Ch.143Episode 29. Battle of Nerves (End)

After having dinner with Jeong I-yeon, which consisted of gamjatang (pork bone soup), I walked along the pathway inside the academy. Perhaps because it was still early evening, I could see several couples walking together.

Those guys must be couples, right? I wonder if others see us as a couple too?

“Jin oppa.”

“What.”

I responded indifferently while sipping my coffee. I deliberately matched my pace with Jeong I-yeon as we walked side by side.

“You sound really displeased.”

“I’m not displeased, just a bit troubled.”

“Really? Is dating me troubling you?”

“…I wonder whose fault that is.”

The thought of going back to my room to comfort Yu Ari was overwhelming. I had just managed to calm her down.

“Just enjoy it. Whatever happens, the special class students will end up liking you anyway.”

“That’s not possible.”

There’s no way others would think like Jeong I-yeon.

They might pretend to like me to receive my teachings, but they wouldn’t genuinely like someone who sleeps with multiple women.

That’s better for me too.

I prefer maintaining a proper instructor-student relationship with clear boundaries.

Though I’ve already crossed that line with Yu Ari and Jeong I-yeon.

“You think so? That’s not how I see it. Even though you act normal, don’t you know that Yeon Mu-hee and Gu Yeon-hwa keep watching you?”

“…Really?”

“Yes. I may not look it, but I have good intuition. They’d probably fall for you right away if you made a move. Why don’t you try?”

“What do you mean ‘try’?”

I already have enough worries because of you two.

“If you really don’t want to, you could make a clear choice right here. Choose me, of course!”

I couldn’t believe it. I gave a bitter smile as I watched Jeong I-yeon proudly pound her chest.

“Forget it…”

“I understand. It must be difficult right now. But there’s nothing you can do about it. Everyone has fallen for you. No… you’ve made it impossible for them not to like you.”

I couldn’t say anything because Jeong I-yeon wasn’t wrong.

She probably knows me well because she was a fan. I should have recognized it when she was secretly taking photos of me.

“By the way, oppa.”

“Yes?”

“How far have you gone with Yu Ari? Pecks? Kisses?”

“…I’m not telling you.”

Are you crazy? How could I tell you that?

“You won’t tell me? Then is it okay if I imagine whatever I want?”

“Do as you please.”

“Then I’ll assume you’ve had sex with Yu Ari.”

“What?”

“It’s a reasonable assumption, isn’t it? Considering you’ve been eating dinner together in your room every night, you must have had plenty of opportunities.”

“…We didn’t do it then.”

“So you’re saying you’ve done it now.”

I flinched at Jeong I-yeon’s direct hit.

It feels like I’m being cornered. I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly, feeling like she wasn’t missing a single word I said.

“I see. So you’ve already gone that far.”

Jeong I-yeon, who had been muttering seriously, stopped walking. I reflexively stopped as well and looked at her.

“Oppa.”

“What.”

Jeong I-yeon raised her head and smiled meaningfully. Looking at her face, I somehow found it seductive.

“Then I’ll need to set the mood soon.”

“…Won’t you regret it?”

“Not if you make sure I don’t. As sincerely as I treat you, please treat me sincerely too. That’s all I need.”

“Alright. I understand.”

Even if I refused her here, she’s not the type to give up.

In situations like this, it’s less stressful for both of us if I just accept it.

“Since we went to the aquarium last time, we should choose a different date spot this time.”

And so, Jeong I-yeon spent the rest of our walk planning our date course, while I had to entertain her ideas until we finished.

* * *

When I returned to my room after seeing Jeong I-yeon off, the lights were off.

“Did she leave?”

“I’m here.”

Just as I was about to turn on the switch, I heard a voice.

When I turned on the light, I saw Yu Ari sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest.

Once again, she had taken out my dress shirt and was wearing it. Was she trying to smell my scent?

“You should have said something if you were here.”

She seemed somewhat withdrawn. Was she bothered by what Jeong I-yeon had said?

I’d prefer to let it slide, but given Yu Ari’s personality, that wouldn’t be easy.

Yu Ari’s self-esteem is significantly lower than the other students.

That’s why I’ve been watching over her closely, trying to help build her confidence.

I took off my shoes, went in, and plopped down beside her.

“…How was Jeong I-yeon?”

She asked as soon as I sat down. Yu Ari wasn’t looking at me. She just had her face buried in her knees.

“We just had dinner, took a walk, and parted ways.”

“I see…”

“Have you eaten?”

“…Not yet.”

“Should I make you some ramen?”

“…Would you?”

“Sure.”

I quickly made ramen and transferred it to a bowl. I didn’t forget to take kimchi out of the refrigerator. After placing it on the table, she slowly came over and sat down.

Slurp.

Yu Ari ate her ramen quietly. Today, I didn’t see the usual Yu Ari who would smile and chat with me.

After quickly finishing her ramen, she softly said, “Thank you for the meal.” Just as I was about to clear the dishes and wash them:

“Instructor… do you dislike women who are obsessive?”

I answered her careful question honestly.

“Hmm. Too much restriction is troublesome.”

“I see… So I’m really someone who’s hard to love.”

I turned slightly to look at her. Yu Ari was biting her lower lip as she spoke, looking like she might cry at any moment.

“But if you abandon me… I’ll have nothing left…”

“I’ll never abandon you, ever.”

“What? Never…?”

Knowing that characters with yandere tendencies place great significance on the word “forever,” I deliberately used it.

“Even after you graduate from the academy, we’ll stay in touch… I want to see how far you’ll grow.”

The corners of her eyes lifted slightly. I shook the water off my hands and slowly approached Yu Ari.

“I want to boast about how amazing my student is. How reliable and lovable she is. I want to show you off.”

“Instructor…”

“And it’s okay to be obsessive. During the time we’re together like this, you can be as possessive as you want. I like it when you’re obsessive about me.”

…Was that last part unnecessary?

As I was considering whether to correct myself:

“…Instructor.”

“Yes?”

“I… I want to k-kiss you.”

What…?

While I was momentarily stunned by Yu Ari’s words, she suddenly stood up, pressed her lips against mine, and wrapped her arms around the back of my neck.

“Chu!”

I decided to indulge her whim.

It was a perfect French kiss, including lip-sucking and tongue-tangling.

After separating our lips, trailing saliva between us, she looked up at me with hazy eyes.

“Instructor, I love you.”

“Me too.”

“Um… do we still have those condoms we bought before?”

Yu Ari asked nervously, fidgeting.

“Huh? Yeah. We’ve only used one.”

“Then shall we do it again today? O-only if you want to…”

“With your muscle pain?”

“What? Muscle pain?”

“Didn’t you skip training today because of muscle pain?”

“Ah… that wasn’t muscle pain… I didn’t go because I didn’t know how to face you… Are you disappointed?”

“No. I’m glad you’re not in pain. If you were hurting, I was going to give you a massage.”

“Massage…!”

At the mention of a massage, Yu Ari’s eyes began to roll around. Wondering what she was plotting, I watched her carefully as she suddenly grimaced in apparent pain.

“Oww! I’m starting to hurt now…!”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Th-that’s mean. You said you loved me!”

“Does loving you mean I have to do everything for you?”

“Hmph.”

“…Sigh. Alright, alright. I’ll pretend to believe you just this once.”

One way or another, I really am weak to these kids.

I guess that means I care for them.

I’ve been aware of my special affection for them ever since I fought desperately against villains, risking my life to protect these children.

Perhaps if there’s anyone who can defeat me, it would be the special class students.

“Hehe. Instructor, please take care of me.”

“…Sure.”

I patted her back as I spoke. The sound of Yu Ari’s bright laughter pleasantly reached my ears.

* * *

Clang—!

Jeong I-yeon’s sacred weapon and Yu Ari’s dagger clash with a sharp sound. They collide so violently that sparks fly. The impact is strong enough to change the flow of air with its shockwave.

“Jeong I-yeon…!”

“What is it, senior?”

Screech—!

The two exchange words while facing off.

“I like the instructor.”

“…So do I.”

“That’s why I can’t give him up.”

Clang! Clang!

The two exchanged several blows, enhancing their bodies with power but not using skills.

“I told you before. Let’s be fair.”

“Yes, you did.”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t be fair. Because I’m going to take your opportunities too.”

Clang!

“It seems the instructor comforted you properly after finishing our date. Your expression looks much better.”

“Yes. He told me he loves me.”

“That’s…! How enviable!!”

As I quietly watched the two of them demonstrating their training results through their aggressive and violent sparring, Yeon Mu-hee spoke softly.

“Those two… they seem much faster than when they sparred before.”

Is that so? Perhaps their competitive spirit, not wanting to lose to each other, has stimulated their desire to grow.

“But to beat Yu-jin, they’d need to easily defeat those two.”

“You’ve been saying that for days now.”

“Of course. Yu-jin is now unofficially ranked first. If someone can beat Yu-jin, they could overwhelm even my father.”

“Is that so? Well, try to surpass me if you can.”

“I definitely will.”

I looked at Yeon Mu-hee, who was burning with competitive spirit, then turned my gaze back to the two sparring.