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Do Wonwoo was acting strange.
No, actually, he was normal.
Because Do Wonwoo was always ugly and weird when it comes to Yoo Sanghee.
Among his acquaintances, only Joo Soohyuk from the student association doesn’t notice his weirdness.
Because that guy was clueless about the world of dating.
It was the student association members who noticed Do Wonwoo’s change first.
“…He was fine again today.”
“Did he magically grow up after the exchange match?”
“Yeah, his graduation is just around the corner too.”
“He’s gonna be succeeded by Yeom Junyeol as the student representative soon too.”
There were plausible opinions here and there, but the theory that Do Wonwoo suddenly grew up one day quickly collapsed.
He was too “business-like” toward Yoo Sanghee.
At that point, even Yoo Sanghee must’ve noticed Do Wonwoo’s change, but she seemed distracted by something else and had no time to pay attention to such petty things.
The student association had a lot of overtime work, but when the two were away, someone would talk about them carefully.
“Did he lose interest in Sanghee?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well then someone must’ve taught him the “push and pull” game wrong. He’s the only one pushing.”
“So Wonwoo hyung is pushing her away?”
When the push-and-pull theory became more likely, someone expressed opposition.
“That’s not possible.”
It was the former vice representative and Do Wonwoo’s best friend, Ji Myungsoo.
The Do Wonwoo that he knew was a smart person turned stupid.
Do Wonwoo was so intelligent but he acted like an elementary student on all things related to Yoo Sanghee.
It would’ve been cute if he was in elementary school, but it was ugly to see in a high school setting.
It might be different from the perspective of adults, but in the eyes of high school students, Do Wonwoo is an idiot who doesn’t know anything but cling.
He was an idiot to the extent that it never crossed his mind to act like a charismatic and perfect student representative or use his influence as TC Group’s heir to appeal to Yoo Sanghee.
Ji Myungsoo knows that Do Wonwoo doesn’t have the time nor the brains to pull the trick of playing hard to get.
“Myungsoo hyung, did you hear anything from Wonwoo hyung?”
“Nope. Something’s going on between those two, but that’s not it. About the next cheering squad…”
Ji Myungsoo took notice and immediately changed the topic.
Everyone seems to be curious and worried about Do Wonwoo, but Ji Myungsoo thought it was best to leave him be since they don’t have a clue about what’s going on.
‘Maybe it’s just temporary. Or maybe puberty just hit him late.’
Do Wonwoo already went through puberty, but Ji Myungsoo decided to think positively.
However, the situation got worse by the day.
Both Do Wonwoo and Yoo Sanghee looked nervous and exhausted.
They tried to hide it in front of the student association members, but everyone noticed it since they were all players and had spent a lot of time with the two.
“…Maybe Do Wonwoo sunbaenim is sick.”
“His family’s going through some trouble.”
“There’s always trouble with TC Group. He wasn’t like this even when TC Group’s name was on the headlines every day.”
“Maybe he’s been captivated by a superior being or a royal lineage.”
“Maybe that Do Wonwoo is a fake and the real Do Wonwoo is being held hostage in an otherworld?”
The worry of the student association members deepened.
Most of the people who immediately took notice of Do Wonwoo’s strangeness were the second and third-year students, but there was also a freshman among them — Ahn Dain.
‘Come to think of it, Dain has been taking care of those two.”
Ji Myungsoo thought that perhaps Ahn Dain was indebted in some way to Do Wonwoo, so he decided to ask.
A surprising answer came out.
“…I want to cheer on Do Wonwoo sunbaenim.”
Ahn Dain said so as she looked toward the building of the student association.
She’s probably thinking of Joo Soohyuk.
Maybe her feelings for Joo Soohyuk might be surfacing when she looks at Do Wonwoo, but Ji Myungsoo didn’t think so.
‘Isn’t Dain technically in a one-sided love too?’
Joo Soohyuk openly seems to like getting Ahn Dain’s attention, so her and Do Wonwoo’s positions were incomparable.
In any case, after Ahn Dain, more freshmen began to worry about Do Wonwoo and Yoo Sanghee, and so Ji Myungsoo decided to step up.
He convened the members of the student association except for Do Wonwoo and Yoo Sanghee.
Almost all the members responded to the convocation except for some who were busy with other activities.
Even before the meeting, the members knew why they were convened.
“I think something’s going on with Wonwoo and Sanghee.”
Ji Myungsoo’s words were just as the student association members expected.
As he stood in the center of the conference room of the student association hall, Ji Myungsoo went straight to the point.
“I want to help the two as a student association member and as their friend. But if it’s something that Wonwoo and Sanghee’s power combined cannot solve, then I can’t do it alone too. Lend me a hand.”
JI Myungsoo was one who was always happy seeing Do Wonwoo act all stupid in front of Yoo Sanghee, but he considered both of them as his precious friends.
In response to Ji Myungoo’s sincere words, all the student association members said that they’d help.
The student association members present had a better composition than some professional player teams.
Yeom Junyeol, who arrived late because of a personal schedule, also expressed his intention to help.
“Myungsoo hyung, I’ll help too.:
“Wonwoo has been so ugly to you yet… Thanks, Junyeol-ah.”
“Wonwoo hyung isn’t so bad based on my father’s story.”
Yeom Junyeol laughed off Wonwoo’s silliness as if he didn’t mind it.
The story of Yeom Bangyeol, a devoted husband and a fool for his son, was also famous in Eungwang High.
Yeom Bangyeol’s youth was similar to Do Wonwoo’s.
While Yeom Bangyeol eventually ended up with Yeom Junyeol’s mother, the end of Do Wonwoo’s unrequited love is unknown.
“Wonwoo has been digging into TC Research Institute lately.”
“Yoo Sanghee sunbaenim goes there after school too.”
The more they investigated, the more they knew that something was going on between them and the TC Research Institute.
Some time passed with the student association members paying attention to the TC Research Institute and the two.
And then, today, after school.
“Myungsoo-ah.”
Do Wonwoo called for Ji Myungsoo.
Looking at him, Do Wonwoo looked like he was preparing his heart.
Unlike his recent appearance of being distracted by something, Do Wonwoo was sharp today.
It was the face he makes just before entering an otherworld.
“Why?”
“This is my locker password.”
Do Wonwoo sent a hologram containing letters and numbers with no pattern.
It was really the password that Do Wonwoo uses.
Ji Myungsoo’s concern deepened.
“…Why are you giving this to me?”
“I haven’t been helping with student association work lately ‘cos I’m busy. If you can’t get in touch with me, you can open my locker to look. I’ve been keeping a personal activity log on a data chip there.”
Ji Myungsoo was sure that Do Wonwoo would do something today.
Just as Do Wonwoo said, he’s also sure that there’s a chip containing his daily activity log in his locker.
However, it also seemed to him that his friend’s will is included in that chip.
‘Wonwoo you crazy bastard, what the hell are you trying to do…!’
Ji Myungsoo took the password and feigned ignorance.
When they parted ways, Ji Myungsoo gathered all the student association members available today.
Among them were the most combat-capable players like Ji Myungsoo himself, Yeom Junyeol, Kwak Gyungu, and Ahn Dain.
“Yuri has class today so she can’t come. I’ll cover for her just in case.”
“Let’s consider the other members as backup. For now, I think the four of us are enough.”
With the words of Ahn Dain and Kwak Gyungu, the four decided to organize themselves as a party and look for Do Wonwoo.
If their number increases, Do Wonwoo would likely notice them.
And then, another variable came up.
“I told them that I have student association activities today. The one in charge of my security today just passed by and…”
“Don’t tell me…”
“So Jegun hyung… I mean Professor Yong Jegun found out everything and asked to go with us.”
Hwik!
Something descended from the air behind Yeom Junyeol.
It was Yong Jegun, the professor with long hair tied loosely.
“…I thought he’d stop us so I told him to come. Sorry.”
“Hi, guys. Ah, you didn’t get caught because of Junyeol. I knew Wonwoo and Sanghee are strange lately. I’ve been watching them closely too.”
Yong Jegun smiled ecstatically.
Seeing the relaxed dragon’s behavior, the other members seemed to have gotten ideas.
‘Professor Yong Jegun has everything we need.’
‘I’ll use 100 Seconds of Grace if something happens. In case of an emergency, we can use Professor Jegun as a shield.’
‘…Well, he’s making it seem fun so I guess we’ll be fine! I think Wonwoo would be safe with Yong-ssaem with us too.’
Yeom Junyeol was embarrassed, but Ahn Dain, Kwak Gyungu, and Ji Myungsoo decided to be optimistic.
Of course, the most optimistic of them all was Yong Jegun.
“Wouldn’t it be better to go quickly? I think Wonwoo’s at the research institute already.”
“…Let’s go.”
The party went to the TC Research Institute, and when they arrived…
A huge thunderstorm hit the institute.
Fwaak! Shwwaaal
Beyond the transparent space deployed by Yong Jegun, a huge force engulfed the TC Research Insitute which soon fell into darkness.
Do Wonwoo’s fierce momentum caused everyone to lose their words and become impatient.
“Let’s go in! Arm yourselves, everyone!”
Just before Ji Myungsoo tried to charge in, Yeom Junyeol stopped him.”
“Wait!”
“Is it urgent? Let’s discuss inside.”
However, Ji Myungsoo was caught by Yeom Junyeol again
“Wait, please. It’s urgent. I just got two messages.”
“What message?”
Yeom Junyeol looked half flustered and half beaming with joy.
“One was from Dongha. I asked Dongha something about TC Research institute before we left. According to him, there is a boundary and a secret research lab underground.”
“So Wonwoo is headed there… What about the other message?”
Yeom Junyeol chose his words carefully.
He seemed to be worried to make a slip of the tongue and cause harm to the person who sent him a message.
“The other is from someone that I respect. They know that Wonwoo hyung and our group are at the institute.”
“…Huh? They know we’re here?”
Ji Myungsoo was bewildered, while Yong Jegun smiled more ecstatically.
The student association members had an ominous feeling looking at Yong Jegun’s smile, but Yeom Junyeol’s voice and expression overflowed with faith and respect in the said person, so they decided to listen silently.
“That person asked for our cooperation.”
Over the screen that Yeom Junyeol was looking at was the message of Jo Euishin, the Red Wall Thief.
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