episode_0021

Early Monday morning.

“It’s cold…”

I’m out earlier than usual, meeting Hwayoung before heading to the academy.

Her expression from yesterday still lingers in my mind.

Why am I being so hard on myself?

I wish she could share some of her worries with me, even just a little.

If it’s because of the incident where she got burned,

She said she was really okay, but is she keeping that to herself?

Lost in these thoughts,

Creak-

“Huh, Gyea? Why are you out so early? It’s chilly.”

As Hwayoung opens the door, her face shows none of the negativity from yesterday, only the bright smile I’m used to seeing.

Usually, she comes out early or waits for me, but today feels different.

Without any prior notice of my presence, she alleviates my curiosity about why she’s out so early.

“Just… wanted to see you.”

“Huh?”

I don’t want to see you make that expression.

I just want to see the sunny expression you always show me.

Don’t be sad. Don’t hate yourself.

For the unwavering trust you give me, I’ll believe in you till the end.

If you’ve given me affection, I’ll reciprocate it.

So,

Don’t cry.

I take Hwayoung’s hand and gently pull her towards me.

Her body moves closer to mine.

“Shall we head out now?”

“Heh, yeah! Let’s go!”

Hwayoung briefly blushes at my assertiveness, then flashes a bright smile.

Yes, keep smiling like that. Don’t cry.

If someone hurts you,

I might not be able to bear it.

—

“Wow, Hankyeol, long time no see! Hwayoung, nice to see you too!”

“What do you mean ‘long time’ just because you didn’t see me over the weekend? Nice to see you.”

“Hello.”

You’ve been diligently keeping your promise to come to school together since last week.

We both tend to arrive early, but you’re surprisingly diligent.

“Diligent? How so! I lead a very disciplined life!”

“Oh, did I say something?”

Hanseoyeong puffs her cheeks in denial.

Quickly calming down, she joins us to chat.

“What did you two do over the weekend? And Hankyeol, I texted you and you didn’t even read it! Rude!”

Oh right.

Hwayoung ignored all the messages I sent her over the weekend.

“Sorry, sorry. I was busy training over the weekend and didn’t check anything.”

Saying that, I turn on my watch and check the messages from Hanseoyeong.

—

(Flying squirrel emoji hugging)

Hankyeol

I’m bored

Let’s hang out

(Raccoon throwing a tantrum emoji)

Hankyeol dummy

(Rabbit saying goodnight emoji)

—

“…There’s nothing important here?”

Just a regular conversation amidst daily life, isn’t it?

I thought there might be something urgent since you messaged me.

“Nothing at all!! I was just bored!!! We could have met up and had fun over the weekend!”

“No training?”

“If people only train all the time, life would be dull. Efficiency increases when you take breaks occasionally!”

Hanseoyeong explains her training style with a pout.

Next to her, Hwayoung chuckles softly.

“Hehe~”

Hwayoung, holding my hand, sways back and forth.

“Today, Hwayoung, you seem particularly energetic.”

“Hehe, yes. Thanks to someone who cherishes me every day.”

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts.

Uh… huh. What’s happening all of a sudden?

Both are smiling, but their smiles seem so different.

It’s like a sudden standoff between a cat and a dog.

“Come on, Hanseoyeong, shall we practice swordsmanship at the academy today?”

“…Sure, that sounds good. Let’s do it together!”

“Yeah. And I mentioned earlier… what was it?”

Slowly moving closer to me, Hanseoyeong’s hand touches mine.

And then, in an instant, she grabbed my hand and intertwined her fingers with mine.

“Holding hands! Since Hwayoung always holds hands with me, I was curious about the feeling. It’s nice because our hands are warm~”

“I’m glad you like it. But can’t you let go of my hand a bit?”

It feels like everyone around us is watching…

I’m not that kind of person. Uh, no, not at all.

Uh oh, Hwayoung, veins are popping on your face. Relax a little.

“Ah~ Hankyeol, do you really dislike holding hands with such a pretty girl?”

“What do you think when you see a guy holding hands with two girls around him?”

Before being labeled as a trashy guy, please let go of my hand.

“Haha, just kidding! I wanted to see your reaction. Isn’t this response fantastic?”

“Sigh…”

Enjoying Hwayoung’s reaction, Hanseyoung let go of my hand.

If I play this joke one more time, Hwayoung and Hanseyoung will end up fighting each other…

To comfort Hwayoung, I gradually increased the pressure in our joined hands, giving her a firm massage.

As a result, the energy flowing from Hwayoung began to soften slowly.

Phew. Today, I saved the world.

Now, let’s head back to the academy.

Hanseyoung, chatting away non-stop beside me, we reached the entrance of the academy.

As we approached the gate, a familiar figure caught my eye.

“Hey! Hankyeol!”

“Senior Kang Hwasu?”

A 3rd-year student leader at the academy. Kang Hwasu.

The person who fainted after getting hit by Hwayoung last time.

I thought he was just a delinquent extra, but he turned out to be quite principled, which surprised me.

“Long time no see! Starting this week, I’m in charge of morning gate duty. Make sure your attire passes inspection!”

“It seems like you really enjoy being part of the student council.”

“Do I look like that? Right. Capturing those unruly guys is my calling, so I always find it enjoyable! Haha!”

Although you seem the most unruly, senior… If I say that, he’ll probably tell me not to be prejudiced.

“We’ll head inside. Stay strong.”

“Oh yeah! You’ve passed the attire check!”

After greeting Hwasu, as I tried to enter, he called me over for a moment.

“Hey, Hankyeol, come here for a sec.”

“What’s up?”

Approaching me, Kang Hwasu whispered something only I could hear.

“There’s a nice spot near the back door of the cafeteria. Go there with your girlfriend, have lunch, and enjoy a little date.”

“Thank you for the information.”

The place behind the cafeteria… Oh, I remember now.

There was a spot I thought had a great view from a quarter-view perspective.

Thanks for jogging my memory!

Seeing my expression, Kang Hwasu grinned mischievously and patted my back firmly.

“Consider this my way of making up for the past. Now go.”

With that, Kang Hwasu refocused on gate duty.

He’s becoming quite likable, indeed.

“Hankyeol, what did you talk about?”

Curious about our conversation, Hanseyoung asked me.

“Um… I got a recommendation for a good spot to hang out.”

“Hehe~ Where is it? I want to go too!”

“You’ll go next time. For now… I’ll tell you later.”

Saying this to Hanseyoung, I exchanged a glance with Hwayoung and smiled gently.

Seeing this, Hwayoung also responded with a smile.

Hanseyoung grumbled at that, Hwayoung sent a victorious smile, and they bickered back and forth, but… I just laughed.

It was enjoyable.

Since the day I enrolled, I’ve become close with Sin Serin, Yujin, Lee Yuseong, Kang Jinhyuk, and others.

We’ve grown so close that I can now call them friends.

I greeted my friends as usual, attended classes, and then lunchtime arrived.

“Hwayoung, how about we visit the convenience store instead of the cafeteria today?”

“Sure. Let’s go. Together.”

I suggested going to the convenience store with Hwayoung.

Always responding positively, she stood up with me, and we headed towards the convenience store located right across from the cafeteria.

The sound of the bell and voices echoed as I opened the door to the store.

Ding.

“Welcome.”

The store owner and active hero.

Her name is Bina.

Short black hair, gentle personality, elegant demeanor.

Her eyes carried a warm and affectionate light.

Why would an active hero like her be running a store instead of teaching?

Perhaps she enjoys watching newcomers at the store.

I read on the community that she doesn’t teach because she lacks the temperament for it.

Although her main profession is a magician, her skills are exceptional, leading the headmaster to personally invite her.

But to come here and work as a store owner, quite unexpected.

I greeted her and picked up a lunchbox from the display shelf, placing it on the counter.

“Hankyeol and Ewayoung. You must be new here.”

“We’ve been eating meals at the restaurant all this time. Thought trying the store’s food wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

As we approached the counter, she spoke as if she knew us.

How could I not know the person dubbed the human CCTV?

“Oh… no sign of surprise, you seem to know about me.”

“Well… to some extent.”

The store owner alternated her gaze between me and Ewayoung with interest.

Soon, she returned her focus to the store’s tasks.

“Scan your smartwatch for payment. That will be all.”

Raising my hand with the smartwatch, the scanner recognized it.

“Payment complete. The back door of the store is that way.”

“Thank you. Goodbye.”

“Come again.”

She pointed to the back door with her finger, guiding us out.

Did she overhear our recent conversation?

I bid farewell, exited with Ewayoung through the back door.

Coming out felt like going on a picnic.

“Yeah. The view is nice.”

The scenery visible from the back door.

Various flowers planted around, a large tree standing tall in the center.

Seems like a popular spot.

Many students gathered here, chatting amicably.

We sat in the shady spot under the tree.

“Here’s your lunch.”

“Thanks.”

Handing one lunchbox to Ewayoung, I opened mine.

“Bringing food from home to eat here isn’t a bad idea…”

“Hey, look at this.”

“Hmm?”

She picked up a side dish from her lunchbox with chopsticks and offered it to me.

“It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Come on, ahh~”

“Fine.”

Opening my mouth obediently, she fed me the side dish.

Laughing, Ewayoung closed her eyes after feeding me, resembling a baby bird waiting for its mother to feed it.

“Haha.”

“Aww~”

Likewise, I picked up a side dish from my lunchbox and fed Ewayoung.

“Mmm… delicious.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Feeding each other, we continued to share our meal.

In this moment, we didn’t care about others around us.

Watching Ewayoung’s happy expression, gazing into each other’s faces.

Feeding each other until the end of lunchtime.