Correcting the Villainess of the Academy

It’s not that there’s absolutely no reason for hostility.

Even for someone like me, who knows almost nothing about this, the earlier mentor nomination seems to offer her absolutely no benefits.

Thinking about it, the current admission system in the Cradle has long since been transformed into a means of seizing power.

I entered the Cradle through such means, and my place of origin, as noted in the student registry, is a pioneer village in the outskirts of the South.

In fact, I’ve been engaging in strange behavior, wearing a silly mask on my face all the time. I don’t have an especially approachable personality, so I haven’t managed to build a proper network so far.

It’s second nature for her to hate all those things, and regardless of her feelings, my profile is full of potential reasons to be attacked by someone, even if it isn’t her.

It’s a situation where I’ve been chosen as a mentor in front of those who despise me. It’s fortunate if I’m not mocked and ridiculed by those who dislike me.

The very fact that I clashed with a popular student at the Cradle has become more of a deterrent than something that would unite us.

After the ranking announcement, I could feel other people’s gazes on me shift a little. But it seemed like it didn’t really affect Yeon Minha.

Last year, Yeon Minha also achieved overwhelmingly excellent grades, but she was pushed to second place by someone who showed even more.

Given her exceptional talent, it might be that she has high standards for others as well.

But that’s just her problem. I can’t afford to take all of that into account.

From my perspective, it’s actually better to openly show my resentment.

Because that would increase the chances of showing the reaction I have in mind.

“Sigh…”

“It makes me a bit sad. At this rate, will I be able to spend a year in the same group together?”

“Do you really think I would maintain that same group with a nobody like you for a year? I thought maybe you were just a bit clueless, but it seems like you really are an idiot. You’re out as soon as the probation period ends.”

Yeon Minha scoffed.

Once you’re designated as a mentor, you don’t have the right to refuse, but from what I understand, after a few weeks of the probation period, you can switch mentoring groups once with permission.

Seniors face serious penalties for not creating mentees in their second year, so it seems Yeon Minha is considering getting rid of me as soon as that minimal period is over.

“I believe changing the mentoring group requires mutual consent, don’t you think I would facilitate that?”

“Well, you really don’t understand how significant a mentor’s authority is, do you? With just a flick of my finger, I could make you grovel like a dog for a month. Would you still make the same cheerful remarks then? I’m curious… Snicker…”

Yeon Minha laughed mockingly. I had to suppress a strong urge to make her grovel like a dog again.

It feels like success is just around the corner. I can’t let a single mistake ruin the plan now.

Imagining the day I can relieve this anger approaching soon, I clenched my hands so tightly that they nearly bled.

“Huh…”

“I do feel a bit scared, though. It’s unfortunate. I might need a way to protect myself at this point.”

“What?”

For the first time, a look of confusion appeared on Yeon Minha’s face.

“Let’s see. How about spreading rumors that I’m pretty close and intimate with you?”

“You… how dare a lowly brat like you…”

“I don’t know how many would believe it, but for those who don’t like you much, the truth doesn’t matter that much, does it? If what I know about your situation is correct, won’t just a little scandal be quite damaging? Who knows how much lower you can fall?”

I continued in an unruffled and mundane tone, as if nothing was amiss.

“…I don’t really feel at ease either. I feel like I’ve received too much hatred since our first meeting.”

I wasn’t exactly lying. The chosen words to effectively provoke her just happened to be words I found really distasteful myself.

Drip…!

However, I definitely managed to elicit the desired effect. Frost started to radiate from her hands gripping the table tightly. The soft tablecloth froze rigid, with cracks spreading throughout the glass.

Now, I can truly feel that success is right in front of me.

“But if you dislike me that much, I guess I can’t help it. In that sense, I have something to say… care to listen?”

Yeon Minha, taken aback by my next words, suddenly wore a look of disbelief.

“Ha, how arrogant…”

But that was only for a moment, as she soon accepted my proposal with a face full of cold rage.

It was a moment when my pitiful scheme finally started to shine. If she hadn’t been wearing that mask or if Yeon Minha had managed to maintain any calmness, things wouldn’t have flowed this smoothly.

I’ve been told since childhood that my face reveals everything when I lie.

“You’ll regret this.”

Yeon Minha left the Hwayangkwan, leaving behind only the frozen tablecloth marked by frost and a glass full of cracks.

But I was filled with a soaring sense of achievement and liberation.

From the start, I hadn’t thought I’d get along intimately with her.

The personality and past I had discerned in advance became a strong prejudice, and what I faced in reality only solidified that prejudice even more.

On the other hand, she also represented the kind of person I find most repugnant.

She was the one who made me realize once again that appearance doesn’t matter much when it comes to people.

Also, she reminded me of someone from the past, which made my heart ache.

But now, personal likes and dislikes don’t matter much. We’ve already taken our seats in the compartment of a train heading in the same direction.

What’s needed now is a physical and mechanical connection prioritized over the goal.

*

On the way back after the mentor nomination ceremony, I spotted a familiar female student with light brown hair hastily leaving the Hwayangkwan.

I approached to speak, but Yena responded to me in honorifics, as if I were a stranger.

“Who are you to speak to me so casually?”

“…Yena?”

“Hmph.”

Yena turned her head sharply, throwing me a resentful glance.

While I had exchanged greetings with Muyeong, for some reason, Yena skimmed past me as if I were cold.

I pondered the reason behind Yena’s behavior, but nothing made sense. Did I make some mistake? But we had just met again three days after the exam.

There were no issues during the exam. Our teamwork had been spot on. Even after things went haywire, I had taken them to safety while I went into the dangerous areas alone…

“Oh, I see. Isn’t that Yoo Jin-hyun, who left without looking back that day?”

Ah.

“…I’m sorry. I had a good reason for having to leave like that…”

“You must have had one indeed. Surely there must be a good reason for brushing off Yena, who was trying her best to stop you, right?”

“…”

I could somewhat grasp the source of Yena’s incomprehensible sulk. Her voice dripped with disappointment, and it even seemed a bit damp.

“…How much I worried…”

Since her grievance was valid and reasonable, I found myself at a loss for words. I had simply rushed off without a proper explanation due to pressure from time.

At least, she didn’t seem to be truly furious. Rather, it felt more like a light complaint, the type looking for someone to scratch that itch.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been glancing at me repeatedly, only to look away each time our eyes met…

“…I’m sorry.”

“Hmph. Now you say…”

“I really am. I’m sincerely sorry. What can I do to ease your anger?”

“…”

In the end, there was no choice but to ask honestly. Perhaps moved by my straightforward attitude, Yena’s feigned sulk began to crumble.

Eventually, she slightly bowed her head and began to list her demands in a shy voice.

“…If you could take a day off on a holiday, I might feel a bit better…”

“I’ll do that.”

“Huh…”

Yena seemed surprised, trembling slightly as if she hadn’t expected a prompt answer.

“But are you sure? If we go outside together, the stares because of the mask…”

“…It’s fine. Those things don’t matter to me at all…”

Yena said in a somewhat stern tone.

“So it’s decided?”

“…Yeah. Hih…”

Yena seemed to have finally thrown off her act entirely. The resentment quickly melted away like spring snow.

“About that… I’m sorry for getting angry…”

Now feeling a bit shy, Yena bowed her head and offered her apology in a tiny voice.

“…And thank you for being the first one to speak to me. I sincerely congratulate you on coming in first… I’m really glad you didn’t get hurt…”

Before I could even respond, Yena turned and quickly vanished.

“So… see you tomorrow…?”

I watched her leap away like a bunny and briefly pondered the difference in my attitude toward Yeon Minha and Yena.

I’ve always felt it, but I do seem to have a weakness for gentle people.

“Hah.”

As Yena completely disappeared, I finally let out a breath I had been holding back.

Even though I knew she was just pretending to sulk, the fear of being abandoned momentarily choked me up.

I felt a similar sentiment when I left the northeastern base for admission to the Cradle.

All of this was an emotion I had felt for someone two years ago.

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