Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Wrong Meeting (4)
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My goal was simple: listen to her explanation about the weekend incident and offer some gentle comfort so Baek A-yun wouldn't feel too mortified.
After all, it wasn't just stalking—she'd been caught in the act of having sex, and even that unspeakable deed had been exposed.
If I were in her shoes, I'd probably be ripping the bedsheets and pillows to shreds by now, maybe even hanging myself from the rafters.
Why would Baek A-yun be any different?
And of all people, it had to be me who caught her in that scene. Our grade's second-place student, whose usual relationship with me wasn't exactly harmonious.
I thought we got along okay, at least...
But that was just my perspective, since I was the one always teasing her one-sidedly.
Baek A-yun, who shrieked and made a fuss every time she saw me, probably felt differently.
She must have found me so infuriating that she wanted to punch me every time. And she actually did, pummeling my shoulder with those tiny fists of hers.
So, she probably didn't hate me, but she didn't exactly hold warm feelings toward me either... That seemed like the most reasonable assumption.
"I liked you, Hyun-jin."
...
I'd genuinely believed that.
Until I heard her confession.
Even as my reflexively spat beer soaked into her pristine white shirt, outlining her underwear in a way she hadn't intended, Baek A-yun didn't flinch.
She just sat there demurely, gazing up at me steadily.
"...This isn't some mean prank or joke. I'm not trying to mess with you."
With that, she began her story, directed at my stunned expression.
"I really did like you."
She paused after those words, hesitating for a moment.
"...I mean it in the romantic sense between a man and a woman."
She nailed it down firmly, leaving no room for escape—like hammering a nail so deep it couldn't be pried out.
Hand on her chest, Baek A-yun took a deep breath and continued.
"I bet you're shocked. Of course you are. I never gave you the slightest hint. I hid it so well, obsessively so..."
She was right. I was in uncharted territory of utter bewilderment.
Baek A-yun confessing to me. A real romantic confession, no less.
To me, it was on par with Seol Ha-yeon—my mentor—suddenly declaring she'd abandon ice magic. A catastrophe of the same magnitude.
The weight might differ, but both were impossibilities bordering on the absurd.
Another example: Cheon So-yul switching to martial arts. Equally improbable.
As she said, I'd never picked up on a single clue.
No matter how oblivious people called me, if she'd shown even blatant signs, I would've noticed.
The fact that I hadn't glimpsed anything romantic meant she'd buried her feelings that deeply.
Maybe all that excessive bickering whenever we met was part of it. The thought flickered through my mind, prompting me to reflect on how she'd always treated me.
I stared at Baek A-yun with the most perplexed expression imaginable.
She pulled out a few tissues and wiped the beer splatters near her mouth.
Her clear eyes were far too calm and straightforward for someone confessing—almost enlightened, in a subtle way.
She picked up a piece of meat, chewed it daintily, swallowed, and spoke again.
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to interfere now, not even a little."
"...What?"
Her words were a bit too cryptic to grasp immediately. Interfere? What was she talking about? I blinked, and Baek A-yun gave a wistful, resigned smile.
"...At first, I thought you and So-yul were definitely building something good. Ah, if only I'd known your seat next to hers was empty until early this year. I should've mustered the courage at least once. Ha-ha."
It was a laugh laced with heavy self-mockery. I blinked again, thinking.
What the hell is she saying?
"But it's fine. Things turned out this way, so there's no room for me to squeeze in. Tell Se-eun congrats for me."
"...Baek A-yun."
"Ah, no, it's okay. Really. How big a deal can feelings be? I'm sure I'll get over it soon enough."
"Wait, Baek A-yun? Hear me out."
"...Anyway, sorry about that time. I couldn't control my urges and caused trouble. It won't happen again, so... plea..."
Moisture gathered in Baek A-yun's voice. Soft hiccups followed, her eyes welling up pitifully.
I sensed danger. A massive misunderstanding had taken root, and I could guess how her emotions were spiraling.
"Wait, wait..."
If I let her break down crying here, I'd end up the ultimate villain.
I rubbed my forehead and raised my palm. Baek A-yun hesitated.
I wavered briefly, but with no time for the perfect response—and my magic-calculation skills useless here—I had no choice.
I'd just have to throw out whatever explanation I could.
"...There's one thing you're misunderstanding."
I started haltingly.
"Misunderstanding...?"
Baek A-yun blinked, tilting her head with a slight frown.
Of course she was confused.
I pressed my brow hard.
"Yeah, a misunderstanding. I don't know how to explain it properly, but bluntly put: I'm not dating Ryu Se-eun."
"...Huh?"
"That whole thing was... some ridiculous situation created by a crazy archmage's interference. Se-eun and I just... ended up enjoying ourselves. Probably."
As I said the last part, I wondered if 'enjoying' was accurate—but setting that aside, Se-eun had been ecstatic then too, so it wasn't entirely wrong.
I mentally addressed Se-eun, probably smoking mana grass behind the dorms right now.
Hey.
You enjoyed getting hit too, right?
Agree?
"...So here's what happened."
I gave Baek A-yun a rough rundown. No point hiding it since she'd witnessed the scene. Of course, protecting Se-eun's reputation as much as possible...
We went on a date at her earnest request, had drinks, and in a fit of anger, ended up at a hotel.
"That's how it went."
I wrapped it up vaguely and checked her expression. She'd been staring blankly, chopsticks untouched.
"..."
No big reaction even after hearing it all. Not dismissive—her shaken eyes showed the impact clearly.
Having to spill a one-night stand story with a school junior to a classmate was embarrassing, sure...
But what could I do? I didn't want needless misunderstandings. Especially after learning she'd actually liked me.
Letting it fester or glossing over it wouldn't sit right with me.
'Look at her face—it's gone pale.'
Don't get the wrong idea. Explaining didn't make things better.
It just swapped one shock for another.
Heartbreak or learning your crush's promiscuous private life. A true Sophie's choice. Guilt gnawed at me...
Should I make her a nice wrap to comfort the stunned girl? I pondered seriously, reaching for the wrap basket.
I picked the freshest-looking leaf, added a piece of meat dipped in sauce.
Mixed in some kimchi and veggies, folded carefully—one perfect wrap.
It shaped up nicely. With a twinge of guilt, I extended it toward Baek A-yun.
"You."
Her next words made me drop it.
"Did you do it with So-yul too?"
"..."
Plop.
The wrap and its fillings hit the table, scattering messily. I froze mid-reach, unable to even clean it up. Silence.
Baek A-yun glanced at me slyly, then murmured softly.
"Yeah..."
"..."
"I figured."
She didn't give me a chance to respond. Despite barely half the food gone, she slammed the table, grabbed her shoulder bag, and stood.
Glared at me murderously and snatched the bill.
Only after she'd paid and headed for the door did I snap out of it.
Frowning, pinching my temple, I chased after her.
...If she was truly furious and disappointed enough to never see me again, letting her go might be best.
But those teary eyes tugged at me.
The door jingled as I opened it. She wasn't far— a light jog would catch her. She trudged away with heavy steps betraying her emotions.
Crackle—
I channeled a bit of Heavenly Thunder into my toes for speed. I caught up just breathless enough, grabbing her shoulder.
"Let go!"
She whipped around fiercely, swatting my hand away. But seeing her pouting face confirmed I'd done right to follow.
It was still chilly, and with her wet clothes, where did she plan to walk alone?
I sighed deeply, shrugged off my jacket, and draped it over her shoulders despite her wide-eyed refusal.
She twisted but couldn't dodge it, her face a mix of grievances.
...If she really wanted me gone, her physical prowess could've shaken me off easily.
I had ways to boost my speed temporarily, but not enough to outpace the top close-range fighter of the 9th class.
Yet she'd trudged along dejectedly. What else could that mean?
At least, I couldn't interpret it as anything but 'catch me.'
Clutching the hem of my jacket tightly, Baek A-yun glared up resentfully.
I smiled weakly and opened my mouth.
"Sorry."
She flinched, frowning at the out-of-context apology.
Her eyes locked straight on mine.
"...Sorry for what?"
After a brief hesitation, I replied.
"Sorry for letting you find out the guy you liked is such trash?"
Not the firmest answer—ending questioningly—but it hit, drawing a twisted sneer from her.
"You know it. Trash."
Hm. Was this a good thing? I felt a twinge of doubt.
Baek A-yun pulled my jacket tighter around her shoulders.
She chewed her lip as if choosing words, then unleashed a barrage in a biting tone, glaring fiercer.
"...The absolute worst. I'm so disappointed. How can your private life be that messy? So-yul and Se-eun—two pretty girls, and you call it 'mutual enjoyment'? Ha...! You're the king of playboys."
No retort possible. Verbal violence—stop, this playboy's hurt.
"Womanizer! Lecher! Pervert!"
Three new titles added. Wow, thrilled.
My shoulders slumped further.
No words to say. No room for defense or rebuttal.
Even so, hearing it from Baek A-yun stung...
And just like that, she spun on her heel, done talking.
I sighed quietly and trailed behind.
"...Don't follow me."
She muttered barely audibly. I shrugged like I hadn't heard and stuck close.
Glancing at her profile, she was fuming. Touch her and risk burns.
I pondered, then tossed out a line.
"Want some iced tea?"
She froze.
Wild Baek A-yun halted. Intrigued?
Hoping, I watched.
"...That damn iced tea...!"
"?"
Her unbelievable response left me puzzled. What?
She whirled and kicked me.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
It hurt—a solid roundhouse to my thigh, crumpling me.
Look, folks! A close-range specialist beating up a mage!
Baek A-yun bellowed.
"I don't even like iced tea that much! I hate it! I only drank it because you kept shoving it on me...! And stop whining over that, you wimp!"
What did she say?
I hadn't whined before, but shock left no room for injustice.
Her words pierced: Who hates what?
Trembling, I looked up at her. Hoping it was a lie, I murmured shakily.
"You're kidding... right?"
"Damn it! Not kidding!"
Flat denial. Confirmation. My face fell dramatically—boom.
I thought I'd found my one soulmate at Blue Pine Academy.
No soulmate. She was a spy, traitor, infiltrator, commie. Betrayal surged.
...But my current role wasn't interrogating spies—it was being the innocent citizen getting beaten by one.
Undeterred, she kept assaulting my defeated form.
Her slender leg, laced with mana, battered my side.
"Die! Die! You piss me off! Treating me like a kid, teasing my height, dumping iced tea on me—I hate it all! I really hate youuu!!"
"Hey, hey, A-yun? Calm down and talk—ow! Hit a bone!"
Fighting back against a wildly thrashing girl was possible in theory, not practice.
I had no idea what we were doing in the middle of the street, but hoped few noticed.
Maybe it'd pass as a silly couple spat.
"Calm down, I said."
"...!"
I caught her ankle as she aimed for my shoulder.
Baek A-yun wobbled awkwardly on one foot, hopping mad.
She glared murderously.
"...Let... go...!"
"H-hey, wait."
She thrashed free so wildly I panicked.
My eyes widened.
"Wh-what?"
...Not that. She'd escaped my grip but lost balance, tumbling backward.
Thud!
"Kyaa!"
Even her fall scream was pure Baek A-yun. Stunned momentarily, I jolted up.
"Hey, you okay..."
I approached to help, but clamped my mouth shut.
"...Hic, sob."
She was sobbing, arm over her eyes.
Wretched wails: waaah, hic, waaaaah.
A cocktail of emotions crashing in moments: disappointment, resentment, irritation, anger, regret...
Plus humiliation from tripping alone.
I was at a loss. What to say? Was talking to her just hurting her more?
"...Hyun-jin..."
Then she tugged my sleeve.
Calling my name in a quavering voice.
I flinched, looking down. She'd lifted her arm slightly, eyes brimming as they met mine.
Utterly forlorn gaze.
"What do I do...?"
She cut straight to it. Before I could ask what, she added.
"...I guess I still don't hate you."
My movements halted.
Baek A-yun continued.
"You're still the same infuriating Hyun-jin. Needlessly kind in weird ways. Logically, I should despise you after what you did, but somehow... it just makes me laugh..."
"..."
"...So, Hyun-jin."
She paused.
"Tonight, if you're okay... could you hold me too?"
Her smile then was the most 'Baek A-yun' I'd seen in our school life, last year included.
With a hazy grin, she gripped my frozen hand tightly.
"I know you see me as a little sister... How could I not notice, with how you always act."
"A-yun, I..."
"It's fine. Then I'll see you as my big brother."
"...What?"
My eyes bulged. She placed my hand on her perky chest, blushing shyly.
Her other hand tugged her damp shirt collar down.
Her pale neck and collarbone filled my view.
I recoiled instinctively...
Grip!
No chance. She held my wrist fast.
The full might of the 9th class's top close-range fighter pinned me.
"Oppa."
Sensing crisis, sweat beading, she looked up seductively, a little devil's smile on her lips.
Her soft pink lips quivered.
The devil's whisper escaped.
"Please fuck your little sister."
A succubus's—
Or dream demon's—temptation.