Chapter 35 (Continued)

 

The moist air brushed her skin.

 

Soon, Woo-jin, drying his hair with a towel, came into Baek-seo’s view.

 

Baek-seo swallowed a gasp as Woo-jin’s bare skin filled her sight.

 

A moment of silence followed.

 

Woo-jin glanced down at his body.

 

Whoosh!

 

He quickly kicked off the ground and dove into the nearest room.

 

Thud! The sound of Woo-jin’s hitting the floor echoed.

 

“Oh my….”

 

Baek-seo unconsciously let out a soft exclamation.

 

For a while, she couldn’t move.

 

No matter how composed Baek-seo was, it was difficult to stay calm. After all, she was just a girl who hadn’t satisfied her sexual curiosity. She could barely manage her expression.

 

“……”

 

Baek-seo covered her mouth.

 

Ironically, the sight of Woo-jin’s naked body blew away Baek-seo’s worries and occupied her mind.

 

***

 

“Kim Dalbi left a letter stating that ‘one of the Six Sinners is hiding in Ahsung High School as a student’…. Is that right?”

 

Ahn Woo-jin and Oh Baek-seo, both wearing aprons, were preparing the groceries they had bought together. Woo-jin summarized Baek-seo’s conversation.

 

In truth, it was more a recount than a summary.

 

Baek-seo nodded.

 

“And the letter burned up.”

 

Woo-jin believed the information was true.

 

‘So the Six Sinner appearing next… wasn’t about breaking through Ahsung High School’s security, but being a student from the start?’

 

It was a hypothesis he had considered before, but without clues, he couldn’t be sure.

 

Thanks to Dalbi’s letter, that hypothesis gained weight.

 

‘Although there’s no confirmation yet, it seems reasonable to consider that possibility seriously. …I’ll have to find the suspect during the practical evaluation.’

 

The Six Sinner would likely appear during the practical evaluation.

 

However, he wouldn’t cancel the evaluation. There was no telling when or how the Six Sinner would strike again if not then. The risk would increase absurdly.

 

Therefore, it would be best to identify and capture the suspect during the evaluation. Catching them before then would be ideal.

 

‘But….’

 

Woo-jin looked at Baek-seo.

 

“Why did you go alone?”

 

He couldn’t understand.

 

Despite sensing Dalbi’s presence, she went alone without informing him.

 

“It was too dangerous.”

 

“She seemed to have something to say. She released a presence only I could sense. If I had brought the Leader, Dalbi might have fled immediately.”

 

“Why did she call only you?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“……”

 

Woo-jin thought it was because Dalbi felt uncomfortable meeting him.

 

But more importantly.

 

“Baek-seo.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Woo-jin approached Baek-seo.

 

There was a height difference. The top of Baek-seo’s head barely reached Woo-jin’s lips, so he looked down at her.

 

Baek-seo silently looked up at Woo-jin. The air grew heavy. Her usual gentle smile was not present.

 

‘I know she’s more competent than I am… but this was too much. It was clearly a suspicious situation.’

 

It seemed Baek-seo was worried about Woo-jin and went to meet Dalbi alone. Ever since the confrontation with Dalbi two weeks ago, Baek-seo had been sticking close, worried about him.

 

However, Woo-jin couldn’t respect that sentiment. He decided he needed to scold Baek-seo as a Leader because she showed a tendency not to rely on him or the Disciplinary Committee.

 

If Baek-seo had been ambushed, Woo-jin might not have realized it immediately. Just the thought of it was terrifying.

 

Moreover, the opponent was the formidable Kim Dalbi.

 

It was extremely dangerous.

 

Thus, unless there was an unavoidable reason, Woo-jin felt it necessary to scold Baek-seo for not relying on the Disciplinary Committee.

 

“You should have called the Disciplinary Committee or told me so we could plan a strategy. If you went alone and the enemies had been lying in ambush….”

 

“……!”

 

“”

 

As Woo-jin approached to scold her, Baek-seo stepped back.

 

‘What?’

 

Woo-jin was confused.

 

As he stepped closer, Baek-seo stepped back further.

 

“I’m sorry for misjudging and letting her go. I’ll reflect on it.”

 

“But why are you avoiding me?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Despite the serious conversation, Baek-seo couldn’t calm herself as Woo-jin drew closer.

 

Her attention was focused on the sensation of Woo-jin’s skin.

 

The human brain works in fascinating ways. The memory of seeing Woo-jin’s naked body was vividly stored in her mind, making Woo-jin appear naked in her mind’s eye.

 

A sexy man was approaching.

 

With such thoughts, she couldn’t focus on Woo-jin’s words.

 

“Leader, I’m sorry.”

 

Baek-seo managed to control her expression but couldn’t calm her thoughts.

 

“You’re too close….”

 

She barely managed to express her desire for him to step back, and Woo-jin interpreted it that way.

 

However, Baek-seo’s true intention wasn’t properly conveyed.

 

‘…Could it be that she’s distancing herself because I scolded her?’

 

Or is there an unspeakable reason?

 

Various worries sprouted in Woo-jin’s mind.

 

He couldn’t let the situation pass like this.

 

Woo-jin decided not to comply with Baek-seo’s request to distance himself.

 

“Baek-seo.”

 

Woo-jin grabbed her shoulders to prevent her from running away.

 

Baek-seo flinched.

 

Staring into her eyes, Woo-jin saw her struggling to keep a smile while blushing.

 

Woo-jin spoke in a serious tone.

 

“If there’s something uncomfortable, tell me.”

 

This physical contact is uncomfortable.

 

“Honestly, did something happen?”

 

I saw your naked body and everything.

 

“…Woo-jin?”

 

Finally, Baek-seo addressed him by his name instead of ‘Leader,’ a clear sign of pressure.

 

Baek-seo began to smile gently, but her voice trembled.

 

“I feel embarrassed today. Could you give me some space?”

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

“…Ah.”

 

After Baek-seo confessed her honest feelings, Woo-jin understood the situation.

 

The heavy atmosphere became awkward.

 

After that, they pretended to have a natural conversation while eating curry together.

 

“Goodnight.”

 

“Goodnight….”

 

After Baek-seo left, Woo-jin stood at the entrance.

 

‘My presence….’

 

It had lessened.

 

“Ugh….”

 

Feelings of shame and doubt swept over him sequentially.

 

Woo-jin felt heat rise in his head, covered his face with his hands, and sighed.