ALL NOVEL Chapter 175
“…What?”
Without realizing it, a foolish question slipped from my lips. There was nothing I could do about it.
I had said I would help Jin Yeseo with her request as long as I was able, but I never imagined it would be a request like this.
Moreover, the addition of the word ‘just a moment’ only added to the confusion in my head.
I could tell that Jin Yeseo was in quite a hurry. If not, why would she spring such a ridiculous request on me…
“Why are you pretending you didn’t hear me?”
Jin Yeseo maintained her composure instead. The bright red blush that had crept onto her cheeks due to embarrassment or shame had vanished without a trace.
“My boyfriend… please do it.”
*
“So… this is what you meant by the method you mentioned last time?”
It wasn’t until I heard the explanation from Jin Yeseo that I had a rough understanding of the situation.
“You want to create a fake boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“And you want me to pretend to be that… boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“…Why me?”
“Well…”
For the first time, Jin Yeseo, who had been nodding confidently, hesitated and avoided my gaze.
“…Because I don’t have anyone else.”
“What?”
“The only guy I can ask to do this is… you.”
“…”
It seems that Jin Yeseo really does keep her distance from male students. Until recently, I was also one of those who she maintained distance from.
Even though I was grouped with Choi Woojin and Seungho, we weren’t that close, it seemed.
It was frustrating, yet at the same time, it made sense…
“…Ahem. Anyway, here’s my plan.”
Before I knew it, Jin Yeseo was rambling on about her plan.
“Before the social period starts, I’ll contact my family. I’ll say I was seeing someone. That we’ve gotten serious and that I have no intention of breaking up.”
Then she pulled out a crumpled letter and shook it in front of me.
“If I don’t, they could do something rash during the social period. Like suddenly deciding on an opponent… ugh…”
The letter, stamped with Baekgwang’s seal, contained the list of students who might qualify among the current students of the Cradle and the final deadline.
“So, all I need to do is lend you my name?”
“What? What are you talking about? Of course not.”
Jin Yeseo frowned as if she had just heard a ludicrous joke.
“That’s something you can say because you don’t know my mother. She’s so cold and meticulous. There’s no way she would believe I just sent a letter with a name on it.”
Jin Yeseo’s mother. I recalled a story I had heard from her friend in the past. I think I remember that the former head of the Baekgwang Family had committed a crime involving colluding with foreign interests to smuggle strategic materials.
At that time, Jin Yeseo’s mother, who was a student at the Cradle, personally beheaded the head of the family to apologize. She restored the clan from being on the brink of ruin to its current state.
Just that story alone makes her seem far from ordinary.
“I’m sure she’ll send someone to confirm the facts during the social period. That’s when the Cradle opens up to outsiders. She could disguise herself as a visitor or something…”
I think I roughly understand the meaning of ‘just a moment.’ It means she wants me to put on this act only during the social period.
If Jin Yeseo has someone like that, then we can enjoy the festival together happily.
“But is that convincing enough? I think the Baekgwang family has a better relationship with the Paecheon family than with Heukryeon… And what if the other students see us…?”
“I’ll handle that. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Jin Yeseo interrupted me hastily.
“Once everything is settled, I just have to announce that we’re secretly engaged. Just like… Sister Seoyeon.”
“…”
“This way, there’s no need to reveal the other party’s name… and the pesky guys won’t bother us anymore… phew…”
Having finished her explanation, Jin Yeseo let out a sigh. Then she turned to me, as if waiting for my response.
“So… will you help me?”
She then glared at me in a way that made it seem like she was embarrassed.
“I really don’t want to ask you this. I truly have no one else to turn to… so it’s unavoidable… and I hope you don’t get any unnecessary misunderstandings…”
“…”
That was the most unnecessary worry I’d heard from Jin Yeseo today.
“You’re not asking me to keep doing this, right? Just during the social period… if it has to be, at least for a day…”
“Sure.”
I answered immediately. The decision wasn’t that hard to make.
Of course, I was a little taken aback at first… but for someone who saved my life, it’s the least I could do.
“Uh…?”
Jin Yeseo, who had been desperately trying to continue talking, looked at me in surprise with wide eyes.
“You’re saying you’ll do it? Pretend to be my boyfriend.”
“Are you… really serious?”
“Yeah. Why are you so surprised? You were the one who brought it up first.”
“I just… didn’t think you would agree so easily…”
“You’re in this situation because I have some responsibility too… so I have to help you. We’re friends, right?”
I shook my head.
“It’s nothing big. Just pretending for a moment…”
Of course, I had no idea if I could do it well. I’d just do my best.
*
‘Friend,’ ‘pretend.’
The guy’s words somehow pierced Jin Yeseo’s heart sharply. She was aware that his words were born from profound goodwill.
Yet, she felt a twinge of regret. She probably shouldn’t have said things like unnecessary misunderstandings.
“Why?”
“…It’s nothing.”
But at the boy’s question, Jin Yeseo quickly shook her head and steadied herself. This wasn’t just her issue.
In truth, she also didn’t want to resort to such a radical method. She still wished to approach him a bit more slowly.
If she had not known Seoyeon’s feelings, she would surely have done so.
‘The Baekgwang family has a better relationship with the Paecheon family than with Heukryeon…’
‘I’ll handle that.’
That was a lie. The truth was, she was just as lost about how to convince the head of the family.
However, after spending a sleepless night pondering, the conclusion was always the same.
She had no choice but to push through.
‘I can’t let my sister be with that guy.’
Seeing the way the boy nodded in utmost kindness, Jin Yeseo couldn’t help but feel that he was indeed sinister at heart. He had a cruel nature that relished in dominating others with violence, keeping them under his boot.
She simply could not tolerate the idea of her beloved sister being placed in such a man’s company.
‘…Don’t worry, sister.’
There was only one thing that Jin Yeseo could do.
That was to sacrifice.
‘I’ll carry all the burdens…’
With a bright smile, Jin Yeseo shook her head. But her eyes were brimming with uncontainable happiness.
“Just… thank you.”
*
“Now, everyone, listen up.”
In the first-year classroom, as soon as the lecture ended, several student council members took the stage.
“We’re here to announce a few things ahead of the social event. You’ve probably heard it from the professors, but it’s better to have confirmation.”
Stepping forward to look over the first-years was Choi Ireh from the second year. A girl with a strict expression, wearing round glasses and braids.
“First up, the list of participants for the tournament. If I call your name from now on, please be prepared to participate in the tournament. So…”
I could feel her piercing gaze through her round glasses. It was clear that she had no intention of hiding her displeasure.
“…”
In that moment, I did feel the urge to hit her one more time, but I didn’t want to engage in an emotional battle, so I turned my head away.
I soon spotted a familiar face among the group that had just entered the classroom.
With her ethereal beauty and a teardrop by her right eye, it was Kwon Yuri, a second-year student.
…What is she doing here? She’s not even a student council member.
She was blowing on her pinky finger to warm it up while acting nonchalant. Then, upon spotting me, she broke into a wide grin.
‘Hey. Meow.’
It felt as though Kwon Yuri had read my thoughts, as her lips moved.
‘Followed you over. Because. Heart. So. Fine.’
“…”
What audacity. My mind momentarily short-circuited.
‘After. It. Ends. I’ll. Come.’
Kwon Yuri continued to barrage me with statements.
‘Have. Something. To. Say.’
But I did not respond and swiftly turned away. She puffed up her cheeks in mock annoyance.
“Haah…”
A sigh escaped my lips. I could easily predict that an annoying situation was going to arise. That girl was like a natural disaster. There was no avoiding her and solving it with mere punches wouldn’t work anyway.
“Especially, any illegal subgroups outside the officially activated social gatherings will result in expulsion. Everyone, be sure to keep this in mind. The social event is not meant for delinquency. It’s simply a platform for healthy and rational interactions…”
Amid Choi Ireh’s heated explanation, Kwon Yuri wore a smile that was distinctly at odds with her innocent appearance.
*
“First-year student~”
“…”
“First. Year. Student.”
“…”
“Hey, chick. Yes, you.”
Despite intentionally taking the backdoor to leave quickly, I still found a tail glued to me. It wasn’t just an auditory hallucination; the voice was too vivid.
“You… seriously…! Do you not hear me? Hah…!”
A momentarily warm breath attempted to warm my ear, causing me to abruptly turn around.
Trailing behind me was Kwon Yuri, looking at me with puffed-up fur, like an angry sheep.
“How dare you ignore me, you little chick…!”
“What do you want?”
“Were you too busy to even greet me? I told you we should say hi next time we meet…!”
“It doesn’t seem like you’re just calling for greetings. What else are you planning…?”
“…Why are you always so cold to me? Seriously, this is too much.”
In an instant, Kwon Yuri changed her attitude and pouted her lips. Her eyes were now glistening.
“I treated you so nicely…”
“…”
“I even visited you to cheer you up… and gifted you a vitality potion to speed up your recovery, the most expensive one… but… hic…”
She went as far as to imitate crying with her hands up.
I chose not to respond. It was clear she was plotting another prank.
But I still had no idea what she was thinking. While she typically mingled with students from Paecheon, she never showed open hostility toward me or Yeon Minha. It’s not like she was secretly scheming behind her cheerful smile either.
Looking back, all she had done to me was insist on making meal appointments and push extravagant vitality potions on me as hospital gifts.
Yet, somehow, it remained achingly uncomfortable to face her. I’d rather she just openly pick a fight; then I could easily punch her out and be done with it…
“…This is boring.”
Kwon Yuri, who had been babbling for a while, lowered her hands when she noticed my lack of response.
Then, she let out a long sigh as if surrendering.
“…Sigh. Fine. I called you because I have a favor to ask. Is that okay?”
“A favor…?”
“Yes. Ahem. Ahem.”
I had no idea what kind of favor she might ask me.
Kwon Yuri nodded a couple of times, cleared her throat, and suddenly said in an exaggerated theatrical tone as she lowered her voice dramatically.
“You. Let’s do something together.”
Her face was now filled with that distinctive mischievous grin.