บท 66: 480
[Chapter 134]
[Tangled Relationships (2)]
Defeat in the second round of the comprehensive division competition main tournament.
He thought he was doing well, but he ended up facing an obstacle.
His opponent in the second round happened to be Jin Pa-rang, who was mentioned as one of the candidates to win.
Even though it was Pa-rang hyung, I thought I could somehow win, but I was too careless.
Kang Si-hyeong cut off the pride that had been growing unknowingly in his heart as he reflected on his defeat.
He thought he had grown unrecognizably after experiencing dangerous things in Japan.
But he wasn't the only one who had grown unrecognizably.
He realized this as he recalled Jin Pa-rang who demonstrated skills beyond his expectations.
I didn't expect Pa-rang hyung to not react to my provocation at all.
Above all... I didn't expect him to be hiding such a gift.
Kang Si-hyeong had tried to draw Pa-rang's aggro to target his openings.
But Jin Pa-rang came fully prepared by using his head.
He came wearing earplugs.
'Did you think I'd come to fight you without using my head? I'm Jin Pa-rang who doesn't fall for the same trick twice, let alone three times!'
'...Isn't this cheating?'
'Didn't that Eunha guy say it once? The world of competition is inherently unfair.'
'You can hear me right now, can't you?'
'I guessed based on intuition.'
'...Your animal instincts are amazing.'
Of course, Kang Si-hyeong managed to pull off the feat of removing the earplugs from Pa-rang's ears using an ingenious method.
Nevertheless, Jin Pa-rang showed an unwavering attitude even to his provocations.
Above all—
'—You're supposed to keep your trump card hidden until the end, heh.'
'...Hey hyung, this is only the second round, you know?'
Jin Pa-rang demonstrated the power of his gift <Beast> that he hadn't revealed until now.
He suddenly transformed part of his body and shattered Kang Si-hyeong's shield.
A huge wolf-like hand appeared and pressed down on him.
At the time, all the people watching the competition were so surprised to witness Jin Pa-rang's gift that they murmured in astonishment.
He properly imprinted his value on people in the industry.
"Hah... I was too arrogant. And I didn't know that the effect would decrease if you keep hearing my voice."
"Honey, why do you keep staring at the floor? Come on, lift your head and smile brightly."
"...Bong-gu-rae, is this something to smile about?"
"A cool person can smile brightly anytime, anywhere. Come on, smile. Smile."
"Sigh..."
In the end, Kang Si-hyeong was defeated in the competition and went to help with the class booth.
But a problem arose.
The student who was scheduled to participate in the cross-dressing contest ate something bad somewhere and couldn't come out of the bathroom.
Just then, his shift was free, and he was the one with the appropriate appearance for cross-dressing.
[Oh my, it's so exciting to be able to talk up close with such wonderful ladies. Then shall we start with self-introductions from the first year?]
It was truly humiliating.
Kang Si-hyeong had to receive makeup from girls and cross-dress like a new college student.
What was even more humiliating was that the cross-dressing suited him surprisingly well.
"Honey, you need to keep a smiling face. Don't you know it's almost your turn?"
"Ha..."
What am I doing now?
Kang Si-hyeong ignored Bong-gu-rae who kept nagging him from the side and raised his head.
Many people had come to the hall.
Seeing familiar faces among them, he felt like he wanted to get off the stage right away.
[—Si-hyeong. It's almost your turn, why do you look like you're about to cry? Are you sick?]
He sees Jin Seo-na, Jo Ara, and Cha Eun-woo.
Kang Si-hyeong choked up hearing Seo-na's telepathy.
At least Seo-na was worried about him—
[—Are you tearing up now? Didn't I say I put a lot of effort into your makeup earlier? No. Don't cry. If you cry, the makeup will run.]
Ah, right.
You were the one who did this to me.
Kang Si-hyeong snapped back to his senses.
If he hadn't been in the same class as Jin Seo-na, this wouldn't have happened.
And if only she hadn't become a direct descendant of KK Pharmaceuticals.
He who received sponsorship from KK Group knew well how to live comfortably.
So he had to do his best.
As his turn approached, Kang Si-hyeong smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.
"Hello! No wall can ever match my iron wall! I'm Kang Si-yeon, a cute girl who naturally builds iron walls! I'll now dance twerking to show off my charm!"
No Eunha had said before.
If you can't avoid it, then trample it all.
Kang Si-hyeong received enthusiastic welcome from people by using his talent for impersonation to produce a voice almost like a woman's.
Meanwhile, his face was smiling brightly but he was crying inwardly.
☆
'I... see...'
He knew Yoon I-byeol would be hurt.
Nevertheless, Eunha thought he shouldn't create any more unnecessary leeway for her.
'Don't try to play with other people's feelings when you know everything. That's a bad thing. You probably know that too.'
Eun-a was right.
Eunha was trying to recruit Yoon I-byeol to his party by using her feelings.
At first, he just thought it might be like that and didn't take it seriously.
But as he got to know Yoon I-byeol more, he realized what kind of feelings she had for him.
So he used her.
He planned to keep giving her leeway while dragging out their ambiguous relationship until she entered his party.
By then, he would tire out her heart and make them into ambiguous friends who were neither this nor that.
'Either it is or it isn't. Say it clearly. Don't hurt other people's hearts. I... I hope my little brother isn't that kind of person.'
But when he was scolded by Eun-a.
Eunha came to think that he shouldn't do that.
So he decided to cut it off clearly.
I'm sorry to I-byeol.
In the end, he rejected Yoon I-byeol's proposal to watch the fireworks together.
After that, she became noticeably depressed.
Their looking around the cultural festival together also ended halfheartedly and they parted ways.
She went to Minji and Ariel, and Eunha who was left alone came here after receiving a text from Seo-na just then.
"...What the hell is this eyesore?"
"Why? They're all just pretty. Especially Si-hyeong, isn't he the prettiest? This is all my skill."
The 1st Cross-dressing Contest of the Cultural Festival.
Apparently it was a program planned at the suggestion of Instructor Lee Guk-jong.
Eunha who met his friends at the small auditorium was dumbfounded seeing Kang Si-hyeong shaking his hips to show off his charm on stage.
He felt like he wanted to buy eyes that hadn't seen this.
"Eunha, if you want makeup too, just say so. This noona will make you pretty. Don't worry too much, you have a face that would suit makeup."
"No, I'm good."
Seo-na puffs out her chest with an ahem.
Eunha turned his head the other way with a disgusted face.
Cha Eun-woo was busy taking pictures of the cross-dressing male students while bouncing in her seat.
"When did she become weird too..."
Eunha clicked his tongue.
Cha Eun-woo lost her calmness after no longer hanging out with Choi Ga-in.
In a way, it was a look that would be seen in girls her age, but he still couldn't get used to it.
Even so, if he had to choose, Eunha preferred her taking pictures excitedly like this.
"But isn't that On Tae-yang? Why is he there?"
"Why? He's handsome."
Meanwhile, Eunha had to voice the question he had been thinking about for a while.
Among the people on stage now, there were quite a few familiar faces, including a cross-dresser who looked like On Tae-yang.
It was On Tae-yang.
"Tae-yang was the prettiest among the boys, so he ended up in the contest by unanimous vote of the girls."
"He got a black history because he's handsome."
"What black history... Isn't he pretty? All the clothes Tae-yang is wearing now are mine."
A wig flowing down to the shoulders,
A suspender flare skirt.
White stockings.
Eunha couldn't help but stick out his tongue seeing the downfall of <Braver>.
But Jo Ara flipped her hair with a proud face.
"But he actually went out there with his personality."
"Tae-yang isn't a completely stubborn person. He just reacts that way to you specifically, he's kind to other people."
"Why only to me?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be secretly watching the contest with you guys now."
"Somehow... So that's why he's been glaring over here."
"What!?"
Jo Ara who had been complaining about On Tae-yang was startled.
Regardless, Eunha calmly conversed with her.
While meeting On Tae-yang's gaze staring straight at him from the stage.
"Oh, oh no..."
"What do you mean oh no? Since it's come to this, just enjoy it. You can explain later. Say you ended up watching together by chance."
"Would you believe that if it were you?"
"No, I wouldn't believe it."
"You...! You're saying that because it's not your business!"
Jo Ara panics.
Eunha teased her who was stomping her feet.
Then she completely changed her expression and got angry at him.
But he didn't budge at all.
Rather, he went further.
"Don't be like that, since it's come to this, enjoy it confidently. It's not like you committed a crime, why are you so anxious?"
"That's because I'm Tae-yang's chi—, no, childhood friend!"
"Why can't you be honest? You keep doing that so it makes me want to tease you more."
"W-What are you doing all of a sudden!?"
Jo Ara shouts with a reddened face.
Eunha thought she was cute for putting forth the word childhood friend to hide her feelings.
So he felt like teasing her more.
Eunha put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her towards him.
He could feel her freezing up.
"Why are you stiffening? Did you really commit a crime? Look at his eyes widening."
"Ah... L-Let go of this."
"At times like this, you need to have a confident attitude. Act like it's nothing and wave your hand."
"Are you crazy?"
"If you loosen up halfheartedly here, he might really misunderstand?"
Eunha waved to On Tae-yang on stage.
While giving her a hint.
She who had been wearing a troubled face finally agreed with his opinion and waved her hand.
While moving her lips just loud enough for Eunha to hear.
"Isn't this more strange? What if Tae-yang says he's disappointed..."
"Why do you worry so much? Just think positively. This could be an opportunity."
"Opportunity? What opportunity?"
"An opportunity for On Tae-yang to get jealous."
"...!"
"Why are you the only one following him around? Sometimes you should induce him to follow you around."
"...You're right. That's right."
"If you just listen to everything he says, you might look too unattractive. You need to know how to push and pull."
"Is that so?"
"That's right."
Eunha whispered in a serious tone.
While inwardly giggling mischievously.
Meanwhile, Jo Ara was tempted.
She unconsciously stuck close to Eunha and listened to his words intently.
Soon her stiff face relaxed and a faint smile appeared.
Now she waves confidently.
He looks like he might jump out at any moment.
Though Jo Ara didn't seem to notice.
Eunha who infused mana into his eyes could see sparks flying in On Tae-yang's eyes even from afar.
And that he was restraining his anger.
"And if On Tae-yang really tries to get angry at you, then just sell me out."
"Sell you out?"
"Yeah. Say I did it on my own. Then he probably won't be angry at you anymore."
"But then he'll be angry at you. Is that okay? Didn't you want to be friends with Tae-yang?"
"I do want to be friends, but... What can I do if he hates me?"
Ara in his arms raises her head and asks.
She was angry earlier but now she seems to be worried about him.
Eunha looked down at her eyes and smiled bitterly.
"He seems to hate me no matter what I do, so rather than that, I should use it like this to help you score points."
"..."
"I'll end up entangled with him anyway as I stay close to you. We'll become friends someday, I guess."
"...You're mature."
"You just realized that now?"
Jo Ara's eyes tremble.
Eunha patted her shoulder and made her look at the stage.
She complied obediently.
She doesn't grumble anymore either.
"I'll try to persuade Tae-yang well, so be grateful. You owe me a meal later."
"What do you like? I'll buy you anything."
"Meat. I like all kinds of meat."
"Okay. I'll buy you something expensive."
"I heard that clearly. I won't let you off if you lie later."
Jo Ara no longer looked around cautiously and brought up topics as they came to mind.
The two giggled among themselves.
The fox watching this—
"—I hope Ara doesn't get drawn into No Eunha's circle too..."
The fox sighed deeply.
She knew very well.
That once you get drawn into No Eunha's circle, it's hard to get out.
☆
The contest winner was decided.
Kang Si-hyeong received the winner's trophy with a face full of emotion.
"I should send this to Si-hyeong later. The photo came out really well."
"...Si-hyeong will cry again because of you."
"Come on, it came out pretty."
Kang Si-hyeong is shedding tears.
A smile hung on Eun-woo's lips who took a clear photo of him.
Eunha expressed his condolences to Si-hyeong.
It seems like this will be a topic in the group chat for a long time.
"Now that the contest is over, let's head back."
Ariel had sent a message earlier saying they should all gather to drink.
She finally set the date for today.
Eunha was concerned about seeing Yoon I-byeol at the drinking party, but decided to leave for now.
It seemed Si-hyeong and Gu-rae would take quite some time to remove their makeup.
They decided to go ahead and wait.
"What are you going to do? Want to come with us?"
"Hmm..."
Eunha asked Jo Ara.
She seemed to consider it, then shook her head saying it was okay.
"No, it's fine. Invite me next time. I'm going to Tae-yang today."
"Okay then. Let's drink together next time. Get home safely."
"I'll wait for your call. Everyone be careful—"
"—Jo Ara!!"
People exit the small auditorium.
Eunha was about to leave the small auditorium with Jin Seo-na and Cha Eun-woo.
Just then, a loud voice was heard from behind.
""""...""""
People stopped in their tracks.
Eunha frowned as he turned around following them.
On Tae-yang had jumped off the stage and was walking through the crowd.
"Ah, Tae-yang..."
Jo Ara visibly panics.
Startled, she stumbled backwards and bumped into Eunha.
As Eunha put his hand on her shoulder to support her from falling—
"—Come here."
"Ah..."
On Tae-yang's hand reached her first.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her up as she was about to fall.
"T-Tae-yang. You see, about how I ended up watching with Eunha..."
"Forget it. Be quiet."
Jo Ara tries to explain.
On Tae-yang cut her off.
"..."
From beginning to end.
On Tae-yang's gaze was fixed on Eunha.
He glares at Eunha for a while.
Eventually he opens his mouth.
"I have a lot I want to say... But I won't let things go your way anymore."
"..."
"I passed the second round of the comprehensive division competition too. I'll be facing Choi Eun-hyuk in the third round tomorrow."
On Tae-yang speaks with force.
Eunha listened to the story silently.
He knew as well.
He had just heard from Jin Seo-na.
That Choi Eun-hyuk and On Tae-yang would have a match in the third round of the comprehensive division competition main tournament tomorrow.
"—Tomorrow, I will defeat Choi Eun-hyuk."
But On Tae-yang declared his victory in front of many people.
No, it wasn't over yet.
"After that, I'll defeat Mok Min-ho and win the competition."
On Tae-yang continues speaking with certainty.
Eunha looked at On Tae-yang's face full of spirit.
He couldn't understand the reason.
Why he was saying such things to his face.
"And after winning the competition—"
The question was soon answered.
He spoke to Eunha with a confident voice.
"—I will challenge you to a duel and definitely win."
"..."
"So I'll stop you from promoting discrimination in the academy anymore. Of course, I'll make the brooch you made worthless too."
On Tae-yang's goal is clear.
The comprehensive division competition was just a path he had to pass through.
The goal he was truly aiming for was defeating him.
"Hah... Okay, go ahead and try."
Eunha was dumbfounded.
That On Tae-yang, who was revered by everyone as <Braver> in his previous life, now saw him, who was actually condemned by everyone, as a wall to overcome.
It felt strangely novel.
That On Tae-yang, whom he had to look up to, was now looking up at him instead.
That he acknowledged him as a rival.
This was treatment he never received in his previous life.
"—But it will probably be difficult."
If he's a match for <Braver>, is he a demon lord?
He feels like he's become a demon lord.
Eunha giggled at the sudden thought and said to him:
"Before you even duel Min-ho—you'll lose to Eun-hyuk."
"..."
"It's unfortunate, but you can't win with your strength."
"We won't know unless we try."
"We can know without trying. You will absolutely never win."
On Tae-yang thinks he needs to defeat Choi Eun-hyuk and Mok Min-ho first in order to face him.
But unfortunately, On Tae-yang will be defeated by Choi Eun-hyuk tomorrow.
Eunha could objectively assess the skills of the two.
It's still too much for On Tae-yang.
On Tae-yang's growth is slow.
Having confirmed this a few months ago, he could easily guess the outcome of tomorrow's competition.
"—There are no absolutes in this world. Don't try to arbitrarily conclude things."
"The one arbitrarily concluding things is you."
"...We'll see."
On Tae-yang makes threats.
He grabs Ara's hand and strides forward.
Eunha quietly made way for On Tae-yang to leave the small auditorium.
Unfortunately, there was no sense of gravity in On Tae-yang's footsteps.
Rather, laughter burst out.
"Are you planning to walk around outside in that outfit without changing clothes?"
Worried On Tae-yang might be embarrassed.
Eunha opened his mouth with the words he had been holding back after he disappeared.
Then he turned to Eun-woo.
"Did you get a good shot?"
"I'll share it in the chat room later."
Cha Eun-woo gave a thumbs up.
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