episode_0016

Episode 15: Became an FFF-Class Shuttle.

Do you know when people’s emotions twist the most?

It’s during love and melancholy.

Though they seem like extremes, upon closer inspection, they had something in common.

The distortion of emotions and psyche.

Unless one’s mind is extremely twisted,

Different thoughts arise from those emotions.

Kim Hyung-min was no exception.

His first love liking another guy?

Where else could there be something as sad as this?

Unrequited love left his heart in turmoil.

Especially in a situation where he mistakenly thought he held the upper hand.

Therefore,

As lunchtime approached,

Kim Hyung-min called Han Se-in.

Jung Ah-young told her to take a break.

He began the most crucial task.

If he can’t have Kang Hyeon-a,

Why not ruin her love for him?

Kim Hyung-min put on a narcissistic smile.

Am I a genius after all?

Just do what I always do, in the way I always do it.

It was simpler than he thought.

If Kang Hyeon-a torments Han Se-in,

Wouldn’t he stop liking her?

Although Kim Hyung-min had never experienced torment,

He knew he disliked those who harmed him.

A simple fact.

The corner of Kim Hyung-min’s mouth curved up.

“Something good happened?”

“Yeah.”

Nonchalantly, Kang Hyeon-a brought Han Se-in along.

She was beautiful and cool as ever today.

“Hello, Se-in.”

“Hi.”

“Let’s hang out more often starting today, okay?”

“…Sure.”

Se-in looked at him as if she didn’t like him.

But Kim Hyung-min wasn’t bothered by such a look.

He had grander and brighter plans.

Could this level of rebellion be seen as mere cuteness?

“Hey, Hyeon-a, feeling thirsty?”

“A bit?”

This was also a keyword.

A kind of hint or code.

Having observed him for a long time, Kang Hyeon-a understood his words.

However, before she could respond,

Kim Hyung-min’s voice came quicker.

It was more about change than reprimand.

Kim Hyung-min, who used to watch from the shadows and enjoy,

Was now stepping onto the field and starting to move.

Slowly.

Very slowly, he would ruin her.

With his own hands, with his own words.

“Se-in~”

“…Yes.”

The voice was mischievous.

Seemingly lively yet trying to appear innocent.

It mixed an irresistible request within its fluctuating tone.

“Can you get some bread and drinks?”

“….”

Silence.

Kang Hyeon-a’s heart started beating faster.

If she resisted? If she confronted him here, face to face, challenging him with all her might?

She had to strike.

He didn’t have a hobby of hitting men, but he had to.

To bring down, to torment.

He had to make the person he liked suffer.

Not playful teasing, but violence without boundaries.

An anxious unease rose from deep within Kang Hyeon-a.

“No money… but I’ll buy if you give me.”

“Mm…”

Thankfully,

Kang Hyeon-a breathed out the breath she was holding.

Truly fortunate that Han Se-in wasn’t foolish.

That she wasn’t a fool crashing into unavoidable situations.

“Alright. Here.”

“Thanks.”

“3 minutes.”

“…?”

“Can you go in there and come back? I’m really hungry.”

Once again, anxiety rose, but the situation didn’t become irreparable.

Kang Hyeon-a’s lips closed slightly.

“Yeah.”

A casual response.

But her eyes shone vividly.

Even if she suffered torment and was engulfed in anxiety.

His eyes retained that light.

Thump, thump.

Kang Hyun’s heart began to beat faster and faster.

His feelings for her started to grow.

***

“Jarvis, give me directions.”

[My name is not Jarvis.]

“Just trying it out, man.”

[…….]

Lunch break itself was leisurely.

About 30 minutes?

But 3 minutes, seriously?

Feels like going crazy.

“Haa, haa…”

Heartache.

The pounding sensation felt off.

Wouldn’t a normal body be fine?

A 5-minute walk to the store.

Assuming no people around, running would have been enough time.

The problem is my lack of strength.

Did I run for a minute? 30 seconds? Can’t tell.

Just know it’s hard and feels like dying.

“Huuk, ha, heuut. Huaak, haa…”

Am I really dying?

Unintentionally stopping, my vision blurred.

Dizzy, lightheaded, hard to control my body properly.

“Haa, ah…”

Then.

A soft touch from the side.

Despite rough breathing, as I slowly lifted my head, I could discern the identity of the approaching woman.

“Huaak, haa, Kang Hyun…?”

“Just ran for a bit?”

“Uh, ugh, huh. Umm… My, my body… weak…”

“……”

The woman supporting me.

Kang Hyun, possessing an important soul.

***

There’s something moving about Kang Hyun’s situation.

Assisting someone for over ten years isn’t easy.

Requires exceptional brains, sense, and a wide tolerance for nonsense.

In that sense.

Kang Hyun, now an academy student, seemed to have unleashed his potential.

She too was human.

Driven by emotions.

Though soon in a position where she had to trouble him.

Ignoring the worries felt inside was impossible.

In fact, more than worry, it was a desire to stick closer to Han Se-in.

Deceiving oneself?

It was rationalization in different words.

So.

Kang Hyun spoke earnestly.

“Where to?”

“I want to go too.”

“I ordered it, didn’t I? Why?”

Cold voice.

Even a martial artist couldn’t win at home against this man.

Kim Hyung-min’s eyes chilled, uncomfortable spirit evident in his protruding lips.

Must handle this well here.

Between desire and situation, Kang Hyun moved.

Body preparing to head to the store.

Mouth striving to ease Kim Hyung-min’s mind.

“You like cheese bread. He’s getting that for you, right?”

“……”

A twitch.

Must endure this tiredness.

Even if not cursing internally.

It was uncomfortable and difficult.

“How about that and a picnic?”

“Um…”

“I’ll get them separately. Just wait a bit.”

“Got it.”

A brief misunderstanding.

Isn’t a friend who fought intensely and reconciled more tightly knit than just a friendly one?

Hence, Kim Hyung-min’s expression melted significantly.

A situation where Kang Hyun harbored feelings.

Even small kindness stirs the heart.

That’s human nature.

Anyway.

Mission successful.

Seemed excessive, but Kang Hyun knew his place well.

Right after Han Se-in left.

As I descended the stairs, Han Se-in’s back quickly came into view.

His running seemed awkward yet precarious.

The expressions of surrounding female students displeased him.

Whispering and giggling, my friend and I pass by even the scandalous tales.

Kang Hyun’s demeanor grew uncomfortable.

In that moment…

“…!”

Kang Hyun bolted from his spot.

His body sprinted at a rapid pace.

Wide strides and agile legs quickly closed the distance.

As the running slowed down,

an unsteady gait became apparent.

Han Se-in’s precarious body was on the verge of collapse.

Clinging tightly to his side,

it felt like rescuing someone precious.

Rather than focusing on supporting and touching his body, priority lay in checking his condition.

Worry colored Kang Hyun’s gaze,

and Han Se-in slowly lifting his head was undeniably provocative.

Sweat trickled down despite the short run.

Ragged breathing filled the air,

trembling eyes, flushed cheeks.

As if proving the awkward and uneasy relationship,

Han Se-in’s bewildered voice rang out.

“Hah, haa, K-Kang Hyun…?”

He held back fleeting words in his mouth.

However, censorship was necessary.

Currently, Kang Hyun and Han Se-in had no relation whatsoever.

It was merely their individual emotions.

Sorting through a myriad of emotions welling up inside, he restrained himself.

“Are you making a big deal out of a short run?”

“Uh, ugh, huff. My, my body is a bit… weak…”

“….”

Even if he didn’t want to think about it,

Kim Hyung-min naturally came to mind.

Mentally deteriorated despite being physically fine,

a typical villain who acted on twisted desires to seek attention.

And then,

to escape the given situation,

he witnessed a brilliant man striving his best to break free.

With a frail body like this,

did he really encircle his partner without fear?

In such a way,

just a slight push could make him collapse,

his tottering body as if ready to fall with just a short run.

Did he push forward with his thoughts?

A pang of emotion struck Kang Hyun’s heart.

Could this be maternal love?

Women must support their families with a sense of responsibility.

Every woman born in South Korea received such education,

and Kang Hyun had also lived with that mindset.

And with that sentiment,

upon seeing Han Se-in, she naturally began to make resolutions.

She wanted to protect him,

make him hers,

keep him by her side for life,

and turn Han Se-in into Kang Se-in.

She wanted to protect the radiant person as they shone.

A wish blossomed in Kang Hyun’s heart.

And then,

crisis struck.

“Hah, ha. Haa… dizzy… Just a little. Sorry. Just a bit…”

Supporting Han Se-in as if embracing him, Kang Hyun held him up.

Their bodies pressed closely together.

The hand around her waist was a maneuver to prevent collapse.

Warm, rough breaths lingered in Kang Hyun’s embrace.

The fragile bird, almost breaking with a small force,

began to lean against the wolf’s chest to rest.

“Huuh, huu, haa…”

How the wolf felt about this,

no one knew.