Ch.222Episode 42. The Righteousness of Education (1)

From all around, I could hear the sounds of families chatting and taking photos. The noise came from people who were enjoying the graduation atmosphere with bright smiles.

However, Yu Ari and Yeon Muhui, who were graduating today just like everyone else, couldn’t smile.

Both of them were gazing wistfully at the other students who were laughing and taking pictures with their families.

“Why do you both look so gloomy?”

“Ah… Oppa.”

“Yujin.”

The two turned their heads to look at me, finally managing to smile. I pointed over my shoulder with my thumb and said:

“Your juniors came to give you flowers. Don’t you think they’ll feel disappointed if you receive them with such expressions?”

“Congratulations on your graduation, seniors!”

“You worked hard! Congratulations.”

“Congratulations.”

Led by Gu Yeonhwa, Jeong Iyeon and Bin Yun handed flowers to the two. Though they accepted somewhat awkwardly, their expressions were better than before.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever envied being born a year earlier!”

“When you’re around 30, you’ll think being younger is better.”

“I feel like I’m aging ten years with the instructor’s brutal physical training, you know?”

“You’ll be grateful for it later.”

“I’m grateful now too! But I can’t help feeling envious that you no longer have to endure the same hellish training every day!”

They seem to think heroes don’t have to train anymore.

It’ll actually get more intense. Everyone will be fiercely competing for achievements and work.

In this industry, laziness was poison. Well, I suppose laziness is poison in any field.

“That’s right. You still have another year of it ahead of you.”

“Hieek!”

I grabbed Gu Yeonhwa’s head as I spoke. She shook her head vigorously, trying to escape my grasp. Soon she broke free and hid behind Jeong Iyeon.

I chuckled and looked at Yeon Muhui.

“By the way, Muhui, your mother and grandmother are here. Are you going to keep standing there like that?”

“Huh?”

Following the second-years, Jin Subin and the elderly woman approached Yeon Muhui. The elderly woman held her hand firmly and said:

“You’ve grown up well, my child.”

Muhui accepted as the elderly woman embraced her. She patted the elderly woman’s back while looking at Jin Subin.

“I told you that you didn’t have to come…”

“How could I not come on a day like this?”

Though Jin Subin spoke calmly, her words carried many implications. Knowing this, Muhui didn’t say much to her mother.

“…Did Yujin invite you?”

“That’s right. Today is a special day.”

It was a day when she could cut off the past that was still holding her ankle.

“…Yeah.”

Though she forced a smile, anxiety still seemed to linger.

Naturally, Yeon Hwa-ryong was still ranked 3rd. In terms of rank, only Ha Yuri and I were stronger than him in South Korea.

But today, Muhui would defeat Yeon Hwa-ryong. Rank was just an indicator; there was no guarantee it would be the same in actual combat.

I had done everything I could for her.

What remained was how well Muhui could control the variables against Yeon Hwa-ryong.

“Instructor.”

“Yes?”

Jin Subin suddenly called out to me.

“I feel like I’m always indebted to you.”

“Not at all.”

“If it weren’t for you, our family would still be avoiding each other. Thank you so much for giving me another chance to face Muhui.”

Jin Subin bowed deeply to me. All I could offer her in return were utterly commonplace words.

“…I only did what was proper as an instructor.”

Jin Subin looked at me and smiled gently. It was a very natural and warm smile.

“Oppa.”

“Yes?”

“Hug me. You’re my family, so it’s okay, right?”

Yu Ari, who had somehow appeared beside me, made an absurd request.

While I did want to become family with all the special class members including Yu Ari, physical contact in such a public place wasn’t the best choice.

“Everyone will just think it’s a hug between teacher and student, right?”

“You think so?”

“Yes.”

How should I put it? She was quite cunning.

While I could handle the others, I always seemed to lose my pace when dealing with Yu Ari.

“…You did well.”

I hugged Yu Ari and patted her back.

If I could comfort her loneliness from not having a family, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

“Yes. You worked hard too, raising such an inadequate student.”

She also patted my back as she spoke.

“Inadequate? You’re so pretty and diligent.”

“If you say that now, I might not let go?”

“That would be troublesome…”

“Hehe. I’m just kidding.”

Yu Ari released me obediently and smiled brightly like a child. I grinned and stroked her hair.

Yes. This was the smile I wanted to see.

I felt a sense of fulfillment, realizing that everything I had done since my possession until now hadn’t been wrong.

“Alright. Let’s take pictures now.”

I took out the camera I had bought to take Gu Yeonhwa’s cosplay photos.

“Yay!”

Gu Yeonhwa and Jeong Iyeon excitedly snatched the camera from me.

They took photos at their own pace, constantly making V-signs with their fingers and smiling so widely they were almost showing their gums.

“Oppa, come here too!”

They grabbed my hand and pulled me in, taking photos with me in the frame. I couldn’t help but smile at the comfort that was different from taking cosplay photos.

“Switch! I can’t forgive only the senior taking pictures with Oppa.”

“Hmph. Oppa is mine.”

“He’s public property!”

“He’s not public property!”

I found myself objecting without even thinking.

After taking countless photos to the point where we couldn’t think of any more poses:

“Let’s all take one last picture together!”

For the final photo, they placed me in the center and we finished the shoot. I couldn’t help but smile at the picture of everyone happy and smiling.

This was the happy ending I wanted.

Not the special class students becoming villains and living in endless pain and desolation.

“I’ll send you the family photos later.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Should I send the group photo in a group message?”

“Sure.”

Just as I was about to turn on my phone, hoping everything would end in this good atmosphere:

“Still carrying on like this, I see.”

At the familiar baritone voice, all our gazes turned in one direction.

There stood a man with the same black hair and red eyes as Yeon Muhui, walking toward us. He’s already here…

“Who is that…?”

“That’s Yeon Hwa-ryong. Hero Rank 3.”

“What’s Yeon Hwa-ryong doing here?”

“Is he perhaps here for a revenge match against Instructor Yujin, the Rank 1?”

The already noisy surroundings became even more chaotic with Yeon Hwa-ryong’s appearance. I sighed and placed my hand on my waist.

I had invited him, but this was the first time I’d met someone who could disrupt the mood just by showing up.

“Hwa-ryong…”

Both Jin Subin and the elderly woman looked flustered. I thought it would be fine since I had already talked to them, but they seemed confused when actually facing him.

But even if they felt resistance, this was something they needed to face at some point. For them to escape their past.

“How dare you be here!”

“Please don’t be too angry, mother-in-law.”

“Don’t call me mother-in-law…!”

“As you wish.”

Yeon Hwa-ryong shrugged nonchalantly. The elderly woman gritted her teeth at his casual attitude and tried to approach him.

“You bastard…!”

I subtly blocked the elderly woman and stood in front of Yeon Hwa-ryong.

“Please calm down, ma’am. The children are watching.”

“!”

At my words, the elderly woman flinched and looked around.

The expressions of the special class students, who had been cheerful until just now, had hardened at the tense atmosphere.

Jin Subin couldn’t face Yeon Hwa-ryong and was clutching her arm tightly. She still seemed afraid of him.

“Is that man a bad uncle?”

“Yeonhwa, shh!”

“He looks like Senior Muhui’s father.”

“Ah.”

Hearing the second-years’ conversation, I eased my tension and looked at Yeon Hwa-ryong. He seemed displeased with my gaze and spoke irritably:

“I’m a busy man. If you’re going to have this pathetic match, let’s get it over with quickly.”

Pathetic match…

Someone had staked their life on this match.

She had trained desperately, overcoming her trauma without giving up. She endured everything through painful days, believing that someday there would be a day to smile.

Annoyed at his dismissal of that determination, I showed my irritation openly.

“I believe I called you around 11 o’clock. How is it that such a busy person arrived so early?”

“…You’re still the same. That annoying way of speaking.”

“As if you’re any better, Mr. Yeon Hwa-ryong.”

The energy between Yeon Hwa-ryong and me collided.

The flow of killing intent spread around, giving pressure to the people nearby.

“I’ve been wanting to crush your arrogant self since two years ago.”

“Is that so? I didn’t know we thought alike. I’ve wanted to beat you too, but I held back because you’re a parent. Haven’t you considered that?”

“Ha! Then I’ll face you after the match with my daughter.”

“Pfft.”

I covered my mouth and laughed. Deliberately.

Yeon Hwa-ryong’s eye twitched. It was obvious that he was displeased.

“What’s so funny?”

“I wonder if you’ll have the leisure for that.”

“What…?”

“Muhui is strong. Stronger than you.”

“You seem proud because you trained her yourself, but that stupid daughter will never defeat me.”

Yeon Hwa-ryong’s finger pointed at Muhui. She flinched at being singled out, but after meeting my eyes, she took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Walking with dignity, Muhui stood in front of Yeon Hwa-ryong.

“…That remains to be seen.”

“You talk too much. It’s pathetic how you’re risking your life for a match with an obvious outcome.”

“Risking my life… Fine. I’ll do it with the resolve to kill. Because I’m prepared to kill you too.”

My lips curled up at Muhui’s determination.

Yes, this level of resolve was just right.

Without this level of determination, she couldn’t defeat Yeon Hwa-ryong. The constraint of not killing the opponent would create hesitation, and that hesitation would lead to fatal mistakes.

“…Not even funny. I’ll go to the arena first. Finish your childish games and come quickly.”

Yeon Hwa-ryong said as he turned and walked away.

I stared at his back for a long time before turning to Muhui. Her shoulders were trembling.

She seemed nervous now that she was actually going to face Yeon Hwa-ryong.

I gently took Muhui’s hand. I interlocked our fingers and squeezed.

“You can do it.”

Muhui looked at the hand I was holding and nodded.

“…I know. This is something I have to do.”

I felt like I didn’t need to push her back anymore.

Looking at her unwavering eyes, it seemed she could move forward on her own now.

“Let’s go. To settle this.”

“Yes.”