real’ lover might be possible.”

“Huh.”

Listening to Jeong Iyeon’s words, I was inwardly impressed. I was surprised that someone could think this way. Is this what they call reverse thinking?

“Anyway, I’ve decided not to remain just a fan anymore. I… I’ll work hard to become your lover, Instructor. You said you wouldn’t date students… so I’ll make you fall for me before I graduate!”

“I see…”

Should I call her mindset positive? Or open-minded?

She’s a type of woman I’ve never seen before, so I don’t know how to deal with her. Just as I was thinking she’s a formidable opponent in a different way from Yoo Ari, she added a barb.

“So treat me well. So I don’t leave.”

“I know. But you know, I don’t chase after fish that swim away?”

Of course, completely cutting ties would be difficult.

I still want her to become a hero, after all.

“Wow, that statement was really trashy.”

“Calling your instructor trashy?”

“You put your hands on a student, so you’re trash. But I don’t dislike that kind of trash. Because it’s you, Instructor.”

She points at me slightly with her index finger. She’s completely infatuated.

“But that’s good. If everyone else leaves, only I’ll remain.”

“Pfft!”

She’s a real formidable opponent, this one.

As I chuckled, she also grinned.

“Let’s have dinner together tonight. That’s okay, right, Oppa?”

“Sure.”

“Even if Senior Yoo Ari comes to your room today, she can’t come in, okay?”

“Got it.”

Although we made that promise, it seemed unlikely that dinner would go smoothly.

Because when evening came, Jeong Iyeon and Yoo Ari, who had both come to visit me, ran into each other.

Worried that a fight in the hallway would cause big problems, I let both of them into my room. And currently, the two were facing each other, having a conversation.

“Senior Yoo Ari, I’m sorry, but Oppa is mine today. Could you please have dinner alone?”

“…Oppa? Why are you calling the instructor ‘Oppa’? No… why is the instructor yours in the first place?”

Yoo Ari’s mood sharpened as she interpreted Jeong Iyeon’s subtle claim as a provocation.

Yoo Ari’s relationship with Yeon Muhui didn’t seem good either, and now it looked like her relationship with Jeong Iyeon would also deteriorate.

This is why I wanted to leave quickly to avoid them meeting.

“Ah, Senior, you’re misunderstanding something. I said ‘today.’ I’ll give you a chance next time, so please don’t be like that. I want to be friends with Senior Yoo Ari too.”

“…So if I give in today, you won’t meet the instructor privately next time?”

“No, I will meet him.”

“…Are you joking?”

As the atmosphere grew increasingly serious, I tried to intervene, but Jeong Iyeon extended her hand toward me and shook her head. It meant I should stay quiet and not interfere.

“I’m not joking… I’m suggesting we play fair.”

“Play fair?”

Yoo Ari’s brow furrowed at the unexpected phrase.

“I’m saying don’t monopolize Oppa all by yourself, Senior.”

“I don’t see why I should do that.”

“The more you do that, the further you’ll drift from Oppa. Clingy women aren’t popular.”

“What…?”

I thought she might be provoking too much.

Yoo Ari’s eyes grew fierce. She began to show explicit hostility. In contrast, Jeong Iyeon’s gaze remained calm.

“Iyeon—”

“Please stay quiet for now. It’s because you always do this that Senior Yoo Ari clings more.”

I had nothing to say to that.

“I won’t say anything about Oppa’s interest in Senior Yoo Ari. I just want to have a fair chance with you, Senior. In the end, Oppa will make the choice. Besides, we’re not the only ones interested in Oppa, right?”

Yoo Ari’s eyebrow twitched.

“I don’t know how much Bin Yoon, Gu Yeonhwa, or even Senior Yeon Muhui have feelings for Oppa… but they’ll reveal them someday. And our trashy Oppa will accept their feelings too. Just like he’s done so far.”

“Are you subtly insulting me?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“…No, I don’t.”

Somehow I feel like I’m being gaslighted.

“So, Senior Yoo Ari, don’t try to monopolize him so much. If you do… you’ll get hurt too badly and break.”

Yoo Ari couldn’t say anything.

She was completely outmatched in verbal skills. Compared to Yoo Ari, who was trying to clash emotionally, Jeong Iyeon was rational and calm, making it no contest.

While Yoo Ari maintained her silence, unable to find points to refute, Jeong Iyeon smiled and said:

“For that reason, I’ll be spending time with Oppa today. Is that okay?”

Yoo Ari just stared silently at Jeong Iyeon’s question.

“I’ll take your silence as agreement. Shall we go then?”

She deliberately linked arms with me right in front of Yoo Ari. Looking at Jeong Iyeon’s brazen upward gaze, it seemed like she was telling me that soothing Yoo Ari’s feelings would be my responsibility.

Right, it’s my fault for setting the groundwork with all the special class members.

“Ari.”

“…Yes, Instructor.”

Yoo Ari was biting her lower lip with her fists clenched tightly, seemingly frustrated. If I hadn’t been here, they might have really fought.

“Get some rest. I’ll contact you later.”

“Ah~ Oppa. You’re supposed to play with me today. What are you saying?”

“Shut up, you.”

I gave her a light knock on the head that wouldn’t hurt. Jeong Iyeon closed her eyes tightly, then opened them and smoothed her hair.

I reluctantly left Yoo Ari behind and exited the room with Jeong Iyeon. As soon as we left, she unlinked her arm and stood in front of the elevator, pressing the button.

“How was it?”

She asked quietly.

“I didn’t know you were such a cunning girl.”

This time, it was a complete defeat for Yoo Ari.

Jeong Iyeon had practically toyed with Yoo Ari’s emotions.

What was most surprising was that this conversation completely destroyed the position Yoo Ari had held.

While I was annoyed at being used, I had to acknowledge her eloquence.

“I just want things to be fair. I should have a chance too, right? Besides, you wouldn’t stop Gu Yeonhwa, Bin Yoon, or Senior Yeon Muhui if they made a move on you anyway. No…”

She grinned and said:

“You’d actually enjoy it.”

“…”

This girl is something else…

“So make an effort to manage all five girls’ emotions and keep their actions in check so that enjoyment can continue.”

I gave a wry smile at Jeong Iyeon’s words.

“…Sure.”

I got on the elevator, feeling that my task of turning them into heroes had just become more difficult.