episode_0070

※This episode depicts daily life during the internship period. Be careful with time series!

*****

“I thought the hero profession was popular.”

These words came out while I was returning to class after doing a light exercise with the boys in my class at lunchtime. It was Oh-jeong, one of Hwa-in’s roommates, who spoke lightly with a serious face.

If Ohu were here, we would have argued fiercely, but she hates exercise, so she isn’t there now. Instead, Jang-sam, who was on the same team as Oh-jeong, accepted the story moderately.

“I thought that too before enrolling. But doesn’t the fact that you don’t have a girlfriend have something to do with it?”

“Uh-huh! That’s enough of my story. I brought this up not because I wanted to have a girlfriend, but because I was genuinely curious.”

It wasn’t something Ohjeong, who complained about something similar two or three times a week, would say. Everyone laughed with an expression of ‘I’m sure’, but Oh-jeong’s next words made everyone tilt their heads.

“No, think about it carefully? How many of our teachers are married?”

“How long is it? .”

Everyone was speechless for a moment. I also scanned through the names that immediately came to mind.

First of all, among the teachers, Mr. Strong, who is older, is married. In the first place, he was married before he became an awakened person.

Other than that… . Of course, Sia is single, Prosecutor Ki is also single, and Teacher Shine is also single. It’s just that all the combat teachers I knew were single except for Mr. Strong. At least a few teachers in the magic theory field are married.

Looking at the percentage alone, there are an overwhelming number of unmarried cases. I tried expanding the scope to include teachers, but I couldn’t think of any married people among the Four Heroes or the intelligence department people like Changhyuk.

“Wait a minute. Marriage and popularity have nothing to do with it. Teachers are not only married, but they may also have lovers.”

Maybe he didn’t like Oh Jeong’s triumphant expression? Jeong Young-i rarely intervened in this topic.

Although it is unclear whether a person is married or not, there are many cases where the lover side is not revealed to the outside. Since the body of an awakened person ages slowly, there may be no need to rush into marriage.

“That’s where it gets weird! Teachers are very famous heroes, right? Of course, you must have saved a lot of people, so wouldn’t your lover have to wait in line to be featured in something like trash!?”

“If what you say is true, even old firefighters would have had a harem.”

“In the end, you’re complaining about not having a girlfriend, right?”

“Okay then,” everyone sighed. Well, wanting to be popular is a great motivation as long as you don’t go too far, so I don’t want to say too much about it.

Seeing Oh Jeong passionately insisting on her man’s romance in response to the reactions of her impatient friends, I suddenly thought back to the past. Now that I think about it, there was a time when I thought I would become popular if I saved people that way.

In reality, there are no such cases. In the old days, when threats to one’s life were widespread, stories like ‘the hero got along with the woman he saved and ended up marrying her’ were quite common.

Although it has become rare now, it is still often featured in the news as an opportunity for a hero to get married. So, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for kids to have that kind of romance.

But I know. In the end, the only people who become lovers like that are those who can make a girlfriend even without that kind of thing.

Otherwise, there may be no such event at all, or even if there is, it will be broken soon after. In the end, a momentary impact is simply an opportunity.

Although I thought for a moment whether it would be better to tell him that reality as a senior in life.

“Ah, I want to meet and flirt with a silver-haired girl who suddenly fell from the sky! Honestly, you guys are like that too!?”

… huh. I think it would be better to leave me dreaming for a while longer. You want to become an adult, boy.

“But it’s definitely interesting. Among popular heroes, there are many cases in which we have not heard stories of marriage or love.”

“Isn’t that because heroes who are mainly active in the city center have a bit of an idol vibe? If someone from Enter Five said they were getting married, I think my mom or sister would faint.”

“If I hear that Riddle Bell has a boyfriend, I might lose all hope in living… .”

“Because the crimes committed by Awakened sasaeng fans are not really a joke.”

The kids were talking about idol heroes again, as kids do. Of course, it was difficult for me to know what they were talking about, so I just kept quiet and agreed.

Is this the generation gap? . Later, when I have time, I’ll try watching TV other than the news.

“Hwain, do you have an idol you like?”

“I don’t know much about idols.”

When I quietly spoke to Hwa-in, who was also keeping her mouth shut, she said that with an awkward expression. It seemed like the reason I, Hwain, and Idol Hero were not very familiar at all was similar.

“If you’re a hero, you should try your best to save people. I’m not saying idol heroes are bad, though.”

“… ! right! After all, you’re a Chinese, you know something!”

” When I say this, I’ve been told that it’s a view of heroes from all eras.”

Hey, when you say that, it makes my values seem outdated! That’s true though!

The profession of modern hero has become more diverse than just that of the old hero. In today’s world, idol heroes are not heroes! If you say that, you may be evaluated as having extreme thoughts.

Still, it doesn’t mean that people who aim to be the old heroes who save people have disappeared. Thinking like that, I felt a little happy because I felt like I had found a comrade.

“And heroes like that are usually more popular. Look, isn’t it the same just looking at cases like Four Heroes? Who knows, maybe if we try hard, we too can become like that.”

“No matter what, it’s still too much.”

The painter smiles wryly at my words. It will certainly be difficult to imagine now. ‘Ma, all you have to do is trust your brother and follow him!’ It’s a pity that I can’t say that loudly.

Instead, he smiled and patted my shoulder, telling me to hold on to my worries. Hwain just made a puzzled expression. Well, I guess it was somehow conveyed through a rough feeling.

“That’s right. I think it might be possible for you.”

It wasn’t conveyed at all. It’s you, you!

“What are you two whispering about like that?”

“Ah, tell me about the Four Heroes.”

“Are you talking about that again? You guys really don’t seem to get tired of it.”

“Why, what’s wrong with the Four Heroes? I like it.”

“Who said they hated it? In the first place, how many people in our country would hate the Four Heroes? There was even talk of putting it in banknotes.”

“Well, that’s why so many people came to the funeral of Kwon Seong-do, who had the most gossip.”

“Did that many people come?”

Everyone in the room looked at me as if I was an alien or something. I stepped on a landmine again.

For me, it’s a bit unfair. Is it so strange not to know how many people have come to someone’s funeral?

“Ugh, yes. Is it only in one or two days that you lost a screw?”

“No matter what, it’s a video that comes out every Memorial Day, so how could you not know?”

“That’s because I don’t really watch TV… .”

“Anyway, it was clear that it was like this. Now, take a look.”

Hmm, I never thought I’d see it at a time like this.

I have consciously avoided things like graves and funerals. There’s no particular reason, and he’s alive and well, but it’s a bit unlucky to see something like that.

But that doesn’t mean I’m so reluctant to force myself to watch it here. I took the cell phone that Hwain held out to me and watched the video that was playing.

“… Oh─.”

Where are we? It’s not Tapgol Park. Is it in front of Gwanghwamun?

There was literally an ocean of people. It vaguely seems like more people gathered than during the semi-finals of the World Cup in the previous life. And much more.

I can clearly see it after watching the video. If you say you didn’t know this, you might be treated as nonsense.

“There are so many people… .”

“They say that if Guinness had stayed, it would have been recorded as the funeral with the largest number of attendees.”

“That’s right… .”

No, it looks like these people really have nothing to do. What kind of fuss is there over just one person dying?

In fact, I have never imagined my own funeral since becoming one of the Four Heroes. Since the end of the defense war, I haven’t felt that my life was in danger. Before that, it wasn’t this famous among citizens.

Besides, even if I had imagined it, I wouldn’t have thought of this scene. What can I say, really… , tremendous. It’s awesome. I was so shocked that I couldn’t think of anything other than that simple sentiment.

Wow, look at that guy crying. No, really, why am I crying? I don’t think I’ve even seen that person’s face.

But there were too many similar people around him to criticize him.

“… ? Amiya?”

The most spectacular thing was Changhyuk, who was walking in the middle of the procession. Someone please bring me a handkerchief. Even though it was caught on camera, he was just a mess, with tears and snot.

Sigh, the last time we talked at a meat restaurant, we talked as if nothing had happened, but it wasn’t even a big fuss. Next time I see his face, I’ll have to make fun of him with this. Should I even make a video clip?

“Ah… .”

As Sia was looking to see if there was anything captured, her cell phone was lifted up. I was watching it carefully when suddenly something happened. I was going to complain or say something, but the atmosphere was strange.

“Are you okay?”

Are you okay? What an obvious thing to say. Rather, there is no reason not to be okay. I smiled my usual confident smile and answered, “Of course.” Uh, uh… .,

“… Sniff.”

The sound of water mixes with your inhaled breath. I tried to say it was okay, but my throat was so tight that I couldn’t get the right words out. Of course, there was no way I could even smile.

There are limits to bragging too. Slowly, a stream of water began to trickle down from the end of my eyelids.

“… Sorry, wait a minute.”

How difficult it was to even say those short words. Still, I try my best to appeal that it’s okay. With a straight back and slow steps.

Perhaps it was worth it, as no one followed me on my way to the bathroom.

“I committed it… .”

After being covered in cold water, my emotions calmed down a little. I never thought I would burst into tears like that. This was completely unexpected.

… To be honest, I was quite, no, very happy. I felt like the work I had done was recognized and that I was cherished by my friends. There was that real feeling.

Really, really much more than expected… .

… … .

Hmm. Let’s get back to the point.

I was definitely happy. But was that enough to make you shed tears? When you say that, I feel like I don’t really know.

Of course, since I shed so many tears, it was clear that I had surpassed some standard within myself. The problem is that I don’t know whether it’s the emotional part or the physical part. Does something physically play a role in crying in the first place?

Maybe all these thoughts are trying to hide the shame of crying out of joy.

“… Ugh.”

Fortunately, after some time, I was able to return to my usual state. There will probably never be another sighting like the one before.

Now that I think about it, there was another problem. How can I make an excuse for showing my kids crying? At least it was clear that it was impossible to pretend that there was dust in my eyes or something.

Should I say that we knew each other before, or should I just insist that I felt sad after seeing the funeral of a hero I liked? Anyway, if you ask me deeply, I’ll give you a proper response──

“Wow! What, what are you!”

I heard a startled sound, so I turned around and saw a male student pointing at me. … Ugh. I guess I was so distracted that I entered the men’s room without realizing it.

“Ahaha, sorry. I guess I was mistaken because I was thinking about something else.”

“Get out now!”

Looking at the color of the uniform, I thought he was a senior, so I spoke to him respectfully, and he got a cold response. No, is that the right reaction when you see a woman entering the men’s restroom?

Anyway, I was ready to report it if I stayed any longer, so I quickly got out of the bathroom. Well, the situation seems to have calmed down for now. Should I at least join the kids here again?

Thinking about what excuse to make, I walked towards where the other kids were.

***

“… 4th, What is the identity of ARMY? Debate contest~.”

How long has it been since Ami Kim disappeared down the hallway, shedding tears? It was Yoon Oh-jeong’s words that woke up the group, who were frozen as if they had been under a freezing spell.

“Have you already said that three times?”

“No, I just added any number that seemed roughly plausible.”

“It’s a number that is likely to be unnecessary… .”

“Because I’ve said something similar once or twice.”

It wasn’t something limited to just them. In the early days of her transfer, she is an unprecedented transfer student at Cheonmyeong High School and is the sister of Titania, an S-class hero. Any student at Cheonmyeong High School could not help but be interested.

Most of those rumors disappeared as baseless rumors after I got to know Ami Kim in person – at least in Class A. But they also knew that some of them actually gained credibility.

And the boys who saw Ami Kim today couldn’t help but think of one of those rumors.

“Isn’t she really Kwon Seong’s daughter…? ?”

“If I had to ask, it would be a son.”

No one cared about the details. ARMY’s reaction left a huge impression.

There were two reasons for the rumor that he was Kwon Seong’s child. One is that martial arts students testify that his skills are at a level that makes it difficult to think of him as unknown at that age. Another thing is that Ami Kim’s sister, Titania, was Kwon Seong’s sidekick.

However, it was also a rumor that disappeared because there was no need to hide Kwon-seong’s child and when a background investigation was conducted assuming that it was Kwon-seong’s child, nothing was found.

At least until I saw Ami Kim just now.

“Let’s keep this a secret.”

“… huh. Because it seems like a problem too serious for rumors to spread.”

“It’s not like it’s confirmed yet.”

Fortunately, there were only four people who were close to Ami Kim here. In terms of personality, no one wanted to spread rumors, so the agreement was reached smoothly.

… Except for about one person.

“You answer too, Fine.”

“Uh, huh? What?”

“I can’t do this, it tastes a bit bad.”

“Because I saw ARMY right in front of me.”

“… To be honest, I was a little shocked too. Isn’t it against the law for a normally reserved guy to suddenly make that kind of expression?”

“If ARMY hears it, they will go crazy. Okay, let’s do something about this guy.”

In this way, they succeeded in somehow returning Lee Hwa-in’s mind to its original state until Kim A-mi came back.

But they didn’t know. From then on, a difficult mission awaits him: to appear as if he naturally understands Kim A-mi’s extremely unreasonable excuses… .

This is the daily life of the boys who protect the class atmosphere and friendship from the girl who scatters landmines without awareness.

*****