Chapter 145: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 145
After Yoon Si-woo pulled me away from the fence where the unicorn was, he started radiating a tense atmosphere, as if on high alert, whenever people came near us.
He seemed fine earlier, so what suddenly changed?
I tilted my head in confusion, but when I saw Yoon Si-woo with his hat and mask on, I finally realized that I had been inconsiderate.
Come to think of it, Yoon Si-woo is famous enough that most people would recognize his face.
So, it was obvious that if people recognized him, they'd start asking for photos or autographs, which would be a hassle. He probably covered his face like that to enjoy his time in peace.
But of all things, I—who already attracted a lot of attention—had to do something that would catch even more eyes by riding a unicorn and waving goodbye to everyone like, "See you later, everyone~."
From Yoon Si-woo's perspective, it was only natural that he’d be on edge, worrying that his identity might get exposed.
...I suddenly felt guilty. He did suggest earlier that it might be better not to ride, but I ignored him, and now this happened.
Even though we were here to have fun together, I got too carried away, thinking only of myself. I bowed my head apologetically to Yoon Si-woo.
"Um, sorry. You warned me not to ride earlier, but I didn’t think it would attract that much attention..."
"...Please be careful from now on. What you did earlier could cause some trouble."
"...Yeah, I’ll be more careful next time."
As I replied, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed about my actions.
I mean, I’m not a kid anymore, yet here I was, waving and smiling at everyone just because I was excited.
This had always been one of my problems, something my friends often pointed out.
When I’m going through tough times, I try to stay positive, sometimes to the point where I don’t filter my thoughts or actions, leading to situations like this.
When I get called out on it afterward, the embarrassment hits me hard, making it difficult to lift my head. Seeing me like that, Yoon Si-woo muttered to me.
"...You know, Scarlet, you looked really happy riding that unicorn. It was the first time I saw you smile so brightly."
"...Well, it was my first time. I’d never seen or ridden a unicorn before."
For some reason, Yoon Si-woo's words sounded to me like he was teasing, saying, "Hey, was it really that fun?"
I was used to my friends teasing me for a while after things like this happened.
So when I thought he might be trying to tease me, I instinctively responded in a curt, defensive tone.
"The first time... Yeah, I guess it would be your first..."
But after hearing my response, Yoon Si-woo murmured something that was a little different from what I had expected.
"...You know, I told you to be careful earlier, but if you really want to do something when you’re with me, it’s okay to just go ahead. Don’t worry about what others think."
"...But, if I do that, it could cause trouble."
"Even if it causes trouble, I’ll take care of it. So, Scarlet, just do whatever you want and enjoy yourself, okay?"
I could feel his sincerity as he told me this, as if he was concerned that I might hold back because of him.
He didn’t mind taking the hit, as long as I didn’t worry about him. I couldn’t help but be moved by his deep consideration.
You rascal, that’s what friends are for...
I didn’t want to make things awkward by refusing his kind offer, so I nodded in agreement. Seeing that, Yoon Si-woo smiled and asked,
"So, is there anything else you want to do?"
"...Well, first, let’s go check out the other animals. My goal for today is to pet as many animals as I can!"
"Alright. We’ve got plenty of time, so let’s visit them all in order."
With that ambitious goal in mind, I started wandering around the zoo with Yoon Si-woo.
And before long, I had a feeling something was wrong with my goal.
It started when I tried to pet a sheep in the pasture, which promptly ran away from my hand.
"...Huh?"
"...Haha, that’s strange. These guys usually love people."
I let it slide, thinking that maybe the sheep was just a bit shy.
But then...
"Uh, excuse me. Zookeeper?"
"Wh-what’s gotten into them?"
Even the dogs that were eagerly accepting treats and cuddles from others,
the birds that would hop onto people’s hands to peck at the food,
the penguins that would rub their heads against people’s hands when they were given fish,
and even the horse that looked nearly identical to the unicorn...
All of them bolted the moment I tried to touch them. I had no choice but to acknowledge the truth.
It seemed that I had a natural disposition that animals didn’t like.
"...Why... why are they all avoiding me?"
By the time we reached Cat Town, a place full of friendly cats, I was on my knees, mumbling in despair.
Everyone else had a cat or two snuggling with them, while I was all alone in an empty space.
Feeling sorry for me, Yoon Si-woo tried to comfort me.
"...Don’t be too upset. Everyone’s got their own way with animals."
"...You’re lucky. The animals love you. Ugh, I want to cuddle a cat too... The unicorn liked me earlier..."
But hearing that from someone who was covered in cats didn’t make me feel any better.
Who would have thought that all the animals except the unicorn would hate me?
Maybe that unicorn was just a hipster with quirky tastes.
Damn, I want to cuddle a cat too.
As I looked at Yoon Si-woo with envious eyes, watching him bask in the affection of the cats, he grabbed one of the cats clinging to him and held it out to me.
However, as soon as I hesitantly reached out to the cat, it hissed! and squirmed out of Yoon Si-woo's grasp, running off to another spot.
To make matters worse, the other cats that had been clinging to Yoon Si-woo bristled and eyed me warily as I got closer, causing me to let out a bitter smile.
"...It seems like they don’t like me being here. I’ll wait outside. Take your time and play with the cats."
"...Oh..."
Holding back my tears, I walked out and sat alone on a bench nearby with a sigh.
I’ve never smoked before, but I think this is what craving a cigarette feels like.
But all I had on me was a lemon candy I’d brought just in case.
I popped the lemon candy into my mouth and sat there gloomily, thinking to myself, "These tears are just because it’s sour." I noticed Yoon Si-woo coming out of Cat Town.
He was holding a strange-looking bag.
"...Why’d you come out so soon? You should’ve played with the cats a bit longer."
"Uh, well... that’s..."
As I half-scolded him, Yoon Si-woo hesitated and stammered.
"Th-this..."
He pulled something out of the bag and handed it to me.
It was soft and squishy. When I looked at it, I realized...
"...A doll?"
It was a cat-shaped plushie, probably sold at Cat Town.
"Well, I know it’s not the same as a real cat, but... Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m not trying to tease you! You just looked really down, so..."
Yoon Si-woo quickly blurted out in a trembling voice.
...I know, I know. I know you’re not teasing me.
I know you’re not that kind of person, and more than anything, I could feel how much you wanted to cheer me up from the look on your face.
I’m not really into collecting plushies, but your thoughtfulness touched me.
I hugged the plushie tightly and smiled as I thanked Yoon Si-woo.
"...Thanks. I feel a bit better now. I’ll cherish it."
"...Really? I’m glad you feel better..."
Yoon Si-woo scratched his cheek awkwardly as he smiled.
But this plushie might be a bit inconvenient to carry around all the time.
It could get dirty, so I thought about putting it in the bag he brought it in. I reached for the bag in his hand.
That’s when Yoon Si-woo exclaimed in a flustered voice,
"Ah, w-wait! I’ll carry it if it’s the plushie!"
"Hey, if I’m getting a gift, it’s only fair I carry it myself... Huh? There’s something else in here? A headband?"
"I-it’s just a souvenir! I bought it as a souvenir!"
Inside the bag, along with the plushie, was a cat-ear headband.
One white, one black, two in total.
Even though Yoon Si-woo said they were just souvenirs, anyone could see that...
I gave him a meaningful look, and Yoon Si-woo started fidgeting, glancing between me and the headband in my hand.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Oh, you’re such a tsundere.
I burst out laughing and put the black headband on my head.
Yoon Si-woo, startled, made a strange sound.
"...Huh?"
"What do you mean, huh? Hey, here, this one’s yours. Let me put it on for you."
Taking advantage of the moment when Yoon Si-woo was still in a daze, I quickly stood on my tiptoes and placed the white headband on top of his hat.
Satisfied with how the headband looked on him, I nodded approvingly.
It suits him well. Even though his hair isn’t visible because of the hat, white definitely matches Yoon Si-woo perfectly.
Seeing Yoon Si-woo absentmindedly touching the headband I had put on him, I spoke up.
“You idiot, this is a terrible souvenir. If you take a headband like this home, you won’t have any use for it, and it’s not like you can decorate your place with it like a doll. These things are only wearable here. So, if you don’t wear it now, it’s just a waste of money, right?”
Yoon Si-woo, as if entranced by my words, nodded his head. I handed the doll back to him and said,
“Here, you hold this, and give me your phone for a second.”
“Why do you need my phone...?”
“Why else? We’re going to take a commemorative photo, so hand it over.”
Opening the phone that Yoon Si-woo handed over in a daze, I couldn’t help but click my tongue in disappointment.
A barren background and an almost empty photo gallery.
Considering I was partly responsible for the fact that this guy, who should have been super popular, didn’t have any friends, I felt a sense of duty.
As his only current friend, I felt compelled to fulfill my duties as a friend.
So, I wrapped my left arm around Yoon Si-woo’s shoulder, extended my right arm, and positioned the phone to capture both of us on the screen.
“Alright, say cheese.”
After the camera clicked, I checked the photo and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Yoon Si-woo’s expression in the picture was so comically dumbfounded that even his mask couldn’t hide it.
Setting the photo as the phone’s background, I handed the phone back to Yoon Si-woo.
He stared blankly at the screen, checking the new background, while I reminisced and said,
“If you want to remember today, a photo is better than a souvenir. You can recall the memory every time you see the picture.”
I once knew someone who would take pictures wherever we went, capturing everything we did.
Back then, I couldn’t understand why they went through so much trouble, but as time passed, I realized they were right—photos are what really last.
Every time I saw the photo I had set as my phone’s background from that day, it made me smile.
Hoping today would also become a happy memory for Yoon Si-woo, I added,
“It’s a little something in return for the gift.”
“...Yeah. I’ll treasure it...treasure it a lot.”
Seeing Yoon Si-woo smiling brightly while holding his phone, genuinely happy, made me smile a little too.
---
“Ah! Big sis and big bro have turned into kitty people!”
“Kitty people? Oh, you mean the headbands.”
“Hehe, kitty big sis!”
As we rejoined the children we had been touring the zoo with, Rion came running up to me, laughing happily.
Although the director had told us to enjoy the zoo freely, trusting the children to her care, I felt a bit guilty for neglecting Rion, who I had promised to spend time with. But seeing her smiling reassured me that she had been having fun.
“Did you see a lot of animals?”
“Yeah! I saw Mr. Giraffe and Mr. Tiger going roar! Rion is going to see Mr. Bear next, so big sis and big bro should come too. We’re all going to draw with Mr. Bear!”
“Alright, let’s go see the bear together.”
“Yay!”
After getting permission from the director, I took Rion’s hand, and Yoon Si-woo and I headed to the bear enclosure. Rion was really excited since bears were her favorite animals.
Once we arrived at the bear’s enclosure, Rion had us sit on a bench near it, even assigning us specific spots.
“Big sis sits here, and big bro sits a bit further over there!”
“...Why are you leaving the middle empty?”
“The middle is Rion’s spot. But Rion has to draw, so I can’t sit there! Big sis and big bro have to stay still until Rion finishes drawing!”
Although Rion’s drawings tended to have a rather free composition, and she didn’t really need us to stay still, it seemed that she wanted us to pose as models for her.
Satisfied with her arrangement, Rion wandered around the bench area, as if scouting for the perfect spot to draw from, before finally settling on a place a little away from the bench.
Seeing her plop down on the ground in her white dress made my heart skip a beat, but I quickly reminded myself that the director must have been prepared for this. She surely knew the white dress would get dirty.
As I watched Rion happily drawing, absorbed in her work, I started to get a bit bored, so I turned to Yoon Si-woo and struck up a conversation.
“Hey, Yoon Si-woo.”
“Huh?! Oh, yeah, what is it?”
“There’s something I’ve been curious about for a while. The beastkin race Rion mentioned, they really existed, right?”
“Yeah, like you said, they ‘existed.’ Most of them, like other demi-humans, were wiped out by the Witch of Gluttony long ago.”
Yoon Si-woo answered calmly.
So, the beastkin race really did exist in this world.
That made me curious about something I had wondered about for a long time.
“You know, do you think cat beastkin really ended all their sentences with cat sounds?”
“End their sentences with cat sounds? I’ve never heard of anything like that.”
“Ugh... So you’re saying they didn’t? That’s a bit disappointing...”
What the heck, then what were all those beastkin I’ve seen in novels up until now supposed to be...?
As I was mourning the sad, disillusioning truth, Yoon Si-woo looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked,
“Uh, wait, what do you mean by cat sounds at the end of their sentences?”
“Oh, you didn’t get it? I mean something like this. ‘It’s like this, nya.’ You add a ‘nya’ to the end of every sentence, nya.”
As I demonstrated how a cat beastkin would supposedly speak for the uninformed Yoon Si-woo, he suddenly started coughing violently, as if he’d choked on something.
“Hey, are you okay?!”
“Ugh, cough... I-I’m just going to get something to drink for a bit. Cough...”
“Oh, okay. Hurry back.”
Completely flustered, his face turning red from his neck to the tips of his ears, Yoon Si-woo kept coughing as he hurried off to get a drink.
Jeez... I hope he’ll be okay.
I watched Yoon Si-woo’s retreating figure with concern, then noticed something strange.
The model, Yoon Si-woo, had suddenly disappeared, but Rion wasn’t reacting at all.
Tilting my head in confusion, I looked over at Rion and realized something was off about her.
She was staring blankly at the spot where Yoon Si-woo and I had been, her crayon moving across the sketchbook in a trance-like state.
Having seen this before, I recognized that Rion’s mysterious ability to draw what she saw in the future was currently at work.
I stood up and approached Rion to see what she was drawing.
What is she...
“...Um, Scarlet. I brought you something to drink too.”
Hearing Yoon Si-woo’s voice from behind, I quickly tore the page out of the sketchbook and stuffed it into the bag with the doll before turning around.
Yoon Si-woo, looking puzzled, asked,
“...Did something happen?”
“...No, nothing. Nothing at all.”
At that moment, all I could do was hope that Yoon Si-woo wouldn’t think I was lying.
Even I didn’t know why I did it.
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Nya~~~
ReplyDeletenext chapter gonna be fire checked the mtl
ReplyDeleteWhere can I find the mtl
DeleteDid you check on there the couch
Deleteyeah couldn't find it mind sharing
DeleteAvailable on Novelpia and Tappytoon but you have to pay
Deletedon't bother be patient translation there is not so good and there is no comment section good as here.
DeleteMan I love this novel
ReplyDeleteThe picture is probably them in a wedding outfit or furiously making out.
ReplyDeleteNo in-between.
Or something absolutely tragic
DeleteDoubt it was tragic due to Scarlet's last sentence, she'd know why she'd done it if it were something tragic.
Deletewe need them to kiss
ReplyDeleteno they should hand hold
Deletei don't feel so good
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute!! They look so happy in this chapter
ReplyDelete