The Academy’s Deceased Ate It All

onest, I came out today just to catch my breath.

 

Even though that was the case, as the branches of the World Tree reacted, everything became useless.

 

'Please, I hope it's not a big deal……
.'

 

With that thought, I drank my coffee through a straw.

I hoped, it was just a overreaction on my part.

 

“Then, let’s go eat later.
I have already found a good restaurant.”

 

Choi Hyun-Woo still led the conversation with a good laugh.

Meanwhile, Han Soo-Young, who was looking at her cell phone, was startled and stood up.

When I looked at her wondering why she had an unusually excited expression on her face.

 

“I’m going somewhere for a minute.”

 

“Suddenly, where?”

 

In response to Choi Hyun-Woo's question, Han Soo-Young nodded her head and explained her situation.

In a nutshell, she had just received a call from a bookstore about the book she had reserved that she could not find even though she had stopped by several bookstores earlier.

 

“Then let’s go together.”

 

“No, you two just stay here.
I'll be right back.”

 

With those words, Han Soo-Young, in a real hurry and out of breath, headed towards the bookstore she had just stopped by.

As I stared blankly at the sudden occurrence, I heard a chuckle of laughter next to me.

It was Choi Hyun-Woo.

 

“Soo-Young has always had that side to her.
I hadn't seen her like that in a long time, so it was funny.”

 

The first thought that came to mind when I saw him with a really funny expression, was that he was really handsome.

 

'Indeed.'

 

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Han Soo-Young must also look pretty.

Starting from that, I knew very well that they were a couple that fit well in many ways.

 

‘It was also my favorite combination.’

 

As I was thinking this, Choi Hyun-Woo took a leisurely look around the city.

 

“Come to think of it, I saw it while walking around, and the preparations for the festival are in full swing.”

 

“Oh, that?”

 

I knew very well what the festival Choi Hyun-Woo was talking about.

This was because the event that could be said to be the most important turning point in the original story takes place there.

 

In the past, the Seven Evils were a huge threat to mankind.

The festival Choi Hyeon-Woo spoke of was a festival to commemorate the fact that the Seven Evils had been defeated and sealed away.

 

In the original story, this commemorative festival was as widely known around the world as the Olympics or the World Cup.

 

“You’ve seen a lot, haven’t you? This festival, the commemoration, is held everywhere.”

 

Hearing my words, he smiled a little.

 

“Yes.
That's true, but Soo-Young and I are a bit… we grew up in a remote place.
So this is the first time I've seen it on such a large scale.
And I've never seen so many people before, so I was a little flustered, to be honest.”

 

“You look very natural considering it's your first time, her too.”

 

“I don’t know, but Soo-Young is probably overdoing it today? When she is upset or embarrassed, she always makes a nonchalant face, or suddenly interferes a lot with others.”

 

“Ah.”

 

So that was why she did that to me earlier.

 

It is only when I come to know things like this that I didn't know that I realize once again that this is not the simple game I was playing.

This was when I felt an emotion that I could not describe.

 

“Can I tell you something a little boring?”

 

Choi Hyun-Woo even drank the little bit of coffee that was left as he began to talk like that.

 

“I don’t know if you know, but Soo-Young and I don't even remember the faces of our parents.”

 

“…….
.”

 

It was a well-known fact.

I was well aware of the fact that both Choi Hyun-Woo and Han Soo-Young had been abandoned as babies, and the person they called their master had raised them both in an orphanage.

 

But why are you telling me a story that is like a paradox between the two now?

I listened to him as I straightened my posture from sitting.

 

“Of course, I have no complaints about the person who raised us until now, but perhaps that's why Soo-Young tends to push herself so hard.”

 

I know she doesn't want to disgrace the master's name, but sometimes she is a little too hard on herself, even for me.

Adding that, Choi Hyun-Woo picked up the empty cup once and put it down again.

 

“Perhaps it is because we had lived in an orphanage for so long, but Soo-Young and I have always been too conscious of what others thought of us.… Because of that, there were times when we were too vigilant with the people around us and got into trouble.”

 

Choi Hyun-Woo then looked at me.

 

“But it’s really strange.
Ji-Hyuk, you are the first other than me and the master, with whom Soo-Young is so relaxed about her boundaries.
Of course, that's the same for me…..
.”

 

“What?”

 

“Ah, so… I don't know how to explain this.
I'm not very good at talking.”

 

Choi Hyun-Woo smiled awkwardly and looked a little embarrassed.

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“I'll just ask you openly.
Have you ever felt uncomfortable because of me or Soo-Young?”

 

“Huh?”

 

This question was so unexpected that I couldn't help but look really surprised.

Seeing how serious Choi Hyun-Woo's expression was, I could tell he was sincere.

 

“No.
I never thought of that.
If you guys were uncomfortable in the first place, I wouldn't have asked you to come together like this.”

 

“That's a relief.”

 

He sighed softly.

 

“Actually, it is difficult for me and Soo-Young to get a sense of distance from someone a little different.
So… Well.
Soo-Young was worried if she made a mistake.”

 

“Mistake?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Then he hesitated for a moment.

 

“It’s a very rude question, but Ji-Hyuk, you too… your family situation is complicated, right?”

 

“Ah.”

 

I could now see why Han Soo-Young acted like that as she looked at me, and why Choi Hyun-Woo kept looking at Han Soo-Young like that.

 

“That's right.
You can think of me as similar to you.
The difference is that I didn't go to an orphanage, but I didn't have anyone to take care of me like you had.”

 

First of all, it was not wrong.

Because in this world I seem to be without a guardian or anything.

 

“… Yeah.
And Soo-Young is very careful with you and tries not to offend you.
She even told me to be careful several times, and at times she even confessed that she seemed to have made a mistake.”

 

And he smiled a little.

 

“If you don't mind, please understand a little.
Soo-Young is…
She's not very good at it.”

 

“Why don’t you two just get married?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Oh shit.

It seemed to come out of my mouth without me knowing.

 

However, despite my sarcastic remarks, he showed no signs of displeasure at all.

In fact, he even laughed as if he had heard a funny joke.

 

“Oh, do we look like that? The two of us grew up together in an orphanage since we had no memory, and we were the only two people of our age to spend time together as if we were brother and sister.
So we're like family to each other.
I'm sure Soo-Young thinks the same way.”

 

“…… .”

 

Having confirmed their future in the original story many times over, I could only nod my head.

With a more refreshed expression, Choi Hyun-Woo drank the ice melted water that was left in the glass.

 

“Oh, can you please keep it a secret from Soo-Young that I said these things?”

 

If she finds out, she might actually try to kill me.

When Choi Hyun-woo said this with a laugh, I replied, “Don't worry.”

 

Exactly, it was when I was going to answer that.

 

Kwaaang!

 

A loud explosion was heard in the distance, swallowing my words.