Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Unlocked chapter (1/13)

Thanks atranok!

[When the Fox Rain Stops (8)].

Seona has been admitted to Alice Hospital.

She wont be coming to school for a while to stabilize her mind.

It was understandable.

There was a constant stream of slander against her from within the school, and outside, parents were campaigning for her to be expelled.

Some of the most vocal people even criticized the church where she lives, saying it should banish her from the community.

Please, write down your names!

In such a situation, there was limited Minji could do.

She collected signatures from the children to oppose Seonas expulsion in response to the parents campaign.

It was also contradictory to her mother, who wanted Seona to be kept away.

Still, Minji persistently continued the movement without her parents support.

Whats this about?

Im collecting names to prevent Seonas expulsion!

Seona? Um, just writing down the name, right?

Ill write too. Seona doesnt seem like a bad kid.

Its a bit pitiful

Seona standing in the school wasnt completely destroyed.

The kids who knew her before were just waiting to see what would happen without getting swept up in the unfounded rumors.

So Minji was the first to engage the kids who were taking a passive stance.

Did you hear that Yeom Jae-jin lied to you?

I kind of thought so. Theres no way Seona would do that.

Cho Yeona said that she stole Minseon purse! Thats really creepy.

At that moment, the kids who had been tormenting Seona from beneath the surface revealed all the facts.

Of course, the spreading rumors couldnt be completely eradicated.

But it was crucial that the direction changed.

Teachers, please sign the petition too! Dont expel Seona!

Minji is really trying hard, can you give it to me? Ill go talk to our class.

Can you give me one too?

Minji, give me one too.

The teachers were in a position where they couldnt move hastily.

They, too, knew that Seona wasnt as dangerous as the parents were shouting.

The teachers welcomed Minjis signature movement and subtly suggested to the students in their classes that they should participate.

Give it to me too.

Teacher, please talk to others too.

Got it.

Im Dohon wrote his name on the list with a slightly annoyed expression.

After receiving the new list from her, he said he would recommend it to the faculty.

Sign it, please! Put your name down!

Having built up some supporters, Minji went around the lower grades to collect signatures.

It didnt take long to convince the younger kids.

Okay.

Now it was time to convince the fifth graders.

Minji headed to fifth grade class as soon as recess was over.

She took a deep breath as she stood in front of the classroom.

The key to the petition was to get the support of the fifth graders.

The majority of those calling for her expulsion were parents of fifth graders.

She needed to challenge the argument to remove her from the school for the sake of their childrens safety.

She needed to collect signatures from fifth graders no matter what.

Were collecting signatures against Seonas expulsion!

You guys have heard that all the rumors about her are lies!

Shes really nice and shes a really good girl!

Please write your names here!

Minji lowered her head towards the kids standing by the teachers desk.

The kids, who had been chattering noisily, fell silent the moment she entered the classroom.

Minji raised her head after a long time had passed.

The children were watching her cautiously.

Also, the gaze of the child who was the center of this class.

Why should I?

There was a sharp edge to her tone.

Minji stiffened as she recognized the girl sitting in the back of the class.

Dressed in something resembling a dress, she stood up from her seat, shooing away the children around her.

Why?

The president of Class 1 in 5th grade, Jin Sena.

Four years had been enough time for her to regain her position.

She crossed her arms and glared at Minji.

Coming into our class without permission and making noise, is that all you can do? If you have something good to say, speak up. Otherwise, get lost.

Jin-sena snorted and giggled.

She turned to the kids behind her and said, Dont you think so too? looking for agreement.

None of the kids answered.

But she didnt care.

In this class, silence was consent.

Please, write your name down.

I wish shed leave school already, because just the thought of being in the same school as a kid who might turn into a monster at any moment gives me goosebumps!

Jin-sena giggled as she swept her arms in an exaggerated gesture.

The girl she hated so much was backed into a corner.

Even No Eunha, who had kept her quiet all this time, was in a state of silence and couldnt move the kids.

She didnt want to lose this unexpected opportunity.

But still Seona is our friend, right?

With a smile, she added a hint of disapproval to Minjis suggestion.

Minji frowned for a moment.

Her intentions were obvious.

Writing down our names thats not too hard, so I can do it.

But Kim Min-ji you and your friends, dont you think you owe me an apology? Dont you?

I can figure something out

Even though she knew it was an obvious ploy by Jin-sena to prank her, Min-ji couldnt ignore the possibility.

If she didnt convince Jin-sena, she wouldnt be able to collect the signatures of the entire fifth grade class 1.

Yeah, what can we do? But thats for you to figure out.

Tell me. What should I do?

Your tone is a bit off, isnt it? Alright, forget it, I dont want an apology forced out of you.

Im sorry! Really Im sorry.

Is that how someone apologizes? It seems like you should express more sincerity and politeness well, go ahead, even kneel if you have to.

What?

What, is kneeling so difficult? Werent you willing to protect her to the point of giving up your pride?

I dont need an apology anyway. Instead, Jin Seona is the one getting expelled. If you had just given up your pride, it wouldnt have come to this.

Min-ji clenched her fist, suppressing her anger.

Her eyes turned red.

But she couldnt cry.

She somehow moved her trembling lips.

Fine, Ill do it.

She knew.

Even if she kneeled down, Jin Sena wouldnt write the names.

She just wanted to see Minji submit.

Still, she had to kneel.

She had no other choice.

Her mother denied Seonas existence.

She couldnt let Seona be seen like this.

She had to catch at least a straw.

Please sign it.

Start by kneeling and saying it. The teacher might come if you keep this up.

Minji was about to start kneeling in front of Jin Sena, her fist-clenched hand resting on her knees.

She tried to press her knees onto the ground, overcome with helplessness and humiliation.

Give me something to write my name on it.

At that moment, the boy who grabbed her was Kim Do-myung, a classmate in second grade.

Kim Do-myung, whose father owns a small tire company, caught Seonas eye and held Minji back from kneeling.

This is it, right?

The Alice Group had too much to lose to go against them to protect one little girl.

So youre asking me to lend you my strength?

Yes.

But Sirius was different.

Although Sirius had a close relationship with the Dangun, it was the Dangun Group that had the most to lose in a fight.

And Sirius was willing to protect the child of the person who could become his fathers right-hand man, even if it meant accepting losses.

Fine.

The problem was that Dangun and the child werent directly involved.

Fortunately, Alices child gave me a reason to intervene.

Part of me wanted to pat this kid on the head.

Yes, in my heart.

Alices child offered a deal.

We sitting here shouldnt handle the issue solely based on emotions.

This is not the place for that.

This is the place where we should sit with reason, calculating gains and losses.

Here, I am Siriuss person, and this child is Alices person.

We shouldnt act based on emotions; it had to be reason, understanding, and calculation.

More than anything, practically speaking, its not me and this child who are acting, but the people from the group were against.

We shouldnt simply accept it as a given that they will act.

As long as we are sitting here, we should move considering the groups interests at any time.

Ill lend my help. But what are you willing to pay as compensation?

.

You didnt come without thinking about it, did you?

Thats not true.

Alices child smiled wryly.

Thats a relief.

When I met her at the party last year, she hadnt seemed to have any idea of her influence, but she has improved.

Im.

I dont expect much.

What?

I was paid enough.

A reason to intervene.

That was enough for me.

I was going to take whatever this kid had to offer.

If she realized that a cause could be a price, so much the better.

In fact, Im kind of looking forward to it.

That Alices child will realize.

Of course, I dont plan to tell her.

Thats what this is for.

The other kidhe, might not realize it, but this kid should.

I will join your faction.

What?

The color attached to Alices child was an unblemished, pure white without any chance of other colors mixing in.

I dont know why shes doing this.

I didnt expect her to be so irrational as to say that she was willing to give herself over.

It was too much.

Too much is poison.

Thats why the deal couldnt go through.

This child was clearly a fool.

But then she said something that made me think otherwise.

If I join your faction, doesnt that mean Alice and Sirius will become close?

Its not a false statement, but it means that Alice could also become a subordinate group under Sirius. What if I tell you to unconditionally obey my future orders?

Will that happen?

.

It wont.

I dont have the power to move Alice, unless is my sister.

You wouldnt be able to do it.

How do you know that?

Because Im close to Eunha.

.

It was unbelievable.

I understood why the pure white attached to Alices child was shining so brightly that it might blind someone.

This child was undoubtedly a fool.

Do you still not know how much influence you possess?

Like you said, I dont know. I dont know much, but I do know this.

This isnt going to end here.

The reason you lend me your power is because of Eunha.

.

This kid knows.

Why I move, and what Im doing for.

And yet, shes offered a price thats too high.

Including Alices future.

In Dangun Group, they might use this incident as an excuse to attack Alice Group again later. And at that time, Unnie, who knows if you can lend your strength?

Thats a valid point.

This time, this child merely intervened.

If Dangun Group attacks Alice purely because of this incident, its Alices problem.

I didnt know all the details.

It was obvious that the relationship between Dangun and Alice would sour after this incident was over. So, this child proposed not just a one-time deal but a continuous solidarity.

I know Sirius is famous for their player devices.

We dont have as much influence as Dangun Group in the player industry.

Lies.

Yes, its a lie.

The position Sirius Group holds could be said to have spread throughout South Korea, following Galaxy Group, in the player industry.

No matter how influential Dangun Group is in the player industry, they cant ignore Sirius, which has the power to shake a whole country.

Moreover, Sirius Groups devices are gaining enthusiastic support from players even without aligning with Dangun Group.

Theyre currently collaborating with Pine Group to develop a new player library.

I dont think it will be bad for Sirius.

Not bad.

Something her father and unnie would say.

Its clear that in the near future, Alice Group will rise as a powerful force in South Korea.

When that happens, it wont be unreasonable for Alice to join hands with Dangun and dominate the player industry, replacing them.

Young child, you are not stupid.

Theres a lot I want to learn from Seohyun unnie.

Ive never told you to address me informally I dont think Ill let you call me as you please, will I?

Then Ill tell Eunha.

This child is just naive.

She trusts his presence too much in crucial moments.

What if I betray him?

Even then, can this child look at me with her confident colors?

Ill just go around with Eunha, then.

I gave up thinking.

A sigh escaped involuntarily.

Alright, fine. From now on, follow my orders.

Yes!

Taking Alices child under my wing was not the end.

Carrying around such a child could become an unnecessary obstacle.

There was so much to teach.

The first thing to teach was that this child still didnt understand her own worth.

If I had considered Alices future, I should have proposed an equal relationship instead of a dependent one.

Seo-hyun-un-nie?

If this kid went somewhere and said that, Id be laughed at.

That couldnt happen.

Now that this child had chosen to follow me, I had to consider Alices future as well.

From now on, just call me by my name. And whats your name?

You didnt know my name?

Why should I know your name? Knowing youre Alices child is enough.

It was a lie.

I just needed to hear it again.

Not through someone elses mouth but directly from this childs.

Im Jung Hayang.