Chapter 204. Academy (2)
Thursday. Iron-Blood Hospital, VIP room.
I spoke with my attending doctor in the hospital room.
"You can discharge whenever you're comfortable. We only delayed it temporarily due to Cadet Hoyeon's request. Your body has been fine from the start."
"Ahaha... Thank you."
"No problem. Celebrities often make such requests. The public gaze can be exhausting."
I had delayed discharge while handling Nam Daeun's situation, but the doctor mistook it positively, so there were no suspicions.
"Um, what about Baek A-Young?"
She should be here by now, but I don't see her.
"There was an influx of emergency patients yesterday, so she's probably resting now."
"Ah..."
She really works hard.
If she came to take care of me, she should only take care of me.
Her professionalism is too strong.
After a bit more small talk, the doctor left the room.
"I guess I do need to get discharged."
Honestly, I felt lazy to leave.
I could just stay here, play with Baek A-Young, and lie in bed all day.
But of course, I can't do that.
There are still many heroines I haven't conquered.
'Since today's out, I should start going to the academy from tomorrow.'
Knock knock.
"Yes. Come in."
Baek A-Young quietly entered the room.
"A-Young?"
"Haa... honey... I came because I heard you're getting discharged."
Dark circles hung under Baek A-Young's eyes. She yawned as she approached me.
"You stayed up all night with emergency patients. Why did you come?"
"To help you with discharge... huu."
"I mean, I appreciate it... Actually, thank you."
Turning down someone offering this much would be rude.
I accepted Baek A-Young's help and prepared for discharge.
There wasn't much to prepare, but since she wanted to help.
"Are you going back to the academy now?"
"I should. Aren't you going back to the academy too, A-Young?"
"I think I have to stay here until the weekend."
"Hmm. Got it."
We chatted idly while completing the discharge process.
After staying in this room for over a week, it felt strange to leave.
"I'll wait for you at the academy, honey."
"Yeah... honey. I'll be there soon."
Pat, pat—
I patted Baek A-Young's back and exited Iron-Blood Hospital.
'...Should I head to the dorm first?'
I needed to prepare a bit if I was going to the academy tomorrow.
I walked through the main street toward the academy dorm.
Hummmm—
'My mana circuits really have improved.'
I cast a strong perception-blocking barrier around me.
There were already articles online about my discharge, and reporters were camping outside the hospital.
Anyway, the moment I activated a strong barrier, I could feel it.
My mana circuits were more efficient than before I got hurt.
'Nice, nice.'
Getting stronger is always welcome.
Taking in the sights slowly, I finally arrived at the dorm.
Ding—
I entered the dorm, greeted by the familiar sound of the door opening.
"Welcome back."
"Whoa. You scared me."
Right at the entrance, Scarlett was waiting politely.
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?
"Scarlett. What's up with you?"
"Hoyeon, I think I need to focus on my work for a while."
"Work?"
"Yes. I believe the Iris Guild Korea Branch Head I met while dealing with Park Mingyu has noticed my deviation."
"You mean loafing around in my dorm?"
"Exactly."
She doesn't even deny loafing.
I'm grateful, but from Iris Guild's point of view, she was just freeloading.
"The branch head... you mean Kang Hyorin? Yeah, she seems capable enough. Makes sense."
"She's not the type to spread rumors, but just in case."
"Hmm... Alright. I guess there's no urgent work for now."
Scarlett was bound to me by an unfair contract... but she had already helped enough.
I'll probably run into her again while working on Elise anyway.
"Thank you."
"Did you tell Liliana and the others?"
Maybe not Nam Daeun, but Nam Dahee and Liliana had grown attached to Scarlett.
"I already said my goodbyes."
"So thorough. Alright. See you next time."
"It won't be long."
Shffft—
Like a spider, Scarlett climbed the ceiling and vanished.
"...Feels kind of strange."
Actually, it was strange seeing her every day up until now. Occasional appearances are normal.
In the now-empty living room, Nam Daeun sat spaced out.
I walked in and spoke to her.
"Where's Dahee?"
"At school. I looked into an affiliated school supported by the academy."
"Ah..."
Yeah, she can go to school now. The Buyer Guild is gone, after all.
"You're going to the academy too now?"
"Yeah. I went today."
Finally, everything was back to normal.
I'm dreading going back tomorrow, but I have no choice.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
Nam Daeun, staring at the sky, spoke up.
"It's all thanks to you. For Dahee and me..."
"I didn't do anything. It's thanks to you and the others."
Especially Scarlett.
Without her, this would've been way more complicated.
"Yeah. I thanked everyone. Scarlett, Liliana, Elise."
"Good... Wait, Elise?"
"It's nothing."
"...?"
Why did Elise's name come out of Nam Daeun's mouth?
Nam Daeun looked away from me and stared into the distance.
"...."
If she doesn't want to talk, I won't pry.
I'm a sweet guy, after all.
"...Let's do it."
Nam Daeun spoke randomly.
"Huh?"
"What we didn't do yesterday. Let's do it now."
"Ah..."
I had planned to sneak away with her in yesterday's good mood... but Nam Dahee clung to her, so I failed.
If I had known, I wouldn't have brought her.
- Hey! You bastards! Kill them all! Aaaaagh!
Liliana's stream was playing in the background, and Nam Dahee was out.
"...Perfect timing."
"Yeah."
★ Heroine Status Window
[Nam Daeun]
- [ Affection: 99 ] ( +0.1 )
- [ Lust: 91 ]
- [ Appetite: 55 ]
- [ Fatigue: 40 ]
Current Status: I want to do it properly today.
'Maybe I can finally hit 100 affection this time.'
Even with her affection at 99, Nam Daeun's personality hadn't changed much.
Today, I wanted to break through that shell.
Thinking like a sweet guy, I slowly placed my hand on Nam Daeun's cheek.