episode_0078

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I’m out of breath.

My underdeveloped muscles scream for mercy.

My back, pressed against the ground, is drenched in sticky sweat.

First-year mock training.

Just before it started, I remember hearing the teacher say, “Think of it as beating up a scarecrow,” in a bored tone.

If that is a scarecrow, then what the hell am I?

Cosmic trash struggling against a mere scarecrow and face-planting into the dirt?

The man, panting as he lay on the ground, flapped his sweat-soaked gym uniform and got up.

The iron sword he had chosen as an Evolution-type Transcendent was already chipped.

This isn’t getting me anywhere.

I had to show some result, at least to get a decent grade.

…Or so I thought.

But only in my head.

Because up ahead, Han Sua was toying with the scarecrow like it was a plaything.

“…Is that even human?”

“Dunno.”

The man answered Cosmic Trash No. 2, who had been lying beside him, then followed the swaying lion’s tail in the distance with his eyes.

Mutation-type Transcendents are generally strong.

No, strong is an understatement—they bend steel bars, wield monstrous strength beyond common sense.

Of course, not all Mutation-types are like that, but the closer they are to beasts, the more powerful they tend to be.

And there, standing unfazed, was Han Sua—a lion-based Transcendent.

The same base as Predator, Britain’s representative hero.

The outcome was simple.

The scarecrow—no, the terrifying 4-meter-tall iron monstrosity with glowing eyes—was meant to be fought as a team.

But Han Sua took it on alone and broke it.

…Well, no wonder she was the second-highest scorer in the entrance exams, right after the Magic-type Lee Jiyoon.

Half admiration, half inexplicable inferiority—those were the gazes directed at Sua.

Even as an Evolution-type Transcendent who grows stronger the more I train, seeing someone born with such innate power like a Mutation-type sometimes stings.

Come to think of it, Sua was practically born with a diamond spoon in her mouth, which makes it even more frustrating.

As the man scratched his head pointlessly, Sua—having finished off the scarecrow and achieved her goal—approached, retracting her adorable lion ears and tail.

Her signature half-lidded, indifferent eyes turned toward us, the cosmic trash.

And then—

“……G-good work.”

An unexpected—

Extremely unexpected remark made my head tilt.

Good work?

Me?

Or her?

We were just lying here watching.

Ah, is she mocking us for collapsing and resting after barely trying?

“Nah. You did all the work, Sua.”

“Uh, yeah… Right…”

“…….”

Why get pissed? It’s true—she did everything.

We awkwardly laughed it off.

But what we got in return was Sua’s delicate brow furrowing slightly more than before.

Was she thinking we were too dumb to even recognize sarcasm…?

I racked my brain, but it was pointless.

Because soon after, Yozora, having finished her training, approached with a bright smile and whisked Sua away.

78

Another day, another failure.

Girls, guys—doesn’t matter. Still no new friends.

I sighed as the dismissal bell echoed through the school speakers.

Why is this so hard?

In manga, people become friends effortlessly—no exchanges needed. How do they do it?

Sitting next to each other?

Attending the same class?

Isn’t that just unrealistic manga logic?

It’s not like I’m asking for much.

I don’t expect to be friends with every student in the academy.

Just… everyone in Class 1-A.

But my hopeless social skills won’t even allow that.

A little kinder.

A little warmer.

A little friendlier.

All similar nuances.

I understand them intellectually.

I even try to act accordingly.

But all I get is failure.

Honestly, I’m still struggling with guys, so fine.

But the real absurdity is the girls.

Sometimes, we manage a conversation, but it feels like they’re holding back—like they can’t say what they want to say.

At least the reason is obvious.

My social skills are part of it.

My naturally cold expression doesn’t help.

But the biggest issue?

The weight of the name Han Sua.

Or rather, the name Hanseol Group looming behind me.

Even without a caste system, money is status.

No matter how much I avoid mentioning it, people can’t help but be conscious of it.

“…….”

…But today…

It felt like everyone was extra hesitant…

Maybe it’s just my imagination?

At this rate, my dad might start treating me like livestock—just a waste of food.

Can’t even handle the easiest subjects.

Can’t make friends.

Just chipping away at the group’s image…

“The infirmary? Why?”

Yozora’s voice snapped me out of it. Busy laughing with other friends, as usual.

She stuck with me for a few days, but today, she’s been running around making new connections.

If things stay hopeless, maybe I should ask Yozora for friendship lessons.

I’ll keep that in mind.

“…Ah, just need to talk to the teacher for a sec.”

“Oh, okay…”

Obviously, I didn’t tell her the whole truth.

Even if Yozora’s my only friend, I can’t just say, “I’m going to learn how to talk to guys from the teacher.”

Luckily, Yozora just nodded, eyes glued to her phone.

The occasional vibration.

Her twitching lips curling up—probably texting the nurse.

…It’s fascinating.

At the bookstore, when we briefly saw the teacher.

On stage during the entrance ceremony, when he greeted us.

Even when I thought he’d blackmail me with what happened yesterday, he just smiled and said, “Then let’s be friends.”

Based on what I’ve seen, he seems incredibly kind.

So how did Yozora end up in that kind of relationship with him?

SNS?

Did they meet through that?

Well, I’ve heard of secret SNS accounts in manga.

Bright and cute on the outside, but secretly… dirty thoughts inside.

The teacher seems kind, but maybe he’s not.

Didn’t expect that. What a sly man.

Hmm.

Well, that’s just how society is.

Everyone wears a mask these days.

Not strange at all.

As long as they don’t act weird around me, it’s fine.

That’s the mindset.

As I indulged in rude speculations about Yozora’s online persona (and imagined her lewd selfies), a small doubt bubbled up.

Yozora.

Right before she asked me to the bookstore…

Wasn’t she texting Master—the nurse?

But at the store, she acted like she randomly ran into him…

“…….”

…Ah. Probably because I was there.

If it were just the two of them, they wouldn’t bother pretending.

They’d head straight to a motel.

Or a bathroom, like yesterday.

And then sex—

…Se—

…….

…Anyway! Mystery solved!

Refreshed, I parted ways with Yozora (who was grinning) and headed to the infirmary.

“…Fine. Since you’re paying, I’ll go with you…”

There was already a guest.

A girl with snow-white, shoulder-length hair, wrapped in a khaki jumper.

Entrance exam.

Freshman oath.

Same as always—I recognized her immediately.

The one who sleeps in the back row.

Lee Jiyoon.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Did she get hurt during class?

Do Magic-types even get hurt?

Why is she at the infirmary?

I gnawed on my lip, thoughts racing.

Maybe because I barged in without knocking, both the teacher and Jiyoon turned to look at me.

Not one, but two pairs of eyes.

…I can’t breathe…

For three seconds, I fidgeted with my bag strap, awkward under their gazes.

Then, without resistance, I surrendered.

“…H-hi…”

Maybe it was nerves.

Even though I’d just been talking to Yozora, my voice cracked.

If it were just the teacher, fine. But with Jiyoon—someone I’m not close to—my cheeks burned.

First impressions are crucial for making friends…

Welp, guess I blew it with her.

Unlike Yozora, whose smile is charming, Jiyoon always looks bored—yet she’s pretty, so I liked her.

But now? Might as well give up.

“Wait a moment, okay? There’s a student before you.”

“…Y-yes…”

While I was on the verge of malfunctioning from one extra person, the nurse spoke in his usual gentle tone.

How does he do that? My voice is shaking like crazy…

Sadly, no time to ask for tips.

I creakily moved my limbs and sat on the nearby bed.

The softness under me felt nice.

Exaggerating a bit, it felt more like a home bed than an infirmary one.

Must’ve spent a lot on it…

As I mused pointlessly, Jiyoon—who had been silently treated—brushed off her wrist and left.

Without even a glance my way. Thud. Thud.

Now, just the teacher and me.

After a moment of hesitation, I tiptoed closer, careful not to disturb him.

“Hello…”

“Yeah. Hi.”

His casual reply made me freeze.

Yeah?

Hi?

To me?

“…Uh, um…”

“You were the one who said we should drop formalities.”

“…But you said you weren’t comfortable with it yet…”

“Still not. I’m forcing myself.”

Only then did I notice the awkward smile on his lips.

I’m not used to reading expressions, so it took me a while.

“Want me to switch back? I’d prefer that.”

“N-no! No…, I mean… This is fine…”

“Sure?”

But it didn’t last.

Soon—

Seo Woojin’s lips curled into a warm smile.

The kind that puts people at ease.

A softness that clashed with Yozora’s “Master” title.

This man did that in a bathroom with a girl?

I know it’s a weird thought to have now, but—

The idea of him doing something so socially unacceptable feels wrong.

A pristine white coat.

A model youth.

Whether it’s the former or the latter, he’s the kind of person parents would adore.

…And he’s pretty handsome, too.

“So, how should we practice? Roleplay?”

“……Y-yeah. Roleplay. Sounds good…”

My voice was weak as I nodded like an excited puppy. He chuckled and mirrored me.

Now that I see it, it’s kinda embarrassing.

Note to self: Nod moderately.

Already learned something.

Then came an extremely suspicious follow-up.

“We’ll do that later. Wanna get out of here first?”

“O-out?”

“Don’t want other students seeing us roleplay, right? Embarrassing for both of us.”

“……Ah.”

“My place? It’s cramped compared to yours, but…”

“…W-wait.”

Just because I said imagining him doing bad things felt wrong—

That doesn’t mean I trust him completely.

There’s undeniable proof he was in a bathroom with a girl.

This is a mask.

Hiding something sinister inside—a snake? (Is that the right word?)

Yozora calls him Master for a reason.

So no, I’m not naive enough to follow him alone somewhere dangerous.

Sure, I’m stronger—he can’t force me. But why take the risk?

What guys like.

How to talk to them.

I’ll just extract those two things and keep my distance.

That’s the best plan.

So—

“…If we’re going, my place.”

“…Your place?”

“…….”

“Sure. Fine by me.”

My house, with the live-in maid, is one thing.

But his place?

Like in those lewd manga Yozora recommended—

Where we’d definitely end up alone?

Absolutely not.

Now I can relax…

Phew…

I stood up decisively.

…Ah.

It took me a full 20 minutes to realize—

I just invited a man to my house for the first time in my life.