Ch.3434. Memories of a Loser

Kang Yerin sat curled up on her bed in her private room, hugging a pillow.

‘Those bitches who know better dare to insult Somi?’

She kept replaying the conversation she had with him that day over and over.

The more she thought about it, the more painful it became, but she couldn’t avoid it.

She had to take responsibility.

The current situation was the result of her accumulated actions.

When the Association President, Shin Yukyong, and Ji Se-hwa classified Jung Ui-seok as a dangerous person, she had stood by and done nothing.

Even when they returned after defeating the Dark Kingdom, she didn’t defend his honor because she feared the consequences from her father.

So she had locked herself in the training room, trying to at least uphold his teachings.

When the Galaxy Empire appeared, she chose to strengthen their forces by sacrificing his honor and the truth, thinking she was carrying on his will.

That’s why she couldn’t turn against the Association President, Ji Se-hwa, Shin Yukyong, and Choi Minseo, no matter how much she hated them. If she split from them, there would be no way to defeat the Galaxy Empire.

In the end, it was the worst choice.

Jung Ui-seok was alive.

If she had known this would happen, she should have fought against them from the beginning. She should have protected his honor and revealed the truth to the world.

If she had done that, would he have accepted her apology?

“…Just excuses.”

In the end, she had always chosen the easy path for herself, and now what?

She felt nauseated by her own disgust. Angry at her own stupidity.

He had said he didn’t need her apology, that they should never see each other again.

Whenever she recalled those words, it felt like her heart turned into a black hole, crushing her body.

Her nails dug into her palms, and her muscles tensed, pressing against her bone marrow.

“Of course he would feel that way.”

She felt pathetic for immediately thinking about apologizing the moment she saw his face.

What meaning could an apology have when there was no one willing to accept it?

“In the end, I never understood him at all.”

She wasn’t the right vessel.

Kang Yerin confirmed it once again.

She knew well that there had been someone who perfectly matched Jung Ui-seok.

She was a good person.

As she recalled memories of her, she realized.

“I see. All this time I thought Ui-seok led the Dragon King Sentai, but…”

What Ji Se-hwa and Shin Yukyong said wasn’t entirely wrong.

During the process of defeating the Dark Kingdom, Jung Ui-seok often pushed himself too hard.

It was Han Somi who regulated his pace and took care of everyone.

Jung Ui-seok led from the front, and Han Somi supported from the rear.

That’s how the Dragon King Sentai had operated.

The year-long battle against the Dark Kingdom.

Han Somi’s death came in the ninth month.

When the person leading from the front pushed harder, but the one supporting from behind was gone, it was natural that others would fall.

It was easy to see in hindsight.

“…Come to think of it, from the beginning.”

Jung Ui-seok, Ji Se-hwa, Shin Yukyong, Choi Minseo, and herself.

They had all grown as heroes.

But Han Somi…

She had been a complete hero from the start.

◈ ◈ ◈

Her first impression was of someone as beautiful as a work of art.

After her home was attacked and Jung Ui-seok helped her, Han Somi and Jung Ui-seok came together to her mother’s funeral.

At that time, Kang Yerin didn’t know them yet, so she thought they were guests of her father.

The two of them helped with the funeral as if it were their own family matter, and stayed until the final farewell.

After burying the urn containing her mother’s ashes in the family tomb, she walked alone up the mountain to a cliff and gazed into the distance.

Her family consisted of only three people.

Her relatives were nothing but hyenas trying to cling to power, and her authoritarian father rarely spoke with her.

In reality, Kang Yerin’s world had been just her mother.

When she was trying to lock away that reality and transform herself into a robot incapable of feeling emotions…

“You’ve been through a lot.”

Whispering in a gentle voice, Han Somi embraced Kang Yerin softly.

It was then that she burst into tears for the first time. Han Somi received those tears with her whole body for a girl she didn’t even know.

Dragon Arrow, Jung Ui-seok.

Rainbow Shooter, Han Somi.

Kang Yerin couldn’t help but be bewildered by the proposal from these two S-class heroes whom she met at a café a few days later.

What was this sudden talk about her, who was attending a regular university rather than a hero academy?

“You’re aware of your ability, right? The time dragon dwells within you. You have the talent to reach S-class hero in just a year. What do you think?”

Jung Ui-seok, who had not yet received the honorable hero name Red Dragon with a color in it, was still called Dragon Arrow.

Jung Ui-seok excitedly began explaining various things to Kang Yerin. Han Somi gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Ui-seok always skips too many details. Yerin, you haven’t finished sorting out your feelings yet, have you? Please take your time considering our offer. But it’s true that having you would be a great help for world peace.”

Han Somi smiled brightly.

Kang Yerin thought she had a beautiful smile.

Of course, the sorrow in her heart had not yet completely faded.

But she didn’t want to remain stagnant.

Her mother had always told her:

If there was an opportunity to help people with her abilities, don’t hesitate.

“…Why do you need me?”

“We’re going to become an S-Sentai!”

Jung Ui-seok declared without a moment’s hesitation.

“S-Sentai? Isn’t that a title only one team in the world can have?”

“That’s why we need to claim it! You, me, Somi, Se-hwa… hmm, two more would be nice!”

Jung Ui-seok smiled, showing his teeth. That smile wasn’t based on bluff or excessive ambition.

He wasn’t just saying they would aim for it; he was asserting they would achieve it.

“…Alright.”

Kang Yerin accepted their offer.

The path of a hero was never easy.

Training after training, and after defeating villains, more training awaited.

Above all, getting along with teammates was difficult. Kang Yerin was originally awkward with interpersonal relationships, but these members in particular all did their own thing.

Ji Se-hwa had a personality that made it hard to see her as a hero.

Choi Minseo, who joined soon after, was always so quiet that it was impossible to know what she was thinking.

Shin Yukyong, who joined much later, seemed like a robot at first.

What held the Dragon King Sentai together was…

“Yerin, good work today. Your muscles must be sore lately, right? If you apply this, it will help a lot.”

“Here’s your birthday present, Yerin. You like strawberry cake, don’t you? How did I know? You mentioned it when we had dinner together last winter.”

“Both of you, stop right there. Se-hwa, Yerin, you both have misunderstandings. There are definitely things you both need to apologize for. Now, come here and shake hands first. Feels warm, doesn’t it? Of course it does, because you’re both heroes with burning justice in your hearts.”

—Han Somi.

She was the mother of the Dragon King Sentai and the role model for all heroes.

◈ ◈ ◈

“…Ui-seok shared love with such a perfect person.”

Kang Yerin knew it too.

She just didn’t want to acknowledge it.

Talent as a hero, effort, strength.

Character as a human being, wisdom, heart.

Not in a single aspect could she surpass Han Somi.

Not in the past.

Not now.

So the reality of being hated by Jung Ui-seok now was only natural.

“I understand, I know. I’m the pathetic one.”

But still, even so.

“I still want him.”

Desire doesn’t disappear.

It burns even stronger.

The fact that he’s alive makes her heart race again.

Her brain, which she had cooled down to defeat the Galaxy Empire, was now tinged pink.

“…What should I do?”

She tries to piece together clues. What does Jung Ui-seok want? She constructs logic from his actions and words.

The negotiation with the Emperor. What did they negotiate? Afterward, she confirmed that a ship from the Galaxy Empire’s vessel headed toward Earth. He returned safely. That means the negotiation was successful.

Why did he only call for Choi Minseo? Considering the situation, there’s no reason to forgive only her.

He said he had comrades. He said he had chosen them. He needed more people besides the doctor who saved him.

…Just a little. If she thought a little more, she felt she might figure something out.

“…Ugh.”

Kang Yerin realized her body had heated up while thinking about Jung Ui-seok. Her brain was so hot that she couldn’t think properly.

“…Haa, haa.”

Without realizing it, she ran her fingers between her thighs.

When had it started?

Probably since she learned that Jung Ui-seok was dating Han Somi.

Since then, it had become a habit—a pleasure permitted only to losers.

“…Hic, hnngh.”

Kang Yerin sobbed with self-loathing and sadness as she surrendered her reason to instinct.

◈ ◈ ◈

“You’re weak.”

With her pink hair fluttering, she said these rather rude words to me despite it being our first meeting.

“Weak? I became an S-class hero in just three months. Look here. I cleanly took down an S-class villain. How am I weak?”

S-class hero Rainbow Shooter chuckled, then approached me and poked my chest with her index finger.

“This part is weak. If you rush so hastily, you’ll trip over your own feet.”

“How strong are you to say that?”

I used the dragon’s eye to observe her.

[Rainbow Shooter / Han Somi]

[Occupation: Hero]

[Rank: S]

[Ability: Rainbow Snake Yulong Lv.10]

[Affiliation: Seoul Hero Association]

[Alignment: Lawful-Good]

[Talent: Hero of Light (SSS)]

[ Perfect Wife and Mother (SSS)]

[For justice, she will never fall]

“You’re pretty strong.”

“I don’t know what you just did, but it feels like someone peeked at me secretly. Would you ask for permission next time?”

“Haha, alright.”

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. Then I immediately made her an offer.

“I’m looking for members to form an S-Sentai. Join my team, Han Somi.”

“Okay.”

“This might be sudden, but if you join my team… Huh? Okay?”

“Yes. I saw justice in your eyes.”

Somi answered me without a hint of doubt.

That’s how we became comrades.

◈ ◈ ◈

—I must have dozed off and dreamed about the past.

“Geo, come out quickly! The broadcast is about to start!”

Lu-a opened my door, shouted excitedly, and ran off. I got up from my chair and left the room.

I headed to the large hall beyond the residential area. All my subordinates were already there. The atmosphere was festive.

Today is December 31st.

The final day of the year.