Chapter 223: I Trusted You, I Trusted You…!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 223: I Trusted You, I Trusted You…!
Well, several things happened after that.
A certain swordsman stormed into the Hero Association and turned one of their branches upside down.
The Platinum Witch, who had finally regained her original body, shed tears of joy—only to scream in despair when she reverted to a blonde brat due to a lack of mana.
The Student Council President of Leilan Academy made everyone uneasy by wearing a devious smile and saying she hoped they could become even closer the next time they met.
The Chairperson went back with a hollow face, muttering about having to write reports, and so on.
While there were some fairly significant events, honestly, none of them really hit home for me.
Or rather, to be more precise, I couldn’t afford to care about those things because something far more impactful to my life was about to happen.
And that was because…
— Ah, So-hyun. You can grant that wish you promised me tomorrow, right?
A great trial, one that might significantly alter the course of my life, was looming right before my eyes.
Professor Cathy spoke with such a bright, radiant smile, yet for some reason, she looked like a judge handing down a death sentence.
Excuse me, Your Honor. Honestly, I don’t feel wronged, but is there any way you could reconsider?
* * *
Earlier that day, after Cathy had intimidated Kang So-hyun by telling him to brace himself for tomorrow, she was meeting with a completely different person.
“Hello, Professor.”
“Ah, you’re here? Cadet Kang Han-hee. Or should I call you Cadet Kang Ha-ni?”
“Ah, well… For now, I’m going to continue attending the Academy as a man.”
“Hmm, is that so? If that’s more comfortable for you, I’ll do that.”
Meanwhile, the one who had been summoned, Kang Ha-ni, was considerably tense.
Considering everything that had happened so far, she could roughly guess why the professor had called her. Since she harbored feelings for So-hyun just as the professor did, this was likely an unavoidable confrontation.
Yes, maybe this is for the best.
At least she wouldn’t have to act cowardly behind his back anymore. Declaring herself a rival and competing head-on suited her temperament much better.
“Don’t be so tense. I didn’t bring you here to threaten you to stay away from So-hyun. It’s actually the opposite.”
“…Huh? The opposite?”
“Yes. Actually, I didn’t intend to call only you today. I contacted everyone I know who has feelings for So-hyun. One of them wouldn’t pick up no matter how many times I called, and the other got scared and refused.”
“I see…”
Wow, there are two more besides us?
No, wait. One of them is probably Ga-eul.
Ha-ni felt a chill. What kind of proposal is she building up to that requires all this?
“Well, before we get to the main point, I want to confirm something first. It would be embarrassing if I were just delusional.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Cadet Kang Han-hee, you like So-hyun too, don’t you?”
Oh, she was acting all subtle, but this is incredibly direct.
Then again, neither Ha-ni nor the professor were the type to beat around the bush.
“Yes, I like him.”
“And I can take that to mean in a romantic sense—that you want a deeper relationship with him in the future?”
“Of course. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be answering so seriously.”
Ha-ni’s realization of her feelings might have come later than the professor’s, but she had no intention of losing. If she had to fight for him, she was willing to use every means at her disposal.
“That’s a relief. I wasn’t mistaken.”
However, while Ha-ni was burning with competitive spirit, she felt almost no hostility from the professor, whom she had considered her most difficult opponent.
“Aren’t we declaring ourselves rivals right now?”
“Hmm, yes. From a certain perspective, it might look that way. But I called you here because I wanted to make a slightly different proposal.”
Indeed, there was still no trace of animosity in Cathy’s smile.
“Ah, of course, I have no intention of forcing you. Everyone has different values. If you don’t like it, please refuse clearly.”
“…I’ll listen for now.”
Ha-ni wondered what kind of conversation two women who liked the same man could possibly have. She grew curious about the proposal.
“About So-hyun… don’t you think he’s likely to run away?”
“Pardon? Run away?”
“Yes, run away. As you know, So-hyun is soft-hearted. He’s used to being hurt but clumsy at receiving affection. Don’t you think there’s a possibility he’ll end up choosing no one because he’s too busy worrying about us?”
No.
Ha-ni wanted to say that, but looking back at his behavior so far, it was hard to deny that he might do something absurdly self-sacrificing at a crucial moment.
“Honestly, that’s true. But so what?”
“I’m saying, is there any need for us to fight among ourselves?”
“What?”
“We could think of ourselves as rivals for the same person, but looking at it differently, aren’t we also comrades who need to melt his heart first?”
…Can it really be viewed that way? I don’t think so.
But on second thought, she felt that without some kind of catalyst, he would keep slipping away like an eel.
“Well, to be honest, I’m also doing this because I’m scared.”
Scared? Of what?
“I don’t want to fall behind anyone else. I want to be So-hyun’s first.”
At this point, Ha-ni thought she knew what Cathy was going to propose.
She’s going to suggest an alliance. She’ll ask to be the first, and tell me to be satisfied with being second.
…Honestly, she could empathize with not wanting to see So-hyun suffer or get hurt. The man they liked was the type to worry unnecessarily if they fought.
Still, she didn’t want to give up the first spot. Why couldn’t she be first and the professor be second?
“So, do you want to do it together?”
“…Huh?”
“Let’s not fight over who’s first. Let’s do it simultaneously. Ah, I don’t mean that in a different sense.”
However, to Ha-ni’s shock, the professor’s proposal was something bizarre that far exceeded her imagination.
Wait, what? The three of us? Together? For the first time? Is this woman insane?
“Are you… by any chance, in your right mind?”
“Of course I am.”
I don’t think so. I think she hit her head in the dungeon.
Or is being an Academy professor something just anyone can do?
“Ah, I came here to propose an alliance, but this is also a form of consideration.”
For the first time, Ha-ni noticed that Cathy was holding something back.
“I’m sure you’re confident, Cadet Kang Ha-ni, but if I push a little, I’m confident I can go all the way. I even have a justification that So-hyun won’t be able to refuse.”
She was implying that if Ha-ni refused, she would just go ahead and do it alone.
Ha-ni had always lived thinking she was quite reckless and far from being a “normal” person. But seeing this, she realized she was nothing compared to the professor.
Honestly, she wondered if a relationship between a man and a woman should be handled this way, and if it was right for two women to plot like this without the man’s consent.
Many thoughts crossed her mind.
But when she remembered her previous failed attempt, the rational part of her brain seemed to go numb. Above all, she agreed that with the two of them, they could definitely catch him so he couldn’t run away.
Well, so…
“Honestly, Professor, I think you’ve lost your mind.”
“And?”
“…And I think I’ve lost mine too.”
Yes, they must have both hit their heads while fighting that weird thing in the dungeon. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even be considering nodding at such a proposal.
“I’m glad to hear a good answer.”
“You mean an insane answer.”
Even as she reached out to take the professor’s hand, Ha-ni wasn’t sure if this was right. But she felt that if she rejected this hand, So-hyun would leave her behind by tomorrow.
“Ah, to hell with it.”
Ha-ni decided to stop thinking.
After discussing various details, Ha-ni tried calling Ga-eul one last time. Unfortunately, Ga-eul did not pick up until the very end.
* * *
Something was strange.
“Ah, So-hyun. Good morning.”
What was strange was that I couldn’t understand this situation.
The “wish” the professor said she would use was simple.
No matter what happens, don’t run away until tomorrow morning!
Honestly, I had braced myself, thinking it wouldn’t be an ordinary request, but her first request was more normal than expected.
It was the dawn training we always did.
I would have understood if it were just the two of us, but for some reason, Ha-ni was there too.
It wasn’t just the two of us, but it wasn’t the usual full group either—a subtle number of people. Well, since we weren’t alone, she wouldn’t do anything inappropriate, right?
…Though their physical distance from me felt strangely closer than usual.
Well, it’s training, so that’s probably why.
After finishing the morning training, I was ushered into the professor’s car and taken to her house.
…Wait, is this really okay?
“Um…”
“Ah, get in quickly. The professor said she’d make breakfast.”
“That’s right, So-hyun. You need to eat home-cooked meals occasionally instead of hotel food to stay healthy.”
But again, for some reason, Ha-ni got into the car with us, so I followed without much suspicion. To be fair, I had been living on takeout and restaurant food ever since the dormitory pipes burst. I was starting to miss home-cooked meals.
And going with Ha-ni wasn’t strange either, considering her cooking skills.
Yet, my heart was racing strangely, and I felt an ominous sense of unease.
How should I put it? It felt like being a chicken walking into a pot on its own two feet.
No, I’m not alone with her at home; Ha-ni is here. Surely nothing like ‘that’ will happen?
When we arrived, the house was just as I remembered it.
“You’re hungry, right? I’ll have it ready soon, so just rest, So-hyun. Cadet Kang Han-hee, could you help me?”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Wait, how can I be the only one resting? It’ll be faster if all three of us do it. I’ll also—”
“Just rest.”
“Sit down.”
…Um, is there something in the kitchen I’m not supposed to see? You’re not going to come out with a kitchen knife and say, “Actually, the main ingredient for today’s dish is you, So-hyun!” are you?
A strange anxiety washed over me, but I forced it down.
This is the professor, and Ha-ni is here too. What’s with the anxiety? This is just an obsession, a mental illness. I have to overcome it. Suspecting people is a bad habit of mine. Even if they have a scheme, it won’t be something that harms me.
Suppressing my unease and forcing my pounding heart to calm down, I waited for them.
Soon, the sound of something frying in a pan and the fragrant aroma of cooking began to waft through the air.
“Do you prefer garlic rice or regular fried rice inside your omurice~?”
“Ah, garlic rice, please.”
“Okay~ Just wait a little longer~”
See? No problem. They’re just cooking. What was I so suspicious for? I’m not usually like this; the events in the dungeon must have been more stressful than I realized.
“Sorry for the wait. Sit here.”
“…Huh? Right there?”
For some reason, the two of them sat on the outside of the table, pushing me, who was already seated, further inside. It felt like they were trying to prevent me from escaping.
“It looks delicious. Hurry and try it. The professor is a good cook.”
The omurice was filled with garlic rice made with chicken and garlic, but there were also a suspicious number of side dishes like garlic and eel.
And yet, there wasn’t a single bit of garlic in the food they were eating.
Despite the suspicious circumstances, I decided to trust them. Because I had decided to trust people from now on…!
— …Hey, you. No, never mind. It’s not right to rain on your parade at a time like this.
…What is it?
“It’s delicious, but why aren’t you two eating anything with garlic?”
“What are you talking about, So-hyun? What if we smell like garlic?”
“Right, garlic breath is hard to get rid of.”
Well, if they’re worried about the smell, I guess they wouldn’t eat it. But something feels off…
“I heard it can be risky even if you brush your teeth well.”
“Exactly. It might not matter for you, So-hyun, but it’s basic manners.”
…What manners?
Since I hadn’t helped prepare the meal, I tried to clear the dishes, but the professor drew a line, saying there was no need.
“It’s fine, we’ll take care of the dishes. Now that we’ve eaten, why don’t you go wash up, So-hyun?”
Not just brushing my teeth? What does eating have to do with washing up? And I wasn’t the only one who ate…?
Even as those thoughts crossed my mind, I couldn’t resist their pressure and headed to the bathroom.
“…What is going on, seriously?”
Both of them were acting strangely, their speech awkward. Like children who were nervous because they were plotting something naughty.
As I washed my body and prepared to soak in the tub, a stray thought occurred to me.
…Come to think of it, this is the tub the professor usually uses.
No, you crazy bastard. What are you ‘thinking’ about? Stop thinking and just wash up and get out.
Almost as soon as I submerged myself in the warm water, the bathroom door opened and a voice called out.
“So-hyun, is the water temperature okay?”
To be clear, the voice didn’t come from behind the door. It came as the door opened.
Wow, it was so natural I almost answered without thinking.
“Why aren’t you answering? Is it too hot?”
I wonder. Why can’t I answer?
I felt like anyone in their right mind would know why.
“Excuse us?”
No, don’t ‘excuse’ yourselves. Why are you both trying to come in?
“Is it too narrow for three?”
Whether they knew my heart or not, the two of them approached, making my desperate attempt to look away utterly meaningless.
What is this? No, seriously, what is this? Am I hallucinating?
“Wait, what are you doing…!?”
At the sight of the two of them, wrapped only in towels without even a swimsuit, my mind went completely blank.