Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Friends (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, I definitely thought problem 13 was number 3."
"Obviously number 2, right? This was straight out of the textbook."
Time doesn't wait patiently for anyone. While I've been suffering through secret missions, pop quizzes, and study sessions, the semester has been steadily marching on toward midterms.
Before you know it, you'll find yourself grumbling over math problems you don't recognize, throwing up your hands with an "eh, whatever" and just guessing at the answers before tossing the test paper aside.
But this exam was a little different from usual. Back then, both math and Korean problems were full of tough wording, but thanks to the study group, I could actually read them and make educated guesses now.
"Miss Serika. So, how did the exam go? Did the study group help?"
"Uh, well..."
"It worked for me! There was this tough math problem, but it was from what we studied! Look! Average of 98 points!"
Watching Yumi cheerfully waving her test paper around brought all sorts of thoughts swirling through my head.
Come to think of it, Yumi seems like the type who'd rely more on brawn than brains like me, but she's surprisingly sharp. In the original story, was Serika really just a simple victim manipulated by Yumi? Maybe she was pulling the strings from the shadows, playing the loyal sidekick while scheming something massive.
Of course, I kept that rude thought to myself. Glancing sideways, Hwayoung was shaking her head, trying to dispel some idea of her own. She was definitely thinking the same thing as me. Why else would she keep glancing back and forth between me and Yumi while wagging her head like that?
"...And you, Miss Serika?"
"Yeah, how'd you do on the exam, Serika?"
Hwayoung's question alone was intimidating enough, but then Yumi chimed in with sparkling eyes. I pulled out my test paper from under my desk and said,
"Yeah. The study group really boosted my scores this time. Look. Math used to be in the 40s, but I got a solid 60 on this one."
Yumi's eyes went wide at my proudly presented test paper, then she beamed. For some reason, Hwayoung looked proud too.
"The study group clearly made a difference."
"Right! Serika got a 60! Next exam, 70's possible, right? My mom says you should raise your goals little by little!"
"Definite progress."
Seeing my friends so happy made me feel good too. My parents would surely be thrilled. My average in the low 50s had climbed to the high 50s thanks to the study group.
I'd barely studied before, but a few cram sessions had shot my scores up like this. Maybe I really do have a talent for studying? Buoyed by their praise, I placed a hand on my chest and declared,
"This must be what they call being accomplished in both pen and sword, right? I just never bothered before. Turns out I was the type who could do it if I tried."
Hwayoung rolled her eyes briefly and dodged a response, while Yumi nodded a beat late and chimed in.
"...Yeah, exactly! I always believed in you, Serika!"
Hmm, with friends this happy for me... I feel great too.
********
"So, with exams over, any plans?"
Midterms ending meant a short break. Perfect timing too—the facility had given me training downtime, so my hectic life of saving the world and my family finally got a breather.
"Dunno. Nothing planned yet. Maybe just laze around at home. Or visit that big sis I know."
The problem was having nothing to do during this golden break. If things stayed quiet, I'd probably hang with Sally, watch movies in her room, or flip through her manga collection while chatting.
Sally has such niche tastes—she picks up the weirdest manga sometimes.
"That big sis? The one at the factory you mentioned? I wanna visit too!"
Yumi perked up when I brought up Sally. I'd mentioned her casually when talking about home, and now she was hooked at the idea of me dropping by when bored.
"Huh? Sure, why not. I'll ask her."
I doubted Sally would mind Yumi coming over. Worth asking.
"Yay! I've always wanted to see a factory dorm like that! Dad mentions it sometimes, and it sounds so cool."
"What company does your father work for again, Yumi?"
My school was pretty pricey. In other words, kids like Hwayoung and Yumi came from well-off families. Yumi nodded at my question and replied,
"Dad's company? Something with electronics? I don't get the complicated stuff! He explained once, but it was all jargon, so I forgot. Earthworm Stream or something like that?"
What company? Even I couldn't picture it. While Yumi and I puzzled over her dad's business, Hwayoung nodded thoughtfully to herself. Yumi, still mulling over "earthworm company," turned to her.
"So, Hwayoung, what're you up to after exams?"
Hwayoung blinked like she'd just woken up. She glanced between us, then smiled.
"...Me? Probably just spend it normally with family. And since exams are done, I have a proposal... My parents want to invite you and Yumi over. We could set a day for dinner together."
Totally unexpected.
"Huh? Dinner? I'm fine with that."
My eyes widened as I spoke, and Yumi shot her hand up.
"I'm in! When?"
Hwayoung smiled at Yumi's enthusiasm.
"Ah, but this is a family-to-family invitation for dinner. Not both of you together. Separate days for your family, Miss Yumi, and Miss Serika's family, to dine and chat."
Family dinners? Hwayoung's world must be picky even about making friends. She seemed from a solid background, so it tracked. In manga and dramas, upper-class folks always vet their kids' friends' family backgrounds, right?
Call it a friend interview.
Of course, an elite like me—diligent and accomplished in all things—had nothing to fear from that. I smiled and said,
"Sure, sounds good. I'll ask Dad."
********
"...Something's off. Definitely off."
Saburo muttered around his cigarette. Serika's recent question echoed in his mind.
[ "...My dad? Why?" ]
Back then, despite her desperate attempts to look suspicious and villainous in any situation, Serika's expression had genuinely cracked.
Pure, innocent confusion at not understanding.
Raw emotion a kid couldn't hide.
So, no matter how much Saburo tried to brush it off, that look stuck in his head.
Was Iwamoto Yoshio actually innocent? But that left too many inconsistencies. If Yoshio was clean, who killed Shinsuke? Who invested in stocks? Who siphoned off Sally?
Surely not Iwamoto Serika, who only knew how to pull stupid, weird faces?
Iwamoto Yoshio was a villain.
Saburo knew everything.
He knew seemingly kind people who did good deeds on the surface hid sticky, insidious malice inside.
But oddly, Serika's expression kept haunting him.
His instincts screamed not to doubt, whispering that Yoshio might be innocent after all.
No matter how big Yoshio was, how had the organization missed him all this time?
Did it make sense for such a massive backer to stay hidden?
His hands trembling, Saburo agonized until he made his decision.
"Dennis. I need your help with something."
Dennis yawned over the line, her voice bored.
"What do you want?"
"We're nailing down Iwamoto Yoshio's true nature. Time for a deeper background check."
Saburo wanted certainty.
He wanted to believe Iwamoto Yoshio was the bad guy.