NOVEL WEB Chapter 22
Yu Hye-won had been busy taking a few pictures and then uploading them somewhere.
Probably on her own SNS, it seemed.
It wasn’t a particularly problematic picture, but I still didn’t like the idea of my face being exposed somewhere.
Especially after the video from the entrance ceremony went viral on the internet, there were people who recognized me.
Given my personality, I really detest receiving such unnecessary attention.
Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t reach a higher rank during my active years.
A hero, after all, is a figure akin to a celebrity that thrives on public attention.
Just as steamed egg was served, Yu Hye-won was the first to grab the spoon.
Watching her fill her spoon with a large portion of the steamed egg and blow on it with a “huh-huh,” I sighed.
It seemed like maybe in her noble household, where she’s eating for the first time, they haven’t taught her table manners.
Alternatively, it might simply be because Yu Hye-won lacks common courtesy.
“Anyway…”
I opened my mouth to finish what I had started saying before Yu Hye-won interrupted.
“There were some incidents during the course, but since we’re in the same boat now, let’s try to get along well till graduation. And even after that.”
“Understood, Professor.”
Chewing on her food, Han Min-ha covered her mouth with her hand and nodded respectfully.
“Unn.”
Yu Hye-won gave a vague reply while busily tapping away on her cell phone with both hands.
“Alright. If you encounter any difficulties during your Academy life, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll do my best within my capabilities to help.”
“Thank you, Professor.” “Okay.”
And so…
***
I managed to stop Yu Hye-won when she suggested we go to a karaoke bar and somehow got into the car.
Han Min-ha, who had been restless at the mere mention of karaoke, finally relaxed when we turned towards the Academy.
She evidently didn’t like that kind of atmosphere.
That’s similar to me.
“Cafes are out, too… this is boring.”
On our way back to the Academy, Yu Hye-won grumbled from the backseat.
Glancing at the clock, it was a bit before nine – Academy gate closing time – too tight a schedule to stop at a café after our late dinner.
Though I too wanted something like an iced Americano to freshen my mouth.
“Professor… if it’s alright… there’s a drive-thru place on the way. Would you like to stop by?”
Han Min-ha, seated in the front passenger seat, quietly interjected after gauging the situation.
“Is there such a place?”
“I’ll show you.”
Then Yu Hye-won kicked the front seat with her foot.
“You know the way around here?”
“Um… I looked it up before we left…”
“Wow, impressive. Why don’t you study like that?”
“Hye-won Student. It’s better to encourage someone with praise in such situations.”
“Ye, Professor. Oh, you did a great job, Min-ha.”
So nauseatingly smug…
Following Han Min-ha’s instructions, we finally arrived at the café.
Each of us ordered a cup of coffee to drink while heading back to the Academy.
***
Between the city of Graford and the Academy, there is nothing.
The Academy is designated as a military protection zone, which makes the surrounding area a no-man’s land.
The lone four-lane road leading to the Academy is cloaked in darkness.
Farther into the distance, the silhouette of a rugged mountain range stood against the deep cobalt blue sky.
And below those mountains, faint flickering lights dotted the horizon.
Graford Academy.
Under the rhythmic flashes of streetlights, Han Min-ha silently gazed at the distant night view of the Academy.
She looked rather gloomy.
What could she be thinking?
Through the rearview mirror, Yu Hye-won seemed to be preoccupied with her cell phone.
“Why?”
Yu Hye-won raised her eyes, sensing my gaze.
“It’s nothing.”
We soon reached the Academy’s main gate.
After having our identities checked by the gate guards, we moved toward the dormitory.
Stopping the car in front of the dormitory, just as I was about to get out, footsteps were heard nearby.
Baek Yebin, Han Min-ha’s supervisory assistant, approached quickly, nodding in greeting.
“Thank you for your efforts, Professor.”
“I’m sorry to bother you at such a late hour.”
“Not at all. I’m already grateful that you’re helping take care of Min-ha.”
As I looked at the guidance students who had stepped out of the car, I said,
“Everyone, take a good rest. See you next time.”
“When will we gather again?”
“I’ll inform the group separately.”
As I got back into the car, Baek Yebin and Han Min-ha bowed deeply in farewell.
Yu Hye-won, arms crossed, watched me begin reversing, then abruptly turned and entered the dormitory.
***
The start of ‘Golden Viper and the Gray Fungi’ was relatively smooth.
There were no anticipated conflicts, and Yu Hye-won appeared indifferent toward Han Min-ha.
Except, Han Min-ha’s timid attitude and gestures were met with unreserved disdain.
“What’s wrong with you?”
While marking the Management Bureau regulations assignment in the research room, Yu Hye-won suddenly snapped at Han Min-ha.
“What… what…?”
“Why are you always so withdrawn and lifeless? Are you possessed or something? Why so creepy?”
“Um… was I?”
Scratching his head, Han Min-ha’s reaction seemed frustrating, prompting Yu Hye-won to sigh deeply.
“Man, seriously… come on, why are you so clueless? Has all your brainpower gone to your chest?”
“Hye-won student. It’s not right to thoughtlessly criticize your peer. And, here. Let’s look at the marked answers together.”
I distributed the marked exam papers.
Naturally, Yu Hye-won scored full marks.
Surprisingly, Han Min-ha’s answers weren’t bad either.
While some answers were incorrect, this performance was still good enough to expect a decent grade.
He didn’t do too badly in theory subjects except for physical work.
The reason the basic defense professor is helping with the ‘International Treaties and Management Bureau’s Current Laws’ assignments is because there will be a quiz next week.
Though it’s not officially allowed for academic advisors to guide in other subjects, it’s merely a rule.
The success of the guidance students is a positive reflection on the advisor’s career and evaluations.
Most professors, if not all, push their guidance students even harder.
I hear some even go as far as offering almost illegal private tutoring.
Not that I have any interest in that.
I simply wish for Han Min-ha to rise to the upper-class ranks and not remain at the bottom.
“Okay, I’ll go over the solutions. We’ll pace it for Student Han Min-ha. Sorry, Hye-won student.”
“Fine. Can I use my phone?”
“Hmm… Sure.”
Since Yu Hye-won will definitely top the class anyway, I’ll leave her be.
Immediately she pulled out her smartphone, rapidly typing away with both thumbs.
With her golden spoon status and stellar looks and results, she must truly have a lot to manage with SNS and messengers.
I slightly adjusted my chair towards Han Min-ha and began explaining the errors at a slower pace.
Han Min-ha diligently took notes in the notebook he had brought.
It was after hours, and we were in civilian clothes; Han Min-ha was wearing an old gray tracksuit.
Getting closer for guidance, his clothes emitted a faint smell like an old dresser.
When I went to his dorm room the previous time after he mentioned wanting to withdraw, I noticed the same thing—does he not use fabric softener?
It wasn’t an unpleasant smell, but it was surprising how his clothes lacked the typical scent of cosmetics young girls his age seem to use.
“What? How could you get this wrong?”
Yu Hye-won, who had quietly approached from behind, looked at Han Min-ha’s paper and let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Are you really that dense? The professor announced this today. Isn’t it common sense to study beforehand?”
“Hye-won student, don’t push so hard on my shoulder. It hurts.”
Despite being a candidate hero, her grip carried immense strength, even though I was once a hero myself.
Given my current frail physique, her weight pressing down hurt significantly.
“Hye-won… it hurts me too…”
“Please study a little, or how do you expect to graduate?”
Removing her hands from my and Han Min-ha’s shoulders, Yu Hye-won stood up and mocked us.
“And by the way, don’t you wash your clothes?”
“Huh…? I put this through the washing machine?”
“Did you use fabric softener?”
“Ah…”
Shaking her head at Han Min-ha’s short exclamation, Yu Hye-won replied,
“You really… starting next time, use fabric softener. Got it?”
“Unn…”
“Did your mom not teach you that?”
Oh no.
I crossed a line somewhere and did it just now.
During my active hero years, Han Min-ha’s parents disappeared, and as of now, their status is uncertain.
The Management Bureau only pays survivor’s pension without giving any definite answers, but arranged his entry to the Academy.
A disappearance with a survivor’s pension usually indicates death.
Now, Yu Hye-won has made a critical slip of the tongue to Han Min-ha.
Not that she said it on purpose, knowing his circumstances.
As Han Min-ha’s face darkened quickly, Yu Hye-won also seemed to notice something was off and glanced at me.
Her eyes asked, “What’s wrong with him?”
I was thinking about explaining when Han Min-ha spoke,
“Sorry… my parents aren’t around…”
“Uh?”
Yu Hye-won’s pupils widened dramatically as if in shock.