Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Furious Aunt Finally Causes Trouble After Biological Father's Appearance (5)
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Han-seol's victory brought the first-year Hero Tournament to a close. The stadium's feverish energy began to cool as people trickled out one by one.
C Class cadets followed suit. Class President Mi trudged along with her shoulders slumped.
"It's okay. This isn't the be-all and end-all of cadet life."
I patted Class President Mi's shoulder to comfort her. I told her not to sweat it, that she could make up for it with hard work later on—doing my best to cheer her up.
But it didn't seem to reach her. Class President Mi just nodded without really responding. Not the reaction I'd hoped for.
She must have been hit hard by the loss. I got it. Getting knocked out right at the finals' doorstep stung.
Class President Mi was a cadet with real aspirations to become a hero, just like Han-seol. She wasn't like me, someone who half-assed it. That's why my words probably fell flat.
"You know tomorrow's the second-year Hero Tournament, right?"
We gathered in the plaza outside the stadium. Before sending C Class home, Eum Ji-hye passed along the announcements.
"No academy tomorrow, so don't go causing trouble anywhere. Stay home and watch the Hero Tournament quietly, or do some personal training. Cheer for the second-year seniors wherever you are, got it?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Tomorrow was the second years' turn. Not having to go to the academy on a weekday was pure bliss. Nothing beat lounging at home on a school day.
I planned to crash hard and recharge.
'Geum Tae-yeon is competing in the Hero Tournament, but...'
Go cheer her on at the stadium? That felt like overkill. Honestly, it was a hassle too.
I trusted Geum Tae-yeon to handle herself.
She might act cocky and have a bad rep for her rough demeanor and antics, but her skills were proven legit.
"Dismissed!"
Eum Ji-hye clapped her hands sharply to end the gathering. Cadets scattered in all directions. Other classes were heading home around the same time.
Bzzz-
Right after dismissal, my smartphone vibrated. It was a text from Han-seol.
[Han-seol] — Where's C Class?
Looked like we'd be heading home together. I replied and waited. Soon, Han-seol approached from not far away, waving.
A gold medal—the symbol of first place in the Hero Tournament—hung around her neck. She seemed proud of it, bounding over with it on display.
Class President Mi, who'd been lingering nearby, frowned. Then she huffed irritably and turned away. Finishing a disappointing fourth without a medal clearly rankled her.
"Seol-i, you were amazing out there."
I gave Han-seol a thumbs-up the moment we met. First place deserved praise upfront. That's what boyfriends did, right?
"Hehe... really?"
Han-seol blushed. Her lips twitched upward—she clearly loved the compliment. Made it all worthwhile.
"I really gave it my all. I didn't want to lose."
"I could tell."
We walked on, ignoring the stares around us. Ever since becoming cadets, I'd grown a bit used to the attention.
"Um..."
Occasionally, fans would call out for service. Those moments were the most awkward.
Hard to say yes, hard to say no. Especially in a crowd like this—if I indulged one, they'd all swarm endlessly. Too much pressure.
"Sorry."
I firmly brushed off the woman asking for a photo. Extra sharp, aware of Han-seol sticking close by my side.
"I'm wiped from the matches."
I glanced around as I spoke. Even the bold woman who approached with a straight face followed my gaze.
She finally clocked the scene and gave an embarrassed smile.
Help one, and I'd have to help them all. No need to spell it out—anyone with common sense would get the hint.
After shaking off the maybe-fan, Han-seol and I walked side by side. She kept a polite distance but asked in an admiring tone,
"Have you always been good at turning people down?"
"Huh?"
"You're the type who can't say no, Yeon-woo. Just a month ago... you'd do whatever anyone asked."
"..."
I recalled the personality setting. The heroine in the ongoing manga Boy's Corruption was passive and introverted. She'd probably gone along with even rude requests.
Han-seol was pointing that out—not suspiciously, just curiously.
I fed her a plausible excuse. One she'd buy.
"You're the one who's exhausted."
"Me?"
"Yeah. After competing all day? No way I could entertain every single one of them. Doesn't make sense."
I was the thoughtful boyfriend, doting on his tired girlfriend. For her sake, I could muster the guts to shut down any jerks.
"Yeon-woo-ya..."
Han-seol's face lit up with emotion. My plan worked perfectly. Relief.
I headed home with Han-seol. On the way out of the stadium plaza, we ran into Juyeon-hee and proceeded together.
"Hey, Han-seol. You fought like a beast today."
Juyeon-hee jumped straight into tournament talk upon seeing Han-seol. Smart way to steer the conversation.
The vibe was decent enough.
'Even after what we did last night...'
From Juyeon-hee's angle, Han-seol might feel like a nuisance, but she hid it well. Impressive acting.
Han-seol was clueless. She was trying hard to get along with my twin little sister. Her effort looked genuine.
Would Han-seol ever learn my secrets? Or would she blissfully wash dishes forever? Who knew...
"You don't have to walk me all the way. Juyeon-hee's here."
"Still..."
Han-seol glanced at Juyeon-hee with a smile. Her goofy grin made her look adorably silly.
She wanted to play girlfriend, sister or no sister. That's what her words said.
"See you, Seol-a."
I nodded like I got it and headed inside. Han-seol stood in front of the apartment until I vanished, then turned away.
"Oppa was awesome today too."
Once Han-seol was gone and we were in the elevator, Juyeon-hee finally brought up my performance. She'd only talked Han-seol before.
Waiting for her to leave, huh.
"Still just quarterfinals."
"Pfft, quarterfinals? That's top eight in Korea. 'Just' sounds like you're taunting the other cadets."
Juyeon-hee had a point. Downplaying my results could come off as looking down on those below me.
I conceded her logic.
'Not my intent, but yeah, it could land that way.'
Juyeon-hee had trained hard too. Living under the same roof, I knew.
"Got it. I'll watch my words from now on."
"You'll run into cameras a lot too, so be careful."
"Roger."
We got home. No Aunt—weekday, so probably at the clan office.
Cadets got a Hero Tournament holiday, but office workers didn't. Business as usual.
I headed straight to the bathroom. I'd rinsed off lightly in the stadium lounge, but still felt grimy.
Warm water melted away the muscle fatigue. Knowing tomorrow was a rest day relaxed me even more.
I finished showering quick and stepped out in a thin short-sleeve tee and shorts. Juyeon-hee was right outside the bathroom door.
"Oh, uh... done already?"
She startled at the sight of me, yanking her arms behind her back. Hiding something, clearly.
I narrowed my eyes, and she backed away politely without turning, keeping her back hidden.
"What're you doing out here?"
"J-just checking when you'd finish..."
"Finish what? The shower?"
"Y-yeah, I need to shower too."
"Right..."
She eyed me awkwardly, like a thief caught red-handed. Definitely clutching something behind her back.
I scanned the hall quick. Laundry basket by the bathroom door. My underwear from before the shower...
I pretended not to notice, looking away. Figured Juyeon-hee would return it later—no need to stir drama.
Big-brother move.
"All yours now."
"...Okay."
"Why not just use the bathroom in Aunt's room?"
We had two bathrooms. No need for the hallway one.
"I don't like Aunt's. I prefer this one."
"You're not a kid."
I chuckled and stepped aside. Juyeon-hee flinched, then darted inside like she was sucked in.
'Showering my ass.'
No change of underwear, just her body. What was the plan there?
As expected, Juyeon-hee poked her head out soon after, sheepish-faced, grabbed panties and a tee from her room, and went back in.