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LKim Dalbi browsed photos of Ahsung High School's disciplinary committee executives on her smartphone.Leader: Ahn Woo-jin. Vice-Leader: Oh Baek-seo.
"…"
She already knew they were together. Dalbi often observed Woo-jin, wanting him to be safe.
Both were deeply connected to her childhood.
How they ended up entangled like this, she couldn't fathom. The world felt cruel.Memories of New Yongsan Street resurfaced.
What remained most vivid wasn't her confrontation with Woo-jin or her clash with Baek-seo. It was the image of the two strolling down the street, side by side.
That sight stabbed at her heart like needles.
Dalbi pressed her smartphone against her forehead, closed her eyes, and bowed her head.
A heavy silence enveloped her.
*
The outside was bustling with the sound of movers and robots carrying luggage.
At first, Woo-jin thought a new person had moved in next door, but then Oh Baek-seo greeted him directly. She explained that she'd discovered the vacancy next door and signed an automatic lease.
Some residential areas in Neo Seoul, like this one, were city-owned. You could sign a lease through an app and move in right away.
All you needed was money. And no entry ban.
"Why didn't you tell me…?"
"Does it bother you?"
"Not really. Just thought you could have given me a heads-up."
Baek-seo stroked her chin, humming in thought. Then, she spoke.
"… I've decided to stay close to the Head for the time being."
Baek-seo went on to explain.
She had moved in next door because she was worried about him.
He was targeted by a bomber and clashed with Kim Dalbi. She wanted to be nearby, ready to intervene if anyone else targeted him.
He had no right to object.
It wasn't illegal; she wasn't intruding; he had no moral obligation to her, and strictly speaking, they weren't even dating.
It was Baek-seo's choice.
"I apologize, but please understand."
"It's nothing to apologize for…"
Still, this was… a little much.
'This is overprotective.'
Was she his mother?
'Well… it's not like I mind having her around.'
Both in terms of security and daily life, having Baek-seo close by would be beneficial in many ways.
He offered to help her unpack, but Baek-seo firmly refused. She didn't want to show him her private life.
For Baek-seo, who was always relaxed and generous, to refuse so directly meant she was dead serious about it. So, he didn't push it.
'Well, she can't be completely perfect.'
Baek-seo must have a secret or two she didn't want to share. Especially someone like her, known as Ms. Perfect, might have unique quirks.
'…I'm curious.'
He wondered what it could be. Curiosity burned, but he suppressed it.
It was best to respect her privacy. Just like how he wouldn't want anyone to find his hidden folder full of Brown-eared Bulbul videos.
"Head, want to have dinner together?"
From then on, as if it were natural, Baek-seo brought over side dishes or cooked at his place and they had meals together.
The next morning, too.
Baek-seo, wearing a pink apron, appeared at his door.
"I made too much food. Shall I pack you a lunch?"
"Uh… well, thanks."
He ended up taking the lunchbox Baek-seo had prepared and headed to school with her.
"Let's have dinner together at least once a week, okay?"
"Why?"
"I want to cook for you sometimes. You know I enjoy it."
This was getting…
"Now that I think about it, I should probably get to know this neighborhood. Could you show me around later?"
"Is there anything to show? Like walking paths or good restaurants."
"Yes, I like those."
This was definitely…
"If you're ever bored, just call me. I can at least be a listening ear."
This was really…
'This feels like dating… without actually dating.'
To be precise, it was a relationship that felt like a couple, but wasn't.
It was too strange to be just friends, too ambiguous to be declared lovers. Somewhere in between.
'It feels like we're building a life together.'
Come to think of it… looking back, he realized something.
Starting with the egg mayo sandwich, the virus called Oh Baek-seo had gradually infiltrated his territory. And now, she had reached a point of no return.
He had a feeling that if she were to disappear, it would leave a gaping hole in his life. A hole that would be filled with a deep emptiness and loneliness.
'I guess I should be grateful…?'
As he mentioned before, he was focused on fulfilling his duties as the Head of Discipline, and then confessing to Baek-seo.
Of course, he was anxious. Baek-seo could grow distant, or her heart could be captured by another man.
But Baek-seo's recent actions, what could he call them? It felt like she was saying, 'I'm ready to be with you.'
As if she knew his plan and was acting accordingly.
'Am I overthinking it?'
Maybe he was getting ahead of himself. However.
'…Still.'
Dangerously.
'This is… happiness…!'
The stress from work, the pressure from future knowledge, all seemed to be neutralized by Baek-seo.
He was overflowing with motivation.
"Thinking dirty thoughts again?"
"Don't say weird things while we're walking…"
He was innocent. He wasn't thinking about anything inappropriate.
He was just pondering what to name their second child.
…
"Gasp! Head, you're alive!"
"Isn't that obvious…"
The Disciplinary Committee office.
Ha Yesong, upon seeing Woo-jin, exclaimed in surprise. She rushed towards him. He had expected this reaction, considering the chaos she caused on CocoTalk.
"Jtube and SNS are still going crazy! Catching a bomber, confronting the criminal Kim Dalbi…! It was a huge deal!"
"It was."
The incident at New Yongsan Street had become a major topic. His heroism in catching the bomber and driving away Kim Dalbi was highlighted, adding tangible achievements to the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee's record.
Other districts might be different, but being in debt to the Federal Council meant bonus points for the school, whether they acknowledged it or not. Naturally, the Disciplinary Committee's evaluation would improve.
"The Leader creates major incidents even on his day off! Is this also a quality of a good Leader?"
"Don't make me sound like a jinx."
"Hehe."
Yesong giggled playfully and approached Oh Baek-seo, linking arms with her.
"Baek-seo, I'm so glad you're safe!"
"Me too."
As Baek-seo gently patted Yesong's head with a kind smile, Yesong beamed.
"Head, I have so much I want to hear about today!"
"I can tell."
"Let's hear it over lunch! I'm looking forward to a lively story!"
"Ah, right, it's lunchtime."
It seemed Yesong had come during lunch break specifically to hear their story firsthand.
"I brought my lunch! Salad. I'm on a diet, hehe."
'You'll be eating again soon.'
He had precognitive abilities, but they only worked on Ha Yesong.
"You two ordered delivery?"
"Let's eat together. We have lunchboxes."
"Wow…!"
Yesong gasped in admiration. Why?
"Not just Baek-seo's, but the Leader's lunchbox too. This is precious. I want to see it!"
Come to think of it, she was right.
He usually just grabbed bread and milk from the cafeteria for lunch.
They moved to a table and placed their lunchboxes down. As they opened their lids, a brilliant light seemed to emanate from them.
"!"
Neatly packed white rice. A perfect amount of black seaweed. Spotless rolled omelet, glistening stir-fried pork, egg-coated meatballs, fresh tomato slices, and green vegetables.
A perfectly ordinary yet perfect lunchbox world unfolded before his eyes.
He couldn't help but smile. It was like a lunchbox lovingly prepared by a wife for her husband, filling him with a strange warmth. This was a feeling only a lunchbox could evoke.
"Head."
Yesong narrowed her eyes, observing his lunchbox.
"Why is it the same as Baek-seo's?"
A sharp question.
They had different lunchboxes, but the contents were identical, hence Yesong's suspicion.
There was no need to hide it.
In fact, he felt a bit smug, wanting to show off his girlfriend's skills. Was this what it felt like to boast about your significant other?
He felt a pang of guilt and doubt for having such thoughts when they weren't even dating. He needed to control himself.
"Baek-seo prepared it. She made extra, so she made mine too."
"Aha~. As expected of our angelic Baek-seo! Taking care of the Head's nutritional balance too!"
Yesong nodded in understanding, not finding it strange at all. Baek-seo had such a kind image after all.
Baek-seo, with her usual gentle smile, responded.
"So!? What happened during the weekend!?"
Yesong swiftly changed the subject.
For a while, Woo-jin and Baek-seo recounted their experience at New Yongsan Street. They omitted the part about the Principal, of course.
Yesong listened intently, captivated by their dynamic storytelling.
*
"Leader, Baek-seo! It's lunchtime!"
A few days later, at the Disciplinary Committee office.
Ha Yesong decided to have lunch with Ahn Woo-jin and Oh Baek-seo.
"I see Baek-seo packed lunch for the Head again today! I'm so jealous~."
And a few days after that.
"Heehee, let's have lunch together!"
As expected, Yesong joined Woo-jin and Baek-seo for their meal.
"Looks like Baek-seo made lunch again today…"
Yesong noticed something odd.
And the next day.
"Lunch time!"
Yesong witnessed it again.
"…."
As if it were the most natural thing, Woo-jin revealed the lunchbox Baek-seo had prepared.
And the day after that.
And a few days later, too.
'What's going on…?'
Yesong felt a strong sense of suspicion as she looked at Woo-jin's lunchbox.
It wasn't just occasional; it was strange for Baek-seo to prepare lunch this frequently.
'I also heard rumors about the Leader and Baek-seo coming to school together…'
The source of the rumors were the Disciplinary Committee members.
They took turns patrolling the school gates every day, so they had witnessed the Leader and Vice-Leader arriving together.
Naturally, rumors began to spread amongst them that the Leader and Vice-Leader might be dating.
At first, Yesong brushed it off, thinking 'no way'. However…
'Packing lunch every day, coming to school together every day…'
A spark went off in her mind.
At this moment, the puzzle pieces clicked into place.
'…They're 200% a thing.'
Since when?
Yesong stared at Woo-jin and Baek-seo seriously. Baek-seo was looking at Woo-jin with a gentle smile.
"Our Head eats well, doesn't he?"
"Stop treating me like a kid…"
"Hehe."
Yesong finally sensed the strange atmosphere surrounding the two.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Yesong's cheek.
*
After the confrontation with Kim Dalbi, there were no further attacks from the Head Principal.
Despite their vigilance, they detected no suspicious activity.
Perhaps her earlier assessment was correct; the Head Principal had no reason to risk another attack. Or maybe something had happened to the Head Principal.
It was difficult to track her movements, as she rarely engaged in public activities that required her direct involvement.
In any case, he was grateful that she was underestimating him for now. He would make sure to return the favor when the opportunity arose.
And.
"Ready, Ahn?"
"Of course, Oh."
Today was the momentous day he would finally receive his dedicated equipment.
Woo-jin headed to Deus Atelier in New Yongsan Street with Oh Baek-seo.
To read until the final chapter. p atreon.com/casca02