Orhe Academy is an educational institution, and true to its purpose, it was currently in the mid-term grading period.
Han Soo-Young and Choi Hyun-Woo took some time to recharge themselves and went to the cafe where they always went, to have a reflective meeting.
Even though it was a reflective meeting, it was only limited to Choi Hyun-Woo.
Han Soo-Young, who usually did a thorough preparation and review, also did a thorough theory class.
Choi Hyun-Woo was unrivaled in actual combat but was not very familiar with the theory.
Since he had been negligent in class due to various events for a while, he could see what the result would be.
“What should I do, this…… .”
Choi Hyun-Woo sighed as he put his head on the table.
Every time he had scored close to a perfect score in the real test, but it had all become meaningless after one test today.
“I told you to do it on a regular basis. I can watch you study for a bit now, if you want."
Han Soo-Young sipped her fruit drink and looked at Choi Hyun-Woo as if feeling sorry for him.
It was Choi Hyun-Woo who was having a hard time with theory.
Although it was mostly because of Yoo Ji-Hyuk's work that he skipped class and couldn't study properly, it was also because she had asked him to, so she felt some responsibility as well.
“Can I start now…?”
Choi Hyun-Woo was always full of confidence in himself, but this time was an exception.
And Han Soo-Young couldn't help but laugh at his weak appearance, which she hadn't seen in a long time.
“So you're just going to keep digging in the dirt like that? Fortunately, I think you can get 50 percent if you just memorize the rest."
"Oh my God…… .”
Choi Hyun-Woo shook his head as if horrified.
Then he crunched on the ice and ate it, but he still didn't think his expression would relax.
Then, someone approached them.
"This seat is empty, right?”
It was Yoo Ji-Hyuk.
For some reason, Han Soo-Young put on a sullen expression when he brought the tongue-smacking sweet drink that he always drank.
“The seat next to me is expensive.”
With that, she gently covered the seat closest to her with her hand.
At that, Yoo Ji-Hyuk tilted his head and turned to sit close to Choi Hyun-Woo.
But this time, Choi Hyun-Woo covered the seat with his hand.
"What's wrong with you guys?"
“Help me.”
"What?"
Choi Hyun-Woo shook his head a few times as if to say no.
“Help me.”
“No, what are you talking about? Put your hands away so I can sit down, dude."
As he tried to force himself into the seat, he freaked out and began to give strength to his hands.
“No, I really don’t want to die! Why are you so slow-witted!"
“Who are you calling slow-witted right now… .”
Yoo Ji-Hyuk made a ridiculous look as if he didn't expect Choi Hyun-Woo to call him slow-witted.
However, Choi Hyun-Woo just held his ground firmly, blocking the seat with his hand, whether Yoo Ji-Hyuk did that or not.
Yoo Ji-Hyuk, who wondered what the hell he was doing, glanced to the side at the stinging gaze he felt for some reason.
“…… .”
There, Han Soo-Young was looking at him coldly with a look that said she didn't like it.
She was drinking her fruit drink while making a loud sipping sound as if to make her presence known.
“You two get along well."
Suuu.(Sipping sound)
Seeing her like that, Yoo Ji-Hyuk smiled a little and forcibly squeezed into the place she was blocking with her hand.
“Oh, what…… Go away. I hate you.”
"Excuse me. What?"
“Yes, I don’t like you.”
Han Soo-Young pushed Yoo Ji-Hyuk's shoulder hard, but he forcibly took the seat and sat down.
Then, looking at her turning her head as if she didn't like it, he shook the coffee he had brought.
"Do you want some?”
“… I want.”
Han Soo-Young took the coffee he gave her in her own cup.
Even then, she was still making a sullen expression, and looking at her, Choi Hyun-Woo was munching on the ice as if it were just ridiculous.
“…… .”
He knew that Han Soo-Young didn't like coffee, didn't enjoy sweets much, and most of all, the arm that was pushing Yoo Ji-Hyuk didn't have any strength at all, but he didn't dare say it.
As he had said before with his own mouth, his life was precious.
“How did you do on the exam?”
“Mine, well…… .”
Yoo Ji-Hyuk took a sip of coffee and took a breath.
“I put in a bit more effort than usual."
Professor called me separately and told me something.
He added that way.
“What, so I'm the only one who ruined the exam today?"
Choi Hyun-Woo muttered with a look of disbelief.
Seeing Choi Hyun-Woo like that, Han Soo-Young looked at Yoo Ji-Hyuk and opened her mouth.
“By the way, Ji-Hyuk, if you're okay with it, let's go together today…… .”
Just then, a cell phone rang, burying Han Soo-Young's small voice.
Yoo Ji-Hyuk said he was sorry and answered the phone.
“Yes, senior. Oh, yes. Today's practice? Yes. No, I'll be right there. Yes. I'll see you there."
He hung up the phone immediately and looked at Han Soo-Young.
“Yes, what?”
“… Nothing, but what is it? You've been practicing really hard?"
"Oh."
He answered coolly as if it wasn't much of a secret.
“The archery club. This time, we're all going to participate in the tournament held there. So we're practicing. Soo-Young, you remember, right? Senior Lee Ye-Eun.”
“Oh, her.”
Han Soo-Young immediately recalled Lee Ye-Eun.
Also the fact that she was a popular senior among both men and women.
“But do you practice during the exam period?”
“It’s just simple shooting a few times, well. And mental concentration.”
He sipped his coffee and smiled.
“At first, I was going to do it half-heartedly and move on, but…… After doing it for a few days, my skills have improved dramatically. So, I'll try a little harder.”
"I see."
Han Soo-Young nodded.
Yoo Ji-Hyuk picked up his things and got up from his seat.
“I'm sorry to leave right after I came, but I’ll get up first. I'll be done with the important things tomorrow, so let's hang out then."
“Okay, bye. Practice hard.”
Han Soo-Young waved at Yoo Ji-Hyuk as he walked away and turned her head to Choi Hyun-Woo, who was sneakily looking at her.
"Why?"
"Huh? Uh, no. Just. I have an exam tomorrow, so I'm going to go...… .”
Han Soo-Young grinned.
"Sit down."
Choi Hyun-Woo quietly sat down.
She texted somewhere, and soon after, Jin Ye-Seul appeared and sat down.
“Why are you f*cking calling me when I'm busy?”
After seeing the undead summoned by the other Han Soo-Young in Margo's dungeon, Jin Ye-Seul became softer to her without realizing it.
In fact, if someone else had called her, she would have completely ignored them.
However, Jin Ye-Seul appeared and sat down quietly, even though she showed a hint of annoyance, because it was Han Soo-Young's request.
Looking at Jin Ye-Seul like that, Han Soo-Young said.
"I want to ask you something."
“What?”
“I've heard the archery club is participating in some tournament. Can you tell me a bit about that?”
“… Oh, that?"
Jin Ye-Seul nodded saying, I know what you mean.
“It's a pretty famous tournament. First of all, it's also a festival and tournament held by the World Tree Clan, and they've been holding it for a long time. In fact, my family has always participated in it. There is also an image of charity work, and there is no family in the world that can ignore the clan of the World Tree. "
Jin Ye-Seul began to talk about how much she knew.
"And?"
“It's also true that there's an archery tournament in that tournament. It is also true that winning a prize will be a good specification, and I've heard that there have actually been some consistent winners from the academy.”
“…… .”
Jin Ye-Seul nodded.
“But I've heard that this is the first time the entire archery club has participated in a semi-compulsory manner.”
She muttered, licking her lips slightly.
“It’s also the current vice president……Yeah, I've heard that Lee Ye-Eun, the senior who came to visit us in hospital with you before, took the initiative. And she's actively persuaded the president and other executives who were skeptical.”
"Details."
At Han Soo-Young's words, Jin Ye-Seul tilted her head forward.
The two seemed to have implicitly thought the same thing and came to the same conclusion.
“… And I've heard that they're teaching the new members who are relatively unskilled, and the person who's teaching Yoo Ji-Hyuk is that Lee Ye-Eun.”
“… What?"
And Choi Hyun-Woo, who saw the two, melted the ice in his mouth and ate it carefully in case the sound disturbed them.
It was his earnest wish to go home and study for the exam he had tomorrow.
* * *
“Yes, and relax your shoulders a little more, a little lower…… okay, more…… more, now!”
As soon as I released the string, the arrow was fired.
I thought I heard a hair-raising sound, like the sound of insect wings, and before I knew it, the arrow, painted in an easily recognizable green color, was stuck in the center of the target.
The one I just shot was a smaller target, even farther away than the one I had first shot.
Before I even felt like I had hit it, I heard a crack of applause nearby, as if to say, well done.
“That was perfect!"
Lee Ye-Eun, who would have hit the target I just shot, even with her eyes closed, had a genuine look on her face like I had done well.
She looked at me with a reminiscent face and alternately stared at the target I had shot, and said.
“It was really perfect, your posture, the strength you put into your arms and shoulders, your legs spread out, the angle at which you released…… There's nothing to point out.”
“It's thanks to you, who taught me well, senior.”
It was actually thanks to her.
Thanks to her, I was able to grow by leaps and bounds in a matter of days.
I really couldn't have imagined that I would get the growth buff from Lee Ye-Eun that I could get from my advisor, Abel Grossman.
“No, this is not because my teaching is excellent. Really…… My junior.”
Lee Ye-Eun made a somewhat impressed expression.
“You have a talent for archery. Maybe even more than me.”
“Thank you even if it's empty words."
As I smiled as if it were funny, she muttered in a small voice.
“I’m not kidding…… .”
“There really aren’t that many people.”
I looked around and said.
The archery club, which was not usually crowded, but had a lot of people visiting, was very quiet today because it was exam period.
Of course, it's exam period so it was like that.
And even during such a busy period, Lee Ye-Eun was steadily guiding me in my bow practice.
Of course, it was good for me, but...… .
"Senior. Should we stop here today?"
She was surprised by my suggestion for a moment and looked at her watch quickly.
"What? It's only been about an hour."
"It's exam period. I'm sure you have an exam tomorrow, too, senior."
"Uh…… I’m really fine."
Lee Ye-Eun muttered like that.
Then she looked at me as if she had realized something and soon gave me an apologetic look.
“I'm, I’m sorry. Now that I think about it, it must have been your first exam, Junior, but I was wasting your time.”
“No, I came here because I liked it. Rather, I feel sorry for you, Senior.”
She looked slightly surprised at my words, then immediately smiled softly.
"Your words …… make me feel good."
"Is that so?"
“… Yes. I think I can tell from such a trivial thing how gentle and kind you are, Junior."
Lee Ye-Eun began to mutter with a somewhat sentimental voice.
When she was with me, she showed a lot of sentimental features like this.
At first, I thought she was teasing me, but after watching her so much, I had gotten used to it.
“… Oh, yes. Then should I help with the studies... ?”
She was muttering something to herself, as always.
I decided to pull out the arrow that was stuck in the target first.
The automated target came to the front on its own, and it was when I grabbed the arrow stuck in the target to pull it out.
"Sh*t."
I felt a stinging sensation and saw that my finger had been cut and was bleeding.
It wasn't a serious wound, but the problem was that the arrow was the same green color as Lee Ye-Eun's hair, so it was easy to see.
“Ji-Hyuk!”
Lee Ye-Eun freaked out, ran to me, and grabbed my hand.
In the midst of it all, the arrow she cherished fell down, but she didn't care at all.
“Wh, what should I do…… .”
She muttered as if she was feeling sorry.
Her expression was distorted so much that I thought I was really hurt.
"It's nothing serious, so don't worry too much…… .”
“Did you get a tetanus shot?”
“Tet, what?”
“Tetanus, did you get a tetanus shot?”
She asked me in an urgent voice.
I honestly couldn't follow Lee Ye-Eun's such attitude.
Then, perhaps reading such thoughts from my expression, she said to me in a stern voice.
“You thought it was just a scratch, didn't you?"
She told me threateningly about the bacterial infections that could occur from a small wound and the dozens of diseases it could cause, especially the risk of tetanus, which in severe cases could lead to the cutting of an arm or even death.
Then Lee Ye-Eun suddenly untied the hairband that was tying her hair in a single strand.
And without giving me time to stop her, she tied my injured fingers with it like a bandage.
"Let's stop the bleeding with this first and go to the infirmary quickly."
Saying that, she firmly grabbed my hand, as if she would not tolerate objections.
Thanks to that, I had no choice but to drop the band-aid I was taking out of my pocket and be led by her.
It was difficult to notice from her slender figure, but it was a moment that reminded me once again that a bow is actually something that you need to have a lot of muscle strength to pull.
* * *
“… What historical drama did you watch?”
This is the first time I've seen a hairband used like a bandage.
As the doctor said that is if she was dumbfounded, Lee Ye-Eun could feel her face burning red.
“You could have just put a band-aid on it…… .”
She muttered as she untied the band that was wrapped around Yoo Ji-Hyuk's finger.
“Oh dear, it's tied tight too. Look how it turned purple without blood. Hey, didn't that hurt?"
Then she dipped a piece of cotton in disinfectant and lightly rubbed Yoo Ji-Hyuk's finger, and said.
"And I know how you feel, but the human scalp is actually very dirty. Next time, just wash it with water and come."
“… Yes."
Lee Ye-Eun replied in a crawling voice.
Then she muttered, unable to look at Yoo Ji-Hyuk's face.
“I, I’ll clean up the archery range. I'll see you next time and...… I'm…… .”
Sorry!
Lee Ye-Eun, who apologized with the sound of the wind falling, immediately escaped as if she were running away.
She felt like she would explode because of shame and embarrassment, if she saw Yoo Ji-Hyuk's face now.
“Aaaaa, really…… .”
Lee Ye-Eun, who ran away quickly, ran to a nearby bathroom and hit her head against the bathroom wall.
She was so embarrassed that her face was still burning.
“It’s all ruined…… .”
The original plan was to instill in Yoo Ji-Hyuk the perception of being a dependable senior and elder.
And then, naturally, develop that image into a reliable older sister and talk about his birth when the situation warranted, a far-reaching and long-term plan she came up with without sleeping at night.
And today, that plan fell apart in the blink of an eye.
It was clear that in Yoo Ji-Hyuk's mind, she was no longer the senior he could depend on, but an idiot who tied up his fingers with a hairband and made a fuss.
"Oh, really. Oh…… I really…… .”
Lee Ye-Eun began to suppress the emotions she could not complain about to anyone.
She banged her head against the wall again and again, and made a tearful face without realizing it.
“What if Ji-Hyuk is disappointed… ?”
From birth to now, she had worked hard to become a person worthy of her position as a member of the World Tree clan, and even more so, as a direct descendant of the main family.
Her relationships naturally had to become narrower, and because she lived in an environment that was distinctly different from that of her peers, she had to look at everyone who approached her with a calculating and wary gaze.
The only friend that she was able to open up to was Kang Yeon-Kyung, and even that was a friendship that she was able to maintain because Kang Yeon-Kyung never crossed the line.
In short, Lee Ye-Eun had never had a proper relationship with anyone of the same age, whether it was the opposite sex or the same sex.
For such a girl, the idea of forming a relationship with a half-brother who only she knows about, and gradually building an image of a senior who he can trust as a junior while deliberately pretending not to know about it, was unrealistic from the start.
Even when she asked her friend, Kang Yeon-Kyung, for advice on how to do this, she just looked at her with a pouty face and giggled.
And She told her to call her sister once if she wanted to get her advice.
Lee Ye-Eun, who didn't want to call her that, researched on the Internet and in books and learned a lot about proper relationships and the attitude of a mentor, and approached Yoo Ji-Hyuk.
And the result was something like this.
“Ohhhh… ! Aaaaa, really... !”
What if he thinks I'm a pathetic sister?
No, would he even call me sister?
“…… .”
Lee Ye-Eun kept her mouth shut, thinking about Yoo Ji-Hyuk, who she had been watching by her side for days.
And she could see that he had been living a very honest life, contrary to her worries.
Lee Ye-Eun felt proud of him, who didn't go astray, always worked hard, and was kind to everyone around him, but at the same time, she couldn't forget the guilt that stabbed at a corner of her heart.
He's such a good and talented child.
How could a father do that to a child like that…….
“…… .”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Realizing once again that she was still in a situation where she couldn't talk about his birth, her helplessness was only divided.
Revealing his birth for no reason would only put him in danger.
He was a man who had even erased his past.
His close aides would surely know about him, and if they found out that he was alive now, they would never leave him alone.
Lee Ye-Eun knew that she had to build up her power again, which is why she has been aggressively increasing her power lately.
To the point where no one can resist even if she reveals Yoo Ji-Hyuk's background and makes him her younger brother.
She needed that level of power.
“… what?"
In such a situation, a call came from her close aide.
Lee Ye-Eun quickly answered the phone, managing her expression.
― I will report. No difference...… .
As Lee Ye-Eun listened to his words, both of her eyes began to glow coldly.
And after exactly 12 minutes.
At her word, two of the corrupt branch families were kicked out, a tax investigation was conducted on a company that had been in conflict in order to occupy a higher position, and seven secretly captured Thorns Cross Society members were executed.
And hearing the recent strange movements of the Thorns Cross Society, she just muttered hatefully.
Kill them all, don't leave anyone.
Her eyes were filled with violent hatred and anger, unlike the way she looked at Yoo Ji-Hyuk.
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