I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 115

EP.115 Meeting the In-Laws (6)

Park Seo-yoon looked at the black sedan that had stopped in front of the mansion. Inside was the man who had sacrificed his life for her. Her lover, whose body had twisted and whose soul had worn down from endless sacrifices, was there.

“Sniff….”

She tried to hold back her tears, but they welled up in her eyes again. She was both a lover and a sinner to that man. She was the one who had made him sacrifice himself, and at the same time, she was the obstacle that had caused him countless failures.

“Oh….”

As she stood on the brink of reuniting with her destined lover, complex emotions swirled within her heart. What expression should she wear, and what words should she say when she met him?

“Oh no….”

No, something was wrong. Why had she called him here in the first place? With what nerve? Did she even deserve to meet him like this?

The reason he was broken was solely because of her. He had thrown himself into hell for her, and even after regressing, he had repeated countless deaths because of her, leaving his body and soul completely twisted.

Yet….

Park Seo-yoon looked down at herself. She was dressed in a glamorous outfit, as if she were going to a celebratory banquet. Was it right for her, who was no different from a sinner, to stand before him like this? Was she going to toast to his pain and sorrow?

It would have been better to wear a suit. Park Seo-yoon felt ashamed of her appearance and found it hard to bear.

“Haa…. Haa….”

Her breathing started to become rough with tension and anxiety. Come to think of it, there was no guarantee that he still loved her the same way. In fact, it was more likely that he resented and hated her. The time she had spent hindering and belittling him was far longer than the time they had shared love.

Thinking back, it was the same when they met in front of the entrance exam hall. Kang Seo-jun had thoroughly pushed her away, despite her attempts to create a connection.

Perhaps his attitude was proof that his feelings had cooled. No, he surely resented her. He would blame her for everything that had gone wrong. He would despise and reproach her.

“Sniff…. Haa….”

She wanted to heal his body by any means necessary…. If only they could return to the way they were before, she would do anything…. But if he hated and rejected her…. How should she approach him in the future?

All kinds of fears surged into Park Seo-yoon’s heart. What if everything had gone wrong and fallen apart because she kept hindering Kang Seo-jun…. What if he resented and hated her….

What was she thinking, dressing up so frivolously…. Even if she begged for forgiveness in such attire, there was no way her sincerity would be conveyed to him….

“Sniff…!”

– Drip! –

In the end, the tears she had been holding back burst forth. Once they started, there was no stopping them.

“Sniff…! Ugh…!”

-Stumble.

As hyperventilation and dizziness hit her simultaneously, her legs gave out.

– Thud. –

“Seo-yoon!”

Her grandfather’s voice calling her name felt very distant.

‘Oh….’

The effort she had put into dressing up…. Her makeup was ruined by tears…. Her dress was soiled with dirt…. Everything was a mess. She felt utterly pathetic.

He had come all the way here, dragging his twisted and swollen body, just to meet her…. And she couldn’t even stand properly.

‘He must think I look pathetic….’

She would appear as a pitiful woman.

‘Haa….’

No.

She wished he would see her that way. She wished he would curse her, trample on her, and regret sacrificing himself for her.

‘Just resent me….’

From the beginning, what could Park Seo-yoon possibly say to him? She didn’t even have the nerve to apologize.

My current appearance…. It’s really pathetic…. Foolish and pitiful…. This is the kind of woman I am…. Infinitely ignorant, selfish, and only capable of receiving….

If you realize this now, please abandon me….

‘And….’

Never sacrifice yourself for a woman like me again….

‘But I’ll still live for you.’

Even if Kang Seo-jun abandoned her, she would understand. Nevertheless, she would take full responsibility for him until the end. She would provide him with the best medical care and welfare…. She would grant him anything he wanted.

And when the time came….

The hellish regression altar she had seen in the Records of Destiny. She would throw herself into it as well. That was the price and responsibility she deserved to bear. Like Kang Seo-jun, she would carry endless curses, traverse time endlessly, and struggle to set everything right.

‘And when I finally find the answer that can save everyone and succeed….’

‘Then I will come to you and properly apologize. At that time, I hope you will accept my heart again…. That was the best Park Seo-yoon could do now.’

– Step. Step. –

“…….”

She heard the sound of Kang Seo-jun approaching. Park Seo-yoon kept her head down and cried as quietly as possible. And she waited. For him to utter words of resentment…. Or to laugh at her and turn away….

But….

– Embrace! –

“…!?”

Kang Seo-jun, who had approached her, did not curse or mock Park Seo-yoon. He simply embraced her trembling form with his large, warm arms.

“W-What!?”

With the embrace came a fragrant floral scent that tickled Park Seo-yoon’s nose. She quickly opened her eyes and looked at the man holding her.

“Huh?”

A broad, straight back and a smooth nape. It was not the image of Kang Seo-jun that she had in her mind.

As Park Seo-yoon twisted her body to confirm who was holding her, she heard a familiar voice.

“I’m sorry, noona.”

“Oh…!”

It was a voice so familiar that she could only think it was Kang Seo-jun.

“…Huh?”

But how? When she saw him a month ago, his voice had been hoarse and cracked.

“…You, you!?”

Park Seo-yoon twisted her body urgently to see Kang Seo-jun’s face. He gently released the embrace, holding her shoulders and looking directly at her.

“…I’ve kept you waiting too long, haven’t I?”

With a sorrowful face, he smiled brightly. It was unmistakably Kang Seo-jun’s face.

“H-How…. You….”

Park Seo-yoon touched Kang Seo-jun’s face with trembling hands. Just a month ago, his body had been twisted and swollen from curses. How, in less than two months….

Could he look so clean and healthy….

No….

‘Oh, even more….’

He looked even stronger and more dependable than the image of his past life she had seen in the 《Records of Destiny》.

“I’m sorry for making you wait.”

The handsome man whispered in front of her. His warm breath felt pleasant.

“I didn’t want to show you my wretched appearance…. …It took some time to get ready.”

“Oh, oh…!!”

Those words sent a poignant ripple through Park Seo-yoon’s heart. She realized that he still felt the same way she did. She felt that his love for her had not worn down at all.

“Sniff, sniff…! Waaah…!!!”

Park Seo-yoon buried her head in his shoulder and cried like a child. She no longer held back her tears. In the arms of the man she trusted and loved, she poured out her emotions endlessly.

– Pat, pat. –

“Oh dear…. I must have really kept you waiting…. I’m sorry…. I’m so sorry.”

“Sniff, ugh…! You, you…! I…. I…!”

Park Seo-yoon hugged Kang Seo-jun tightly and sobbed.

“I told you not to say you’re sorry…!!!”

“Yes…. I’m sorry….”

His habit of apologizing was tiresome. He was truly her unchanging lover.

– Pat, pat. –

“Haha…. I must be acting quite foolishly for my age.”

Contrary to his usual demeanor, Park Tae-ho, who was surprisingly sensitive, quietly wiped away his tears as he watched the two.

“…….”

On the other hand, Park Shin-hye, standing next to him, had a completely different expression from her touched grandfather.

‘So…. Grandpa’s outrageous stories were not jokes but actually true?’

When she was choosing her dress for today, her grandfather had given her a brief explanation of the situation. He had even shown her some parchment, calling it the 《Records of Destiny》, but Park Shin-hye couldn’t see anything on it. Naturally, she thought it was all nonsense and had even worried about her grandfather’s mental health.

But seeing the two of them hugging and crying like this…. It was hard to believe, but it seemed her grandfather wasn’t talking nonsense after all. There was no way the two of them would put on such an act just to fool her.

‘So….’

Kang Seo-jun was actually a time traveler, and in the future, he was her sister’s husband? The fact that he was a time traveler alone was shocking enough, but to think he was also her sister’s husband….

‘Then….’

Park Shin-hye’s face crumpled.

‘So, all those things you did for me…. The reason you saved me….’

Was it merely because he was looking out for his sister-in-law as a brother-in-law?

– Ouch! –

“Ugh…!”

Suddenly, a sharp pain pricked a corner of Park Shin-hye’s heart.

‘It hurts….’

Recently, whenever she thought about Kang Seo-jun, it felt like a knife was stabbing her heart.

‘Why…. Why is he only hugging my sister?’

Hadn’t he hugged her long enough by now? She had dressed up so nicely today. She wore a dress for the first time, put a ribbon in her hair, and even wore makeup. Thanks to him, she no longer denied that she had become a woman. So why wouldn’t Kang Seo-jun even glance at her?

She had accepted herself just as he wanted. This pretty appearance was a manifestation of that will. Why wasn’t he happy for her, why didn’t he compliment her?

“Hmph…!!!”

A spark of anger ignited in Park Shin-hye’s chest. He could at least say something to her. Why was he only hugging her sister?

“Hey!! How long are you going to keep crying!? Really! Aren’t you embarrassed with so many people around!?”

Park Shin-hye suddenly shouted and stormed into the mansion. Her stomping footsteps and the way she irritably untied the ribbon in her hair made her look like a mischievous child.

“Sigh….”

Park Tae-ho watched her retreating figure and let out a deep sigh. Then he turned to Kang Seo-jun with a chuckle.

“It seems our Shin-hye is having a hard time adjusting. She’ll get used to it soon, so please understand.”

Kang Seo-jun responded with a gentle smile.

“Of course. She’s always had a strong personality. I’m sure we’ll get along well this time too.”

“Hahaha. As expected of you. I’m really glad you came.”

– Pat, pat. –

Kang Seo-jun gently patted Park Seo-yoon’s back. It was about time they went inside the mansion.

“Noona, can you stand up?”

“Y-Yes….”

Her voice, filled with tears, was something not usually heard from Park Seo-yoon. When Kang Seo-jun extended his hand, she took it and stood up.

-Tightly.

Even after standing up, Park Seo-yoon did not let go of his hand. Instead, she held it even tighter and whispered.

“From now on…. You can’t leave me alone…. I won’t let go….”

– Smile. –

At her words, Kang Seo-jun smiled faintly. When he smiled, Park Seo-yoon tried to put on a stern face.

“I won’t let you go again…!”

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on leaving you alone either.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Of course. I promise…, no, I swear.”

“…Okay. I’ll trust you.”

Park Seo-yoon leaned against Kang Seo-jun’s chest.

– Soft. –

His broad and dependable chest felt like being hugged by a giant teddy bear.

“Ahem!”

Park Tae-ho, who had been watching them absentmindedly, cleared his throat.

“Sorry for intruding, but it’s time to go inside. Shin-hye must be waiting.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

“I know you two haven’t seen each other in a long time, and I want to give you some time alone. But….”

As he spoke, Park Tae-ho’s eyes turned cold.

“Before that, there are many things I need to ask you. You understand, right?”

-Tingle.

Just his gaze made every nerve in Kang Seo-jun’s body react. It felt like the inevitable had come.

Of course.

No matter how powerful the 《Records of Destiny》 was in bestowing memories, it couldn’t earn the trust of an [S+] rank hunter with just that. The 《Records of Destiny》 could only provide a basis for trust. To gain his genuine trust in this timeline, Kang Seo-jun would have to pass his personal tests as well.

“Of course.”

It was time to win over the mountain lord of the Taesan Group.

‘Ask me anything.’

With the trait 《Heir of Taesan》, there was nothing to fear. The main game, where Kang Seo-jun’s victory was assured, had begun.