episode_0049

049.

‘Looks like it ended somewhat well.’

In the end, the stalking incident was concluded with Choi Changwon’s voluntary withdrawal from the academy.

From the academy’s perspective, there was a bit of reluctance to have such an unsavory incident like the stalking case leaked to the media, and since the victim, Soyeon, had shown some leniency, the decision was made for him to withdraw rather than be expelled.

Therefore, without the need for convening a disciplinary committee or any complex procedures, Choi Changwon was able to withdraw immediately.

Choi Changwon, with his head bowed deeply, sincerely apologized to Soyeon and accepted his withdrawal without resistance, expressing his gratitude.

He was well aware of the mercy shown by the academy and Soyeon.

If the disciplinary measures had been decided through the normal procedures, Choi Changwon would have faced expulsion and various other punishments.

Not only would he have faced nationwide scrutiny if it had been leaked to the media, but also, having been expelled, he would likely have been unable to transfer to another academy, living in constant fear.

Furthermore, Choi Changwon’s parents may have been mentally shocked by the fact that their hard-raised son had been expelled for such perverted stalking behavior, leading to various difficult situations.

And Choi Changwon, due to the shock from his parents, the disdain of his friends, and the criticism from the media, may have wandered aimlessly for a long time.

In the end, he might have ended up resenting and blaming Soyeon, the root cause of all the events, and turning into another villain.

…No, actually, in the game, there is such a route.

Of course, since the game and reality are different, Choi Changwon might not necessarily turn into a villain, but you never know, right? Just in case.

Anyway, it was fortunate that everything ended without any lingering issues.

Thanks to Soyeon’s unexpectedly generous leniency, Choi Changwon seemed to have come to his senses and reflected on his actions.

If he had continued his misdeeds and become completely consumed by malice, who knows, he might have quickly fallen into a state of complete corruption.

‘Isewoon seemed slightly displeased, but… Soyeon must have persuaded her a few times, and she just let it go. Isewoon, that girl, is really soft-hearted towards Soyeon.’

I chuckled inwardly.

In fact, in the game, Soyeon had punished Choi Changwon quite severely.

It was only natural, considering that in the game, numerous victims had suffered due to Choi Changwon’s misdeeds.

Having witnessed the suffering of many victims, Soyeon couldn’t afford to show any leniency.

She must have thought that only by receiving appropriate punishment for his misdeeds could the victims find some solace.

‘But this case is a bit different.’

In reality, the only victim was Soyeon.

Kang Yujung had suffered a bit, but honestly, it’s best to see it as self-inflicted.

Moreover, apart from spreading rumors about his misdeeds, gossiping with Kang Yujung, stealing Soyeon’s belongings, and secretly filming her, there wasn’t anything too heinous.

It was just a distasteful criminal act, not a truly despicable one.

For these reasons, along with the fact that he was a first-time offender, Soyeon seemed to have made a somewhat lenient decision regarding the stalking incident this time.

She had even kept it a secret, so the other students were in the dark about why Choi Changwon was withdrawing.

Well, a few observant ones might have roughly figured out the situation.

‘Leaving that aside, I thought Soyeon would become closer to Isewoon after this incident, but the atmosphere seems a bit off?’

At first glance, the two of them seemed no different from usual, but there was a slight subtlety or awkwardness in the air, despite their seemingly calm conversation.

After I left, did something happen?

“Why are you staring like that?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Yoo Seolhyun approached with her golden hair swaying elegantly, pretending to know everything.

With a polite smile, Yoo Seolhyun subtly shifted her gaze towards the direction I was looking at.

Beyond my gaze were Soyeon and Lee Siwoon.

Soon enough, Yoo Seolhyun raised the corner of her mouth gently.

As if she had thought of something mischievous.

“Hehe. You’re staring at those two so intensely. Are you worried?”

“Just, well….”

I shrugged my shoulders as if it was nothing.

But Yoo Seolhyun, with a faint smile, sat down at the nearby desk and subtly glanced at me.

Perhaps because of my false enthusiastic speech about Soyeon last time, Yoo Seolhyun had been making more sarcastic remarks lately.

She must think I still have lingering feelings for Soyeon.

It seems like my acting really worked.

Maybe a bit too well.

“But Yoo Seolhyun seems to be pretending to know more often these days….”

Have we become somewhat closer in the past few months?

Yoo Seolhyun used to rarely speak in a classroom full of kids.

But recently, it seemed like we were having more conversations.

“So, what do you think about those two?”

“About what?”

“Oh my, are you pretending not to know? Do you think things will work out well because of this incident?”

“…What do you think?”

“Answering a question with a question isn’t very nice, you know?”

“No, I really don’t know. Do you think the atmosphere between those two is a bit strange?”

I glanced at those two while asking Yoo Seolhyun for her opinion.

Because Yoo Seolhyun was somewhat like Siwoon’s childhood friend. Well, not exactly childhood friends, but they’ve known each other for a long time. Maybe she has a different perspective on Siwoon?

“Definitely.”

Yoo Seolhyun nodded slightly, then looked at me and pursed her lips.

“Siwoon’s behavior does seem a bit odd.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Could it be that he confessed and got rejected right away?”

I shook my head nervously because the possibility of Siwoon confessing so soon was very low.

Especially since he’s going through a tough time psychologically due to Changwon, who committed a perverted crime claiming to like Soyeon. Siwoon wouldn’t confess at a time like this.

“I doubt it.”

“Hmm, it would have been interesting if he did. Siwoon, who got rejected by a girl…hehe.”

Yoo Seolhyun chuckled quietly, then brought up something else.

“Oh, what if it was Soyeon who confessed?”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

Although Siwoon took down the stalker Changwon in a cool way, Soyeon wouldn’t suddenly develop feelings like that.

Soyeon is slow to realize her own feelings and it takes a while for her to open up her locked heart.

If we were to compare it to a game, the decisive moment for Soyeon to reflect on her feelings would be death.

Yes, death.

My death.

Only when I die will Soyeon realize that she actually liked me to some extent, regret it, and slowly deteriorate with feelings of sadness for not being able to protect me, anger towards the person who killed me, and resentment towards herself for not being able to do anything.

The scene of Soyeon crying and calling my name while sobbing is still vivid in my mind.

Due to my death, Soyeon, who had been mentally exhausted, was depicted in the game through CG and illustrations.

Unlike her usual cheerful smile, she had a sharp and cold expression on her face.

In the game, my death was merely a device to create a heroine who deteriorates and falls apart.

But in reality…

“I never intended to die in the first place.”

I am well aware that my death serves as an opportunity for Soyeon to grow mentally and find solace from the male protagonists.

It is also a catalyst for her to awaken hidden strength due to the shock and anger of losing a loved one.

But damn, I can’t just die like that, can I?

Even though my death may be a legitimate route in the game, I am also doing all this to survive. If I die, it’s all for nothing, absolutely nothing.

“For the sake of Soyeon’s awakening, pretending to be dead… pretending to be dead might be okay… Oh, but if she finds out, I might actually end up dead, right? Hmm.”

I scratched my chin, pondering for a moment.

In the hero genre, the protagonist must lose a loved one to awaken, but considering the future, Soyeon may need to become stronger, but for now, it should be fine. It’s still early stages, and the enemies aren’t too dangerous.

Still, it’s best to think ahead.

My death and Soyeon’s awakening… huh?

“…Ah. You finally caught on?”

“…”

I realized that Yuseolhyun was staring at me with a strange expression.

Oh, right.

I was in the middle of a conversation with her, indeed.

Without saying a word, she was quietly watching, so I cleared my throat in embarrassment.

“Ahem. No, go ahead.”

“You were thinking so hard about something.”

“You’re being considerate all of a sudden.”

“Hmm.”

Yuseolhyun raised the corners of her eyes and smiled softly.

“It’s pitiful to see you worrying for nothing because of Jinsuyeon.”

“Worrying because of me?”

Suddenly, Soyeon approached and looked back and forth between me and Yuseolhyun.

“Worrying, worrying… is that so…”

Soyeon muttered to herself quietly, then quickly turned her gaze towards Yuseolhyun.

“It seems like the instructor is about to come. Can I sit here?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Yuseolhyun smiled and got up from her desk without a word, moving away.

Soyeon watched Yuseolhyun’s back quietly for a moment.

She pursed her lips, staring at Yuseolhyun’s back in silence.

“Hey, Jinhuk.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I… I have something to apologize to you for.”

“Apologize? Out of the blue?”

“Out… not to you, but I’ve been thinking about when to say it for the past few days, but it’s not easy to bring it up.”

Soyeon didn’t meet my eyes.

As if avoiding eye contact.

“What is it?”

“Well, um…”

She glanced down and hesitated.

“I’ll tell you after the midterms… I… I feel like it’ll bother you for no reason.”

“You’re saying this now? This is more bothersome.”

“Ah, anyway.”

I nodded indifferently.

I don’t really know what she’s apologizing for, but she seems quite serious. But what is she apologizing for? I can’t guess.

“Well, she said she’ll tell me after the midterms.”

Midterms, huh…

It’s almost time.

I plan to score high in both practical and written exams this time.

I knew how the midterms were conducted, so I was way ahead of the others~.

Furthermore, using the spatial ring allowed for various tricks.

Since it was possible to bring in a lot of items requested by Yuseolhyun, good results could be achieved if used well.

‘…I hope those guys don’t move this time.’

Originally, the timing for those guys to move again was during the group episode, but well, there’s always the possibility of unexpected situations.

It’s better to prepare for any possible situation, right?