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Chapter 174: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 174



“......”


After our conversation, a silence hung between Si-woo and me for a while.


When I glanced at him, Si-woo’s profile showed a sullen expression, clearly displeased.


From what I had observed so far, Si-woo was a person quite similar to me.


He was someone who, once he took someone to heart, would go out of his way to help them.


That’s why my request—to prioritize others over me—seemed to have hurt him deeply.


I understood Si-woo’s feelings, and it made my own heart ache.


If a friend had made the same request to me, I would have felt quite hurt, too.


But Si-woo and I weren’t just ordinary friends.


We were the only ones in this world who knew each other’s flaws and understood them, making us something a bit more special than just friends.


So, it wasn’t easy for him to put someone else before me.


However, I had to ask this of him because it was necessary.


Now that Si-woo was stepping into a role where he had to support so many people, he had to take responsibility for that as well.


He had to prioritize his responsibilities over his own feelings.


Responsibility always comes with pain.


And it’s by becoming accustomed to that pain that a person grows into an adult.


I stopped sneaking glances and quietly took in Si-woo’s face.


I could see the strain of his internal struggle.


Though he was still a boy, he was forced to grow up, and now he was suffering through those growing pains.


Even if he wanted to remain a boy and cling to that, deep down, he knew what was right, making it even harder for him to turn away.


Still, I believed in him.


I believed that Si-woo would become an exemplary adult, more than anyone else.


That he would lead everyone down the right path, even amidst confusion.


So, just for now, couldn’t I comfort this struggling young boy?


With that thought, I cautiously spoke to Si-woo.


“...Sorry. My request must have upset you, right?”


“...It’s fine. You’re right. If I become a squad leader, then doing what you said is the right thing.”


Si-woo answered, but his expression still showed lingering dissatisfaction.


As I pondered how to lift his mood, Si-woo, who had been staring at me, mumbled.


“Then, can you grant me one request too?”


“Huh? Sure. What is it?”


Eagerly nodding, I waited to hear his request.


Si-woo, wearing a serious expression, grabbed my shoulders with both hands and said.


“...Even if I know you’re in danger, I’ll save everyone else first and come for you later, so promise me you won’t push yourself like you did this time. Run away, hide, do whatever it takes to stay alive until I get there. No matter what, I’ll come for you. Got it?”


I could feel Si-woo’s hands trembling as they gripped my shoulders.


From that tremble, I could sense it.


How much Si-woo cherished me.


How worried he had been seeing me nearly die this time.


That realization made me happy, and I couldn’t help but smile a little as I answered Si-woo.


“...Yeah, I promise.”


“...Don’t smile. If you die when I’m not there, I swear I won’t let it go. I’m not joking.”


“I got it.”


Nodding at his stern words, I reassured him.


Only then did Si-woo seem to relax a bit, a faint smile tugging at his lips.


Maybe he felt a little better now.


Murmuring “thank goodness” to myself, I suddenly felt like I’d forgotten something.


What was it? As I thought, my eyes landed on Si-woo’s arms still holding my shoulders, and I remembered what I wanted to say.


“...Oh right. By the way, I heard you lost an arm and a leg saving me, huh?”


“Uh...? W-What are you talking about?”


At my words, Si-woo flinched, breaking into a nervous sweat as he stammered a response.


...This guy is terrible at lying.


His face gave it all away, pretending not to know. I shook my head, exasperated.


“Don’t even try to play dumb. I heard everything from Dwight. Geez, I’m grateful you came to save me, but don’t push yourself like that. What if it was your head instead of an arm or leg?”


“Well, it’s just... I was in such a hurry then...”


“...Anyway, when I heard, I felt sorry and grateful, so I’ve got something to give you.”


“...Something to give me?”


I scribbled a few words on a notepad from the kitchen and handed it to the puzzled Si-woo.


He took it with a bewildered look and muttered as he read.


“...What’s this? A wish ticket?”


“Exactly. You can use it to make any request of me, and I’ll grant it as long as it’s within my power.”


Hearing that, Si-woo quickly waved his hands in protest.


“No! You don’t need to give me something like this. I didn’t help you expecting anything in return!”


I sighed and responded.


“...Every time, you help me without asking for anything. Even when I tried to repay you, you never asked for anything. That’s why I’m giving this to you. I want to repay my debt to you, even if just a little. If you hold onto it, you might remember it when you actually need something.”


“But still...”


“Nope, no refunds. If you don’t use it, I’ll be mad, so keep that in mind.”


When I firmly insisted, Si-woo made a conflicted expression and murmured softly.


“...What if I make an unreasonable request...?”


Without hesitation, I answered.


“Huh? I don’t mind.”


“...What?”


“If it’s a wish ticket that doesn’t grant unreasonable requests, then it’s not really a wish ticket, is it?”


Si-woo looked taken aback by my answer, but I meant every word.


His eyes wavered.


But I continued to look straight at him, unwavering.


“No matter how unreasonable my requests were, you always granted them, didn’t you? So it’s okay if you make an unreasonable request. That’s the whole point of it. Because I want you to ask me for something.”


I reached out and gently held Si-woo’s hand.


The hand that had always been extended to me in times of trouble.


You have no idea how grateful and sorry I am.


Si-woo, still unaware, asked in a small voice.


“...Really, any request?”


“Anything.”


Hoping my sincerity would reach him, I held his hand tightly and smiled as I spoke.


“Because it’s you, Si-woo.”


“Uh...”


At that, Si-woo stepped closer to me.


As he moved nearer, Si-woo’s face disappeared from my view.


I could feel Yoon Si-woo’s intense gaze boring into me from above.


Was there something he wanted to ask of me?


“...What’s wrong? Do you have something you want to ask?”


“...”


“It’s okay. Don’t hold back. Whatever you want, I’ll do it for you.”


Si-woo’s grip on my hand tightened.


“Haa...”


I felt him sigh from above, like a pressured sigh leaking out of a tightly contained furnace.


The tense atmosphere made me feel a bit nervous.


W-what kind of wish could he be thinking of?


Surely he’s not going to ask for something terrifying like all my assets, right?


Well, if he really asks, I’d give it to him, but…


If that’s really the case, it might be a bit troubling...


As I shivered slightly at the thought, I felt Si-woo’s presence slowly pull away from me. 


When he moved back, I saw him glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.


Si-woo, who had been quietly staring at me, finally closed his eyes tightly and spoke.


“...Don’t ever say that to anyone else, even by mistake.”


“...Huh? No, but it wasn’t a mistake. I really mean it. If it’s you, Si-woo, it’s fine...”


“...Haa. Seriously, what am I going to do with you?”


Si-woo muttered with a sigh, letting go of my hand and stepping away.


Startled by his reaction, I asked him.


“Wait, weren’t you about to say your wish?”


“...I’ll use the wish ticket later.”


“Why? If you have a request, you can just make it now—”


Si-woo slowly opened his eyes and looked at me intensely, muttering.


“...Today, I don’t think I’d be able to hold back.”


“...Huh? Hold back what?”


I asked, confused by his cryptic words, and Si-woo sighed again, placing his hand on my forehead.


“...It’s nothing. Scarlet, it seems like your fever hasn’t gone down yet, so you should go back and rest.”


It was only then that I realized my body felt oddly warm.


Was I not fully recovered yet?


I felt my mind grow foggy, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what Si-woo was about to ask.


So, like a child throwing a tantrum, I insisted.


“But, you were just about to ask for something—”


“Scarlet.”


Si-woo interrupted with a smile.


“Go rest. While I’m asking nicely.”


“...Yes, sir.”


...That scary smile is cheating.


I obediently went back to my room and tried to sleep, as Si-woo had said.


Maybe my condition was really worse than I thought because as soon as I lay down, I fell asleep again, almost as if I’d fainted.


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


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Comments

  1. Great effing chappy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lmao, Poor Si-Woo. Scarlet is going to give him a heart attack at this rate!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Si-woo holding back demons...
    Demons of desire that is...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bro almost let out all his frustration on her

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bro holding back witch of lust within him

    ReplyDelete
  6. 'Secret Friend' & 'Wish Ticket'

    ReplyDelete
  7. i love this comment section

    ReplyDelete
  8. Witch of Lust ain't got sh!t on Siwoo

    ReplyDelete

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