Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Giraffe Class: Lee Shiba (2)
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"...You've come?"
In front of Cheon-do sat the leftovers from breakfast that hadn't been cleared away yet. Normally, I handled what Shiba left uneaten, but sometimes Cheon-do, who woke up early, would eat them first.
"I set aside a separate portion for you, Master. Eat that."
"Isn't it a waste to throw away leftovers? This way feels better for me."
I sat down across from Cheon-do.
Cheon-do set down the magazine she was holding and placed it on the table. Then, with her characteristic sharp gaze, she scanned me up and down.
"......You've changed a lot. What happened?"
She finally asked.
'She noticed first, as expected.'
I figured someone with eyes as keen as Cheon-do's would pick up on it right away. She always noticed my changes better than anyone.
"I've changed?"
"No one taught you how to hide your magic power."
"Oh, that... I trained a bit at the training camp, trying to emulate you, Master."
I played innocent.
I kept my face as straight as a steel plate, acting like nothing was amiss.
With a cheeky grin and some exaggerated gestures thrown in, Cheon-do tilted her eyebrow.
"Now you're trying to fool even your master?"
"......"
"Your magic power's quality is different too. You've crossed one wall... no, two easily. Still going to deny it?"
"Well. It could happen."
"......So—ugh. Never mind."
Cheon-do started to say more but clamped her mouth shut.
She frowned irritably, then pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers.
"...Sorry. I'm suddenly on edge."
An unexpected apology.
I hadn't thought she'd apologize.
"I don't know... Since yesterday, all of a sudden. Just looking at you gives me a weird feeling."
"Huh?"
"You and Hwango are... that kind of relationship, right?"
"Ah, yes. Pretty much."
As I nodded, Cheon-do pressed her temples like a headache was coming on.
"Treat her well. She's a kid with a lot of scars."
"Yeah. Hwango too. And you, Master."
"......Why bring me up all of a sudden?"
I gazed quietly at Cheon-do.
Her face showed puzzlement at the mention of herself—expressionless as always. Well-defined features, great style, and a pretty face.
'She looks really grown up now.'
Despite the age difference, I oddly felt older. Must be my imagination.
I softly let her title slip from my lips.
"Master."
"Hm?"
Cheon-do. Today's version of her.
She'd be a huge help in changing the future ahead.
I knew her skills without needing to measure them. Her insight was sharp too—she'd spotted my changes the moment she saw me.
If I told her the truth, she'd take my side.
'But.'
I paused in thought.
It wasn't just a simple question of whether she'd believe me if I talked about the past.
'There's something I don't know yet.'
The World Tree's curse engraved on Cheon-do's body.
Baekyang-do and I didn't fully understand its nature, but it was clearly a curse containing the will to prevent enmity toward the World Trees.
Even if she was someone I truly wanted to trust, there were still unknowns.
She might be influenced from somewhere against her own will.
That's why, instead of telling Hwango the full story, I'd settled for just asking for simple cooperation.
'If possible... I wanted to tell Master the truth and ask for her help.'
Unless she could grasp the curse's essence or control it, I couldn't reveal my goal.
Even I, marked as a World Tree husband candidate, had info leaking out unnoticed—what about others?
"Why stop mid-sentence?"
I held back the words threatening to spill out.
There was still... plenty of time.
"No. Just saying you look pretty today."
"......Didn't you say you have a girlfriend?"
"Heh heh."
I chuckled and pulled a ring case from my pocket.
Maybe this ring from Cheon-do could be a clue.
Half hoping so, I opened the case right in front of her.
"Do you know what this is?"
The replica flower ring still hadn't wilted, retaining its pink glow.
Cheon-do frowned slowly upon seeing the case.
"A flower?"
The trope of a past item sparking memories like in movies or comics.
I'd hoped for that deep down, but it didn't happen.
Baekyang-do had called this ring an 'omen of fortune,' so I'd been excited—now betrayed, disappointment showed on my face.
"Yeah. A flower ring. Made by weaving flowers."
I closed the case and held it out to Cheon-do.
"A gift."
"...For me?"
"Yes. They were selling them in Japan. Look at it and think of me while I'm gone."
Cheon-do blinked in bewilderment as she took the case and caressed it.
Her index finger stroked the top. As she did, a faint smile crossed her face.
"Well. Thanks."
First gift from a disciple—Cheon-do's cheeks slowly flushed.
So cute, unable to hide her joy over something like this.
'...Living like this, I'll become a pro at reading expressions.'
Cornus, Hong-yeon, Lee Se-young, Cheon-do, Baek-do.
They were all known for not showing emotions on their faces.
From Cornus onward, constantly trying to communicate had sharpened my observation skills.
-Bzzz!
Vibration from my pocket then.
I pulled out my phone and checked the screen.
-Azalea: Can you come now by any chance?
-Azalea: I'm... a little wet.
"Who is it?"
"......No one. Just someone unusually honest, unlike you, Master."
I'd make time later.
I lightly pressed the power button on my phone, then looked back at Cheon-do.
She was still grinning and caressing the flower ring I'd given her.
"Amazing."
"Hm?"
"......This braiding method is inefficient, so only I use it."
"Oh~!"
That's right.
"Didn't expect anyone else to know it."
"Ah......"
Not that.
Cheon-do gave a wry smile as she carefully tucked the ring case into her bosom.
"Thanks. It brought back old memories."
"Really."
"Your changes... You'll tell me someday, right?"
"Of course. When the time comes, what wouldn't I say."
Cheon-do smiled.
"I leave it to you."
She still looked at her cheeky disciple with a master's worried expression.
*****
"Alright, kids! Time to prepare for the talent show?"
"Yes~!"
Kindergarten teacher Shin Hye-young clapped, and the kids came rushing over, brightly grabbing their instruments.
Kindergarten talent show.
The event parents looked forward to most, so it required extra effort.
Hye-young gently stroked Shiba's head clinging to her calf.
"Shiba has to go too, right?"
"...Pip."
The child who couldn't speak well yet. Shin Hye-young couldn't give Shiba a genuine smile.
'...She's so cute.'
How pretty she'd be if she could talk properly.
For novice teacher Shin Hye-young, her dream was hearing "Teacher" from Shiba.
Shiba was the kindergarten's star—popular enough that mentioning her name made most boys blush.
-What do you think of Shiba?
-Uh, um, yeah. I like Shiba.
Of course, Shiba showed no interest in that... but she remained the kindergarten's idol, stealing boys' hearts.
'I have to teach her well.'
After graduating from early childhood education, she'd wanted to teach kids since she was young.
Shin Hye-young hoisted up Shiba, who gripped her stockings tightly.
"Pip?"
"Let's go~"
Seeing Shiba's cute face made her grin.
'Hee hee.'
Top of the stage. Where the big drum sat. Hye-young put the drumsticks in Shiba's hands, and Shiba excitedly waved them.
"Aigoo, so cute."
A colleague teacher laughed at the sight, and Shin Hye-young waved her arms happily.
"Right? This is why we live."
"Uh, yeah? Sure..."
Unlike Shin Hye-young, new to the job, the veteran teachers who knew kids' dark sides smiled bitterly.
"How long do you think that'll last, Hye-young?"
"Two months, tops."
"Kukuku."
Subtle whispers among colleagues. Not serious, of course.
They didn't hate kids either.
If a fire broke out, they'd all roll up sleeves to save them. Everyone had that much affection.
But... kids' raw energy was something you couldn't know without experiencing.
Little demons who drained every ounce of strength with their mental games!
Of course, Shin Hye-young hadn't seen that side yet.
To her, kids were like chicks that would peep "Teacher~" even as adults.
"Still, Shiba's pretty well-behaved."
"Right? Once she adjusts, she's so quiet..."
"The name... well, it's a bit."
All the teachers nodded.
Shiba's name tag on her chest: Giraffe Class Lee Shiba.
Her dad was handsome too... but zero naming sense.
"Have you seen Shiba's dad?"
"Yeah, I know. Did he cause trouble? Looks so young... already has a daughter like that."
"Heard he's from a rich family."
Lee Si-heon's existence was still known only to some.
Handsome and solid, but young—so he came up often among teachers.
Shin Hye-young sighed at their chatter and gave the signal.
"Kids~ Shall we start?"
Yes~!
The kindergarteners shouted in unison.
Some played with instruments, but when the song started, they gripped them tensely.
-Ddararan ddararan ran!
The speakers blared the children's song, and Shiba raised her sticks high.
-Ring the big drum, boom boom boom!
The sticks moved up and down dramatically.
-Boom! Boom!
Kids fascinated by making sounds stayed smiling throughout.
Shiba was no different.
"Pip, pip~ pip~"
Three big drum beats.
The resounding booms filled the kindergarten.
*****
Cheon-do left for work. Alone in the dorm, I finished chores and headed out.
-Knock knock.
Before picking up Shiba.
I knocked on Azalea's dorm door.
Men entering women's rooms was against academy dorm rules, but quietly allowed among some young professors.
Flexible? Or just clumsy rules.
Seconds later, Azalea opened the door with a bright welcome.
"You came... darling?"
In pink lacy underwear, she gripped the doorknob, glanced around quickly, and blushed.
Her hips swayed gently. Thighs rubbing urgently.
Azalea extended her slender arm, wrapped my wrist, and pulled me in.
Smiling innocently, like she'd never lost her virginity.
"Eaten?"
"A bit of Shiba's leftovers."
"......Can you eat more?"
Arms linked, she nuzzled my shoulder with an affectionate face.
With a voice pickled in coquetry, the dorm door closed.
I ignored the slick fluid on the shoe rack corner.
Led by Azalea's hand to the dorm kitchen I knew well.
Unlike my room, spotless—proof of her personality.
The table overflowed with gourmet delights.
Dishes a years-long bachelor could only dream of!
"Eat with me. I made it myself—hope it suits your taste."
"...Uh, sure."
Azalea's puckered smile held affection and obsession different from Se-young's.