Ch.203Side Story 3

Recently, Hana Kang had been in a very bad mood.

Was it because clan work was busy? Well, clan work was always busy.

Was something bad happening at the academy? No. The academy was actually good.

Then was there some discord with her teammates? Hmm. That’s close. The team was indeed the problem.

“Arbiter, good work today!”

“What work? I didn’t do anything. Soohyun, you did everything.”

“Ah! Come on!! Couldn’t you finish without getting hurt?!”

“I’m sorry, Senior Dasom. But when fighting, it’s inevitable…”

“How long are you going to make me worry! Take it easy!”

“…”

Today especially, that phrase came to mind more desperately than ever.

Single’s paradise, couple’s hell. Split one couple and you get two singles.

‘…Ah. If we split the Arbiter, would we get three instead of two?’

It wasn’t always like this. She had actually been supportive at first.

Soohyun Kim and Dasom Yoo were like younger siblings to her.

How could she not be happy seeing them meet good people and be happy?

And their partners, Seojin Baek and Hyunwoo Lee, though peculiar, were good people.

Plus, one was S-rank and the other was the most promising among the A-ranks.

They were definitely worthy of top scores not just as romantic partners but as ability users too.

The only problem was that she was the only single person on the team.

And excessive lovey-dovey behavior caused more damage to bystanders than one could imagine.

Well, Hyunwoo and Dasom weren’t exactly the lovey-dovey type, but still.

“Ugh.”

Hana Kang flopped down at her desk, burying her face in her arms.

Watching his daughter, Inbeom Kang burst out laughing.

“Was it rough again today?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s why I keep telling you to go out and get a boyfriend.”

“You used to act like it would be the end of the world if I got a boyfriend.”

“Back then, you still had a lot to do. Not anymore.”

I still have a lot to do, what are you talking about?

As Hana muttered this with her face still buried, Inbeom clicked his tongue.

“You’re in the upper ranks at the Superpower Academy, doing well with clan work, and there’s no problem with your team. Though you’re busy physically, you’re not mentally overwhelmed. This is exactly when you should try dating.”

“Anyone listening would think I’m not dating because I don’t want to.”

Even if she wanted to date, she needed a partner.

She couldn’t just declare “I’m dating now!” and do it alone.

“Aren’t there any good prospects at the Superpower Academy?”

“Well… it’s not that there aren’t any, but the students there are quite different from those at my previous academy.”

“Different how?”

“How should I put it? Everyone is incomparably more competitive? If the previous academy felt like a university, this one feels like… a mix between graduate school and a company?”

Hearing Hana’s words, Inbeom sighed as if he understood immediately.

He already knew some of this, so it was easy for him to understand.

Unlike domestic academies where a stable life as an ability user was guaranteed after graduation,

The Superpower Academy wasn’t just about getting in or graduating.

Those who entered were representatives of their respective countries, like national athletes.

Therefore, they would do anything to uphold their country’s prestige.

Whether by showing overwhelming skills or achieving unmatched results.

Naturally, competition became fiercer than ever.

‘It’s so bad that I sometimes wonder if I made a mistake going there.’

Because of this, not only dating but even making friends of the opposite sex was nearly impossible.

Everyone was so focused on their own work—who would have time for dating?

“Still, Hana, youth is inevitable.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone ends up doing it eventually. Just wait and see. One day you’ll come to your dad saying you have a boyfriend.”

Hana was about to say it was impossible, ridiculous.

But seeing how Dasom Yoo, who like herself hadn’t cared much about dating,

And Soohyun Kim, who seemed impossible to pair with anyone,

Had both transformed completely, perhaps it wasn’t so impossible after all.

*

“Come on! Can’t we take a break and do something else today?!”

“You know the situation, why are you being like this? The training evaluation is tomorrow.”

Even so! What kind of person brings someone to the training grounds for a date!

Do you know how much I was looking forward to this?! I even put in extra effort today!

Dasom Yoo wished this was some kind of event, that there was something more to it.

But Hyunwoo Lee showed no such signs as he led her to the training grounds.

Then he handed her a wooden sword and told her to grip it properly.

‘This is too much…’

She had come wearing a flowing dress with makeup on her face.

This would be uncomfortable to move in, and if she sweated, it would be the worst.

Just as she was starting to resent Hyunwoo for his complete lack of consideration—

Step—

“Here. Your basic swordsmanship looked fine yesterday, but it would be better if you knew how to swing properly. I’ll help you, so relax your body.”

“Huh? Oh, oh?”

Normally, Hyunwoo would have stood opposite her.

Then he would have taken up his wooden sword and taught her through sparring.

But today was different. He wasn’t in front. He was behind her.

Standing behind her, he reached out and placed his hand over hers on the wooden sword.

Dasom tried to resist, asking what he was doing.

But Hyunwoo easily suppressed her resistance and clicked his tongue.

“You’ll have to bear with the discomfort.”

“W-who said I was uncomfortable!? This is…”

“Facing me and facing monsters are slightly different. Look. You were swinging like this yesterday, but considering your position, you might catch allies in your range. As a Support Class, this situation shouldn’t arise, but I’d like you to understand this precaution.”

The solid, sturdy feeling from behind.

The steady heartbeat and unwavering breath at regular intervals.

And above all, the care he was taking for her sake.

“Hey, hey. Are you…”

“You need to focus. Otherwise, tomorrow might be difficult, Senior Dasom.”

Hyunwoo stubbornly stuck to his instructions regardless of what she said.

That part annoyed her slightly, but Dasom shook her head.

After all, he was doing this solely out of concern for her.

It was a bit frustrating, but following along seemed like the best way to respond to his feelings.

‘And well… this isn’t so bad either.’

A man faithfully guiding her from behind.

The warmth from his hands gently holding hers, and the concern in his heart.

The slight nervousness hoping for good results tomorrow.

These weren’t bad feelings at all. Yes, she liked it.

“Now. Here, you can’t just move your hands. Your legs need to be positioned first to add more power.”

“Mmm. L-like this?”

“Hmm… your leg position is good, but your body is a bit off. Your waist should be…”

As he spoke, Hyunwoo suddenly grabbed Dasom’s waist.

Naturally, this caused Dasom to let out a strange shriek.

“Eek?!”

“Huh? Oh. Did I grab too hard? I’m sorry!”

Startled by her scream, Hyunwoo quickly removed his hands from her waist.

This time, Dasom blushed and got angry.

“Th-that’s not it! I was just surprised! Do it properly!”

“Eh? But… you just screamed…”

“Does that mean you won’t correct my posture?! That’s not right! Do it properly, properly!”

“Ah! Alright! Then first, twist your waist slightly here…”

She knew he rarely even held her hand normally.

He was someone who would barely approach her unless she took the initiative.

But now he was acting like a completely different person.

“Your knee is turned too much. Here, like this.”

“Your shoulder is raised too high. This way, the distribution of power…”

Calves, thighs, arms, shoulders. And decisively, their firmly clasped hands.

Hyunwoo was making physical contact without hesitation, and Dasom was blooming with inner joy.

Yes! My approach was wrong all along! This is how I should have been treating him!

He’s a man obsessed with sparring and training, so I should use that aspect!

I’ll do this from now on. Oh, right! Should I try this method when we go out too?

‘Even a dense guy like him, if my outfit and the mood are a bit suggestive…’

Without realizing it, Dasom burst into laughter.

“Senior? Are you listening to me?”

“Ah! Yes! I’m listening! But I didn’t understand well. Can you help me with the posture again?”

“It’s not difficult. Here. Your waist shouldn’t be straight but slightly bent…”

For Hyunwoo, this was extremely detailed instruction he hadn’t been able to provide before.

And for Dasom, it was a date that wasn’t so bad after all.

Finally…

“Sigh…”

The guy who said he wanted a date dragged her to the training grounds. Come help me! was the

SOS request from Dasom that Hana rushed to answer, only to be rubbed with salt in her wounds.

‘Really… I’m definitely going to get a boyfriend too. And Dasom, you planned this, didn’t you? Right?’

Today especially, Dasom seemed more annoying than ever to Hana.