Join us on Discord
Click Here

Chapter 173: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 173



As I lay in the ward that was used as a shelter, a broadcast announced that the demonic beasts that had invaded the city had been completely dealt with.


At the same time, a demobilization order was issued to the students who had been deployed.


Of course, just because I heard that didn’t mean I was planning to obediently rest.


We all had experienced a major incident before, so we knew how much time and manpower were needed to handle the aftermath of an event of this scale.


It was a situation where we couldn’t borrow the hands of the heroes at the front lines.


So, I expressed my intention to volunteer and help Ms. Eve, but a firm refusal was the response.


She said that for us who had been in the shelter, rest was the priority, unlike others.


At first, it felt uncomfortable to rest while everyone else was struggling, but after Jessie’s concerned comment about how I couldn’t even stand properly, I decided to quietly head home.


On the way back, I thought following the teacher’s advice was the right call.


Maybe it was due to fatigue, but my body felt weak.


Every step felt like a struggle. I barely remembered how I made it home.


As the teacher said, if I had been stubborn, it wouldn’t have been surprising if I collapsed midway.


Maybe that’s why.


As soon as I got home, I collapsed into my bed, burying my head into it, and fell asleep as if I’d fainted.



Lying still, I looked up.


Like a guillotine, sharp claws fell toward my neck.


I wanted to resist, but I couldn’t even struggle.


My limbs had already rolled away far from my neck.


All I could do was helplessly watch death descend upon me.


With a thud, my head separated from my body and rolled on the ground.


I watched as my lifeless body grew cold, repeatedly, over and over again.


I could only watch that powerless sight unfold.


It was a horrible nightmare.


I knew.


That this is what would have happened in reality if Yoon Si-woo had been just a little late today.


That this world is a place where someone like me could die at any moment without it being strange.


So my body trembled.


No matter how much I pretended to be strong, dying was still terrifying.


And the fact that an overwhelming power existed, within arm’s reach, that would allow me to not fear such things, scared me more than anything else.


When I turned my gaze to the side, a crimson girl was standing there.


She quietly watched me as if saying, “Whenever you want, just say the word.”


Without realizing it, I squeezed my eyes shut with all my might to stop myself from looking at her.


I quietly accepted the falling death in that state.


The sound of my head falling off echoed.


Again and again.


As if asking how long I could endure.


It was truly a terrible nightmare.


*


My head felt hot.


I instinctively knew my body wasn’t in good condition.


Was it because of the nightmare?


Since I was a child, this had occasionally happened.


Whenever I had nightmares, I would feel physically sick like this.


I couldn’t tell if the pain was from the nightmare or if I had the nightmare because of the pain, but whenever this happened, I would always be stricken with severe chills.


As I moaned and suffered alone, I suddenly felt something cold placed on my forehead.


At that touch, I felt tears welling up involuntarily.


When I was sick as a child, my mother would stay by my side all night, nursing me.


She would place a cold towel on my forehead to lower my fever or wipe off the cold sweat covering my body.


Those things were comforting, but more than anything, it was my mother’s presence—her simply being there when I was struggling—that gave me strength.


Ah, mother.


Missing the warmth I could no longer feel, I clung to the hem of her clothes that seemed like they would disappear like a mirage at any moment.


“...Please, don’t leave me alone.”


My mother, smiling as if she had no choice, sat down by my side again and mumbled.


“...Don’t worry. I won’t go anywhere.”


How long had it been since I felt this warmth?


With her gentle hands softly stroking my hair as she did when I was a child, I was able to momentarily forget my worries and drift back to sleep.


*


...I opened my eyes as I regained consciousness.


Half-awake, my mind still felt hazy as if it were slowly clearing like the fog lifting.


Even though it was faint, I remembered being quite sick, but now I could tell I was feeling a bit better.


As I slowly got up, something slipped off my forehead and fell.


It was a cold towel, chilled to the point I could tell it had just been taken from the fridge.


“...Who did this?”


Puzzled, but thinking I should get up, I propped myself against the wall and stepped out of the room, only to be greeted by the savory smell of food from somewhere.


Was it the kitchen?


I slowly moved forward, and soon I saw a familiar figure, wearing an apron and cooking.


Sensing my presence, Yoon Si-woo turned towards me and asked.


“You’re awake. How are you feeling? Are you sure you should be up?”


“Huh? Yeah... I think I’m okay...”


It seemed like he knew I had been sick.


So the cold towel on my forehead earlier—it must have been Si-woo who put it there.


Feeling both guilty and grateful, I hesitated before answering, and Si-woo smiled, relieved.


“That’s good. Just sit there for a bit and wait. It’s almost done.”


I sat at the table and waited, and before long, Si-woo brought out something in a bowl.


“...Porridge?”


It was porridge.


It was a vegetable porridge, thoughtfully prepared with various ingredients that wouldn’t be too heavy for a patient’s stomach.


“Yeah. You seemed unwell, so I put in a bit of everything and cooked it up... I hope it suits your taste.”


Despite his efforts, he mumbled nervously, unsure if I’d like it—such a Si-woo-like reaction that made me smile unintentionally.


“It looks good... Thanks, I’ll eat well.”


I thanked Si-woo and took a spoonful of the porridge.


Honestly, having just woken up, I couldn’t fully taste it, but it was warm, freshly made.


I could feel the care put into it, and that alone was enough, so I smiled slightly and spoke to Si-woo.


“It’s good.”


“...Really?”


“Yeah, thanks.”


Hearing that, Si-woo smiled happily.


Seeing him smile made me smile, too.


But soon, my smile faded.


I suddenly recalled the image of Si-woo I had seen through the screen and the people who had watched him in awe.


“...I saw the broadcast. It said you defeated the witch.”


“...It just ended up that way.”


Si-woo shrugged as if it was nothing, but I had seen it.


The look in people’s eyes when they gazed at him.


Those who didn’t know the truth would idolize him.


And Si-woo would have to live as their idol, hiding the truth for the rest of his life.


So I asked him.


“...Are you really okay with this?”


Are you really okay with it?


Can you keep pushing through such a painful and thorny path?


And Si-woo replied, as he always did.


“I’m doing it because I can. It’s necessary.”


He answered plainly, as if it were obvious, just because he could.


Do people know?


The devotion of this young boy.


The weight of the burden this boy had decided to carry on his shoulders.


The heaviness of it was beyond my imagination. Just as I was about to cheer him on, Si-woo suddenly remembered something.


“Oh, right. This isn’t widely known yet, but it looks like I’m going to become a squad leader.”


“...A squad leader? Really?”


“Yeah, it’s almost confirmed.”


Hearing Si-woo’s words, I held my breath.


The weight of the title ‘squad leader’ carried a significant impact.


I recalled the faces of the squad leaders who had visited the academy for special lessons.


Leon Lionelle, Martina Ivanova, Natalia Eloise.


All of them were remarkable individuals.


Now, Si-woo was going to stand among them.


I knew from reading the original work.


That one day, Si-woo would become as great as, or even greater than, those people.


But hearing the news that Si-woo was actually going to be in that position made it all the more real.


...Yeah, unlike someone like me, Si-woo is the protagonist of this world.


If anyone can save this world, it’s him—someone born with that kind of destiny.


For some reason, I felt a sense of distance now.


It was such a strange feeling that I must have unknowingly made a strange expression.


Judging by how Si-woo urgently spoke.


“Oh... hey, don’t worry! Even if I become a squad leader, if you’re ever in danger like today, I’ll—”


“Si-woo.”


I cut him off, calling his name.


Impulsively.


Why was that?


As I thought for a moment, an idea suddenly came to mind, and I quietly asked Si-woo, who was staring at me, startled.


“If there were people you had to save right in front of you... and you found out I was in danger, what would you do?”


Si-woo stared intently at me.


For some reason, I felt like I already knew his answer.


“Si-woo.”


So, once again, I called his name.


Then, as he looked at me, I slowly shook my head.


And I mumbled.


“You can’t do that.”


“......”


“I appreciate you trying to keep your promise to me, but you can’t do that anymore.”


Hearing that, Si-woo looked deeply hurt.


Seeing his expression pained me, but I felt I had to say it.


“Si-woo, I’m always grateful to you. You’ve helped me so much. You’re my hero. But from now on, a lot more people will be looking up to you. Remember what I asked of you before?”


“......”


“Be a hero for everyone. Not a hero who prioritizes someone but one who prioritizes saving as many people as possible.”


Si-woo murmured with an indescribable expression.


“...Even though you’re so scared of being alone.”


I didn’t respond to that.


“...Even though you were so terrified when you nearly died this time.”


I remained silent.


“Then why...”


Still, Si-woo, as if he knew everything, questioned me, unable to understand.


Facing him, I gave a bitter smile and answered.


“Because it scares me more if you come to save me instead of saving the people you need to.”


Si-woo, looking saddened, asked.


“...Are you really okay with that?”


I silently nodded at Si-woo.


Then, looking straight into his eyes, I stared at him quietly.


I was fine, so I asked him to answer, too.


Si-woo hesitated for a long while, then finally closed his eyes tightly, sighed deeply, and muttered.


“...Right. You’ve always been like that.”


He nodded slowly, as if he understood.


“...Thank you.”


Hearing that, Si-woo looked sad.


His expression made my chest ache, and though I tried to smile back sadly, I thought this was enough.


----------------------


TL Note: Rate us on Novel Updates & Make Sure to Add This Novel to Your Reading List on Novel Updates so You Will Receive Notifications Whenever i Post New Chapters.



PREVIOUS | TOC | NEXT

Comments

  1. I love how real everyone is

    ReplyDelete
  2. I thought he would reply he would split his body into two person

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Join us on Discord
Click Here