Augh, Nothing's Going My Way!!
A warm breeze slipped through the classroom window. It drifted slowly, gently brushing her hair. The class president sat there quietly, letting it wash over her.
"......"
She was perched on top of a desk. Normally, she'd never do something like this. Sitting her butt on a sacred classroom desk and crumpling it? Unthinkable for such a diligent girl.
But she was doing it without hesitation. All because of Kim Yujin, sitting right beside her.
"What's wrong, class president?"
He called to her in a voice brimming with affection. When she turned, he wore a gentle smile unlike his usual self. Her heart fluttered in conditioned response.
"......Kim Yujin."
"Yeah? What is it, class president?"
His tone carried affection and interest. Completely different from his usual indifference. Yet she didn't find it strange.
"Why... are we doing this here?"
"Does it need a reason?"
Kim Yujin reached out. His large hand stroked her hair. She accepted the touch without resistance. For some reason, it didn't feel bad. No, it even felt a little good.
"I'm just here because I wanted to see you, class president."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you're the bad guy who bullied my friends Cheolsu and Younghee."
"You really think that?"
Suddenly, Kim Yujin pulled her close. He enveloped her completely in his broad embrace, wrapping his arms around her tightly as if to flaunt his affection.
"Ah."
His scent filled her nostrils. Sweat mixed with gunpowder—a dangerous aroma from a perilous man that she'd normally hate. Yet it strangely aroused her.
"If we're true friends... wouldn't you understand something like this?"
"N-No way."
His hands caressed her back and shoulders. She felt his fingers through the thin fabric of her uniform.
"Eek!" A shiver ran up her spine from her lower back. Yet she couldn't resist. Her strength drained away, and she surrendered her body to him.
"For you, class president, I could give up anything."
"......"
"As long as I have you, no obstacle matters."
The class president shook her head vigorously. The guy had mercilessly tormented her friend Cheolsu. He'd stolen Younghee from him. Kim Yujin was a total villain. Anyone would agree.
And yet—
"You don't hate me either, class president."
He gently lifted her chin. Their eyes met naturally. Those inscrutable black pupils brimmed with infinite affection. Handsome. I want to entrust everything to him. Lovable. Thoughts like that slipped in unbidden.
"If you hate it, resist."
She gazed at him with hazy eyes. What expression was she making? Probably like a girl smitten with love. How had it come to this? Why was she in this situation? Such questions didn't even arise.
"Then... I can take that as permission, right?"
"......"
He leaned in. She closed her eyes softly. Their lips drew perilously close.
Chirp— Chirp—
The class president bolted upright in bed, her face blank. Sparrows chirped outside the window. Morning sunlight blazed brilliantly.
Still groggy and disheveled, she scanned her surroundings. This was definitely her room. The only oddity? Her bed and clothes were slightly damp.
"........I must be crazy."
She buried her face in her hands. Her ears and cheeks burned crimson. How old was she to have a dream like that? And why, of all people, Kim Yujin? Why had dream-her gone as far as kissing that damn trash!
Utter humiliation and shame crashed over her belatedly.
****
Scribble-scribble.
The sound of pencils moving echoed in the quiet classroom, punctuated by the teacher's lecture. The class president's favorite time of day. She admired hardworking people. Proving it, she studied harder than anyone.
But lately, even she had changed.
"Class president?"
"......"
"Class president?!"
"Y-Yes, yes!"
The teacher's sudden bark snapped her back. She'd zoned out without realizing. Always diligent since the semester's start, the teacher's face shifted from scolding to concern.
"Are you feeling okay? If you're sick, you can skip class and head to the nurse."
"N-No, I'm fine!"
She shook her head hastily and refocused on her book. But soon, her concentration wavered again. Snapping to, her thoughts had wandered elsewhere.
Argh, seriously...!
She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. Focusing was so hard lately. Once the epitome of diligence, the class president was changing. Even studying filled her with impatience.
Every time she opened a book, other thoughts intruded. And whenever after-school "that time" approached, her heart raced.
...This is all Kim Yujin's fault.
She shot him a resentful glare. Surprisingly, he was listening intently. His fierce mafia rep seemed laughable with that serious gaze. That gap-moe was kinda cool—
No, what am I thinking! Snap out of it!
She denied her own thoughts and refocused. Kim Yujin was the villain. The ultimate bastard. What good would liking him do?
Right, this is just temporary from helping with his training.
Lately, she'd been assisting Kim Yujin's training. She had to connect mana passes, and the aftermath affected her mind too. His mana was so vast... honestly, the stimulation was intense.
Yeah! It's not fondness—it's his mana backflowing wildly!
These feelings were just an illusion from that. Definitely not actual feelings for Kim Yujin.
Obviously! It's been no time since what he did to Cheolsu and Younghee! How could I like him?
As she steeled herself, class ended. She'd barely taken notes. When would she sort this mess?
A brief pout crossed her face—then Lee Younghee approached.
"You okay, class president? You seem off today."
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."
Younghee looked genuinely worried. Such pure kindness without a trace of deceit—who else offered that? Glancing around, she whispered,
"...Did something happen during training with Kim Yujin?"
The class president's face flushed hot. Her heart jolted—or rather, her chest stung.
"W-Wh-What do you mean?"
"Just... Kim Yujin is, honestly..."
Younghee trailed off with a deep sigh, her face full of worry and frustration.
"No, never mind. If something's bothering you, I can at least listen."
"Y-Yeah! I'm fine, really."
"Good. That's a relief."
Younghee beamed sincerely. Seeing it stabbed the class president's heart. How could she fret over him when she had such a pure friend?
Sigh, get it together.
As she resolved anew, Kim Yujin returned from his errand. Younghee's expression shifted instantly—from pure, innocent maiden to sultry woman. Chillingly flawless acting.
"Yujin~ Anything bothering you today?"
She clung to him, smile unwavering. He accepted it without awkwardness now.
Snap!
...Huh?
The pencil in her hand broke. Why had her grip tightened? Even as the question arose, her eyes stayed glued to the pair.
…*
"Everyone~ I have good news today~"
The petite homeroom teacher grinned widely. Yujin felt a twinge of unease. From experience, that smile meant getting dragged into something complicated. Not always bad—meeting Kim Taejin, bonding with the class president—but trouble was guaranteed.
"Hehe, you all know field training got suspended over the recent ogre incident, right?"
Everyone knew. An ogre had appeared mid-academy drill, attacking Yujin, Cheolsu, and Younghee. The perilous event fizzled without investigation. Most suspected Yujin's scheme, but Heukcheon's name silenced them. The academy's fix? Ban drills for "safety."
Pure ostrich policy.
Figures. Shady adult crap, like poor safety management.
Unaware the "shady adults" were his own Park Secretary and Heukcheon, Yujin grumbled inwardly. The teacher continued,
"I bet lots of you were bummed. You're all itching for real combat, huh?"
Students nodded eagerly. The academy's draw was unrestricted practice. Banning it bred complaints.
"But finally! Group assignments make drills okay now—official notice came down!"
Eyes lit up. Real practice at last! A level-up for future heroes.
Everyone but Yujin.
Ugh, hate this.
Fighting monsters again? He'd grown stronger, no death risk, but the thought still worried him. Another ogre? What then? At least the school seemed prepared this time.
"Safety concerns linger, though. So, meet your drill instructor for the period. Come on in~"
The door opened. A tall, handsome man in a doctor's coat entered. Slight fatigue on his face oddly enhanced his allure.
Standing at the podium, he scanned the class before speaking.
"I'm Jekyll, your temporary instructor. I handle combat and have a medical license. Injuries? Find me anytime."
His gaze met Yujin's. Jekyll flashed a grin. Yujin thought,
Does a doctor have to wear the coat?
Jekyll inwardly admired the composure.
Executive infiltrating the classroom, and not a flicker. Killer poker face? Or prior intel?
Either way, Yujin was no pushover. Of course, current Yujin had zero memory of Jekyll...
And so, the historic meeting between Heukcheon's heir and executive unfolded in a classroom.