Class President Arrives: Jealousy Takes Hold
'Haa, what the hell did I even come all the way out here for?'
Seo Yura let out a deep sigh as she stared at the massive mansion and its imposing gate before her eyes.
She knew Heukcheon was an enormous organization. She also knew that Yujin, as its heir, couldn't possibly live an ordinary life.
But this was on another level entirely. And this wasn't even the main house—it was more like a vacation villa, wasn't it? Just how gigantic was the real place?
'Haha, even if I actually ended up dating Yujin for real, would I just have to shut up and take it?'
Dating. Just thinking that far ahead made her heart clench.
Not that there was any need to spell it out—everyone knew the class president liked Yujin. What had started as simple romantic feelings had shifted slightly by now.
Before the desire for him to like her back, an even stronger urge had taken root: the craving for his approval.
!
!.!...
.
'But what have I even been up to lately?'
She hadn't accomplished anything noteworthy in the survival tournament.
She'd been so lost in her own worries that she hadn't even noticed the ordeals Younghee was going through. Hell, she'd even gotten overpowered trying to stop Younghee's rampage.
What part of her could Yujin possibly like? What was there for him to even acknowledge?
After all the incidents they'd faced, her inferiority complex had reached its peak.
"Haa."
She gazed once more at the colossal mansion looming before her. This was just a tiny fraction of Heukcheon's domain. In a behemoth like that, was there really no mage who outshone her?
She could feel her already rock-bottom self-esteem drilling straight into the earth's core.
'Did I come here for nothing...?'
Truth be told, Seo Yura's visit to Yujin's home wasn't entirely pure-hearted.
Of course, half of it was genuine concern for Younghee. She'd come to look after her sick friend, bringing essentials like underwear, pads, pajamas—whatever she might need.
But the other half? Pure unease and jealousy at the thought of Yujin and Younghee alone together.
'Wow, even I hate myself right now...'
She'd never imagined she could be this loathsome.
Her closest friend had lost her memories and was suffering from severe social anxiety. Another friend had vanished after saying she had business to attend to, cutting off all contact.
And yet here she was, unable to stop obsessing over the guy she liked. How utterly repulsive was that?
She hated herself more with every passing second, feeling utterly pathetic.
'Yeah, I'll just hand over the stuff and leave.'
In the end, Seo Yura steeled her resolve.
She didn't want Yujin seeing her like this. She was terrified of disappointing him any further.
With that in mind, she cautiously knocked on the door, planning to thrust the items at whoever answered and bolt.
"Who is it?"
The door swung open, revealing a woman in a suit who looked like staff. Surprisingly ordinary-looking, but her posture and expression radiated the polished aura of a pro—befitting someone from Heukcheon.
"Ah, I'm a friend of Yujin and Younghee's. I brought some things they might need."
The woman glanced silently at the bags for a moment before nodding impassively.
"Please wait a moment."
The door closed, and soon reopened to reveal someone else: a tall man in a suit and sunglasses. Seo Yura vaguely remembered seeing him before—he was the one who drove Yujin around. Park Secretary, right?
"Ah—" He clearly recognized her too.
Seo Yura bowed politely once more. In a way, he was Yujin's closest aide. She wanted to make a good impression if she could.
...The old me would've died before bowing my head to anyone from Heukcheon. Love was scary, alright.
"I'm Seo Yura, a friend of Yujin and Younghee's. I brought some necessities to pass along."
"Ah, welcome."
To her surprise, he responded with unexpected kindness. Come to think of it, this was the first time she'd ever exchanged greetings with Park Secretary. He'd always seemed to keep a deliberate distance.
"Please, come in. We're all pretty swamped ourselves, but..."
"Ah, no thanks! I'm just dropping off the bags and heading out..."
"Don't be like that. Young Master Yujin will be delighted."
Yujin would be happy to see me?
She'd barely managed to steady her heart, but his name alone shook her resolve. In the end, she followed Park Secretary inside, muttering excuses to herself about it being for Younghee's sake.
"This way. I'll take my leave now—busy as it is."
Park Secretary bowed courteously and departed. Seo Yura swallowed hard and stared ahead.
'Oh right, what am I even supposed to say? Now that I'm actually here, I'm getting all nervous for no reason.'
No, she couldn't let these feelings take over. Younghee was the one suffering from memory loss—not to mention everything else. She was here as a friend, nothing more. No room for selfish desires. Just act normal, like always. Like always!
"Ah, hey Yujin! It's your class president! No ulterior motives or anything, I just came 'cause I was worried about Younghee..."
What met her eyes was her friend, clothes half-off and soaked through. And beside her, the guy she liked, shirtless as well.
****
Awkward.
That's what Yujin thought.
Of course, for a total outcast like him, awkwardness wasn't exactly unfamiliar. If anything, it was like an old friend that never left his side.
Except this wasn't his room alone, and there weren't just three girls lined up with him. No, wait—
'Why the hell am I even in this situation? I just wanted to help my friend...'
The gist of it was simple enough. He'd brought the ailing Younghee home. Lime had popped out, unable to stand by any longer. Then the class president—Yujin's friend who was worried about Younghee—showed up.
And now... this.
'No bad guys anywhere, but somehow I'm the victim. If only it weren't me...'
Nothing seemed off at first glance. The real culprit was that bastard Dr. Jekyll who'd tormented Younghee. Let's all kill Jekyll, folks.
"...So."
In the suffocating silence, the class president spoke first.
For the record, the four of them were in Yujin's room, seated across from each other at a table.
Younghee sipped her tea nervously, eyes darting around. Yujin sat frozen in tension. Meanwhile, the class president and Lime stared each other down wordlessly. There was something unnervingly intense in their gazes.
"What exactly are you to Yujin?"
The class president set down her teacup with a sweet smile. Perfectly polite and innocent, not a hint of malice.
Lime matched it with a leisurely grin of her own, oozing worldly nonchalance.
"His fiancée, arranged by the family?"
Clink. The class president slammed her cup down hard enough to echo.
Yujin and Younghee flinched beside her.
Suppressing her emotions, the class president spoke in a measured tone.
"...Must be nice. You've known each other since you were kids, then."
"Well, deeper bond than some kids who just met at school, yeah."
The class president looked up, locking eyes with Lime. Lime stared right back.
And smiled.
Maybe that was their declaration of war.
"Oh my, an arranged marriage in this day and age? Isn't that a bit outdated?"
"Ah, guess normal folk might not get it. Those kinds of ties don't change easily."
"Hehe, how would you know? Yujin's still young, got his whole future ahead—plenty of people to meet. Things could change, right?"
"Only an unconfident girl worries like that. Short on self-love, are we?"
"...Why the casual speech to a stranger, anyway?"
"Jealous? Then you do it too. Fussing over every little thing? No wonder you're unpopular."
Sparks practically flew between them. Was this what girls' power struggles looked like? It felt scarier than facing monsters.
"......"
Yujin felt eyes on him and looked up to see Younghee staring, her own eyes brimming with tears. Her terrified expression screamed, Do something!
Me? I'm scared too!
"And what was with that outfit earlier? Fine for Younghee, but shouldn't you dress more appropriately?"
"Oh yeah! Yujin got it for me—looks good, right?"
Lime stood proudly, grabbing her skirt with both hands and twirling. The black skirt and white dress shirt suited her perfectly. Post it online as "Girlfriend Look Brag" and it'd rack up ten thousand likes easy.
Seo Yura bit her lip hard watching her.
Oh. Lime wins this round.
At this point, they'd be better off just punching it out—less emotional damage that way.
"Hmph! Even as a fiancée, crashing alone at a guy's house to spend the night? Heukcheon's fiancée can't be from some lowly family."
"Nothing holding me back here. He can take my first anytime."
Pffft! Yujin choked on his tea, coughing violently. He wiped his mouth with a tissue and glared at Lime.
"What the hell are you saying?"
"Huh? I'm dead serious. Wanna do it tonight?"
Lime sidled up with a sultry smile, reaching out to tug his necktie. Their faces drew dangerously close, lips inches from brushing.
"W-what are you doing?!"
The class president shouted, face flaming red. Younghee covered her eyes, blushing furiously—though peeking through her fingers.
"Hmm... marking my territory?"
Lime declared it brazenly. Seo Yura mumbled something, mouth working furiously, but couldn't spit it out. She just whipped her head away, cheeks burning.
"I-I'm gonna use the bathroom."
As the class president fled, Younghee sighed in relief. Yujin shot Lime a mildly reproachful look.
"Lime."
"What? She started it—ow!"
Yujin flicked her forehead lightly. Barely hurt since he'd held back, but such gestures were rare for him. Lime finally peeked at his expression.
"...Mad?"
"Not really mad. Just don't be rude to my friends."
"...Tch."
Lime clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction but got it. No one understood the weight Yujin placed on his friendships better than her.
"Fine. I hate humans, but... if you ask."
"Good girl."
Yujin stroked her head like praising a pet. Lime's pout softened bit by bit under his touch.
Younghee watched with a hint of envy flickering in her eyes.
"......"
How long did he pet her? Finally satisfied, Lime whipped her head around.
"...I'm good now, so go cheer up the class president."
"Uh, but...?"
"Don't flatter yourself. Not being nice or anything."
Lime leaned in close, whispering in his ear while pointing at Younghee.
"Gotta do something with the class pres out of the way. Buy us some time."
"...You did that on purpose?"
"Nah, that part was legit annoying."
...Anyway.
He got the message. Yujin stood and headed out.
"Ah."
Left alone with Lime, Younghee eyed the door anxiously. Lime blocked her path and spoke up.
"Hey, Lee Younghee."
"Y-yes?!"
"You really wanna get your memories back?"