Chapter 75 The End (1)
Inside the VIP room of SL Seoul Hospital.
The room was luxurious, furnished with a 4K television, sleek marble flooring, and high-end furniture.
It was one of the most expensive rooms, costing nearly two million won per day, but when Soyeon collapsed and couldn't get up, Lee Siwoon panicked and promptly admitted her.
Normally, a VIP room of this caliber would be fully booked by conglomerate heirs, celebrities, and heroes, but this room was reserved for SL Group's family members.
Lee Siwoon, honestly, is a bit over the top.
Why go to such lengths?
Though his expression was stoic, the concern and worry in his eyes as he looked at Soyeon were undeniable.
A wealthy young man with a pure heart…
If she were a girl, she'd be head over heels for him, sending hearts flying his way. Soyeon, though, still seemed a bit
indifferent.
Well, in any case, the tests revealed that her collapse was due to mental fatigue and exhaustion from overusing her ability.
A few days of rest in the hospital would be enough for her to recover fully. There didn't seem to be anything to worry about.
"..."
I sat in a chair, quietly watching over Soyeon, and then took out my phone to read some news articles.
Seong Yura's story was gaining a lot of attention in connection with the recent incident.
– "The Dark Side of the Church of Noon's Seong Yura!" A Clergyman Tainted by Corruption.
– "All Kinds of Corruption and Fraud?" The Ugly Truth Behind the Saintess Candidate.
– Illegal Drug Trade, Kidnapping, Imprisonment, Brainwashing… Who Exactly Is Seong Yura?!
– "Villain Seong Yura is a Union Student!" … The Union's Controversial Repute After the Villain's Attack!
– [Exclusive] Gaon Nuri Clan Collaborates with Law Enforcement! Worst Villains Captured!
– "Was it Excessive Force?" A Mansion in Flames and a Pile of Corpses.
Various news articles poured out.
Due to the Act on the Punishment of Certain Violent Crimes, Seong Yura's personal information was exposed by the media.
Normally, a minor suspect would be protected under the Youth Protection Act, but because Seong Yura was an ability user, the special law applied.
Also, the evidence against Seong Yura was overwhelming.
Not only did we retrieve incriminating items from the secret safe, but we also found more in the basement, making the case against her truly massive.
The serious crimes that could be proven on the spot included attempted murder, solicitation of murder, threats, kidnapping, imprisonment, abduction, enticement, human trafficking, drug dealing, and manufacturing.
Holy crap, there's so much.
And there were even more crimes that hadn't been uncovered yet.
Seong Yura really lived her life committing every evil act possible just to succeed.
If she had just stopped at a reasonable point, things wouldn't have turned out this way.
'By the way, Yoo Seolhyun did a great job cleaning up the mess.'
I wasn't sure how it happened, but our illegal intrusion into Seong Yura's mansion and the chaos we caused ended up
being portrayed as us helping law enforcement catch a villainous organization.
I heard that the prosecutors, police, and media were all in sync, but I didn't expect them to handle it so well.
Fortunately, the media left out any mention of me, Soyeon, Lee Siwoon, or Roxanne.
As expected of the precious gem of the Gaon Nuri Clan. No, seriously. How is Yoo Seolhyun so competent?
I'm glad I went through the trouble of getting on her good side. Without her help in this incident, we wouldn't have been able to rescue Soyeon safely.
Indeed, connections are everything in this country.
I'll have to maintain good relationships with those who have strong backing in the future.
'Hmm. Speaking of which, this sword sheath…'
I scratched my chin briefly and gripped the sword sheath Yoo Seolhyun had handed me.
It was slightly singed, but it was clear that it was a good sheath. It was a sort of masterpiece made by a skilled craftsman.
This sword sheath was found in the burnt-down mansion, and Yoo Seolhyun personally brought it to me. She must have noticed that my sword and the sheath were connected by some unknown force. She probably thought they were a set.
Apparently, Yoo Seolhyun, not having been at the scene, assumed that this was the sheath I had lost in the mansion, but I had never seen this sheath before in my life.
However, I had a rough idea of who the owner of this sheath was.
Because the circumstantial evidence was clear. 'Vigilante…'
I had heard that the site of the fire revealed traces of intense combat and several charred, unidentifiable corpses.
It seemed that the Vigilante had stormed the mansion and caused havoc just before I infiltrated Seong Yura's place.
It made sense since the position of the sword could be tracked through this sheath.
Considering the unusually low number of guards and the fact that James, who was top-tier, was injured, it was all but certain.
Given the Vigilante's strength according to the world's lore, it was entirely possible.
He was someone who could be compared to Yoo Dahee in terms of strength.
'Sigh. It feels a bit unsettling, as if he died because of me.'
It didn't feel great knowing that someone unrelated to the
situation had died. Of course, I couldn't be blamed directly,
but it was true that I had indirectly influenced the outcome. No wonder I'd been having restless dreams lately.
'Death… It doesn't feel like someone else's problem. I could die too if I'm not careful, right?'
After all, I was a character destined to die.
My in-game death served as the catalyst for Soyeon's awakening and set the stage for the confrontation with the Rebellion members.
It was a rather important role, you could say.
But whether because of luck or something else, it seemed that Soyeon had awakened without my death, thanks to this recent incident.
As I later found out, Soyeon had apparently taken down all the guards in Seong Yura's room.
Those guards were, at the very least, mid to high tier.
They were far too strong for an average hero candidate to defeat. The fact that Soyeon managed to defeat them all meant that she awakened just like she did in the game.
It was something completely unexpected.
According to Soyeon, she thought I had died after seeing the CCTV footage.
It was shocking that she had awakened in the same way as her in-game character, triggered by what she believed to be my death.
Frankly, I was a bit surprised.
I had been uncertain.
Whether or not Soyeon could only awaken if I died.
In retrospect, the awakening of abilities is often linked to death.
When a loved one dies.
When one experiences a life-threatening situation.
When one comes back from the brink of death.
…According to the lore, an abnormal level of stress and intense emotional outbursts related to death can trigger the awakening of abilities.
'Could I awaken an ability if I were in a life-threatening situation or if a loved one died?'
But wait, I've already had several near-death experiences, and my beloved parents have already passed away, haven't they?
'So, the only thing left is to come back from the brink of death… Sigh.'
Though even then, I'm pretty sure I still wouldn't awaken an ability.
Because if I had the talent to awaken an ability on my own, I would have done so long ago.
In the game, I was a character who never awakened, quietly exiting the stage without fanfare.
Even if I were to come back from the brink of death now, the chances of me awakening an ability would be extremely low.
Is there another way, any other way? I really want to have an ability.
To fight the Rebellion members in the future, I need to become stronger. Relics alone have their limitations.
'…Hmm. Then should I actually die once and come back?'
This sounds like complete nonsense, but there is a relic that can bring someone back to life.
After all, resurrection items are a staple in RPG games.
Though in the game, you could get them as long as you had money, in the world's setting, they are classified as extremely rare items.
So, in this world where the game's setting is fully reflected, it's impossible to obtain them through ordinary means.
But it's not impossible to get a resurrection item.
Because in a few months, a relic related to resurrection will be up for auction.
It's called the "Blessing of the Star."
The Blessing of the Star is a one-time-use resurrection item that will bring the user back to life upon death.
Isn't this the reason I've been diligently investing in stocks all this time?
It seems like it's time to start selling off some of the stocks I hadn't liquidated.
'A resurrection item… I really want to have it. You never know when or how you might die, so it's good to have some insurance, right?'
Compared to Soyeon, who has awakened, and Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan, who will become even stronger, I'm far too weak.
To survive the threats that will come in the future, having the Blessing of the Star would be ideal.
Not necessarily just to awaken an ability, but also to have a resurrection-related relic as a safeguard.
As you know, I was originally fated to die—a fate to die. 'Thinking about it like this feels a bit odd.'
Though my death is the standard route in Romance Hero Academy, it feels strange to think about being destined to die.
To be honest, it doesn't feel good.
Even though I know the story of Romance Hero Academy has deviated significantly and I know how to avoid death, I still can't shake this unsettling feeling.
'Well, either way, as long as I keep getting entangled with the Rebellion members, I'll probably face many dangerous situations.'
The villains of Rebellion who will stand in Soyeon's way in the future.
Given that we've already captured Seong Yura, it's clear they'll harbor ill will toward us.
Even though the media left out our involvement, it's hard to believe they wouldn't know the truth of the matter.
Why Seong Yura was captured, for instance. 'I wonder what will happen to Seong Yura.' The thought of Seong Yura crossed my mind.
Honestly, I don't think she'll just be quietly imprisoned.
Given all the evil deeds she's committed and how she's held others' weaknesses over them, it's obvious what fate awaits her now that she's lost her power, wealth, and subordinates.
Seong Yura knows too much.
Not only the identities of the Rebellion members but also the weaknesses of powerful people.
Could she possibly meet the same end as she did in the game? I sighed softly.
It's not that I feel sorry for Seong Yura or that I'm worried about her, but knowing someone's end is a complex feeling in many ways.
No one wishes for death.
Not me, not Seong Yura, not anyone.
Chapter 76 The End (2)
Ssssaaahhh.
A damp rain was falling.
Seong Yura couldn't see outside due to the thickly armored transport vehicle she was trapped in, but she could still hear the faint pitter-patter of rain.
It made the inside of the vehicle feel even more humid.
Seong Yura sighed deeply in frustration and tried to stretch her stiff body, but she quickly remembered her current condition.
She couldn't move properly because she was restrained in a special suit designed for high-level ability users, and her muscles were relaxed by a muscle relaxant.
A guarded glance revealed several heavily armed special police officers watching her closely.
These special police units specialized in handling villains and were more skilled than most active heroes. In this situation, it was impossible to do anything without them noticing.
'Wandering all over, and in the end, I'm going to end up imprisoned in Labyrinthos, aren't I…'?
Labyrinthos, the special prison located on an island near the East Sea.
The prison, built to resemble a labyrinth designed to trap monsters, was an impregnable fortress created to isolate villains who posed a serious threat to public peace and safety.
There were legal and human rights issues raised by activists, and many voices opposed the prison, but in a country like South Korea, where the death penalty was rarely enforced, Labyrinthos was a necessity.
That was because it was nearly impossible to safely incarcerate villains with powerful abilities through ordinary means.
In regular prisons, breakouts occurred frequently. But Labyrinthos was different.
Surrounded entirely by the sea, escape was not easy, and the prison itself extended hundreds of meters deep underground, far below sea level.
Moreover, the prison was filled with special minerals that suppressed both abilities and magic.
These rare and expensive minerals couldn't be allocated in large quantities to all villain prisons, but Labyrinthos, built to contain the worst villains in South Korea, was given more than its fair share.
Once you entered, there was no way out. That was Labyrinthos.
'Well, considering the current situation, maybe being locked up in Labyrinthos would actually be lucky.'
Seong Yura gave a bitter smile.
She had a rough idea of what was going on outside, and the truth left her unable to hide her bitter smile.
'At least if I'm locked up in Labyrinthos, my neck—ugh?!' BOOOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked her ears, followed by the sound of something blowing up. For a moment, the transport vehicle shook violently.
The police escort vehicle that had been accompanying them had been overturned by an attack.
So, it's finally come.
Seong Yura sighed deeply. "What the hell is going on?!"
"Someone… someone's attacking from outside!" "Who the hell dares?!"
The heavily armed police officers were growing agitated.
The very fact that someone was openly attacking a transport vehicle of this scale was proof that the assailants had considerable power. "Shit, this is insane!" BOOOOM!
This time, the transport vehicle behind them was struck and destroyed.
The officers gritted their teeth, clutching their weapons tightly, faces tense. Some were hurriedly calling for reinforcements.
"Ugh, aargh?!"
Then, with a screeching sound, the tires skidded, and the transport vehicle overturned.
The massive armored vehicle rolled over and over with a heavy thud.
Inside, the people were tossed about like clothes in a washing machine.
Finally, the transport vehicle crashed into something with a loud *thud* and came to a stop. The officers, dazed but alive, struggled to stand and assume battle positions.
Someone was forcefully opening the rear door of the vehicle.
Despite the thick armor and locks, the rear door was being opened with ease.
As the door swung open, the villains who had ambushed the convoy revealed themselves. They wore face masks, but Seong Yura instinctively recognized them as formidable enemies.
The special police officers fired without hesitation. "Fire! Fire!"
"What the hell are those things?!"
*Rat-tat-tat-tat!*
Bullets and abilities flew through the air.
But the villains shrugged off the bullets and abilities as if they were nothing, ruthlessly slaughtering the special police officers.
With every attack, the police officers coughed up blood. "Aaargh! Aaaahhh?!"
"Ugh, cough, cough!"
"Please, spare me… agh?!"
How much time had passed?
All the special police officers and the criminals being transported had been killed, their bodies strewn across the ground like discarded meat.
Seong Yura slowly rose from the pile of corpses and lifted her head.
There was a familiar face. Of course, the mask covered his features, but there was only one person Seong Yura knew who would wear such a mask.
"…Alex."
"Well, well, Seong Yura. You're still alive after all that chaos?"
"Thanks to you."
"Anyway, it's been a while. How have you been?"
The blond man in the mask made a casual, meaningless joke.
Seong Yura clenched her fists and bit her lower lip. Then, in a low, quiet voice, she spoke.
"What brings the Phantom Thief here?"
"Well~ I heard someone had been captured. Couldn't just sit still, you know? Stealing is my specialty, after all."
Alex Kim.
A member of Rebellion.
He specialized in thievery and was notorious in his own right. Some labeled him a master thief or a phantom thief.
But he was more of a bandit than a thief.
A vicious bandit who would take whatever he wanted, using any means necessary.
Even if it meant taking someone's life.
"Beom Taegyung, you're here too." "Miss, how's it going?"
Beom Taegyung, who was standing a bit away with the group of villains, waved and greeted her mockingly.
He was a villain who had served as Seong Yura's right-hand man, always carrying out his tasks as long as he was paid. Since he had originally approached her for money, there was no fear of betrayal as long as he was compensated.
As long as he was paid well. "You came too, huh."
"Well, it just worked out that way."
Beom Taegyung scratched the back of his neck with a bitter smile.
She could also sense familiar presences nearby. It seemed to be the group that had gone to the abandoned building when Lee Jinhyuk and his party attacked.
"You already found another job?"
"Well, wasn't much of a choice, was it? You went and got yourself caught. But hey, I'm good at what I do, and I've got experience, so finding a job wasn't hard."
"And James?"
"Who knows? By the way, I heard that guy got seriously hurt by some Vigilante or whatever. Is that true?"
"Beom Taegyung."
"To think he was all about rescuing you, but now he's just a joke, isn't he? Most of his direct subordinates are wrecked too. So what's the point of rescuing you now? You've lost your money, power, and influence. What use are you?"
Seong Yura bit her lower lip.
As he said, Seong Yura had lost everything—her corruption and illegal dealings had been exposed, and now she was being publicly humiliated by the media.
People who had been deeply associated with her were now trying to sever ties to avoid getting caught up in the scandal.
Just like this.
"That guy used to follow you around so loyally. But what could I do? He might've caused trouble later, so I had to take care of it."
"You—"
Just as Seong Yura was about to raise her voice, Alex cut in. "Aaah, Seong Yura."
He smiled smugly.
"Unfortunately, there are a lot of higher-ups who would find it inconvenient if you stayed alive. I mean, look at how much they're paying me."
"Hah."
"And besides, Seong Yura, you know my identity, don't you? Actually, it's not just me. You know the identity of that little lady from the swordsmanship family, and the so-called Hero Maniac, too."
Alex chuckled, his voice cheerful, as if mocking her. "Even if you don't talk, a psychic ability user might
rummage through your memories during interrogation. Ah,
you haven't already spilled everything, have you?"
"And if I did?"
"Haha. Bluff all you want. I know you've been keeping your mouth shut."
In truth, Seong Yura hadn't said much at all.
"Seong Yura, it's really unfortunate things turned out this way."
"Yeah, right. Wipe that smirk off your face when you say that."
"Ahaha. Caught me? I thought the mask would hide it." Rebellion was a group that came together out of necessity.
Most of its members held little in the way of camaraderie. Except for Yoo Dahee.
"Does Yoo Dahee know about this?"
"Probably not? But what does it matter? It's not like I'm afraid of her. She'll understand eventually."
"..."
"Don't take this too hard, Seong Yura. Honestly, what use are you now, without power, connections, or subordinates? You're not exactly easy to get along with either. Keeping you around wouldn't be worth it. Even the higher-ups hate you."
"Yeah, sure."
"James was a bit of a waste, though. The higher-ups didn't want to see you rotting in a prison cell. You should've known your limits. You've made too many enemies."
"Thanks for the advice. Really." "Anytime."
Alex glanced at his watch with a crooked smile. Oh, time's already up.
If he dragged this out any longer, police or hero reinforcements might show up. It was time to wrap things up.
"So, Seong Yura. Any last words?" "..."
Seong Yura bit her lip and looked up at the sky beyond the vehicle.
The gloomy clouds covered the sky, and the rain continued to fall in a steady drizzle. She quietly watched the scene unfold.
Then, she remembered.
The first time she met Roxanne, it was also raining like this.
When she had been filled with hatred, feeling completely alone in the world, Roxanne had smiled softly and greeted her. Seong Yura still hadn't forgotten that smile.
Seeing that smile, Seong Yura had felt an inexplicable mix of solace and self-loathing.
That gentle smile had embodied everything Seong Yura had once dreamed of becoming.
"If you ever meet Roxanne, tell her: I suffered for a long time because I got mixed up with a crazy woman."
"Ah, sure, sure."
Seong Yura slowly closed her eyes.
Suddenly, there was a soft *thunk*, and a sharp blade pierced her heart. The cold steel tore through her heart, sending a freezing sensation through her chest.
Seong Yura's body slowly crumpled to the ground. Cough, cough.
"Goodbye, Seong Yura." She coughed up blood.
The red stream flowed, mixing with the rainwater and spreading across the ground.
'So, this is how I die.'
All her struggles to survive felt meaningless now. In the end, it was only at the moment of death that she could reflect on her past.
Ha, ugh, heh. It's almost funny.
Seong Yura was a villain, a villain. How many had died by her hand? She didn't regret her actions or feel guilty.
She just felt… disappointed. To die as a loser.
'Well, congratulations, Roxanne… In the end… you won…'
And with the sound of raindrops falling just like in the past, Seong Yura's consciousness faded.
This was the end of the villain Seong Yura.
***
In the VIP hospital room.
I sat beside Soyeon, keeping an eye on things.
"Why isn't Soyeon waking up? It's starting to worry me."
It had been weeks since Soyeon had been admitted to the hospital.
Yet, there was no sign of her regaining consciousness. The doctors kept saying there was nothing wrong.
But didn't they say she would be fine in just a few days?
If there was nothing wrong, why had she been asleep for weeks? But I knew there was no point in arguing with the doctors. All I could do for now was watch and wait.
In the game, after her first awakening, she didn't regain consciousness for a while either.
"Huhu. You're really dedicated, aren't you, Lee Jinhyuk? It's been weeks."
"Hm? Ah, Yoo Seolhyun, you're here."
"I thought it was about time for Soyeon to wake up."
"I really hope so."
Yoo Seolhyun walked over with a click of her heels and sat down nearby.
She stared at me for a moment. It was a little uncomfortable.
"…Why are you staring at me like that? Do you have something to say?"
"No, not really."
Yoo Seolhyun shrugged with a faint smile.
Her subtle smile and the way she silently observed me made me feel uneasy, and I let out a sigh.
"…You seriously have nothing to say?" "Hmm~. Actually, I do. I'm kind of fond of you." "What?"
"You. I mean you."
"Huh?"
I blinked in confusion, and Yoo Seolhyun chuckled as she elaborated.
"Just look at the Seong Yura incident. You tipped me off about Seong Yura's secret ledger, the weaknesses of high- ranking figures in business and politics, and all those illegal slush funds. I had quite a bit of fun."
"Ah, I see. That's good."
"Your foresight ability really is impressive. It's a shame you can't see the future whenever you want."
Yoo Seolhyun had always trusted my foresight ability to some extent, but this incident seemed to have solidified her belief in it.
This meant I could ask even more favors from Yoo Seolhyun in the future.
Which was definitely not a bad thing for me.
"I'm starting to like this a bit. Though your face still isn't my type."
"What the hell."
Yoo Seolhyun snickered and made a joke.
Lately, her playful remarks had become more frequent.
Compared to when we first met, this was a huge improvement.
Back then, she had no interest in anyone she deemed useless. She didn't even want to talk.
"By the way, are you sure you'll be okay?"
"With what?"
"Seong Yura's remaining forces. They seem to have scattered, but you never know, right? They could retaliate."
"I don't think those criminals are loyal enough to seek revenge."
In reality, most of Seong Yura's subordinates were driven by money, with a few exceptions.
And as for the Rebellion members, they probably weren't a concern for now.
After all, they were more like a small group that collaborated out of mutual necessity. Their cooperation wasn't genuine, so they wouldn't care if one or two members died, as long as it didn't affect them directly.
There was barely any sense of camaraderie, which was why in the game, the protagonist and his party could take down several members one by one without facing a full-scale ambush until much later.
"Of course… I'll still need to hire some bodyguards." "Oh, really?"
"I'm thinking of hiring at least high-tier heroes as bodyguards."
"That's going to be expensive. But wait, right—you're rich, aren't you?"
With enough money, it was possible to hire even highly skilled heroes, which was a significant advantage over the game.
Of course, high-tier heroes were rare in South Korea, with only a three-digit number of them in the entire country, so it wouldn't be easy.
'But in the end, bodyguards will only be a temporary measure. To truly stop the Rebellion members, I'll need Soyeon's help. I have to make sure she grows stronger before the next incident.'
"So, how's Soyeon doing? Has there been any change?" "Nothing. The doctors say she seems to be dreaming…" "Dreaming?"
"Yeah."
I nodded.
A dream.
A dream, huh…
What kind of dream could Soyeon be dreaming? I wasn't sure, but I hoped it was a good dream.
For now, while she was resting, all I could do was hope she found some peace.
She would need it before facing the powerful enemies ahead.
Chapter 77 Love (1)
'Ah.'
Jin Soyeon drifted gently through the flow of consciousness.
Beyond the scattered fragments of memory, she slowly reached out her hand.
When she cautiously retraced her very first memories, it always led back to her childhood.
Was it when she was attending kindergarten?
Back then, Jin Soyeon didn't smile as much as she did now,
nor was she particularly altruistic.
Her gaze was always sharp, her expression cold, and she was quick to push away any kids who tried to approach her.
She resembled a hedgehog, bristling with sharp quills. Like a hedgehog trying to defend itself.
'The old days…'
Jin Soyeon had grown up in a single-parent household.
Her mother had raised Jin Soyeon alone at a young age, without a father.
However, her mother was always busy with work on weekdays, returning home late at night, and often spent weekends napping, exhausted.
It was an environment where it was difficult for a child to receive much attention or love, unlike in an ordinary family.
Moreover, the fact that she came from a single-parent household became a significant weakness.
To the kids in kindergarten, Jin Soyeon was nothing more than easy prey. Because children, while innocent, could also be infinitely cruel.
They instinctively realized that Jin Soyeon was someone who couldn't be properly protected by adults.
The boys would poke and tease her for no reason.
It was the childish behavior of boys who didn't know how to express their embarrassed feelings toward a beautiful girl they had never seen before, so they resorted to teasing.
The girls, on the other hand, were busy ostracizing Jin Soyeon out of jealousy for her appearance.
Seeing boys, they secretly liked showing interest in Jin Soyeon annoyed them greatly.
Moreover, Jin Soyeon often rejected the advances of handsome boys without hesitation, which made her even more disliked by the girls.
All they thought was that she was showing off or acting too full of herself.
'It must have been really tough.'
The kids all bothered Jin Soyeon for various reasons.
Whether mixed with kindness or malice, in the end, bullying was still bullying.
As a result, Jin Soyeon naturally developed an aversion to interacting with other kids.
Although she hadn't always been cold from the start, the bullying she experienced deeply affected her behavior and attitude.
At first, she was simply a quiet, aloof, and pretty girl, but over time, she became increasingly harsh and distant.
With all the hard feelings she harbored toward the kids, she often lashed out more aggressively than necessary, and at times, she even ended up fighting with them when she couldn't hold back her anger.
As a result, Jin Soyeon became isolated in kindergarten.
Being ostracized at school and half-neglected at home, her mindset and behavior gradually solidified in a negative direction.
Environment played a significant role in shaping a child's disposition and personality.
In Jin Soyeon's little world, where only negative experiences piled up, it was only natural that she would veer toward a bad path.
It wasn't that her mother didn't care, but her job kept her too busy to pay close attention to Jin Soyeon's needs.
Jin Soyeon, in turn, never told her mother about the things that happened in kindergarten, and the kindergarten staff were more focused on keeping things quiet rather than making a big deal out of it.
The other children weren't overtly bullying Jin Soyeon either, so the teachers often thought, 'It's just a little spat between kids,' and let it go.
In truth, they had learned through experience that helping a child without a father often didn't bring much reward.
Thus, the vicious cycle continued.
Jin Soyeon's heart was slowly being consumed by malice.
She could instinctively feel the bitter, dark emotions quietly taking root deep inside.
Absorbed in that malice, one day…
A boy transferred into her kindergarten.
His name was Lee Jinhyuk, and it didn't take long for him to blend in with the other kids.
His friendly and altruistic nature made him quite popular among the children.
Unlike Jin Soyeon.
'The first time I met Jinhyuk… well, he was a bit, you know.' At that time, Jin Soyeon didn't like Lee Jinhyuk very much.
His ever-smiling face and attempts to act chummy with her were annoying.
No matter how many times she made it clear she wasn't interested, he never stopped smiling and kept trying to help her in his own way, which was infuriating.
Normally, people would get angry or give up after a while, but Lee Jinhyuk never learned how to quit.
Even after being cursed at, he would just shrug it off and continue to offer his help whenever she needed it.
When she lost her indoor shoes because of the girls' pranks, he helped her find them. When she forgot to bring her supplies, he shared his. When other kids teased her, he rushed over and scolded them on her behalf.
Lee Jinhyuk didn't just help Jin Soyeon; he even worked on improving her relationships with the other kids.
He sought out the ones who bullied her and earnestly persuaded them to make things right.
Moreover, he continuously tried to get Jin Soyeon to blend in with the others.
Just by having this one boy enter her small world, many things slowly began to change.
Kindergarten, which had been a miserable and difficult place, became much more enjoyable with the boy around, and the dark, lonely house she returned to was brightened whenever the boy came to visit her.
Isn't it amazing how just being with someone else could make such a dark world seem bright?
Lee Jinhyuk, calling themselves "neighbor friends," invited her to his home, where she experienced the warmth of an ordinary family.
His mother and father treated Jin Soyeon like their own child, showering her with the love and attention she hadn't received from her own mother.
From Lee Jinhyuk, she learned how to form bonds with others. That even if you fight sometimes, you must make up in the end. She learned how to play, laugh, and joke with friends. She learned how to smile warmly instead of frowning. She learned that helping those in need was a good thing.
Jin Soyeon grew up watching Lee Jinhyuk's every move from a young age.
To a little chick who hadn't learned much from her overworked mother, Lee Jinhyuk became a guide, a role model.
At the same time, he was her standard for distinguishing right from wrong, for determining what was good and what was evil, for knowing what should and shouldn't be done.
Lee Jinhyuk became a point of reference, firmly rooted in Jin Soyeon's heart.
Suddenly, Jin Soyeon thought: 'I want to be like Jinhyuk.'
And so, Jin Soyeon began to imitate him.
When he helped others, Jin Soyeon helped too.
When he dreamed of becoming a hero, Jin Soyeon dreamed of becoming a hero as well.
When he set his sights on Union Academy, Jin Soyeon did the same.
Lee Jinhyuk was her family, her friend, and her role model. She wanted to look at the same things he did, walk the same path he did.
She wanted to be someone who could always smile and get along with others, someone who could offer help when it was needed.
Just like he had done for her.
She wanted to live the life of a hero alongside Lee Jinhyuk, helping others together.
But when she thought Lee Jinhyuk had died… Jin Soyeon realized.
The sense of loss that she would never see him again, the fear of seeing him collapse, bleeding, the guilt that he had come to rescue her and ended up dying—these things forced her to realize something.
The feelings she had for him weren't just admiration, affection, or gratitude.
The desire to be like him, the wish to walk side by side with him, to be together with him—these emotions were far too big to be confined under the label of "childhood friend."
Her affection and fondness for him weren't just those of a childhood friend.
At that moment, Jin Soyeon felt as if her world had collapsed.
Everything she had built up until then crumbled into an unrecognizable mess.
The thought that she could no longer talk to Lee Jinhyuk, laugh with him, or share silly jokes made her heart burn black with despair.
She had never imagined a life without him by her side. Lee Jinhyuk had always been there.
It was only natural, and it had to be that way. But now Jinhyuk was dead?
She would never talk to him again? He wasn't by her side anymore?
Those thoughts spun chaotically in her mind, making it hard to even breathe.
Her heart pounded wildly, her arms and legs trembled uncontrollably, and it was difficult just to stand.
Her mind grew hazy from the overwhelming sense of loss and guilt, and she felt as though she might vomit.
It was only when she lost him that she fully realized.
Lee Jinhyuk wasn't just someone who should always be by her side—he was far more important to her than she had thought.
More than family, more than a friend, more than a role model, she harbored feelings for him that went beyond all that.
He was someone she absolutely couldn't lose. Jin Soyeon had come to a clear realization.
Lee Jinhyuk was her family, her friend, her mentor, and also the person she loved.
Lee Jinhyuk was half of her life, the partner she was meant to walk alongside in the future.
'Ah, I…'
The feelings she had hidden deep inside her heart. The emotions she had dismissed as mere admiration. They weren't just admiration.
They were far too precious to be called affection, too heartbreakingly sweet to be called mere fondness.
Jin Soyeon had tried to conceal these feelings under the guise of friendship for a long time, but now she would no longer hide them.
She would acknowledge the true nature of her feelings for Lee Jinhyuk, which she had harbored for so long.
She didn't want to have regrets anymore. She didn't want to lose him.
She wanted to be with him.
And so, Jin Soyeon decided to be honest with herself about the feelings she had been tiptoeing around.
She liked Jinhyuk. No, she loved him. '…I miss you.'
At that moment, as she thought this.
Finally, Jin Soyeon was able to open her eyes.
And beyond the lingering remnants of her consciousness, she could see Lee Jinhyuk once again.
*** "Huh?"
"…Jin, Jinhyuk?"
"S-Soyeon! You're awake?!"
As her heavy eyelids lifted, through her blurred vision, she saw Jinhyuk's face.
"…Jinhyuk, where am I?"
"You're in the hospital! Do you even know how long you've been unconscious?"
Lee Jinhyuk's voice was filled with surprise as he made a fuss.
"Hold on, hold on a sec. I'll go get the doctor and nurse." She watched him press the call button in a hurry.
Seeing Jinhyuk's face again after so long made a strange warmth rise on her cheeks.
Thump!
'Huh? What's…?' Thump, thump!
'What… what's going on? Why am I feeling this way?' Why was her heart pounding like this?!
Why was she trembling so much? What was this? Did something break?
Realizing that she liked—no, loved him—her foolish heart trembled uncontrollably, unable to calm down.
Having never vividly felt the emotion of love before, Jin Soyeon couldn't adjust to it. She found herself awkwardly fidgeting, cursing her helpless heart.
"Soyeon? Are you okay? Do you feel any pain?" "N-no, I'm… I'm fine!"
How embarrassing! I bit my tongue!
Jin Soyeon, you idiot! What's wrong with you?
It's Jinhyuk! It's just Jinhyuk! …Don't make such a big deal out of it. Act normal, calm down, calm down.
But wait, haven't I been asleep for a while? What if my face looks terrible?
Is there a mirror around here?
…No, no! Wait!
Why am I even thinking about that?! Just act normal, like usual!
"I called the doctor and nurse, so just hang on a little longer, okay?"
"Mm, okay…"
Her face flushed a little just by looking at him, and Jin Soyeon swallowed nervously, turning her head slightly away.
"If only you'd woken up a little earlier, you could've seen Yoo Seolhyun too. It's a shame."
"…Yoo Seolhyun?" In an instant.
The heart that had been pounding with joy suddenly tightened.
Chapter 78 Love (2)
'Yoo Seolhyun, huh…'
Jin Soyeon instinctively scrunched her nose.
Biting her pale pink lips, she tugged slightly on the edge of her blanket.
Her heart, which had been pounding moments ago like that of a shy little girl, suddenly calmed down.
It was as if someone had clenched her heart tightly, making her feel uncomfortable.
Ah, right.
This feeling of irritation and frustration. She knew it all too well.
She had felt it a few times before.
In the past, when Lee Jinhyuk was friendly with a troublesome girl like Yoo Seolhyun, Jin Soyeon thought she was just feeling concerned as a childhood friend.
But now she understood clearly what this emotion was. It was jealousy.
It might seem childish, but she was feeling jealous.
If it had been any other girl, she might have let it go, but Yoo Seolhyun was pretty, rich, and came from a powerful family.
In short, she had everything that would make boys go crazy.
In fact, Yoo Seolhyun was extremely popular among the male students, not just in their class but even attracting attention from boys in other classes, like a sly fox.
And now, Lee Jinhyuk was close with Yoo Seolhyun?
Moreover, Yoo Seolhyun had once mentioned that she was interested in Lee Jinhyuk.
That made her feel uneasy and unsettled in every way. "…Seolhyun came to visit?"
"Yeah. She was really worried about you." Worried?
Yoo Seolhyun, worried about me?
Whether or not Yoo Seolhyun had truly been worried about her, Jin Soyeon just nodded along with Lee Jinhyuk's words.
"I see."
"Seolhyun also helped us a lot when you were kidnapped. If it weren't for her, we might not have been able to rescue you."
"Yoo Seolhyun… helped?"
"She coordinated between the media, the police, and prosecutors. She even supported the Gaon Nuri Clan and helped with the aftermath. She really did a lot."
"Oh."
A wave of surprise washed over Jin Soyeon upon hearing how much Yoo Seolhyun had helped.
After all, they were just classmates. There was no reason for Yoo Seolhyun to have gone out of her way to help when Jin Soyeon was kidnapped by villains.
It must have been a lot of trouble for her…
Jin Soyeon couldn't understand why Yoo Seolhyun had gone so far to help her. Could it have been simply because she was a hero cadet? No, Yoo Seolhyun was too calculating for that. She wouldn't do anything that didn't benefit her.
"It seems I owe Seolhyun a debt…"
Even though she didn't want to admit it, she couldn't deny the help Yoo Seolhyun had provided. Jin Soyeon bit her lower lip lightly.
Of all people, she had to end up owing a debt to Yoo Seolhyun.
Her emotions were complicated.
She didn't want to owe anything to Yoo Seolhyun, which made her feel even more restless.
"You don't need to think about it too much. Seolhyun probably benefited a lot from this as well."
"Huh?"
"I gave her a lot of valuable information in exchange for her help with your rescue."
Lee Jinhyuk smiled bitterly to himself.
Especially considering the vast amounts of slush funds Seong Yura had hidden away. Cash, gold, jewels; it was an enormous trove. It was one thing to see it in the game, but seeing it in real life was truly overwhelming.
Of course, he didn't give all of it to Yoo Seolhyun. He skimmed off a bit for himself.
He would need a significant amount of cash to bid on a resurrection relic that would be up for auction later on.
"You did?"
"Yeah. As you know, I'm a foresight ability user. I was able to give her lots of useful information."
Jin Soyeon lowered her gaze slightly at Lee Jinhyuk's words. Ah, I see.
Once again, she found herself relying on Jinhyuk.
Not only had he taken the risk of infiltrating Seong Yura's
base, but he had also paid a great price to enlist Yoo Seolhyun's help…
I'm always depending on you.
Most people would have simply called the police and left it at that, but Jinhyuk, as always, risked his life to save me.
Jinhyuk… why do you keep helping me? Is it just because we're childhood friends?
Because we've known each other since we were young? Was it because I was someone you once liked?
Or maybe…
– I don't like you anymore. Ouch.
Lee Jinhyuk's words from the past suddenly resurfaced in her mind. Her heart tightened, and she felt a dull ache in her chest.
– I've found someone else I like. Ouch.
It was as if her heart were being pricked by sharp needles. 'Right… Jinhyuk doesn't like me anymore…'
Jin Soyeon lowered her head with a blank expression.
She had tormented Jinhyuk for a long time with that fake relationship nonsense.
To shamelessly confess that she liked him now would only be a huge burden on him. After all the pain she had caused him, how could she dare to say that she still liked him? She had already owed him her life multiple times.
'Jinhyuk…'
Why had she asked Jinhyuk for that fake relationship back then?
She didn't know what kind of feelings Jinhyuk had when he agreed to it or how much it might have hurt him.
But she now knew for sure that he had been hurt.
Even though Jinhyuk had brushed it off and said it didn't matter, she worried whether he had truly forgiven her.
What if, deep down, he still harbored resentment, hiding it away in his heart, pretending to let it go on the surface?
That thought filled her with anxiety.
'Ah, his foresight ability…'
Suddenly, Jin Soyeon began to reflect on Lee Jinhyuk's ability.
Honestly, she had been unsure about it before, but if he really could see the future, she wondered who would be by his side in the end.
Would Jin Soyeon still be with him in the future? Or would it be someone else?
'No, not that… I don't want that…'
Flinch.
Jin Soyeon trembled slightly, her shoulders shaking.
Having already experienced losing Lee Jinhyuk once, she never wanted to go through that again.
If, by any chance…
If Jinhyuk ended up with Yoo Seolhyun in the future?
Could she bear to watch them always together, laughing and joking and spending time with each other?
Could she genuinely bless a future where the two of them shared intimate moments, whispered sweet nothings to each other, and made promises for the future?
'I can't. I won't be able to…'
Just the thought of it was horrifying.
She couldn't imagine a future where Lee Jinhyuk, who had always been by her side, was with another woman.
She didn't want to think about that kind of future at all.
But did Jin Soyeon even deserve to be by his side? Did she have the right?
"..."
"Soyeon, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" "…Mm. Maybe."
"Well, you did just wake up after a long time. Huh, why are the doctors taking so long? Should I go get them myself?"
"No, it's fine. They'll be here soon, I'm sure."
Just as Lee Jinhyuk started to get up, Jin Soyeon subconsciously grabbed his hand.
Ah. The sensation of his skin against her fingertips made her swallow nervously.
It had been a while since she had held Jinhyuk's hand. It was warm. A little rough, but soft too. It felt different from before.
For a brief moment, Jin Soyeon held onto his hand tightly, reluctant to let go, so Lee Jinhyuk had no choice but to sit back down.
He turned his head to look at her.
His eyes silently conveyed the message to let go of his hand, but Jin Soyeon, her cheeks flushed, just kept fidgeting with the blanket in her other hand.
It was hard to meet his gaze.
Just holding his hand and looking into his eyes made her heart race. Ah, what was wrong with her? She'd held his hand so many times before, Jin Soyeon!
Why was she getting so worked up over something so simple?
Jin Soyeon was floundering, overwhelmed by this strange excitement and the unfamiliar feeling of holding hands with
him as more than just a childhood friend. "Soyeon? Could you let go of my hand?" "Oh, uh, right! I should!"
When Lee Jinhyuk finally asked her directly to let go, she panicked and immediately pulled her hand away.
The feeling of holding his hand… it was really nice… Ugh, what's happening to me?
I never thought just holding his hand would make my heart race like this…
"You're acting kind of strange today. Well, I guess it makes sense, considering you just woke up."
"Ah, haha. Yeah, right? I've been asleep for so long that I feel a little hazy."
Jin Soyeon laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.
"Well, then, I guess I'll get going." "Huh?"
"I have to go back to the academy tomorrow. Oh, you should rest for a few more days. You still need to get a full check-up."
Lee Jinhyuk stretched, loosening up his stiff body.
"Oh, right. Your mom was really worried about you. She was so upset she couldn't come because she's on a business
trip. You should give her a call later." "Mm. Okay."
"I told her it was just a simple accident… You'll know what to say, right?"
Lee Jinhyuk threw his jacket over his shoulder. "Alright, I'll get going then."
"Ah… Bye, Jinhyuk. See you later." With a short goodbye, Jinhyuk left.
Jin Soyeon watched his retreating figure for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.
Tomorrow, the academy, huh…
I need to get back to the academy soon too.
'Ah, come to think of it, Jinhyuk said he had someone he liked, didn't he?'
It must be someone from the academy.
Could they have gotten all lovey-dovey while I was unconscious?
Maybe they'd gotten closer while I was out. 'No way, right?'
Shaking her head to clear her silly thoughts, Jin Soyeon let out a bitter smile.
She didn't know exactly who Jinhyuk liked, but she doubted the other person felt the same way.
She hadn't seen him get close to any girl, and despite his decent looks and good grades, he never had much popularity.
If he were really popular, there would have been girls chasing after him regardless of whether he had a girlfriend or not, but that wasn't the case with Jinhyuk.
'The only girl Jinhyuk might like that comes to mind is Yoo Seolhyun. But if it's not her, then it probably won't work out with whoever it is.'
Jin Soyeon nodded to herself, feeling somewhat relieved.
It was a little unfortunate but also somewhat comforting that Jinhyuk wasn't very popular.
***
A week later, after school at the academy. "Hey, Jinhyuk! Hi. Do you have a girlfriend?" "No, I don't. Why?"
"Oh, really? That's perfect." "Huh?"
On her first day back at the academy, Jin Soyeon realized something.
"Then how about dating me?"
"?"
After the midterm incident, Lee Jinhyuk's popularity had skyrocketed among the girls.
Chapter 79 Love (3)
Whisper, whisper.
"Isn't Lee Jinhyuk surprisingly attractive?" "Well, I guess his face isn't bad."
"He's also super smart. Totally a brainy guy." "Jeez, what are you even saying?"
Among the girls, Lee Jinhyuk's popularity had started to grow.
It had reached the point where Jin Soyeon would often catch glimpses of girls sneaking glances at his profile, giggling and chatting about him.
"Didn't you used to say Lee Jinhyuk was at the bottom of the class?"
"No, but after talking to him a bit, I realized he's actually pretty decent."
"Oh, really?"
They would pretend not to care, but then slyly express their interest or playfully touch him under the guise of friendship.
Watching this unfold in front of her, an unknown heat began to rise from deep within Jin Soyeon's chest.
'…Since when did they start paying attention to Jinhyuk?' Jin Soyeon frowned slightly, her expression turning sullen.
At the beginning of their time at Union Academy, Lee Jinhyuk had been one of the students with little presence.
He only became the subject of gossip for a few days after the news spread that he had broken up with a beautiful girl like Jin Soyeon. But that didn't mean he was popular.
Moreover, his practical scores had been low since middle school, he had no special abilities, and his family wasn't wealthy, so the girls didn't pay him much attention.
But then, had the turning point been the practical evaluation?
Even though Lee Jinhyuk was considered the weak link in Yoo Seolhyun's team, he surprised everyone with an unexpected performance.
And during the Youngdeung Mountain hero rescue mission— where even professionals had failed—Lee Jinhyuk performed so well that Han Seowoo, a team leader from the Gaon Nuri Clan, publicly praised him in a magazine, causing the other students to start seeing him in a different light.
Then, during the midterm dungeon strategy, his team, despite the formidable competition from Lee Siwoon, Kang Daehan, Yoo Seolhyun, and Baek Yoorin, managed to claim an overwhelming first place.
Initially, people dismissed it as luck or good team composition.
But after achieving excellent results in the hostage rescue evaluation, the hero and villain evaluation, and the written exams, the controversy surrounding him began to die down.
Finally, during the Union Academy raid, Lee Jinhyuk had formed a group to protect and guide the other students, helping them fend off the villains.
While most students had been shaking in fear, waiting for the security team to arrive, Lee Jinhyuk took the lead, uniting the others and saving the lives of both the cadets and security personnel who had been targeted by the attackers.
How many people owed their lives to Lee Jinhyuk and his group during that chaos?
Among them were dozens, including Jin Soyeon and Roxanne, who were saved by Lee Jinhyuk's efforts. Had it not been for him, they might have died that day.
As a result, several security officers and students had personally thanked him.
Some of the female students, blushing like innocent schoolgirls, even told him how cool and thankful they were.
Lee Jinhyuk's popularity had quietly soared to heights incomparable to before.
Although he wasn't quite on the level of Lee Siwoon or Kang Daehan, in some ways, girls found him more approachable, thinking, 'Maybe I have a chance with someone like Lee Jinhyuk?'
In short, instead of staring hopelessly at someone they couldn't reach, many girls began to set their sights on a more accessible, yet still appealing, option.
"Did you hear? I saw Lee Jinhyuk wearing casual clothes, and apparently, they're all designer brands. His clothes, shoes, even his watch—all famous brands!"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Turns out he's got quite a bit of money."
"Could he be a secretly wealthy third-generation chaebol?" "Haha, what are you even talking about?"
Money…
Yes, Lee Jinhyuk had quite a lot of money.
Thanks to stock investments and the slush funds he had taken from Seong Yura, his wealth had exceeded several billion won.
Because of that, Lee Jinhyuk was now enjoying luxuries he hadn't experienced in his previous life.
For example, he could buy the luxury watch he had once drooled over, wear high-end designer clothes, purchase an expensive sports car, or even get himself a black card…
Since Union Academy students were legally treated as semi- adults, he could get things like a driver's license, a car, and
a black card.
It might seem like pointless indulgence, but considering he was living in a world where he could die at any moment, this was Lee Jinhyuk's way of relieving stress.
"He actually looks pretty good in those clothes."
"Yeah, I saw him too. I thought he was just a studious nerd, but he's got style."
"When I ran into him downtown, he looked like a college senior."
"True, he does give off a more mature vibe than the other guys."
Having graduated college and worked in the real world in his previous life, Lee Jinhyuk had a good sense of fashion. Even when he tried to hide it, traces of his past life's aura would sometimes slip out.
"Why not confess to him while you're at it?" "Huh? Seriously?"
"I think Lee Jinhyuk might like someone like me~." "Yeah, right. You're more on Kim Yuseong's level." "Ugh, no thanks."
"What's wrong with Kim Yuseong?"
"He looks too intimidating. Not my type."
The girls were joking about confessing to Lee Jinhyuk, saying all sorts of things.
Overhearing their conversation, Jin Soyeon couldn't help but bite her lip. Somehow, all this talk about confessions was really getting under her skin.
Lee Jinhyuk is not the kind of guy who would accept a confession thrown out as a joke. So stop spouting nonsense.
You girls didn't even give him a second glance before, and now that he seems popular and well-off, suddenly you're interested?
'...'
Jin Soyeon clenched her fists.
Every time other girls showed interest in Lee Jinhyuk, she felt irritated. Her chest tightened, and a sharp, uncomfortable feeling settled deep inside.
'…Jealousy. Ha. Jealousy, really.' Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. What about Lee Jinhyuk in the past?
Did he feel this way when he had a crush on her?
When they were in that fake relationship, did he feel the same frustration whenever other boys approached her?
And for years, at that. Without ever saying anything. Always silently watching her? 'Ugh.'
A strange sense of guilt pricked Jin Soyeon's heart.
How many times had she unknowingly hurt him while asking him to play along with that fake relationship, and how many times had she gone out with other boys while he watched quietly?
Did Jin Soyeon even have the right to say she liked him now?
The right…
Did she really have the right to like Lee Jinhyuk?
All those years, whenever she hung out with other boys, he must have been constantly on edge, wondering if she'd start liking someone else or accept a confession from another guy.
After putting Lee Jinhyuk through so much emotional turmoil for so long, did she really have the right to say that she liked him now?
It would be absurd.
If she were a third party, she might be screaming at herself to stop being so pathetic.
'...'
Jin Soyeon shook her head, trying to dispel her negative thoughts.
Admitting her feelings for Lee Jinhyuk now might cause him a lot of trouble.
But her feelings were too overwhelming to simply bury.
Far, far too overwhelming.
'…It's okay, for now. It'll be okay.'
Jin Soyeon shot a glance toward the other girls.
Lee Jinhyuk wouldn't be interested in girls like them.
This might sound arrogant, but Lee Jinhyuk had grown up seeing Jin Soyeon—who was so beautiful that she could easily rival any celebrity—so it made sense that his standards would be quite high.
Having spent his years with someone like Jin Soyeon, how could ordinary girls even catch his eye?
No, probably not.
Jin Soyeon knew she was beautiful.
She had received countless confessions and attention from boys since kindergarten, so she understood her own attractiveness better than anyone.
If there were any girls who could match Jin Soyeon's beauty, it would be Yoo Seolhyun, Sunari, or Yuliya.
They were all so beautiful it was hard to say who was more attractive, but if Jin Soyeon were honest, she felt she had a slight edge.
…Maybe just a little bit of arrogance mixed in, but still!
'Jinhyuk said he already likes someone else, so even if those girls confess, he probably won't accept.'
It was possible that the girl Lee Jinhyuk liked might confess to him, but Jin Soyeon believed the chances of that happening were slim.
Lee Jinhyuk's standards for beauty were probably very high.
If the girl Lee Jinhyuk liked was as pretty as she imagined, there would be plenty of impressive guys around her, and she wouldn't need to seek out someone like him.
…Surely that's how it would be.
'So, I just need to get closer to Jinhyuk and maybe, maybe… confess… Ugh.'
Confess.
The very idea of confessing made Jin Soyeon's heart race.
She had never seriously thought about confessing to anyone before, so the thought filled her with nervous excitement.
'Jinhyuk said he likes someone else, but… I'm confident. I can make him like me again.'
No other girl knew Lee Jinhyuk as well as she did.
She knew what he liked, what he disliked, his tastes, his hobbies, their shared memories, everything.
And besides, Jin Soyeon was beautiful, right?
Lee Jinhyuk wasn't the type of guy who liked just any pretty face, but still, few men disliked a beautiful woman.
Since he once liked her, her looks were already a given.
'Then… what should I do? Should I try to seduce him? But how do you even seduce someone?'
Jin Soyeon had never tried to seduce anyone before, so she had no idea where to start. In fact, she had spent her life trying not to attract attention from men, which made this all the more confusing.
As she was lost in thought about how to approach Lee Jinhyuk…
"Excuse me…"
The door to the classroom opened, and in walked a girl with pink hair.
"I'm a bit late, I hope that's okay. I got held up dealing with some things at the church."
With her long, braided pink hair and her innocent, delicate blue eyes, the girl looked directly at Lee Jinhyuk.
"Sorry, but do you have some time?"
Her soft, gentle voice had an indescribable charm that tugged at men's hearts.
"If you're busy, we could talk later." Roxanne Han.
As her name suggested, she was of mixed race, possessing the Western beauty that came with it.
Unlike Yoo Seolhyun or Jin Soyeon, Roxanne exuded an air of purity, innocence, and even piety. She truly looked the part of a devout clergyman.
"No, it's fine."
"Then, shall we step outside for a moment?"
Lee Jinhyuk nodded casually and walked out with Roxanne. As they left, the classroom buzzed with chatter.
"Why is Lee Jinhyuk with Roxanne?"
"Is that Roxanne? Damn, she's gorgeous. I guess that's why she was being bullied."
"First Yoo Seolhyun, now Roxanne? Is Lee Jinhyuk really just flirting with all the pretty girls?"
"He dated Jin Soyeon, is close with Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari… Man, I'm so jealous. Is this the life of an alpha male?"
"Even if his powers aren't great, I guess his looks make up for it. Girls just flock to him."
"His abilities are probably better than yours. Do you even know how well he did on the midterms?"
Ignoring the chatter of the boys, Jin Soyeon thought to herself,
'…Why would Roxanne want to see Jinhyuk?'
From what she had heard, Roxanne had also played a big role in rescuing Jin Soyeon.
She had already thanked her for that.
But wasn't everything settled now? Why did she need to talk to Jinhyuk again?
'Ugh… what do I do? This is bothering me. It's really bothering me.'
Jin Soyeon fidgeted with her hands, debating whether to follow them or not.
She didn't want to seem petty by following them, but at the same time, she couldn't just sit still—it was driving her crazy.
And it didn't help that Roxanne was so beautiful.
Especially with that… How was that even fair? Her face looked so innocent, but what was with that ridiculously large chest?
Was she really the same age as the other cadets?
She was even bigger than Yoo Seolhyun, who was also of mixed race. Was it because she was a saint, with a generous heart to match? Ah, what was she even thinking? Ugh.
'I can't take this! I have to follow them.'
After some hesitation, Jin Soyeon stood up abruptly.
She began to secretly follow Lee Jinhyuk and Roxanne, who were walking off in the distance.
Meanwhile, Yoo Seolhyun, who had been quietly observing the situation, tilted her head slightly, musing over Jin Soyeon's strange behavior.
Ever since returning to the academy, she had seemed anxious, always sneaking glances at Lee Jinhyuk.
'Jin Soyeon… Could she be…?' Hmm.
Well, well, Jin Soyeon.
So, you still had feelings for Lee Jinhyuk after all.
You acted like you didn't care, but this is actually pretty funny.
You've been running around with other guys all this time, and now that you've broken up, suddenly you're missing him?
Seeing you act like this now is kind of pathetic, honestly. 'I guess I still don't like her.'
Even though I promised not to give her a hard time, I don't think I'll ever be able to get close to Jin Soyeon.
Chapter 80 Love (4) "..."
On a warm summer day, Lee Jinhyuk and Roxanne strolled through the Union Academy campus for a while.
They walked in silence, following the pleasant breeze, until they arrived at a park filled with greenery and beautifully maintained flowers, bathed in a greenish-blue hue.
In the park, couples and cadets were scattered about, enjoying their time.
Lee Jinhyuk and Roxanne silently sat on a bench under a sunshade.
A slight awkwardness hung in the air. '…This feels a little awkward.'
Lee Jinhyuk stole a glance at Roxanne's profile as he thought to himself.
To be honest, he wasn't close enough to Roxanne to casually chat and laugh with her, so sitting together like this made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
However, unlike Lee Jinhyuk, Roxanne didn't seem to feel any awkwardness. She just quietly watched the other people in the park.
"Um."
Suddenly, Roxanne spoke in a quiet voice. "Thank you."
"Huh?"
Roxanne gently shifted her gaze.
Her two blue eyes, reminiscent of the ocean, looked directly at Lee Jinhyuk.
"Thanks to you, we were able to stop Seong Yura's evil deeds. Really, thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to capture her on my own."
Roxanne then bowed her head, sincerely expressing her gratitude.
Her soft pink hair cascaded down as she bowed, revealing her fair face beneath. She really is pretty.
Lee Jinhyuk scratched his chin as he silently looked at Roxanne.
"You don't need to thank me. Besides, you already thanked me last time."
Honestly, from Lee Jinhyuk's perspective, receiving thanks from Roxanne felt a bit uncomfortable, maybe even guilt- inducing.
After all, he hadn't really cared whether she was being tormented by Seong Yura or not.
In fact, he had been planning to abandon her.
If Jin Soyeon hadn't been kidnapped, he wouldn't have bothered to capture Seong Yura. He would've just let her be, despite knowing full well that Roxanne would end up in despair.
"I didn't have the chance to properly thank you before." Roxanne lifted her head slightly, meeting his gaze.
Her clear, innocent eyes had a way of pricking his conscience.
Ugh. Please don't look at me with such pure eyes. "And I also wanted to repay you."
"Repay me?"
"Yes. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."
"..." Repayment… huh.
Considering Roxanne's personality, she probably wasn't just saying that.
If it wasn't something that would harm others, she'd likely do her best to fulfill any request he made.
So, what should I ask for?
Lee Jinhyuk pondered for a moment before letting out a small laugh. A few things crossed his mind, but then he shook his head.
No, instead of focusing on immediate gains, let's think long- term.
"Then."
"Yes?"
"How about you treat me to a meal sometime?" "Huh?"
Roxanne widened her eyes in surprise, tilting her head in confusion.
She had told him to ask for anything he wanted, so she hadn't expected him to ask for something as simple as a meal.
"A meal?"
"Yeah. That's good enough."
"But, isn't that too… small of a request?"
Roxanne felt that it was too trivial a request, considering the gravity of what had happened.
Ah, she's reacting just as I expected. "Then, one more thing."
"Oh, yes."
"Let's be friends. Of course, just as friends."
Lee Jinhyuk tossed out the suggestion half-jokingly, but he genuinely wanted to become closer to her.
After all, Roxanne was destined to appear as a major antagonist in the Saintess corruption arc.
In other words, she had the potential and abilities to play a significant role in the later stages of the story.
It wasn't just her abilities either—her background was also impressive.
She was a key figure in the church, which had several special ability users under its banner, all united under divine blessings.
Now that Seong Yura had been captured, Roxanne's faction would surely begin to regroup.
Moreover, Roxanne had played a major role in Seong Yura's capture, and she had secured several pieces of evidence from the vault, which held the weaknesses of corrupt clergy members who had allied with Seong Yura.
With Roxanne's character, she would likely lead the charge in rooting out corruption, and her supporters would undoubtedly grow.
Roxanne had a powerful charm that drew people to her, regardless of gender or age.
If Roxanne became an ally, she would prove immensely useful in the future.
Until now, he had ignored her because of Seong Yura, but that was no longer necessary, right? Sure, it might seem a bit shameless, but who cares?
"Friends… friends…"
Roxanne quietly muttered the word "friends" to herself, as if she were savoring it.
"Friends, huh?"
Her voice was cautious as she shot Lee Jinhyuk a shy glance, as if checking for his reaction. Lee Jinhyuk blinked in confusion.
What kind of reaction is this?
"Why? You don't want to be friends with me?" "Oh, no, it's not that."
Roxanne hesitated for a moment, her expression a bit awkward, before smiling shyly.
"…This is my first time having a friend." "Really?"
Huh.
Was there a part of Roxanne's character where she didn't have any friends?
I'm not sure. I remember most of the important details, but not every nuance. Roxanne wasn't even a main character.
'But now that I think about it… it makes sense.'
Roxanne was an orphan and had been bullied by Seong Yura from a young age, so she probably hadn't had many chances to make friends.
Even at Union Academy, she had been an outcast because of Seong Yura, right?
Geez, this girl has been through a lot.
She must've had a hard time being stuck with that psycho. Seong Yura probably couldn't stand to see Roxanne getting close to anyone else because of her possessiveness.
By the way, what happened to Seong Yura?
She seemed busy with her trial, but there hasn't been any news lately.
"By the way, how's life at the academy these days?"
"It's much better… Everyone only bullied me because of Seong Yura."
"Is that so?" "Yes."
That's not entirely true, is it?
Some of the girls bullied you out of jealousy because of how you looked.
The boys didn't really bother Roxanne, but the girls, oh boy, they were relentless because they couldn't stand how much attention she got from the boys.
"Well, as long as things worked out." "Yes… Thank you for worrying about me." Roxanne smiled softly.
Her serene smile made her look like a delicate flower.
Lee Jinhyuk imagined what would come next. Wow, the boys in Class 3 are going to have some fierce competition.
They've all probably fallen for that smile of hers.
"Oh, by the way, I've been meaning to ask you something." "What is it?"
"Back when you saved me at Yuksung Mountain, why were you there in the first place?"
"..." Uh, well.
Lee Jinhyuk scratched his cheek, feeling a bit awkward.
Saying it was a coincidence wouldn't be believable, and he couldn't exactly tell her he was there looking for relics.
"I just, uh, had some business there." "Business…?"
"Sorry, it's kind of personal, so I can't really say." "Oh, I'm sorry for asking something strange." "It's fine. I get why you'd be curious."
Does she find the situation a bit suspicious?
Lee Jinhyuk subtly observed Roxanne's expression, trying to gauge her thoughts.
While Lee Jinhyuk and Roxanne were having this conversation…
Not far away, someone was secretly eavesdropping on them. That someone was Jin Soyeon.
Jin Soyeon was partially hidden, sneaking peeks at the two.
It felt a bit pathetic, almost like stalking, and she was starting to feel a bit of self-loathing. But this wasn't the time to worry about that.
After all, the atmosphere between the two seemed surprisingly good.
Sure, there wasn't any romantic tension between them, but the words and tone Lee Jinhyuk used were really bothering her.
'He asked her to get a meal? Said he wanted to be friends?'
Jin Soyeon carefully mulled over what Lee Jinhyuk had said, her reaction turning sour.
'What's with those lines? Lee Jinhyuk isn't the type to say things like that to girls.'
Lee Jinhyuk had never shown unnecessary interest in girls before. So, what was with that cliché pickup line from the 80s?
Telling a pretty girl, he wanted to get closer to her—that's half a confession, isn't it?
It might have been an overreaction, but Jin Soyeon had never seen Lee Jinhyuk show this much interest in another girl before, and it was making her feel all kinds of uneasy.
'Could it be that the girl Jinhyuk likes is actually Roxanne?' Suddenly, Jin Soyeon couldn't hide her growing anxiety.
Unconsciously, she began biting her fingernails in a nervous habit.
She had thought she still had plenty of time to make her move on Lee Jinhyuk, but if he was already starting to show interest in the girl he liked, it could be a problem.
Maybe she didn't have as much time as she thought.
She could lose him to another girl if she hesitated any longer.
There really might not be much time left at all. '…But right now, I don't have any other options.' "Oh, hey."
"Ah!"
It seemed she had been caught!
At some point, Roxanne and Lee Jinhyuk's gazes had turned in her direction.
Jin Soyeon awkwardly looked at them, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Oh no! What do I say?
She let out a small cough to clear her throat and approached them.
"Soyeon?"
"Ah, uh, yeah! Hi?"
"What brings you here…?"
"I was just walking by and saw the two of you, haha."
Her excuse was a bit clumsy, but Roxanne just blinked, as if she had accepted it.
She seemed a bit suspicious, but she didn't press the issue. "Soyeon, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine now. Back to normal." "That's good to hear."
Jin Soyeon also sat down on the bench.
"So, what were you two doing here? Were you on a date? I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
"A date? No, nothing like that."
Lee Jinhyuk gave her a look, as if asking what nonsense, she was spouting.
"Oh, it's already this late."
"Go ahead and head back, Roxanne."
"Alright. I'll see you both later then, Jinhyuk, Soyeon."
Roxanne said goodbye and walked off into the distance.
As Lee Jinhyuk watched her leave, he casually leaned his chin on his hand and murmured,
"Did you… follow me?" "Huh? No! Of course not!" Thump.
But she couldn't just admit the truth, so Jin Soyeon quickly denied it. If she told him she had been following them, he might think she was weird.
…Although, yeah, following him was kind of weird.
"It seemed like you were hiding though. I barely noticed your presence."
"That's because you two were sharing some private moment together in the park, so I got curious…"
"Private moment? What are you even talking about?"
"Hey, hey~ No need to be embarrassed. You said you liked someone before, Jinhyuk, and I thought maybe it was Roxanne."
Jin Soyeon subtly tried to probe him. What would Lee Jinhyuk say?
He probably wouldn't tell her directly. He'd try to brush it off like usual, right? Knowing Jinhyuk, I can practically see it coming.
"…Eh. You caught me."
"Huh?"
What did he just say? "Yeah, it's Roxanne." "W-Wait, really?"
Jin Soyeon's eyes widened in shock, unable to hide her astonishment.
Not only had Lee Jinhyuk openly admitted it, but she couldn't believe he actually liked Roxanne.
"Why… why Roxanne?" "Well, she's pretty." "…"
I mean, I'm pretty too.
At least as pretty as Roxanne. Maybe even more.
"And she's kind." "Th-That's true…"
I don't think I have a bad personality either.
Honestly, no one's ever said I have a bad temper. But compared to pious Roxanne, I might come up a bit short…
"…So, you like Roxanne, huh? That's surprising."
Jin Soyeon had known that Lee Jinhyuk liked someone, but hearing it directly from him was quite a shock.
No, to be honest, it wasn't just a little shock—it was a huge one.
The fact that his heart was with someone else, not her, caused a wave of emotions to well up inside her.
She didn't want to imagine him smiling brightly at another girl instead of her.
Her eyes started to sting.
For some reason, she felt sad, upset, and bitter. "Roxanne… is a good girl… Yeah, a good one."
She was talented, had money, and her background seemed solid.
And unlike Yoo Seolhyun, Roxanne had a very sweet personality, so she could give her a passing grade as Lee Jinhyuk's girlfriend.
Though just because she passed didn't mean she accepted Roxanne.
"But, I was lying." "Huh?"
"Liking Roxanne. That was a lie." "What…?"
"Did you really believe that? Haha, how could I like someone I've only just gotten to know?"
Annoying.
I really thought he was serious. Ugh, seriously! "So, who do you like?"
"Why are you so interested in my love life?"
"I'm just curious. Why are you hiding it so much?" "It's a secret. I'll tell you once I start dating her." "..."
That guy…
Could he actually be hiding the fact that it's really Roxanne?
Maybe, after casually saying it, he changed his mind and tried to cover it up. That seems entirely possible.
'…He'll only tell me once he starts dating her? I can't wait that long. No, I won't wait.'
Lee Jinhyuk's popularity was skyrocketing.
He had grown closer to girls like Yoo Seolhyun, Roxanne, and Sunari.
And now he was keeping the identity of the girl he liked a tight secret, as if it was someone I already knew.
After today's conversation and seeing him with Roxanne, Jin Soyeon made up her mind.
She couldn't afford to drag things out any longer.
Whether it worked out or not, she had to make her move. "Jinhyuk, can I visit your house sometime soon?"
"My house? Why all of a sudden?"
"It's just been a while since I've been there. Is that okay?" "Uh… It's not a problem."
"You mentioned your place got a makeover recently, right? I've been curious to see it."
"Sure, why not? I don't have anything urgent going on today. And it looks like the ranking matches aren't for a while."
When Lee Jinhyuk agreed to let her visit, Jin Soyeon clenched her fists in determination.
'Honestly, I was planning to wait until Jinhyuk started liking me again to confess, but given the situation, there's no choice.'
She had to confess first and get him to see her in a new light!
Lee Jinhyuk would probably be shocked, but Jin Soyeon couldn't afford to wait around like a fool. There were too many girls around him—too many pretty girls.
'A confession, yes, confessing… He'll probably reject me, and things might get awkward for a while, but it'll be fine… Just the fact that I confessed will make him think about me more.'
So, go for it, confess!
It might be brazen, but it's better than sitting back and letting him get stolen away by some girl I don't know.
'…And, well, there's always the slim chance he might accept.'
Though that chance was slim, you never know with these things, right?