View the Protagonist with a Bright Future, Far from Common Sense
Meeting up with the chuunibyou Suhyun had become half a daily routine now.
She'd earnestly begged him not to talk to her otherwise. The only place they could chat was behind the school during lunch, away from prying eyes.
'Meeting a girl alone every lunch, but can't even talk the rest of the time? Am I an outcast or an insider? Hard to tell.'
Of course, Yujin—with only three classmates he'd ever spoken to—was in no position to be picky. Even if their talks were pure chuuni delusions.
He was just playing along with her fantasies!
All the same, Yujin was pretty content with this routine.
As he headed to their spot, Suhyun was already waiting.
"Hello."
Next to her sat a stack of at least five strawberry milk packs. Come to think of it, she downed those every day.
Does she just love strawberry milk that much? 'Maybe that's why her hair's pink?!'
Next chance I get, I'll bring some soy milk. Might neutralize it and fix her hair back to normal.
Entertaining such pointless thoughts, Yujin gave a slight wave. An easy greeting even a stuttering outcast could manage.
"I heard about it. You're sparring with Cheolsu, right?"
"How'd you know?"
"You're kinda famous over there. Rumors trickle in one way or another."
No way! So they were talking about him like that?
'They won't even say hi to me directly!'
If that was the case, they could step up and chat with him sometime. Yujin treasured his friends, after all—a good villain at heart.
"Thanks anyway. For granting my request."
"No biggie."
Of course, Yujin had challenged Cheolsu for Suhyun's sake. In her delusions, they were rivals. He was just going along with it.
But it wasn't only for her.
'This could be my chance to patch things up with Cheolsu!'
Guys with bad blood bonding over sports, sweating it out, earning mutual respect. The classic shonen sports manga trope! Like Kang Baekho and Seo Taewoong!
Yujin nursed that pipe dream.
Suhyun flashed a satisfied smile.
"This'll make Cheolsu stronger, and the story progresses smoothly."
In her fantasy, Cheolsu was this world's hero. Destined to grow powerful and save the school from crises.
Yujin played the role of awakening him to that duty.
Huh? Saying it out loud, I sound like a pretty cool protagonist's rival. Too bad it was just Suhyun's delusion.
"When's the sparring start? Today?"
"Not today. Got other stuff."
"Heukcheon-related?"
Yujin shook his head and explained: homeroom teacher's hero disciple recommendation, his acceptance, becoming her disciple for a week.
Suhyun tilted her head at the story.
"That's weird. No such event in the future I know."
Yeah, he hadn't expected the teacher to offer either.
"Kim Taejin is one of Korea's strongest heroes in the setting. She's originally meant to be Cheolsu's master."
Suhyun wore a serious frown, clearly distressed that her setup was unraveling. Tough break, but it was an act of God—cut her some slack.
"Hmm, no clue. What butterfly effect caused this?"
"Can't back out now."
"Yeah, I think it's for the best too."
Surprisingly, Suhyun nodded. Her own lore shattered, yet she stayed chill. A true awakened chuunibyou.
'If it were me, I'd panic and my head would spin.'
She operated on a whole different level. Impressive. Respect. She brushed off what he couldn't.
"As I said, the future's already derailed somewhat. Two issues from that."
Suhyun held up two fingers.
"One: character relationships shifted. Two: the mains' growth is delayed."
Her face was dead serious. So earnest over a game of make-believe. Yujin straightened up, listening intently.
"First one's unavoidable. Can't force people's hearts. But I have no idea why Younghee fell for you."
!......!......!
Huh? That's the setting?
Sure, Younghee clung to him a bit, but that was just her push-pull with Cheolsu. He was merely a jealousy totem.
'Though to an outsider, it might look that way.'
Should he clear it up? He pondered, then zipped it.
It was his friend's love life. Can't blab to outsiders.
'I'd get caught in the crossfire if they break up!'
A pro outcast never meddles in others' relationships. Prevent needless drama. Outcast survival 101.
"Good news: second issue's easy. You and Cheolsu just get stronger."
"Mm."
"I thought I had to buff Cheolsu, but... you know this world's meta. Might be more efficient if you power up."
Suhyun nodded, convinced.
"I was too stuck on canon. You're more flexible, as a real-world native. Impressive."
".........Yeah!"
Beats him what for, but praise was praise. Better shut up and take it than play the clueless fool.
Outcast was fine; idiot was not.
"On that note, I'm all for meeting Kim Taejin. She's publicly one of the strongest heroes. You'll skyrocket."
"......Really?"
Damn, the teacher hyped her big-time. Guess even students knew her rep. Starting to dread it.
She's gotta be terrifying... Probably some hulking old grandpa.
Maybe pulls wuxia crap like 'No meal till you cross that mountain!'
Crap. He'd have to fake it through the week for real.
"Anyway, with you putting in the effort, I can't sit idle, right?"
Suhyun puffed out her chest—modest at best, nothing like Younghee's. Was that why the strawberry milk...?
"I've got valuable intel today."
"Hmm?"
"That Park Secretary serving you?"
Her tone turned grave.
"He's actually a traitor."
What? What nonsense was this? Like a webnovel author forcing a plot twist.
"I get the shock. You probably never imagined it."
Yeah, unimaginable. He and Park Secretary weren't master-servant; more business partners. Gear and wielder, maybe.
"Park Secretary doesn't recognize you as Heukcheon's heir."
Yujin recalled his usual demeanor.
-As expected of you, Young Master Yujin!
-The true heir of Heukcheon!
-Only you can lead Heukcheon!
'...If that's acting, he'd sweep Best Supporting Actor.'
Suhyun didn't know him, though. Any character fit her lore. And it made for juicy drama.
"Today, Park Secretary plans to betray you and crown another heir."
"Oho."
Story's heating up. Court intrigue in what he thought was academy fantasy. Noir all along?
"He's strong alone, but allies with others doubting your worth to assassinate you."
".......So I die?"
"In canon, Cheolsu saves you. But right now? Unlikely."
Ah, so that's how he ties in with Cheolsu. Suhyun was a genius. Even authors struggled with plots this tight.
"In my future, someone else rides with Park Secretary today. Claims to be a junior, but stabs when you're off-guard. Poisoned blade—dodge it."
"Park Secretary's no pushover either. Run if you can; don't fight."
Suhyun sighed deeply.
"Purely 'cause I worry. I want you alive."
"......Got it. I'll try."
Yujin nodded along to the fantasy. But the detail nagged now. What if it actually happened? What if she wasn't delusional—what if she was a real possessor?
'Nah, no way.'
He shook it off, but unease lingered.
At the same time.
Park Secretary's hand pierced the man's chest.
"Gahk!"
The man stared in disbelief. His comrade—why?!
"Why... why? You hated Kim Yujin as heir too...!"
"Ah, sure, back then."
Past him would've agreed. Yujin didn't fit Heukcheon.
But now?
"I recognize him as my true liege."
His overwhelming power. Manipulating foes from shadows. Ruthless without hesitation.
"Young Master Yujin is perfect to succeed Heukcheon. Any blocking his path are my enemies."
"Guhk!"
"Even old comrades. Can't let scum stab his back."
The bleeding man collapsed, a hollow smile on his lips.
"Kuhk... To think he'd charm even you. We misjudged that guy... fatally..."
He went limp.
Park Secretary wiped the blood irritably. Time to fetch Yujin. Couldn't greet him like this.
'Gotta hurry.'
He cleaned up in seconds and headed out as usual.
"Welcome, Young Master."
Yujin glanced up from the car, eyeing the passenger seat.
"No one else riding with you?"
"Of course not. Serving you is my sole duty."
"Mm, right?"
Yujin sighed inwardly in relief.
'Phew~ Knew it. Total delusion.'
Park Secretary betray him? Absurd. Suhyun's detail had spooked him, but false alarm.
'Possessor? 19+ NTR game world? Yeah right!'
The car glided smoothly away.
The one chance to uncover the truth—lost forever.