Episode 196 Conflict (2)
Noon, Wolf Class.
Even though it is lunchtime, students are gathered in groups of three or four in the class.
They were talking quietly, skipping even their meals. The topic of conversation, as always, was Ganggeomma.
However, no one made any disrespectful remarks toward him like before. Instead, everyone’s gaze toward the window seat was filled with respect.
A female cadet elbowed the side of a male cadet next to her, keeping her gaze fixed on the third row of windows.
“Hey, did you hear that rumor? That they’re picking a new Chilseong this time?”
“There are articles and videos going around every now and then. Since the inspector has retired, we have to fill the vacancy.”
“Right. But I heard something a little while ago… … .”
The female cadet put her mouth close to the male cadet’s ear and whispered. At first, the male cadet’s face was indifferent, but then a look of shock gradually appeared on his face. Then, he stared at her with wide eyes and asked her again.
“…Is that true?”
“Maybe? As you know, my father is the deputy director of a media company. He has a wealth of information.”
The female cadet shrugged her shoulders. The male cadet swallowed and pursed his lips.
“Honestly, if it weren’t for what you said, I would have just dismissed it as nonsense… … .”
The male cadet also turned his head slowly, following the female cadet. As usual, he was resting his chin on his hand and staring blankly out the car window. The more I looked at his face, which had a unique sense of detachment, the more I wondered if they were the same age.
The male student muttered, keeping his gaze fixed on the spot.
“Something feels strange… … .”
“Huh? What?”
“Just. Regardless of whether what you said is true or not, it means that Kanggeomma is receiving enough attention in society to say such things. But, what should I say… I would have been really upset if it were me, but I guess I feel good now. Anyway, that’s it.”
The female cadets responded by beating their drums.
“I know how you feel! Just 9 months ago, you looked at Kanggeomma with colored glasses, calling him a special promotion student. Not just you and me, but the entire class.”
“It’s funny to look at it now. Isn’t it too childish to ignore someone just because of their status?”
“I agree. I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing lately. I was stupid. If you think about it, we were also in the same class as each other and were ignored.”
“… … .”
Nam Saeng Do, Joto Mate closed his eyes and opened them, thinking. If the story he heard a little while ago was true, then there weren’t many days left when he would be able to take classes in the same space as Gang Geum Ma.
That was very disappointing, but at the same time, I felt relieved. Kang Geum-ma, who had been ignored because of his social status, was finally being recognized by society.
Even though we had never exchanged a single word, I was thrilled at the thought of Kanggeomma jumping so high.
As Joto Mate smiled faintly, Yeo Saeng Do also smiled happily. In this way, one more person was recruited to the Sashimi Group.
‘Plan, success.’
At that moment, Yeo-saeng-do’s smartphone vibrated, informing her of the news. Since she was from a media family, most of the news was delivered to her phone as soon as it was released. So she took out her phone and checked the news.
『Japanese Prime Minister Kojima Saki visits Korea.』
* * *
At that time, Incheon Airport VIP parking lot.
As he got into the black limousine, Seol-gung glanced at Saki Hina, who was holding a cup next to him. Her slightly frowning expression reflected his irritated mood.
“You clearly said you were entering the country secretly, so explain why there were reporters all over the place, Hina.”
The voice without any highs and lows makes the listener feel intimidated. The smiles that were shown in front of the press just a few minutes ago were all political pretense. It was really an unacceptable duality.
“I’m sorry, Prime Minister. I clearly informed the Secretariat-”
“stop.”
Jeolgung cut off his words coldly. Then he sighed, rubbing his furrowed brows.
“How long are you going to make excuses?”
“… I’m sorry. It was all my fault.”
“Don’t do anything you’ll regret next time. I’m tired of being disappointed.”
“yes…….”
Seol-gung glanced at Hina briefly and spoke to the secretary sitting in the passenger seat.
“Go straight to Joaquin Academy. It’s better to do what needs to be done as it happens. And leave a message to Third again. If you don’t hear back, leave it as is.”
“Yes, I understand.”
After giving the order, Jeolgung crossed his arms and buried his back deep behind him. In that position, he only stared at the scenery rushing along the street. He didn’t even glance at Hina, who was right next to him.
At that, Hina’s lips twisted greatly, but then quickly returned to a blank expression.
‘Ryozo, just wait a moment. I will return the love and attention you took from me and my brothers.’
An ominous silence lingered as the limousine sped along the highway. A procession of 15 motorcycles followed the limousine, providing strict security.
* * *
“… … !”
Suddenly, a chill ran through his body, and Ryozo quickly looked around. As usual, he was in the backyard of the academy, chatting with the club members.
‘what?’
A feeling that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Although it was the end of autumn, the weather was warmer than usual, so it wasn’t cold at all. But why did my body feel chilly…?
As Ryojo was looking around, Kanggeomma asked with a puzzled look on his face.
“What’s going on? Is someone coming?”
“… No, nothing happened. It’s just that the air suddenly felt cold. It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry about it.”
Ryozo thrust both hands deep into his armpits. The muffler wrapped tightly around his neck fluttered in the autumn breeze.
Kang Geum-ma stared at her intently. It was a cool day for him, but Ryojo felt cold. Korea must be colder than Japan.
Kang Geum-ma thought briefly and then handed over the outer garment he was wearing. Then he added a word without thinking.
“this.”
“… … ?”
“I can handle the heat very well, but I can’t stand the cold. It’s gotten warmer, so I’m wearing this.”
Kanggeomga pushed the outer garment in again. Ryojo accepted it absentmindedly. Soon, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Ryozo touched the still warm outer garment with both hands. A familiar scent spread faintly, tickling his nose.
Etch-!
At that moment, Weapon sneezed. For him, who was from Hawaii, even the autumn weather in Korea felt like bitter cold. While he was shivering with his shoulders wrapped around his body, his eyes suddenly turned to the outerwear that Ryozo was fiddling with.
“Saki, you’re not going to wear that? Then I’ll wear it.”
As he spoke, Weapon reached out. Ryozo quickly grabbed the hand and twisted it away.
Woodduck.
Weapon stared blankly at my arm, which had spun clockwise in an instant. My entire right arm began to feel hot, and a beat later, it was engulfed in pain.
“Eww! Hey, Saki! You can just say it, where’s the one who twists the arm first!”
“Isn’t that something that someone who asks for a favor and then tries to take it away shouldn’t say?”
The weapon glared at me as it rattled. I rolled around on the floor, and instead of feeling cold, I felt hot. Of course, that wasn’t much of a consolation in this situation.
‘Oh, shit. Isn’t this arm wrong?’
His limp right arm dangled weakly. As he was contemplating whether he should go to the infirmary, Senior Hana came up close to him.
“Well, if this goes past the golden time, you’ll probably have to be hospitalized for a fracture. Should I give you emergency treatment?”
Sanha said, adjusting her glasses. It was hard to read her expression because of the opaque, shiny lenses. But judging from the faint turn up in her lips, she didn’t seem worried.
‘By the way, is there such a thing as a golden time for a fracture? That’s usually a term used for things like cardiac arrest.’
A brief moment of wonder. In that moment, Sanhana grabbed Weapon’s injured arm and turned it counterclockwise.
“It hurts a little~”
Wood crack!
“…uh?”
Weapon stared blankly at the arm that had found its place. Its eyes were blank and curious, as if this arm was not its own.
In the meantime, Sanha poured a healing ointment on Weapon’s arm as a post-processing. A healing ointment that applies ointment to cracked bones. The principle was similar to AlX-chil ointment. That meant that he would have to vividly experience the pain that was three times the original.
A cold sweat formed on Weapon’s temples and his jawbone shook. His pupils shook so much that his arms appeared as two afterimages. And after a while, the pain of his mind becoming clouded drove away the cold.
“ah.”
Soon, the head dyed in white turbidity gave only one command: ‘Struggle’. Weapon once again rolled around the fallen leaves with a scream. Kanggeomma muttered briefly to himself as he watched the fantastic collaboration between Ryozo, Weapon, and Sanhana.
‘This is a mess.’
From the outerwear to the weapon’s seizure, the flow of the situation was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Still, we managed to stay together for more than half a year with this combination. Even though we would always have a fight every time we met, when times were tough, we trusted and believed in each other as if it were a lie.
And even if my arm breaks like that, I’ll just laugh off the weapon. Sometimes I think I get beaten up like a village drum… … .
‘Since the weapon is a healer, self-healing is possible anyway.’
Kang Geum-ma laughed softly. The thought of wanting to maintain this relationship filled his head.
As the academy was slowly being settled by the ground spider, Kanggeomma’s pocket vibrated. It was a message from Media. There was no wording, just a link to the location.
“… The Academy VIP guest room on the 5th floor of the main building?”
The principal of the academy sends a long, rambling text every time he sends a text. Is this some kind of urgent matter? Kanggeomma was a little suspicious, but he dispelled his suspicions.
The succession ceremony was already approaching. Even if the majority of the work was handled by the inspector and the media, it would not be enough to handle everything. In any case, he was the one involved in this situation. This call must have been related to him.
‘I guess I should go and see.’
Kang Geum-ma stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants. Ryozo was the first to notice his movements. She was already wearing the outerwear he had given her.
“Going already?”
“Oh. It seems like the principal is looking for you in a hurry, so I’ll stop by for a bit and then go straight to the dorm. Don’t wait for me.”
“Ah… yeah.”
Ryozo rolled his eyes back to the road, hesitating. He had been thinking of subtly suggesting that they have dinner together… … .
Disappointment faded for a moment, and she shook her head.
‘Yeah, it’s not just today. You can just say let’s eat it next time.’
The menu was kimchi stew. Ryozo planned to go to Ganggeomma’s dormitory while pretending to wash and return his outerwear.
“Okay. Then go in first. I’ll clean this up and return it to you.”
“I washed it yesterday so it’s fine.”
“no.”
Ryozo opened his eyes resolutely.
“Geumma, even if you’re okay, I’m uncomfortable with it. Anyway, go to the principal quickly.”
Ryozo waved his hand to greet him. The clothes he was wearing were rather large, so the sleeves covered half of his palms.
“Thank you. You tell the members.”
Just like that, the back of Ganggeomma completely disappeared. Only then did Weapon notice his absence and make a bewildered expression.
“Oh, when did the manager go?”
Ryozo answered Weapon’s question.
“I think the principal came to see me because he had some urgent business. That’s why he left a message for me and went ahead.”
“The principal… urgently… … and at this point in time.”
Weapon muttered something while caressing his right arm. Ryozo felt uneasy about it.
“What? Is there something wrong?”
“There is, but… … . I don’t know if I can say this.”
“What is it?”
“If my guess is correct, it’s probably because of the Chilseong Succession Ceremony.”
Ryojo’s expression distorted at the word ‘Chilseong’.
“What does Chilseong and Ganggeomma have to do with each other?”
“That’s why… … .”
Weapon mumbled and trailed off. An internal conflict arose as he struggled to say this.
‘Speak, speak.’
There was no specific promise from the manager that it was a secret, but I just kept quiet. Although I liked explaining things, my mouth was a heavy weapon.
But since it was a fact that everyone would know in a few days anyway, and since all the members were trustworthy people, Weapon, who had made up his mind, opened his mouth quietly.
“Next week, the chief will ascend to the throne as the new Seven Star Hero, succeeding the inspector.”
* * *
I walked slowly across the 5th floor hallway of the main building following the link provided by Media. It struck me that the academy was really big. Even though I had been in and out of the main building many times, the scenery here was very unfamiliar.
“The atmosphere is really nice.”
Countless portraits decorated the walls of the hallway. There were names under the frames, which were probably the people depicted in the portraits. Judging from the weapons they were all carrying, they seemed to be heroes from the Academy.
As I was walking around looking at the picture frames, a portrait caught my eye. I instinctively stopped walking and looked at the person in the frame.
“This person… … .”
The area around his face was a bit hazy, as if covered in fog, due to the call-out process. However, I could tell who he was because of his clearly visible hair. As far as I know, there is only one person in the classics with black hair.
“Wow, looking at it like this, you really look like the hero of Sijo. I can’t help but believe you’ve come back to life.”
A voice suddenly flowed in from the side. I quickly turned my eyes toward the source of the sound.
A mysterious woman was standing in the hallway. What was that outfit she was wearing? A kimono? But it was different from the kimonos I knew. The style was not refined, but provocative.
She approached slowly, covering her mouth with her fan. Crackle crackle. The sound of her bare feet wearing Japanese clogs echoed through the hallway. There was a strange artificiality to every action of the woman.
“Who are you?”
I frowned. Despite my cold words, she smiled and moved her lips away.
“As one of the fans of Sashimi Kensei.”
“… … .”
“Kanggeomma, who could be your family?”
