Chapter143: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter143
Finally, on the long-awaited day off, Yoon Si-woo was practically glowing with excitement, like a kindergartener going on a field trip. Even though he hadn't yet reached home, the anticipation of the upcoming date had his heart racing with pleasant excitement, causing his steps to quicken.
“Mom, look at that guy. He’s smiling a lot.”
“Yes, he must be really happy about something.”
Hearing the conversation between a mother and her child as he passed by, Yoon Si-woo realized how much he’d been smiling, and his face flushed red. But how could he help it when he was this happy?
Even though he tried to compose himself just before arriving home so as not to look too excited in front of Scarlet, it wasn’t easy.
“You’re back? You’re here earlier than I expected.”
“...Yeah, I’m back.”
“Have you had breakfast? I prepared something for you just in case. Do you want to eat?”
“...Yeah, I’ll eat.”
The moment he stepped inside and saw Scarlet greeting him, it took all of his effort not to let his grin take over.
Having someone to welcome him home, especially when that person was the girl he liked and with whom he had a date planned, was almost more happiness than Yoon Si-woo could handle.
“What about you? Aren’t you going to eat, Scarlet?”
“...No, I don’t have much of an appetite. I’ll get ready to go out. Just let me know when you’re done with breakfast and ready to leave.”
“...Okay.”
Sitting down at the table where breakfast had been prepared, Yoon Si-woo noticed that there were two sets of utensils. Remembering what Sylvia had mentioned during their phone call, he thought about Scarlet’s response that she wasn’t hungry.
So she’s really on a diet.
Is it possible... she’s trying to look good for me?
Yoon Si-woo stared blankly at the door Scarlet had just closed behind her, blushing deeply as the thought crossed his mind. After cooling down for a moment, he quickly finished his breakfast and decided to get ready to go out.
He spent a while deliberating in front of his wardrobe. He wanted to look nice, but considering Scarlet’s personality, he figured dressing too formally might make her uncomfortable. So, he chose something simple yet neat.
Then, while looking in the mirror, Yoon Si-woo realized that it might not be a good idea for people to see them on a date together.
Frankly, he didn’t care if people knew about his relationship with Scarlet, but she might feel burdened by the attention. Moreover, considering her past encounters and interrogations, it could be troublesome if they attracted too much attention.
After some thought, he sighed and reluctantly put on a hat and mask to hide his noticeable hair color and face.
Going on a date while wearing a hat and mask felt a bit strange, but thinking of Scarlet, it seemed like the right choice.
“I'm ready, do you need more time?”
When Yoon Si-woo knocked on Scarlet’s door after getting ready,
“...No, I’m ready too.”
As Scarlet opened the door, Yoon Si-woo was left speechless.
She was wearing a white dress that exuded femininity, something she would never normally wear. With a faint blush on her cheeks, likely from feeling shy in such an unfamiliar outfit, she hesitated slightly, looking like a living portrait.
Yoon Si-woo could only stare, captivated by the sight.
“...Do you think this kind of outfit is strange for going out?”
“N-no, not at all.”
He wanted to tell her that it wasn’t just not strange but that it suited her perfectly. However, with his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, those were the only words he could manage to get out.
Her outfit clearly showed that she was thinking about their date, and he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but she looked even more beautiful than usual.
Could it be, or did she... apply makeup without it being too obvious?
Without realizing it, Yoon Si-woo asked her in a dazed tone.
“Did you... put on makeup?”
Immediately after asking, he realized that it might be a slightly embarrassing question to answer and flinched a little.
But deep down, he hoped she had. It would mean that, as Sylvia had suggested, Scarlet was consciously thinking about him.
In response, Scarlet replied in a curt voice.
“Do I really have to say that out loud?”
Her answer suggested she’d hoped he would notice without needing to ask. For a moment, Yoon Si-woo berated himself for not being more perceptive, but then the surge of emotion made him glad he was wearing a mask.
Without it, Scarlet might have seen the foolish smile that was surely on his face right now.
“If you’re ready, let’s go. The zoo opens at 9.”
“...Yeah.”
Even on the way to the zoo, that smile didn’t leave his face.
Going on a date with Scarlet felt like a dream.
Because of that, everything he saw on the way to the zoo seemed more beautiful.
But the smile that had been stuck on Yoon Si-woo’s face vanished the moment they arrived at the zoo and he saw the group of children and the director from the orphanage waving at them as if they had been waiting.
“Sister! Over here, over here!”
“Miss Scarlet, we’re here!”
Shocked and confused, Yoon Si-woo’s grin quickly faded.
“What are you standing there for? The kids are waiting. Let’s go.”
But seeing Scarlet smile at him and naturally head over to the children, Yoon Si-woo realized something.
He had been dreaming an overly sweet dream until now.
*
After staying up for several nights, I realized something.
When you stay up late, you naturally start to spend more time lost in thought.
They say people get more emotional at night, and maybe that’s why you end up thinking about things you wouldn’t normally consider, like how you’re going to live the rest of your life—thoughts that seem oddly philosophical.
Of course, these thoughts were partly influenced by the realization that the time I had left to remain myself might not be too far off.
And as I thought about it, a sort of bucket list came to mind.
A bucket list is essentially a list of things you want to do so you don’t have any regrets in life.
When I asked myself what I would regret the most, I realized it would be breaking a promise, and naturally, I remembered the promise I had made to Rion to go to the zoo together.
I had already been planning a zoo outing with the children after consulting with Director Maria, so it was an easy promise to fulfill in the near future. While I was contemplating when to go...
“[Tomorrow... if you’re free... would you like to go somewhere with me?]”
Yoon Si-woo asked me out.
It was his one day off for the week, and instead of resting, he wanted to go out and have fun.
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of pity for him.
Suddenly, I remembered that in the original story, Yoon Si-woo was portrayed as someone who disliked staying at home, perhaps because he didn’t have a family, and he often seemed quite lonely.
On top of that, he hadn’t made any friends during his time at the academy since he had graduated early, leaving him in a situation where there wasn’t really anyone else to hang out with.
So naturally, I was the only one who could spend time with him.
Thinking of his pitiful circumstances, I agreed to go out with him.
He was so happy about the promise to go out that it was almost heartbreaking.
After arranging the outing with Yoon Si-woo, I coordinated with the director to move up the zoo trip to coincide with his day off.
Although we could have gone separately, I thought Yoon Si-woo, who tends to get lonely, would enjoy having a lively, group outing more.
I didn’t tell him beforehand because I wanted it to be a little surprise—a way to give him some joy, considering all that he’s done for me.
So, on the day of the outing, after preparing a light breakfast for Yoon Si-woo, I returned to my room to get ready. Just as I was about to change, I received a video call from the director’s phone.
"[Hehe, Sis! Can you see? The director bought me this pretty dress for the trip! It looks like a princess dress!]"
“Yeah, it suits you well, Rion. You look beautiful.”
"[Hehe, I got a compliment!]"
Rion was spinning around in a white dress, beaming with happiness, clearly eager to show off her new outfit to me.
"[Sis, do you happen to have a dress similar to this one?]"
“Oh? Um... I do, actually…”
I replied hesitantly to Rion’s question.
Yes, I did have a similar dress. Sylvia had forced me to buy it during a shopping trip, insisting it would suit me perfectly.
It was a very feminine dress, so I had never actually worn it and had kept it tucked away in my closet.
"[Sis, I have a favor to ask...]"
“What kind of favor…?”
I sensed a looming disaster in Rion's request and silently prayed it wasn’t what I thought it was. But of course, my prayers went unanswered.
"[Could you wear that dress today, too?]"
Hearing that, I felt like the world was spinning.
Dear God, why must you put me through this trial…?
I briefly resented the higher powers for this nearly impossible challenge, but then I remembered that this world was one without much hope or dreams. My expression hardened with resolve.
Sensing my reluctance, Rion hesitated and said,
“Sis, um… it’s okay if you don’t want to. You can wear something else if you prefer. Don’t worry about it.”
She was saying it was fine, but I knew she would be disappointed if I wore something else. Still, Rion was too mature for her age, and even if she felt sad, she would smile and say it was okay.
And that’s something I didn’t want to see.
Clenching my teeth, I opened my closet.
There it was, the white dress.
Come on, it’s just a dress.
I reminded myself that I had once worn a miniskirt and crop top for a cross-dressing competition in the army, in front of the entire squad, while dancing to a girl group song.
Imagine if you hadn’t been able to see your mother one more time because you didn’t win that leave due to your pride. You would have regretted it for the rest of your life.
So, if you don’t wear this dress and disappoint Rion, you’ll regret it too.
I repeated to myself: I’m a man. A real man.
And a real man doesn’t let a kid down.
So, with a newfound determination, I quickly changed into the dress and showed it to Rion.
Seeing how incredibly happy Rion was that we were wearing matching dresses made me feel that my embarrassment was worth it.
Or so I thought, until I had to stand in front of Yoon Si-woo.
His dazed expression, staring at me as if to say, “How could you wear something like that?” made me feel even more self-conscious.
Then, as if to make things worse, he asked,
“Did you... put on makeup?”
His question reminded me of the soldiers who had teased me as the “Goddess of the Battlefield” after that cross-dressing event. So, with a bit of annoyance, I snapped at him.
“Do I really have to say that out loud?”
I said it sharply, with a bite in my tone.
Remember this, Yoon Si-woo: a real man doesn’t wear makeup.
Anyway, when we arrived at the zoo with Yoon Si-woo, the reaction was exactly what I expected.
“Wow! Sis and Rion are matching!”
Rion was overjoyed, bouncing around, while Yoon Si-woo looked at me, surprised.
“...So it wasn’t just the two of us going?”
“Yeah, it’s my little surprise. The people at the orphanage are like family to you, so I wanted to give you the memory of spending time with family. How do you feel? Happy?”
“...Yeah, I’m happy.”
Seeing Yoon Si-woo’s eyes well up a bit in response to my surprise, I felt very satisfied with myself.
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Scarlet Evande, master of misunderstandings
ReplyDeleteShe isn't the master, she's the one who has been mastered.
DeleteSo funny and yet so sad
ReplyDeleteBetter luck next time Si-woo
ReplyDeletePoor Siwoo
ReplyDeleteRip
Never give up Si-woo
ReplyDeleteNow instead of a date, it looks like a young couple and their adopted daughter, heh.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Si-woo!!
ReplyDeleteScarlet: I'm a real man!!!
ReplyDeleteMe: And it takes a real man to become the best girl.
NOOO I CAUGHT UP ;--;
ReplyDeleteThe sorrow it caused si woo aside scarlet really is so good
ReplyDeleteAhaha the only thing siwoo mind is romance with scarlet but scarlet didnt even think about that because she busy to kept her mind sane
ReplyDeleteRip Si Woo. Despite numerous advantages, he has one, critical, fatal flaw: Si Woo is not a pretty girl.
ReplyDeleteThat's why Silvia can lose every battle, but still win the war... XD