Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: True Talk in the Dead of Night
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Still before dawn broke.
Kim Seon-ah frowned as she looked at the marks scattered across her body.
'These won't last until morning, will they?'
Sex with Teacher Gan couldn't even be called gentle in empty words.
Choking her was par for the course, and acts like suddenly wanting to hear her scream and crushing her collarbone in his grip or punching her weren't rare at all.
Today had at least ended with her being bound and used like an onahole, but unlike usual, the rope marks were vividly etched into her skin.
'If Ha Yoon sees me like this, she'll definitely have something to say...'
She already wasn't thrilled about Kim Seon-ah being called to Teacher Gan, and with such obvious traces left behind, she'd complain for sure.
Here, all she could do was trust in a victim's recovery powers. With that thought, she stepped into the showers and found someone already there.
"...Kim Seon-ah."
"Why is Yoon Se-rin here at this hour... Ah."
Kim Seon-ah tilted her head at Yoon Se-rin, who was draped in a towel with a gloomy expression, then quickly realized she'd been called for Trainer Duty with Teacher Park too. It made sense.
"You must be exhausted."
"What is this, talk between office coworkers?"
"Well, it's not entirely wrong, is it?"
Not coworkers, but fellow sex slaves. As Kim Seon-ah said that and started undressing, a long sigh echoed from her.
She didn't treasure Yoon Se-rin like she did Ha Yoon, but Kim Seon-ah's nosy nature couldn't ignore the sigh.
"Something wrong? You're sighing up a storm."
"What do you think? It's the same every day. Because of that bastard Teacher Park..."
Yoon Se-rin muttered, then let out another deep sigh.
Come to think of it, Teacher Park did seem to relentlessly target Yoon Se-rin.
Even during morning physical training, and for duty—aside from the first day Ha Yoon and she arrived, Yoon Se-rin had been on it every single day.
From offhand comments, it seemed like this had been going on long before recently.
But why did Teacher Park fixate on Yoon Se-rin alone? Kim Seon-ah voiced the question that popped into her head.
"Why does Teacher Park pick on you so obsessively?"
"How should I know? Maybe my current look hits that bastard's tastes spot on."
Tastes. Kim Seon-ah turned to scan Yoon Se-rin's body.
A moderately curved figure, chestnut bob haircut, and fierce eyes that vaguely resembled Ha Yoon's.
Overall, her face was cat-like, sharp and angular.
Men with strong desires for conquest supposedly liked that kind of look, so maybe that was it. Imagining Teacher Park in his military-style outfit, Yoon Se-rin asked.
"More importantly, you okay? You've got some serious gashes."
"I'm fine. It doesn't hurt."
The marks were the issue; the pain had faded long ago. Her matter-of-fact tone made Yoon Se-rin pause thoughtfully before speaking again.
"I've got a question. Mind if I ask?"
"A question? Go ahead, I don't mind..."
"What's your deal with Ha Yoon?"
What kind of deal? It was such a random question. Kim Seon-ah blinked, then answered casually.
"What do you mean? We’re just fellow recruits who arrived on the same day."
"Nothing else? Friends from outside, or acquaintances?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Then why the hell are you helping her out so much?"
Yoon Se-rin shot back incredulously. It was a question she'd heard countless times from Hong Ryeon and others, so it didn't faze her much, but it sparked her own curiosity too.
"Is that so weird?"
"Huh?"
"Helping someone you've just met this much. That strange?"
"Most people wouldn't go that far...?"
No matter how nosy, people prioritized themselves first. Especially in this oppressive, closed-off environment.
Even renowned priests or monks would turn selfish here, she figured, though she'd never seen it.
Kim Seon-ah pondered Yoon Se-rin's words before replying.
"They say helping someone in tough times leaves the deepest impression. Ha Yoon's that person for me. From the bus ride here, she gave me advice to keep me from messing up... Though I couldn't follow it all in the chaos."
Looking back, Ha Yoon had probably been anxious too, grabbing the easy target—her—and acting all composed.
Honestly, those tips weren't that effective; you could count the useful ones on one hand.
Like preventive shots for what lay ahead.
She probably would've adapted to academy life soon enough without them.
But fact was, Ha Yoon had advised her, and it helped her adjust a bit faster.
"So, I help where I can."
"...No matter how I hear it, you're getting the short end. Sacrificing academy life over bus stuff."
"I see her as a good investment. Who knows? If you help me like I help her, I might return the favor."
"Pass. That's not how I build relationships."
Yoon Se-rin grumbled as she stood. She tossed her towel into the bin, dressed, and said,
"Besides, I've got a friend to share my heart with. Don't need that."
"Han Su-ah, right? She’s in the same batch too?"
"Yeah. We bickered at first, but turns out the only ones you can vent to comfortably here are the ones who came with you."
Whether they were upperclassmen or underclassmen, differences in seniority still meant more time spent alone anyway.
So naturally, those in the same batch stuck together.
Yoon Se-rin thought that, then chuckled wryly.
"Feels just like the army."
If it'd be like this, better to have transformed before enlisting.
Kim Seon-ah watched Yoon Se-rin head back to the barracks, then entered the showers.
She'd never served, but she agreed.
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After showering, she slipped into the barracks amid regular breathing sounds.
Kim Seon-ah tiptoed past bunks and quickly slid into Ha Yoon's.
"Mm... What...?"
"It's me. Mind if I come in?"
Of course, she was already in.
Ha Yoon stared at her blearily, exasperated, then gave up and turned her back. With limbs bound, side-lying was the only option on the bunk.
Kim Seon-ah giggled and hugged her. Holding that soft body felt like cuddling a warm doll.
"Sleep... You're tired... "
Her mumbling was just like a baby babbling.
Hearing that unusually mushy tone sparked mischief; she whispered in her ear.
"Ha Yoon, you awake?"
"Mm... Sleepy..."
"Ha Yoon, what do you think of me?"
"Think of you...?"
"Y'know. Good girl? Pretty?"
Ha Yoon went quiet, then murmured sleepily.
"...Foolish."
"Huh?"
Never expected that. As Kim Seon-ah blinked in surprise, more mumbling came.
"Stuff you don't have to do... Can't understand why you go so far... Could just ignore someone like me..."
Come to think of it, she'd said something similar before stabbing Teacher Choi. No more meddling, don't interfere with her.
But now, it was much softer, tinged with regret.
Was this her true feelings? Stunned, since she'd never imagined this, she whispered again.
"But you didn't ignore me, Ha Yoon. Back on that bus. Why'd you do that?"
"That was... I was pissed too, and you kept dragging your feet..."
True feelings for sure. She spilled unfiltered thoughts when sleepy.
Kim Seon-ah thought that, then quietly asked what crossed her mind.
"Ha Yoon, so what do you think of me?"
"What I think... Foolish..."
"Besides that. Do you like me?"
Ha Yoon fell silent at "like." Kim Seon-ah wondered if she was waking, but didn't care. Awake or not, she'd hear the answer.
"Ha Yoon, tell me. Do you like me?"
Kim Seon-ah liked Ha Yoon. Her tough side, her weak moments, her shyness. Couldn't love her dark past, but no denying it.
Maybe it was the looks. Even to another victim, she was strikingly pretty.
Like a lone cherry tree blooming amid other flowers. Others thought so too, unspoken.
Without her Ha Seung-jin past or trainer history, tons would flock to Ha Yoon besides her.
That's why she liked it. Monopolizing someone like this.
'Maybe I'm simping like Jin Si-won.'
She’d come up with pretty excuses—saying they were fellow recruits, that she was just repaying a favor to Hong Ryeon and Yoon Se-rin—but maybe that was all it really came down to.
As Kim Seon-ah mused, silent Ha Yoon slowly spoke.
"Don't... dislike you. But 'like'? Not sure... Never done that before..."
"Then like me. Like I do for you, repay me. With affection, with love..."
Loving someone. She recalled her old friend who'd hidden her. Good guy, liked him.
But love wasn't one-way. Everyone had their love, ever-changing.
Still liked him, but here, Ha Yoon edged ahead.
Ha Yoon mumbled at the whisper.
"Mm... I'll repay... Owe you, Kim Seon-ah..."
Repay a debt. Pure compensation mindset, but enough for Kim Seon-ah. She knew how Ha Yoon felt now.
"Goodnight, Ha Yoon."
Kim Seon-ah whispered with a smile, buried her face in Ha Yoon's nape, and closed her eyes.