Chapter 212 - The Academy’s Deceased Ate It All

"What the hell happened?" After the girls went to the bathroom, Choi Hyun Woo, who had been cautiously observing the situation, spoke up. "…Did Ji Hyuk fight with Yuna again?" "Hey, do I look like I have anger management issues? I'm not constantly fighting and arguing with her." At my sarcastic response, Choi Hyun Woo awkwardly chuckled as if feeling embarrassed. "That's not what I meant. You and Yuna always seemed to get involved in those situations." His words struck a nerve, and I remained silent for a moment. "No, I know that too well, and I know it was my fault... But this time, it's not true. I really don't understand why Yuna acted like that." It wasn't a joke; I genuinely felt wronged this time. She suddenly came into the room and started crying without any apparent reason. Her crying was so heartbreaking that I began to wonder if I had made a mistake. She cried so pitifully, it made anyone who saw her feel sorry for her. It wasn't like her to fake emotions, and there must have been a valid reason for her to react like that. "It's the first time I've seen her like that." As he muttered while fiddling with his hair, Ivan spoke up. "I mean, I'm not trying to brag or act superior, but don't assume something just because of Yuna and me. You know that when we both entered the academy, we were tied for first place." "Yeah, I remember." "Because of that, we used to hang out a lot in the beginning. We were called together for academy promotions, photoshoots, and interviews... It's not bragging, but with my decent face and Yuna being pretty, I thought I was here for a photoshoot." "Yeah, I read the pamphlet, and there were so many photos of you and Yuna. So at first, Su Yeong and I thought you both were our seniors." When Choi Hyun Woo nodded in agreement, Ivan smiled slightly. "Anyway, what I felt back then was that Yuna is somewhat similar to me. I've always tried not to be underestimated since I was young, and I could clearly see that Yuna was on guard around others in case they found her weaknesses." He said, letting out a small laugh. "I didn't even properly greet her. But lately, I've noticed that she has become much more open and friendly..." Listening to him, Ivan glanced in my direction. "Why? What's wrong?" "Oh, nothing." Ivan replied with his characteristic cheerful smile. "Just that you, Ji Hyuk, are really deep inside." "Oh, I admit that. Truly." Choi Hyun Woo, who had been absentmindedly playing with dumbbells, nodded vigorously as if he empathized. About to say something, I suddenly realized that no one was on my side, so I just nodded my head. "But Ji Hyuk, you have a weak body. Can you exercise?" "Am I on my deathbed or something?" I laughed cynically and responded to Choi Hyun Woo's question. Actually, until a moment ago, I had lifted the dumbbells because I felt suffocated and wondered if moving my body would help. I still hadn't been allowed to go out for a walk. "Just lying down makes me feel stiff. And since I can't go outside the hospital room freely, it feels really stuffy and suffocating." "Should I bring a game console?" Choi Hyun Woo asked, and I shook my head. "They said electronic devices, except for cell phones, aren't allowed because they emit radiation. Even cell phones have designated usage hours." After hearing that, Choi Hyun Woo, looking puzzled, glanced around and nodded when he saw the television. "Right. They're chosen for us anyway." "True. I agree." Agreeing with my response, Choi Hyun Woo nodded his head naturally. Just then, Han Su Yeong, Jin Ye Seul, and Lee Yuna, whose eyes were still swollen, came in as the door opened. "Sorry..." Lee Yuna mumbled an apology without specifying who it was directed towards. Jin Ye Seul quickly pulled out a chair, and Han Su Yeong carefully helped Lee Yuna sit down. Watching their awkwardness, Choi Hyun Woo spoke up. "Yuna, are you feeling better now?" "Yeah... Sorry for making you worry." "Why apologize for such a thing?" Han Su Yeong and Jin Ye Seul looked at Lee Yuna for a moment, expressing confusion with their expressions. Just then, Jin Ye Seul, who was closer to her and had a closer relationship, leaned down and gently patted Lee Yuna's shoulders and back. "Are you feeling calm now? Are you okay?" Lee Yuna nodded silently. Han Su Yeong narrowed her eyes and looked at me. "Ji Hyuk, did you...?" "Hey, Su Yeong. I really didn't do anything." Upon hearing my words, her eyes narrowed even further. "Are you sure? Absolutely nothing to be blamed for?" "Yeah, truly. Why would I lie about something like this?" Upon Han Su Yeong's questioning gaze, Choi Hyun Woo and I nodded in agreement, as if emphatically acknowledging her suspicions. About to say something, I suddenly felt that I had no one on my side, and I just hung my head listlessly. "But Ji Hyuk, can you exercise even though your body isn't feeling well?" "Do you think I have some incurable disease?" I lightly laughed as I responded to Choi Hyun Woo's words. "Because lying down all the time makes me really sore. And since I can't freely leave the hospital room, it feels suffocating to the point of death." "Should I bring you a board game or a book...?" While saying that, the door to the room opened, and Han Su Yeong, Jin Ye Seul, and still swollen-eyed Lee Yuna entered. "Sorry..." Lee Yuna muttered an apology, directed at no one in particular. Jin Ye Seul quickly pulled out a chair, and Han Su Yeong cautiously helped Lee Yuna sit down. Watching their awkwardness, Choi Hyun Woo spoke up. "Yuna, are you feeling better now?" "Oh, yeah... Sorry for making you worry." "Why apologize for such a thing?" Han Su Yeong and Jin Ye Seul looked at Lee Yuna for a moment with expressions of confusion. Just then, Han Su Yeong narrowed her eyes and looked at me. "Ji Hyuk, did you...?" "Hey, Su Yeong. I really didn't do anything." Upon hearing my words, her eyes narrowed even further. "Are you sure? Absolutely nothing to be blamed for?" "Yeah, really. Why would I lie about something like this?" Upon Han Su Yeong's questioning gaze, Choi Hyun Woo and I nodded in agreement, as if emphatically acknowledging her suspicions. But before I could say anything, Lee Yuna slightly blinked her eyes as if to signal that there was no need to worry. It was as if she was telling me to trust her and not worry about it. "Yeah, I said, let's keep it a secret." Upon her words, Jin Ye Seul nodded. "If you have to explain what a confidant means... Can you explain it to us?" She asked, giving me a look that indicated she wouldn't tolerate refusal. Lee Yuna flinched for a moment, then looked around and slowly began speaking. "Well, I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you too. I know it's somewhat ridiculous to say this now... but I never intended to deceive any of you." She started explaining calmly, beginning where her power, Mane Hyeon, had emerged. It turned out that I had genuinely helped her out of goodwill, and in the process, she learned that an enormous amount of money was required for her treatment. Unable to just let it go, she even tried to repay the debt by working for me as a confidant, under the pretense of being employed. She also mentioned how she had received help from Shin Woo Seok, who served as a household worker for Lee Yuna. All sorts of things were revealed little by little in her calm explanation. Even so, she skillfully distorted or completely avoided mentioning things that could make me uncomfortable. For example, when the question came up about why we had kept our employment relationship a secret. Lee Yuna blushed slightly and bowed her head as if embarrassed. "Um... We just decided to keep it a secret." That was during our conversation about a similar issue we had with each other blushing before. She said with a hint of embarrassment. And while they were listening, Han Su Yeong and Choi Hyun Woo nodded their heads, recalling the incident we mentioned with Ji Hyuk earlier. It was all true. She had deliberately spoken in a way that could be easily misunderstood, making it sound like I had deceived her. For example, things like, "I still haven't properly greeted her," to "But recently, she has become much more approachable and friendly..." Listening to her, Ivan glanced at me. "Why? What's wrong?" "Oh, nothing." Ivan replied, smiling his usual cheerful smile. "Just that Ji Hyuk seems to have a deep side." "Oh, I admit that. Truly." Choi Hyun Woo, who had been absentmindedly playing with dumbbells, nodded vehemently as if he empathized. Before I could say anything, I suddenly realized that no one was on my side, so I just nodded my head. "But Ji Hyuk, can you exercise even though your body isn't feeling well?" "Am I on my deathbed or something?" I laughed cynically and responded to Choi Hyun Woo's question. Actually, until a moment ago, I had lifted the dumbbells because I felt suffocated and wondered if moving my body would help. I still hadn't been allowed to go out for a walk. "Just lying down makes me feel stiff. And since I can't go outside the hospital room freely, it feels really stuffy and suffocating." "Should I bring a game console?" Choi Hyun Woo asked, and I shook my head. "They said electronic devices, except for cell phones, aren't allowed because they emit radiation. Even cell phones have designated usage hours." Upon hearing that, Choi Hyun Woo, looking puzzled, glanced around and nodded when he saw the television. "Right. They're chosen for us anyway." "True. I agree." Agreeing with my response, Choi Hyun Woo nodded his head naturally. Just then, Han Su Yeong, Jin Ye Seul, and Lee Yuna, whose eyes were still swollen, came in as the door opened. "Sorry..." Lee Yuna mumbled an apology without specifying who it was directed towards. Jin Ye Seul quickly pulled out a chair, and Han Su Yeong cautiously helped Lee Yuna sit down. Watching their awkwardness, Choi Hyun Woo spoke up. "Yuna, are you feeling better now?" "Yeah... Sorry for making you worry." "Why apologize for such a thing?" Han Su Yeong and Jin Ye Seul looked at Lee Yuna for a moment with expressions of confusion. Just then, Jin Ye Seul, who was closer to her and had a closer relationship, leaned down and gently patted Lee Yuna's shoulders and back. "Are you feeling calm now? Are you okay?" Lee Yuna nodded silently. Han Su Yeong narrowed her eyes and looked at me. "Ji Hyuk, did you...?" "Hey, Su Yeong. I really didn't do anything." Upon hearing my words, her eyes narrowed even further. "Are you sure? Absolutely nothing to be blamed for?" "Yeah, really. Why would I lie about something like this?" Upon Han Su Yeong's questioning gaze, Choi Hyun Woo and I nodded in agreement, empathetically acknowledging her suspicions. But before I could say anything, Lee Yuna slightly blinked her eyes as if to signal that there was no need to worry. It was as if she was telling me to trust her and not worry about it. "Yeah, I said, let's keep it a secret." Upon her words, Jin Ye Seul nodded. "If you have to explain what a confidant means... Can you explain it to us?" She asked, giving me a look that indicated she wouldn't tolerate refusal. Lee Yuna flinched for a moment, then looked around and slowly began speaking. "Well, I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you too. I know it's somewhat ridiculous to say this now... but I never intended to deceive any of you." She started explaining calmly, beginning where her power, the Confidant, had emerged. It turned out that I had genuinely helped her out of goodwill, and in the process, she learned that an enormous amount of money was required for her treatment. Unable to just let it go, she even tried to repay the debt by working for me as a confidant, under the pretense of being employed. She also mentioned how she had received help from Shin Woo Seok, who served as a household worker for Lee Yuna. All sorts of things were revealed little by little in her calm explanation. Even so, she skillfully distorted or completely avoided mentioning things that could make me uncomfortable. For example, when the question came up about why we had kept our employment relationship a secret. Lee Yuna blushed slightly and bowed her head as if embarrassed. "Um... We just decided to keep it a secret." That was during our conversation about a similar issue we had with each other blushing before. She said with a hint of embarrassment. And while they were listening, Han Su Yeong and Choi Hyun Woo nodded their heads, recalling the incident we mentioned with Ji Hyuk earlier. It was all true. She had deliberately spoken in a way that could be easily misunderstood, making it sound like I had deceived her. "But Ji Hyuk, why were you crying earlier?" Suddenly, as if she couldn't hold it in any longer, Han Su Yeong blurted out the question, and everyone's attention focused on Lee Yuna. Frankly, I was also curious about the story. "Ahh..." Blinking her eyes for a moment, Lee Yuna glanced around and slowly opened her mouth. "Why did I... do that?" It was at that moment. Suddenly, a sense of presence could be felt outside the door, and then the door opened. The person who opened the door was An Ju Hyeok. "Oh, you're awake. And your friends are here too." He said, nodding his head as if relieved, looking at me. "Just as I said yesterday, we're going to try a different method of treatment today." Then, he slightly turned his body and let the two people waiting behind him in. "Hello, it's been a while. Are you feeling well? Oh, Hunter's Boy is here too." "My apologies, Evangeline." The two people were none other than Evangeline Loengreen and Laura Hartman. Dressed in comfortable casual clothes, the two of them greeted us while whispering. They too had bandages or gauzes wrapped around their bodies, and Laura Hartman, in particular, had serious injuries to the point where I could feel her weakness even though I wasn't well. Ah.... Lee Yuna shakily opened her mouth as she let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry." She mutterd, not making it clear who her apology was directed at. Quickly, Jin Ye Seul took out a chair, and Han Su Yeong cautiously helped Lee Yuna sit down. Seeing their awkwardness, Choi Hyun Woo spoke. "Yuna, are you feeling better now?" "Um, yes, I'm sorry for making you worry." "Why apologize for that?" As Han Su Yeong and Jin Ye Seul stared at Lee Yuna for a moment, confusion crossed their faces. Just then, Han Su Yeong squinted her eyes and looked at me. "Ji Hyuk...?" "Hey, Su Yeong. I really didn't do anything." My words seemed to deepen her suspicion, as her eyes narrowed even further. "Are you sure? You're absolutely certain that you're not responsible for anything? "Yeah, I'm sure. Why would I lie about something like this?" Upon Han Su Yeong's questioning gaze, Choi Hyun Woo and I nodded, as if putting our own trust in her suspicions. But before I could say anything, Lee Yuna blinked her eyes slightly, as if silently saying that there was no need to worry. As if telling me to trust her and not to worry. "Yes, let's keep it a secret." Upon her words, Jin Ye Seul nodded. "If you have to explain what a confidant means... Can you explain it to us?" She asked, her expression making it clear that she wouldn't accept a refusal. Lee Yuna flinched for a moment, then looked around and slowly began speaking. "Well, I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you too. I know it's somewhat ridiculous to say this now... but I never intended to deceive any of you." She started explaining calmly, beginning with the emergence of her power, the Confidant. She explained how I had sincerely helped her, and in the process, she came to realize that an enormous amount of money was needed for her treatment. Unable to just let it go, she tried to repay the debt by offering to work for me as a confidant, under the pretense of being employed. She also mentioned how she had received help from Shin Woo Seok, who served as a servant for her family. She calmly explained various things, skillfully distorting or avoiding mentioning anything that could make me uncomfortable. For example, when asked why we decided to keep our employment relationship a secret. Lee Yuna blushed slightly and bowed her head, as if embarrassed. "We just decided to keep it a secret." That was during our previous conversation where we blushed about a similar issue. She replied with a hint of embarrassment. And while Han Su Yeong and Choi Hyun Woo listened, they nodded their heads, recalling the incident we had mentioned earlier with Ji Hyuk. It was all true. She deliberately spoke in a way that could be easily misunderstood, making it sound like I had deceived her. "But Ji Hyuk, why were you crying earlier?" When Han Su Yeong couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out the question, everyone's attention turned to Lee Yuna. Honestly, I was also curious about her story. "Uh..." After blinking her eyes for a moment, Lee Yuna glanced around and slowly opened her mouth. "Why did I... do that?" At that moment, her eyes met mine. She gave me a faint smile, as if it was a secret only the two of us shared. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."