Chapter 82 – GOY 82
#82
“I wanted you to come to the lecture.”
“Of course. I’ll go if I manage to sign up for the class.”
Naturally, I was curious about Park Geon-woo’s lecture. It was an opportunity to hear firsthand experiences from Africa.
Usually, for special lectures like this, applications are taken through the intranet. However, the number of available seats is small, and most would likely be filled in advance through connections with the student council or the Center.
The few seats that actually appear on the intranet would be snapped up within ten seconds.
If I asked Professor Choi or the student council president, they would probably arrange a seat for me, but unless I was doing it for Kim Joon, I didn’t want to go that far just to attend a lecture.
“Yeon-soo, I’ve already secured a seat for you.”
“What?”
“Ah, it’s just that… they said it would be better if [visit our site][unauthorized copy]an S-Class attended…”
Contrary to his usual self, Park Geon-woo looked visibly nervous.
Well, it made sense. This was the first lecture given by the Hero of the Savannah. Many high-ranking officials from the government and the Center, as well as reporters, would likely attend.
Having an S-Class hubae in attendance would help save his face. The school or the Center probably told him to bring me along.
“I understand. I really wanted to hear your lecture anyway, so that’s a relief.”
When I spoke politely with a smile, the tension in Park Geon-woo’s expression relaxed.
He must have felt truly burdened by asking me.
“I’m the one who’s relieved. I’ll see you on Friday then. I’ll be waiting.”
“Yes. See you then.”
Throughout this semester, Joo Seung-hyeok and I had been inseparable. Whenever Joo Seung-hyeok did training that involved using mana, such as mock battle training, we were always on the same team, and we spent our free periods together as well.
Being together didn’t mean we did anything special. We just ate meals or Joo Seung-hyeok simply clung to my side.
Today, I sat on a bench reading a book, and visit our siteJoo Seung-hyeok leaned against me, [visit our site]hugging me tightly from behind.
I had become accustomed to reading books in this state. At the same time, the fact that I was getting used to it felt a bit depressing.
Students passing by us would flinch and glance our way, then hurriedly avert their eyes and leave as if fleeing.
I had a rough idea of why they were reacting that way.
‘That bastard Joo Seung-hyeok is rubbing his pheromones on me again…’
Passing Alpha or Omega students would look over, startled by the strong pheromones, only to be crushed by Joo Seung-hyeok’s bloodlust and run away.
He was the type for whom a Pheromone Shower was a daily occurrence, but usually not to the extent that Alphas or Omegas would be shocked. Why was he like this today? Was something bothering him?
I was curious, but too afraid to ask, so I kept my eyes fixed on the book. Then, Joo Seung-hyeok sat down beside me.
“Hyung, let’s go see a movie together this Friday after your lecture.”
My hand, which was turning a page, paused.
Why on Friday of all days…? Does he know that I met with Geon-woo hyung a moment ago?
“Sorry. I have a prior engagement that day…”
I spoke cautiously, gauging his reaction.
“What kind of prior engagement?”
“Park Geon-woo hyung has a special lecture on Friday. I’m going to attend that.”
At that moment, Joo Seung-hyeok’s mana flickered eerily.
“Why is Hyung listening to that bastard’s lecture?”
As expected, he hates Park Geon-woo.
In the original story, he came to dislike Park Geon-woo because of the constant love-triangle-like situations created by Kim Joon; before that, he hadn’t been particularly interested. However, it seems everything from the original story is accelerating, and this too has been moved forward.
I couldn’t afford to say the wrong thing here. I quickly racked my brain to find the optimal answer.
“Aren’t you going?”
“Of course I’m not.”
“But it’s Esper Park Geon-woo’s first lecture.”
First, I changed the way I addressed him. Just like at the restaurant, Joo Seung-hyeok clearly didn’t like the term ‘Geon-woo hyung.’
“And?”
“Reporters will be there, so an S-Class hubae should go and save his seonbae’s face. You know, like a wedding guest.”
I spoke while tentatively watching his expression.
“You want us to be guests at Park Geon-woo’s wedding?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if that’s the case, it’s not so bad.”
He spoke lightly. Had his mood improved?
“R-right? It’s only natural for a hubae to do that much for a seonbae who returned after suffering in Africa.”
“Hyung, what did I just say?”
Just as I was relieved thinking his mood had lifted, his voice turned cold again.
“Huh?”
“I asked to go see a movie. It’s the first time we’re going to a movie, yet Hyung keeps mentioning that bastard Park Geon-woo’s name.”
“S-sorry. I was wrong.”
I apologized reflexively. However, Joo Seung-hyeok’s gaze grew even colder.
“Who told you to apologize?”
“T-then…?”
“I was excited at the thought of watching a movie with Hyung. I was happy. Can’t Hyung be happy too?”
“I-I am! Of course I am. Shall we go today? Let’s go after the lecture. No, should we just go right now?”
To soothe the Obsessive Madman’s anger, I tried to stand up immediately, but Joo Seung-hyeok pushed me back down into my seat.
“Forget it. Let’s watch it together on Friday after the lecture.”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.”
Joo Seung-hyeok looked at me and touched my lips. As he touched the wounded area, my body instinctively flinched.
“Does it still hurt?”
“A little.”
“You’re so fragile that I can’t do anything.”
“Sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
Joo Seung-hyeok kissed my cheek.
“Let’s go eat something delicious after the lecture today. Something soft, so your lips don’t hurt.”
“Okay.”
The moment I nodded, our lips overlapped. It was a very gentle kiss, just enough so that the wound didn’t hurt.
The large lecture hall where the special talk was held was packed.
It wasn’t even a class that counted toward credits, and it was the final exam period, yet the atmosphere was steaming. As expected, Park Geon-woo’s popularity was immense.
Not only students, but also high-ranking officials from the government and the Center, high-rank Espers belonging to the Center, and guild leaders of large guilds—many famous figures were present.
A thought briefly crossed my mind that perhaps we didn’t really need to come, but the attendance of S-Class students currently enrolled in the Esper Academy would carry a different meaning.
“Hyung, let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Joo Seung-hyeok took my hand. Our seats were in the very front row. It was the perfect spot to save Geon-woo hyung’s face.
“Oh! It’s Joo-Yeon!”
“It’s Joo-Yeon!”
The reporters in front of us shouted upon seeing us.
‘Joo-Yeon’ was the couple name the reporters had created for Joo Seung-hyeok and me. Not only did they create such a bizarre word, but they even used it directly to our faces. Reporters are truly something else.
The reporters frantically pressed their camera shutters toward us.
I thought Joo Seung-hyeok would get annoyed, but instead, he interlaced his fingers with mine as if to show off.
‘Joo Seung-hyeok, what the hell is he doing!’
I was flustered, but I didn’t have the courage to dare shake off the Obsessive Madman’s hand.
“That’s it! 2 billion! 2 billion!”
“Oh! That’s the 2 billion one!”
The reporters shouted, looking at the ring shining on my hand.
‘I keep telling you it’s not 2 billion. Is it okay for reporters to spread false information…’
However, it would be even more troublesome if the true nature of this ring were revealed.
‘Interlaced fingers, ring, 2 billion.’
There will be a lot of articles about marriage rumors again today. If I ever break up with Joo Seung-hyeok, today’s events will be added to my collection of dark history…
I let out a deep sigh inwardly and sat down.
“Esper Park Geon-woo’s special lecture will begin shortly. Please return to your seats.”
However, today’s protagonist was not me or Joo Seung-hyeok, but the ‘Hero of the Savannah, Park Geon-woo.’
When a staff member spoke into the microphone to calm the excited atmosphere, the reporters finally regained their senses and returned to their seats.
After the atmosphere settled down somewhat, Park Geon-woo entered the lecture hall.
He was dressed in the black uniform of the Esper Academy.
Seeing that he’s already received the uniform, he really does intend to attend the Academy…
“Hello. I am Park Geon-woo.”
My eyes met with Park Geon-woo’s as he bowed politely at a 90-degree angle and stood up. It felt like he greeted me on purpose, but surely that’s just my imagination…?
At that moment, Joo Seung-hyeok interlaced his fingers with mine again and leaned his head on my shoulder.
“Seung-hyeok-ah, what’s wrong?”
I asked in a low, whispering voice.
“I’m a little tired.”
“Do you want some Guiding?”
“Can I do it here?”
“If you’re struggling, then we should.”
Regardless, I was Joo Seung-hyeok’s assigned Guide. Of course, there was a possibility that Joo Seung-hyeok’s Guiding Rejection had already been resolved or that there was another Guide with a high matching rate, but as long as Joo Seung-hyeok continued to refuse matching rate tests, I was his only Guide.
“It’s okay. Just holding Hyung’s hand makes the fatigue go away.”
Joo Seung-hyeok spoke gently and leaned his head back. Every time I saw him this close, I noticed how truly long his eyelashes were.
If this guy were just a little less handsome, I would never have poured out my drunken truths while intoxicated, and I wouldn’t have gotten entangled with the original story’s Obsessive Madman…
But it was too late for regrets now.
I held his hand and checked his mana. Joo Seung-hyeok’s mana was stable. However, since he said he was tired, I couldn’t just leave him be, so I let a small amount of mana flow.
At that moment, Joo Seung-hyeok’s face drew close. Could he have become aroused?
Startled, I pulled my hand away.
“This should be enough, right?”
“No. It’s not enough.”
Joo Seung-hyeok grabbed my hand again. Passion was dwelling in his eyes. It seemed he felt a sexual impulse despite the very weak Guiding.
“Then the lecture is starting, so I’ll do it for you in a little while.”
I asked for his understanding and tried to let go of my hand, but he gripped it again.
Joo Seung-hyeok’s hand was full of strength. It felt as if he would never let go.
Having been together every day for several months, I could guess his actions just by holding his hand.
‘Fine, hold it. My body isn’t mine anyway, it’s yours.’
I had long since lost control over my own body. It had been that way ever since I got entangled with Joo Seung-hyeok.
Leaving my left hand to him, I held a pen with my right hand.
“Now, since it seems all the students are focused, I will begin the special lecture.”
At that moment, Park Geon-woo’s voice was heard. To think that he waited until I was ready… that would be an excess of self-consciousness.
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