Chapter 128: Research Club (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: Research Club (2)
“W-Why are you here...?”
Lumina took a step back when she saw me.
“...It's not what you think, so could you please not jump to any weird conclusions?”
My head was already a mess; I didn't want to add a strange misunderstanding to the mix.
“I'm just here to join the research club.”
“...You want to join our research club?”
The disbelief in her eyes grew even stronger.
If this were a central research club, she wouldn't have reacted like this.
But Diabology was one of those personal research clubs that wouldn't be missed if it disappeared tomorrow, scraping the bottom of the barrel.
It was bad enough that a guy she already disliked was now sitting next to her in class. How must she feel now that he'd shown up, out of hundreds of clubs, wanting to join the very one she was in?
“...I'm interested in demons and things like that. And this was the only club that researches the topic.”
If you're wondering why Diabology is the only club out of hundreds that studies demons, the reason is simple.
While people might earn money for different reasons, a mage's research ultimately boils down to a single goal: advancing their realm.
Unless you're a black mage, studying demons is unlikely to help you advance. Naturally, very few people bother with it.
If it were just for personal curiosity, you could simply request access to the church's archives.
The church holds an unrivaled position as the sole authority on research related to demons and demonic arts.
However, to do so, you'd have to undergo an investigation to prove you weren't a black mage, and you'd also have to complete a few requests for the church.
‘Besides, you can't even apply for access unless you're a 3rd Grade mage or higher.’
As a 5th Grade Elementalist, I didn't have the authority to view the church's materials.
The promotion exams are also restricted for first-years. Something about preventing the occasional fatal accident.
“Ah... The president isn't here right now, but would you like to fill out an application form before you go?”
It wasn't my place to say, but I thought it would be better for her to find someone else. I wasn't comfortable joining a club with someone who clearly disliked me.
In fact, Lumina's willingness to let me join was what I found hard to understand.
“No, it's fine. I'll just come back another time.”
Of course, I probably won't be coming back.
“W-Wait!”
But Lumina grabbed my arm, stopping me from leaving.
“Please, join the club...!”
“...I said I'll come back later.”
“You're lying! You have the eyes of a liar!”
She was sharper than she looked.
“If we don't get enough members by the end of this week, the club will be shut down...! Please, help us!”
So that's why. There was a reason she was so willing to let me join.
“Still, wouldn't it be better to find someone else? It must be uncomfortable for you to have someone you dislike in the same club.”
“...Huh?”
Lumina's expression changed completely. She looked like she had no idea what I was talking about.
“You think I dislike you, Hyun-woo?”
“I don't?”
“N-No!”
Her face turned redder than I'd ever seen it as she raised her voice, a rare occurrence.
“For someone who doesn't dislike me, you always try to end our conversations quickly, and you only use formal speech with me.”
That wasn't all. When she talked to other students, she'd laugh and seem to enjoy herself, but when I spoke to her, she struggled to even reply.
Her answers were always just 'yes,' 'no,' or 'it's okay.'
“...It's understandable that you'd think that. But please know that it was never because I disliked you.”
Unlike before, Lumina looked me straight in the eye without a hint of wavering. It didn't seem like a lie to get out of the situation.
I considered asking why, but for now, just knowing she didn't hate me was enough.
“Alright.”
“...S-So, about j-joining?”
“I'll do it.”
“Ah...!”
A smile finally bloomed on her lips. Her eyes, relaxed with relief, seemed to stir a man's protective instincts.
I filled out the application form in the chaotic clubroom.
Surprisingly, there was a desk and a chair.
“Thank you. The president will process your application within the week when she gets back.”
“So where is this president, anyway?”
“Ah...”
Lumina gave an awkward laugh.
“...Actually, our club's funding has been almost completely cut off. We don't have any money for research, let alone activities, so the president went to work her part-time job...”
“...Seriously?”
“......Yes.”
The president has to work a part-time job because there's no money? At this point, isn't this less of a research club and more of a hobby group?
“I-I can't give the application back!”
Thinking I was about to back out, Lumina stuffed the application into the inner pocket of her robe, guarding it desperately.
There it is again. She's sharper than she looks.
“I'm not going to ask for it back. Instead, could I borrow some books on demons or black magic?”
“Books...? Wouldn't it be better to look for them in the Grand Library?”
“I transferred recently, so they haven't made me an access card yet.”
“Oh...”
Telling me to wait a moment, Lumina went into the clubroom. She rummaged through a pile of junk and deftly pulled out a few books.
How on earth did she find books in that mess?
“I picked out the most basic ones. You don't need to return them right away, so feel free to take your time reading them.”
“Thanks.”
With that, I had joined the club and gotten the books I wanted. I had no other business at the Magic Tower, so I started to head home.
Diring.
If it weren't for the unexpected message.
*
There were several unused classrooms in the Magic Tower. This was one of them.
In the empty classroom, Choi Hyena waited for someone, watching the sun slowly set.
Every second felt like an hour.
Her heart pounded harder than ever, and her legs wouldn't stop trembling.
She had agonized over this for the past two days.
Should I tell him the truth, or would it be better to just let it be?
Could I excuse my lie by saying it was just because I was jealous, because I loved you so much?
Choi Hyena had been solving complex magical problems that stumped even adults since she was a child, but this time, she couldn't find an easy answer.
The thought that her lie might hurt him far more deeply than she imagined swirled in her mind.
‘...Can I make up for the mistake I've made?’
Whenever Kang Hyun-woo brought up the pregnancy and showed his concern, a part of her was happy, but the anxiety was far greater.
No matter how she tried to spin it, she was nothing more than a villainess who had used the pregnancy card to trap him in her life.
‘...I have to tell him now.’
So many thoughts raced through her mind.
But only one thing ever felt like the right answer.
Drrrk. The classroom door slid open, revealing a familiar face.
“Weren't you absent today?”
Holed up in her workshop, she had pictured his face and spoken to him countless times a day, but she had never once told him the truth.
Her hands and feet would always go stiff, and the words would get caught in her throat as if something was blocking them.
“I have something to tell you.”
But she had to tell him the truth, even if it was now.
She forced herself to take one difficult step after another until she stood before Kang Hyun-woo.
As they stood face-to-face, she remembered the smile he had shown her. That gentle, warm smile he'd given to reassure her when he might have been facing death—no lie could stand before it.
She had betrayed that smile.
She had practiced this countless times in her head, but every time she tried to open her mouth, her heart lurched.
What if he hates me? What if he's disappointed? The mere thought was suffocating.
But she had to avoid her lie tearing them apart.
“...It was a lie.”
“Huh?”
Until now, she had comforted herself by thinking her lie was small and insignificant. But now, that small lie was growing bigger.
She was afraid that if she wasn't honest, she would cause even greater pain. She knew she couldn't run anymore, but taking that first step was so difficult.
Still, she had to try.
To become herself, not the villainess.
“The truth is... I was lying about being pregnant.”
She squeezed out her courage before the lie could drive them further apart.
“...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you... No, I did. I did it because I was jealous. I hated that there was another woman, and I was afraid that if things kept going, you'd leave me for someone else...!”
She looked at him, spilling out a jumble of words, clinging to the hope that he would understand.
And then she realized.
Reality wasn't a fairytale or a drama filled with hope.
She was not reflected in Kang Hyun-woo's cold eyes. His gaze pierced her heart like a sharp blade.
Under his stare, her words began to lose their shape and crumble.
Eventually, her voice became a pathetic mumble, and she could see her own miserable self, not even knowing what she was saying anymore.
Her face had long been a mess of cold sweat.
Still, she swallowed hard, wondering if there was still a sliver of hope, and looked at him.
“...Let's take some time apart for a while.”
“Huh...?”
But that short, firm sentence ended everything.
“I'll contact you later.”
At first, she thought she'd misheard. She had expected everything to turn out well, just as she'd hoped.
It didn't.
Countless questions flooded her mind. Why couldn't she change his mind? Was she not good enough?
Long after Kang Hyun-woo left, she remained standing there, staring at his back.
A cruel silence settled over the now-empty classroom.
Why did it turn out like this? What more should I have said? No matter how much she thought, she couldn't find an answer.
*
After the brief meeting with Choi Hyena, I went home and lay down.
I didn't even feel like going to the dojo today.
“...This isn't easy.”
To be honest, from the moment Choi Hyena suddenly asked to meet in an empty classroom, I had a vague feeling it would be about the pregnancy.
I had steeled myself not to just let it slide, no matter what she said. That way, she wouldn't lie again.
But seeing her admit her mistake and sincerely ask for forgiveness, my resolve wavered for a moment.
She looked so vulnerable that I even thought maybe I should just forgive her and be done with it.
Diring-
[Tip. You should not be lenient with a partner's mistakes. In the long run, it will only ruin the relationship and make things harder for you. What's important is that your partner also deeply understands the meaning of their actions. A light and quick forgiveness can actually cause greater pain for both of you.]
But the screen that appeared before my eyes changed my decision.
“...So-called dating app.”
But this time, it was right.
Pushing aside my unease, I quickly got ready to go out. I wasn't heading to the dojo. In my current mood, I wouldn't be able to train properly anyway.
[Phantom Shifter]
My body turned transparent.
I was originally going to assassinate the district mayor two days from now, but I'm moving it up to today.
That's right. This was revenge, and at the same time, a way to vent my current frustration.