Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game - Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game chapter 107

107 – Summer Vacation (2)

107.

“….”

Jin So-yeon flinched.

She heard quite an unpleasant remark.

She discreetly shifted her gaze to Yu Seol-hyun.

Yu Seol-hyun met her eyes confidently, as if asking why she was like that.

It’s not funny at all. Uttering such nonsense.

“That’s why I dislike Yu Seol-hyun.”

She occasionally picks fights like that.

No, not occasionally, but quite often.

It’s ridiculous how she deliberately scratches at Jin So-yeon’s feelings and provokes her.

If it had been a completely false statement, she would have dismissed it as mere nonsense and ignored it. But it wasn’t entirely false, so… Ah, irritating.

“But what’s with calling it ‘man skills,’ seriously? Why phrase it like that?”

Throughout her life, she had never done anything strange enough to be described as “man skills.”

She had never dated anyone, and she hadn’t even had a first kiss. So why talk like that?

…Of course, regardless of gender, she had hung out with others quite a bit. But using that as a basis to talk about “man skills” is a bit much.

And since confessing to Lee Jinhyuk, she hadn’t hung out with any other guys or gone out in pairs.

She had been careful in her own way.

On top of that, she was subtly concerned about the past, and why was Yoo Seolhyun acting so annoyingly.

If Jinsuyeon disliked her, did Yoo Seolhyun also dislike her?

Then why does Yoo Seolhyun dislike Jinsuyeon?

There’s really no reason to dislike her.

…Except for matters related to Lee Jinhyuk.

“Does Yoo Seolhyun really have an interest in Jinhyuk, or does she have a crush?”

There was a high possibility that she had emotions beyond just interest.

She rarely showed direct signs of affection.

“…How did you know that I like Jinhyuk?”

“I told you. It shows.”

Yoo Seolhyun shrugged her shoulders and chuckled lightly.

“I think I’m hiding it, but when you look from the side, it’s hard to hide. Other people probably know too, right? I’m just not saying it.”

I guess so.

It was pretty obvious.

Despite Yoo Seolhyun’s efforts to hide it…

“Jinhyuk probably knows too, but seeing no progress so far, oh well, it’s not going well, huh?”

“Mind your own business.”

It’s Jinsuyeon and Lee Jinhyuk’s problem.

The concerns of Yuseolhyun, a mere third party, were not something Ishyun had to worry about.

“Well, considering that during the stalker incident, I tried to link you and Ishiwoon together personally, I probably don’t want to get back together with you now.”

Yuseolhyun bowed her head alone.

There probably weren’t many people who wanted to get back together with someone like her, considering she hung out with other guys, claiming they were just friends.

The same could be said for Ijinhyuk.

Although Jinsuyeon was pretending to be quite mature now, old habits die hard.

From Ijinhyuk’s perspective, he probably didn’t want to get back together with Jinsuyeon and go through unnecessary heartache.

“Isn’t that right?”

“…”

Jinsuyeon bit her lip.

While her reasons might be slightly different from what Yuseolhyun thought, it was an undeniable fact that Ijinhyuk had been troubled by the fake relationship with Jinsuyeon for a long time.

Therefore, she could fully understand why Ijinhyuk didn’t want to be tied down in a relationship like that with Jinsuyeon.

The words Ijinhyuk shouted from the rooftop during the stalker incident echoed in Yuseolhyun’s mind.

Saying he wanted to let go of lingering feelings for Jinsuyeon, that he could let go of them if he dated someone else, or that he would connect with Ishiwoon…

Perhaps it was only half sincere.

Jinsuyeon felt inexplicably depressed.

No matter how much Ijinhyuk had forgiven her for the hardships of being a fake lover, Jinsuyeon couldn’t escape her own guilt.

It was a kind of shackle and stigma.

Chains born from an unbreakable sense of guilt and wrongdoing.

…But well, Ijinhyuk truly didn’t care at all.

Since recalling memories from a past life, my rational affection for Jin Soyeon has significantly waned, leaving me feeling somewhat despondent.

Of course, the memories of the hardships we endured haven’t faded, but knowing through the original work that Jin Soyeon has absolutely no interest in any other man, not even in the slightest, it’s somewhat understandable.

“That’s probably why Yishiyun seems subtly troubled. Well, he also seems to accept it to some extent.”

Accept, accept…

Yishiyun was a bit awkward for a while after being rejected by Jin Soyeon with a remorseful face before, but now he seems to be doing quite well.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s completely letting go of his feelings for Jin Soyeon.

“Kang Daehan seems quite interested in you, doesn’t he? Oh, did I mention this before?”

“Daehan… “

Certainly, after the rankings, the frequency of his approaches with the words “Soyeon, I saw you again” has increased.

Honestly, personally, I didn’t think the great Kang Daehan would have any affection for Jin Soyeon, but could it be a woman’s intuition?

Since the kidnapping incident, a more acute sense of attraction has been subtly whispering to Jin Soyeon.

That man, Kang Daehan, also seems to have affection for you.

Jin Soyeon wasn’t the type to trust her own woman’s intuition.

That’s not surprising, considering she didn’t even notice that her childhood friend, whom she had known for a long time, had a crush on her.

Therefore, Jin Soyeon couldn’t believe in her own woman’s intuition.

But if we consider that Ju Jiyeon, who likes Kang Daehan, was jealous of Jin Soyeon, there is some credibility to it.

And according to a story I heard somewhere, Kang Daehan’s ideal type is a woman stronger than himself or something like that.

Since he easily defeated Ju Jiyeon, who was 12th at the time, in the rankings, apart from Baek Yurin, Jin Soyeon was the closest to Kang Daehan’s ideal type.

In fact, shortly after the confrontation with Ju Jiyeon, there were many controversies, such as luck, Ju Jiyeon being careless, and Ju Jiyeon going easy on her.

However, the performance evaluations, mock exams, final exams, and the like conducted after the ranking competition showcased a powerful performance, dispelling controversies.

Currently, Jin Soyeon was regarded as one of the top contenders within the academy.

Comparable to Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan, if not even more so.

Just like Baek Yurin.

“It must be nice to be popular among the guys….”

“Is your pride hurt?”

Jin Soyeon interrupted Yoo Seolhyun’s words.

“Siwoon and Daehan too. Good guys don’t show much interest in you, so why bother getting hurt over your pride?”

“Pride? What is there for me to be hurt about my pride?”

Look at this.

Yoo Seolhyun felt a bit offended.

Honestly, there was a time when he didn’t have that aspect.

He had never shown interest as a man until now, but he fell head over heels for a girl he had never seen or heard of before.

Even though it wasn’t someone Siwoon liked, didn’t girls have their own pride?

They were in a secret engagement that neither of them wanted, but seeing Siwoon deeply involved with such a girl was perplexing.

At the same time, his pride took a hit.

But now, well….

“Jinhyuk isn’t really falling for anyone either.”

“Ha.”

Eyebrows slightly furrowed, Yoo Seolhyun.

Jin Soyeon’s words subtly pricked at her nerves.

Lee Jinhyuk, it was all about Lee Jinhyuk.

He was quite an intriguing man.

Whether to call it liking or just interest, she wasn’t sure, but at least there was a sentiment of ‘favor’ to some extent.

From Noble mtl dot com

Rich, capable, intelligent, and though the face and family background were a bit lacking, overall, he wasn’t bad.

Moreover, unlike other guys, he communicated reasonably well.

As a business partner, he was quite satisfactory.

As a boyfriend, well, she wondered. A man she wanted to keep by her side.

So, half-jokingly, she tried to tempt him (?), but there was no particular reaction from Lee Jinhyuk.

No, well…

What to say. It’s not like he really liked her or anything.

Whether he was indifferent or not didn’t matter much.

Or, how should I put it? Just a bit, a very little bit.

It hurt her pride a bit.

Back in the day, with some of the boyfriends of the girls who grumbled to Yoo Seolhyun, she was kind and gave them a friendly smile, so they quickly got over it.

But Lee Jinhyuk remained indifferent, making it an unavoidable process for her pride to be damaged subtly.

“Miss. The time…”

“Oh, this. Has it already come to this?”

As the bodyguard approached and spoke, Yoo Seolhyun checked the time.

“I think I should go first.”

“Yeah, go ahead, go.”

“hehehe. Have a fun weekend, Soyeon.”

“…You’re not really in a position to say that, considering you were scratching the surface just a moment ago.”

“Oh my, me? No way, were you offended by what I said? Sorry, I didn’t even realize I was doing that.”

“Do you really not know that you have a bad personality?”

Yoo Seol-hyun, with a subtle smile directed at the grumbling Jin Soyeon, finally changed her pace.

She disappeared into the distance with the security guards.

Jin Soyeon picked up all the books and let out a deep sigh.

She had come shopping for a change of mood, but thanks to Yoo Seol-hyun, she felt even worse.

Ugh, seriously.

I really hate Yoo Seol-hyun.

I have to see her again during summer vacation.

And with Jinhyeok, no less.

The worst, really.

***

“It seems like you’re close with your friend.”

“Does it look like we’re close? Maybe your eyesight has gotten really bad.”

On the way back home.

One of the security guards, who had known her for a long time, was talking to Yoo Seol-hyun.

“Miss doesn’t often express her emotions so directly. Especially not in fights.”

“Fights? It was just, you know, a conversation.”

“A conversation… I see.”

“What’s with the hesitation?”

“Nothing, really.”

Yoo Seol-hyun glanced at the bodyguard for a moment before turning her gaze to the window.

“It’s just… fun, you know.”

“Fun, you say?”

“Yes. Reacting so loudly even with a slight touch. Isn’t it fun?”

“Hmm.”

“And also…”

Yoo Seol-hyun trailed off for a moment before speaking up.

“…there’s something I want, but that kid is eyeing it first, so I feel a bit off.”

“I see. Well, Miss, you’ve always had to have whatever you wanted since old times to feel satisfied.”

The bodyguard grinned.

Yoo Seol-hyun had always been the type to obtain whatever she desired by any means necessary. What could she possibly want this time? It piqued his curiosity. So, he decided to ask.

“What kind of thing could it be that it led to a disagreement with your friend?”

“…A thing? Well.”

“Miss?”

“Well, it’s not exactly a ‘thing’.”

“Are you saying that people aren’t objects?”

“Well, um… expressing people as objects seems a bit strange, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, I see. People, huh.”

The security guard was slightly surprised. Yuseolhyun, who usually had a lot of ambitions for talent, was making an effort to put various individuals under her influence. However, it was the first time he heard someone express a desire to have someone to the extent of wanting them. Moreover, someone from outside the clan. It seemed like one of the academy trainees.

“Who exactly are you talking about?”

“There’s a pretty decent talent in the academy. I’d like to scout them for our clan before they graduate… Well, I’m not sure if they’ll willingly join our clan.”

He possessed future foresight abilities and was an outstanding man who didn’t fall behind even in a confrontation with Baek Yurin.

A man of that caliber would have many options beyond Gaon Nuri Clan.

“…I don’t want to miss out if possible, that’s all.”

“Miss.”

“Yes? Why do you say that?”

“You’re smiling. It seemed like it’s been a while since I’ve seen Miss naturally smiling.”

“Oh… Was I smiling?”

“Yes.”

At the security guard’s words, Yuseolhyun blinked.

She could realize that the corners of her mouth were slightly lifted as reflected in the window of the vehicle.

“It seems quite pleasing to you? If just thinking about it makes you smile.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Yuseolhyun denied it, then hesitated.

It’s appealing, La…

Well, that’s true.

Not as a rational being, but still, it was true that I was attracted to it.

“I guess so. hehehe, it’s appealing. I gained a lot thanks to that man. I’m even planning to rely on him during this summer vacation.”

“Oh, I see… Huh? A man? Was it a man?”

“Yes. But why?”

“Oh, a man. Well, I guess it’s about time for you to be interested in men, Miss.”

“Jeong Hee-cheol?”

“Don’t say strange things, Miss. That’s not the case.”

Jeong Hee-cheol nodded as if he understood everything.

“That’s how it usually starts, Miss. A small interest soon becomes favor, and favor turns into affection…”

“Jeong Hee-cheol, have you been too comfortable lately?”

“Uh, well. I apologize.”

Jeong Hee-cheol shrunk back at Yu Seol-hyun’s chilly smile.

“Anyway, forget I said anything strange.”

Yu Seol-hyun sighed.

Then, leaning against the car window, she pondered.

The feelings she had for that man were just slight favor and curiosity, curiosity.

Well, she owed him her life twice, so she did have a slight sense of gratitude, but it was definitely not love or anything like that.

……Absolutely.