While Yu-jin was busy with his own affairs.

 

-Whisper whisper.

 

“Who do you think Seo Yu-jin is dating?”

 

“Based on the dating photos, it seems like Yu Shia. Her face was so red….”

 

“I want to root for Alice. She’s nice, and she even liked my Outstar posts.”

 

The freshmen at Pentagon Academy, who were Yu-jin’s classmates, were abuzz with speculations about who he might be dating.

 

It was inevitable that he would be dating one of the three.

 

And it seemed like all three of them were interested in Yu-jin.

 

Alice constantly bragged about her bond with Yu-jin and Pine Leaf on social media.

 

Yu Shia even held hands with him during a date at an amusement park.

 

As for the top-ranked S-class, Ninomiya…

 

“It’s definitely Aika. They’re even living together.”

 

“In my opinion, it’s already game over. It wouldn’t be surprising if we heard pregnancy news any day now.”

 

They were even living together.

 

To them, it didn’t matter who won; it was like a chicken race.

 

Three women were fighting over Yu-jin.

 

And the reaction of his peers?

 

“Enough with the boring talk. No one’s rooting for Aika, right?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“Japan is a no-go. Period.”

 

So, Aika was out.

 

Most of them being Korean, it was the natural consensus.

 

That left two candidates to root for.

 

It came down to Alice and Shia…

 

“If you’re Korean, you should support Yu Shia. Obviously.”

 

“Those amusement park date photos were a bit much, but we can’t help it.”

 

“She’s from the Cheonhwa side, so it looks good.”

 

Half of his peers supported Yu Shia.

 

The advantage of being a fellow Korean.

 

A second-generation chaebol, fitting to be the partner of the next S-class, Yu-jin.

 

Above all, her proactive approach of clinging to him even in such an outfit at the amusement park.

 

She was the perfect match for that overly decent young man.

 

“I’m on team Alice. She’s got a great personality, and she gets along well with Yu-jin.”

 

“She likes Korea so much, she’d probably even naturalize if she dated Yu-jin.”

 

On the other hand, the remaining half supported Alice.

 

Unlike Shia, she was friendly and had many friends.

 

To the point where none of his peers hadn’t received a like from her on Outstar.

 

No one disliked her, as she was friendly with everyone.

 

Additionally, Alice was famous for her love of Korea.

 

If she dated Yu-jin, she might just settle down in Korea.

 

This was why Alice’s supporters were emerging.

 

“Unlike Yu Shia, she’s genuinely pure.”

 

“That’s right. I was really surprised and thought it was cute when I heard her say ‘I was so scared’ the other day. It made me realize she’s a foreigner too.”

 

…The notion of her being pure and cute was somewhat disconnected from reality. Anyway.

 

That’s why they were excited on Monday morning.

 

Thinking about watching the tense academy life between Shia, Alice, and Yu-jin.

 

And even helping them from behind.

 

‘Since I can’t date him, I’ll get some vicarious satisfaction from this….’

 

-Squeak.

 

“———Alice. What are you wearing?”

 

“This? It’s an outfit Yu-jin specially lent me. I brought it back to return it, but it was chilly this morning, so I wore it for a bit.”

 

“…Heh.”

 

“…….”

 

‘What’s up with those two? Scary.’

 

Their excitement disappeared as soon as they entered the classroom.

 

For some reason, the two were in the classroom earlier than anyone else.

 

Their gazes at each other were as cold as ice.

 

“Why did he lend it to you?”

 

“Actually, I stopped by Yu-jin’s dorm for a bit yesterday. Somehow, my clothes got torn. He even helped me put on my underwear.”

 

“What were you doing for your clothes to get torn and for him to see your underwear?”

 

“Well, Yu-jin just couldn’t let go of me. He kept saying I was the prettiest in the world.”

 

“…….”

 

“And so, that’s how it happened. It’s embarrassing. Hehe.”

 

Alice scratched her cheek as if she were embarrassed.

 

But the emotion in her eyes was not embarrassment at all.

 

It was pride. Boasting about her skinship with Yu-jin the day before.

 

She was sneaky, making it seem like Yu-jin initiated it.

 

Shia’s eyes narrowed.

 

‘This sly fox, lying to start a fight?’

 

To Shia, Alice’s words were all lies.

 

It was purely to provoke her.

 

Saying she wore Yu-jin’s outerwear because it was cold?

 

That girl who walked around half-naked since spring because she couldn’t stand the heat.

 

Saying Yu-jin clung to her?

 

The guy who couldn’t do anything when I just held his arm wouldn’t do that.

 

Obviously, she must have clung to him. Like a sly fox.

 

Saying her clothes got torn…

 

She probably tore them on purpose to seduce Yu-jin.

 

Yes. A hundred percent. This sly fox.

 

It was chilling to the point of making her shudder.

 

‘It’s better to make her give up in advance. It’d be pitiful if she confessed only to be rejected.’

 

Alice’s intention was purely to be considerate.

 

She liked Yu-jin, but it was either Ninomiya or her in the end.

 

It would be pitiful if Shia got her hopes up only to be let down.

 

So, she said this to make her give up early.

 

That was her intention.

 

It was a consideration that would make Shia even angrier if she knew.

 

“Haa. Did Yu-jin say you were the prettiest in the world too?”

 

“Oh? He said that to Shia too?”

 

“Yeah. He told me I was the prettiest even without makeup.”

 

“Well. Yu-jin is generous with compliments….”

 

“———While we were taking a bath together.”

 

“…What?”

 

An angry Shia threw a jab.

 

Oh, really? He told me I was pretty too.

 

While we were bathing together.

 

“Eh, really? Is that a Korean joke?”

 

“No? I took a bath with him yesterday. In the bathroom. Together in the same tub.”

 

“Don’t lie. Yu-jin would never do that….”

 

“Heh. Believe it or not.”

 

“……!!!!!”

 

Alice’s eyes widened.

 

Indeed, yesterday Yu-jin had a faint sweet, feminine scent like bath salts.

 

It strangely smelled like a grandmother, but anyway.

 

At the time, she thought he just changed shampoos…

 

But could it be that he was bathing with Shia?

 

‘Seeing Shia so confident, it must be true!! They really did a soapland play!!’

 

My goodness. Bathing together.

 

I saw this a lot in ‘Eye.’

 

Soapland. Pretending to wash each other but doing something else!

 

Of course, it’s Yu-jin. They wouldn’t have done anything really naked…

 

They probably wore swimsuits or something.

 

Let me wash you. Directly with my body. It will feel soft and nice- while saying that.

 

If Haru heard this, she would marvel, saying, ‘As expected of Pink. Unlike Flat, she gets it.’

 

The two women took a step closer to each other.

 

-Soft.

 

“Well, that’s possible. It’s common among friends in England.”

 

“Heh. I see. In Korea, we don’t do that unless we’re really close.”

 

“….”

 

“…….”

 

Then, a brief silence.

 

Staring at each other with smiles, so close their chests almost touched.

 

Those standing frozen at the entrance couldn’t bear it and ran away.

 

-Hurrying footsteps.

 

‘I thought it would just be a power struggle… What is this? Scary.’

 

‘We didn’t need to push anyone? Both of them really like Yu-jin?’

 

“Don’t they have any shame? What are they doing in a public place?”

 

To normal people, this was just a fight.

 

A fight that could be aptly called a ‘catfight.’

 

And the content?

 

Though they didn’t realize it, they were practically boasting about who clung to Yu-jin more.

 

Goodness. Why are they talking about such things in a public place?

 

It’s not just embarrassing; it’s chilling.

 

I want to leave.

 

That’s why the students were waiting for Yu-jin in the hallway, leaving the stuffy classroom behind.

 

-Squeak… Thud.

 

“Well, anyway. It looks like you could just keep wearing those clothes, right?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Actually, ‘our’ Yu-jin and I are going on a movie date this weekend. I’ll buy you a luxury one then.”

 

As soon as the door closed, the fight resumed.

 

Shia’s insidious attack began to blaze.

 

“Oh, no~ I can’t do that. These clothes are so precious.”

 

“What’s so special about that cheap tracksuit?”

 

“Because it’s filled with memories of my first experience. With Yu-jin and me.”

 

“…What?”

 

“Isn’t it? It’s our first Gate exploration experience. Neither Yu-jin nor I will ever forget it.”

 

“….”

 

“Oh, come to think of it, I remember. After teleporting, Yu-jin held me tight. He said he’d protect me first. He was so dependable and cool, Yu-jin~.”

 

Alice, too, was a master of the fight.

 

Rather than evading, she smiled and threw a counterattack.

 

Shia’s forehead vein twitched noticeably.

 

“True. Yu-jin, surprisingly, has a good body. I saw the muscles while he was washing… Ah. You haven’t seen it, have you? Sorry.”

 

“No, I’m more sorry. Shia, you’ve never been with Yu-jin as a colleague. I talked about something only I know.”

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

The atmosphere grew heavier with silence.

 

Though they were smiling at each other, it wasn’t a genuine smile.

 

And then…

 

-Slide.

 

‘…Yu-jin!!’

 

‘Speak of the devil, here he comes.’

 

The worst timing. The earnest young man appeared.

 

Alice and Shia lunged simultaneously.

 

The victory of this fight depended on Yu-jin.

 

-Hustle. Grab.

 

“Yu-jin! Let’s take a bath together, a bath!!”

 

“Join me for practical training in Gate extermination.”

 

“Alice? Shia?”

 

Suddenly, Yu-jin found himself holding flowers in both hands.

 

He was simply flustered.

 

No. It was already a tough morning because of the mentor.

 

What are you two talking about from the morning?

 

I’m getting exhausted- he thought.

 

“Well, uh, can we talk about this after you let go? What’s going on?”

 

“In Korea, really close friends take baths together! As comrades of Pine Leaf! Let’s take a bath and see Pine Leaf’s eyes together!”

 

“You need practical experience. Not just fighting alone, systematic and specific Gate strategies. I’ll stick with you and teach you.”

 

-Soft.

 

“First, let go and let’s talk.”

 

“You said you were going to the movies with Shia this weekend, right? Let’s go to the spa together. We are comrades of Pine Leaf, right? Right?”

 

“Why? Alice hugged you so much at the Gate. Don’t you want to go with me?”

 

“Well, I need some time to think….”

 

-Soft soft.

 

“I’m not letting go until you answer!”

 

“Yu-jin. Answer.”

 

Shia and Alice had no intention of letting him go.

 

It was embarrassing to have their arms linked around his chest without shame.

 

And Yu-jin…

 

‘Why are they like this? It’s just like before I regressed, when they clung to me for more attention… Do they already like me? So they’re jealous.’

 

-Ding.

 

[Skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ is momentarily contemplating quitting everything.]

 

[Skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ slaps its cheeks and steadies its resolve.]

 

[Skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ is activated.]

 

‘That can’t be. What is it? Did they fight?’

 

With a flushed face, he blinked.

 

He was too sincere to be anything but pitiful.

 

* * *

 

Following the mentor, Alice and Shia clung to me from the morning.

 

My response to that was…

 

‘I’ve experienced this a lot before I regressed. This level of mediation is simple.’

 

“If our Alice wants to go, of course, we should go. I’ll talk to the Chairman about it.”

 

“Wow! Yu-jin, you’re the best!”

 

“Haa? I spoke first.”

 

“Shia, thank you too. You were trying to take care of me because you thought I might be lacking, right? That’s cute of you. Really.”

 

“…N-no, that’s not it, you idiot?!”

 

“Anyway. Since Shia said it like this, let me know anytime. I’ll be there right away.”

 

“Huh, huh. Well. Thank you.”

 

I simply accepted both of them.

 

Their requests didn’t overlap anyway.

 

Besides, they weren’t talking out of romantic feelings for me.

 

Why would I choose just one? I’d take both.

 

-Whisper whisper.

 

“My goodness. He’s taking it head-on.”

 

“Look at those angry girls melt with just one smile. That’s real hypnosis.”

 

“True. If someone like him smiled at me, my anger would disappear too.”

 

Watching me, the students murmured.

 

…Well. I might look like trash.

 

Saying I liked one of the three but doing this.

 

To others, I’d look like a jerk playing the field.

 

It’s only natural they’d curse me. Of course.

 

I couldn’t even refute it.

 

Because I actually was a piece of trash playing the field.

 

Unlike that, I intended to really date all of them. Anyway.

 

“Now, let’s sit down. The Chairman will be here soon.”

 

Instead of saying anything, I put on a shameless face.

 

I subtly pulled out chairs for both of them.

 

And naturally sat between them.

 

Seeing that, the people’s jeers…

 

-Step.

 

“Everyone, be quiet.”

 

‘Oh. Good timing.’

 

Before the jeers erupted, the Chairman appeared just in time.

 

Thanks to that, the buzzing classroom fell silent.

 

And then…

 

“Sorry, but another professor will substitute for my lecture this morning. Something urgent came up.”

 

“……?”

 

“A-class Awakener Seo Yu-jin. It’s a mission. Follow me.”

 

A mission suddenly came down.