Yeon Minha asked back, almost as if surprised.
“Why are you so shocked? I just told you that a student from one of the five families gets assigned a position when they enroll.”
“…Ah.”
“You’ve only been a recommended student until now, but you are officially the second son of Heukryeon now. It’s time to start realizing that.”
The second son of Heukryeon, huh.
Not even blood-related, yet…
“The first-year spot is only one, but considering Heukryeon’s influence, you could definitely get into the student council…”
“I’m good. The student council and such. I’m not really fond of those kinds of positions.”
“…If not you, then it’ll be Baekgwang’s daughter?”
Baekgwang’s daughter… Is that Jin Yeseo?
A certain blonde girl with a nasty temperament popped into my head.
“It’s fine. I really have no interest. Besides, I’m not even a real Heukryeon blood…”
Yeon Minha already knew that, so there was no hesitation.
Moreover, a position like the student council has nothing to do with me.
Honestly, lacking social skills and knowledge, I’d be lucky if I didn’t make any mistakes.
“…Hmph.”
But Yeon Minha pouted a bit, her expression now a little sulky.
I didn’t care and finished tidying my hair before putting the comb down on the vanity.
“All done combing.”
“…You really do comb it well…”
Yeon Minha muttered while staring at the mirror.
She was still making a pouty face, but the slight crescent shape of her eyes showed her satisfaction.
She adjusted the collar and sleeves of her shirt and said.
“…Alright. Then let’s think a bit more about the student council…”
Why is she leading the conversation in such a strange direction?
Before I could even muster a counterargument, she quickly moved on to another topic.
“So, which club will you apply for?”
A club? Now that you mention it, I guess there were those too.
I think they mentioned it briefly during the admission briefing, and I occasionally saw seniors handing out strange brochures while encouraging juniors to join.
What was it again? Some self-improvement thingy…
As I was pondering this, Yeon Minha shot back as if she knew I would think that.
“Looks like you really have no thoughts at all? This is different from the student council. First-years must join at least one club before the first semester ends.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, club activity points get reflected in your overall ranking scores. It’s not as much as the ranking battle, but it can still give you a significant boost. There are often students who mess up exams and focus on their club’s individual achievements to make up for it.”
“Hmm…”
I still had a comfortable gap compared to Jin Yeseo, but I didn’t want to give her the chance to catch up.
Moreover, I was really weak in theory and written tests right now… Just messing up two or three exams could quickly get me into trouble.
But if it’s a club, it’s bound to become a hobby activity, right?
To be honest, I don’t have a particular hobby.
That doesn’t mean I can just join any random place…
“Ugh. Let’s talk about clubs later. If it comes to it, I’ll help you find one…”
Seeing me fall back into deep thought, Yeon Minha sighed softly.
“…Thank you. I’ll need your help.”
“…Honestly. What would you do without me?”
I wasn’t really going to refuse since I honestly needed help.
Yeon Minha adjusted her outfit and seemed ready to leave.
But she suddenly turned back to me like she remembered something she’d forgotten.
Then she fiddled with her fingers and glanced sideways.
She looked like she had something she wanted to say.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Uh… Can I ask you a favor?”
“A favor?”
“…Yeah.”
“What kind…?”
“…”
Yeon Minha hesitated for a while before finally saying her request.
“…It’s a bit embarrassing for me to say it, but our family’s authority is probably at rock bottom right now. It will take a long time to regain our former glory. Just by looking at yesterday’s graffiti…”
She lowered her head and muttered in an almost tiny voice.
“Those guys who want to eat me alive will surely come pouring out. Joining the student council might get rejected because of that as well. So… if such a situation arises…”
“Are you asking to borrow my name?”
Then Yeon Minha’s voice got even quieter.
“Um, just to show off our close relationship… You are ironically in the opposite situation, so… if Heukryeon is closely tied with me, it might lessen some troublesome matters…”
I understood why Yeon Minha’s voice had dropped.
Considering her proud and haughty personality, making such a request would indeed bruise her pride.
Having to rely on someone else for survival, not her own family, was no small thing.
But from my perspective, it wasn’t hard to help.
Suddenly, the conversation I had before leaving Heukryeon’s mansion popped into my mind.
“You are already like our child.”
“Every decision you make from the cradle will be guaranteed by Heukryeon. Never forget your dignity.”
Even now, I could feel the Heukryeon seal given to me by the steward in my pocket.
It was just a decision for my own safety, so I was told not to feel too burdened… but for such a thing, it was overwhelming kindness.
I still had no idea why they were so generous.
But anyway, if I received that grace, it would be only right to return it as much as possible.
The Jeokhwa, which could have been a strength for Heukryeon, was self-destructing. Yet, Paecheon’s power remained strong.
According to Mok Jinwoo, even if Heukryeon has returned to the top council, things wouldn’t go smoothly.
So, if there’s something I could help with, I should help them.
Supporting Yeon Minha could be part of that too.
Even if it wasn’t, I had already promised to stand with her no matter what happens.
She could have demanded it boldly, and I would have readily accepted.
“You can feel free to do as you please, Senior.”
I nodded at Yeon Minha.
“Use my name or Heukryeon’s name as needed. And if things get too overwhelming to handle alone, just let me know.”
“…Got it.”
Her voice was still small, but now, as we’ve spent dozens of days together, I could immediately tell.
She was quite pleased.
“What? Why…”
“…Nothing.”
Yeon Minha snapped back rudely.
It seemed not just me who became more sensitive to her mood.
She left those words and quickly dashed out of the dormitory.
*
Yeon Minha’s steps toward the main building were extremely light.
She felt so reassured.
Currently, she looked like someone thrown alone into the storm, yet she wasn’t worried at all.
Behind her stood a strong and sturdy wall.
Besides, there was no way her request to join the student council would be rejected. The words she had said were somewhat exaggerated complaints.
She decided to try to persuade them softly to join the student council, but Yeon Minha suddenly brightened up with another idea.
“What if I create a whole new club…?”
It was a pretty good idea, and her lips curved into a little smile of satisfaction.
“I think that could work… I’ll set strict conditions for joining so that the riffraff won’t even think of coming near…”
Excited at the thought of establishing a paradise just for the two of them, Yeon Minha picked up her pace again.
*
In the morning, the classroom felt like hell to me.
As always, I sat in a corner, not wanting any attention, hoping the time would just pass quietly.
But as soon as they saw me, students began to swarm around like bees.
“Hey… We met last time. Do you remember?”
“You know me, right? We’re both in the same circulatory system major…”
“Back then…”
“…!”
People I didn’t even remember were desperately trying to show off their acquaintance.
I had expected something like this to happen, but experiencing it firsthand was much more painful.
When I saw several students loitering in front of my empty dorm while going to school this morning, I was shocked.
I should probably think about returning to my dorm after leaving the Beech Dormitory.
More people watching me means it has become more likely for the current situation of sneaking in and out of Yeon Minha’s dorm to be discovered.
I wouldn’t mind, but if that happens, Yeon Minha’s reputation could sink to an irretrievable level…
Fortunately, the time Yeon Minha could spend without her powers was gradually increasing.
Soon, I felt the need to discuss this matter with her.
“These guys. What’s with all this ruckus on a Monday morning?”
The escalating chaos was finally subdued when Kwon Chanyul, tired-looking, appeared at the podium.
“Sit down and wait for me to call roll. Anyone still standing after 30 seconds gets a penalty.”
As he slammed his hand on the podium, the students scattered to their seats.
The professor began to call roll one by one.
“Next… Hmm. I don’t know what to call you. Sa…? No, maybe Yu…?”
“…Just call me what you used to.”
I didn’t expect him to add another word.
Changing my last name here somehow felt uncomfortable.
Anyway, since everyone just calls me Hyun, whatever.
No matter how much it’s a pseudonym, changing my last name three times in a row… Just doesn’t sit well with me right now.
*
I couldn’t concentrate on the lecture at all, feeling dozens of gazes sweeping over me.
A sense of discomfort akin to displeasure shrouded me throughout the morning.
And even now.
“Hey, what are you doing after class? If you don’t have anything planned…”
Two or three female students kept chattering as they walked behind me in the hallway.
It was starting to give me a headache.
I realized just how intimidating the prestige of being from one of the five families is.
But oddly enough, that was just another layer of resistance for me.
I understand that it’s their survival method, but… That doesn’t mean I have to tolerate this discomfort.
Some of them had even looked at me with clear dislike not too long ago.
I had no desire to befriend people who would change their demeanor based on the background of others.
“…Hey.”
“Huh?”
I stopped walking and turned around.
Suddenly approached and seemingly flustered, they stuttered.
After largely ignoring me, it seemed they had a hint of anticipation in their gazes.
But the only thing I could say to them was… one thing.
“Get lost.”
“Ah…!”
As I shoved my hostility down and spoke, their faces went pale.
They made some strange noises and hurriedly turned to scurry away down the hallway.
Finally, I could find a bit of peace.
“…Huh.”
After taking a deep breath, I was about to walk towards the next classroom when suddenly…
“…Team leader. You’ve been working hard.”
This time, a familiar voice called out to me.
Soon, a male student with glasses appeared, descending the stairs.
He wore a strict expression that somehow seemed awkward.
“Mu-young?”
*
“Sorry, team leader. I didn’t mean to hide it…”
“It’s fine. That’s only natural.”
Mu-young kept apologizing to me.
But the more he did, the more uncomfortable I felt.
I was indeed a bit surprised, but that didn’t mean he did anything wrong. In fact, it should be the other way around.
I hadn’t shared my personal matters with him at all.
I didn’t harbor any hostility or ill will towards him.
In fact, he brought meaning just by being present.
I realized that as long as I was with him, those annoying girls didn’t dare come near.
Even from a distance, they’d recognize him and try to approach, but would bolt as soon as they got closer.
Among them were Yena, Sera, and Summer, but… I could meet them separately later.
He’s truly a good friend…
“But…”
“It’s okay. Anyway, there’s something else I wanted to talk about… Can you help me with something?”
I decided to change the subject to interrupt Mu-young’s ongoing apologies.
Coincidentally, it brought to mind something I had been mulling over.
He nodded, clenching his fist.
“What’s up? Just tell me. The branch chief told me to cooperate actively…”
“Is it possible to access the military’s personnel database?”
“That’s not too difficult. Why? Is there someone you want to find?”
Mu-young nodded casually as if it weren’t a big deal.
“Um…”
After returning from the southern region, the dream I had was still vividly lodged in my memory.
The unsettling feeling kept surfacing, so I couldn’t just leave it unattended.
Thus, I planned to confirm what I needed. However, I was stuck wondering about how to proceed.
I told Mu-young about the identity of someone I’d seen in the dream.
The gender was female. The affiliation was the Barrier Defense Force. The rank was Captain. Among those meeting these conditions… I wondered if there were any who had gone missing or left the army three years ago.
“The Barrier Defense Force might be a bit troublesome… But don’t worry. It won’t take that long.”
Mu-young nodded with fiery enthusiasm.
But right now… To be honest, I hoped more for the result that there wasn’t anyone fitting those criteria.
That it was just a silly dream.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to repay this favor. And about that witch you mentioned last time…”
I brought up the topic I hadn’t finished when I met Mu-young in the ward.
“Oh right. We were talking about that in the ward before I got interrupted by that disgusting woman who came to get me…”
“…”
I turned my gaze away, feeling a bit guilty.
I was the one who had let the nurses know his location.
But they insisted he needed treatment right away, and I had no alternative.
Well, it’s better than dying, right?
“What? It’s not a big deal. So, 15 years ago… Huh?”
But just as Mu-young was about to continue, he suddenly squinted his eyes and looked to the side.
There was a female student approaching, unmistakably headed toward us.
A student of mixed Western blood. Jin Yeseo quickly blocked my path.
Her eyes, resembling green tourmalines, were burning with hostility.
Today really doesn’t seem to be my lucky day…
