episode_0245

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My condition is still fine. No dizziness from overexertion yet either. Not particularly injured anywhere. So the forced smile currently plastered on the face of…

…this one girl in front of me should be manageable.

“…”

Seo Woojin, who broke his promise on a whim. It should be fine to use him as a replacement toy for now.

“Let’s do it.”

“Ah, really? Thank goodness… The others were starting to say they’re getting tired…”

I don’t feel like it. But since you want it so badly, I’ll humor you. If I had to quantify it, it’d be 80% annoyance, 20% kindness.

Responding in my usual tone, I brushed off my pants and headed toward the empty sparring arena.

Of course, the reason isn’t solely because “Seo Woojin refused to have sex with me on a whim yesterday, so I’m sulking.”

It’s not like I’d shoot ice at a perfectly fine person over something that trivial. This isn’t some childish mindset like “playing shooting games makes people violent”—something only boomers would believe.

Not being able to relieve my sexual urges yesterday… makes up at most half the reason.

The other half? A reason quite fitting for a prospective hero.

“By the way, Jiyoon. I know it’s late to ask now, but is sparring with me actually helpful? I mean, I can just think of you as someone who specializes in speed…”

“Same here. Just think of me as a summoned creature wielding a sword.”

“Ah, right…”

Seven days left until the midterm evaluations.

The scholarship. That’s all I could think about as I firmly pressed my feet into the dirt floor of the sparring arena.

…Tuition isn’t that expensive, but if I can cut even a bit of it, I’d have less to worry about for living expenses.

Besides, spending time working part-time at a café…

There’s so much I want to do at home too.

“Haah… Jiyoon, you’re so lucky…”

“How?”

“Your notes are decent, and you’re practically top-tier in practical skills. At least among magic and summoning types.”

“…”

“I’m over there… suffering because of Sua and Yozora…”

As if worried the subjects might hear, the girl pretended to inspect her long wooden sword while subtly glancing somewhere, her blade planted in the sandy floor.

Following her gaze, I spotted two familiar faces leaning against the arena wall, deep in conversation.

One was a petite Japanese girl, grinning brightly—even more than yesterday—chattering away.

The other was a tall blonde girl faintly smiling as she listened.

“…”

Well, I’m not sure if Han Sua is actually smiling.

It’s just the vibe between them.

245

“…Let’s stop here. I’m tired.”

“Ehh? Don’t lie. You run several kilometers every day—your stamina’s great.”

“I said I’m tired. Can’t you see me sweating?”

“I can. Your hair’s soaked and sticking to your skin.”

“…Stop talking. You sound like a creep.”

“Sure.”

“And stop staring at me with those disgusting eyes.”

“I was just looking at you normally—”

“Don’t. Just look at the ground.”

“…Fine, whatever. I’ll do that.”

Massaging my sore right wrist, I glared at Yoo Siwoo before sighing quietly—just loud enough for him not to hear.

…Vice Student Council President. Even if he’s one of the promising summoners, he’s still a pain.

The most annoying part? The three massive golems shaped like statues wielding halberds as their main weapons.

And those unidentified particles silently orbiting his body, clustering into solid shields whenever defense is needed.

Even for a summoner, there’s too much to keep track of.

Right now, he’s still in the sprout stage—I could easily kill him if I pushed a little harder.

But if he grows properly and gains more weapons, he might become a troublesome obstacle…

“Senior. Here, some ice water.”

“I told you to look at the ground.”

“Wait, that wasn’t a joke?”

“Ha… Do I seem like the type to joke with you?”

“Should we start today, then?”

“Get lost.”

“Then starting tomorrow, I guess.”

“…Joke moderately. Before I really lose my temper.”

“I’ve never joked with you before.”

“…Ha.”

A guy who wouldn’t last three seconds if I went all out…

I shouldn’t have gone to the student council room when I was in heat because of Seo Woojin.

As I undid my ponytail, I briefly regretted that incident.

Glancing at the water bottle to check if it had been opened beforehand, I confirmed the seal was intact before twisting the cap off and taking a sip.

…Of course, the Vice President was grinning at me the whole time,

so even if it was sweltering,

I kept my sports jacket zipped all the way up.

“Senior. Should we call it a day, then?”

“Yeah. …And I’d like to stop helping you after today. I only agreed earlier because there were too many people watching.”

“Hmm-hmm. I planned it that way. Besides, you can’t just coldly reject a cute junior asking for help, right?”

“Shouldn’t that line come from my mouth, not yours?”

“Well, I gave you a good example—just copy it loosely. Go on, try.”

“A creepy junior asked for help, so I’ll humor them just for today.”

“Ah, why? It’s not like third-years have midterms anyway.”

“Not having exams doesn’t mean I’m free to slack off.”

“Someone at your level would already be scouted by…”

“Ah, good work today. I’m gonna go shower first—this is getting awkward.”

“Senior, wait—”

As if worried I’d leave first, he hesitated but let me go easily—probably used to it.

Heading to the showers, I took my time washing up, careful to avoid direct water contact on… sensitive areas, given what happened last time.

Of course, I couldn’t avoid it entirely…

Please, please…

I prayed to a god I don’t even believe in while rinsing off.

“Phew…”

…Thankfully, nothing unusual happened.

No unwelcome stiffness in places best left unmentioned, and everything else was normal too.

I’d checked last night at home and again this morning, but only now did I feel relieved.

For now, it seems touching Seo Woojin is the trigger for my… condition.

Better to know the embarrassing cause than to be left clueless.

“…”

But even after confirming and being cautious, one question remains unanswered.

Namely—if touching Seo Woojin is the problem…

Why didn’t the same thing happen when I got a paper cut and went to him for treatment before?

…Maybe it’s not just touching.

Maybe it’s his scent.

Or maybe it’s only when I consciously recognize him as “a man” while touching him…

If not that, then…

“…Ugh.”

Either way, the solution is simple: just avoid Seo Woojin entirely.

Or maybe develop feelings for another guy instead.

Sighing, I turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing my shower caddy.

I don’t have anyone in mind right now, but generally, I prefer good-looking guys… I think.

Like male actors in movies. Or idols. That type.

The next most important thing? Probably self-discipline.

A bland or sloppy guy is worse than someone who at least takes care of himself.

In that sense, Seo Woojin is only slightly better than the average guy—far from an actor or idol.

First of all…

…Well.

It’s hard to explain.

Anyway.

Various things.

“…”

But if we’re just talking looks, there’s also Yoo Siwoo lying on the couch fiddling with his game console.

Yeah, idols are off the table.

This makes more sense.

Honestly, I’d rather someone like Seo Woojin than those pretty-boy types…

…

…Ah,

Fuck.

“Maybe I should watch a movie for once…”

Let’s try this approach first.

If I end up seriously injured and have to get treated by Seo Woojin again, it’d be best to condition myself to stay unaffected by his touch.

After exchanging greetings with some second-year girls in the shower room, I dried my hair and changed in the locker room.

I packed my sweat-soaked clothes separately.

Fresh underwear.

I draped my spare gym uniform over my shoulders, zipped only at the bottom.

…And right beside it.

A blinking notification light.

[Yozora]

– Seoyeon, where are you? – Hello? Moshi moshi? Shiro-chan? – Where are you? – Did you block me? – If you keep ignoring me, I’ll graffiti your secrets on the bathroom walls. – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 0.5 – Seoyeon? – Did you really block me??

“…”

Gripping my phone with this extremely annoying notification, I stepped out of the locker room.

“Hello—”

– Ah, thank goodness. I thought you blocked me. I kept calling you last night too.

“…I was showering. It was uncomfortable.”

– The showers? Which one?

“Near Arena 3.”

– Oh, we’re in the building right next to it. So you’re done?

“I guess, but… we? Is Seo Woojin with—”

– Nope! It’s Sua-chan. My friend. The girl you walked home last time.

Friend…

More like “the girl you were hired to protect.”

Did you forget the job and just adopt her as a friend now?

…That’s very you, but I’m worried about the cleanup later.

“…So what? Do you need something from me?”

– Yes!

“Don’t just say yes—elaborate.”

– Well, you see…

Stepping outside the large arena building, I shielded my eyes from the harsh sunlight and scanned the area.

In the distance, near the entrance of Arena 1, I spotted a familiar silhouette.

…The way that black-haired girl was waving energetically—no doubt it was Yozora.

Watching her, I took a step back and frowned as her voice continued through the phone.

– Hey, wanna go to the infirmary together later—

“No.”

This was obviously related to her drunken ramblings last night.

I hung up immediately and walked toward the main building.