Fated to Die in an Academy Novel – Chapter 110

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

A day before the party, a woman was trying to calm her anxious heart.

But if anxiety could be easily calmed, who in the world would worry?

Heroes calmed down faster than others, but that didn’t mean they didn’t feel anxiety.

Especially if the cause of the anxiety was something they couldn’t control with their actions.

That was right. The anxious woman was Cathy.

So, why was she, who declared so confidently that she trusted So-hyun, trembling with anxiety?

‘…What should I do?’

-And I’m confident.

-Confident that you’ll choose me in the end.

Cathy had declared that boldly, but in reality, she wasn’t confident at all.

She just acted cool and brushed it off because Reilan, one of the three who gave her advice, said things like, “Ah, being older isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Showing composure and confidence is also a charm point, isn’t it?” and “If you suspect him of infidelity when he’s not even your boyfriend, he might dislike you. Isn’t the adult way to show unwavering trust?”

But she was anxious.

So anxious that she felt like she was going crazy.

She hadn’t even considered the possibility of being opposed by Na-hyun or his family, let alone being rejected by So-hyun himself.

The pink feelings that bloomed within her for the first time in her life were so sweet, like chocolate, that she didn’t notice the hidden bitterness until she was already immersed in that sweetness.

So-hyun was kind.

That was why he didn’t reject anyone who approached him.

The way he forgave someone who put a hole in his stomach and even someone who bullied him could be considered abnormal.

“…I hate this.”

Of course, she roughly guessed why he didn’t choose a single partner and accepted everyone.

It must have been something he needed to do for someone else.

Even so, she hated it.

She thought she could wait, but the moment she realized that his gaze might be directed elsewhere in the end, she became anxious.

So-hyun was like the sun.

The number of people receiving his warmth and showing him affection would only increase.

It definitely wouldn’t decrease.

She would be 29 when he graduated.

With a nine-year age gap, would there be no one more attractive than her by his side then?

Of course, So-hyun wasn’t the type to abandon her.

A nine-year age gap wasn’t a big deal among heroes who barely aged.

But even though she knew that logic, anxiety stemmed from imagination, not reality.

His personality, which she had always seen as salvation, was now, for the first time, a source of resentment.

Resentment eventually turned into desire.

She wanted to monopolize him.

She wanted to hide his warmth and enjoy it all by herself.

At first, she was the only one who knew.

His ideology of sacrificing himself for others while still smiling.

His surprisingly playful personality.

His expression, which was much softer than usual when he genuinely smiled.

They were all hers, things only she knew.

Of course, she soon realized it was just childish whining.

‘No, it was never mine to begin with. I shouldn’t think like this. So-hyun doesn’t belong to anyone.’

But was it because he didn’t belong to anyone… It made her want him even more because it felt like she could have him for herself if she tried.

The hero, who had lived her life for others without wanting anything for herself, realized a woman’s feelings and, for the first time, had a desire.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Hey, So-hyun, the academy is closed tomorrow.”

“…What?”

Ha-ni, who was looking at her smartphone, suddenly said that when I came out of the shower in the morning.

“Why all of a sudden? They’re not closing because of Cheon Yoo-hak’s birthday, are they?”

“Apparently, they are.”

“…What?”

“The message said that the Cheon-hwa Group is preparing recreational activities for a field trip inside the party venue, and they suggested closing the academy for a day.”

“…Does that make sense? No, why would the academy agree to that? Ah, no, they would agree.”

“Yeah, the Cheon-hwa Group donates a lot to our academy. And it’s not like this happens often.”

That was true.

Even my father’s influence was only at that level. Honestly, considering that the Cheon-hwa Group practically built several academy facilities, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to close the academy for a day if they asked seriously.

…But it was pathetic that they used such immense wealth to close the academy for their son’s birthday party.

Mr. Cheon Yoo-hak, what kind of life have you lived…?

“It’ll be fun to see Cheon Yoo-hak’s face when we go to class today.”

“Wow, Han-hee. You should comfort your friend when he’s embarrassed. How can you say that?”

“Wipe that smirk off your face first.”

Ah, how could I endure teasing Cheon Yoo-hak?

“Hey, let’s go quickly. The others might have already started.”

“Teasing Cheon Yoo-hak without us? That’s not allowed.”

“Ah, shit. I wish I were in the same class next year!”

We hurried to the classroom.

I couldn’t resist the thought of Yoo-hak, who usually maintained a cool and aloof demeanor, waiting for us while trembling.

I had been teasing him for the past few days already, but it wasn’t my fault that it was always new and fun.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“This is Kang So-hyun from the Reilan Press. Mr. Cheon Yoo-hak, how do you feel right now?”

“This is Kang Han-hee, also from the Reilan Press! Mr. Cheon Yoo-hak, please give us a comment!”

“…Just looking at your faces makes me angry. I didn’t expect my good mood from yesterday, after planning to get back at my father, to plummet in a single day.”

“Cheon Yoo-hak. Filial impiety. Verbal abuse towards reporters. Controversy.”

“…Do you have some kind of grudge against me? What did I do wrong?”

No, Yoo-hak, this is how friends play with each other.

“Huu, never mind. Knowing my father’s personality, if I enter without a partner tomorrow, he’ll try to set me up with someone, so his expression will be even more entertaining then.”

“Wow, you unfilial bastard! You’re embarrassed by the festival your father threw for you!?”

“Yeah, I’m incredibly embarrassed.”

“Controversy.”

“…Do you want to spar?”

Cheon Yoo-hak, finally losing his composure, drew his spear.

“Wow, look at him, trying to beat people up now that he’s popular!”

“Guys, stop teasing Yoo-hak.”

Lilac, who had approached us at some point, pretended to mediate, but judging by the smirk on his face, he just wanted to join in.

“…Wipe that smirk off your face, Lilac.”

“Ah, sorry. I wasn’t really trying to laugh.”

“Huu, yeah. Normally, there’s nothing to tease you about, Yoo-hak. I understand Lilac wanting to make the most of this opportunity.”

But now that Lilac had joined in, he seemed to have regained his composure, taking deep breaths and returning to his usual self.

Ah, this bastard, trying to calm down already. No way.

Was there anything… anything that could break him in one shot?

“…Even when we first met as kids, everyone else was wary of me, but you haven’t changed at all.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to be wary of you. And I’m not going to stop.”

Come to think of it, he really had changed a lot.

Just two months ago when I first saw them, I couldn’t have imagined joking around like this.

-Do I deserve this?

Ah, shit. Here we go again.

At first, the memories beyond the noise only appeared when I experienced a strong emotional fluctuation, but now, they were starting to react to even trivial things.

“…Ah.”

Fortunately, the void squirming in my heart diligently gathered the fading noise, and the memory quickly subsided.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how to tease you the most efficiently today.”

“…Go away.”

“No way, right, Han-hee?”

“Of course not, So-hyun”

“Hey, include me…! Why are you two the only ones doing that…!”

“Please, just disappear from my sight for today…!”

Ah, he finally cursed. We won.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Finally, the day of the party arrived.

When I opened my eyes in the morning, Ha-ni, already dressed, was preparing breakfast.

She usually looked good in her uniform or casual clothes, but she also looked good in a men’s suit with her long hair tied back in a ponytail.

Well, to me, she looked more like a handsome girl than a handsome boy, but it was fine as long as no one suspected anything.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

“…Hey, what if you stain your clothes while cooking?”

“I’m wearing an apron, so it’s fine. The party starts at lunch, so you have to eat something~”

“Yesterday, you were acting like you were going to demolish the Cheon family.”

“It’s easier to eat more after eating a little something than after starving~”

“That’s true.”

“You’re going to eat and then get ready, right?”

“Yeah.”

Ah, my sister brought me a suit yesterday, and it fit perfectly when I tried it on.

She said it was originally tailored a bit large, but it seemed my body had grown after having my muscles and bones forcibly rearranged and the medicinal properties fully absorbed.

It felt strange putting on the suit after breakfast and showering.

I didn’t usually wear suits.

-The outfit you usually wear with the mask is also classified as—

Ahem, stop!

…That’s right. It felt awkward because I hadn’t worn one recently. Yeah, I never wore suits.

-The type you like when you wear it.

Sun Wukong kept saying nonsense, but I didn’t know what he was talking about.

“Oh, I thought this yesterday too, but you look good in a suit. It would be better if you were a bit taller, though.”

“I’m still growing. Kang So-hyun’s growth spurt is just beginning, so look forward to it.”

“…Well, they say growing kids continue to grow even in their twenties.”

Ha-ni said that with a look of pity, not belief.

But I was really going to grow. I had my muscles and bones forcibly rearranged and had fully absorbed the medicinal properties, so wouldn’t I grow much taller by next year?

“I’ll be taller than you, so don’t worry.”

“…Yeah, if you say so.”

As Ha-ni and I exchanged silly jokes, it was almost time.

The meeting place was right in front of the dorm, but formalities were important.

“Oh.”

I thought we came early, but everyone except Ha-ni and I was already gathered.

“Ah, you’re here.”

“Loser, you’re late.”

“What are you talking about? We’re still before the meeting time.”

I knew this beforehand, but seeing them like this felt like a drama scene.

Handsome boys and beautiful girls dressed in various dresses and suits were quite a sight.

I thought the guys would just wear black, but Lilac was wearing a flashy suit with a white base and sky blue patterns, and Cheon Yoo-hak, while wearing a black suit, was decked out in what were obviously expensive accessories, like his watch.

Well, those two weren’t as flashy as the girls.

I honestly thought Ga-eul’s red dress from the other day was the flashiest she had, but it wasn’t.

Lee Yoo-na was in a light pink dress and she even wore makeup, making her look like a radiant fairy while Joo-ri, in a deep purple dress and earrings, looked like a mature secretary.

They were both clearly trying to attract attention.

My sister, in a darker shade of red than Ga-eul’s dress, gave off the impression of an unattainable flower on a cliff, and Professor Park Ah-ram, who came along as Professor Cathy’s guest, chose a more mature dress than her usual little witch image, but it didn’t really suit her.

They were all flashy and beautiful, but what caught my attention in the end was our Professor Cathy.

“Ah, haha. Don’t stare too much. It’s not very age-appropriate, is it?”

The green and white of her dress blended harmoniously, and the gold accessories matched her hair perfectly without being too ostentatious.

It was a dress that emphasized her figure despite its modest design, highlighting her feminine charm.

Simply put…

Big and beautiful. No, wait, that’s not it. Just… beautiful.

Honestly, I couldn’t help it. This was force majeure.

It was a modest design, but that was why it couldn’t hide her… assets.

Every man at the party would probably be captivated by her.

Judging by the way the girls, especially Yoo-na, were looking at their own chests and comparing, she would probably attract a lot of female attention as well.

But Yoo-na, give up. You can’t beat melons.

“Haha, Cathy, stop showing off to the kids. You look really good.”

Ah, our little witch finally said what none of us could.

It was a bit unfair, honestly.

“What are you talking about?!”

I was flustered.

I don’t know how to describe it, but I was flustered.

Lilac and Cheon Yoo-hak coughed awkwardly.

Bastards.

I understood.

It was force majeure.

“Ahem.”

My coughing was also force majeure.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

T/N – Lol. I have to agree with the MC on this one. You really can’t beat big melons.

If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.