Ch.146Episode 30. Responsibility (3)

The atmosphere suddenly became solemn at Gu Yeonhwa’s remark, though she herself didn’t seem to notice.

“Instructor.”

Mitchell called me quietly.

An instructor who allows their student to be bullied—no parent would forgive that.

“…She’s a college student now. Would she really be bullied?”

I reluctantly replied.

By that logic, every student in the special class was being bullied.

Unless it was a special situation, I’d never seen them eating together or talking privately.

…Looking at it this way, maybe I should manage them more thoroughly?

“She sometimes eats with me.”

“Doesn’t that just mean Yeonhwa is alone most of the time?”

Damn it. I couldn’t deny that.

“Unlike the main building where other classes are, the special class is in the annex, so it’s difficult to meet often. She seems to meet students from other classes during lectures, but… as you know, Yeonhwa isn’t the type to approach others first.”

The only people Gu Yeonhwa would approach first would have to be either subculture nerds or oddballs like herself.

But how many nerds would there be among students dreaming of becoming heroes? Hero fans, maybe, but that’s different.

“…Yeonhwa, when you become a hero later, you’ll have to cooperate with other heroes. Will you be okay?”

“I’ll be fine!”

Looking at Gu Yeonhwa as she optimistically gave a thumbs up, I said:

“That part should be fine. She might be disliked by heroes, but I believe she won’t have any problems cooperating as a hero.”

Considering how the five of them had worked together when dealing with me, I could be positive about this.

“You seem confident.”

“Yes. While I can’t do anything about Yeonhwa’s personal relationships, I’m confident I can perfectly nurture her qualities as a hero.”

“Mm-hmm! There’s no reason to doubt big brother’s abilities!”

“Hmm.”

When even Gu Yeonhwa agreed, Mitchell made a nasal sound and tapped the table with her index finger.

“Then how far do you think Yeonhwa will grow, Instructor?”

“…At least to S-rank. Or perhaps even beyond that.”

Gu Yeonhwa has enough power to destroy an entire city in one go.

Even in the original story, the Association designated her as an S-rank villain, and she could hold her own against current S-ranks in one-on-one battles. Without even using the eX potion.

Considering all that, if Gu Yeonhwa is properly nurtured, becoming S-rank shouldn’t be a problem. Maybe we could even see beyond that.

In the original story, she retired midway through because she was a villain, but if she were to grow to her full potential, I expected she might even ‘transcend’ the abilities shown in the original work.

However, since I hadn’t seen that in the original story either, I couldn’t give a definitive answer.

“Can Yeonhwa really become S-rank?”

“If she becomes a hero and proves herself by accumulating achievements, she should be able to rise to S-rank. That’s what I believe.”

“How can you know that?”

“I can’t tell you how I know, but by the time she graduates from the academy, she’ll be stronger than most A-ranks. She’ll be a bit clumsy due to lack of field experience, though.”

I said this while patting Gu Yeonhwa’s head. She rubbed her head against my hand subtly, like a cat enjoying being petted.

Mitchell’s eyes narrowed slightly at this natural skinship, but she didn’t say anything in particular.

“Since you’re so confident… I’ll believe you.”

“If big brother says so, it’s trustworthy. Don’t worry!”

“…Is that so?”

Just as the conversation lulled, the food we had ordered began to arrive. Yeonhwa’s eyes sparkled as the dishes were set on the table one by one.

“Wooow…!”

“Let’s continue our conversation while eating.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s eat!”

Mitchell quietly smiled as she watched Gu Yeonhwa pick up her knife and fork before anyone else.

* * *

Mitchell and Gu Yeonhwa got along surprisingly well.

Whether due to guilt or not, Mitchell occasionally showed awkwardness, but it meant nothing in front of Gu Yeonhwa’s overwhelming positive energy.

Since the atmosphere between the two was good without my intervention, I quietly focused on eating.

Just as the peaceful dining atmosphere was flowing, Gu Yeonhwa tugged at my arm.

“What?”

“Big brother, you’re just eating quietly. You should talk with mom too so you can become closer!”

“…I don’t think that’s necessary.”

While there’s nothing wrong with getting close to a parent, there was no reason to become overly friendly.

Since the atmosphere wasn’t bad, it was better for me to create an environment where they could talk peacefully rather than taking the initiative.

“Really? Hmm. I’d like it if you and mom became closer.”

“Why?”

“Then I could get more opportunities to eat with the people I like, like this.”

“That’s—”

“Oh, could you pass me that pasta over there?”

“…”

So the pasta is more important than my answer?

With a wry smile, I placed the plate of pasta in front of her. She immediately twirled her fork to wrap the pasta noodles. As I watched her open her mouth wide to eat heartily, I said:

“…She says so. What do you think?”

“If that’s what Yeonhwa wants, then…”

Has she decided to go along with it completely?

I also think there’s nothing wrong with getting closer if Mitchell doesn’t mind.

“…It’s not like I dislike the instructor.”

“Oh. That’s right. I have that charm that makes people not hate me.”

“That’s not it.”

Mitchell firmly cut off the joke I had thoughtlessly made. Somehow, I felt like I’d been rejected without even confessing.

“…I’m going to the bathroom for a moment!”

Gu Yeonhwa stood up and announced while Mitchell and I were talking.

“You could say that more quietly…”

Mitchell muttered with a sigh at Gu Yeonhwa’s childish announcement. Yeonhwa smiled broadly as she headed to the bathroom.

“Isn’t Yeonhwa cute?”

“…What did you say?”

Her gaze changed in an instant. It was so sharp it seemed like it could shoot laser beams.

“No, I don’t mean anything by it… I’m just asking if she’s cute.”

“She is cute. She’s my daughter.”

“I see.”

I chuckled and cut a piece of steak to put in my mouth. I chewed a few times while looking at Mitchell, as if letting it marinate. After slowly swallowing the meat, I opened my mouth.

“So what caused this change of heart? I’m curious why someone who pushed her away so firmly on her birthday suddenly started calling Yeonhwa and suggested having a meal together.”

At my question, Mitchell glanced toward the bathroom. Was she about to say something that might be uncomfortable for Yeonhwa to hear?

“…I just wanted to confirm once more.”

“Confirm?”

“Whether you’re someone who should be by Yeonhwa’s side.”

“Is that so?”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t been particularly polite to Mitchell on several occasions. Someone who treats a parental figure rudely wouldn’t have a good image.

She might have thought that regardless of my skills as an instructor, there could be issues with my character.

“So… am I someone who can be by Yeonhwa’s side?”

“Yes.”

An answer without even a moment’s hesitation.

I found Mitchell’s response unexpected.

Maybe for Gu Yeonhwa, but not for Mitchell.

I hadn’t shown any behavior that would earn her trust.

“Actually, even if I had said you shouldn’t be by Yeonhwa’s side, it wouldn’t have meant anything. Yeonhwa would have approached you anyway.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. When we talk on the phone, Yeonhwa only talks about you. She says things like ‘The instructor made me laugh,’ ‘The instructor is always passionate,’ ‘If no one else, I can trust the instructor.’ When I hear her talk, she sounds like a child completely in love.”

Love…

I had the rational suspicion that this was because Gu Yeonhwa’s circle of relationships was too narrow, but I quietly listened.

“So I wanted to meet and talk again. To see if you’re someone I can trust with Yeonhwa.”

“I see.”

“As you know, she’s a child who smiles in front of others but cries behind their backs, right?”

I know that well.

Even if people openly insult her, she doesn’t even refute. She always pretends not to be hurt, pretends not to know, and suffers in silence. That’s the kind of person Gu Yeonhwa is. But…

“She must have cried a lot because of me.”

Mitchell bit her lower lip as she spoke self-deprecatingly.

“I don’t even deserve to ask Yeonhwa for forgiveness. Of course, I intend to fulfill my duties as a parent, but… I hope you can guide Yeonhwa well so she doesn’t break down. I’m asking you this, despite my shamelessness.”

Mitchell bowed her head as she spoke.

Maybe I should just agree here.

No way. This isn’t what’s truly best for Gu Yeonhwa.

“…Ms. Mitchell.”

I called her softly. Mitchell slowly raised her head. Her blue eyes wavered, reflecting her emotional fluctuations.

“Yeonhwa is the type of child who thinks it’s enough just to have a good relationship with her mother.”

In other words:

“Yeonhwa is ready to forgive you… no, she’s probably already forgiven you. That’s the kind of person she is. So rather than apologizing to seek forgiveness, just give her a hug. That should be enough.”

Gu Yeonhwa only turned to darkness when Mitchell died. That’s how irreplaceable her mother was to her.

If she had truly hated her, she might have been angry, but it wouldn’t have led to the worst-case scenario of becoming a villain.

“…It seems you know Yeonhwa better than I do, Instructor. Even though you’ve only known her for about ten months.”

“That’s right. How can you know so little about your daughter?”

She gave a hollow laugh, but her expression seemed more relaxed.

Shortly after, Gu Yeonhwa returned from the bathroom.

“Huh?! What’s with this atmosphere? It’s too gloomy!! I guess you really can’t do without me!”

Gu Yeonhwa shouted, sensing the strange atmosphere between Mitchell and me, and we looked at each other and burst into laughter almost simultaneously.