This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 110

But when did that start?

When did I begin to look at Dogun with those eyes?

Was it when I saw them drifting apart in front of the school gate?

Or was it perhaps when I noticed that despite being the one wounded, he seemed more concerned about my well-being?

But is that really that important?

No matter when I started looking at Dogun that way or what the trigger was, the fact that I began viewing him like that doesn’t change.

So what’s important now isn’t confirming those details—

‘…Right.’

What matters is giving a proper answer to the question thrown at me earlier.

What did he say again?

He asked how I would feel if the rumors settled down faster than expected.

Yeah, that’s certainly what he asked.

And since I hesitated without answering, he’s become so cocky now, as you can see.

Is that why?

That face before me, and the expression that suddenly took over, made me uncomfortable.

Forget everything else; just looking at that expression made it seem as if they were practically engaged to Dogun.

But that can’t be right.

If that were the case, there wouldn’t be any reason for me to be so anxious.

Of course, considering they’ve known each other for almost ten years, it would seem utterly natural for them to sit side by side.

‘Well… isn’t that something I don’t know?’

At least, that’s how I see it.

If they had even been dating, things would be different, but that’s not the case.

Of course… I acknowledge how significant those ten years are.

Let alone the fact they are of opposite genders.

So maintaining that relationship must have been tougher than just that of ordinary friends.

That means they probably understand each other better.

I bet she knows what Dogun likes and dislikes just as well as she knows herself.

And it’s probably the same for Dogun too.

But what does that matter?

If I don’t know what Dogun likes or dislikes, I can take my time and find out one step at a time from now on.

Likewise, I could also let him know what I like and dislike, one by one.

As I get to know each other little by little… maybe I can catch up eventually.

‘And to begin with…’

For a man and a woman who’ve known each other for almost a decade, especially considering she’s even gone so far as to make a lunchbox for him, the fact they still remain friends essentially means there’s no chance of it developing further.

If they were going to date, they would have done so long ago.

Thinking that way makes it seem… like I have the higher chance.

Thanks to that thought, my heart calmed down from whatever strange emotions had been boiling within me.

Not that I intended to just stand still.

Regardless of any prior developments, since I was the one who got asked that last question, I had to answer it.

Clearing my throat a couple of times to gather my voice, I looked straight at him and spoke up.

“Of course… that’s what we agreed upon. That’s the right thing to do.”

As those words left my mouth… his already proud face grew even brighter.

Watching that transformation unfold before me, I felt more captivated than frustrated.

‘This is new.’

This was genuinely something I’d never experienced before.

So… it was the first time I thought about ruining someone else’s bright smile.

Of course… I knew that wasn’t the mindset a person wanting to be a hero should have.

A hero is someone who protects, not someone who ruins.

Yet… heroes are people too.

So every now and then, it’s understandable to want to be a little mischievous.

‘…Right.’

This is mere mischief.

I don’t know what will happen later, but at least right now, that’s all it is.

“And what about it…?”

That mischievous thought escaped from my lips, slipping out into the open.

“I changed my mind.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m saying this as it is. At first, I was definitely thinking that way… but spending a few days with Dogun made me change my thoughts.”

No sooner had I said that than a weak laugh followed, as if mocking me, but I continued undeterred.

“Well… you probably already know, but Dogun is incredibly capable as a manager.”

While I might not acknowledge other aspects, I couldn’t deny that one.

“So you plan to keep using this innocent kid endlessly?”

That must be true.

Half of the weight that Yoonseo’s name carries must be thanks to Dogun.

“Using? That’s such a strange way to put it.”

“What else would you call it? Care to explain?”

“Hey, hey…!”

Is it awkward right now?

Dogun, whose expression was already tense, turned even more uncomfortable.

But… I couldn’t stop.

If I was going to stop here, then I wouldn’t have started this in the first place.

“…Well, this works out well. I was just thinking I need to bring this up soon.”

Saying that, I turned to Dogun.

No, I actually turned to face him head-on.

Looking directly into Dogun’s eyes—

“Dogun, if you’re okay with it—”

I looked straight at his slightly anxious face—

“Will you continue to be my manager?”

The words I had been meaning to say carefully spilled out at last.

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“Will you continue to be my manager?”

‘Why…’

Why did it turn out like this?

How did the mood shift to something like this?

I couldn’t figure it out.

Of course, the original plan was to end things between us right now.

I thought it would be a decent attempt, considering I had a justification to go with.

It felt like just a moment ago, things were that way, so why… did it turn into this atmosphere?

While reflecting, it struck me just how cunning the other person is.

If Baeksulhwa’s recent words had been a confession instead of a proposal, wouldn’t Dogun have flat-out refused without a moment’s hesitation?

That was only to be expected as he had reacted like that all along.

However, what Baeksulhwa just presented to Dogun was a proposal, not a confession.

No matter how you look at it, that’s the case.

That’s why Dogun is contemplating like this.

What Baeksulhwa suggested was something a guy wouldn’t easily refuse.

No, if it hadn’t been Dogun but another man in this position?

He’d likely have jumped at the opportunity without a second thought.

On the male side, there are hardly any career paths as stable as being a hero’s manager.

And knowing that all too well made me anxious.

What if Dogun actually accepts Baeksulhwa’s proposal?

That anxiety grew stronger the longer Dogun remained silent.

It escalated so rapidly that it felt as if… I was watching a snowball rolling down a slope.

As if it could crush me at any moment—

“I’m sorry, but isn’t that still uncertain?”

I had no choice but to interject hastily between them.

As expected, their response came immediately.

“What do you mean uncertain? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you know. Just because you take the qualification exam doesn’t guarantee you’ll pass…”

I hadn’t noticed how anxious I was until I voiced it, but reality was just as I said.

The hero qualification exam isn’t easy; the thresholds are incredibly high, and opportunities are given only once. If he fails…

Dogun hasn’t accepted their proposal yet, but if he does, what would happen to Dogun, who believed he’d pass and staked his future on it?

“I mean, that may be true, but… I don’t think I should be in a position to hear such words from you.”

“…What?”

“That’s only fair, right? You… you lost to me, after all?”

“…”

“Even if it was last year, it hasn’t even been half a year yet. You haven’t forgotten already, have you?”

I truly felt that my nonchalance was incredibly annoying.

“That was when I was in middle school… it’s another story now that we’re both high schoolers.”

So—

“If we do it again, I could overwhelmingly win?”

I directly countered the provocative statement thrown at me.