Chapter 218 - Chapter 218. Assault (2)

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Chapter 218. Assault (2)

"Ugh..."

I woke up as sunlight slipped through my eyelids.

When I opened my eyes, the blackout curtains meant to block the morning sun were wide open.

"...Did I leave them open last night?"

I didn't, but maybe Liliana did.

It's the weekend, so no academy today—nice.

When I was hospitalized, weekdays and weekends felt the same. Now, after just one day at the academy, I'm happy it's the weekend. Funny how people work.

"Mmm..."

Liliana buried her face in my chest, fast asleep to avoid the sunlight.

She was so depressed yesterday, but now she's sleeping like a baby.

Still, this is better than being gloomy.

I gave the chest of the Liliana beside me a little squeeze, tucked the blanket around her, and got out of bed.

It was 6 a.m.

This early, I figured no one would be—

Nope.

I heard clattering sounds from the kitchen.

Only two people in the dorm use the kitchen.

But since Scarlett's not here... that leaves one.

Still in my pajamas, I walked into the kitchen and greeted her.

"Good morning."

"You're up. You were sleeping so soundly with Liliana."

"...Ahem."

I let out an awkward laugh, feeling strangely embarrassed, but Nam Daeun just kept working without batting an eye.

Looking closer, she was making simple dishes like gimbap and rolled omelets.

Cute octopus sausages and character-shaped fish cakes were included.

"What are you doing?"

"Going out with Dahee today."

"Oh... jealous. Can I come?"

I didn't have plans today anyway—perfect timing.

"Nope. It's our time together."

Seriously, how much time do these sisters need? They're always together.

Still, seeing Daeun smile while making gimbap warmed my heart.

Feeling playful, I put my hand on her chest and started groping it.

"Feed me one of those sausages."

"I bought the same amount for Dahee and me... Can you settle for an omelet?"

Daeun looked at me with a slightly troubled expression.

That face just makes me want to tease her more.

I worked my groping hand a little harder and continued.

"Aren't we dating? You said so yourself."

She said that the day I finished getting revenge on Park Mingyu.

During a meal with Dahee.

As I mentioned it, just like I thought, Daeun's face gradually turned red.

"...Fine. You can eat all of mine."

"Just kidding. How could I steal your share?"

"You're the worst."

"Kuh, so where's Dahee?"

"She'll be up soon. I was going to wake her, but... I couldn't because you and Liliana were sleeping naked."

"...Sorry."

Now I feel bad.

I awkwardly pulled my hand away from Daeun's chest.

"Did you open the blackout curtains earlier?"

"Yeah. I didn't want to shake you awake."

"...Oh."

Not even touching her sleeping boyfriend—what a perfect future wife.

I was moved and tried to hug her, but the door creaked open.

I quickly took my hands off Daeun.

"Unni... why didn't you wake me?"

"Sorry, Dahee. You're up already?"

Daeun gently pushed me aside and ran to her sister.

Tch.

Now I look like trash.

I slumped on the living room sofa and checked my smartwatch.

"I wonder what Lucy and Lumi are up to... A-Young's probably busy. Oh, and I should have lunch with Surin noona."

I messaged Lucy and Lumi, and sent a casual 'What are you doing?' to Surin noona.

Ding—

"Oh. That was fast."

As soon as I sent the message, a reply came back.

- Surin noona: I was planning to rest today since I don't have anything scheduled. Want to hang out?

- Me: Sure. Want to have lunch to celebrate my discharge?

- Surin noona: Sounds good to me.

The early bird gets the worm.

I guess I'm hanging out with Surin noona today.

"...So, Dad disappeared?"

"Yes. He left the guild not too long ago."

Elise checked her smartwatch after hearing Sebas-chan's report.

The time already indicated what could be considered late at night.

"Isn't this usually his working time? What's the issue?"

Unlike others, her father worked best at night.

So why the sudden urgent report?

"Before he left... he told the Vice Guild Master that he was going to see Lady Elise."

"...Me?"

Elise furrowed her brows slightly.

"Yes. But I fear his reason for visiting might be related to Cadet Lee Hoyeon."

"Hmm..."

Her daughter got a massage—by a male masseur.

- Who the hell is massaging my daughter? Let me see his face.

It was completely in character for her father to say something like that.

He flirts with countless women but acts like it's too early for his daughter to be involved with any man—textbook hypocrisy.

"Did you tell him not to come to Korea again?"

"Yes, I passed along the message but..."

'The Guild Master is so sloppy, I'm not sure he even read the document properly...'

Sebas-chan swallowed the rest of his words.

He couldn't insult Elise's father in front of her.

"Hmm. Then it's fine. He probably just used me as an excuse to meet a woman."

"Do you think so...?"

Sebas-chan tilted his head, knowing just how much the Guild Master loved both the Vice Guild Master and Elise.

"Yeah. If he listened to me, he wouldn't come."

Elise knew her father adored her but also knew he listened well to her words.

That's why Elise trusted her father, Isaac.

Unaware that Isaac was already preparing to fly to Korea.

*

Nam Daeun and her sister had gone on some kind of picnic, and Liliana had started her livestream in her room.

Honestly, she didn't need to stream anymore.

I had enough money now.

But I told her to keep doing it—without anything to do at home, she'd lose motivation.

And she seemed to genuinely enjoy chatting with people.

- Ah, it's been a while, everyone~ Huh? Stop pretending to be nice? Then get the hell out.

"Hmm..."

How can that kind of stream be so popular?

It's fascinating.

With Liliana's voice as my background music, I got ready to meet Moon Surin.

By getting ready, I mean washing up and brushing my hair a little... but even that's enough.

If you're naturally good-looking, your skin and hair just come out perfect.

Ding—

I left the dorm.

As always, the meeting spot was a Korean restaurant called Poongmidang.

I thought about what I'd talk to Surin noona about as I walked there.

'I should mention the PR club... and the stalking issue too.'

I had brought it up before, and her reaction had been odd.

The stalking issue, which had been the key to my strategy, was now stuck. Frustrating, but I'll work through it.

"Strategy..."

Honestly, after trying to win over Elise, I realized how powerful Affection is.

Elise, who's cold to everyone else, just couldn't stay cold to me.

My face might help, but Affection is definitely a big deal.

So Moon Surin, whose Affection automatically rises, might be easy to win over too.

In relationships, the one who loves more loses.

The problem is I'm not dating just one person.

'That was kind of a trashy thought just now.'

My trashiness is steadily growing. Gotta watch out.

I arrived at Poongmidang while lost in thought.

The same staff member I always saw was there at the familiar entrance.

"Welcome."

"I made a reservation. Name's Moon Surin."

"This way, please."

We passed several rooms on the second floor, and at the last room, the staff bowed.

"You can go in."

"Thanks."

Creak—

As I opened the door, I saw Moon Surin looking at her smartwatch.

"Noona. I'm here."

"Mm-hmm. There you are."

It's been a while since I saw her in person.

Last time was before I was hospitalized.

I sat down across from her as she put away her smartwatch.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Moon Surin]

- [Affection: 88]

- [Lust: 45]

- [Appetite: 50]

- [Fatigue: 43]

Current Status: What should we talk about today...?

'Nothing strange here.'

Affection is still high, and there's nothing unusual.

As always, she's a reassuring presence.

Moon Surin's face was bright with a smile.

She was trying to hide how happy she was, and that made her even cuter.

"You're hungry, right? Let's talk while we eat."

"Sure. Sounds great."

As soon as she pressed the bell, food started being served, and we began to eat.

Nom nom.

As I watched Moon Surin slowly eat her appetizer, she noticed my gaze.

"What? What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?"

She widened her eyes and dabbed a napkin at her mouth.

"No. Just looking at you reminded me of when we first met."

"When we first met...?"

"Yeah. I was so shocked back then. I spilled coffee on you without even knowing you were the student council president."

Thinking back, it's funny how I approached her with coffee.

I hadn't even adapted to this world back then... So in a way, I handled it pretty well. Maybe?

"I was surprised too. But I was super stressed from work then, so it felt refreshing. And I got a close junior out of it."

"And I got a cute noona."

"Hey now, is that what you say to your noona?"

Sipping through her straw and smiling, Moon Surin leaned her face toward me.

"Come on, it means I like you. By the way, is there anything new with the PR club? We haven't done anything in a while."

"...Actually, we haven't gotten any budget. We haven't even used up all the photos from your and Elise's first event..."

"..."

I guess that's what happens when your models are just too good.

"Noona, by the way, what happened with the vice president?"

"...You mean Shin Dongmin?"

"Yeah."

I still clearly remember the gloomy mood and lifeless expressions when I visited the student council last time.

Moon Surin leaned back in her chair, sighed, and began.

"Sigh... Honestly, nothing unusual. He just stopped showing up one day and disappeared."

"I bet his little gang stopped coming too."

"Yeah. We're handling everything now. We need more members... but expelling them is complicated."

"It's Victoria Academy, after all."

If you were part of the student council at Victoria Academy, it's a huge boost to your resume later.

That's why both getting in and getting out is such a pain.

Still, where the hell did Shin Dongmin disappear to?

In the original story, he was ridiculously persistent—I doubt he gave up so easily....

Just then, Moon Surin tapped the table.

"Hey, how about you take his place? I'll make you vice president. I doubt anyone would complain."

"Uh, I'm kinda busy..."

"It'd look great on your resume when you graduate. Or I could get you a job at the academy... or you could work under me?"

"..."

I ran through every excuse I could think of.