Before arriving at school, in Joo Soohyuk’s air-stretched limousine.
Joo Soohyuk and Kim Chul were talking after setting the vehicle on autopilot to head for Eungwang High.
“…After lunch, I’m going with Euishin to Hongcheon to pick up Hyodon and Yoonseob. I’ll call you if I need anything. … Chul hyung?”
Kim Chul reacted belatedly to Joo Soohyuk’s call.
Joo Soohyuk’s personal bodyguard and secretary, Kim Chul.
At a young age, the talented man rose to such a high position solely because of his abilities.
However, Kim Chul has often been absent-minded recently.
“I apologize, young master. Can you repeat what you just said?”
“Yep! I’ll stop by the school to work on backlogs with the student council, and then for lunch…”
Without a hint of annoyance, Joo Soohyuk repeated his schedule again.
Kim Chul started taking notes with his device, but he still doesn’t seem to be completely focused.
‘Is Chul hyung thinking about that mysterious whistle again?’
After the Kimopolaea incident, Kim Chul often thought about that mysterious whistle.
While Joo Soohyuk was taking on some enemies on the rear side of the boat, a mysterious energy wave attacked the ship on its stern side.
It was the Joo-Oh and TC security team that took care of that energy wave.
‘In order to deflect the SSR rank energy wave, Chul hyung had to use an item.’
While the security team was dealing with the energy wave, Kim Chul and some of the others heard something.
It was the sound of a whistle.
Amid the threat of the energy wave that hit the ship, the moment they heard the whistle, they felt that the energy wave became stronger than usual.
‘…Considering the scale of the energy wave at that time, the security team who had no experience with dealing with it, couldn’t have prevented what happened.’
However, by some miracle, the security team was able to manage.
Although the whole team fainted after, the fact stands that they succeeded at what they needed to do.
It was regrettable that the recording devices at that time didn’t properly record what had happened.
And Kim Chul had doubts that what had happened wasn’t a miracle, but rather caused by something he doesn’t know.
Kim Chul seemed to believe that there was a mysterious force who disguised as one of the bodyguards and helped them.
‘The security teams suspected a higher being was involved in the incident. Chul hyung believes that there’s a real unknown hero who saved Kimopolea.”
After that incident, the security team became a hot topic along with the chaebol children who contained the enemy invasion.
It’s said that they received a bonus of 100 million won.
They were actually encouraged not to reveal the amount, but there were some of them who inadvertently opened the envelope containing the bonus in the presence of a reporter.
Through the gap in the envelope, a 100 million won check was seen.
The principled Kim Chul, knowing that he didn’t deserve the credit, refused the wealth and honor being given to him.
‘Even if something helped them that time just as Chul hyung thinks, the damage would’ve been much greater if the security team weren’t there.’
Although Joo Soohyuk said that to Kim Chul, the latter wasn’t convinced.
Even if he wanted to help Kim Chul find the hero that helped them, it’s quite impossible because the recording devices all malfunctioned and the hero left no trace at all.
So all Joo Soohyuk could do was thank Kim Chul even though he thinks that he doesn’t deserve the credit.
“See you later.”
“Have a good time.”
Even when he greeted Joo Soohyuk, it’s obvious that Kim Chul was still in agony but Soohyuk pretended not to see it.
‘It’s a relief that the weather’s good today. I’ll ride my board instead of going on an air shuttle.’
The weather was cool because of the recent typhoon, so he decided to move through campus with his air board.
While riding the board, Soohyuk was thinking about three possible routes to get to Tak Geosan and the others in Hongcheon.
Before he knew it, he’s already arrived at the student council office.
At the entrance, Soohyuk swiped his id card containing the entry permit code.
The monitor showed the number of people inside the office.
The number shown was 1.
There was already one person inside before Joo Soohyuk.
‘Oh? Who’s here?’
He recalled the student council chat room if anyone said that they’d be coming in today.
Because of the recent typhoon, he doesn’t remember anyone saying that they’d come to the office today.
To be fair, Soohyuk also just adjusted his schedule and came to the office earlier than he planned because the typhoon disappeared quicker than what was forecasted.
Thinking like so, Soohyuk entered the office.
Just as he did, his eyes met with none other than Oh Hyeji.
“Hello, Hyeji noona. …Oh?”
And the moment they made eye contact, a single tear fell from Oh Hyeji’s eyes.
* * *
I haven’t gained permission from them to come.
However, before I knew it, I was on my air board headed to the student council office.
“What happened to Oh Hyeji sunbaenim? Ah, you don’t need to answer if the question’s too sensitive.”
[That’s… I don’t know too. But I can’t just leave Hyeji noona alone…]
“Do we need to call Professor Ham Geunhyung?”
[I don’t think we need to call a teacher… Maybe.]
The adviser to the student council, also the homeroom teacher of First Year Class Zero, was Professor Ham Geunhyung.
He once suggested that I join the student council at the beginning of the semester, but unfortunately, it’s too late now.
‘If I knew that something would make Oh Hyeji cry like this, I would’ve joined the student council to be there for her!’
I pushed my regrets aside and tried to rack my brain.
I had no doubt that Joo Soohyuk would do a good job at soothing Oh Hyeji, but there could still be something that I could do for her.
Fortunately, before arriving at the office, I thought of a breakthrough idea.
“I want to say something to Oh Hyeji sunbaenim…”
Joo Soohyuk seemed surprised at what I said, to which he replied a simple ‘okay’.
When Soohyuk relayed my words, Oh Hyeji immediately expressed that she’d like to meet me.
As soon as I got off the air board, I saw Joo Soohyuk and Oh Hyeji coming to meet me.
“Euishin, is that true?”
Oh Hyeji’s eyes doesn’t seem to be very swollen, and her voice wasn’t weak either.
However, this façade wouldn’t fool me.
I spoke with hush indignation that I still don’t know everything.
“Yes. I had met her by chance.”
“You’re sure that Hyejung unnie is healthy and well?”
Oh Hyeji’s biological sister, Oh Hyejung who I met at April Clan’s mansion.
‘I know how to contact Oh Hyejung. If something’s wrong with Hyeji sunbaenim, wouldn’t it be better for her to confide in her sister?’
That was what I said that Soohyuk relayed to Hyeji, to which she quickly agreed to meet me.
I unintentionally sold out Oh Hyejung, but I couldn’t help it.
Oh Hyejung also asked for me to contact her if anything happens to Oh Hyeji anyway, so I guess there’s no problem with what I’m doing.
“Yes, I saw her recently and she looked healthy. Shall we go inside and talk?”
As of the moment, there are still many people from Joo-Oh group who are looking for Oh Hyejung who broke her engagement with Joo Soogyeom.
Oh Hyeji knows this so she immediately closed the door and led us inside the office.
“I didn’t know that you know Hyejung noona, Euishin.”
“We just met by chance recently. She knew that I was a student from Eungwang High and she asked me how Hyeji sunbaenim was doing.”
“I’m glad that my unnie is alright.”
Oh Hyeji’s eyes seemed to turn red again, so Soohyuk and I turned silent.
“Ah, Hyejung unnie probably doesn’t contact me through my device because she knows that someone could easily tap into our call, right? As expected, my unnie is very smart.”
Hyeji noticed us being silent.
She immediately felt sorry and tried to speak in a positive voice.
We soon moved to the conference room that we were able to access thanks to Hyeji’s ID card/badge.
On one side was Oh Hyeji, while Soohyuk and I sat opposite her.
“May I ask what happened?”
“Hyeji noona, if there’s anything I can do for you, I’ll do it. Please feel free to tell me anything.”
Oh Hyeji hesitated for a second before answering.
“Euishin seems to be close enough to Hyejung unnie to know her device code…”
After briefly mentioning the events of Hyejung’s engagement, Oh Hyeji said that Joo-Oh Group had been making plans to connect Joo Soohyuk and Oh Hyeji.
“It’s been less prominent after the Kimopolea incident and…”
“…That’s because of me.”
“What?”
Oh Hyeji blushed a little after hearing what Joo Soohyuk said.
She fiddled with the sand pink leather strap of her wristwatch.
“Do you remember how Soogyeom oppa got hurt because he covered for me?”
Joo Soohyuk nodded.
“After that, I often met with Soogyeom oppa. I visited him in the hospital, had a meal with him, and… He only had to receive one recovery item at the hospital so I could only visit him that one time. I even got a watch as a gift in return for visiting him.”
Is that an order-made watch from Neuru?!
I think the person who gave that gift is very attracted to her…
And to think that it was none other than Joo Soogyeom!
Joo Soogyeom; Joo Soohyuk’s sixth cousin who almost got married to Oh Hyejung.
He looked quite similar to Soohyuk, which means that his appearance was quite flawless as well.
He had some skills similar to Soohyuk’s, and he used them to protect Oh Hyeji.
He was a direct descendant of the current chairman of Joo-Oh group, and there’s almost no scandal that surrounds his name.
On top of that, his work ethic and performance were excellent.
‘My playable character is being linked to that ‘bloodless and tearless workaholic’… Oh Hyeji, what a waste!’
Recalling Oh Hyejung’s criticisms of Joo Soogyeom, my dislike of the guy intensified.
On the other hand, Joo Soohyuk was quickly blinking his eyes as if he had no clue about everything.
“Since I often met with him, those senile people tried to connect me with Soogyeom oppa.”
Joo Soohyuk looked stunned.
“But Soogyeom hyung and Hyeji noona’s age gap is more than ten years! And noona, you’re still in high school…. I’ll make sure to speak up on this matter. Hyeji noona, I’m sorry I didn’t know about this earlier.”
I don’t think that was the reason why Oh Hyeji was crying though.
Although Joo Soohyuk was a perfect title hero, he doesn’t seem to be very much well-versed in relationship issues.
Oh Hyeji spoke again with a tearful face.
“…Yes. That’s what Soogyeom oppa and I thought too.”
Joo Soohyuk belatedly realized that he had made a mistake.
“The last time we ate together was last week, and he told me several times that he only sees me as a dongsaeng. And today… I heard that he’s going to draw the line next month.”
Oh Hyeji lowered her head and fiddled with her wristwatch.
Joo Soohyuk couldn’t say anything, as if he was confused because he didn’t understand the current situation right away.
It was Oh Hyeji who broke the silence.
“Well… Hmm, I’m a bit embarrassed that I opened this up to my hoobaes. Hahaha, this is why I said I wouldn’t tell you!”
“I’m sorry.
Oh Hyeji smiled brightly when Joo Soohyuk apologized.
She then looked at me and spoke.
“Can I contact Hyejung unnie? It’s been a long time since I talked to her. I think I’ll feel much better if we talk.”
“You can use my device.”
“Thank you, Euishin.”
I entered Oh Hyejung’s device code and lent it to Oh Hyeji.
We quietly left her behind for some privacy.
“Oh… shall we go somewhere else?”
“Yeah.”
After talking with Joo SOohyuk in the lobby on the sofa for about 30 minutes, Oh Hyeji appeared again.
Oh Hyeji’s face looked relieved, but she also looked tired.
“Hyeji noona, I’ll take you home.”
“If you do, what are those people going to do next? I’ll be fine on my own, so go on with your plans for today. I’ll take care of your work too, Soohyuk.”
“Don’t you think you should go home early for today?”
“I came here because I didn’t want to stay at home.”
I couldn’t help but feel for Hyeji saying that.
She’s quite stubborn, so we just headed out in the end.
I could see that Joo Soohyuk’s footsteps were heavy.
‘There’s nothing I can do for my playable character right now…!’
Whatever his intentions were, I felt resentment and anger towards Joo Soogyeom who made Oh Hyeji cry.
I was also angry at myself for being clueless and asking her about it, which made her cry too.
While I was in the middle of hating myself, my device rang to let me know that I received a message.
I lost my words when I saw the message window.
[Oh Hyejung] Thank you, Euishin. Thanks to you, I was able to talk to Hyeji. If anything happens to her again, contact me right away.
[Oh Hyejung] Now I’m on my way to kill Joo Soogyeom ^^.
