Chapter 25 (Continued)

 

Se-Ah didn’t seem like someone who could become a villain at all.

 

She seemed suspicious on the surface, but she felt genuinely good-hearted.

 

That didn’t mean there was no longer a need to keep an eye on her.

 

No matter what, she was destined to become a black market mogul involved in illegal activities. I had to be prepared for any eventuality.

 

I also wanted to find out why Se-Ah died in the original story.

 

After capturing Anomia, this question had become more pressing.

 

There was undoubtedly something I didn’t know.

 

If I couldn’t uncover it, even after my term as Disciplinary Committee Leader ended, it would leave a lingering sense of unease, like a piece of meat stuck between my teeth.

 

‘Come to think of it….’

 

Investigating the Anomia incident had significantly boosted the committee’s achievements, thanks to capturing numerous sponsors and business contacts.

 

However, we still hadn’t identified the major sponsor. The mysterious villain who provided Gray Star to Anomia and greatly supported the organization financially.

 

Anomia’s leader had claimed not to know the sponsor’s identity, as he hadn’t inquired deeply. A lie detector confirmed his statement was true.

 

Even after delving into ledgers, cash flows, transaction records, and official documents, the results were the same.

 

It seemed meticulously planned or carefully covered up from the start. Nothing was certain.

 

It was unexpected.

 

With so much money involved, I thought it would be easy to find.

 

‘Who is that sponsor…’

 

One thing was clear.

 

To pull off such an impressive scheme, immense power was a prerequisite.

 

That narrowed the suspects to members of Hanyang Federal Academy, the power center of Academy City.

 

At least someone at the executive level of the student council.

 

They also had to be quite wealthy.

 

But Hanyang Federal Academy was the city’s power hub.

 

It was difficult for Ahsung High School’s Disciplinary Committee to meddle with it.

 

Without solid evidence, confronting Hanyang Federal Academy was a daunting task.

 

‘What should I do about this….’

 

“Leader, are you thinking about something dirty again?”

 

“?”

 

A sweet and gentle voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

 

“Of course not….”

 

“Here, tea.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Vice-Leader Oh Baek-seo placed the tea on my desk with a bright smile and then pulled up a chair next to me.

 

“Hmm?”

 

Baek-seo rested her chin on the desk and stared at me intently.

 

For some reason, the sight of her face bathed in the sunset light was mesmerizing. It was almost as if she had a halo.

 

With just the two of us in the office, an intriguing atmosphere filled the air. I felt my face heat up. Fearing things would get awkward, I quickly asked a question.

 

“Are you trying to have a staring contest?”

 

“Just wanted to look at you for a moment.”

 

Her gaze was affectionate, like someone admiring a cute child, which made me slightly uncomfortable.

 

If I had felt she was looking at me like a boy she liked, I might have impulsively confessed to her right then and there.

 

Baek-seo was truly beautiful.

 

Every clear day, every evening, I felt immense happiness thanks to her.

 

Her face, illuminated by the sunset, was so beautiful that I wanted to take a picture and frame it.

 

It was a visual feast. Sometimes, I found myself losing track of time, wanting to express my affection without restraint.

 

But I had to control myself.

 

An impulsive confession or overt expression of feelings could jeopardize our relationship.

 

“A staring contest might be nice….”

 

Baek-seo muttered as if she was in a meeting, considering and reviewing opinions.

 

She didn’t specify in what way it would be nice.

 

“So, do you have something to say?”

 

“I do.”

 

“What is it?”

 

I asked, hiding my slight disappointment.

 

“How should we handle our bet?”

 

Right, the bet.

 

I had been so upset about not beating Baek-seo academically that I had forgotten to think about it.

 

“Well, we need to decide.”

 

Originally, our bet was supposed to be decided by the exam results.

 

Since we tied for first place, we had to agree on how to proceed.

 

“Can I make a suggestion?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“How about we each state our wishes and then negotiate a middle ground? If we can’t agree, we fulfill each other’s wishes. How does that sound?”

 

“That sounds like a good idea.”

 

Of course, I’d need to hear her wish first.

 

“So, what wish do you have in mind, Leader?”

 

I had nothing to hide.

 

“I’ve received platinum mileage. I’m planning to use it this weekend, and I’d like you to come with me.”

 

Right after the midterms, I checked the student app on my smartphone and saw that I had received platinum mileage.

 

This time, both Kim Yeon-hee and I were selected as recipients of the platinum mileage. Although I had no idea who Kim Yeon-hee was.

 

Anyway, I could finally commission a weapon from a platinum-grade blacksmith.

 

Baek-seo tilted her head slightly and gave a meaningful smile.

 

“Why? Do you want to go with me?”

 

“Isn’t it better to go together than alone? Enhancing my combat ability also improves the efficiency of the Disciplinary Committee’s operations, and you’re dependable. So, I thought it would be best if you, the Vice-Leader, accompanied me.”

 

I said it casually.

 

Of course, I just wanted to spend time with Baek-seo. It felt like a date.

 

“If that’s the case, should we just agree on your wish, Leader?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Baek-seo stood up with a playful smile.

 

‘Wait. What?’

 

I liked the idea, but I couldn’t let it end like this.

 

“What was your wish?”

 

“Since we’ve already agreed to fulfill your wish, there’s no need for me to say.”

 

Isn’t that unfair?

 

“No, no. Tell me. What was it?”

 

Baek-seo shook her head, placed her cup in the kitchenette, and packed her bag.

 

“Baek-seo?”

 

“Let’s go home now. It’s rare to have free time like this. We should go home early on days like these.”

 

“Isn’t it unfair if only I say my wish?”

 

“Since we’ve agreed to fulfill your wish, there’s nothing more to say.”

 

It was suspicious.

 

“…Were you planning to ask for something awkward but changed your mind?”

 

“Who knows.”

 

Baek-seo evaded the question with a subtle smile.

 

“……”

 

She wasn’t going to answer.

 

I felt like pushing further would only make me seem desperate.

 

“Fine…, let’s go.”

 

Suppressing my curiosity, I stood up.

 

We grabbed our bags, turned off the lights in the office, and walked together under the twilight sky.

 

“Baek-seo.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I can’t stand it. You should tell me your wish later. I’ll fulfill it.”

 

“Will you?”

 

“If we leave it like this, I’ll feel indebted. You must tell me.”

 

“Huhu, you’re so forceful. Okay.”

 

* * *

 

The sky, filled with the colors of sunset, was familiar and beautiful.

 

To Oh Baek-seo, it was an infinitely peaceful scene.

 

Cars sporadically passed on the road. Walking past a run-down bookstore, she imagined the smell of paper. Passing small shops with pretty signs, delicious scents wafted through the air. The sight of cute cake models displayed in front of a café made her want to taste them with the man next to her.

 

And a slight turn of her gaze brought her view to the hand of the person she liked.

 

Talking about the beautiful cat they saw on the street or the delicious food at a newly opened restaurant.

 

These meaningless conversations with Leader Ahn Woo-jin during their walk home were simply a source of happiness for Baek-seo.

 

‘A wish….’

 

Baek-seo thought.

 

Whenever her hand brushed against Woo-jin’s, feeling the touch of his skin, she felt a desperate desire. The desire to hold his hand.

 

She thought about wishing for that. She pondered for a long time whether to muster the courage, but as expected, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. It would cross the line.

 

Buried in such thoughts, a feather-like sensation tickled her chest, making her more aware of Woo-jin than usual.

 

As if waiting for this moment, an optimistic voice in her head, be it an angel or a devil, tempted her to hold his hand now. The reasoning was that there was no need to worry about the consequences.

 

But knowing this moment would end someday, Baek-seo contented herself with the occasional touch of their hands.

 

“Baek-seo.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Just as Baek-seo was about to step onto the crosswalk ahead.

 

Whoosh. Woo-jin grabbed her hand and pulled her back quickly.

 

The sound of a passing car.

 

Baek-seo found herself in front of Woo-jin’s chest, her hand still in his, momentarily dazed.

 

“It’s still a red light. What were you doing, not paying attention?”

 

Woo-jin scolded her, looking down.

 

“Yeah….”

 

Baek-seo glanced at their clasped hands. His hand was wrapped around hers, enveloping it warmly.

 

She felt a strange comfort as Woo-jin’s large hand covered her slender one.

 

She suddenly realized that Woo-jin’s hand was bigger than she thought.

 

It was a cliché sentiment, like something out of a childhood romance novel she had read.

 

But now, Baek-seo understood why such expressions were commonly used.

 

“Were you… thinking something naughty?”

 

Taking the opportunity, Woo-jin smiled slyly and joked. It was his way of getting back at her.

 

Baek-seo immediately recognized it as a joke. But it wasn’t just a joke for her. At least not entirely.

 

Skilled at managing her emotions, Baek-seo didn’t show any embarrassment. Instead, she smiled mischievously in return.

 

“You’re quite cheeky, Leader.”

 

“?”

 

Woo-jin was taken aback by Baek-seo’s unexpected response.

 

He tried to maintain a poker face, but Baek-seo could read his expressions clearly. To her, it was simply adorable.

 

“Thanks. Let’s go.”

 

The light turned green.

 

Baek-seo gave Woo-jin’s hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it naturally.

 

The two of them began walking across the crosswalk again.

 

* * *

 

─ You should have received the platinum mileage. Check it.

 

The cold, elderly woman’s voice from the phone sent chills down her spine.

 

In front of the phone, Kim Dalbi took out her smartphone and accessed the student app. The platinum mileage was listed under “Kim Yeon-hee.”

 

“Yes, I’ve received it.”

 

─ Use it to get what we discussed. There’s no other way to obtain it except through the platinum shop.

 

“Got it. …By the way.”

 

Dalbi asked with a wide smile as she spoke into the receiver.

 

“Why did you send that strange kid to my district without any prior notice?”

 

Narrowing her eyes, Dalbi’s smiling face carried a deadly undertone.

 

─ Yes. Your boyfriend decapitated my precious children. I was willing to let it go if it was within reason, but it crossed the line.

 

The elderly woman’s voice carried a hint of a sigh.

 

“Isn’t it your fault for relying on incompetent idiots like Anomia? Just a cautious suggestion.”

 

Dalbi smiled brightly.

 

─ …Child.

 

The elderly woman’s voice took on a warning tone.

 

─ If you’re a dog, act like one. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.

 

Click.

 

The call ended, and silence descended.

 

Dalbi’s smile gradually faded. She lowered her gaze, her mouth pressed tightly shut. Eventually, she closed her eyes, lifted her head, and took a deep breath.

 

“Hoo….”

 

Regaining her composure, Dalbi opened her eyes again.

 

“Damn old hag.”

 

She muttered softly in a calm tone and walked away.