Join us on Discord
Click Here

Chapter 176: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 176



“Put protecting others before protecting her.”


Knowing how unreasonable this request was for her, Scarlet anxiously watched Yoon Si-woo’s reaction after making her plea.


Yoon Si-woo gazed at Scarlet, feeling a surge of discontent welling up inside him.


She knows how much that means to him, and yet she still makes that request.


Last time, she said he was the only one who could share and understand her secret.


That they were in a unique, one-of-a-kind relationship in this world.


To him, she was also an irreplaceable, special existence.


Did she really have to make that kind of request knowing all that?


She was truly a heartless person.


That’s who you are.


As he cast her a sidelong glance filled with those bitter feelings, she cautiously opened her mouth toward him.


“...Sorry, you didn’t like that I asked for something like that, did you?”


Her expression and voice were filled with guilt.


It was as if she felt deep remorse for making him feel this way because of her request.


Seeing her like that, Yoon Si-woo felt guilty in return.


In truth, she had no reason to apologize.


He was the one being petty.


As the squad leader, his position was not one where he could prioritize personal feelings.


He knew deep down that following her words was the right thing to do.


“...It’s fine. You said the right thing. If I become the squad leader, doing as you said would be correct.”


Even though he answered her that way, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling hurt.


Understanding and accepting were two entirely different things.


Suddenly, Yoon Si-woo felt like a child.


While she could lower herself for the sake of others and make such a request, he was swayed by his own emotions like this.


Unlike the mature Scarlet, he felt like a child who couldn’t let go of what he wanted.


But so what?


“Instead, grant me one request.”


“Huh? Oh, sure. What is it?”


Yoon Si-woo looked at Scarlet standing before him.


Precious—so incredibly precious.


Someone he couldn’t give up on no matter what.


Like a child throwing a tantrum in a store, refusing to let go of a toy despite their parents’ objections.


He reached out and grabbed Scarlet’s shoulders firmly, strong enough to ensure he wouldn’t lose her.


If letting go of her was what it meant to become an adult, he didn’t care if he remained a child forever.


With that thought, Yoon Si-woo realized for the first time that he was someone who could be this greedy.


Since he had never really cared about money or fame, he hadn’t noticed before.


But now he knew—he was the type who couldn’t bear not having what he wanted in his grasp.


With that realization, Yoon Si-woo spoke to the person clutched tightly in his hands.


“...Even if I know you’re in danger, I’ll save everyone else first and then come to you. So until I get to you, don’t overdo it like last time. Run away, hide—whatever it takes. As long as you’re alive, I’ll save you somehow. Got it?”


It was both a promise and a declaration.


A vow to her request that he put others before himself.


And a vow to his own unyielding heart that refused to give her up.


It was a statement that he wouldn’t let go of either of those things, recognizing his own greed.


Looking back, he might have always been this kind of selfish person.


Yoon Si-woo recalled the day he first vowed to become stronger.


Why did he want to become strong back then?


Wasn’t it because he didn’t want the person who sought to protect others to get hurt, and he wanted to be strong enough to protect everyone in her stead?


The core of it hadn’t changed, not then and not now.


So once again, he made a vow.


To grow even stronger to achieve what he wanted.


Some might call him arrogant for it.


But Yoon Si-woo was confident.


Confident that he would become stronger than anyone else.


No matter how grueling the journey, he was sure he wouldn’t falter.


As long as she could live smiling.


With that thought, Yoon Si-woo gripped Scarlet’s shoulders tightly.


“...Yeah, I understand.”


But despite his earnest feelings, she only answered with a slight smile.


Scarlet’s seemingly playful response made Yoon Si-woo speak sharply without realizing it.


“...Don’t smile. If you die when I’m not looking, I swear I won’t let it slide. This isn’t a joke.”


“I got it, really.”


...I’m serious, though.


He meant it sincerely, but Scarlet just kept smiling brightly.


He couldn’t even imagine it, but if such a thing were to happen, he truly wouldn’t let her rest in peace, yet there she was, carefree as ever.


As long as she thought about her own safety, that would be enough.


Yoon Si-woo watched Scarlet smile at him and realized how foolish he looked for trying to act serious. Feeling ridiculous, he let down his guard and smiled back at her.


As he did, he noticed her gaze shifting toward his arm.


She stared intently at the arm that had been holding her shoulder, then opened her mouth as if she’d just remembered something.


“...Oh right. Come to think of it, you lost your limbs when you came to save me, didn’t you?”


“Uh…? Wh-what are you talking about?”


At her sudden question, a cold sweat trickled down his forehead.


He was sure he hadn’t mentioned it to her, so how did she know?


Scarlet was the type to care more about others' safety than her own.


And naturally, he was one of those people she worried about.


She was the kind of person who’d once been so terrified of dying that she tried to take her own life.


Someone like her would never be happy to hear that he’d lost his limbs trying to save her.


So he pretended not to know, but she just shook her head knowingly and spoke to him.


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


...Dwight, that loose-lipped bastard.


I thought he was a quiet guy, but it turns out he blabbed everything to Scarlet.


Now I’m getting an earful thanks to him.


Yoon Si-woo vowed to have a word with Dwight one day and tried to make excuses, like someone caught doing something wrong.


“Well, it’s just… I was in a hurry at the time, you know?”


“...Anyway, when I heard that, I felt both sorry and thankful. I have something I want to give you.”


“...Something to give me?”


He had been waiting, fully expecting her to be angry, but Scarlet’s reaction was different than he had anticipated.


Saying she had something to give him, she scribbled something on a nearby notepad with a pen and handed it to him.


On the note, written in neat block letters, was the word “Wish Coupon.”


He looked at it, puzzled, and muttered under his breath.


“...What’s this? A Wish Coupon?”


“It’s exactly what it says. Use that to ask me for a wish, and I’ll grant any request within my capabilities.”


Startled, he quickly waved his hands in refusal.


“No, no! You don’t need to give me something like this. I didn’t help you expecting a reward!”


He had helped her because he wanted to.


He wasn’t looking for any compensation, so receiving this from her felt overwhelmingly burdensome.


But Scarlet sighed in slight exasperation and shook her head.


“...You always help me without asking for anything in return. Even when I told you to ask me for anything to repay my debt to you, you never did.”


She always said that.


She would insist that she owed him and told him to let her know if he wanted anything.


Not wanting her to feel burdened, he had always ignored her offers.


But she continued speaking earnestly, as if everything she said was heartfelt.


“That’s why I’m giving it to you. I want to repay my debt to you, even if it’s just a little. If you keep it, you might think of something you’d want to ask when the time comes.”


“Well, still...”


“It’s non-refundable. And if you say you won’t use it, I’ll get mad, so keep that in mind.”


Seeing her stern expression, Yoon Si-woo felt a headache coming on.


Just how much did she intend to trouble him?


After all, he was still a young man.


And she was a girl with enough charm to captivate any man.


And here she was, offering to grant any request he had.


It was a reckless statement, one she shouldn’t have made so lightly.


Trying to warn her, he spoke up.


“...What if I ask for something unreasonable...?”


But she didn’t seem to care about his warning.


“Huh? I don’t mind.”


“...What?”


“A wish coupon that doesn’t grant unreasonable requests isn’t really a wish coupon, is it?”


With an innocent look, she continued as if she didn’t understand the weight of her words.


Yoon Si-woo found himself confused by her expression.


“You’ve always fulfilled my unreasonable requests. So it’s okay if you make one too. That’s what the coupon is for—I want you to ask something of me.”


Did she realize?


How her words and actions were stirring the emotions of the person in front of her?


How much she was provoking the burning desire hidden deep within?


At that moment, Scarlet’s hand gently clasped his.


The faint touch sent a dizzying thrill through him.


Maybe that was why, against his better judgment, he found himself asking her.


“...Any request is fine?”


“It’s fine.”


She answered calmly.


“Because it’s you, Yoon Si-woo.”


A smile filled with trust, one she would only show to him.


“...Ugh.”


As a swordsman who had constantly trained his mind, his composure was no different from a sandcastle before her smile.


When he came to his senses, the distance between them was so close it felt like only a few sheets of paper could fit.


The scent from her crimson hair tickled his nose.


When he slightly lowered his gaze, he saw her flawless white neckline filling his view.


Right there, within arm’s reach, was the forbidden fruit he had been resisting for so long.


He knew that if he took a bite, the sweetness would overwhelm his senses, making it impossible to keep his composure, which made it all the harder to resist.


Even though he knew he should break away and escape her presence immediately—


“...What’s wrong? Did you think of something you want?”


“...”


“It’s okay. You don’t have to hold back. If it’s what you want, I’ll grant it.”


That forbidden fruit continued to tempt him with innocent yet unbearably provocative words.


Anything, anything.


Those words ignited the flame of his impulses.


Did I even need to ask what I wanted from you?


The desire was clear.


I want all of you.


Your smooth skin, your youthful flesh.


Every drop of juice within you.


He gripped the hand that was holding his tighter.


He could feel something hot surging inside him.


He tried to swallow it down, but a burning ember slipped past his throat.


“Haa...”


He saw his heated breath cling to the fine hairs near her ear.


But even that warmth was nothing compared to the blaze raging inside him.


He wanted to pour all that fire onto her immediately.


To pull her into his arms, declare his desire for all of her, and crave her without restraint.


He could already picture her response.


She valued keeping her word more than anyone.


If he expressed his desire, she would, albeit reluctantly, offer herself up completely.


But was that truly what he wanted?


As he pondered, he felt a trembling through their joined hands.


Looking down, he saw the girl, who had confidently said she’d grant anything, shaking like a frail bird.


Contrary to her words, was she nervous about his sudden behavior?


Seeing her like that, he slowly pulled away from her.


If she ever willingly offered herself to him, he wanted her to tremble with joy, not fear.


So now was the time to endure.


If it was his choice to decide what he wanted, then enduring for that was also his responsibility.


To quell the flames rising within him, Yoon Si-woo squeezed his eyes shut.


Even with his eyes closed, her smiling face lingered in his mind.


Suddenly, he felt anxious.


Was she behaving like this only with him, or was she doing the same with others?


He spoke softly, voicing his unease.


“...Don’t say things like that to others, even by mistake.”


“Huh? But it wasn’t a mistake. I really only meant it for you, Yoon Si-woo.”


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


Yoon Si-woo sighed at Scarlet’s response.


Here he was, struggling to extinguish the flames in his heart, and she, completely unaware, kept throwing fuel on the fire by saying it was fine because it was him.


It was maddeningly infuriating.


What am I supposed to do with you?


Feeling like he might lose control if things continued, Yoon Si-woo let go of Scarlet’s hand.


She looked bewildered and asked.


“Huh, weren’t you about to make a wish or something?”


“...I’ll use the wish coupon later.”


“Why? If you have something to ask, just do it now—”


Seeing her clueless expression, he glared at her and offered sincere advice.


“...I feel like I won’t be able to hold back today.”


“Huh? Hold back from what…?”


...If you don’t know, then just stay quiet.


Sighing at her naive question, he placed a hand on her forehead.


Sure enough, she still had a slight fever.


It seemed she needed more rest to recover, so he told her.


“...It’s nothing. You still haven’t fully recovered, Scarlet. You should go back and rest.”


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


“Scarlet.”


Cutting off her insistent murmurs, Yoon Si-woo forced a bright smile and spoke.


“Go and rest. While I’m still asking nicely.”


For both your sake and mine.


Truly.


“...O-okay.”


With that, she timidly backed down and returned to her room.


After confirming she was safely


back in her room, Yoon Si-woo let out a deep sigh and mumbled to himself.


When was the last time he felt this exhausted?


It felt more tiring than fighting against a demonic beast.


Slumping into a dining chair, he noticed the empty bowl of porridge that Scarlet had finished.


“...Guess I should do the dishes.”


He picked up the empty bowl and brought it to the sink.


Before turning on the water, he carefully placed the wish coupon Scarlet had given him into his pocket, worried it might get wet.


As he did, Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but think.


How much would this Wish Coupon from a girl like Scarlet, willing to grant anything, be worth?


It would undoubtedly hold tremendous value if auctioned.


There had been quite a few boys at the Academy who seemed infatuated with Scarlet.


Even so, no matter who bid on it, he would have made sure to win it in the end.


“...Dwight, I’m sorry for cursing you earlier. Thanks. I’ll buy you a meal sometime.”


With that, Yoon Si-woo offered an apology and a heartfelt thanks to the one who had inadvertently given him the chance to receive this precious item, and he began washing the dishes.


Even as he splashed his face with the ice-cold water, the heat in his chest did not subside.


It seemed that it would take a little more time for that burning sensation to cool down.


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


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. Scarlet keep throwing Wood at si-woo raging boner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm wondering if scarlet still had a fever or if she subconsciously felt the sexual tension

      Delete
  2. Damn, downbadness doesn't describe him, lucy is probably either cringing or disappointed, something tells me she was also like that with the man, heh.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great, he upgraded himself from a stalker to a pervert:))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be fair he lost his limbs and some life span to save her, and then she began throwing EVERY phrase she shouldn't have.

      Delete
  4. My boy's inner demons makes the Witch of Lust seem prudish

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Join us on Discord
Click Here