episode_0041

In fact, the hostility is not completely unfounded.

Even though I know very little about this, the mentor designation I mentioned earlier had absolutely no benefit to her.

If you think about it, Yoram’s current recommendation admission system has long since degenerated into a means of gaining profits.

Not only did I come to the cradle by such means, but the place of origin listed in the school record is also a pioneer village in the southern outskirts of the country.

He even made a habit of wearing a funny mask on his face the whole time. I don’t have a particularly affable personality, so I haven’t been able to make any significant connections until now.

Aside from the fact that these are all elements that Yeom Yeon-ha detests, it is a profile full of excuses for someone, even if it is not her, to be attacked.

He was nominated as a mentor in front of everyone by someone who had sympathy for him. It would be a good thing if you weren’t ridiculed or ridiculed by people you didn’t like.

Even the fact that we clashed with a popular person from the cradle became a factor that turned us off rather than a commonality that bound us together.

After the rankings were announced, I felt that other people’s eyes looking at me had changed a little. However, it doesn’t seem to have made much of a difference to Yeon Myeong-ha.

Last year, Yeon Yeon-ha also achieved overwhelmingly excellent results, but was narrowly outpaced by someone who showed even better results, so he had no choice but to stay in second place.

Since he is a talent that puts him on a different level, he may be giving harsh evaluations to others as well.

But that’s just her situation. I can’t take all of those things into consideration.

From my perspective, it would be better to openly show my disapproval.

That way, there is a higher chance of showing the reaction I was thinking of.

“This is starting to make me feel a little sad. Is this how you can get along well in the same group for a year?”

“Do you think I would stay in the same group as you for a year? I thought it couldn’t be possible before, but it looks like he’s really lacking. You will be expelled as soon as the preliminary period passes.”

Yan Yanha snorted and said.

Once you are appointed as a mentor, you have no right to refuse, but I understand that you are given permission to change mentoring groups once after a preliminary period of several weeks.

There is a serious penalty for second year students if they do not create a mentee, so it seemed like they were planning to send me out after the minimum period of time to avoid the pity disadvantage.

“I understand that changing the mentoring group requires consent from both parties. Do you think I would accept that?”

“Well? I guess you’re so stupid that you don’t realize how much power a mentor has, but with just a lift of a finger, he could make you roll around like a dog for an entire month. Will you be able to sound as carefree as you do now? I’m curious too. Puss… ”

Yeon Yeon-ha made a mocking sneer. I once again had to resist the powerful urge to make her roll over like a dog.

I can feel that the completion of the work is just around the corner. Here, one mistake cannot ruin your plan.

Imagining the day when I would soon be able to let go of this anger, I clenched my hands so tightly that they bled.

“… I definitely feel a little scared. It’s such a pity. If this happens, I think I’ll need some way to protect myself.”

“… What?”

For the first time, a look of doubt appeared on Yan Yanha’s face.

“… see. What should I do? Wouldn’t it be a good idea to spread the word that you and your senior are quite secret and friendly?”

“You… How dare such a lowly bastard… !”

“I don’t know how many people will believe it, but for those who don’t really like you, whether it’s true or not isn’t that important. If what I know is true about your situation, wouldn’t it be a big blow just to add a little scandal? I don’t know if there is more floor to fall on.”

I continued speaking in a calm, everyday tone as if nothing had happened.

“… I don’t feel very comfortable either. I feel like I received so much hate from the first time we met.”

I didn’t really lie. The words I chose to effectively stimulate her were words that I also disliked terribly.

-Jeokjeok… !

However, the expected effect was definitely achieved. Frost spread out coldly from the area around Yang Yanha’s hand that was clutching the table. The soft tablecloth was frozen hard and the glass cups were completely incontinent.

Now I really feel that success is just around the corner.

“But I guess I can’t help it since you hate me so much. In that sense, I have something to tell you… Would you like to take a listen?”

After hearing what I said next, Yeon Myeong-ha suddenly made an expression of bewilderment.

“… Ha, such a cheeky… ”

But that was only for a moment, and she soon accepted my offer with a face full of cold anger.

It was a moment when the poor acting that unfolded somehow shined. If the mask had not been worn, or if Yeon Sang-ha had maintained his composure at all, things would not have turned out so well.

Since I was young, I’ve often been told that if I lie, it will show up all over my face.

“… You will regret it.”

He left Hwayanggwan immediately, leaving only those words of pity. All that remained where she had been was a stiff, frost-stained tablecloth and a glass full of incontinence.

But I felt a flying sense of accomplishment and liberation.

I never thought I would be able to be intimate with her from the beginning anyway.

The personality and past actions I knew in advance formed a strong prejudice, and meeting her in person only strengthened my prejudice.

On the other hand, it was also the human image that I felt most repulsed by.

She is the one who once again made us realize that appearance is not that important to people.

It’s also quite heartbreaking because it reminds me of someone from the past.

But right now, human likes and dislikes are not that important. We were already seated together in the cabin of a train running in the same direction.

All that is needed now is a physical and mechanical combination that prioritizes the purpose.

***

On the way back from the mentor nomination ceremony. I saw the back of a familiar female student with light brown hair leaving Hwayang Hall at a brisk pace.

I immediately approached her and started talking to her, but Yena treated me with respect, as if I were a stranger.

“Who are you to talk to me so friendly?”

“… Is it Yena?”

“Heung.”

Yena turned her head away and gave a very resentful look.

I had exchanged greetings with Muyoung earlier at Hwayang Hall, but Yena passed me by with a somewhat cold look on her face and took a seat far away.

I kept wondering why Yena behaved like that, but nothing made sense to me at all. Did I make some mistake? That means we only met three days after the exam ended.

There were no major problems in the test. The teamwork worked well throughout. Even after the incident happened, I would have told Jena and the others to evacuate to a safe area and went to the dangerous place alone…

“Ah, now that I see it, aren’t you Jinhyeon Yoo, the student who left without looking back that day?”

ah.

“… Sorry. There was a reason why I had to do that… ”

“Of course you were there. Isn’t there a reason why he shook off Yena, who was trying her best to stop him?”

“… ”

I was able to find a little bit of the cause of Jena’s mysterious heartache. There was sadness dripping from his voice. It seemed a little wet.

“… How worried I was… ”

Because it was a valid and well-founded feeling of disappointment, I was at a loss for words to reply. Because time was running out, he left without a proper explanation.

At least he doesn’t seem really angry. Rather, it was closer to the kind of light complaining where you want someone to scratch your itchy spot.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kept glancing at me and only then turning his head when we tried to make eye contact…

“… I’m sorry.”

“Hmph. Now… ”

“It’s true. I’m truly sorry. How can I relieve my anger?”

“… ”

In the end, you have no choice but to ask honestly. Perhaps moved by my forward-thinking attitude, I see Jena, who was trying to pretend to be upset, gradually losing her sharpness.

In the end, he lowered his head slightly and began to recite his demands in a hesitant voice.

“… If you take just one day off during your holiday, you might feel a little more relaxed… ?”

“I will do that.”

“Hiyak… ”

Yena seemed a bit surprised and trembled, probably not expecting an immediate answer.

“But is it okay? If you go outside with me, people will stare at you because of your mask… ”

“… it’s okay. Because none of that matters… ”

Yena said in a somewhat strong tone.

“Then it has been decided?”

“… huh. Hey… ”

Yena seemed to have completely thrown away her acting. Before I knew it, the sadness had melted away like spring snow.

“That… I’m sorry for getting angry too… ”

Yena, perhaps starting to feel a little embarrassed now, slightly lowered her head and apologized in a voice the size of an ant.

“… And thank you for talking to me first. Congratulations on winning first place… I’m really glad I didn’t get hurt… ”

Before Yena could respond, she turned around and quickly disappeared.

“Then… See you tomorrow… ?”

As I watched its back hopping around like a rabbit, I thought for a moment about the difference in my attitude toward Yeon-hyeon and Yena.

I’ve felt this for a long time, but I guess I definitely have a tendency to be weak towards soft people.

“… Haha.”

When Yena’s appearance completely disappeared, I let out the breath I had been holding.

Even though I knew I was just pretending to be upset, the fear of being abandoned came to mind and I couldn’t breathe.

I had a similar feeling when I left the northeastern station to enroll in the cradle.

These were all feelings I felt toward someone two years ago.