episode_0055

The Cheongsongje, the academy’s biggest event in April, was already just around the corner.

I hadn’t really done anything special, yet I felt like time was passing quickly.

Across the campus, there was already a bustling, noisy atmosphere with festival preparations in full swing. And it was no different for Class 2-A.

Believe it or not, this was the proud class that had arbitrarily pushed through an unrealistic plan of a maid cafe last year, under the guise of “the trend of the times.”

I let out a small snort of laughter, dumbfounded.

Clearly, complaints had been raging at the time.

‘No way, surely the same thing would happen this time.’

So why, then, had this year’s theme been decided as a cosplay bar, a truly Gen Z-like concept, not much different from last time?

I didn’t understand, but after hearing the explanation, there seemed to be an unexpected backstory.

“In short, why did only we have to wear those embarrassing outfits and solicit customers? That’s what I’m saying!”

The one who took the lead and spoke up was Rachel from England. She had lustrous blonde hair and gem-like, sparkling blue eyes.

With her rather classic appearance, she was the core of the class, unlike Kanzaki, who was also a foreign student.

While I and Cheon Soyul received all the external spotlight, she was the one who played the role of the so-called ‘popular one’ within the class.

True to her bright demeanor, she was an unmistakably outgoing female student.

I was lazily sprawled in my chair, calmly watching Rachel rant passionately from a slight distance.

What was the gist of her words? It was simple.

In other words, wasn’t it unfair that only they had to work hard and move on?

I coughed awkwardly.

Honestly, it was true that the male students had it a little easy a year ago.

‘But men couldn’t exactly prance around in maid outfits, I guess…’

I had no more excuses if that was the case, but regardless, the female students who had been nursing a grudge decided to execute a ‘pulling-down-with-them’ strategy.

That is, they concentrated their votes on the cosplay bar when deciding the booth’s theme.

In a way, it was a quite cunning scheme. Considering that the gender ratio of male and female students was almost fifty-fifty, it was a tactic that guaranteed victory before it even began.

“Alright, everyone. Now you, too, will wear butler outfits and experience the humiliation we felt!”

Rachel rudely put her foot on the podium and spread her arms wide. And the students watching the scene clapped as if enchanted.

One might call it a ridiculous farce… but even I, watching Rachel’s triumphant expression, almost felt like clapping for her.

Coming to my senses with a gasp, I subtly lowered my hand and then began to pretend to be busy organizing my bag.

Anyway, I had no intention of arguing against something that was already decided. It was a matter of just taking any role and getting it done, so I could momentarily disengage.

‘Rather, what I need to think about right now is something else entirely.’

As for me, I had a task to do during the Cheongsongje, by the Chancellor’s direct order, so I needed to do some training from now on.

It was an exhibition tournament involving a total of eight students: the top and second-ranked from each year.

Leaving aside whether I could reach the finals, wasn’t my first opponent none other than Cheon Soyul?

Of course, even if either I or Cheon Soyul reached the finals, I would still be able to receive the Noehwandan and Gongcheongseokyu from Yang Chan-ho-nim, but…

Even so, it was a sparring match, and since I was doing it anyway, I wanted to make sure I won.

To be more honest, I wanted to compete to win this year too.

Over the past year, my relationship with Cheon Soyul had been, to put it mildly, very back-and-forth.

In terms of admission scores, Cheon Soyul had an overwhelming victory.

In various overall evaluations, I had the upper hand.

And I won the arena ranking matches, but—

Ultimately, the ultimate victory belonged to Cheon Soyul.

As a result, it meant she succeeded in ‘touching down’ while maintaining her position as top student at the end of the semester, and this greatly bruised my pride.

‘By now, I really need to win at least once, somehow. Truly, by any means.’

I gazed straight ahead with calm, steady eyes. I was looking at the blackboard, but what filled my vision was the scene after victory.

I wasn’t sure about the first or third-year students, but it was obvious that one of the fourth-year Disciplinary Committee Head or Student Council President would make it to the semifinals and finals.

It was a bit regrettable, but it was a clear, undeniable fact that my skills were about 10% to 20% behind Yoo Seonghyeon or Cheon Woohyuk.

I might think I could hold my own if I fought them, but a definite victory was hard to guarantee.

In that sense, my goal was only Cheon Soyul.

It had been only her from the beginning…

Because it was a promise.

‘Hmm.’

It wasn’t exactly a promise, but I seriously nodded and stood up anyway.

For now, I should head back for today.

Even if it wasn’t for that tournament, I couldn’t completely ignore the class booth either, and the talk of an ‘attack’ that Yang Chan-ho-nim had privately hinted at kept lingering in my mind.

With the thought that this Cheongsongje would require a lot more attention than last year’s, I roughly slung my bag over my shoulder.

“Hello?”

The next moment, someone approached and poked my nape with a cold hand.

And my legs immediately gave out, causing me to collapse back into my chair.

Thump! The unexpected impact made my pelvis ache slightly. I frowned with a bewildered expression and turned around.

“Heh heh.”

There stood Kanzaki, covering her mouth and letting out a rather demure smile.

My lips twitched as I looked up at her with cold eyes.

“What are you trying to do…?”

What was this? Was she trying to pick a fight? I was dumbfounded as I asked her what she wanted.

What could be so important that she’d even use succubus magic?

My legs were trembling, but at the same time, my lower body felt a little hot. I gritted my teeth and slowly circulated cold energy throughout my body.

It wasn’t a huge help, but… at least it prevented the disaster(?) of being unable to get up in the middle of the classroom.

I stared at Kanzaki with wide eyes, and she looked down at me, gently tapping her head as if to apologize for playing a prank.

“Tee-hee.”

Even more bewildered, I asked her.

“…What kind of situation is that?”

“Hm.”

Kanzaki abruptly changed her expression to a serious one and gently rested her chin in her hand.

“You don’t seem to know. It’s a famous gesture.”

“Is that from your country’s culture?”

“It’s practically a privilege, a monopoly, of cute and beautiful girls.”

Normally, I would have rebuked her for spouting nonsense, but for now, I didn’t have the energy to do so. Kanzaki’s seductive and malicious aura kept stimulating my body.

Unable to do anything else, I slumped my shoulders and let out a deep sigh.

“Alright, alright, Rie. Enough with the jokes. I’m a busy man, so won’t you please release this magic now? I really need to get going.”

I said that in the gentlest, most polite tone possible.

Kanzaki tilted her head.

“You don’t seem to have anything to do? And call me Kanzaki. What’s ‘Rie’? That’s rude.”

“…Didn’t you say to call you Rie once?”

“That was in bed.”

She snorted, demanding I correct my address for her. Her eyes held the usual look of appropriate disdain she held for me.

I’d never seen anyone switch attitudes so easily. I muttered that inwardly and nodded, indicating I understood.

“Well, if that’s what you want.”

And I lightly issued a warning.

“From now on, I’ll make sure to always call you Kanzaki, no matter what. No complaints, right?”

“…”

Kanzaki paused, briefly showed a flicker of embarrassment on her face before quickly hiding it.

Convinced that I had hit her weak spot, I wore a subtle smirk on my lips.

“I’ll give you three seconds. Decide. Three, two, one…”

“W-wait a minute. How can you do this?”

“Zero, time’s up—”

“Ugh, why are you doing this over a joke?!”

Kanzaki smacked my shoulder hard.

With that, my strength returned.

Well, it seems the magic has definitely worn off.

I gave her a thumbs-up.

“Good girl.”

Kanzaki’s expression twitched with dissatisfaction.

“…You scoundrel.”

“While not entirely wrong, I don’t particularly want to hear that from you.”

After lightly dismissing her short retort, I finally stood up. I was preparing to leave.

And then Kanzaki stopped me.

“Oh, wait a minute.”

I glared at her with an exasperated expression.

“Now what? Stop being so clingy. Or what, do you need life force? Don’t tell me you’ve used it all already?”

“Huh?”

Kanzaki, too, contorted her face in displeasure.

This was followed by a short, uncomfortable cough.

“That’s, that’s not it. This time it’s just… a message as the vice-class representative.”

Her first words seemed a bit hesitant, but she separated her personal and professional matters and spoke to me in a business-like tone.

“Buy a butler uniform.”

“?”

But that’s not a message.

“Yes, it is!”

“Gasp.”

I gasped for a moment. Another mind reader appeared. The whole world is full of mind readers.

Kanzaki gestured to the side with a bewildered expression. It was towards the podium.

I followed her gaze and turned my head as well. Towards the podium.

Right there, Rachel was looking at us with desperate eyes.

“This isn’t just her, it’s also been discussed with Soyul. You absolutely must wear a butler uniform during this Cheongsongje.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“We can’t let you go into the kitchen.”

It was a somewhat out-of-the-blue remark. Frowning, I turned back to Rachel.

She was literally on her knees, holding her hands together and praying to God.

I turned my head back to its original position. I thought it was some kind of joke, but for some reason, even Kanzaki was blocking me with a somewhat serious attitude.

Nothing could be more absurd than this. I tilted my head and asked again.

“Why, exactly?”

What grudge did they hold against me for Cheon Soyul and Kanzaki—that is, the class president and vice-president—along with festival-exclusive strategist Rachel, to be involved?

I didn’t understand, but it seemed others didn’t feel the same way.

“…You’re not seriously asking that, are you?”

Kanzaki made a truly disgusted expression and said that to me.

And even Rachel, who had somehow come closer, added a few words.

“I’ve never seen a chef with such hopeless skill as you. Hyunjin, perhaps you handling the kitchen would be nothing short of an insult to France.”

“…”

I looked at her with a hurt expression in my eyes. Rachel, as if pricked by her conscience, blushed slightly and turned her head away.

“T-that expression won’t change anything. You were supposed to make omurice, but what kind of person makes something that ends up like ice instead?”

I couldn’t help but be greatly shocked.

My hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.

“…Was what I made really that inedible?”

“My palate felt like it froze back then.”

It wasn’t Rachel but Kanzaki who answered my perturbed question. She placed a hand on her cheek and let out a deep sigh.

“…”

I decided not to ask any further.

I simply left the classroom immediately.

“Where are you going, Hyunjin-kun?”

Perhaps feeling bad even after saying that, Kanzaki trotted along after me, but I waved my hand, indicating she needn’t bother, and said,

“I’m really busy. I’ll buy a butler uniform, so you can go now.”

“What? Was that lie actually true?”

“…”

This girl, seriously.

She keeps doing this.

‘Who does she take me for, an idler?’

I conjured cold energy in one hand and threateningly held it out towards her.

“If you don’t want your limbs tied up and hung from the ceiling again, watch your words.”

“Oops.”

Kanzaki pressed her lips together after a short gasp, and at my menacing chin gesture, she scurried back towards the classroom as if fleeing.

I let out a deep sigh and turned around.

…Because, at least, it wasn’t a lie that I had things to do.

*****

“Hmm…”

Ryu Seeun, the top-ranked first-year at Cheongsong Academy and Black Heaven’s adopted daughter, was feeling a little good.

The reason wasn’t anything special.

First, the Cheongsongje, a long-standing tradition of the academy, was already just around the corner, and the bustling campus atmosphere because of it wasn’t particularly displeasing…

Most importantly, her adoptive father had sent a brief message saying he would visit Daejeon, where the academy is located, during the Cheongsongje.

‘He’s never shown much interest in his only daughter, what’s gotten into him?’

Even as she muttered that inwardly, the corners of Ryu Seeun’s lips were subtly turned up.

Still, she had always harbored the desire for her parent to show a little more interest.

Although she had unilaterally screamed and stormed out during their last meeting, she had known for a long time that Ryu Jinseong was that kind of person anyway.

Well, even if he just showed his face briefly and then left, it wouldn’t be surprising, considering the kind of person he was.

Still, it was something to be grateful for that he was showing her even a formal interest.

Only then would she have a reason to treat him as her father, wouldn’t she?

The age difference was only nine years, and honestly, rather than a straightforward parent, he felt more like an older sibling with a clear hierarchical relationship.

Even so, Black Heaven Ryu Jinseong was a benefactor and family to Ryu Seeun.

It didn’t matter if they weren’t truly blood-related.

Because he was the only family she had left.

Ryu Seeun briefly entertained such a bittersweet thought, but then forced a bright expression and managed her wavering emotions.

…It had already been more than ten years. Her deceased parents probably wouldn’t want her to grieve forever.

With the thought that she should return to Cheorwon during summer vacation and visit the graves of her parents, whose bodies Ryu Jinseong had recovered and arranged for, Ryu Seeun patted her cheeks with a ‘pat pat!’.

Fortunately, she quickly snapped out of her gloomy thoughts.

After all, the place she was going wasn’t one where she should wear a gloomy expression.

Even if not a bright smile, she needed to wear a suitably demure expression.

Ryu Seeun composed herself and stood in front of a front door.

And she swallowed dryly. Gulp!

‘…He never contacted me even once when I waited and waited for him.’

Just when she had completely given up hope and was feeling disheartened, he would seek her out like this.

Honestly, her pride was a little hurt, but what could she do? Given the circumstances.

Knock knock—

Ryu Seeun, with a slightly nervous heart, knocked on the door. Two soft knocks.

“Se, Sunbae…?”

And she called out to him. Using her faint presence detection ability as a mage, she peeked slightly beyond the front door, and there was indeed a moving figure.

There was no mistake. It was him. Ryu Seeun’s heart suddenly began to pound like crazy.

Soon, the door was flung open!

“You’re here.”

Lee Hyunjin appeared there.

Ryu Seeun’s face flushed crimson.

…He still had an unnecessarily handsome face. It was around that time when she thought that.

Lee Hyunjin grabbed her wrist and abruptly pulled her inside.

“Eh?”

And then again, Slam!

The front door slammed shut.

“Thanks for coming. It’s nothing else, I just wanted to confirm something.”

Thump, thump…!

Ryu Seeun’s chest pounded incessantly.

Is this fear, or excitement?

She didn’t know, but she soon realized instinctively. She would likely know the answer to that question before tonight was over.

And so, she anticipated a fresh indoor date that would take place in his room.

“Hmm.”

Lee Hyunjin, who had been staring intently into Ryu Seeun’s ‘eyes’ for a moment, soon let out a small chuckle with a subtly amused expression.

Rather than sounding like ridicule, it felt more like a laugh born of bewilderment.

Ryu Seeun tilted her head.

And a brief silence followed.

“Hey.”

It was just as Ryu Seeun’s mind was filling with normal questions.

Lee Hyunjin looked at her and commanded.

“Take them off. Everything, top and bottom.”

Two short sentences.

Concise words.

It was a command that was clear enough to understand, but regardless, silence once again fell upon the entrance, where she hadn’t even taken off her shoes.

About five more seconds passed when.

“…Wh-what…?”

With a voice that sounded utterly foolish, Ryu Seeun felt her brain immediately declare a strike.