Chapter 34

Vice principal Kang Tae-hoon has returned. Unlike low-level villain Shin Yoon-seong, who could only scrape by, this guy can truly be called a real villain.

Kang Tae-hoon’s only goal is the position of top student, currently held by Arna. Given his inability to bear losing, being second best is simply not enough for him.

In any case, this moment perfectly matched the saying, “The rich get richer.”

Anyway.

To me, Kang Tae-hoon’s return is definitely unwelcome news. After all, it means a new rival for Arna, and not me, has appeared.

At least I can shower Arna with stats through quests. Kang Tae-hoon doesn’t even offer that much—his mere existence is a negative.

Arna is our main protagonist destined to save the world. She’s far too busy to be bothered recklessly.

There’s no need for more than one person to play the role of her adversary.

Only I have the right to torment Arna. Other villains are unnecessary.

If there’s anything I must do here, it’s protecting Arna. I can’t let Kang Tae-hoon’s plans for an evaluation battle proceed too easily.

Kang Tae-hoon needs to be kept in check.

“Hey, Spoon. How’s your back?”

Ideally, this was the time I should’ve been groaning in a hospital bed, but I hauled myself to the lecture hall despite my aches.

“Hohoho, that hospital gown suits you well! What’s this Spoon beside you? You didn’t bring it as a cane, did you?”

Moon Shin-chung laughed upon seeing me. I considered giving him a hit, but now was not the time to play with him.

I set out to find Arna somewhere in the lecture hall.

—Why don’t you like it? Could it be you’re scared of me? That amazing Arna?

—Sure, you can think of it that way. Anyway, I’m not interested in an evaluation battle right now; I have a midterm to prepare for.

I found her. Arna was standing beside Kang Tae-hoon.

He had the nerve to come looking for her this morning. That kid is a real tough one.

I quickly went to Arna’s side.

“Stop.”

Thud.

Thud.

It was supposed to be my grand entrance alongside a cool line, but alas, my stubborn back ruined it, causing my words and actions to misalign.

Supporting myself with the spoon as a makeshift cane, I headed slowly toward Arna.

“What’s that short guy over there? He gave me trouble last time too. Is he your boyfriend, Arna?”

“Are you done talking? I’m not interested in men weaker than me. Look at his back. Do you think he can even be a proper boyfriend?”

This chest-puffed monster. All my efforts to protect her just pushed her attention elsewhere.

Publicly embarrassing me like this—did he even consider my pride?

Anyway, I focused on Kang Tae-hoon.

“Kang Tae-hoon, didn’t I warn you last time to keep your hands off Arna?”

“Your grandpa-like grumbling doesn’t scare me at all. Why don’t you take care of your back first, huh?”

“I wish I could.”

“Need help? I’ll send you one of our company’s back correctors.”

Ah. He’s referring to medical devices from the Kang Yoon Group.

In that case, I wouldn’t refuse…

“Could I ask one favor?”

“…What is this guy really doing here?”

Kang Tae-hoon looked exasperatedly at Arna, as if asking, “What is this guy doing?”

Arna shook her head, indicating it wasn’t worth focusing on him.

“Hey, scram if you don’t want to get hurt. This has nothing to do with you.”

“No, that won’t work.”

“Ugh. I told you, words don’t work. You keep thinking you can get away with disrespect because we’ve been indulgent. Shall I make you a real cripple?”

Swish. Kang Tae-hoon pulled his sword, his eyes wild.

“Stop. This is a lecture room.”

But Arna stood up and positioned herself in front of me. Truly, our hero.

With Arna on my back figuratively, I stuck my tongue out at Kang Tae-hoon, wearing a weird expression.

“Nghh, making me angry.”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop?”

“Hey, what? That guy is sticking his tongue out at me! Look! He’s flipping me off!”

“Huh?”

Arna turned her head. I quickly switched back to normal mode.

“What are you talking about? He’s doing nothing. What did you do?”

“Um, I have no clue what you’re talking about. Maybe he’s hallucinating.”

I maintained my innocent face as if I knew nothing.

Kang Tae-hoon gnashed his teeth, visibly seething.

“Is this guy… daring to mock me, the mighty Kang Tae-hoon? Arna, move aside. I’m about to turn him into sushi. Or else join him as sushi.”

“Everyone, stop it.”

Just when the tension was escalating, the technical unit instructor Kim Dong-hak arrived to calm Kang Tae-hoon down.

Perfect timing.

“Kang Tae-hoon, this is a second-year classroom. As a first-year, this isn’t your place.”

“So, Kim Dong-hak, this was your class?”

“Yes, it’s my lecture.”

“In that case, I can’t help it.”

Kang Tae-hoon reluctantly sheathed his sword, showing a more subdued demeanor in front of Kim Dong-hak, unlike his usual attitude in front of Arna.

“Arna, see you later. I’ll keep applying for evaluation battles, no matter how many times.”

“Come back after the midterms are over, please. I really beg you.”

Kang Tae-hoon left the room, and I flipped him off behind his back.

“Ugh, go away, trash.”

“Shin Yoon-seong.”

This time, it was Kim Dong-hak calling me.

“If you’re a patient, act like one and stay in the hospital. Don’t come here causing trouble.”

“Yup.”

Since Kim Dong-hak had arrived, I considered my duty done for today. There’s no reason for me to stay longer. Time to go back and rest.

Today’s daily quest: Completed.

Making a proper apology felt awkward, so she prepared the promised lunchbox, putting in more effort this time.

Given his supposedly bad back, she prepared main dishes like braised short ribs and eel soup, filling it with nutritious side dishes.

All that was left was to deliver it…

“Ugh…”

For several minutes, she hovered outside the hospital room door, unable to walk in despite just wanting to deliver a lunch. Soon the food will get cold…

Cold food is disrespectful to both the eater and the maker. Food should be eaten warm right away so the creator feels accomplished.

Let’s gather more courage. Swallowing hard, Choi Soo-eun slowly opened the door.

Drllt ––

“Erm…”

The moment she opened the door, a strong gust of wind hit her. The window was open, and by the window stood Shin Yoon-seong.

Shhhh—

Coincidentally, just as she thought he might be enjoying the breeze, a large floating spoon appeared outside the window carrying takeout.

“…”

“…”

What timing! Choi Soo-eun let a hollow laugh escape as she asked Shin Yoon-seong,

“Do you really need to eat outside food like this?”

“My tongue craves strong stimulation. Very strongly.”

Holding the chicken box tightly to his chest, Shin Yoon-seong’s eyes blazed with bloodshot intensity. A desperate struggle to protect his chicken from theft.

Can someone really change like this just from a few days in the hospital?

The moment she spent stressing outside the door felt foolish. With a deep sigh, Choi Soo-eun extended the lunchbox bag.

“Then, maybe you don’t need this?”

“Hmm?”

Shin Yoon-seong’s eyes widened as he focused on the bag.

“Another empty container?”

“No, this one is proper.”

“Menu?”

“Braised short ribs and eel soup.”

Thud. He immediately tossed the chicken box aside and sprinted toward the lunchbox like a puppy hearing treat time.

“Wow, you give up easily!”

“With braised short ribs right here, who would think of something as trivial as chicken?”

“Aah, I get it! I’ll give it to you! Just keep some distance, okay! This is awkward!”

After calming Shin Yoon-seong down and guiding him back to the bed, Choi Soo-eun watched as he arranged the side table and opened the lunchbox.

Nom nom. Chomp!

Had he been starving all day? He didn’t seem to breathe as he started devouring the food.

It’s nice to see your cooking appreciated, but…

“How’s the taste? Suiting your palate?”

Choi Soo-eun asked, and Shin Yoon-seong nodded with braised short rib bone in his mouth.

He really looks like a dog right now. Of course, here ‘dog’ refers to the literal, barking kind.

It’s not an insult.

“Um… Sorry about yesterday… I made a few mistakes…”

Choi Soo-eun remembered to apologize properly too. As much as it was about delivering lunch, this visit was primarily to say sorry for her errors from the previous day.

“Hmph, I don’t particularly feel like forgiving you.”

Shin Yoon-seong stopped eating and said after a pause, not accepting her apology.

Naturally, one word of ‘sorry’ might not be enough to earn forgiveness.

“However…”

Shin Yoon-seong had more to say after indicating his point wasn’t finished.

“If you keep bringing lunchboxes of this quality, I might not reject you outright.”

“What?”

She had planned to keep bringing lunch all through his hospital stay anyway—it was their agreement.

If he had intended to accept it from the beginning, why stir up unnecessary fear?

He’s just terrible.