Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: You'll Lose Him If You Keep This Up
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Jingle.
The bell of the academy cafe rang as three people entered.
—Han Cheon-seong, Luna, and Millia.
At the sight of this particular group, the gazes of everyone inside the cafe immediately focused on them.
Each of them was striking in their own right, but with Han Cheon-seong at the center of heated rumors, his entrance with two young women was bound to draw everyone's attention.
***
Sometimes, it's hard to refuse someone's request.
Moments when it would be better to say no, when you have other things to do, yet you just can't bring yourself to turn them down.
Cheon-seong had just experienced such a situation.
“Han Cheon-seong. So, what you're saying is that those various crises became great opportunities for you…?”
“That's right. I didn't intend for the crises to happen, but they were definitely a great help to my growth. By overcoming them, I was able to see what lay beyond.”
He answered honestly, looking at the two women in front of him.
Luna and Millia.
He was now spending time with these two, an unplanned meeting, but a part of his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of tomorrow's joint training session.
—The Demonic Beast Frenzy.
It was the second episode to unfold in this world, and the first major crisis Leonhardt was meant to face.
It was the moment Leonhardt would awaken to his role as the protagonist, but I, intending to fill his void, had to take his place.
‘And I'm more than capable of overcoming it.’
The level of the apostle set to appear was something Glacia and I could handle smoothly. I wouldn't end up in a dramatic crisis like Leonhardt was supposed to.
Still, I had wanted to review the apostle's weaknesses and the situation one more time, just in case, but that wasn't possible now.
Tap. Tap…
The sound of tapping on the table broke his train of thought, pulling him back to reality.
There, Luna was staring at me with a peculiar expression.
“Well, I suppose... it's only natural, in a way. You survived crises of that magnitude, so of course you'd grow stronger.”
“Luna. Instead of seeing it that way, shouldn't we say he overcame those crises because it was Han Cheon-seong? Those were truly dangerous moments.”
Luna nodded in agreement with me, and Millia, adding to what Luna had said, gave me an awkward smile.
“I think what Luna said certainly makes sense. It would be stranger not to grow after overcoming crises of that scale.”
Knowing Luna's personality was inherently like that, I had no intention of taking it badly.
Right now, I just wanted to get through this meeting with them quickly and have some time to think alone.
“What's with you? Why are you acting so humble all of a sudden?”
As Luna asked, narrowing her eyes as if she found it strange, I actually let out a laugh.
“Humble? Have I ever been arrogant? I don't think I've ever bragged or shown off.”
I wasn't arrogant, but I didn't think lowly of myself either.
I knew that such an attitude could be seen as deceptive. But knowing my achievements were overwhelming compared to other cadets, showing them off would have been ridiculous.
“No, well, that's true, but... that makes it sound like I said something bad. I'm telling you now, I have no intention of denying or belittling you at this point. I acknowledge that you're exceptional.”
...Her words left me feeling both skeptical and strangely moved.
‘Luna... acknowledging me?’
I wondered when I had come to earn such an evaluation from Luna. It felt novel, and not at all unpleasant.
“That's surprising. I didn't know you could give compliments.”
“What compliment...”
Seeing Luna quickly turn her gaze away from me, I let out a small laugh and looked at Millia.
“Luna really didn't mean anything bad by it, so I hope you don't misunderstand. And thank you for answering our questions so honestly. It was a great help to both me and Luna.”
“It was nothing... And if you have more questions, feel free to ask anytime.”
“Okay, thank you.”
My gaze unconsciously drifted to Millia as she smiled warmly.
The sight of Millia, visible through her lightly swaying black bob, was truly special. She had a grace that couldn't be found in other cadets her age.
It was incredibly feminine, and to me, it was nothing but charming.
‘As I thought...’
I was reminded again of why I had considered Millia my ideal type.
We hadn't had much contact recently, so there weren't many chances to meet like this. But I suddenly felt that Millia's presence had become distinctly stronger than before.
“Millia, by any chance... did you reach level 3 in your trait?”
“Huh? You... you can feel that? I haven't told anyone yet.”
“Your presence just feels a lot stronger.”
“Millia! Did you really reach level 3!?”
Luna looked at her, completely startled. Judging by her reaction, it seemed Millia truly hadn't told anyone.
“It's not that I was trying to hide it, Luna. It was less about that and more that the timing to tell you...”
Suddenly!
Unlike Millia, who had answered hesitantly, Luna threw her arms around her in a tight hug, startling me as I watched.
“Millia! I'm so happy for you!”
Luna pressed her cheek against Millia's, congratulating her with genuine joy. Her display of affection was almost brazen.
“L-Luna? Th-thank you, but... isn't this a bit much? Everyone else is here...”
“It's because I'm just so happy for you!”
Millia squirmed, trying to escape the embrace, but Luna just rubbed her cheek against hers with the happiest expression in the world. My eyes were drawn to the scene.
It showed just how much Luna cherished and adored Millia... Seeing her express her feelings so openly was heartwarming.
“Ah... W-wait, Luna...”
The sight of Millia struggling in Luna's arms out of embarrassment, and Luna finding that adorable and showing even more affection...
Thump!
Eventually, Millia managed to break free from Luna's embrace, looking utterly mortified, but Luna wasn't the least bit embarrassed.
“Friends can congratulate each other like this. Millia, why are you so embarrassed?”
“No, I'm really grateful for the thought, but... everyone else is here...”
Luna just smiled brightly at Millia's mortified expression.
‘What a nice sight.’
Watching them, that thought suddenly occurred to me.
Seeing two such beautiful people create such a heartwarming scene, my eyes were naturally drawn to them.
Then, I started to vaguely understand why Luna was growing into the main heroine.
‘If it weren't for her characteristically sharp personality...’
Luna definitely has her charms.
Then, she suddenly met my eyes, and I froze, wondering if she had read my mind.
“Oh, right. Han Cheon-seong, there's one more thing I want to ask. Don't take this the wrong way, okay?”
“Alright. Go ahead.”
Contrary to my surprise, I answered calmly and met Luna's gaze. She suddenly narrowed her eyes ever so slightly.
“By any chance... are you dating anyone right now?”
“...What?”
The question was so unexpected that I could only ask back dumbly.
“I asked if you're dating anyone.”
As she repeated the question, I shook my head blankly, not understanding.
‘Why?’
Why would Luna ask me something like this?
***
“I asked if you're dating anyone.”
Repeating herself, Luna put a firm tone in her voice.
“...No, I'm not.”
Even as she stared directly at his surprised, flustered face, Luna's feelings were ambiguous.
‘Is he really not dating anyone?’
There was nothing unnatural about the way he answered. Still, she couldn't help but be half in doubt.
The more she encountered Han Cheon-seong and got to know him, the more she realized that the circulating rumors were baseless nonsense.
Even so, she had to confirm it again.
“...Luna? W-why are you suddenly asking that? You're making Han Cheon-seong uncomfortable.”
Looking at Millia, who seemed even more surprised than Han Cheon-seong, Luna slowly shook her head.
“It's nothing. I was just curious.”
Even as she mumbled the words... her heart felt heavy.
The Millia she saw before her now. Her kind and warm personality had always felt good.
Those were the parts she liked most about her, too. But right now, those aspects of Millia felt different.
Considering Millia's personality, how she never asserted herself, Luna felt she had to help.
She had to create opportunities for her to meet Han Cheon-seong, just like this, and act more proactively... Only then did it seem like Millia would have a chance.
“......”
“......”
As silence descended upon the table after her question, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
‘At this rate, I wonder if she'll ever be able to confess properly...’
When she first realized Millia's feelings, she'd felt it was a waste and hoped she wouldn't like Han Cheon-seong, but things were different now.
Han Cheon-seong was now worthy.
He was so far ahead that he seemed a suitable match for Millia. He had achieved immense growth even while under the scrutiny of so many people.
‘But even if I try to help.’
Glancing over, she saw Millia, who seemed to have been even more startled by her question, just poking at an innocent apple pie with her fork. The sight was frustrating.
‘If you keep acting like that, you'll lose Han Cheon-seong.’
If Han Cheon-seong was really not dating anyone, then in her eyes, the only chance was now.
Millia had to approach him more proactively and express her feelings strongly.
There were far too many women around Han Cheon-seong already; there was no telling when or how a relationship might develop with one of them.
“Oh, right. I think I have to get going.”
“Huh?”
“Oh...?”
She smiled faintly at the two surprised faces.
“I have something I need to do for a bit, so I'll be leaving first. You two should spend some more time together.”
...Forcing herself to stand, she gently patted Millia's shoulder.
“L-Luna?”
She met the startled Millia's eyes and gave her a bright smile.
“Millia, you have more questions for Han Cheon-seong than I do, right?”