Terraforming: Handsome Eyes Tremble
Those handsome eyes were trembling. Unlike mine, his eyebrows were thick and the corners of his eyes sharp, giving him a fierce impression. With them furrowed like that, it only intensified. No matter how handsome he was, if he kept that expression, even a girl who liked him wouldn't easily approach.
Of course, I wasn't one of those girls who liked the bastard, so I'd approach without a care and spit out my words.
I knew it. Beneath those eyes lay an irrepressible joy. Lee Kangin was happy right now.
"How could there be such a coincidence... Butterfly effect? Is it the butterfly effect?"
"Lee Kangin? What're you mumbling about?"
"Ah, Chanyoung. Something good happened."
"What is it?"
"I got assigned to District 11 with you. Felt like such a coincidence."
"Really? Lucky us. Take care of me from now on."
"Yeah! You too!"
His deeply contemplative expression melted away at my words. Lee Kangin smiled brightly, not hiding his joy. Good thing he didn't smile that much usually. Otherwise, my unofficial top spot for looks in District 11 might've been in jeopardy.
Our levels of handsomeness were similar, just in different styles, but the glory of first place was unanimously mine. Unlike him, I always went around smiling. Of course, it was intentional.
Lee Kangin had no idea he'd been assigned to District 11 thanks to me. I'd asked the Handler to keep it secret. No point in revealing it—suspicious guy like him might get the wrong idea.
If it comes out, I have a few excuses to brush it off... but no need to announce it since it won't.
- Which district are you in? Where?
- Ugh... total opposite sides...
- Let's meet up again for sure!
The trainees were all exchanging farewells with their friends. I decided to lightly say goodbye to the connections I'd built at the training camp too.
Off in the distance, I spotted a vaguely ugly guy. I walked over to him.
"Blanc? Which district you got?"
"...District 6."
There were 12 districts total, arranged like a clock. Mine was District 11, and Blanc was in 6...
"Hmm... Won't see you often. It's pretty far from mine."
"Yeah. I'll come visit when I get leave. Don't get hurt till then."
"That's my line. At least I'm the strongest trainee right now?"
"In your dreams."
I could part cleanly with Blanc, who left only good memories. Adachi Kenji surprised me too—unlike his first impression, he'd pulled his weight more than enough, so we wrapped up smoothly.
And the last one...
"What're you looking at."
"Huh? I haven't said anything yet?"
"That's why I'm asking what you're staring at."
"So prickly."
"As of today, you're not my superior anymore. No more of that nagging from a quasi-combatant. Ha!"
Ri Shaolin pointed at me boldly, her face beaming. She'd probably built up a lot against me. Over the past month, I'd teased her mercilessly about being her superior, so it was a natural reaction.
After teaming up with me, she'd been unable to stand tall, but now her sharp eyes came alive again. She looked thrilled no matter how you sliced it. Was she that happy not to see my face anymore?
"Whatever. Which district you get?"
"...District 12."
"Close. I'm in 11."
"Tch. I know. Yours was set."
Well... she was a woman with plenty of bad blood between us, but no need to part with frowns. Why? Because she was pretty. I'd said it many times, but I was always sweet to beautiful girls.
"Heard there's gonna be a class reunion or something. See you then."
"..."
"What? You still not coming?"
"I-I'll come, but... um..."
"Huh?"
"O-our team... we actually got along better than expected... We stayed number one too. M-maybe we could meet up sometimes, just us?"
"...What?"
"Ahem! I mean...! Not just reunions, but our team could hang out occasionally!! We're close, so it'd be easy to meet up, right?!"
- Zing! She knew what she was saying. Her face was a bit red, after all. It was anger to hide her embarrassment. A scene I'd seen somewhere before.
But... that wasn't the issue.
This is insane.
A chill ran down my spine. I couldn't take her words at face value. People had countless body signals beyond words.
I double-checked my conclusion. Her tone, expression, gestures, everything. But it didn't change.
Ri Shaolin... had feelings for me right now. Romantic ones.
...Probably that slightly happy look earlier wasn't joy at parting from me, but relief at being assigned nearby.
Mind-blowing. No wonder her reactions changed after my face swap.
She'd responded weakly when I teased her, unlike her fiery personality. I'd thought it was the superior-subordinate dynamic... but nope, it was my celebrity-model-level looks.
Wait... her attitude shifted even before that?
Even back during team training, when I was just tall but not yet handsome, she hadn't snapped at me. Was it that promise? The one where she proved she wasn't chicken by committing to team training.
Hmm... not sure. But her crush was crystal clear.
I opened my mouth to the anxiously waiting Ri Shaolin.
"...Yeah. Let's do that."
"Really? H-heh... Then I'm off?"
"Wait, no phones here—how we gonna meet up?"
"Uh... We're close, so just drop by the barracks?"
"What about the other teammates?"
"..."
"...We'll figure it out?"
"Y-yeah. I'm really going now? See you!"
- Whoosh!
Ri Shaolin's back receded into the distance. No matter how I looked, her goal wasn't team meetups—it was seeing me.
Was this the power of my face? I shuddered a bit, fearing my own power.
Hmm... I wasn't planning more connections in Terraforming because of Chris...
For now, don't cut her off completely—see her occasionally. Harem management? Guilty.
I shouted loudly at the slightly distant Ri Shaolin, waving high to catch her eye.
"Ah! Ri Shaolin!"
"Huh?"
"Sorry it's late, but about thinking you chickened out back then! My bad! I apologize!"
"...Whatever, you idiot."
With her ears slightly red, Ri Shaolin vanished into the crowd. I casually glanced around without making it obvious.
Chris didn't see that, right?... Good, she wasn't nearby.
*
It was natural for women to be drawn to strong males. Seeking a man who could reliably protect you was an instinctive urge etched into genes.
For Ri Shaolin, it was especially important.
Damn... it! Why'd I say that? What do I say next time we meet?
Ri Shaolin liked strong men. Or more accurately, she despised the incompetent.
That's why she'd hated Park Chanyoung at first. He looked utterly useless on sight.
But after he started hell training with Instructor Brack, her view flipped.
It wasn't just his looks. To her, he... had exceptional ability.
...When the training camp was attacked... He stayed calm and led everyone alone. Even the instructors trusted him...
That was the day her colored glasses came off. From then, she observed him out of simple curiosity.
Learning he was far more diligent than he seemed, she erased her negative views. Instead, she saw him with friendly eyes, like someone somewhat useful.
Teaming up with him was pure coincidence. She wasn't thrilled. No big emotions—just awkward from past friction, so she acted curt on purpose.
...Then I got called out.
She'd been pissed. Getting misunderstood for no reason by someone she'd started liking.
Ri Shaolin and Park Chanyoung made a childish promise. Deep down, it was what she'd wanted. She longed to join team training actively but pride held her back.
She kept the promise. He did too.
When he apologized just now as they parted, it strangely made her heart race. It felt like he'd acknowledged her, just as she'd acknowledged him.
Her heart still pounded.
The more they teamed up, the more he shone. His judgments rarely erred, and he led the team peerlessly.
Ri Shaolin could only watch from right beside him. She was his teammate, after all.
Park Chanyoung grew faster than anyone she'd met, was capable, good-natured, incredibly wise, and smart. He hunted monsters that even combatants struggled with. He made revolutionary discoveries from shelter histories. He showcased unmatched prowess publicly.
...Of course, his face turning ridiculously handsome played a big role too. It basically nailed her feelings.
By the end of their two months together, Ri Shaolin realized she had major feelings for Park Chanyoung.
God... I used to find girls chasing taken guys disgusting... What am I doing?
She'd thought clinging women had no pride. But now she understood a bit.
It hurt knowing she couldn't see him daily anymore. Being assigned nearby brought huge relief.
Ri Shaolin was confused. It was her first time feeling this.
So she blurted it out, eyes closed. A veiled invitation—she never dreamed he'd see through it.
...Sadly, he saw everything.
Ri Shaolin planned to steal Park Chanyoung from his instructor by meeting often. Her nature wouldn't let her give up this first connection easily.
Plus, she had advantages over that Chris instructor, in her mind.
Looks... uh... n-not sure... But I'm way younger than that psycho bitch! And nicer too!
Considering no one at the Northern Training Camp had a fiercer temper than Ri Shaolin, it was quite the misunderstanding. Blame Chris Bennett's acting.
Besides, Chris's vast mana slowed her aging—she didn't look much older than Ri Shaolin. Strangers might even peg Ri as the older one.
In short, first love had clouded Ri Shaolin's judgment. Not reducing her confidence, but inflating it wildly.
With time and effort... it shouldn't be impossible, right?
The girl who'd trembled suggesting occasional meetups had forgotten that, brimming with overconfidence.
She was fated to be toyed with in Park Chanyoung's hands. The gap in dating experience was vast.
Blind to being manipulated, she'd dance to please him.