This World is too Cruel to Men

Her expression suddenly hardened, and at first, I wondered what was wrong with her.

Then, a voice I felt like I’d heard somewhere echoed through the store, and when I finally saw the face of the person who entered, I couldn’t help but nod.

Honestly, I didn’t think much of it, but from Yun-Seo’s perspective, it was a reasonable reaction.

It was understandable, considering this was the person who handed her her first defeat after her Awakening.

Moreover, it wasn’t just any defeat. It was so one-sided that the word “annihilation” came to mind.

It was over in an instant, so it was bound to be even more memorable for the one on the receiving end.

‘No way…’

Of all the people to run into, ‘her’?

And at this timing?

Since we lived in the same area, I’d considered the possibility of running into her someday, but I never imagined it would be today.

Talk about bad timing.

The only silver lining was that quite a bit of time had passed since that sparring match.

What if this had happened right after?

The atmosphere would have been even more awkward than it was now.

‘By the way…’

Just as we recognized her, she seemed to recognize us too. But what was with that welcoming look?

It was fleeting, but I definitely saw it.

That look of… pleasant surprise flash across Baek Seol-hwa’s eyes.

That’s why I was even more puzzled.

Logically, there was no reason for us to welcome her, just as there was no reason for her to welcome us.

And yet, she looked pleased.

Why?

While I was lost in thought, the shop owner, who had been busy taking Yun-Seo’s measurements, was delighted to see the unexpected visitor, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere between Yun-Seo and the newcomer.

“Oh my! Isn’t it Seol-hwa! It’s been a while, dear.”

How did these two know each other?

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, um… I’m just looking to buy a few new blouses.”

“Is that so? Same size as last time then?”

“No, um… one size… bigger, please.”

Was it that embarrassing to say?

Seol-hwa’s voice, unlike her stern impression, was practically a whisper.

“Oh my…”

The shop owner’s strange exclamation made her even more flustered.

When the shop owner left for a moment, the three people left behind were each lost in their own thoughts.

Seol-hwa, the last to arrive, was… relieved, careful not to let the other two notice.

‘Thank goodness…’

She had acted impulsively, fearing she would miss the chance to even see their faces.

Luckily, they had entered a store she had frequented, allowing her to achieve her goal.

‘So that’s what they look like…’

The person who, when everyone else said it was impossible, was the only one who recognized her talent, her potential.

That person was right in front of her.

And not just there, but with a slightly flustered expression…

‘Huh? Come to think of it…’

They were wearing the familiar uniform she saw every day.

She was certain they would go to Whispering Willow High, but could they be coming to ‘her’ high school?

Seeing them in her school uniform at this time probably meant just that.

Perhaps that’s why…

Her anxious thoughts about how to approach them, how to start a conversation, suddenly calmed down.

If they were indeed attending the same school, there was no need to rush.

If they became classmates, opportunities would abound.

So, instead of rushing and ruining things, it would be better to leave a good impression and retreat, especially for the future.

“Um… hello? We met at the Regular Sparring, right?”

She cautiously tried to acknowledge their acquaintance.

Actually, there was someone else she really wanted to talk to, but since they hadn’t been properly introduced, it might seem strange.

That’s why she chose to take a slightly roundabout approach… but the reaction wasn’t very positive.

Could it be that they were still holding onto the defeat from that day?

‘Oh dear…’

She hadn’t expected that and was inwardly troubled when a belated reply came.

“…Yes, hello.”

“Judging by your uniform, you got into Whispering Willow High?”

“Huh? Oh, yes…”

Yun-Seo, forced into a conversation with someone she’d rather avoid, had only one thought.

‘What? Why is she acting so familiar?’

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand the reason.

Surely, this girl didn’t have the absurd notion that just because they sparred once, they were friends.

Then what?

What was her purpose…

While she was pondering this, the other girl’s gaze shifted momentarily.

And the direction of that gaze… was towards Dokgun.

Dokgun, who was awkwardly standing there, unable to do anything due to the sudden awkward atmosphere.

Looking at Dokgun at this timing?

Normally, one might think she was simply curious about her companion’s identity… but was that really it?

“Congratulations.”

“For what? It was a given.”

“Well… that’s true. But this person is…?”

Perhaps because of the thoughts filling her head, Yun-Seo didn’t want to answer that question.

She didn’t know why, but she didn’t.

“A friend.”

So, she deliberately avoided a specific answer and gave a vague reply.

“Ah, a friend… I saw you were wearing our school uniform, so I thought I’d say hello.”

“Hmm? You go to Yeon-gang High?”

Seriously, clueless.

Stay quiet if you’re going to stay quiet. Why react to the mention of the same school?

“Yes, although I only have one year left until graduation.”

“Still, a senior is a senior. Oh, may I call you senior?”

Did that seem annoying?

While Yun-Seo inwardly pouted in annoyance, their conversation continued.

“Of course. By all means. Oh, if you have any questions about the school, feel free to ask.”

She wouldn’t actually ask, would she?

Seriously?

Fortunately, Seol-hwa didn’t seem ‘that’ clueless.

Judging by her awkward laugh, she probably wouldn’t.

As Dokgun gave an awkward laugh, the shop owner returned from the storage room, sparing Yun-Seo from having to watch their conversation any longer.

Since Seol-hwa had gotten the blouse, it was time for her to leave.

Yun-Seo briefly worried that Seol-hwa might linger even after receiving the blouse, but thankfully, she wasn’t that brazen.

“Well then… I’ll see you at school.”

“Yes.”

Yun-Seo glared at the back of Seol-hwa as she clutched the blouse and left the store.

Once Seol-hwa was out of sight, Yun-Seo relaxed.

An unexpected interruption had caught her off guard, but now that Seol-hwa was gone, there was no reason to dwell on it.

Of course… she couldn’t completely ignore it. There were a few things bothering her.

What particularly stood out was Baek Seol-hwa’s strange behavior.

The way she seemed oddly interested in Dokgun.

Logically, there was no reason for it, yet Seol-hwa acted that way.

It bothered Yun-Seo.

However, dwelling on it would be a waste of time, so she decided to put it aside for now.

Put it aside…

“So, now that we’ve got the uniform, shall we go get the scarf?”

…and focus on what needed to be done.

“Yeah, yeah, let’s go.”

‘Growl—’

“But before that, how about some food?”

“…Okay.”

The sudden growl from her stomach was slightly embarrassing, but also a relief.

If they went straight to buy the scarf, there would be no excuse to keep Dokgun around after they finished shopping.

Knowing how rare opportunities like this were, she wanted to avoid that.

It would be too disappointing.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm, I don’t know…”

She had planned to eat with Dokgun, but hadn’t thought about a specific menu.

“Anything good?”

“There’s plenty of good food. Lack of money is the problem.”

He was right.

However… today was different.

Today, she held her dad’s card, essentially a free pass.

Of course, she felt a little embarrassed showing off with her dad’s card, but… she could repay her parents several times over after becoming a Hero.

“Anything you want? Just say it. I will pay for it.”

“Whatever. Showing off with your old man’s card…”

“Hey, so you’re not going to eat?”

“Then… would an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet be possible?”

“Sushi buffet? Is that all you want?”

“Then…”

“How about you and me go for a special sushi course?”