Chapter 75: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 75
I swung my sword.
I remembered the words not to give my heart too much to Scarlet, saying it would be difficult later.
I swung my sword.
I recalled the words that she wouldn't live long, that her limit would be around graduation from the academy.
I felt sad, angry, and resentful.
How could the world be so harsh?
Why did she have to end up like this?
Biting my lip, I swung my sword again.
But with a sharp metallic sound, my sword slipped from my hand and got stuck in the ground.
I retrieved the stuck sword and summoned another one to continue my attack, but at that moment, a voice stopped me.
[......You’re not wielding a sword, but your emotions. It would be best to stop training for today.]
At Lucy's remark, who had been crossing swords with me until just now, I let out a rough breath and slumped to the ground.
Even if I got stronger, could I change her fate?
For the first time in my life, I felt powerless.
Usually, when I showed such weakness, Lucy would scold me, asking if I really intended to get stronger.
Wondering what she would say today, I waited for her to speak as she approached me.
Contrary to my expectations, she gently hugged me as I sat on the ground, and I closed my eyes tightly.
[If it's too hard, it's okay to complain sometimes.]
Was it because she directly received the sorrow, the resentment, and the grudge I had towards the world through the sword?
Her unusually warm behavior made my heart ache.
[You’re not just my contractor, but my family as well.]
For a very brief moment in her embrace, I was honest.
*
The next day, while wandering outside with a troubled mind, I saw Scarlet sitting on a park bench.
Unconsciously, I stopped walking.
I had no idea how to deal with her.
But since I had promised to stay close to her, I approached her with as casual an expression as possible.
“......What are you doing?”
I tried to treat her as I used to, but my voice trembled a bit.
If someone could act normal after hearing such things, they would either be an excellent actor or broken in some way.
Scarlet, who had her head slightly lowered, lifted it and our eyes met.
Then she answered that she had some concerns, and I held my breath.
She, who usually had an expressionless face, was smiling naturally.
Had something changed in her heart?
As I thought that, I heard her voice.
“Hey, you said you would help me if I had any concerns, right? Is that offer still valid?”
I remembered saying something like that.
And even if I hadn't, I would probably have to listen to most of what she said.
Thinking so, I nodded.
“That's a relief. Then let's go somewhere without people. It's a bit sensitive to talk about outside. Where would be a good place where no one can eavesdrop?”
Scarlet stood up and told me to follow her.
After that, she stopped by a clothing store and bought some clothes.
Picking up a random outfit from the display, she asked if it suited her, and I nodded absentmindedly.
I probably would have nodded no matter what she chose.
After hearing my answer, Scarlet nodded and went to pay, leaving me in confusion.
Why did she ask me if it suited her when picking clothes?
As I was thinking about this, the store clerk smiled and said, "Your girlfriend is very pretty."
At the word "girlfriend," I shook my head vigorously, blushing.
If others saw us as such, maybe this was something like a date.
Lost in such thoughts, I didn't hear the clerk's next words, "Then how about me as your girlfriend?"
Watching Scarlet come out after buying the clothes, I thought.
I didn't know what her concern was, but if I could help her solve it this way, I would happily do my best.
And that thought vanished in a flash when I saw our next destination.
*
My heart pounded like crazy.
Told to wait for a moment, I waited outside the door, nervously listening to the sound of the shower from inside.
She had said she had a concern, so I followed her.
But why was I waiting for Scarlet, who was showering, in a motel?
My mind was in overdrive, my thoughts racing.
Lucy whispered for me to calm down, but no man could stay calm in this situation.
When the shower sound stopped, my heart pounded so hard it hurt.
Was it okay for us, as students, to be doing this? Could I follow my desires?
“Come in now.”
And those thoughts ceased the moment I saw Scarlet.
Fresh out of the shower, her hair was damp, and she was wearing the clothes I had said suited her.
When I entered the room, she sat on the bed, patting the spot next to her for me to sit, and I felt like my heart would burst.
[Don't mind me. I'll dull my senses for a while, so don't worry and enjoy yourself.]
Lucy's voice snapped me back to my senses a bit, and I shook my head, sitting on the floor.
Then Scarlet spoke.
“You said you would never let it be like that. Was it?”
She repeated my words verbatim.
Was she not unconscious then? Did she hear everything?
With a sense of embarrassment, Yoon Si-woo wondered if she was acting this way because of him.
When he lowered his head, he heard her laughter.
Feeling confused and trembling, he waited until he realized she was getting off the bed.
The touch from her hand and the words that followed stopped his trembling.
"Thank you for saying that."
He realized it wasn't the situation he had imagined.
Even so, her words made him happy.
He didn't need the Holy Sword to understand.
He knew she was sincerely grateful to him.
When he looked up and met her eyes, she continued with a slight smile.
"You knew everything but still took my side. That made me quite happy. Having a connection to a witch isn't a good thing. People will think of witches as bad and scary beings. And to some extent, they’re right."
Her words telling him not to worry about her.
Because she was connected to a witch and couldn't reveal her identity, she had to avoid people.
Fortunately, Si-woo and Sylvia accepted her past, but most others wouldn’t.
Si-woo now felt like he understood why she had been pushing him away.
"Sometimes, I hear the witch's voice, telling me to burn everything. I even see visions of my body burning. I'm trying not to give in, but honestly, it's scary. What if I can't hold out? What if people get hurt because of me?"
She had been fighting this difficult battle alone, unable to tell anyone.
"I want to protect people. That’s how I, Scarlet Evande, want to live. For the next three years, at least, I want to live like that."
Despite not being recognized by people, she sincerely wanted to protect them.
"So please, if I’m no longer Scarlet Evande."
She smiled as if she had already resolved herself.
"Then, kill me."
Her smile resembled a brilliant flame.
Si-woo sighed.
Her worries, her request.
He once thought he'd be happy to solve such things, but reality seemed different.
But he had no hesitation.
If she truly wished for it, he had only one answer.
Si-woo nodded and replied.
"Alright."
He promised to kill the girl he had vowed to protect.
And then, to Scarlet, who nodded in satisfaction, he said,
"Can you do me a favor too?"
Like the contract with Lucy, if one grants a request, they should also ask for one.
So Si-woo spoke to Scarlet, who tilted her head in confusion.
"If, for the next three years, nothing happens."
It wasn't a request but a wish.
"I hope you’ll be happy."
Scarlet looked dumbfounded for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"What kind of request is that, you idiot."
Then she answered with a shy smile.
"Still, I'll try."
Her answer made Si-woo smile as well.
Yes, I’ll try too.
With that determination.
*
In storybooks, good people are rewarded, and evil people are punished.
But in reality, the world gave the harshest fate to the kindest person.
It piled misfortunes upon those who deserved happiness.
That made Si-woo sad, angry, and resentful.
So he swung his sword.
But the result was different from yesterday.
For a moment, Si-woo's sword overpowered Lucy’s.
In Lucy's worried eyes, joy sparkled.
[Amazing. To think you'd grow this much in a day... Yes, a swordsman shouldn't wield their emotions. You've finally earned the right to be the true master of the Holy Swords.]
Si-woo thought as he swung his sword.
If the world makes her unhappy, I won't let it.
If fate is cruel to her, I will cut down that fate.
It was a vow, a resolve, and a belief.
And a swordsman's belief inevitably resembles their sword.
The heart (心) is the sword (劍), and what is contained in the sword (劍) is the heart (心).
His earnest wish was for someone's happiness.
"I will make it so."
As he swung his sword,
The Holy Swords shone, blessing the one who was no longer a boy but a swordsman.
Siwoo has evolved into a chad
ReplyDeleteI hate to say this but si-woo has become a chad
ReplyDeletereading this chapter while listening this autoplayed music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRqA47qytz0) is a wild combination lol
ReplyDeletethe character development is real
ReplyDeleteWonder if author would go on to fully commit killing Scarlet, honestly would be a more interesting ending, heh.
ReplyDeleteThx for the chapter
ReplyDeleteIt's good to use emotions to fuel the resolve for things.
ReplyDeleteNo matter their nature, they always help.
Of course, negative ones also hurt while, so i'm wondering if that's going to make the stalker kid act in the correct way when it matters.
At least i can see some growth on the maturity department.
Because I didn't want to surrender to fate, I became a gigachad for the person I love. This is definitely a saying about yiwoo
ReplyDelete