Kim Shinrok looked determined.
I expected him to be worried, but it seems like in the short amount of time that I was in England, he already made up his mind.
‘He made a decision quicker than I thought.’
There are teachers in Eungwang High like Yong Jegun that do not have to hide their identities, but Kim Shinrok is not one of them.
I don’t know the exact reason for it, except that he simply doesn’t want to attract people’s attention or reveal that he’s a descendant of the Tiger and Bear Clans.
The important thing is that Kim Shinrok has kept his distance from fellow teachers and students to keep his identity hidden.
That was until Sung Gukeon, the student that followed him around, came into his life.
‘Even at the funeral of his fake identity, the student came to pay tribute and even fought with Yong Jegun. He followed him up to his memorial. Out of all things, that student is…’
The student representative 15 years ago, Sung Gukeon, was at the center of major changes in Eungwang High.
His eyes can discern people of royal lineage and their descendants, and he didn’t regard those people favorably.
I could only imagine how worried Kim Shinrok must be for Sung Gukeon, who is certainly an especially talented and influential player when he finds out his identity.
He was worried that he might cause trouble for the Tiger Clan.
But it’s possible that at his core, he was simply afraid that his student might hate him.
In the end, his choices led to Kim Shinrok losing his identity and his student, and Sung Gukeon losing his teacher.
‘Sung Gukeon would’ve been more reluctant to be with descendants and royal lineages because of that event. He thought Yong Jegun could’ve prevented his teacher’s death.’
The Black Screen, the group that is causing havoc in Korea, includes people of royal lineage like the Bear Clan and Jogangryeob.
Knowing that fact, Sung Gukeon had always been careful with his actions, wary of the royal lineage and their descendants.
Though his overly cautious attitude did more harm than good.
Every plan he made and executed excluded the royal lineage and descendants.
‘The scenario that led to Sung Gukeon’s death… He might’ve survived if he could’ve been helped by someone of royal lineage.’
In this world, Sung Gukeon showed signs of changing his mind when he met Ham Geunhyung in Hongcheon.
Just in time, Sung Gukeon was trying to approach a royal lineage.
That person is in this mansion and is very close to Kim Shinrok.
Based on those facts, I made a suggestion.
“What proposal are you talking about? I don’t think it’s related to Jo Euishin’s Replay function.”
“That’s right. If it was, I think Jeokho’s son would’ve hesitated more. He wouldn’t dare say it in front of us.”
Eunho deduced that Kim Shinrok’s words had nothing to do with the Replay function.
Not knowing how to explain my proposal, Kim Shinrok couldn’t speak right away.
I decided to help him.
“May I explain it?”
“…Please.”
Kim Shinrok spoke with a relieved expression.
With that, the attention fell on me.
“Alright. Let’s hear from Euishin hyung what proposal it is.”
As if expecting that our conversation would be long, Eunho prepared more helpings of tea.
While accepting the refilled teacup, I said something to Hwang Jiho.
“It’s my proposal, but I need your permission first, Hwang Jiho.”
“My permission?”
Hwang Jiho answered gladly as he gracefully put down his teacup.
“It’s our benefactor’s suggestion, and our descendant says he would accept it. I don’t intend to splash cold water on it. If it would pose no danger to you two, then I’ll allow it.”
He hasn’t heard what my proposal is, yet he’s already given his permission.
I thought he’d at least hear me out first, but anyway, I began to explain my proposal.
“It’s related to your alter ego at Gwangil Elementary School.”
“Hmm, does that alter ego has something to do with Kim Shinrok?”
“Indirectly.”
Hwang Jiho dispatched his alter ego to Gwangil Elementary School to deal with a teacher who ruined Hani and Dokgo Miro’s elementary school life.
Hwang Jiho showed his ability when Jeon Muyeong infiltrated the school with his Time Without Shadow light skill.
That made Jeon Muyeong wary, and Sung Gukeon started to become very interested in Hwang Jiho’s alter ego, even going as far as trying to contact him.
— Jeon Muyeong dug up this body’s address. It’s possible that we meet “by chance” near my house. For now, a subordinate playing the role of a fake parent has been dispatched on standby at the address. This body is currently away, staying at a relative’s house.
Hwang Jiho seemed to have deliberately avoided Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong so far.
When I asked if he had any intention of running into Sung Gukeon, he replied like this;
— For the time being.
My interpretation is that he didn’t intend to run into Sung Gukeon for the time being, but as time passed, he seemed to be very willing to meet him.
Sung Gukeon is yet to notice that Hwang Jiho, disguised as an elementary school student, is a royal lineage.
This is our opportunity.
‘The reason Sung Gukeon dispatched Jeon Muyeong is because of the missing teacher. He would’ve kept an eye on the teacher who escaped the law. If he finds out that Hwang Jiho took care of that matter, he might change his view on royal lineages.’
After all, the Hwangmyeong Group scored some good points on Sung Gukeon for helping a student recover her painting.
If he finds out that it was Hwang Jiho who was behind the punishment of the teacher, his view of the Tiger Clan might change.
That would do for now even if it’s not his perception of the whole royal lineage could be changed.
If that happens, there’s a high possibility that he’d favor the descendants of Tiger Clan as well.
“You’re planning to meet Sung Gukeon someday as your elementary student self, right?”
“I intend to. I can only avoid it for so long.”
With Sung Gukeon’s name now mentioned, it seemed like Hwang Jiho knew where this was going.
Hwang Jiho glanced at Kim Shinrok and smiled with his eyes bent.
“I think I know what your proposal is.”
“…”
“…What is the proposal?”
Kim Shinrok lowered his head to avoid Hwang Jiho’s gaze.
Jeokho urged me to reveal it, perhaps frustrated that he hasn’t figured it out yet.
“When Hwang Jiho’s alter ego and Sung Gukeon meet, I suggest Kim Shinrok be present there with them.”
All the tigers responded favorably.
Eunho doesn’t know much about the relationships at play, but he must know how Sung Gukeon views people of royal lineage.
Eunho and Hwang Jiho nodded, expressing their approval.
“That’s a great idea, son. Didn’t you always worry about this old pupil of yours?”
“…I’ll back down as soon as things look like it will cause trouble for the Tiger Clan.”
“What trouble are you talking about? Don’t worry about that. Oh, if your old student says something bad to you, I’ll scold him myself!”
Jeokho expressed his love for his son and spoke as if he would attack Sung Gukeon at any moment.
Kim Shinrok shook his head as he rejected Jeokho’s overprotective remarks with a red face.
“Then I’ll have to prepare for it soon. Although Sung Gukeon investigated my alter ego’s identity, he didn’t identify my relatives up to the fourth-degree cousins. I’ll have to make things up in moderation.”
Kim Shinrok is likely to meet Sung Gukeon as a relative of elementary school student Hwang Jiho.
Sung Gukeon and Kim Shinrok met at the airport not too long ago, I wonder what he would think if they meet like that?
It’s not likely that Sung Gukeon and Jeon Muyeong would see it as a mere coincidence.
No, I think it’s possible that they’d believe it, given Jeon Muyeong’s great trust in Kim Shinrok.
After my birthday celebration and short tea time at the annex, I expressed my intention to go back to the dormitory.
However, I was caught by Eunho naturally.
“Please go to sleep. We had a lot to discuss today, but we couldn’t talk about them all.”
Tomorrow is Monday so I have to go to school.
As if he sensed what excuse I’d give, Eunho preempted me.
“We have to save time. Hwangho-nim has a lot of extra uniforms, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Do you need something other than your school uniform? I’ll send a subordinate to your dormitory.”
Eunho and Hwang Jiho said so, but it was my angel who hit the nail in the coffin.
Whimper…
Olmu was holding a pillow in his mouth that was the perfect size for him.
It’s clear that my angel showed his genius to urge me to sleep with him
Eventually, I ended up staying in the tigers’ mansion.
Hwang Jiho, Jeokho, and Kim Shinrok went back to the main building, while Eunho, Baekho-gun, and Olmu stayed.
“I heard that you have a bedroom in the main building, but this annex also has an extra room. Hwangho’s mansion is spacious, and it’s nice that there are many places you can stay in.”
I’ve never heard of having my personal bedroom in the main building of the mansion.
Is he talking about the guest room that I sleep in often?
Not just anyone sleeps in the tigers’ mansion, so I guess that room was designated to be my bedroom now.
Even if the intention behind it isn’t deep, don’t I have to organize that room later on?
Woof woof!
With the pillow now on his back, Olmu barked cutely at the room where I’m supposed to sleep.
Well… I like it because my angel likes it!
If anything, I want my room to be Olmu’s room too.
Olmu took the lead as he circled around me and Baekho-gun.
“…”
“Baekho-nim, are you staying in the annex today?”
“Yes.”
It seems like Baekho-gun has a bedroom in Eunho’s annex too.
Eunho looked lost in thought for a moment.
“You’re very busy searching for Sanryeong every night. Do you have any leads?”
Has Baekho-gun been chasing after Sanryeong all this time?
Just before Eunho woke up, Sanryeong did something very suspicious.
That day in the Silver Hall’s basement, Sanryeong placed a branch of the Cheondansu on Eunho’s body.
‘…And then Eunho suddenly opened his eyes.’
Not only that, but when I first met Sanryeong in Cheonik Mountain, he urged me to put my hand on the bark of Cheondansu.
It’s a fact that Sanryeong has a deep connection with the Cheondansu.
The problem is something else.
‘The Destiny skill activated each time.’
Destiny is activated in various situations, but it has always been activated when Sanryeong is in conjunction with the Cheondansu.
It could be possible that Sanryeong is tied to the energy of the universe.
‘I’m sure Sanryeong knows something.’
It’s very suspicious, but he hasn’t done any harm, so far.
On top of that, the Destiny skill activated on other important events too, so I haven’t paid much attention to Sanryeong so far.
It may be time to dig into his real identity, intention, and purpose.
“You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll take care of it myself. Keep doing what you want to do and what you have to do.”
Baekho-gun suddenly spoke as if he read my thoughts.
‘I think I’ve heard similar things a few times now…’
I couldn’t ignore my main playable character who spoke with such consideration.
Eunho, who was beside him, added something.
“Yes, Euishin hyung. Baekho-nim and I will take care of Sanryeong. Take a rest for today.”
Baekho-gun and Eunho saying those things made it difficult for me to come forward now.
I tried to think a little more before I went to sleep, but having Olmu in my arms, I immediately felt sleep come to me.
I eventually couldn’t resist slumber and I fell into another dreamless sleep.
