episode_0042

A warm breeze blew through the classroom window.

The wind gently flew in and softly brushed against her hair.

The class president sat quietly, feeling the breeze.

“…….”

She was sitting on top of a desk.

Normally, she wouldn’t do such a thing.

To dare to sit on the sacred classroom desk and crumple it with her bottom.

It was something unimaginable for her as a diligent girl.

Yet, she did this without hesitation.

The reason being the presence of Kim Yujin sitting next to her.

“Why are you like this, class president?”

He called out to her with an affectionate tone.

As she turned her head, he was smiling kindly, unlike his usual self.

That smile reflexively made her heart flutter.

“…Kim Yujin.”

“Yeah! Why did you call me, class president?”

His tone carried affection and interest.

It was different from his usual indifference.

Nevertheless, the class president didn’t find it strange.

“Why are we here doing this?”

“Do we need a reason?”

Kim Yujin reached out his hand.

With his large hand, he gently stroked her hair.

The class president quietly accepted his touch.

For some reason, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

No, it even felt slightly pleasant.

“I just wanted to see the class president.”

“…No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the bad guy who bullied my friends Chulsoo and Yeonghee.”

“Do you really think that way?”

Kim Yujin suddenly pulled her towards him.

He enveloped her in his big arms.

As if displaying affection, he tightly embraced her with both arms.

“Ah.”

His scent filled the air.

A mix of sweat and gunpowder.

A unique smell exuding from a dangerous individual that she wouldn’t usually like.

That scent oddly excited her.

“If you were a real friend…wouldn’t you understand even this?”

“But, that’s impossible.”

His touch caressed her back and shoulders.

Through the thin fabric of the school uniform, she could feel his fingertips.

“Ugh!”

A shivery sensation ran down her spine.

Yet, she couldn’t resist.

Instead, all her strength seemed to leave her body as she surrendered to him.

“As the class president, I can give up anything.”

“…”

“With you, no obstacle seems insurmountable.”

The class president raised her head high.

He mercilessly tormented her friend Chulsoo.

He took Yeonghee away from him.

Kim Yujin is a bad guy.

That’s a fact anyone would assert.

Certainly, it must be so—

“The class president, I don’t dislike you either.”

He cautiously lifted her chin.

Naturally, their eyes met.

Black pupils that revealed unfathomable affection.

Cool, wanting to entrust everything, lovely.

Unknowingly, she found herself having such thoughts.

“If you don’t want it, you can resist.”

The class president gazed into his eyes dazedly.

What expression was she wearing?

Surely, a face akin to a girl in love.

How did it come to this?

Why did this situation arise?

She didn’t even entertain such thoughts.

“So, can I take your silence as permission?”

“…”

He moved his face closer.

The class president closed her eyes tightly.

Soon, their lips drew close enough to touch.

.

.

.

.

Chirp-chirp-

The class president sat up on her bed, wearing a dazed expression.

She could hear sparrows chirping outside the window.

The morning sunlight shone brightly.

Looking disoriented as if not fully awake, she surveyed her surroundings.

This was undoubtedly her home.

The only difference was that the bed and clothes were slightly damp?

“…I must be crazy.”

The class president buried her face in her hands.

Her ears and face turned red as if about to burst.

How old was she to have such a dream?

No, why of all people, did it have to be Kim Yujin?

In the dream, why did my darn self even kiss that trash!

Shame and humiliation flooded in belatedly.

****

Tick tock.

The sound of pencils moving.

A quiet classroom.

In between, the teacher’s voice carries on with the lesson.

It’s the time the class president loves the most.

She liked people who worked diligently.

As if to prove it, she studied harder than anyone else.

But even she had been different lately.

“Class president?”

“…….”

“Class president?!”

“Yes, yes!”

Startled by the sudden teacher’s reprimand, she snapped back to reality.

Unknowingly, she had been lost in thought.

Since the beginning of the semester, she had always shown a diligent attitude.

Instead of criticism, the teacher’s face was stained with concern.

“Are you feeling unwell? If it’s about the class, you can go to the infirmary.”

“Oh, no! I’m fine.”

She quickly nodded and refocused on her book.

However, her concentration began to waver shortly after.

Suddenly snapping back to reality, she found her thoughts drifting elsewhere.

‘Ah, really…!’

Closing her eyes tightly, she shook her head.

Concentrating had become too difficult these days.

The epitome of diligence, the class president.

She was changing gradually.

Even when trying to study, impatience crept in.

Every time she opened her book, her mind wandered.

Amidst this, her heart raced as ‘that time’ after school approached.

‘…This is all because of Kim Yujin.’

With resentful eyes, the class president looked at Kim Yujin.

He was surprisingly attentive during class.

His serious gaze made the label “villain mafia” seem inadequate.

Such a sight was oddly fascinating and cool—

‘No, what am I thinking! Snap out of it!’

Rejecting her own thoughts, she hurriedly regained her composure.

Kim Yujin is a villain.

A total jerk.

Why would she develop feelings for someone like him?

‘Right, this is just a temporary phenomenon caused by helping with Kim Yujin’s training.’

Lately, the class president had been assisting Kim Yujin with his training.

During the training process, she had to connect with the opponent’s magical paths.

And the aftermath also affected the class president’s mental world.

Kim Yujin’s magic was too strong… Frankly, it was too stimulating.

‘Yes! It’s not because I like him, it’s just the magic flowing back causing this!’

These emotions were mere illusions caused by that.

There’s absolutely no affection towards Kim Yujin or anything like that.

‘Of course! How many times have Chulsoo and Yeonghee suffered because of him! How could I like him?’

Making such vows, before she knew it, the class was over.

Once again, she hadn’t taken proper notes.

When will she ever organize this mess?

Lost in thought, someone approached the despondent class president.

It was Yeonghee.

“Are you okay, class president? You seem off today.”

“Huh? Oh, I’m fine.”

Yeonghee’s face genuinely showed concern.

Is there any kindness that doesn’t feel like a lie?

Glancing around briefly, she whispered quietly.

“…Was there something during your training with Kim Yujin?”

Instantly, the class president’s face darkened.

Simultaneously, her heart skipped a beat.

No, her heart felt guilty.

“W-What are you talking about?”

“Just. Honestly, Kim Yujin…”

As Yeonghee spoke, she suddenly let out a deep sigh.

Her face was filled with worry and distress.

“No, it’s nothing. I can offer counseling if you’re going through a tough time.”

“Uh, yeah! I’m fine! Nothing’s wrong with me.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Yeonghee smiled broadly, genuinely relieved.

Seeing her, a corner of the class president’s heart pricked.

To have a friend who worries so purely about others.

While she, worrying about someone like that…

‘Phew, get a grip.’

Making that resolution, Kim Yujin, who had left, came back in.

At the same time, Yeonghee’s expression changed.

Pure, innocent, and pristine.

The face that seemed to embody those qualities instantly transforms into that of a woman.

It’s an intense performance that sends shivers down the spine.

“Yujin~ Is there anything bothering you today?”

She sticks close to him, maintaining that smile.

Now, Yujin also interacts with her without awkwardness.

Snap!

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, the pencil he was holding breaks.

Why did so much force go into his hand all of a sudden?

Despite having that question in mind, the class president’s gaze remained fixed on Kim Yujin and Yeonghee, not knowing it would soon shift away from them.

****

“Everyone~ I have good news for you today~”

The petite homeroom teacher said with a wide smile.

Seeing that expression, Yujin felt a slight sense of unease.

Based on her experience, whenever the homeroom teacher made such a face, it meant getting entangled in something complex, no matter what it was.

Of course, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Encounters with Kim Taejin, connections with the class president, among others.

They brought many positive influences.

However, it was clear that some annoying incident was about to occur.

“Hehe, you all know that field practice was suspended due to the recent ogre incident, right?”

By now, it was a widely known event.

The sudden appearance of an ogre during academy practice.

The incident where the ogre attacked Kim Yujin, Cheolsu, and Yeonghee.

For some reason, the investigation into that dangerous incident had been left hanging.

Most thought it was Kim Yujin’s scheme, but due to the name of Heukcheon, no one dared to speak up.

Ultimately, the academy’s decision was to suspend practice for a while to ensure safety.

Truly, it seemed like a superficial way of handling things.

“At any rate, there must have been many disappointed people due to that. Everyone must be itching to practice, right?”

Many students nodded in agreement.

The advantage of the academy was being able to experience real situations to the fullest.

With that being restricted, various complaints were inevitable.

“But finally! It has been announced that group projects are allowed, so practicing won’t be an issue!”

At those words, the students’ eyes lit up.

Finally, they could engage in practical exercises!

That meant they could enhance their skills by a notch!

As future heroes, they had every reason to be excited.

Except for Yujin.

“Ugh, I really hate this.”

Fight those monsters again?

Sure, the worry of dying had diminished since becoming stronger recently.

But still, thinking about fighting gruesome monsters took precedence over worries.

What if they encountered monsters like ogres again?

Well, fortunately, it seemed like the school had made some preparations this time.

“Of course, there are still safety concerns. So, I’ll introduce an instructor who will assist during the practice period. Come in~”

As the classroom door opened, a man entered.

He was a handsome man of tall stature wearing a doctor’s coat.

Although a hint of fatigue could be seen on his face, it oddly gave off a composed vibe.

Standing at the podium, the man looked around at the students before speaking.

“I’m Jekyll, the temporary instructor. I hold not only combat skills but also a medical license. If anyone gets injured, feel free to come to me anytime.”

Jekyll’s gaze met Kim Yujin’s.

He smiled warmly at him.

Observing him, Kim Yujin thought, “Does he really need to wear a coat just because he’s a doctor?”

In response to that casual attitude, Jekyll inwardly admired, “Even though he looks like this, a high-ranking officer has infiltrated the classroom without any hesitation. Is it because of his poker face, or does he already know the information?”

Either way, it was impressive.

Indeed, Kim Yujin was not someone to be underestimated.

Of course, Yu Jin had no recollection of Jekyll at the moment…

That historic moment when the heir of the Black Heaven and a subordinate met took place in the classroom.