Chapter 72: Yang Energy (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: Yang Energy (2)
Cheon Yeo-wool’s spirits were soaring higher each day.
The Apostle War, the event she had dreaded and worried about the most, had ended without incident.
Jung Hae-in, who had been bedridden, was also back on his feet, as strong as ever. He was exactly the man she knew, the man she had been waiting for.
With her biggest worries now more or less settled, things were bound to be peaceful for a while.
Whenever he was facing an important event, she would never bother him or cling to him.
It was a rule she had set for herself.
But after one urgent matter after another, she was growing tired of being patient.
“Hee.”
She could feel it in her bones: it was finally her turn to set aside her responsibilities and enjoy herself, if only for a moment.
While Jung Hae-in was lying in his sickbed, the women had, as if by some unspoken agreement, all brought him various elixirs.
Precious concoctions that aided regeneration and recovery, and infused the body with vitality.
The problem, however…
Look at this…
…was that every single one of them was an elixir also known to be useful in… other areas.
Cheon Yeo-wool understood instantly.
For someone like her, skilled in Holy Methods and healing, it was as clear as day what effect this combination would have.
And amidst it all, the situation began to unfold exquisitely.
As it happened, Yu Hana had entered seclusion training.
Kang A-rin, though in the same class, was spouting some nonsense about her principles and trying to avoid contact with Jung Hae-in as much as possible, at least on Gaon campus. Something about him getting caught up in rumors with a corporate owner.
Ha Sion was in a different class to begin with, so she wouldn't be interfering.
Most importantly, it seemed none of them were fully aware of the elixirs’ exact effects.
If that was the case…
Then there was only one person who could truly enjoy this situation.
An opportunity.
By the time he woke up and noticed the overflowing energy inside him, it would be too late.
Of course, with his exceptional abilities, he could probably get the energy under control quickly, but it would take at least a day.
For Cheon Yeo-wool, the chance of a lifetime had arrived.
The chance to be the very first to pluck the ripening fruit at its most delicious.
“Saintess~ You look like you’ve had some good news today.”
Perhaps pleased by her expression, a priest from the Cult asked with a bright smile.
Cheon Yeo-wool’s lips curved up slightly.
“I’m going to eat something delicious today.”
“Oh! Really?! Me too, Saintess! Please buy me some too!”
Such an innocent reaction.
She could have just let it slide, but she cut him off firmly.
“Absolutely not.”
A small smile still playing on her lips, she set off with a light step.
The path to the academy felt exceptionally refreshing today.
She sat down in her usual spot next to his designated seat by the window, waiting quietly.
Swoosh.
The door opened, and there he was, as lovely as ever, stepping into the classroom.
Come on, this way!
Her heart, filled with anticipation, was just beginning to flutter with excitement when…
“…?”
Jung Hae-in suddenly changed direction.
He headed straight for some bitch with sickly, chick-yellow hair.
Cheon Yeo-wool’s expression hardened. In an instant, her heart sank.
Her vision began to blur.
Watching him greet the girl with a friendly smile…
She despaired.
This was an emergency.
All her hard work was about to go to the dogs.
Then, her gaze slowly drifted toward the front of the classroom.
Her eyes instinctively searched for someone.
Kang A-rin.
At some point, she too had turned her head to look back.
Her expression was one of near-shock, her lips slightly parted.
…
Cheon Yeo-wool’s eyes narrowed.
So you knew all along.
She wasn’t the only one who had noticed.
She’d been wrong. There was no way they wouldn’t have known.
They were all just pretending not to.
“Tsk.”
She clicked her tongue softly.
*
When the hell is this going to end…
Just as the encroaching drowsiness was making it hard to stay conscious…
“…My, look at the time.”
Instructor Do Han-seong, who had been lecturing with a half-dead expression on his face, finally spoke.
The moment he did, faint sighs of relief rippled through the classroom.
“That’s all for today’s class.”
I wanted to give him a round of applause for his decision.
In my head, of course.
“The first-year students probably don’t have anything scheduled for this afternoon, but…”
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the room.
“It’s a little different for those participating in the Mentor-Mentee Program.”
Instructor Do Han-seong smiled faintly and gestured.
“All designated students, please gather at the auditorium by 5 p.m.”
I had a pretty good idea what this was about.
The Exchange Match.
It was probably something related to that.
The team compositions hadn't been officially announced yet, but it was a given that mentors and mentees would be on the same team.
That much was already set in stone.
I figured they were calling us to arrange the rest of the team members.
It was noon now, so I still had some time.
It was an awkward amount of time.
It was too soon to go home and come right back, but it was way too early to head straight to the auditorium.
At a time like this, the simplest solution was to get something to eat first.
“…Zzz.”
“?”
I heard a faint breath from the seat next to me.
She was in the perfect napping posture.
She was enjoying a more peaceful nap than anyone else.
I gave her a little shake.
“Wake up.”
“Hnngh.”
She blearily opened her eyes, then closed them again.
“Wake up.”
“Hnngh…”
After another gentle shake, she reluctantly sat up.
Her eyes were half-closed, her hair was a mess, and her lips were slightly parted.
She still seemed out of it.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the front of the room.
“Alright everyone, you’ve worked hard. I hope you all have a great week.”
Instructor Do Han-seong offered his final words, concluding the class.
Students began to rise from their seats, leaving in small groups.
Through it all, Yoon Chae-ha remained seated, a dazed look on her face.
The sight was so amusing that I couldn't help but laugh.
I looked at her and murmured lightly.
“Should we do some mentor-mentee stuff today?”
At my words, her eyes instantly flew open.
“Today?”
It seemed she was finally awake.
She was usually so groggy and listless, but the moment a topic she liked came up, her eyes would go wide and alert.
It was like she was normally powered down, completely limp, but would react instantly to the shake of a single toy…
Like a cat, I guess.
“Yeah, but let’s eat first. What do you want?”
Yoon Chae-ha thought for a long moment before opening her mouth.
“Anything.”
“Ramen?”
“That’s a bit…”
“Pork cutlet?”
“…That’s a bit much, too.”
“…”
You said anything.
“Hey, just get up.”
I helped her to her feet, naturally taking her by the wrist and pulling her along.
“Ah…”
I was halfway to the door, still holding her wrist, when…
Thud.
A shadow blocked the doorway.
“Hae-in!”
A familiar voice. A cheerful tone.
Looking down, I saw Ha Sion waving with a wide smile.
“Today, could you come with me to my grandfather’s…”
Her gaze naturally drifted to the side.
To my hand holding Yoon Chae-ha’s wrist.
And to me, pulling Yoon Chae-ha along.
Sion’s expression remained as bright as ever.
“That might be a little difficult today. I got called in for the Exchange Match.”
“Ah… is that so?”
“Yeah. Besides, my brother and sister all went to the Association today, so no one will be there even if you go. I’m serious, not a single person.”
“Oh, I see. I had no idea.”
Ha Sion’s smile hadn’t faded, but the atmosphere had shifted in some subtle way.
A moment of silence.
“Oh, right. Hae-in, just a second.”
Her hand reached for my arm, the one holding Yoon Chae-ha’s wrist.
She grabbed my arm and pulled. I had no choice but to let go of Chae-ha.
Sion carefully examined the small accessory on my arm.
The Vitality Bracelet. The one she had given me.
“…Yeah, it looks fine.”
She tapped the bracelet with her finger and muttered.
“Why?”
“Oh, it’s just… mine was sort of overflowing? How should I put it… they said it was overcharged. I was wondering if yours was the same.”
…Mine was a bit overcharged, too.
It felt like it was constantly squeezing my wrist, and to be honest, even Sion touching it now felt like too much.
I needed to calm it down somehow.
I carefully pulled my arm away.
“Sion, we haven’t eaten yet. Want to join us? Chae-ha, you okay with that?”
She nodded, as if she didn’t particularly care.
Sion, however, shook her head slightly.
“No, I’m not really hungry. You two go enjoy your meal.”
“Alright.”
Leaving Sion behind, I headed to the campus cafeteria with Yoon Chae-ha.
As we were walking down the hall, Yoon Chae-ha suddenly asked me.
“…What’s your relationship?”
“With who? Sion?”
“If the girl we just met at the door is named Sion, then yes.”
“We’ve been close since we were kids.”
“…That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Yoon Chae-ha thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Hmm… I got that feeling…”
Chatting like that, we soon arrived at the cafeteria.
We got in line and stood before the kiosk, where the menu screen lit up.
Truthfully, I knew what Yoon Chae-ha’s favorite food was.
It was just that even she didn’t know it yet.
Without much thought, I tapped a menu item on the screen.
“Grilled mackerel? It’s going to smell fishy.”
She made a subtle face, pinching her nose slightly. It was her turn to choose, but…
Beep.
I simply added a cheese pork cutlet, ordering a total of two dishes.
“…? What are you doing?”
“You’re having the cheese pork cutlet.”
“How do you know what I want to eat…”
“Just eat what I buy for you.”
Yoon Chae-ha started grumbling behind me, complaining under her breath.
I could see her flustered cheeks puffing out slightly.
I let out a small chuckle and went to pick up the food.
Since it was lunchtime, the cafeteria was already packed.
After finding a suitable table, I placed our respective dishes in front of us.
Yoon Chae-ha was still grumbling as she stared down at the pork cutlet.
“What is this?”
“Enjoy your meal. It’s on your mentor.”
“…Well, thanks. I’ll eat well.”
While she sighed and shot me a glare, I picked up my chopsticks and flaked off a small piece of mackerel.
Then I popped it into her muttering mouth.
“…Mmph?!”
Yoon Chae-ha’s eyes darted around.
As a texture she’d never experienced in her life spread through her mouth, she froze.
According to her settings, she hated the fishy smell—that is, the scent of fish.
However…
After silently rolling the piece around in her mouth for a few seconds, she slowly began to chew.
As the smoothly flaked mackerel melted on her tongue, her expression subtly changed.
A gentle umami flavor and a soft texture filled her mouth.
And a clean taste, with no trace of a fishy smell.
Yoon Chae-ha parted her lips slightly, then closed them again.
Then, in a tiny voice, almost inaudible, she said:
“…It’s not fishy.”
I knew it.
She was destined to love fish.
She had just never had it before in her life.
And if it hadn't been for me, she probably never would have.
She picked up her fork and slowly moved it toward her pork cutlet.
Her movements were somewhat slow, almost sluggish.
Just then, I casually pushed my plate in front of her.
“Want to trade?”
“…?”
“You can have this.”
“…Okay.”
Yoon Chae-ha hesitated for a moment, then took my plate with practiced ease.
“Thanks.”
And just like that, the plates were swapped.
Yoon Chae-ha didn’t show it, but her chopsticks were starting to move faster and faster.
I quietly began to cut my cheese pork cutlet.
To create a tongue that was destined to love fish most of all, and then give it a setting that hated fishy smells…
Seriously, whoever came up with that…
It was just cruel, looking at it again.
Wouldn't living your whole life without knowing this taste feel like you were missing out on more than half of what life has to offer?
Just then.
Pick, pick.
“Um…”
“Yeah?”
“…How do you debone this?”
She had completely mangled the fish with her chopsticks.
A disaster born from wanting to eat but not knowing how to remove the bones.
“Hah.”
I let out a dry laugh, grabbed a new pair of chopsticks, and started deboning the fish for her.