episode_0044

Cheolsu finally returned to the academy.

Despite all that had happened, it was still a school he missed dearly.

Seeing it again after so long brought a sense of joy.

“Even though it’s a school with hardly any friends.”

Nevertheless, it was fine.

Here, he had his childhood friend whom he genuinely loved,

and friends who stood by him without faltering in the face of threats.

A relationship where quality mattered more than quantity.

Though few, the exchange of sincere feelings was invaluable.

The strong bond was something Cheolsu took pride in.

“I should go see her face after a while.”

Due to hospitalization and training, he hadn’t seen Yeonghee for some time.

He couldn’t bear the longing for her face and voice.

As he opened the classroom door and walked in, Yeonghee was right there.

Even among dozens of students, she was easy to spot.

Yeonghee was always special and radiant.

“…Long time no see.”

Approaching her and speaking, Yeonghee quietly turned her head.

There was a feeling that her eyes had lost their color.

Was this what they call a dead gaze?

She barely moved her lips to respond.

“…Oh, yeah.”

Cheolsu’s body flinched for a moment.

He felt a sense of unease from Yeonghee’s reaction.

It wasn’t because she didn’t say the usual things to show off.

“…Has the atmosphere changed?”

Normally, Yeonghee disliked Cheolsu.

But that was all an act.

Just a lie to deceive Kim Yujin’s eyes.

But now, it felt different.

“Seems like she really dislikes me?”

Cold eyes, a dry face.

And an incredibly chilling atmosphere above all.

It was a response fitting for someone genuinely contemptuous.

Even though he knew it was an act, it still stung his heart.

“What could have happened?”

Pushing aside the momentary doubt, Cheolsu tried to sound casual.

He prided himself on understanding Yeonghee’s feelings better than anyone else.

No matter what, he was confident that Yeonghee would always hold him dear.

Perhaps the act intensified in his absence.

“It’s okay. Once Kim Yujin falls, everything will be resolved. Until then, it’s pointless to say anything.”

No matter how fake the appearance, it didn’t matter.

As long as his relationship with Yeonghee remained unchanged, it was fine.

He also knew that such feelings were not easily erased.

Thinking so, Cheolsu turned his head.

There, the class president was sitting somewhat sternly.

“She’s still the same.”

The class president had a book open, pen in hand.

Her gaze seemed absent, lost in thought.

Staring into empty space as if lost in some strange reverie.

“Class President?”

“Huh? Oh, Ch-Ch…Cheolsu?”

Startled by Cheolsu’s call, the class president nearly jumped.

She looked flustered, then awkwardly forced a smile.

“Oh, you’re back from the hospital. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I could stay comfortably thanks to you.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

The class president seemed puzzled.

Seeing her expression, Cheolsu couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Even though she already knew about the hospital bills, donations, and even the top-notch equipment.”

But the class president chose to help anonymously.

Making a big deal out of it would be tacky.

Smiling gratefully, Cheolsu nodded.

“No, it’s nothing. By the way, could you help with training again starting today?”

“Training? But you’ve just been discharged… Shouldn’t you rest?”

“No, it’s fine as long as my condition is good.”

He had been in multiple battles outside recently.

Against opponents capable of fighting current heroes.

Instead of relaxing, the current situation was more urgent than ever.

“There’s no time to rest.”

Despite growing stronger, it only reminded Cheolsu of the gap between him and Kim Yujin.

Every minute and second were precious to Cheolsu now.

He needed to become stronger quickly to help Yeonghee escape from Kim Yujin.

He knew he had to strengthen himself.

“If only the captain could help me.”

“Oh, that… ”

The captain lowered his head, fidgeting with his fingers like a guilty child.

Various emotions like regret and guilt were evident on his face.

“…Sorry. Today might be tough. Can we do this starting tomorrow?”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, I’m not fully prepared yet…”

“No! No! I rushed things. Sorry, I didn’t consider your circumstances.”

“Haha…”

Cheolsu smiled, showing trust as if everything was fine.

But the captain felt increasingly uneasy.

*****

“Let’s stop now.”

The captain, who had come to the empty training room as usual for practice, spoke.

She was wearing a white crop top and black dolphin shorts as usual.

She wore this instead of her uniform because she sweated too much during training with Kim Yujin.

“We’ll end the training after today.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes, our agreement was until Cheolsu arrived.”

That was the conclusion the captain reluctantly reached.

There was a slight sense of regret, but she knew she wouldn’t feel that sensation of circulating Kim Yujin’s magic anywhere else.

Yet, that made it even more dangerous.

She feared becoming addicted to that feeling.

‘Yes, I need to find a way out before I get completely hooked.’

The captain had been wrestling with these thoughts for a while.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll help Cheolsu again. So, there’s no need for you to help or have any reason.”

“I see.”

The captain stood quietly, waiting for what would come next.

She thought Yujin would try to hold onto her.

Offering money or calling her back.

She had prepared responses and countermeasures for that.

“…”

“…?”

But why?

Kim Yujin said nothing.

He just stretched quietly as usual.

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

“About what?”

His nonchalant attitude made her blood boil.

She was turning back to Cheolsu, her former enemy.

The chances of hearing from him again were slim.

Since they had no contact outside of this training.

Knowing this, how could he answer so casually?

“My training wasn’t helpful?”

“No, it was excellent.”

Yes, that must be it.

The captain nodded.

Yujin’s magic was substantial and circulating rapidly.

Helping stabilize it would have led to his growth.

She could vouch for his improved abilities.

But shouldn’t she hold onto him more?

Growing impatient, she bluntly asked,

“Is it okay to let me go like this? I’m going to Cheolsu.”

“I have no choice. It’s your decision.”

Her shoulders trembled at those words.

Did she really know all about my worries and decisions?

And yet she cut me off like that?

“No, she probably thought it was meaningless if I didn’t give my heart from the start.”

The captain is not the type to submit to money or power.

If so, she would have joined under Eugene from the beginning.

That kind of captain waited for herself to be chosen first.

She only accepted her own desires and watched until they became hers.

Perhaps that’s the way of Kim Yujin, the successor of the Black Heaven.

“…And by not choosing myself, I’m saying I’m out of the picture. It doesn’t matter whether I go to Cheolsu or not.”

It’s exactly the result she wanted.

If she had resorted to threats or coercion, it would have been more difficult.

But why is that?

Why does she feel a sense of regret deep inside?

Why is she feeling disappointed that he didn’t catch on to her feelings?

“Then let’s begin.”

“Uh, yeah.”

The captain placed her hand on Eugene’s back and made the pass.

For some reason, she can’t concentrate today.

“Why do I feel so bad?”

It feels like seeing the neighborhood puppy you thought was close to running to someone else.

Honestly, it makes her angry.

After all, she did her best even in Eugene’s training.

She has become stronger, and that skill undoubtedly belongs to her as well.

But how can she be so calm without any lingering regrets?

“…Annoying.”

It’s definitely the result she chose.

She must have wanted this for a long time.

She can’t control the dark emotions coming from deep within her heart.

“Well, thanks for everything.”

“…Yeah.”

That’s how the final training ended with an uncomfortable feeling.

She goes to the shower room as usual, showers, and changes clothes again.

She wraps the sweaty clothes in plastic and puts them in her bag.

Now there’s no need to bring these clothes anymore.

Cheolsu’s magic is weaker compared to Kim Yujin’s, so it’s not as stimulating.

“…No, I made the right choice.”

She forced herself to leave the shower room.

Was it because her heart was troubled?

The captain did not realize that there was a black crowd following behind her.