Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Indoor Class (1)
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I still hadn't woken up from my dream. Ever since my first time with Yu-jeong sunbae, my life felt like I was swimming through a hazy illusion.
"Su-hyeon oppa."
Today was indoor class day at the academy, held twice a week. Usually, they'd show videos of gates between C-rank and A-rank to demonstrate hunter teamwork, or have executives or guild masters from specific guilds come in to introduce their organizations. They said proper theory classes would start next month, but I had no clue what hunter theory classes even entailed.
"Su-hyeon oppa."
These classes usually wrapped up quickly, turning into free time for academy students to bond. Today's lesson was watching a real documentary that briefly and simply showed hunters on an exploration mission. It was so boring and dull that most students, including me, were lost in their own thoughts.
"Su-hyeon oppa."
"Huh? Oh? Yeah, what's up, Ichie?"
It took her calling me a third time to snap me out of it. Ichie waved her hand in front of my face, stared at me blankly, then tilted her head. She asked,
"Are you sick? Should I take you to the nurse's office?"
"No, I'm fine, Ichie. Just lost in thought for a sec."
"You've been weird lately. Always spacing out. If something's bothering you, tell me. We're teammates, right?"
She really took good care of her "teammates." I thanked her for the solid support.
"Thanks, Ichie. But really, I'm good. Nothing's bothering me."
I couldn't exactly say I'd been thinking about Yu-jeong sunbae's ass or tits.
"So, what do we do now? Class is over."
"Physical training starts after lunch, they said. Until then, we can just chat or hang out."
"Chat?"
"Yeah. Think about it—we haven't talked much, even though we're teammates."
I emphasized "teammates." Ichie pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"True. We haven't talked much. Su-hyeon oppa, ask me anything you're curious about."
She pointed at herself. But I didn't have anything specific I was curious about with Ichie. Still, she stared at me with sparkling eyes. The red glint in her gaze was sharp and spirited, yet somehow eerie. After some thought, I spoke up.
"Where are you from, Ichie?"
"Shinjuku."
"Shinjuku?"
It rang a bell. A friend who'd gone to Japan said it was super fun. As I wondered how to keep the conversation going, Chun-bae, who was sitting a bit away, suddenly stood up and looked our way.
"Oho, Shinjuku?"
He pronounced "Shinjuku" in some weird anime-like tone, then walked over to Ichie.
"Ichigaya sunbae lives in Shinjuku, huh? Shinjuku means Kabukicho, right? When I went to Japan, I hit up Dotonbori in Osaka, Shibuya, Harajuku too, but Kabukicho was the sugoyest by far."
Ichie responded to Kim Chun-bae's odd speech pattern.
"Kabukicho. Nice place. My uncle's office is there."
"Oho, your uncle works there? Cool. Kakkoii."
Chun-bae gave a thumbs-up. Ichie nodded, then turned back to me. Chun-bae stood in front of us in a posture that felt totally out of place.
"Has Su-hyeon oppa been to Japan?"
"No. Never traveled overseas. Heard Japan’s awesome, though. What's Kabukicho like, Ichie?"
"Oh dear."
I'd asked Ichie, but Chun-bae shook his head on his own and stared at me. I was getting annoyed at how ridiculous he was acting. What the hell was this guy? He'd ignored me last time I tried talking to him, so why act buddy-buddy now? He spoke to me in a chummy yet condescending tone.
"Jeong Su-hyeon. Calling it 'yobiste' like that? Rude, no?"
I was seriously pissed now. No idea what "yobiste" meant. Should I just curse him out? If I hit him first before he summons, I could probably win. My Strength was nearly 15 now, while he was still stuck below 10 on training. I looked up, about to say something.
"Who are you anyway? Why keep butting in? I'm talking to Su-hyeon oppa right now."
Chun-bae's face twitched and distorted. Ichie stared at him with her usual blank expression. She repeated,
"Don't you have teammates? Go to them."
Everyone's eyes were on us. People love spectating—they drop everything for anything mildly interesting. Today's show was Chun-bae. He glanced around, face turning beet red, then started packing his bag.
People quickly lost interest and went back to their chats. We picked up our conversation. Where were we? Chun-bae grabbed his bag and stormed out of the classroom roughly. Kim Ju-seong hadn't shown up today for some reason.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"This is tough."
"Tell me about it."
After physical training, we always collapsed on the floor, drenched in sweat. Not just us—everyone who joined in was the same. My quick recovery let me drag myself up and grab Ichie's hand. She wobbled as I pulled her, barely standing.
"When do the showers open?"
"Tomorrow, they said."
"Harsh."
She muttered in a whiny tone, then stretched. Her sweat-soaked clothes highlighted her chest. She had firm breasts and sleek abs—her figure held up against Yu-jeong sunbae's.
"Mentor unnie. Coming here again today?"
"Probably."
"Let's go see mentor unnie."
Ichie rubbed her shoulders and headed out of the gym first. I followed her out. Sure enough, Yu-jeong sunbae was there, sipping an iced Americano while hitting pads. Spotting us, she beamed and waved.
Her face had always been bright, but since we started dating, it seemed even brighter. Ichie stared at her, then asked,
"Something good happen?"
"Huh? Good? Why, right off the bat?"
"Your face looks extra bright today. More than usual."
"Hmm... Probably 'cause I get to see Ichie and Su-hyeon after so long. I was busy yesterday and couldn't make it."
Our relationship was a secret from Ichie. A mentor dating one mentee could create awkwardness with others. We'd agreed not to act couple-y around her.
Ichie nodded at Yu-jeong sunbae's explanation. Sunbae pointed to a park table.
"Come on, sit. Lots to talk about today."
"What about?"
"Sit first."
Yu-jeong sunbae urged us like she was eager. Ichie and I sat across from her, bewildered. As soon as we did, she tapped her pad to pull up an official notice.
Rookie King Tournament
"Rookie King Tournament?"
Ichie tilted her head at the text, nodding when I read it aloud. She asked Yu-jeong sunbae,
"A tournament?"
"Yes. An annual academy event for freshmen. After completing the first half-year's training, students duel to crown one winner. No penalties for early elimination, but winning gets you tons of attention."
"That's after the first half-year training ends. Still a ways off, right?"
"Yeah. They send notices early, though. So you can train for real combat starting now—prevents big mishaps in the actual event."
Yu-jeong sunbae looked straight at me.
"I'd love for you to enter, Su-hyeon."
"Me?"
"Yes. With your skills, I think you could win. No one's watching you closely, but to me, you're the real dark horse."
What would happen if I won? I asked,
"Does winning mean my name's in the papers and news?"
"Of course."
Ada Bomber Jeong Su-hyeon crushes opponent to claim Rookie King title.
It didn't sound as bad as I'd feared. Kinda gave off veteran pro hiding behind a fun alias vibes. But this nickname had a huge flaw:
Drum Maniac Kim Jin-pyo defeats Ada Bomber Jeong Su-hyeon to win Rookie King Tournament
Losing made it utterly pathetic. Meaning, if I entered, I had to win—no exceptions. The pressure of certain victory weighed on me, making me doubt if I could pull it off.
"Uh, let me think it over a bit."
"Sure. Application deadline's two months out. Still, I'd love for you to join."
Her words were sincere, full of affection for me. Then she turned to Ichie.
"It'd be a great opportunity for you too, Ichie. Foreigners at a Korean academy are rare. Just entering would make waves... Lots of guilds would notice. Even Black Dragon Clan might... offer better terms."
Yu-jeong sunbae subtly slipped in the Black Dragon Clan pitch, gauging Ichie's interest. Ichie shook her head whenever it came up. Sunbae wasn't pushing hard, just nodded without further persuasion.
"Well, good work today."
Conversation over.
Yu-jeong sunbae hugged me tight. I naturally stroked her back; she squeezed back. Ichie watched silently. We suddenly remembered we weren't alone and pulled apart hastily.
Ichie spread her arms wide.
"Teammate."
I hesitated, glanced at Yu-jeong sunbae, then cautiously hugged Ichie. Touching her sweat-damp nape felt like bare skin—an odd sensation. I had to awkwardly lean back to avoid her chest pressing against mine.
As I pulled away, Yu-jeong sunbae opened her arms.
"Ichie. Me too..."
"You're sweaty. No."
Ichie refused flatly.