"What?"
Hamin exclaimed, looking bewildered. He stared at Sihyun with a perplexed expression, and his lips curled up slightly. The shock mixed perfectly with the pale complexion of his face.
"Was the information from Yesowoo not enough?"
"What are you talking about?"
Sihyun was disgusted by Hamin's words, which seemed to be a mixture of jest and sincerity.
"Do you think I told you to team up with me because I like you? It's just that you carrying me around is the most convenient. You should know that too."
"...Are you trying to provoke me?"
"Is that so?"
"...."
Hamin's contemplative expression revealed his inner struggle. Despite compromising the appearance for efficiency, having Hamin carry him seemed to be the best option. It could avoid the dispersion of aggro, and without explicitly provoking, opponents would naturally attack. Hamin's skill was undeniable, and even if aggro concentrated on Sihyun, Hamin could engage in a repeated exchange of attacks at the right timing.
"If it's about carrying, I can do it too..."
"But using your stealth skill would be more efficient."
"Fine."
Haru, who had subtly raised his hand, lowered it again. If Hamin had a psychology analysis major, he would probably be the top student.
"Not confident?"
"What?"
"If not, just forget it. Find another way or let Haru carry me even if it's less efficient. Just focus on support without attracting unnecessary aggro. Kang Haewoon, you can do something like flying or whatever, stay away until the right moment, and provide buffs or debuffs as needed. Don't fool around like before."
"Got it."
...Sihyun just couldn't trust it.
After discussing positions, Sihyun put down the pen he was holding. It was time for the meal, and they had promised to gather in the training room after eating. As they left the meeting room, Haewoon, with a determined expression, followed Sihyun closely.
"How do you feel about the new team members?"
"They're not bad."
"Right, right? I really like Shin Ijae."
"What about your love, Hamin?"
"Hamin is cute too, but Ijae has this charm of being younger."
"Don't be ridiculous."
As they teased each other, Hamin, who was listening, sighed deeply. Sihyun, who thought he had repaid the teasing he received for the past two weeks, headed towards the dining hall.
Entering the hall, the others went to get their plates, but Sihyun was an exception. Being pulled along by Haewoon, Sihyun moved slowly towards the inside of the dining hall. The window seat I had reserved with Haru on the first day had become an assigned seat for Class A, and various dishes were placed on the plates without discrimination.
"Did you come?"
The person who spread the food smiled broadly and greeted me. Sihyun, sighing at the familiar sight of Seowoo urging him to sit, took his time to sit down. At first, he was shocked, but after a few weeks of repetition, he had become accustomed to the situation. The saying that humans are creatures of adaptation was undoubtedly true.
"How's your body today?"
"I said it's okay in the morning."
"If you collapse again, it should be more than once or twice."
"...."
My conscience pricked me. After collapsing three times since I imprinted, Yesowoo used the opportunity to provoke me whenever possible. If I refused the side dishes, she threatened that I would collapse again. If I tried to refuse her care, she threatened that I would collapse again. Reluctantly, she made me accept all her kindness. Even if I refused to eat the side dishes, she would make me collapse again. If I tried to refuse her care, she would make me collapse again. Unfortunately, Yesowoo, with her relentless care, didn't know that the culprit had a mouth even though he was silent.
"...Just eat."
As I picked up the plate she pushed towards me, Seowoo laughed. Sihyun, who found her urging various foods despite her tendency to eat mainly salads, found it absurd. It was ridiculous that she, who elegantly dipped salads in dressing and enjoyed them, recommended all kinds of food to me. After casually putting a piece of meat in her mouth and chewing it, Seowoo, who seemed refined, slowly opened her mouth.
"You should eat a lot. What if you feel hungry and try to eat your lips?"
"Cough!"
Sihyun, who was passing the meat, covered his mouth and coughed loudly. It felt like the food had gone down his trachea instead of his esophagus. Hearing the sound of him choking, Seowoo calmly pushed a glass of water towards him. The corners of her mouth formed an arc. Her expression seemed to say that she found my reaction amusing.
"Just when will you talk about the incident?"
"It's been a little over two weeks, probably."
"...."
"I didn't think you would give me that much trouble just because I refused to hold hands."
Seowoo spoke in a slow tone. Sihyun, who was about to retort, was interrupted by the arrival of Haru, Hamin, and Haewoon with their plates. Haru brought the conversation back with a bright smile.
"Is Sihyun angry about something?"
"Just unlucky."
"What?"
Wavering, Haewoon asked once again, "Are they not coming?"
Ignoring him, Gunwoo, who had been staring at the empty seats all along, spoke up.
"Hey, aren't they coming yet?"
His indifferent voice calmly broke the silence. The words served as a signal, redirecting everyone's attention to the vacant seats. Although Class A always had eight people eating together at the eight-seat table, it hadn't been the case since Sihyun fainted.
Sihyun glanced at the empty seats where Daun and Ji Hye used to sit.
Ever since Daun dropped vague words that day, she had been avoiding Sihyun. It seemed deliberate, as if she anticipated a collision whenever they faced each other, consciously avoiding him.
Watching from the sidelines, Ji Hye, who had been observing, tried to mediate and had been separately spending time with Daun for about two weeks now. Sihyun had hoped Daun would eventually come back, but instead, she hadn't even shown herself in the cafeteria after that day. Sihyun took a bite of his salad.
"She must have something on her mind."
Najik spoke as Ji Hye tried to swallow a piece of lettuce.
"Sihyun, hyung!"
A voice from near the cafeteria door caught everyone's attention. It was Shin Ijae, calling Sihyun with an excited expression. Sihyun blinked as he saw him. Since Yuseo Woo had taken the initiative to avoid him, Ji Hye, and Daun during lunchtime the next day after the vague remarks, it had already been two weeks. Sihyun inserted a piece of lettuce into his mouth.
"I have something on my mind."
It was just when Najik was about to advise him to swallow the unyielding lettuce.
"Sihyun, hyung!"
Without being ignored due to the noise of the cafeteria, Shin Ijae called Sihyun again. Seeing Shin Ijae waving to him, who was now waving back at Yuseo Woo, Sihyun let out a sigh.
"Who's this?"
"The one who ended up in the same team this time."
"Didn't you say you and the others were in the same team?"
"Oh."
"Hmm."
His eyes narrowed. Looking briefly at Shin Ijae, who had been glancing at him, Yuseo Woo hummed and raised the corner of his mouth.
"Why do you keep bringing someone along?"
"Huh?"
"I didn't know I was holding up so well."
"What are you talking about?"
More incomprehensible words. Seeing him making sounds that only he understood, Sihyun raised an eyebrow in response. Instead of answering, Yuseo Woo, who chose to make incomprehensible sounds knowingly, smiled again and poked at his plate with a fork, as if telling him to focus on eating.
Sihyun followed the direction of the noise. The empty plate now seemed full again. It was already the second plate, and he was full. When Yuseo Woo suggested that Sihyun could have some vegetables and meat again, Najik, who was watching, spoke up.
"He must have something on his mind."
As Najik spoke, Gunwoo casually put a piece of meat from his plate onto Sihyun's plate. Gunwoo had been diligently peeling shrimp since I taught him how a month ago, and he had been eating only shrimp since that day. The unskilled peeling of the shrimp was placed on the plate.
"..."
The handsome guy silently alternated between himself and the meat. Gunwoo then skillfully peeled another shrimp and put it on Sihyun's plate. Sihyun could be sure.
Even that peeled shrimp would end up on his plate.
Sure enough, a new, peeled shrimp was added to his plate. If he continued to resist, he didn't know how many more would be added. Sihyun picked up the fork he had put down and looked at Gunwoo. When Gunwoo noticed Sihyun looking at him, he quickly smirked and poked his plate with the fork again. Enough of worrying about it, Sihyun thought, and picked up the fork he had put down again. The determination he had momentarily forgotten made Sihyun resolute.
I must make it a health potion.
So that I can prove to them that I'm healthy.
Determined Sihyun, after deciding to face the shrimp first, noticed Gunwoo twitching. Another peeled shrimp fell, and Seo Woo shook hands with Shin Ijae when he saw Yuseo Woo shaking hands with him.
"Hyung, if you've finished your meal, can you match up with me in Hwa?"
"Hwa?"
"Yes. I've always thought about it, but I want to try matching up as soon as possible."
Seeing his excited tone, it seemed like he wasn't lying. Sihyun looked at the food on his plate and then at Shin Ijae alternately. Although he hadn't finished eating, it wasn't polite to keep a guest standing. Sihyun, who found an excuse, glanced at his lifeline, nodded slightly, and said, "Sure."
Not wanting to make it too obvious, he whispered to the remaining kids, "Well, I'll see you later," and left, shaking off Shin Ijae who was pulling him towards the entrance. He nodded to the kids with a greeting and swallowed the sigh of relief.
It's okay not to finish the meal.
It seemed bothersome to deal with Shin Ijae, but to evaluate him, Sihyun had to face a match at least once. Saying we'll see later, he left a message to the remaining kids and let out a fake laugh when Hamin made a meaningless comment.
"Sihyun got snatched away!"
Haeun, who missed Sihyun right in front of her, stood up a beat late and shouted. Shin Ijae was dragging Sihyun towards the entrance at a rapid pace.
"Hyung, if you haven't decided on your next partner yet, can you choose me?"
The words of the confident Shin Ijae, who was following Sihyun, faintly reached his ears. With a swift movement, he managed to pull Sihyun away. Sihyun, who was about to break free, glanced at the food on the table and gave in, pretending to be dragged out. He sighed at the sight of the remaining dishes.
Tomorrow, what will happen...
Seo Woo expressed his regret as if he couldn't help it. Seeing the cold gaze, Hamin looked at Shin Ijae being pulled away, Seo Woo smiled meaningfully, and Gunwoo showed a sulky expression, which Sihyun didn't see because he felt sorry for him.
And because he could predict his future.
"Who said someone would fall?"
As if adding oil to the already ignited guys, Kang Sihyun was pouring more fuel into the fire. The guy who briefly expressed condolences, Yuseo Woo, ate the food Yuseo Woo brought and licked his lips.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
