Entrance Ceremony
“Why… aren’t we in the same class…?”
“…”
“We’ve always been in the same class until now…”
Her rabbit ears were folding in half.
Yeon Haneul let out a long sigh, looking utterly dispirited.
A gloomy voice drifted from her as she stared down at the table.
“In sixth grade, in first year of middle school, second year, third year, we were always in the same class… I even prayed every night with the director, asking to be put in the same class as you…”
“Ah… You did?”
“Yesterday, I even set out a bowl of pure water in my room and prayed. I woke up this morning and did it one more time…”
“…”
So she had even prayed because she wanted to be in the same class as me.
I never imagined Yeon Haneul had been putting in that kind of effort without my knowing.
In my mind, I pictured her last night, drawing pure water, kneeling before the moonlit veranda, clasping her hands in desperate prayer.
The thought that my existence meant so much to her made me feel oddly embarrassed, yet proud.
At the same time, I found her adorable for believing that the miracle of us being placed in the same class had kept happening all this time.
‘Yeah, it’s better not to tell her. I’ll keep it a secret for the rest of my life.’
I did feel sorry, as if I were deceiving Yeon Haneul, who must have believed her prayers had reached the heavens.
In truth, the reason she and I had always been in the same class was because of my family’s influence.
With the power of the Divine Sword Do Family, it hadn’t been particularly difficult to have us enter the same middle school and be placed in the same class.
Since the elementary and middle schools we attended were sponsored by the family, they could never refuse.
So every year, I had asked Father, and Father had gladly granted my request.
The reason I never told her was because of her reaction.
—Ah, what a relief. We’re in the same class again. Take care of me this year too, Gyeonu.
—Yeah. Take care of me this year too.
—Seeing how we keep ending up in the same class, maybe we’re destined for each other. Right?
—…
I already knew the result, so I wasn’t worried, but Yeon Haneul was different.
On the day class assignments were announced, she would grow restless and anxious.
Then, when she confirmed that we were in the same class, all the anxiety would vanish from her face and she would rejoice.
Smiling brightly and radiantly.
Because of that, I just couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth.
—Make sure you don’t tell Haneul. That’s the secret to earning points.
—Yes, is there any need to say it? Don’t try to explain it in some pathetic way. Just let Haneul be happy.
There had also been my parents’ advice.
Sometimes, not saying something was a virtue, and explaining at length was uncool.
So I had kept it a secret.
‘If I could, I would’ve asked Dad to have us placed in the same class at the academy too…’
Unfortunately, that was impossible.
While the elementary and middle schools we had attended had been completely under the family’s influence, the academies in Academy City were entangled with many families and interest groups besides the Divine Sword Do Family.
Geumgang Academy was no exception.
In addition to the Divine Sword Do Family, it was sponsored by other members of the Ten Great Families as well.
Because of that, using the family’s power carelessly would draw attention.
At worst, we could be kept in check, and above all, there was a high chance we would fall out of favor with the chairwoman, So Hyeyul.
As one of the figures counted among the strongest in Academy City, she was someone even the Divine Sword Do Family could not touch rashly.
It would never happen, but we even had to consider the possibility that she might notify us she would no longer accept the family’s sponsorship.
Unlike when it had first been founded, Geumgang Academy, now regarded as the foremost academy in Academy City, could operate smoothly even without sponsorship from the Divine Sword Do Family.
If anything, other families might seize the opportunity to interfere.
“Why… How could this…”
Unaware of that background, Yeon Haneul was still looking sullen.
I comforted her.
“Don’t be too disappointed. Class lessons only take place in the morning anyway, and in the afternoon we each take classes freely, right? We can line up our schedules and have lunch together, or take classes together too. So don’t worry just because you ended up in a different class from me.”
“But still…”
Yeon Haneul pouted.
But since the result couldn’t be changed, she had no choice but to accept it eventually.
Soon, as if asking for confirmation, she said,
“You’ll really eat with me, right?”
“If we don’t have any special schedules, let’s eat together. Breakfast and dinner too.”
“You’ll take afternoon classes with me too, right?”
“I don’t think we can take all of them together, but let’s take them together whenever circumstances allow.”
“Phew… Okay. You promised, okay?”
After hearing my answer like that.
Yeon Haneul recovered somewhat.
Her rabbit ears gradually perked up.
Even so, having been placed in a different class from me, she still seemed worried.
I was a little worried too.
‘She’ll be fine even without me, right?’
I wasn’t exactly the sociable type either, but Yeon Haneul was even worse than me.
She was wary, extremely shy around strangers, and not the sort to start conversations first.
I was concerned about whether someone like her would be able to form good friendships with her classmates.
‘At the very least, it’d be nice if someone Haneul knows was in the same class…’
I didn’t know which classes the people in our group chat had been assigned to.
By now, everyone had probably received their class assignment results and was making noise in the chatroom.
Maybe someone had ended up in the same class as Yeon Haneul.
Just as I was about to check my messages.
“Ah, found you. Haneul! Gyeonu!”
“Thankfully, you haven’t left yet.”
“Did you two come to eat breakfast too?”
Go Eunbi and Lisa, carrying trays, came over after spotting us.
The two of them, wearing Geumgang Academy uniforms, looked exactly like the illustrations from the game.
Soon, each of them took a seat beside us.
As soon as Go Eunbi sat down beside Yeon Haneul, she brought up the topic right away.
“You two checked your class assignment results too, right? What classes are you in? I’m in Class 8!”
“I’m in Class 12.”
“Huh? Really? I’m in Class 8 too.”
“Kyaa! Really? Haneul, you’re in Class 8 too? Then we’re in the same class!? We can go around together from now on!”
“Wow, I’m jealous you’re in the same class. What class are you in, Gyeonu?”
“I’m in Class 17. I was wondering if there was anyone in the same class as Haneul, and you showed up at just the right time.”
It was lucky that Go Eunbi was in the same class as Yeon Haneul.
If it was her, I felt like I could entrust Yeon Haneul to her without worry.
“There was someone I knew…”
“You’re that happy to be in the same class as me? Haneul, you pretty thing!”
“Kyaa! E-Eunbi, don’t do this…!”
Yeon Haneul also seemed relieved to be in the same class as Go Eunbi.
Normally, she would have been flustered by Go Eunbi’s skinship, but for some reason, she quietly let it happen and even smiled.
Her words were refusing, but her face showed the opposite expression.
I chuckled as I watched the two of them press close together and rub against each other.
Meanwhile, Lisa, who was sitting beside me, seemed envious of them.
“That must be so nice… I wish I had ended up in the same class as someone I knew too…”
Lisa sounded regretful.
Letting out a sigh, she poured milk over her cereal.
Even the way she stirred it with her spoon exuded elegance.
I said to her,
“Even if there’s no one you know in your class, there should be quite a few good people.”
“Thank you for comforting me like that.”
“It’s not comfort.”
“I hope there are lots of good people in my class, just as you say, Gyeonu.”
Lisa didn’t seem to believe me, but.
As someone who had been a veteran player of the game in my past life, I knew who she would end up in the same class with.
‘If it follows the game’s flow, she’ll be in the same class as Gang Hanbyeol.’
Not only the game’s protagonist, Gang Hanbyeol, but Bak Sagun would also be assigned to the same class.
Because of that, Lisa would become close to them, and she would become the female character most frequently involved in the incidents Gang Hanbyeol caused.
That was why players in my past life treated her as the main heroine.
‘Not that Gang Hanbyeol ever had romantic feelings for anyone.’
No, there was one person, though she didn’t have much screen time.
His childhood friend, an older sister figure four years his senior.
Gang Hanbyeol liked her, and because of that, he did not develop romantic feelings for the women he became close to in the game, instead seeing them as comrades.
As a result, when players spoke of “heroines,” they meant female characters who were close to Gang Hanbyeol, had feelings for him, and played significant roles in the story.
Whether romance actually came to fruition was irrelevant.
To begin with, Gang Hanbyeol did not date anyone until the game ended.
In any case, I subtly let Lisa know the future as if offering words of encouragement.
“I guarantee it, so don’t worry. You’ll meet good people. Though you’ll also suffer a lot because of it…”
“…You are encouraging me, right?”
There was no need for Lisa to worry.
I had subtly told her the future as though giving her a blessing.
She looked puzzled, as if she didn’t know how she was supposed to react.
“By the way, what about the others? Do you know what classes they got?”
“It should be in the group chat.”
“…There’s a lot piled up.”
I entered the group chat to check the others’ classes.
After scrolling down for a long time, I found the content.
I read through it and left a message.
[Yong Haerang]: I’m in Class 5. Do Gyeonu! What class are you in!
[Lackey Geum]: We’re in Class 22! The three of us are in the same class again this year!
[Lackey Eun]: A miracle happeneddd!
[Lackey Dong]: How is this possible? Same class again lololol
:
[Me]: Read the room, Geum, Eun, Dong
[Lackey Geum]: ????????
[Lackey Eun]: Starting first thing in the morning, huh...
[Lackey Dong]: Why are you picking a fight? Did you end up in a different class from Haneul?
* * *
The central hall of the Culture Center, where the entrance ceremony was to be held.
Yeon Haneul and I went there for the entrance ceremony rehearsal.
When we entered the central hall, the people preparing for the entrance ceremony were bustling about.
At that moment, someone who appeared to be a staff member spoke to us.
“You students over there. Judging by your ties, you look like freshmen entering this year. Are you perhaps the students serving as freshman representatives?”
“Yes, that’s right. We came for the rehearsal. Where should we go?”
“We were looking for you anyway, so that’s a relief. Please hurry backstage.”
As soon as the staff member finished speaking, they left to handle something else.
We passed through a space capable of accommodating more than ten thousand people and headed backstage.
People were moving busily there as well.
‘The atmosphere is hectic.’
There were not only instructors, staff, and crew, but students here and there too.
They seemed to be upperclassmen performing onstage during the entrance ceremony.
Turning our gaze away from them, we went to a staff member nearby.
“You’re the freshman representatives, right? The top entrant and runner-up. Rehearsal will begin soon, so please stand by.”
After receiving a brief explanation from the staff member.
We decided to sit on chairs in the corner and spend the remaining time practicing.
“…Geumgang Academy, 145th class, Yeon, Ha, neul. Ugh… I’m nervous. I’m shaking.”
“You’re doing well now without even stuttering. What’s there to be nervous about?”
“That’s because there aren’t any people right now. Later, I’ll have to make the oath in front of countless people watching me. I hate it just thinking about it… I want to graduate already…”
“We haven’t even entered yet, you know?”
“Ah… That’s what I said to you, isn’t it?”
Without paying attention to the people around us.
Yeon Haneul and I repeated the lines we would recite at the entrance ceremony over and over.
Since we had been practicing for several days, by now the words rolled off our tongues even without looking.
Even so, she was still anxious and couldn’t shake off her nerves.
In that situation.
[We will begin the rehearsal now. Since we don’t have much time, we’ll omit the national ceremony and the singing of the national anthem. We’ll also omit the chairwoman’s congratulatory address, the student council president’s congratulatory address, the introduction of the board members, and the introduction of the instructors. The performance in the middle will be pushed back because stage preparations aren’t finished. For now, we’ll begin directly with the freshman oath, so the freshman representatives, please come out onto the stage.]
We ended up being called out first in the rehearsal.
Yeon Haneul immediately looked like she was about to cry.
“H-How can this be… Why are we first…?”
“If you think about it, this might actually be better. Rather than waiting anxiously until it’s our turn, it’s better to get it over with quickly and rest.”
“Uuugh…”
“It's just practice, so don't be nervous.”
Whether the order ended up first or last, it didn't change the fact that it was something we eventually had to do.
Yeonhaneul reluctantly rose from her seat and followed me.
We walked out onto the stage and stood at the podium.
Then we read the oath text clearly and crisply into the microphone.
[…Geumgang Academy Class 145, Do, Gyeon, U.]
[…Geumgang Academy Class 145, Yeon, Ha, Neul.]
[Student Yeonhaneul, your voice is a bit quiet. Please speak louder during the entrance ceremony. And don't be nervous.]
[O-okay….]
Throughout reading the oath.
Unlike me, Yeonhaneul bit her tongue, stuttered, and her voice trembled.
Her voice only mumbled inside her mouth, so it came out quiet.
Because of that, she couldn't avoid the corrections from the faculty member directing the rehearsal.
Perhaps realizing herself that she had done poorly, her face darkened.
Having come down from the podium and returned backstage, she couldn't hide her worry.
“What if I'm like this during the entrance ceremony too…? And my voice is naturally quiet, how am I supposed to speak loudly….”
“You should have spoken closer to the mic. And don't let your voice stay trapped inside your mouth.”
“I don't think I did that….”
“Just think of it like you're talking comfortably to me like right now. Your voice is louder than before, isn't it?”
“…Gyeonu.”
“What?”
“I'll just move my lips, so can't you speak for me instead?”
“You're asking me to lip-sync?”
“Yeah. Please….”
“Do you think that would work?”
“Seriously, what should I do? I can't do it….”
“It's okay, you can do it. During exams, you were knocking people down left and right.”
“That's different from this! Ugh…. Aren't you nervous at all? Aren't you anxious about making a mistake? If I end up humiliating myself….”
“It's not like the world will end if you mess up the freshman oath, so what. What is there to be anxious about?”
In this world, there existed several flags that could lead to destruction if one made the wrong choice.
Even Yeonhaneul right in front of me was one of those destruction ending flags.
A mere freshman oath couldn't possibly create any real sense of fear.
Even if I messed up, the world wouldn't end.
Come to think of it, it wasn't just the freshman oath—most things in the world were like that.
Thinking like that, I didn't easily feel nervous.
“Right. The world won't end, but I'll still be humiliated….”
But that kind of thinking didn't seem to resonate with Yeonhaneul.
She answered pessimistically.
It was then.
“Gyeonu, Haneul.”
“…Noona?”
“…Si-eun unni?”
My cousin noona, Do Si-eun.
She, who had taken office as student council president this year, walked over to us.
We showed our delight.
“I saw you two practicing just now. Haneul seems very nervous.”
“Ah… you saw too, unni….”
“Can I give you one tip?”
“A tip? What is it? Of course, I'd love that.”
Even though she must have been busy as student council president.
Somehow, she seemed to have come because she was worried about Yeonhaneul, who had been intimidated on stage.
As she tried to give her advice, Yeonhaneul pricked up her rabbit ears in a posture showing she would listen carefully.
“I get very nervous and anxious too when there's something important, just like you.”
“Even you get nervous, noona?”
“Yeah, I get nervous too. I'm worried I might make a mistake while giving the congratulatory address at the entrance ceremony later.”
“What do you do at times like that, unni?”
“Yeah, I….”
“….”
Do Si-eun nodded with a composed face.
So even she got nervous.
Thinking of her usual image, it was quite unexpected.
‘Could she have lied on purpose to be considerate of Haneul?’
For a moment, I had such a thought.
But given her personality, she didn't seem like someone who would lie about something like this.
Hard to believe, but even she, the student council president, seemed to get nervous.
Curiosity welled up about how such a person relieved her tension.
So I listened intently.
“…Think about what you'll do after it's over. As a reward for working hard today, eat something delicious or buy something you want….”
“That's all, noona?”
“Yeah, it's unexpectedly simple, right? But I think it works in its own way. Thinking about what to do after it's over is more comfortable and better than thinking about cases where you might make mistakes.”
“…No, unni. I think it's even better than the advice Gyeonu gave me. I'll take it to heart. Thank you so much!”
Contrary to my expectations, Do Si-eun's advice was nothing special.
Still, as she said, it seemed like it would have some effect.
It was helpful advice.
That said, however.
‘Haneul… Don't you think there's a pretty big temperature difference in how you treat me and noona Si-eun?’
My advice wasn't bad either, I thought.
Yeonhaneul took Do Si-eun's hand and shook it, singing her praises.
Her long ears bobbed up and down like a rabbit hopping about.
That sight was truly vexing.
Time passed.
[From now on, we shall commence the entrance ceremony for Geumgang High Academy Class 145.]
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss
(92) [Illustration]
When it became time for the entrance ceremony to begin, people flooded into the central hall.
In an instant, the hall filled with students in uniforms.
Waiting backstage, we were overwhelmed by the countless students.
‘This… there's no way not to be nervous.’
If we stood on stage, we would have to bear all their gazes, so it was natural to feel pressure.
Moreover, in attendance were not only them but also clan scouters and media personnel.
The entrance ceremony was also being broadcast through cameras installed in the central hall.
It was enough to understand the feelings of Do Si-eun, who had said she was nervous earlier.
In such a situation, Yeonhaneul couldn't possibly remain calm.
“WhatdoIdoWhatdoIdoWhatdoIdoWhatdoIdo….”
“…Haneul?”
“Is there no rabbit hole here?”
“Why are you suddenly looking for a rabbit hole?”
“To go in and hide. Sorry, I can't do it. Telling me to go out in front of so many people, I'll die doing that.”
“…People don't die from that.”
“I-I'm… not a person… No, I won't be a person.”
“If you're not a person, what are you?”
“R-rabbit… Ow!”
“Get a hold of yourself, Yeonhaneul.”
“Uuu….”
“You're not doing the oath alone, I'm doing it with you. I'll stick right next to you, so don't worry.”
“…Will you become my rabbit hole?”
“Sigh, yeah… If you really can't do it, come hide inside my clothes.”
“…Then I'll save that as my last resort.”
I lowered the hand I'd raised like a blade between Yeonhaneul's rabbit ears.
She, who had turned her gaze from the central hall to me, seemed to be gradually calming down.
“We'll get in the way of people passing by if we stand here, so let's go over there.”
“Yeah….”
If you keep watching, you inevitably become self-conscious.
It wasn't good for Yeonhaneul.
I grabbed her wrist and took her to a place where the situation outside the stage was less visible.
Then I seated her in a chair and stood before her as if blocking her view.
“Aren't you going to sit?”
“I'm comfortable like this.”
“It must be hard standing….”
“A person trying to become a Hunter shouldn't be struggling with something like this. After we finish the freshman oath later, then you can sit and rest comfortably. Until then, let's practice more.”
“Yeah… Thank you, really.”
What exactly was she thankful for?
I looked down at Yeonhaneul, who had placed both hands on her neatly folded legs, and let out a short laugh.
After that, we spent the remaining time practicing the oath.
[First, there will be the pledge to the national flag. Students and distinguished guests, please rise from your seats and face the Taegeukgi in front of you….]
Before long, the entrance ceremony had begun.
I, having turned my back to Yeonhaneul, looked up at the stage.
Familiar accompaniment and voices that I had heard even in my previous life were echoing throughout the hall.
[Next, there will be the singing of the national anthem. We will sing only the first verse.]
[Next is the singing of the school song.]
The event proceeded exactly as explained beforehand.
In the case of the school song, the seniors in charge came up on stage and sang.
The students also had to sing along to the music following the lyrics appearing on the screen.
With the formalities over, So Hyeyul walked out to the podium.
[Hello, everyone. I sincerely congratulate you on your admission to Geumgang Academy. I am So Hyeyul, serving as the chairman of this academy.]
“….”
[Becoming a Hunter is not easy. It is arduous. No matter how hard you work, your efforts may go unrewarded, and Hunters are people who live lives where they never know when, where, or how they might die. You probably already know this. Yet today, you have taken your first step into the world of Hunters. As one of the people living in this world, I congratulate you, support you, and respect you.]
So Hyeyul, stepping on a footstool to go up because she was short, delivered her address.
Despite her young face, she exuded a mature atmosphere and didn't speak even a little of the romanticized fantasy about Hunters.
She only told the students enrolling to become Hunters about the pessimistic reality.
Though I didn't peek outside the stage, the students seemed to be listening to the address in a somber atmosphere.
[You are excellent. But there are many people in this world who are more excellent than you. Over the next three years at the Academy, you will come to realize and accept that. Some will receive the world's recognition, while others may face frustration. Anyone can make an effort. The importance of effort cannot be overlooked, but it cannot be guaranteed that it will always be rewarded. Above all, a person who works hard cannot defeat a talented person who works just as hard.]
It was a line that had come up in the game too.
So Hyeyul's address foreshadowed to the players that, unlike the youthful academy story it presented itself as, the world setting was not all bright.
To me, who had first encountered this game in my previous life, it was a scene that remained deeply impressed in my memory.
Being able to see that scene directly like this made for a fresh feeling.
However, unlike in the game, I wasn't looking at her standing at the podium from the front, but had to watch her side profile from backstage.
Meanwhile, her address was nearing its end.
[Nevertheless, I express my respect to you. Until the moment you graduate, polish yourselves ceaselessly like diamonds that become more beautiful the more they are refined. I hope that you will learn much at the Academy and go out into the world.]
With those final words.
So Hyeyul bowed her head.
Amidst the solemn atmosphere, a small burst of applause broke out.
Hearing that sound, she turned and came down from the podium.
‘Hmm?’
Then, her gaze stopped briefly.
Her yellow eyes seemed to look at me.
‘Hello?’
When I bobbed my head just in case, she also nodded lightly in greeting.
Soon, wearing high heels, she disappeared to the opposite side together with Secretary Chief Oh Seung-ah.
‘It seems I've caught So Hyeyul's eye.’
Well, I had done a lot during the exams, so it would be strange if I hadn't caught her eye.
I decided to watch the rest of the entrance ceremony while waiting for my turn.
Before long, it became Do Si-eun's turn.
[Next, there will be the student council president's congratulatory address.]
Shaking the hem of her pink skirt.
Do Si-eun, wearing the Suyeon Sword at her waist, went out to the stage illuminated by spotlights.
Her blue eyes seemed to sweep over the audience.
[Hello. I sincerely welcome all you new students. From now on, you will accumulate various experiences at this Academy, and furthermore, in Academy City. In that process….]
A clear, ringing voice resounded.
The voice, in which not a trace of trembling could be found, seemed to possess a magic that captured people's gazes.
Do Si-eun's side profile standing at the podium was different from the usual self I knew.
Flawless in everything, thorough, and on the other hand, she seemed to apply a strict standard to herself without exception.
It suited the title of student council president.
From Do Si-eun's posture standing tall with her back straight and gallantly, such an atmosphere was emanating.
‘…It's the appearance she showed in the game.’
But it's not her true self.
Unlike what is shown on stage, Do Si-eun, if you get to know her, is weak to surprises, has a clumsy side, and is a generous and tolerant person.
Probably not many people know that side of her, even including me.
I felt a certain sense of superiority over the people watching her in the central hall.
My lips curled up for no reason.
[…As the student council president newly inaugurated this year, I, too, wish to walk this path that I am facing for the first time together with all of you. I hope this year will be meaningful for you all, and that it will be a year in which you can gain a sense of accomplishment. This has been Do Si-eun, student council president of Geumgang Academy’s 143rd class. Thank you.]
Before long, Do Si-eun finished her congratulatory address and turned away from the podium.
As she came down from the stage, her eyes met mine.
She silently mouthed something.
It looked as if she was saying exactly this.
‘I was so nervous I thought I’d die.’
That was her being nervous?
Though dumbfounded, I silently moved my lips after her.
‘Good work. You were cool, Noona.’
‘…Thanks.’
A smile bloomed in her blue eyes.
* * *
Time spent waiting only amplifies anxiety.
After Do Si-eun, having finished her address, left the entrance ceremony hall due to her schedule.
Yeon Haneul had to wait anxiously for her turn to come.
“Uuugh….”
I wish that time would never come.
I wish time would just stop like this.
Devoured by anxiety, Yeon Haneul had now even begun saying completely random things.
“Gyeonu, sing me a song.”
“What? Why a song all of a sudden?”
“You know, that one.”
“How am I supposed to know if you just say ‘that one’? What even is ‘that one’?”
“Caaause you are my girrrl~.”
“…”
“And put café subtitles up here too.”
“You’ve… finally lost your mind.”
“I’d rather lose my mind. Can’t you knock me out with your sword? Switch it to reverse-edge mode!”
“Sorry, but my principle is that I don’t draw my sword for trivial matters. I have something called convictions too, you know.”
“Don’t try to sound cool while saying weird things!”
“That’s what I want to say to you. Stop overdoing the bits.”
“Uuugh….”
“Too much!”
“Ow!”
Do Gyeonu lightly struck the back of Yeon Haneul’s neck with the edge of his hand, holding back his strength as a joke.
Then it fell on her head as well.
She rubbed the back of her neck and her head, neither of which hurt at all, and let out a groan.
“Do you feel a little calmer now?”
“Compared to before….”
“Are you that nervous?”
“I’m so nervous I’d rather the world just end.”
“…Don’t go ending it, though.”
Of course, she couldn’t have truly wished for the world to end.
It was only a figure of speech.
To begin with, she didn’t have the power to do such a thing.
Yeon Haneul ignored Do Gyeonu, who seemed to be taking it strangely seriously, and took a deep breath.
Huu, haa, huu, haa.
As she repeated the process of breathing in and out, she felt as though her heart was settling.
[Next, we will have the freshman oath. All new students, please rise from your seats. This year’s freshman representatives are Yeon Haneul and Do Gyeonu, who entered as the top and second-ranked students of the class.]
…That had been a lie.
Yeon Haneul reacted with a start at the voice coming from the speakers.
At last, it had come.
Her face crumpled as if she were about to cry.
“Gyeonu….”
“It’s all right. Let’s go.”
It was not all right at all.
Yeon Haneul shook her head from side to side.
Her feet would not move as she wished.
It was as if they were glued to the ground.
Slowly, very slowly, she took a cautious step forward.
Do Gyeonu, who had been walking ahead, looked back at her and sighed.
“Can’t be helped. Here.”
“…What’s this?”
Do Gyeonu abruptly held out his hand.
Yeon Haneul tilted her head, unable to understand his intention.
In response, he spoke in a calm tone.
“You look like you can’t walk, so I’m saying I’ll take you to the stage. From the stage onward, you have to walk by yourself.”
“…”
“Now, hand.”
“…Hand.”
It wasn’t as if she were a puppy.
Yeon Haneul reacted like a puppy and placed her hand on Do Gyeonu’s palm.
He chuckled and took her hand.
“Let’s go. At this rate, they’ll call us.”
[Would the freshman representatives please come up to the platform promptly.]
“…They already called us. Come on, let’s go.”
“Ah… okay.”
It was a hand calloused over.
Hard, and firm.
At the same time, Do Gyeonu’s hand was large enough to cover hers and still have room to spare.
Had her own hand always been this small?
The way his hand held hers tightly flustered her.
And yet, she did not dislike it.
Through a grip she could not resist, she once again keenly felt the difference between a man and a woman.
Lost in that thought, Yeon Haneul did not hear the sound coming from the speakers.
“Ah….”
When she came to her senses, she had already climbed the stairs.
One more step, and she would be on the stage.
Ahead of her, Do Gyeonu was slowly advancing toward the podium.
As he did, he glanced sideways at her.
“…”
Do Gyeonu looked at her.
She looked at Do Gyeonu as well.
Focusing her gaze on him, Yeon Haneul soon stepped onto the stage where the light poured down.
It felt as though the gazes of countless people filling the central hall were piercing into her.
“She’s the disciple of the Witch of Seven Colors?”
“So she was the top freshman….”
Her rabbit ears, which did not miss even the smallest sound, caught the people’s murmurs.
But they were outside Yeon Haneul’s attention.
She was conscious only of Do Gyeonu.
And then.
“You made it.”
“…Yeah.”
Yeon Haneul stood beside Do Gyeonu.
At the sight of him smiling as if he were proud of her, her expression softened.
Together with him, she stepped up to the podium and looked out over the central hall.
She met the people’s gazes.
“…”
Her anxiety had not completely vanished.
It would be a lie to say she was not nervous.
Her chest trembled, and her heart pounded.
Her legs shook.
Her mind turned pure white.
Even so, Yeon Haneul somehow managed to gather herself.
‘Ah, it smells nice.’
A citrus scent, accompanied by freshness and a faint sweetness, stimulated her sense of smell.
It was a scent she liked.
Her heart grew at ease.
Smelling the fragrance from beside her, Yeon Haneul became conscious of Do Gyeonu once more.
The people’s gazes were not frightening.
Because he was by her side.
Then, he quietly asked.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Then shall we?”
“Let’s.”
Yeon Haneul nodded.
The oath was placed on the podium.
The two of them turned their eyes toward the people and read the words written on the oath.
[We, who have lived different lives, have come to advance toward the same dream. From now on, we shall improve one another through mutual effort….]
Representing the freshmen, they conveyed their aspirations to the freshmen, to their seniors, and to the Academy instructors.
There was no tremor in her voice.
Her voice spread through the audience via the microphone.
‘What did Si-eun Unni say again? When you’re nervous, think about what you’re going to do after it’s over….’
In the evening, she had agreed to drink with her friends in celebration of their admission.
It would be the first alcohol she had ever drunk in her life.
She was worried, and yet excited.
At some point, recalling Do Si-eun’s advice, Yeon Haneul gradually shook off her nervousness.
[Oath.]
“Oath.”
The two of them said it as they raised their hands.
All the students standing in the central hall followed them and did the same.
[I swear upon my name and my soul.]
[To devote myself to my homeland, and to protect humanity.]
[To yield to no threat.]
[To fear not death.]
[To never lose a righteous heart.]
[To contribute to the peace of mankind.]
[And to faithfully carry out the mission of a Hunter.]
[Until the very moment this heart beats its last.]
The two of them left a brief pause.
After waiting until the students’ voices ceased, they gave the signal.
[Geumgang Academy, 145th class.]
[Yeon, Ha, neul.]
[Do, Gyeon, u.]
Each of them stated their own name.
And the students all lowered their hands at once.
* * *
Looking at the words that appeared on the screen.
The students swore the oath.
Gang Hanbyeol was among them as well.
[Geumgang Academy, 145th class.]
[Yeon, Ha, neul.]
[Do, Gyeon, u.]
“Gang, Han, byeol.”
The top freshman and the second-ranked student lowered their hands with disciplined precision.
Following them, Gang Hanbyeol lowered his hand and fixed his attention on one of them.
It was Do Gyeonu of the Divine Sword Do Family.
‘So he’s the grandson of the Beast King.’
The head of the Divine Sword Do Family, as described by his master Seo Jeongjin, was a man of imposing physique who seemed as though he would reign above all beasts—a figure truly befitting the lion, the king of beasts.
So he had thought the man’s grandson, Do Gyeonu, would also possess a similar appearance, but unexpectedly, he was different from what he had imagined.
“…”
He was tall, and his shoulders were broad, but his build was ordinary, without anything especially unusual about it.
He might even have been a little on the thin side.
At the same time, the lines of his face were delicate, and his impression was gentle.
A face that did not resemble a lion at all, the symbol upheld by the Divine Sword Do Family.
If one had to compare him to something, perhaps he resembled a rabbit, an herbivorous animal.
Gang Hanbyeol could understand, to some extent, why he had been given the nickname Rabbit.
Even so.
“I shouldn’t let my guard down.”
One must not judge an opponent by outward appearance.
The fact that Do Gyeonu had entered as the second-ranked student meant that he possessed skill to match.
He was not an opponent to be underestimated.
Gang Hanbyeol continued staring at Do Gyeonu as he left the stage, until he could no longer see him.
The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“I wonder how strong he is.”
Do Si-eun, the student council president who had given the congratulatory address just a moment ago, and Do Gyeonu as well.
They stirred Gang Hanbyeol’s competitive spirit.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss