Chapter 55

“Hey, did you hear that?”

“Yeah… I did hear about the transfer student coming. It’s pretty unusual that we’re getting another one so soon after the last one.”

While Sora and Gain chatted, the white-haired girl, who had been resting her head on her desk, slightly turned her head to look at the previous transfer student.

A woman wearing a golden dragon-embroidered robe was deeply engrossed in her phone. Her unique speech patterns made her seem distant, but even without speaking, her presence was majestic, almost like a painting.

The previous transfer student, who ultimately failed to make friends and didn’t fully utilize her privileges as a new student, remained an outsider in the class. Strangely, her loneliness was not evident.

“Hmm, this is interesting.”

The woman’s immersion in her phone games seemed to satisfy her loneliness, making her appear entirely self-contained.

What kind of game could she possibly be playing that she finds so enjoyable?

Though she didn’t look Chinese, she was playing a game likely of Chinese origin, which sparked Erica’s interest during a group project. However, Erica never got the chance to ask Rao Ha the name of the game she was playing.

It wasn’t because Erica and Rao Ha’s relationship had soured to the point where even a simple question was impossible, nor was it because Erica was too lazy to approach her. Rather, because of an incident that morning, everyone seemed to be observing Rao Ha more intensely than usual, and approaching her right now would undoubtedly cause a commotion.

The one who had grown most enraged about having the queen as a teammate was Rao Ha herself—but since it was her own choice, she would likely find indirect ways to show her frustration, as Inna had observed during her time with her.

While Rao Ha played her game intensively in class, Erica watched her enviously. Meanwhile, Inna, annoyed by their lack of attention to her, glanced back at Erica, creating a strange eye contact chain around the room.

Just then, the classroom door opened, and the teacher walked in. The room fell silent—not out of fear of the teacher, but because the students wanted to maximize their free time during the upcoming school trip.

“We have another transfer student today. Do you want to introduce yourself?”

The teacher, fully aware of the situation, flashed a wry smile at the girl beside her. She had pink wavy hair and an approachable demeanor.

Despite looking like an adult, the woman scanned everyone in the room with a warm smile that resonated especially well with the male students.

It was strange to have another transfer student so soon after the last one. Rao Ha’s regal presence had been a barrier to approach. However, this new student’s warm smile charmed the students more easily.

“Hi there! Nice to meet you all~ My name is Kang Yu-ri. My parents work in a job that requires frequent moves, so here I am now, following them.”

Kang Yu-ri.

Erica immediately recognized her without needing to look up. This was the woman who had been with her just that morning.

Is this woman’s current appearance her true self, or is it just another disguise?

The transformation of her previously sacred demeanor into something flirtatious left Erica, who was used to a world without superpowers, completely bewildered.

If the other students knew about this transformation, they would likely be shocked as well. However, aside from a few unusual students, none realized this was the same woman previously known as the queen of the school.

“I’ll sit here~.”

After her brief introduction, the homeroom teacher directed her to an empty seat. Briefly glancing at Erica and Inna, she then seated herself behind Kim Ha-neul.

Given Kim Ha-neul’s popularity, her seat choice was likely anticipated by the teacher.

Unlike when Rao Ha arrived and caused an unexpected tension, everything progressed smoothly this time, to the teacher’s relief. She began passing on important notices.

“By the way, Kang Yu-ri will be joining Kim Ha-neul’s group for the school trip next week. Please take good care of her, group members.”

While relaying the group allocation information,

the teacher unknowingly set the stage for the turmoil that was about to unfold.

*

“Come with me.”

Before the students could crowd around the transfer student, the first break rang, and Erica immediately stood up from her desk. Walking straight to Kang Yu-ri, she spoke to Kim Ha-neul seated in front of her.

Some students were surprised that Erica wasn’t approaching the new student, while others thought Erica might be confessing to Kim Ha-neul. However, the black-haired boy readily agreed to follow her.

“Yeah, we do need to talk about the events from yesterday and today. Let’s go.”

Inna’s sharp gaze seemed to disapprove of their conversation but was unusually artificial.

Knowing that Erica had no romantic feelings for the boy who had taken her position as student council president,

and recognizing the boy’s evident interest in the student council president role,

Inna knew her expressions wouldn’t sway their decision. The two left the classroom without a second glance, heading toward the hallway.

Neither speaking a word until they reached the rooftop entrance, they finally broke their silence.

“I kind of know what you’re going to say, but I’ll ask anyway. What’s up?”

“You remember that secret you told me before, right? I think I know what it is.”

“Have you only just figured it out despite all the clues I gave? Anyway, it’s good you figured it out eventually. Do you understand why I said I wouldn’t meddle in your business?”

“Yeah.”

In the two weeks since meeting Kim Ha-neul, Erica had lacked clues to uncover the secret. However, her encounter with Kim Ha-neul’s sister yesterday had suddenly revealed the truth to her.

This world was a romantic visual novel. The protagonist may seem ordinary, but they always have distinct characteristics. The bond between Kim Ha-neul and his sister seemed unusually strong, yet surprisingly, no one had ever mentioned his sister. This revelation had been the key to unlocking the truth.

“You like your sister, don’t you.”

“Huh?”

Kim Ha-neul’s surprised reaction confirmed Erica’s sharp insight. Though he had shared the secret, he hadn’t anticipated revealing it at that moment.

“Don’t worry; I don’t judge. I’m taking advantage of the silence—we wouldn’t want anyone hearing this.”

Erica believed that as long as someone’s feelings didn’t harm her, they were acceptable. She wouldn’t judge if his sister possessed a charm that captivated people of all kinds, nor did she care that Kim Ha-neul felt attraction toward her.

“… I don’t hate her, but I don’t feel the way you’re implying.”

Understanding Kim Ha-neul’s reason for pushing for a relationship with the student council president was also clarified through this secret. His heart already belonged to someone else.

Though Erica understood all the truths, she chose not to contradict Kim Ha-neul’s denial. If overheard, it might solidify suspicions about his secret.

“So, was that the reason you called me up here?”

Erica never wasted time on meaningless actions either before or after an event. The boy’s impatient gaze implied he expected her to speak now or not at all.

Initially, Erica had planned to gain an advantage over Kim Ha-neul by discussing his relationship with his sister, but she abandoned that plan.

“I want to meet your sister.”

“Huh…?”

Erica’s unexpected request shattered the calm facade Kim Ha-neul had maintained.

Naturally, anyone hearing such a request would be surprised, especially when it concerned Kim Ha-neul’s sister.

“Are you giving up on the student council president? No, wait. If you’re interested in her too, that might be easy to arrange, but why so suddenly?”

Erica noticed Kim Ha-neul’s hesitation when referring to his sister, confirming their not-so-perfect relationship despite appearances.

Of course, his confession of his attraction to his sister was one thing, revealing that to others was another story.

Taking into account the complex relationship between Kim Ha-neul and Iska, Erica responded.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Ah, I see.”

“If that side agrees, let me know.”

Leaving behind the flustered boy, Erica turned her back on Kim Ha-neul after finishing her request, walking away.

Kim Ha-neul watched her until she disappeared.

“Did she fall for Iska at first sight?”

He never expected Erica to want to meet Iska directly.

The situation was unexpected, and the thought of Iska and Erica meeting didn’t bring any positive images to his mind. The boy scratched his head, bewildered.