A Surprise Attack [Illustration]
Whether or not the incident at the Sunhwan Cha family threw the world into an uproar,
not wanting to invite unnecessary suspicion, we pretended to be indifferent to worldly affairs and kept as much distance from it as possible.
We also happened to have the convenient excuse of needing to prepare for final exams.
‘Judging by how she called Hanbyeol and me in separately and lightly hinted at it, the chairwoman seems to have noticed.’
Fortunately, just as expected, So Hyeyul did not take issue with our involvement in this incident.
Instead, she subtly made a show of how she had taken care of the aftermath for Kang Hanbyeol and me.
—So if you feel sorry toward me, focus on your life at the academy. Become excellent Hunters and bring honor to this academy someday. And don’t turn into villains, either. Also… please complete the final request properly. I’ll be looking forward to it.
So Hyeyul had merely shown us favor after weighing various gains and losses.
There was no way I wouldn’t know that, so I wasn’t fooled by her kindness.
Meanwhile, it was around then that I heard the news that a new head of the Sunhwan Cha family had taken office, and that the previous head, Cha Taein, had been brutally murdered.
From what I heard, the Sunhwan Cha family and the Hunter Association were presuming it to be the work of the First Spirit.
‘They probably phrased it as “presuming” because they can’t find the First Spirit, but it’s probably right.’
The First Spirit bore a deep grudge against the Sunhwan Cha family, especially against its head.
So it had more than enough motive to kill the family head.
In fact, in the game, the First Spirit killed Cha Taein immediately after seizing Cha Eunsol’s body.
‘Even so, I didn’t think it would tear a person to pieces and kill him….’
Unlike Cha Eunsol, who had been expelled from the family, Cha Eunseo was still a member of the Sunhwan Cha family, so I was able to learn the details through her, and I couldn’t help but click my tongue.
It was no wonder people were trembling in fear, saying the First Spirit might as well have become an evil spirit.
But this news was not noisily discussed at the academy.
By then, final exams had begun, and the instructors were cracking down as well.
‘The chairwoman must have taken measures.’
In truth, as the Sunhwan Cha family’s secret was exposed to the world, Cha Eunsol and Cha Eunseo, along with the other members of the Sunhwan Cha family, had to endure cold treatment and ostracism from the students.
My friends, the student council, and I stepped in to improve the situation somehow, but the results were not particularly good.
However, at some point, the instructors began actively intervening, and things improved even if only a little.
Thanks to that, we were able to set aside some of our worries and take our final exams.
“Nom nom. As expected, food tastes best after an exam.”
“What a load of crap. Say that after you’ve actually studied. And you think everything tastes good no matter when you eat it.”
“I studied hard this time….”
The second day of finals.
After finishing the afternoon exam, we ate dinner at the cafeteria overlooking the indigo lake.
Sitting side by side, Min Arin and Cha Eunsol chatted about nothing in particular.
Having grown used to the sight, we let out chuckles.
‘By the way….’
I couldn’t help grumbling at Cha Eunsol.
Not only had she already slurped down who knew how many bowls of noodles, she was also neatly eating buckwheat crepes.
“There’s no elephant like you…. You’re going to drink coffee after eating this too, right? And dessert?”
“Nom? Don’t ask the obvious. It’s common sense to cleanse your palate with something sweet after a meal.”
“That’s not cleansing your palate in your case.”
Cha Eunsol, who had been expelled from the Sunhwan Cha family, was currently receiving my sponsorship.
If the Singeom Do family sponsored her, there was a chance it might rub the Sunhwan Cha family the wrong way.
So she was living with a card linked to my account, but…
‘No matter how I think about it, isn’t her spending way too high?’
Cha Eunsol was a money-eating hippo… no, an elephant.
I could only hope she would learn from Yeon Haneul, who even tried to save her sponsorship money.
A sigh escaped me.
“If it had been anyone other than me, you wouldn’t have been able to eat like that. Be grateful.”
“Eunbi said that’s gaslighting. Still, I know I should be grateful. That’s why, even though I hate it, I’m attending class properly and studying and training hard.”
“That’s what a student is supposed to do in the first place, you know?”
“Don’t say stuff like that. It makes you look weak.”
“….”
“Eunbi taught me that last time. Nom. I’ll give you a buckwheat crepe.”
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll enjoy it. Though it’s basically me paying for my own food.”
Having control over Cha Eunsol’s funding meant I could make her do as I pleased.
Taking the buckwheat crepe she handed me, I decided to think positively.
That was when I felt a gaze from beside me.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
Yeon Haneul was looking at me with a dissatisfied expression.
Then she muttered.
“It just feels like you’ve gotten pretty close with Eunsol lately.”
“…Surely not closer than I am with you?”
“Well, true.”
Yeon Haneul’s jealousy was simply adorable.
Shrugging, I placed half of the buckwheat crepe on her plate.
Then her expression quickly softened, and she smiled.
After that, we moved to a café and devoted ourselves to studying for exams.
‘Come to think of it, there isn’t much time left. It was this Saturday, wasn’t it?’
There was still one event left to resolve in the second semester of our first year.
Nam Yuri’s villain conversion event.
Preparations had long since been completed.
* * *
The sixth day of finals.
After finishing the exams that continued until Saturday, Nam Yuri got ready to make contact with the villains.
She opened her wardrobe.
“Seorang unni told me to wear dark clothes that wouldn’t stand out…. Hmm, what should I wear? Maybe I should’ve asked Eunbi-kkabi for a recommendation?”
Her wardrobe was filled with clothes she had picked out together with her friends.
Compared to the days when she had only had identical white dresses and her uniform, it was a very clear change.
Remembering that those days had been at the start of her enrollment, the corners of Nam Yuri’s mouth rose for no reason.
‘When this is over, should I ask Eunbi-kkabi and the others to go shopping for clothes? Once vacation starts, I won’t be able to see them for a while….’
She hoped that from now on, she could continue filling not just her wardrobe, but her room, with clothes bought together with her friends.
As if stacking up memories one by one.
Nam Yuri wished for that inwardly.
Soon, while rummaging through her wardrobe, she found clothes she liked.
“Yeah, this should do!”
They were the clothes she had worn not long ago to hide her identity when she and her friends infiltrated the Sunhwan Cha family’s ancestral mountain in the middle of the night.
Vividly recalling that time, Nam Yuri giggled and changed her clothes.
Then she headed to the meeting place so she wouldn’t be late.
“Seorang unni, hi.”
“Yuri, you’re here. You didn’t feel anyone following you on the way here, did you?”
“Nope! Of course not! Who do you think I am? I moved without anyone noticing!”
The villains who had disguised themselves as guest instructors, and the students who had decided to convert.
They met in a freight warehouse not far from the warp gate terminal.
After entering the warehouse and greeting Gil Seorang first, Nam Yuri discreetly observed them.
‘There are a lot.’
The villains had infiltrated not only Geumgang Academy, but also many other academies in Academy City.
As a result, the people gathered there seemed to have come from various places.
Glancing at the villains and students wearing uniforms from other academies, Nam Yuri sank into thought.
‘According to Seorang unni, there are other contact points besides this one…. Taking that into account, they’re organized. I heard ordinary villains usually act alone because they’re even more self-assertive than Hunters. And yet, the fact that they’re showing this much collective behavior means they follow their leader that much. So the rumor that the Mainhoe unified villain society really wasn’t a lie.’
Compared to that, what about Hunters?
Unless they belonged to a clan or family, it could be said that their solidarity as Hunters itself was lacking.
On top of that, recently, trouble had arisen within a prestigious spirit arts family as well.
If Hunters and villains were to wage an all-out war in a situation like this…
‘Could the Hunters win? While protecting people?’
Nam Yuri was skeptical.
That was when Gil Seorang approached.
“I understand you’re curious about who’s here, but don’t stare too much.”
“….”
“Everyone’s sensitive to gazes.”
Gil Seorang quietly whispered from behind.
Startled for an instant by her presence, Nam Yuri answered briefly, “Okay,” trying not to reveal her agitation.
Fortunately, Gil Seorang, who had approached from behind, did not seem to notice.
‘Seorang unni was in intelligence. She appeared so suddenly I almost reacted.’
Naturally, there were villains present whom Nam Yuri as she was now could not defeat.
Nam Yuri decided to be careful so that she would not pointlessly stir their suspicions and disrupt the operation.
Not long after that.
“Looks like everyone’s gathered. Good to see you.”
“….”
Someone who had stepped onto a crudely made platform spoke to the crowd.
Nam Yuri, standing some distance away from the throng, looked at him.
“He’s the leader of our group. His alias is Poison Toad. Have you heard of him?”
“No. But I think I can guess what kind of person he is. He must be good at using toad poison?”
“That’s right. That’s why he’s called Poison Toad. His face looks exactly like one too. The origin of his alias is….”
Gil Seorang, standing beside her, whispered into her ear.
While nodding at her explanation, Nam Yuri listened closely to Poison Toad’s speech.
“You must have suffered so much, living under the oppression of this world. You must have questioned yourself at the most fundamental level and even had thoughts that denied your very existence. I am different. I am not ordinary. I cannot live like you. Some of you must have thought that. Or perhaps you thought the world refused to recognize you.”
“….”
“But now, it is all right. Rejoice. For that person will set you free.”
If it had been Nam Yuri before she began spending time with her friends,
she would have sympathized with Poison Toad’s speech and converted into a villain.
That was how dissatisfied she had been with the environment surrounding her, and with the world itself.
To the point that she had wanted to destroy everything.
She couldn’t deny that those feelings had not disappeared entirely even now.
Even so…
‘I don’t want to leave them.’
The time she spent with her friends was enjoyable.
For Nam Yuri, who had needed to kill something in order to feel that she was alive, it was a fresh experience.
In those moments, she truly felt that she was alive, and absurdly enough, she felt grateful to the world.
That was why.
“Seorang unni, I’m sorry.”
“What? Why are you apologizing all of a sudden…?”
Even after hearing Poison Toad’s speech, Nam Yuri did not waver in the slightest.
Confirming that the plan had ripened, she used the artifact she had prepared in advance to contact Do Gyeonwoo’s group.
[Now.]
By the time Gil Seorang reacted, it was too late.
The moment Nam Yuri activated the artifact, the protective magic guarding her activated.
Furthermore, using the artifact as coordinates…
a subspace opened in midair.
From within it, Do Gyeonwoo’s group, the instructors, and the Hunters appeared.
The hall was transformed into a battlefield in an instant.
* * *
The surprise operation succeeded.
Having identified the villains’ contact point beforehand through Nam Yuri’s information, we had been waiting nearby, and the moment we received her signal, we moved.
Infiltration was not difficult.
All we had to do was comfortably cross through the subspace created by Lisa’s Gift.
‘For some reason, lately it feels like I’ve been using Hanbyeol and Lisa as means of transportation…. Must be my imagination.’
If I were to give Kang Hanbyeol and Lisa nicknames, wouldn’t Hanbyeol Taxi and Lisa Shuttle be good?
Since I was already being random, to add an unnecessary aside, those two were people I wanted to keep by my side for life, even if I had to hire them with money.
Aside from my family and Haneul, the first people who ever made me think that way were probably those two.
‘I’ll have Haneul manage the household, leave the chauffeur duties to Hanbyeol, and make frequent use of Lisa when it’s urgent…. Would it be rude to use a princess as a shuttle? Well, who cares? This is Korea, not the Empire. And I’ll have that glutton Cha Eunsol live out in the yard.’
For a bird’s-eye view I had imagined on the spot, it didn’t seem bad.
I naturally found myself feeling pleased.
In any case, I needed to focus on the battle for now.
“It’s no use running! Sword and Shield have already surrounded the area!”
“Damn it! How did you bastards find this place…? It’s the Hunters! Cut them all down!”
At present, friend and foe were mixed together in battle inside the warehouse.
Curses and shouts flew back and forth everywhere.
Everyone was in an agitated state.
My friends and I, Do Sieun and the student council, calmly matched our movements so we wouldn’t get swept up in the flow.
Among them were Seong Dasom and Eun Suhyeok, who were in the middle of receiving the student council handover.
“How dare criminals like you infiltrate my Academy. As next year’s Student Council President, I cannot forgive you.”
“Seong Dasom, don’t step too far forward. I’ll take the vanguard, so basically you stay in the back… Ha… She really doesn’t listen to a word, does she.”
Seong Dasom boldly leaps into the villains.
Eun Suhyeok, his face scrunched as if he had a headache, reluctantly follows after her.
I looked at the two of them fighting while complementing each other and let out a bitter smile.
“With Senior Dasom and Senior Suhyeok… I guess I don’t need to help.”
With the Gun-Cheong Sword switched to reverse-edge, I rendered a certain villain unconscious and surveyed my other friends.
They were also demonstrating skills that didn’t lose to the enemies.
So I thought there’d be no problem even if I didn’t worry, but….
‘Huh?’
It was when my gaze went to Nam Yuri.
I caught a woman secretly approaching her, taking advantage of the chaotic battlefield.
The woman was Gil Seorang, who had suggested defection to her.
‘Dangerous.’
Nam Yuri seemed too focused on other enemies to notice Gil Seorang.
I hurriedly raised my voice to make her aware of the woman’s presence.
“Nam Yuri!”
“…!”
Damn, too late.
By then, Gil Seorang, having closed the distance to point-blank range, charged wielding her sword.
Nam Yuri, swinging her scythe at the enemy in front of her, finally noticed her and seemed flustered.
Her gray eyes went wide.
And then, finally….
“You ruined everything! You bitch!”
Stab!
“I adored you so much!”
Right where the heart should be.
Gil Seorang stabbed Nam Yuri.
Without question, we were startled and quickly ran to her as her body tilted.
Right then.
“I’m fine.”
As if comforting us.
Nam Yuri, her gaze toward us, coughed up blood.
She smiled brightly.
“My heart isn’t there, you see.”
“…!”
Nam Yuri retrieved the massive Side. While collapsing, she twisted her body.
Rotating with one foot as her axis, she swung the Side with all her might.
Immediately after, Gil Seorang’s head flew into the air.
I Became the Mid-Boss’s Childhood Friend
(255) [Illustration]
The tide of battle favored our side, who had caught the enemies off guard and forcefully carried out a surprise attack.
As a result, we could subdue them without significant damage.
‘It looks like no one was seriously hurt. …Except for Yuri.’
For some reason, the fact that Nam Yuri had been stabbed remained unchanged.
And it was none other than the heart area at that.
She might not care, but there was no way we wouldn’t worry.
Having finished the battle, we rushed to her as if by appointment.
“Guys! Didn’t I fool them well? How was it!? I got them good from behind, didn’t I? I did good, right!?”
“You really… have no fear. Do you know you almost died?”
“You little… what do you mean ‘well done’! You made us worry! Let me see. Are you really okay?”
“Yuri, show me the wound. Your clothes are soaked in blood; there’s no way you’re fine. You probably just don’t realize it right now because of adrenaline. You need to be treated quickly.”
Nam Yuri welcomed us brightly.
I couldn’t help but sigh, looking at her smiling as if something was so good.
On the other hand, Go Eunbi, though angry, tried to check her injuries because she was worried about her physical condition.
Lisa also busily moved to treat her.
The others were busy looking after her too.
“I’m fine, I’m fine! I’m telling you I’m fine, okay? Eunbi-kkabi, I’m daijōbu! I’m really okay, you know?”
“What daijōbu at a time like this!? Stop joking around and get treated by Lisa.”
“That’s right, Yuri. You were stabbed by a knife. If by any chance an artery was hit….”
Surrounded by us, Nam Yuri couldn’t stop laughing.
At this rate… she was definitely out of her mind from excessive blood loss.
Or perhaps she’d been brainwashed.
Just when I was thinking that.
“Hmm… if you don’t believe me, I have no choice but to show you directly. Here, look!”
“…!”
Suddenly, Nam Yuri lifted her black sweater up to cover her face.
We couldn’t help but be surprised by her action.
‘A yellow br—’
“Gyeonu, don’t look. Same for the other boys. Everyone close your eyes. Quickly.”
“….”
Yeon Haneul hurriedly covers my eyes.
I felt a strange regret, but I remembered the scene I had glimpsed for an instant.
‘There was no wound.’
Nam Yuri’s left chest area only had bloodstains remaining; there was no stab wound from the knife.
As if it had healed in an instant.
It was nothing short of bizarre to me.
Unlike the men with their eyes closed, the women who had checked her body had similar reactions.
“How… can this be? How can there be no trace….”
Lisa muttered as if she couldn’t believe it.
Then Nam Yuri nonchalantly resolved our questions.
“I was born differently from you all. Through artificial modification… So my recovery is excellent.”
“I did know Yuri had extraordinary recovery, but… still, she was stabbed in the heart….”
“Heart? If it had been there, maybe something would have happened like Lisa said. But my heart isn’t there. I’m not joking, literally.”
“No heart… how can a person have no heart?”
“Hmm… maybe I’m not human?”
“…I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”
“Huh? Why are you sorry? You don’t have to do that at all! I’m just special, that’s all.”
“….”
“So… thank you.”
Without telling us what she was thankful for.
Nam Yuri quickly changed the subject and chattered away.
Because of that, we couldn’t ask her for the detailed circumstances.
Meanwhile, I fell into thought.
‘Nam Yuri has no heart? What does that mean?’
It’s a setting not mentioned in the game.
I never knew there was information hidden about Nam Yuri that I didn’t know.
‘According to the setting, Yuri was created by alchemy in her family… Is that why she has no heart?’
I don’t know.
Judging from the atmosphere just now, Nam Yuri didn’t seem to want to talk about it.
I decided to be considerate of her for now and not press further.
“Gyeonu, Gyeonu! Hanbyeol, Dubyol! Guys! You can open your eyes now! I got dressed!”
Shortly after, Yeon Haneul’s hand fell away.
Nam Yuri had returned her clothes to their original state.
She proposed in a cheerful tone.
“Our operation is all done, so let’s go eat and then clothes shopping! Winter is coming soon, and I don’t have winter clothes! I think I need to change out of what I’m wearing now too. So, okay?”
“What clothes at this hour. There probably aren’t many stores open…. Let’s just go drink today and buy clothes tomorrow.”
“Drinking? Drinking’s good too! And Gyeonu, Gyeonu! Aren’t you going to praise me? Aren’t you going to pat my head!”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it. Come here.”
* * *
The enemies flushed out by this operation were transferred to Shield and the Hunter Association.
I was informed of the progress by So Hyeyul; apparently, the two institutions were extracting information from them day and night.
The villains’ organizational structure, hideouts, the whereabouts of other comrades, etc.
―If we utilize the information obtained this time, we can deal a heavy blow to the villain forces. To the Mine Society as well. They established a large stronghold at Chiak Mountain; I’m curious how they’ll react if we raid it. Hunters mostly fight defensively, so they couldn’t properly demonstrate their abilities….
―Which means there, we can fight without worrying.
―Yes, exactly. Rather, it would be the villains fighting defensively.
At that time, So Hyeyul, who had received me in the chairman’s office, looked to be in a good mood.
That was how satisfactory the gains from the operation had been.
Meanwhile, for the students who had succumbed to the villains’ enticement and decided to defect, it was decided they would be held back a year.
―Held back? Not suspended?
―Yes.
―They’ll have to redo the year; the punishment is harsher than I thought.
―Even if they didn’t commit a crime, defection is absolutely not something to be taken lightly. So in the board meeting, instead of suspension, which wouldn’t give them enough time to reflect, we decided on holding them back. Actually, we did consider expulsion….
―Then they might try to defect even more.
―Exactly. That’s also why we decided to keep them at the Academy so they can’t do anything rash. More than anything, they have room for improvement. That is the Academy’s role. However, this is only the Academy’s punishment….
―Which means there’s the Hunter Association’s punishment.
―Correct. The Hunter Association will probably send them to a reeducation facility until next semester begins. I also think it would be better for them to go.
―…So they lose their vacation. A bit pitiful.
―If they had defected, would they have had a vacation?
―That’s true.
―Anyway, that’s how it is, so I’m asking you. Please keep the fact that they almost defected a secret. For their sake, as they will continue their lives at the Academy from now on.
Then, So Hyeyul requested politely.
I nodded and accepted.
―I’m not that tactless either. Got it. So….
―So?
―Please assign my class well for next year.
―Ah… right, there was that. Bring me a list of how you want the next class assignments to be. Then I’ll hand it over to Secretary Chief Seunga.
―I figured you’d say that, so I already brought it. Please assign it like this. Put me in the same class as Haneul.
―Ah, yes…. You’re quick.
With this.
The possibility of my friends and me being scattered in next year’s second-year class assignments was blocked at the source.
―Right. Please keep this a secret too. Especially from Haneul. She likes romantic things.
―Of course it has to be a secret. So don’t go telling anyone either, Student Do Gyeonu. At that time, not just me but you and your friends could get in trouble too. By the way… I realize it every time, but Student Do Gyeonu really is a romanticist. Yeon Haneul must be happy.
―I am indeed a romanticist. When I do it, it’s all romance. There’s probably no one else like me?
―Ah, yes… is that so…. I somehow feel that a romanticist and a narcissist are but a hair’s breadth apart.
Meanwhile, Nam Yuri entered the Academy Store as a reward for her meritorious deed.
She chose a ring adorned with a purple gemstone similar to her eye color.
Jamming Amethyst.
The ring had magic built into it that interfered with casting within a certain range.
To her, who performed alchemy by clapping her palms, it was a useful artifact that did not become a disadvantage.
* * *
When was it.
Around the time I was preparing for the Geumgangje, I suppose.
Back then, Yeon Haneul had promised me.
―Do you… want to see me in a bunny girl outfit?
If I got good grades this semester, she would specially show herself in a bunny girl costume.
I remembered it clearly.
‘That’s why I studied so hard.’
Top of the first-year swordsmanship department.
Although I couldn’t make it into the top ten of the whole school, I thought this was a good enough grade.
Thus, I confidently demanded it from Yeon Haneul.
―Show me, the bunny girl.
―What? Huh? Hm? Ah… now that I think of it, I did make such a promise….
―Don’t tell me you forgot?
―…Can’t we do something else?
―Are you going to toy with my pure heart like that?
―Noo… thinking about it again, that’s too embarrassing….
―Haneul, I’m disappointed. I studied hard because of you.
―…Did you really study because of me?
―Obviously.
―Your intentions are way too impure…. Sigh, fine. A promise is a promise. But….
―But?
―…I’ll decide what to wear. I’m really embarrassed, okay?
―Hmm… that’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped. On the positive side, it’s like a surprise gift, so that might be nice too….
―Ugh….
Yeon Haneul, who had been hesitant about my request, ultimately couldn’t refuse.
And so, finally.
“Haneul, it’s me.”
“Yeah…. The door’s open, so come inside.”
The day I received my gift arrived.
That evening, having received contact from Yeon Haneul, I quickly headed to her room.
Then, not wanting to be noticed by those around me, I swiftly opened the door and went inside.
“Haneul?”
“I’m in the room….”
I take off my shoes and step inside.
I walk down the hallway leading to the bedroom.
Soon, upon entering the bedroom.
“….”
“H-How is it…?”
I could take in Yeon Haneul standing in an awkward posture.
In an instant, I was dumbstruck.
“G-Gyeonu…?”
‘She even has a ribbon around her neck….’
Yeon Haneul, dressed in a black bunny girl outfit.
As if embarrassed, she gauged my reaction and shrank back.
At that, her exposed arms and stocking-clad legs faltered.
I slowly took a step toward her.
“Do I… look weird?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then why aren’t you reacting?”
“Uh… how am I supposed to react to this?”
Wow….
I could only stare at Yeon Haneul like a fool, my mouth hanging open.
“…I can’t believe it.”
“What?”
“That you’re my childhood friend.”
“….”
“I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“…How about this? Does it hurt?”
“Haneul, what do I do? It doesn’t hurt at all right now. Isn’t this a dream?”
“Sigh… then I guess I have to pull harder. How about it, does it hurt?”
“Yeah. I don’t think this is a dream. So could you stop pulling?”
Yeon Haneul grabbed my cheek and pulled it hard.
Only then did I come to my senses somewhat, rubbing my stinging cheek.
Then, as if asking for her permission, I carefully reached out.
I placed my hand on her shoulder.
“Do I really not look weird? How do I look?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as pretty as you in my entire life. You’re the prettiest. Really.”
“Pfft, you’re lying.”
“I’m not. I mean it.”
“Still… thank you for saying that. It feels good, like it was worth wearing this.”
Yeon Haneul was no longer embarrassed and looked up at me.
Her red eyes were like jewels.
Gazing into those trembling pupils, I felt as if my soul was being sucked in.
I moved my other hand as well, grasping her shoulder.
She didn’t resist, simply looking up at me quietly.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yeah, do it.”
Had our hearts aligned?
She nodded her head vigorously.
Inwardly cheering, I slowly pressed my lips to her forehead.
Then her eyelids, nose, cheeks, the nape of her neck….
I slowly made my way downward like that.
“Mmh.”
Yeon Haneul let out a nasal sound, as if tickled.
Before I knew it, she was leaning closely against me.
Her breath reached me.
It was so sweet.
“G-Gyeonu!?”
From the moment I saw Yeon Haneul in the bedroom,
my self-control had greatly deteriorated.
But at her breath just now, I finally lost the last of my restraint.
Unable to overcome the momentary temptation, I kissed her.
She tried to push me away reflexively, but gradually grew docile.
“….”
Blood boiled in my body.
At this soft warmth I was feeling for the first time, my reason felt like it would melt away.
How much time had passed?
‘Ah.’
When I came to my senses,
I was looking down at Yeon Haneul collapsed on the bed.
Her white and blue hair spread out broadly, making her stand out even more.
“S-Sorry, Haneul.”
“….”
Red eyes hazy with a languid air, as if unable to escape a dream.
If I kept looking into Yeon Haneul’s eyes like this, I felt like I would lose my reason again.
To keep from making another mistake, I hurriedly tried to rise.
The thought that I needed to get away from the bed quickly was overwhelming.
Just as I tried to pull back like that,
“…Huh?”
Yeon Haneul stretched out both arms.
She wrapped them around my neck and pulled me in close.
“…!”
Yeon Haneul pressed her lips to mine.
Her sudden action made my thoughts come to a halt.
Right then,
‘…Her tongue?’
Something soft and pliant, yet powerful, pried its way between my teeth.
It was a tongue.
Her tongue writhed like a snake, trying to entwine with mine.
‘I’m going crazy….’
I couldn’t maintain my reason.
To hell with it, I don’t care anymore.
Surrendering to the flow, I indulged in Yeon Haneul’s tongue.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss