Chapter 326
Chapter 326
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 326
Chapter Title: Glacia's Request
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***
—The answer is simple.
Before Han Cheon-seong arrived, while thinking alone in the park, Glacia came to a conclusion.
“...”
She didn't feel like she had been rejected by Han Cheon-seong. She had just gone to see him too far ahead of their promised time. So she figured he could treat her that way.
Nevertheless, she couldn't deny the feeling of disappointment welling up inside.
She had become really close with Han Cheon-seong, and since it was a day they were spending together, she had wanted to be with him for longer. But that wasn't possible anymore.
And the reason why was all too simple.
‘Because I'm just a friend.’
Even from her brief conversation with the woman named Millia, she had a strange feeling.
That the way she treated Han Cheon-seong and the way that woman treated him were surely completely different.
And the conversations she overheard from various students afterward left her mind reeling.
—She kissed Han Cheon-seong?
—Yeah, I'm telling you, she kissed him right in front of all the students… And Han Cheon-seong just accepted it?
—That's insane, just insane... How could they kiss so openly within the academy?
Hearing all these things was quite a shock.
...But after thinking for a moment, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
‘Han Cheon-seong was always popular, after all.’
I knew he was always surrounded by women. I had often witnessed him with other women, and crucially, I had heard it from him directly.
That time we met and talked again after I kissed him. I could never forget the way Han Cheon-seong looked when he honestly confessed that there were other women in his life.
“...It's such a simple answer.”
Huu.
A faint sigh escaped her lips as she spoke.
And I had given him my answer: that I wanted to remain friends with him.
...I knew full well that my heart was leaning toward Han Cheon-seong, but I couldn't get a clear grasp on my feelings.
Should I become one of his lovers, accepting everything that came with it? I was even afraid that our relationship might become worse than before.
So I chose to remain friends.
And that was the answer.
‘Because we're friends.’
That's why it wasn't going any further.
I couldn't demand more, and Han Cheon-seong didn't try to get closer to me.
...But to call us simple friends was too strange, given that we both knew how the other felt.
That's why I started being a little more careful with my actions, refraining from casually holding his hand or hugging him like I used to.
“...”
Because I no longer saw Han Cheon-seong as... just a close friend.
As I became conscious of him as a member of the opposite sex, as a man, my behavior naturally changed.
So what was the answer for me?
What should I do to become as close as before, or even closer, with Han Cheon-seong?
“Somehow... I really hate this...”
As she thought, a self-deprecating laugh escaped her.
Trying to decide on such a half-hearted attitude... It felt so unlike me that I was starting to hate myself.
It would be easier to just decide to develop a romantic relationship with him. Yet, while I hesitated to do that, I had no intention of giving up on him.
I didn't want to create distance, and my heart clearly wished for us to be closer.
“Should I... ask him for a favor?”
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her.
A chance to confirm my feelings without getting too close.
And considering Han Cheon-seong's personality, it didn't seem like he would refuse my request.
He might even readily accept and try to help me make up my mind.
‘Because that's the kind of man Han Cheon-seong is...’
He shows a strong exterior, but there are times when he's endlessly gentle, and I had a vague sense of when he showed that side of himself.
Nod, nod.
“Let's ask him.”
And so, my mind was made up.
……
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Of course, feel free to speak.”
Seeing Han Cheon-seong pause at my words before accepting, I thought, *I knew it*.
Still, I chose my next words a bit more carefully.
“I know what I'm about to say might sound a little strange. And I know I told you before that I wanted us to remain friends for now.”
“...You did.”
“So, I have a proposal. I want you to... treat me a little differently.”
I stared at him intently as I voiced the thoughts I had prepared.
This was the crucial part.
This would be an important moment that could decide my future attitude and determine my relationship with Han Cheon-seong.
“How do you want me to treat you?”
As he blinked and asked, I took a shallow breath and spoke.
“Treat me... like your lover.”
“Glacia…?”
“I know it sounds... very strange, but to be completely honest, I'm scared right now. Even though I care for you this much, I'm not yet sure if my feelings are strong enough to accept all the conditions you mentioned.”
As I revealed my true feelings, a small warmth rose in my body.
Even as I said it, I felt incredibly embarrassed.
Because I wasn't sure of my own heart. It was truly shameful, trying to find the answer from Han Cheon-seong like this.
But this was the only way I could think of.
Were my words that shocking? Seeing his blank stare, I continued.
“But saying I want to become your lover right now feels too impulsive... So, I want to ask you this. If you treat me like your lover... I think I'll be able to sort out my feelings.”
Having said everything, I took a deep, steadying breath.
With that, I had said everything I had planned to.
All that was left was to wait for Han Cheon-seong's answer.
“......”
There was no immediate reply from the stunned Han Cheon-seong, but I waited patiently.
I had a feeling Han Cheon-seong would accept my proposal. But still, what if...
Just as the slight possibility of refusal began to creep into my mind, he spoke.
“Glacia…”
“Yes.”
“If I act that way... that's all you want?”
“If you just do that, I won't ask for anything more. And I know I'm making an unreasonable request, but please, I'm asking you.”
My words sounded almost desperate.
He looked like he would agree to anything, and now he seemed to have almost accepted, but honestly, even I couldn't imagine what our time together would feel like after this.
I just had a vague feeling that... it would be better than now.
“Alright. I'll do that.”
After a moment's thought, he finally granted my request, and I felt a genuine sense of relief.
Honestly, I thought it was an absurd request. Asking him to treat me like a lover when we weren't one.
Even though I knew I had made a very selfish request, Han Cheon-seong was as kind as ever.
“Thank you so much!”
I grabbed his hand in gratitude and shook it vigorously, seeing an awkward smile on his face.
“But there's one condition.”
“...A condition?”
“I'll only treat you as a lover when no one else is around. You asked me to treat you *like* a lover, not for us to be one publicly... That's okay, right?”
“Oh, of course. That's fine. I think that's the right way to do it, too.”
I answered without the slightest hesitation.
...After all, I was the one who asked to pretend to be lovers for a while, not to actually be in a relationship. Expecting him to treat me like one in front of others would be completely ridiculous.
“Good. Then that's settled. Glacia, how long should I treat you like a lover?”
“A month?”
“A whole month…?”
“Ah, is that too long for you?”
“It is a little long. But no, it's fine. One month... okay, I'll do it for one month.”
A small smile played on Han Cheon-seong's lips, and a little joy bloomed in my heart.
‘That should be enough time.’
In truth, I hadn't thought that far ahead and had just blurted out a timeframe, but since Han Cheon-seong had readily agreed to even that, I was simply and purely grateful.
“Well then, Glacia. Shall we go somewhere else?”
“Right now?”
“Yes. The park is too exposed to people's eyes. You said you wanted me to treat you like a lover... so I thought we could start today.”
As Han Cheon-seong, who had been tense ever since arriving at the park, suddenly relaxed, I nodded, though I was puzzled.
“Okay, let's do that.”
As I answered, a little...
No, my heart was pounding.
“I won't go too far. I'll just... show you a little of how I would treat you if we were lovers.”
“That's more than enough.”
At his following words, I stood up with him, feeling simply wonderful.
‘What does it... feel like to be lovers?’
Since Han Cheon-seong was my first everything, I was honestly curious about being in a relationship and had quite a few expectations.
*Step. Clack…*
As we walked in step, I found myself sneaking glances at Han Cheon-seong's profile.
“......”
And I nodded to myself.
‘I knew it…’
I really do like this man.
The feeling came to her unbidden. She had certainly felt hurt and had been lost in thought, but just walking together like this made her feel completely different than when she was alone.
Affection, fondness, love... she was feeling emotions that could probably be called by those names as she looked at Han Cheon-seong.
***
Finding a secluded spot within the academy was much easier than Cheon-seong had expected.
The academy grounds were so vast that, if one really tried, it was safe to say you could go anywhere.
‘...And here I thought it was going to be something serious.’
He glanced at Glacia by his side, a strange stirring in his heart.
He had expected Glacia to either end their current relationship or do something that would create a great distance between them.
But it wasn't that.
Her request was unexpected, but it was far better than what he had imagined.
*Tap.*
“Still, I won't get too touchy.”
“Okay."
Seeing Glacia nod in understanding, a small smile formed on his lips.
He had been thinking of all sorts of things, so now he just felt at ease.
“Rather than trying to do something to you in a secluded place... I'll try to treat you like a lover in my usual attitude toward you.”
He gently reached out his hand to the calm Glacia.
*Ssk.*
As he naturally took her hand, he thought he should still take things slowly.
“...”
Seeing Glacia flinch, he gently pulled her closer by the shoulder.
“You seem a little surprised, so I'll just say... when I think of someone as my lover, I tend to like holding them in my arms.”
*Whoosh.*
With that, he naturally pulled Glacia into his embrace.
“...I understand.”
Hearing that calm, yet slightly changed voice, he inwardly held his breath.
*Shhh…*
As he gently stroked her blue hair, he felt a strange sense of fulfillment.
‘I really am…’
He was realizing just how greedy he was.
If Glacia had been greatly disappointed in him and tried to cut ties, he had been resolved to let her go, but now, that felt like a lie.
“Glacia.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing. It's just... nice, holding you like this.”
Even as he spoke such idle words... the feeling of her in his arms was good.
The thought of wanting to possess her slowly filled his mind.
A desire that he didn't want Glacia to give up on him, and at the same time... this felt like a strange opportunity.
Glacia's test-like words had made her come closer, leaving her so defenseless before him.
Her request to be treated like a lover even felt like a provocation to him.
As if she were telling him to bind her to him... so she could never escape.
It was as if she had given him a signal.
—To try and seduce her.
*Slide.*
Then, feeling Glacia's awkward hand wrap around his waist, a laugh escaped him.