Became a Dark Merchant in the Academy - Chapter 269



268 – Tailbiting_4

Tachibana Rie is a second-year student in class A.

I also became a member of class A when I became a second grader.

What this means is that if you take classes at the academy, you will inevitably encounter it.

But we didn’t know each other to begin with, and since the revelations surrounding the student council president incident came up last time, neither I nor Rie Tachibana would pretend to know each other even if we met.

No, there was also a sense of growling like they were enemies.

And it was safe to say that not only me and Rie Tachibana, but everyone in 2-A, no, the entire academy, knew that fact.

“Do you have time?”

The time when the morning lectures ended.

Normally, it would be a time when friends and students would chatter about what to eat for lunch, but in class 2-A, there was absolutely no chatter about the lunch menu.

“Lee Seong-hyeon spoke to Tachibana?”

“Do you have time? Are you thinking of having a duel?”

“No, judging from the atmosphere, I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Then what the heck?”

“well…”

Nervousness and anxiety.

There were only anxious eyes and the sound of people talking in groups of three or five.

The reason was simple.

It was because I approached Tachibana Rie and spoke to her.

“I’m sorry, I have a prior engagement.”

She smiled and shook her head.

“okay?”

Because of what she did last time, there weren’t many cadets in the academy who would hang out with her.

But according to what some of the cadets found out, she didn’t have any plans with him today.

What that meant was that there was no one to make an appointment with.

Of course, you may have made an appointment with someone outside.

Today, the lecture starts at the first hour of the afternoon, so lunch time is only about an hour.

But it would take more than 10 to 20 minutes just to get out of the academy where the lecture rooms are.

It was absurd to make an appointment to meet for only about 20 minutes, including the time it would take to get back.

‘That would make sense if you didn’t attend the next lecture.’

Given her behavior and personality, that couldn’t have been the case.

So what she was saying was a lie, a euphemism for not wanting to talk to me.

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”

“Yes, I can’t help it. Then see you next time.”

So when I tried to say something with a nuance that suggested understanding, Rie Tachibana stood up and tried to pass me by.

“but.”

I gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards me.

“What is this…”

Then he pulled up his mana and whispered softly in her ear so that only she could hear.

“You’re trying to run away since revenge seems impossible now? How shameful.”

“What, what did you say!”

Rie Tachibana shouted loudly at my insult.

“I said I was sorry.”

The expected reaction.

I bowed my head and followed the established procedure.

“So, tell His Majesty to stop pressuring the student council about things.”

“You, what the hell are you talking about…”

Tachibana Rie made a dumbfounded expression.

“Lee Seong-hyeon bowed his head? Is he apologizing?”

“You’re saying I interfered with the student council’s work?”

“Does anyone know what’s going on?”

“Seonghyun.”

“joy.”

But I couldn’t continue speaking.

The gazes of the people around them are focused on the noise.

Because he knew better than anyone else how he would be perceived if he got angry at his words here.

‘That’s why I’m here to talk.’

If you talk to me anywhere else, I’ll just ignore you.

It couldn’t be ignored here.

Although the previous incident was concluded without charges.

In the cadets’ minds, she was still an extremely evil person who instigated villains and tried to drive her classmates to suicide.

“you.”

“I’m sorry. So please stop. I’ll apologize over and over again.”

“What do you want?”

“You can swear, because if you want me to slap my face on the floor, I will. So…”

“Ugh…”

Tachibana Rie glared at me and let out a small moan.

Regardless, I still bowed my head and assumed an apologetic posture.

And how much time passed?

“…let’s go to a quiet place.”

The white flag has been raised.

**

I realized painfully why my father always told me to keep my composure.

You shouldn’t have reacted like that.

But what can we do?

I got caught up in his numbers.

It was all just belated regret.

‘Okay, let’s say you win the first move.’

You can lose once.

Once.

From now on, we just have to win.

‘More than that, why did you do that?’

Tachibana Rie glared at the back of Lee Seong-hyeon’s head, who was walking ahead.

‘Are you trying to laugh at me because you know my plan is ruined?’

Considering the provocation earlier, this one was more appropriate.

What this means is that he knew that he was approaching his seniors and playing tricks on them.

But it was strange to see the two of them talking like this alone.

Wouldn’t it be enough to just laugh it off in passing?

If you do that, he will become so angry that he will become angry.

There was no reason for the two of them to talk like this.

That’s why Tachibana Rie thought about it over and over again, trying to read Lee Seong-hyeon’s next move and thoughts.

But we had no choice but to stop without coming up with a clear answer.

“How about here?”

The place Lee Seong-hyeon pointed out was an empty classroom on the top floor of the building where cadets rarely visited.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“okay?”

I guess it’s okay.

No matter what you’re talking about, no matter what kind of story is told, just stay focused, maintain a poker face, which is the basic political principle, and think flexibly about your next move.

No matter how much he excels in political tricks and brains, his abilities do not fit his background as an orphan from an orphanage.

Because it is bound to be far below the skills she has learned and acquired as the only daughter of a famous political family.

‘We have the advantage in both skill and experience. There’s no way we can lose.’

Everything we’ve suffered so far has been due to tricks and dirty methods.

Just be careful about that.

Just that.

That’s why Rie Tachibana nodded.

The door opened and closed with a ‘creak’ sound.

Tachibana Rie and Lee Seong-hyeon walked into the empty classroom.

“So why did you ask to see it alone?”

“It’s nothing. I just wanted to apologize. I’ve been a bit mean to you up until now.”

“…Stop talking nonsense.”

“Really?”

“…”

Lee Seong-hyeon shrugged.

“Well, I’m serious about apologizing. You’re not a threat to me anyway.”

“You leaked that photo on purpose.”

“No way. My grandfather just wanted to take a picture with his grandson, so I did.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Does it look like that?”

“yes.”

Tachibana Rie nodded as if there was no value in inventory.

“I see. Then, do you want to guess what I’m going to say next? I think our smart Tachibana Rie will be able to guess.”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“really?”

I didn’t know, but I don’t know.

That would be the case, because looking at his expression right now, I don’t know what he will say or how he will say it.

Because the intention seemed obvious.

It was a call to declare defeat.

In other words, he was saying that he had come to provoke.

And I could roughly guess why this was happening.

Last time he tried to meet with the graduates to connect with them.

I’ve been criticized for my own work.

In addition, there were many instances where external affairs were delayed or caused by one’s own manipulation.

So it was clear that he had come to vent his anger on him.

‘On the outside, he pretends to be a nice person.’

I wanted to expose this duality of his.

What can I do?

Even if we have evidence, it’s not enough.

And we can’t even collect evidence.

Even if he had recorded this scene and shown it to the public, it was clear that, with the exception of a few people within the Academy, they would have thought that he had manipulated it to slander him.

“Yes, really. I’m not sure. But if you really meant to apologize, then it’s okay. I’ve forgotten everything, too.”

“You really forgot everything?”

“Of course. It was a misunderstanding. I know full well that you never tried to frame me.”

“Really? Oh, I’m glad you understand now. Then, from now on, it’s back to normal, right?”

“Yes. It was a misunderstanding.”

There is no misunderstanding.

But now it’s right to slow down.

What can I do, the situation is so unfavorable?

Now was the time to have a consultation.

“But I think I got hurt a little by that misunderstanding.”

“…”

“As you said, I misunderstood. Someone intentionally and maliciously harmed me.”

What kind of nonsense is this?

What the hell is this?

Who is malicious and who is framing someone?

Because of that, I was treated badly at the academy and was scolded severely by my father.

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“So, that’s what I’m saying. It seems like someone needs to compensate me.”

“If it’s compensation…”

But now was the time to hold your breath.

If I get involved with him again and cause an accident, my father will order me to return to my country, and if that happens, I will have no choice but to drop out of Laplace Academy.

That meant he would be returning home in disgrace.

Even later in her political career, she could have been perceived as a woman who didn’t even graduate from the academy or a woman who caused accidents in foreign countries.

Because of what happened last time, the eyes that are already watching are fierce.

For Tachibana Rie, there was no longer any way out.

“It’s nothing special. I just want you to help me out until I graduate. You may be dumb, but you look half-assed.”

But I couldn’t accept that.