Request R18 (2)
“Haa...” Baek Ahyeong concluded lunchtime and settled into a chair. The academy’s infirmary tended to be busier during lunchtime, with students flocking in. During regular hours, the place was more spacious, except for urgent cases.
Knock-knock—
“I doubt it’s an urgent patient, perhaps a staff member from the lobby?”
Typically, staff would announce themselves from outside. There wasn’t anyone known for quietly coming like this. It was unusual for someone to come discreetly.
“Yes, come in.” With security guards outside and no anticipated unusual incidents in the infirmary, Ahyeong granted permission without much thought.
Creak—As the door opened, a familiar face caught her eyes.
“H-Hoyeon?”
“Hello, Miss Ahyeong. I came for a little visit since I was bored.”
“Isn’t it class time now? Why are you...?”
“Is Miss Ahyeong implying that class is more important than you? I ditched everything to come.” A sly smile, with the corners of his mouth slightly lifting and his eyes forming a beautiful crescent. Even though it was a joke, it made Baek Ahyeong’s heart race.
“W-What are you saying? Why did you come?”
“I have something to ask, Miss Ahyeong. Are you attending the party this Saturday?” Hoyeon sat on one of the patient chairs in the infirmary, looking as if he belonged there.
“A party...? Oh, you mean the social gathering the association is hosting?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“I probably won’t attend. I don’t have a partner, and...”
The party organized by the association’s elders favored matchmaking between men and women. While it wasn’t explicitly stated in the rules, there was an unspoken understanding that had persisted for a long time. And a rumor had spread that if a young man or woman attended the party alone, they sought a partner. It’s a hassle, and Baek Ahyeong didn’t see any reason to participate.
“A partner? Is that a thing too?” As if hearing it for the first time, Hoyeon asked.
“Yeah, typically, a man and a woman attend as a pair. If a young man or woman attends the party without a partner, it means they are looking for one.”
“Ah...”
Dammit. So that’s what it was.
The realization finally struck Lee Hoyeon. The old man had planned to partner with Nam Daeun for the party. Even if it appeared distasteful to others, it would discourage other men from approaching Nam Daeun.
Seeing Hoyeon’s sudden stiffness, Ahyeong worried if she had done something wrong.
“Miss Ahyeong, come with me.”
“Huh, what?” She doubted her ears upon hearing the words.
“Let’s go to the party together as partners.”
“Then we might hear unnecessary gossip... I mean, going out as partners in an association-sponsored party is even more—”
“I’m fine with it. Even if there are misunderstandings.”
“Huh?! Um, ah, but, uh...” Ahyeong made strange noises in her confusion. If Hoyeon suddenly hit on her like that, she couldn’t help but be flustered.
Seeing Hoyeon laugh as if teasing, her face turned red. “I, I can’t believe you!”
“Ahyeong, I’m not joking. Let’s go to the party together.”
“Ugh...” She disliked that Hoyeon made such remarks without understanding the significance of going to the party together.
Why does he keep playfully leaving room for interpretation? I wonder if it was a genuine statement...
In her continued contemplation, she eventually nodded. “Fine. You’re the one suggested we go together. Don’t regret it later.”
“I won’t regret it.” Hoyeon stood up from the chair, pondering. It wouldn’t be bad if rumors spread about us being lovers.
He came to see Ahyeong’s condition with the intention of attending the party, and her condition was unexpectedly good. Whether there was a change in her feelings or not, the decreased affection rose again, and the resentment in her gaze lessened. ℞
★ Heroine Status Window
[Baek Ahyeong]
[Affection: 96] (+0.7)
[Lust: 82]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 65]
Current Status: Why do you keep... making it impossible for me to give up?
“Lumi?”
Poke Poke—
“Uh, yeah? Lucy, what’s up?” Turning her head after being poked on the cheek, Lumi seemed genuinely puzzled.
“Why were you giggling to yourself just now?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just lost in thought. Hehe...”
“Is that so...?”
Another lie. Lucy could see through it.
Ah well, probably just some embarrassing daydream.
Understanding, as Lucy occasionally had such thoughts herself, she nodded with a disappointed expression and proposed, “After tomorrow’s classes, let’s hit the cafe together. Since Hoyeon seems tied up, just the two of us.”
“Huh? Um... I have something tomorrow.”
“What’s up?”
“I’m not feeling well, so...”
“You already predict you’ll feel unwell tomorrow?”
Lumi avoided Lucy’s gaze.
“Sorry, Lucy. How about the day after tomorrow? We’ll definitely go then.”
“Okay, sure...”
Lucy felt a growing sense of loneliness. Lumi used to share everything with her. Despite always being on her side, lately, it felt like they had drifted apart a bit.
***
Wednesday afternoon class dragged on with its usual monotony. After skipping classes for two days in a row, enduring at least one day seemed inevitable. I maintained my seat but barely paid attention to the lecture; urgent matters overwhelmed my focus.
Following the class, the secret friend activity with Lumi is in order, and I’ve got to check on Scarlett at home.
“Alright, that concludes today’s class.” The theory professor exited the lecture hall after the class. Due to the aftermath of the terrorist incident, all practical professors were absent, causing a shift in the schedule for theory classes this week.
“Hey, Hoyeon, are you really busy today?”
“Yes. Sorry, you know I’ve been struggling to focus on classes lately.”
Post-class, Lucy proposed going to a cafe, but I had a subsequent commitment to meet Lumi.
Lucy hesitated before weakly grabbing my arm. “You’re bothered, aren’t you? I’m sorry... I apologize for being so late and for my foolish pride...”
“No... Don’t worry about it, it’s okay.”
“I’m sorry... I’m so foolish and prideful... you know... I seem like such a fool with a strong ego...”
“...”
★ Heroine Status Window
[Lucy]
[Affection: 93]
[Lust: 36]
[Appetite: 40]
[Fatigue: 75]
Current Status: How do I fix my mistake...
Why is she acting like this again... Ugh, if that loony girl hadn’t confessed and made a scene, it wouldn’t be like this. It unnecessarily triggered Lucy’s trauma, and now the situation has become complicated.
“Lucy, no, really. I’m totally fine. I’ve just been busy.”
“Then why? Can’t you at least tell me why you’re like this?”
Initially attempting to calm her down, she posed a question I couldn’t answer. I can’t admit I spent the whole day wooing Nam Daeun. I’ve skipped classes, so if I make an excuse, it has to be good, and I don’t have one right now. Even trying to shift the blame to Professor Im Sol won’t serve as a valid excuse for skipping.
“Sorry...” If I give a lame excuse, it might complicate things even more. In situations like this, it’s best to apologize honestly.
“Okay... I’ll go.” Lucy seemed to expect that, slightly squinting her eyes, she left the lecture hall.
“...”
I need to take care of Lucy. Now is the perfect time to look out for her, but events keep popping up one after another—survival test, festival, terrorism, and now Nam Daeun. In between managing Alice, Baek Ahyeong, and Moon Soorin, I neglected Lucy too much. Even if I had ten bodies, it wouldn’t be enough.