Chapter 142: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 142
After the incident where the witch used teleportation to abduct Scarlet, a massive construction project was underway in the border region to install a magic circle that would block unauthorized teleportation.
The construction, fully supported by the wealthy Dolos family, involved the deployment of numerous workers.
However, the construction site was in the border area, a place where monsters could appear at any moment.
Because of this, Yoon Si-woo and the members of Astrape were not only busy with their original mission of front-line defense but also with the protection of the workers involved in the construction. It was an incredibly hectic time for them.
“Phew, Vice-Captain, they said the finishing touches on the magic circle in this area are almost complete.”
“Good work. Next, they need to set up another one over there.”
“...Is there still more to do? These people have been working almost non-stop for days.”
“What can we do? Now that we know there’s a witch capable of teleportation, we need to prepare as quickly as possible. The workers are taking a short break, so you should rest too. Your leave is tomorrow, right? Just hang in there a little longer.”
“...Understood.”
Tomorrow.
Yoon Si-woo’s heart raced at the thought that his leave to go home was just a day away.
But it wasn’t excitement that made his heart race—it was anxiety.
“Ugh... How am I supposed to say it...?”
Yoon Si-woo slumped to the ground, clutching his head in frustration.
How should he ask her?
This question had been tormenting Yoon Si-woo for days, keeping him awake at night.
The dilemma started a few days ago when he received a call from Sylvia.
‘Why not ask her out on a date during your day off? I’m sure she’d love it.’
A date—what a heart-pounding word.
Of course, Yoon Si-woo had dreamed of going on a date with Scarlet.
But that was just a dream, wasn’t it?
How could he go on a date when he didn’t even know how Scarlet felt about him?
Then, Sylvia told him that it seemed like Scarlet also had feelings for him and that he should take the initiative.
Even so, he had been hesitant, unable to muster the courage, until Sylvia said,
‘...Please, make Scarlet happy.’
Those words reminded Yoon Si-woo of a resolution he had made once.
He had vowed to do whatever it took to make Scarlet happy.
Remembering that vow filled him with a sudden surge of courage.
So, he made up his mind.
This holiday, he would ask Scarlet out on a date.
But as soon as he hung up the phone with Sylvia and tried to call Scarlet to ask her out, he suddenly realized something.
He had never been on a date in his entire life.
Before this realization, he had been filled with excitement.
He had only thought about how to make that day the best possible memory for Scarlet, given that it would be their first date.
But what did he know about dating, having never been on one before?
You could find common date ideas with a quick search, but Scarlet wasn’t just anyone.
If he followed a generic date course and it didn’t meet Scarlet’s expectations...
‘Today’s date was the worst. You don’t even know what I like? I can’t believe you couldn’t even plan a proper date. Yoon Si-woo, we’re done.’
Imagining Scarlet saying those cold words with an icy gaze completely shattered his confidence, which had been building up until that moment.
If he were to hear such words, he didn’t think he could go on living, so he decided to learn a bit more about dating before making the call.
Procrastinating like that, his holiday had crept up on him with just one day left.
He had to say something today...
Even as he thought that, he couldn’t muster the courage to make the call, and as he hesitated, Lucy scolded him.
"[Watching you is frustrating. Si-woo, can you really call yourself a man if you’re this timid?]"
“But, I don’t really know anything about dating...”
"[If that girl has feelings for you too, there’s nothing to worry about... If she really likes you, the time you spend together is what matters, not the place.]"
Is that really true...?
Yoon Si-woo recalled the moments he had spent with Scarlet.
The time they randomly met at the market and sat on a bench talking.
The time they bumped into each other on the street, wandered around together, and ended up at a motel... well, except for that part.
Blushing at the embarrassing memory that surfaced during his reflection, Yoon Si-woo realized that being with her had been enough, no matter where they were.
Even so, the hesitation remained.
“...But still, I’d like to take her somewhere she would really enjoy. Somewhere that will leave her with a happy memory she can smile about someday.”
He had been pondering for a while, but he still couldn’t figure out where to take Scarlet.
With a bitter smile, Yoon Si-woo murmured to himself,
“I like Scarlet, but I really don’t know anything about what she likes...”
Just as Yoon Si-woo was beginning to feel that it might be foolish to ask for a date, and that perhaps it was better not to do so...
"[If you don't know, you can just ask.]"
Lucy spoke up.
"[It’s natural to not know things if it’s your first time. Not knowing isn’t the problem. The real mistake is in knowing that you don’t know, but not making an effort to learn. If you want to understand her better, just ask directly. Ask what she likes, where she wants to go. It might be a bit embarrassing, but Si-woo, I know you’re the kind of person who can make that effort for the girl you care about. I’ve seen you put in much more effort than that.]"
“...Lucy.”
"[Well, first, you need to actually ask her out on this date. You can only ask where she wants to go after you’ve agreed to go out together, right?]"
“...Right.”
Yoon Si-woo clenched his fist and nodded, responding with determination to Lucy’s advice.
With a resolute look in his eyes, he took out his phone from his pocket and made the call.
This time, without hesitation.
"[...Hello? Yoon Si-woo?]"
Hearing the now-familiar voice of the girl on the other end, Yoon Si-woo felt a lump form in his throat.
He had never felt this nervous, not even when fighting monsters, and his hands quickly became clammy with sweat. But Yoon Si-woo gathered his courage and called out the girl’s name.
“Uh, Scarlet...”
"[Yeah, is there something you want to say?]"
“Tomorrow... if you’re free...”
Each word felt like it was getting stuck in his throat, but he squeezed his eyes shut and asked.
“Would you like to go somewhere with me?”
After a moment of silence,
"[...Sure.]"
The reply of acceptance came from the other side of the phone.
Yoon Si-woo felt his mind go blank for a moment.
...Wait, did she just agree to go on a date?
The joy hit him a moment later.
Almost shouting with happiness, Yoon Si-woo quickly covered his mouth with his hand, and then, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he had heard, he asked to confirm.
“Uh... Are you sure it’s okay?”
"[Shouldn’t I be the one asking that? It’s your one day off this week, are you sure you don’t want to just rest at home?]"
“Not at all! I’m not really a fan of staying home anyway!”
Overflowing with joy, Yoon Si-woo answered excitedly. Then, he remembered what he originally wanted to ask.
As much as he wanted to say, "Just trust me and look forward to it," he preferred to take her to a place she would genuinely enjoy, so he asked her a question.
“So, uh... Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
"[Someplace I’d like to go...]"
Scarlet seemed to ponder for a moment before hesitantly replying.
“...How about the zoo?”
“Sure! So, we’re going to the zoo tomorrow? I’ll see you then!”
"[...Yeah. See you tomorrow.]"
As soon as the call ended,
“...!!!!”
Yoon Si-woo let out a silent cheer of triumph.
Just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, he pinched his cheek and felt the pain, confirming that this was real.
He was really going on a date with Scarlet.
The zoo—so Scarlet likes animals, huh?
It was a much cuter interest than he had imagined.
His mind was filled with endless fantasies, like a field of flowers.
Scarlet cuddling with a cute animal, not knowing what to do.
Scarlet marveling at a large animal, taking a photo with him.
Scarlet wearing animal ear headbands.
And he would see all of that tomorrow.
Just the thought made a smile spread uncontrollably across his face.
“Yoon Si-woo, break time’s over, so... Hey, why are you grinning like that? Did something good happen?”
“No! It’s nothing at all!”
Yoon Si-woo couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
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Ah youth~
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a couple's trip along with their child Rion to the zoo.
ReplyDelete----
"[Someplace I’d like to go...]"
Scarlet seemed to ponder for a moment before hesitantly replying.
"...How about the zoo?" <-- Incorrect speech bubble
“Sure! So, we’re going to the zoo tomorrow? I’ll see you then!”
Cute
ReplyDeletePlease nothing bad happen at the date
ReplyDeleteHow much do you want to bet that theres a trauma reason why she picked the Zoo, heh.
ReplyDeleteIt's Rion the girls in the orphan. She want to go to the zoo.
DeleteShe promised Rion that she'll take her to Zoo. So, it's very likely that it wouldn't be much of a date, lol.
DeleteIt's not a date, it's a family outing
ReplyDeletesurely nothing bad will happen
ReplyDeleteIstg that monsters will just drop from the sky because the author cannot let Scarlet get a break
ReplyDelete