Somewhere Quiet
Shania, who had suggested they go somewhere quiet, truly led Seong Hyun-jin to a secluded spot. It was the exam hall—a place students rarely visited unless there was a special occasion. All written exams for every department were held only in the prepared testing rooms here, and access was strictly forbidden before the exam period. As a result, no one lingered nearby, and Shania had brought Seong Hyun-jin to the back of the deserted exam hall.
“You’ve brought me all the way out here because you have something to say?”
“Yes. It’s about the child I sponsor, so I wanted to be cautious.”
Shania gave a faint smile as she spoke.
“I mentioned I’m Yeonhui’s guardian, right?”
“You did.”
“And that I need to take her back.”
This was the same conversation Shania had brought up last time when he was with Karin. Seong Hyun-jin nodded to show he remembered, and Shania let out a deep sigh.
“That’s actually why I’m here.”
“Pardon?”
“Yeonhui says she doesn’t want to go back.”
Shania briefly explained to Seong Hyun-jin what Yeonhui had told her. Then, looking at him, she continued.
“Yeonhui’s refusal to return is surely because of you, Seong Hyun-jin.”
“Me?”
“As I mentioned before, she’s suffering from severe homesickness. Anything connected to her life before the transfer drives her crazy. Even objects affect her badly, but a person? Forget it.”
Shania sighed again, her expression heavy with concern, emphasizing that Yeonhui’s homesickness was no ordinary affliction.
“The Holy Kingdom demands her return to Celestial Academy... I’d love to honor Yeonhui’s wishes, but my position doesn’t allow it.”
“So, you want me to persuade Senior Yeonhui?”
“Not exactly... Even if she goes back, it’d help if you promised to meet her often. Persuading her would be great, of course, but that feels too unfair to ask of you.”
Shania made her request.
“If possible, could you make that promise to Yeonhui? Something like visiting when you have time. If you say that, she might change her mind.”
“...That’s not a hard promise to make.”
“Oh, really?”
Shania’s face lit up. She’d been prepared to push harder or even make an offer he couldn’t refuse if he hesitated, but his response was unexpectedly positive.
“I’d be so grateful if you did.”
Shania smiled happily and thanked him. But then, Seong Hyun-jin suddenly asked something.
“One thing I’m curious about, though.”
“Curious? Ask away.”
“If I say that and Senior Yeonhui still refuses, what will you do then?”
Shania paused at his question.
“Well, then...”
“Then just go with what Senior Yeonhui wants.”
“Pardon?”
“Otherwise, it’d be hard for me to fulfill your request, Dean.”
Shania was slightly flustered by his response.
“Seong Hyun-jin, that’s...”
“It’s a simple condition, isn’t it?”
After a moment’s thought at his follow-up, Shania nodded for now.
Her reason for staying here is probably just longing for someone from her homeland anyway...
If that could be resolved, Yeonhui wouldn’t refuse to return. There was no way she’d reject it after hearing his promise. It would fulfill her desires and ease her sense of obligation. And... even in the worst case, Shania had a couple of contingency plans. It was better to go along with him for now.
“...All right, I’ll do as you say, Seong Hyun-jin. But you have to make it clear to her, okay?”
As Shania agreed, Seong Hyun-jin nodded.
“Then after classes today, I’ll head to the chapel. You can join us then, Dean Shania.”
“What time? Terastial Academy’s curriculum is different from ours...”
“We finish around four.”
“That’s early. Terastial Academy must still be teaching with that skimpy schedule.”
“Is it? Anyway, I’ll talk to Senior Yeonhui then. You have to keep your word.”
Seong Hyun-jin said firmly.
“If Senior Yeonhui says no, then we respect her choice.”
“I promise.”
Only after Shania’s firm confirmation did Seong Hyun-jin say he’d head back to class and leave.
Left alone briefly after he departed, Shania muttered to herself.
“...He’s a man with no greed at all.”
She hadn’t expected him to accept her request so readily. In exchange for his help, she’d been willing to grant any wish of his—even if it was transparently self-serving. Yet Seong Hyun-jin didn’t seem interested in such things; he accepted without hesitation. The moment he heard it involved Yeonhui, too, which showed he was the type to help acquaintances without hesitation.
As expected of Lady Karin’s disciple...
He was a person of solid character. Far better than many adults much older than him. If someone like that were in her circle, she might even consider a serious relationship.
“...A relationship?”
Suddenly, an image flashed in Shania’s mind.
Yeonhui was the type to hold back even when she wanted something. If her desires conflicted with something important, she’d sacrifice her own wishes for the greater good. But this time, Yeonhui had been unusually firm. Shania had attributed it to her homesickness, but...
She wondered if Yeonhui’s concern for Seong Hyun-jin went beyond just seeing him as a fellow countryman.
“...”
Shania pondered deeply for a long while before leaving.
Serena asked in surprise.
“Senior Yeonhui is going back?”
“Yeah.”
Seong Hyun-jin was telling Serena about Yeonhui’s situation. He hadn’t planned to, but circumstances forced his hand.
After classes ended, Serena had invited him to dinner together, but he’d refused, saying he had to go to the chapel. When she pouted at the curt rejection, he had no choice but to explain, revealing the story about Yeonhui.
“Exchange students are supposed to return after one semester, though.”
“That’s the norm, but there are circumstances.”
“...So you agreed to persuade Senior Yeonhui?”
“It’s not persuasion. She seems stuck here due to homesickness, so I’m just helping a bit. If she still refuses, Dean Shania agreed to drop it.”
Seong Hyun-jin explained.
“If there’s a pressing reason to end the exchange early and return, wouldn’t that be hard to just drop?”
Serena’s point was sharp. Honestly, Seong Hyun-jin himself didn’t fully understand why Shania had so readily accepted his condition. She’d seemed unable to defy the Holy Kingdom’s request, so what was she thinking? He figured he’d find out when he got there and stood up.
“Anyway, I need to go talk to her now. You coming?”
“Me? Can I?”
“What’s stopping you?”
At his casual words, Serena tilted her head, thinking fair enough. She wasn’t involved, so she should stay out, but his nonchalance confused her.
“Then I’ll come too.”
Without overthinking, she decided to follow, wanting to stay by his side. She didn’t know why she felt that way.
“Suit yourself.”
Seong Hyun-jin headed to Yeonhui’s chapel with Serena. Shania was already there waiting.
“Ah, Seong Hyun-jin.”
“You’re early, Dean Shania.”
“Hello.”
“Serena Eldark is here too?”
Serena pointed at Seong Hyun-jin beside her.
“He just asked if I’d come along... I’ll wait outside while you talk.”
“That’d be helpful. It might be a bit embarrassing for Yeonhui.”
The mention of something potentially embarrassing made Seong Hyun-jin and Serena both tilt their heads.
What’s that about all of a sudden?
Helping Senior Yeonhui return is embarrassing?
Since she wasn’t involved anyway, Serena agreed to Shania’s request.
“Sure, talk comfortably.”
“Thanks.”
Serena waited outside as Seong Hyun-jin and Shania entered the chapel. From the inner sanctum came the light click of heels, and Yeonhui appeared.
“Ah, Junior Hyun-jin! You’re he—Dean Shania?”
“Hey, Senior.”
Seong Hyun-jin greeted her, but Yeonhui was too wary of Shania to respond properly. Shania let out a wry chuckle at her gaze.
“Yeonhui, don’t be so guarded. I’m not here to talk—it’s Seong Hyun-jin.”
“...Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Seong Hyun-jin.”
At Shania’s cue, he nodded and delivered the promised line.
“Senior Yeonhui, even if you go back to Celestial Academy, I’ll visit often. During breaks or after graduation, too...”
“...Junior Hyun-jin.”
Yeonhui cut him off mid-sentence, her tone cool.
“Did the dean ask you to persuade me?”
“Yeonhui, this isn’t about persuading you... It’s just to say that even if you return with me, your connection with Seong Hyun-jin won’t end. That’s all.”
Shania explained.
“He’s telling you that you can keep meeting him.”
“...”
Shania knew how to frame it to sway Yeonhui. She did seem shaken—knowing she could still see him made her hesitate. Shania sensed it was working. A little more pressure, and she could successfully take her back. Everything was going as planned.
But then Seong Hyun-jin spoke on his own, saying the exact opposite of what she wanted.
“Senior Yeonhui, answer comfortably. I’m just asking your honest opinion.”
“...Seong Hyun-jin?”
He hadn’t been asked to make her return. His only promise was to confirm he’d visit if she chose to go. Seong Hyun-jin had no intention of persuading her. He’d respect her choice either way—returning or staying.
“If you decide to go back early, I’ll do that. If you don’t want to, feel free to refuse.”
“Pardon?”
Yeonhui blinked in surprise, but he continued calmly, as if it were obvious.
“Your feelings matter most, Senior. I won’t push if you don’t want it.”
“...I get to decide?”
She glanced at Shania as she spoke.
“Well...”
Shania started to respond, but Seong Hyun-jin cut in decisively.
“The dean promised to respect your choice if you refuse.”
“...She’ll go along with what I say?”
“Yes.”
Shania shot him a look, as if to say why bring that up? But he replied nonchalantly, like it was the most natural thing.
“She has to tell you everything so you can choose properly. You might waver in the moment and pick something you don’t want.”
“...”
“So, Senior—what do you want? To go back, or stay here? Or...”
Seong Hyun-jin asked her.
“Is there something else you want?”
“...Something else?”
“Yes.”
He looked at her, asking from the heart.
“A choice that Yeonhui truly wants, without minding anyone else.”
“What I truly...”
As Seong Hyun-jin kept going off-script, Shania grew flustered. But she couldn’t intervene—the promise to honor Yeonhui’s words was between her and him.
“I...”
“Yes.”
He waited patiently for her answer. Yeonhui clenched her fists slightly, overcoming her embarrassment, and shouted.
“I-I want to be with you, Junior Seong Hyun-jin... from now on, too!!”