Chapter 165. Social Gathering Party (2)
Saturday.
I headed to the party hall to attend the event.
I met Baek A-Young right away.
Since it was a party, I thought she'd be dressed up, but she was in her usual work outfit.
Well, she does wear a suit to work normally, so I guess that counts as formal attire.
She's pretty anyway, so it's not weird for her to show up like this.
"There are so many people."
"I know, right? These parties are always crowded, but this time it's worse."
We were standing a little away from the main entrance of the party.
In front of the venue, regular people and reporters had gathered to see the celebrities.
Who could be coming that's so amazing?
I get wanting to see famous people, but this many people? That's a bit surprising.
"Let's go around that way."
Baek A-Young pointed to the back entrance, not the front.
"Why? We can just go in through the front."
"The front is chaotic because of the reporters. They'll bombard us with interview requests and take tons of pictures."
"So what."
A few days ago, she was spreading dating rumors with me to get attention, and now she doesn't want attention?
I grabbed Baek A-Young's hand and dragged her toward the front entrance.
"W-Wait! No! They'll take pictures!"
"You gave me a hard time with that weird interview before. Now it's your turn. Feel the pressure, A-Young."
"T-That was just a mistake..."
I dragged Baek A-Young, who was growing quieter, toward the front entrance.
Click! Click!
The sound of shutters and the sight of celebrities entering greeted us.
"Hey, hey! It's the Saintess and Lee Hoyeon!"
"Whoa, they really came together!"
Some people had already noticed us.
It was too late to back out now, and Baek A-Young realized that too, lowering her head.
"Let's go, A-Young."
"T-This is... ugh..."
Her hesitation in front of a crowd was kind of cute.
I chuckled and pulled her arm, leading her through the reporters.
Some reporters were speaking to their cameras while snapping photos, and others shoved microphones toward me.
"Cadet Lee Hoyeon! Just one word! What's your relationship with the Saintess? Are you really dating?"
"It's your first time officially appearing together. Please give us a quick interview!"
What a scene.
I couldn't outright say I was dating Baek A-Young. I had to consider the other heroines.
But since we came together, I couldn't deny it either.
I'll just play it cool.
"Let's pose for a photo at least."
"... Okay."
"Relax."
"How are you so calm... This is your first time too."
She seemed genuinely amazed by me.
Thanks to [Steadfast Willpower], no matter how many people are around, I can stay calm if I want.
"Well, I'm just that great."
"Sigh..."
Holding the nervous Baek A-Young's hand, I walked to the entrance.
Just before entering, we turned and posed.
If we're going to be in an article, might as well look good.
It was photo time.
'Damn, that's bright.'
We withstood the flashing lights and entered the party hall.
"Ms. Baek A-Young and one guest. Entry confirmed. Please enjoy."
Baek A-Young handed her invitation to the waiting staff member, and we were guided inside.
The party had already started.
It was called a social gathering, but it was basically just a drinking party.
A bit more formal, that's all.
As soon as we entered, everyone's eyes turned toward us.
Poke.
"Gah?!"
I felt Baek A-Young freeze up, so I poked her side.
"I said don't be nervous."
Since this was a party hosted by the Association, I saw some of her former coworkers.
"A-Young~"
Then came a voice that didn't suit the formal atmosphere.
It was Min Yeji walking toward us.
"Yeji... you came too."
"Of course I did. With my A-Young..."
Her gaze shifted to me.
Her cat-like smile was pretty, but a bit intense.
"Cadet Lee Hoyeon. Nice to meet you. It's our first proper conversation, isn't it?"
"Hello. I should've greeted you sooner. Sorry about that."
Min Yeji had stepped forward to speak on my behalf before. She even made public statements for me.
I'm sure she had her own reasons, but I was still grateful.
Thanks to her breaking the ice, people who were hesitant started coming over one by one.
"A-Young, long time no see. How's the Academy?"
"Ah... It's not bad. The Association was nice too, of course."
Baek A-Young began chatting with familiar faces.
"Hoyeon."
"?"
I turned to the voice calling me and saw platinum-blonde hair shimmering.
It was Moon Surin in a neat one-piece dress.
"Surin-noona! You look so different here."
"Right? I didn't expect to see you here either."
Behind her stood several young men.
She must've been talking with them just now.
"Those guys...?"
"Ah, don't worry about them. Just met them here. They're after my partner."
"Wow, you really are popular."
I gave a winner's smile to the guys eyeing us with drinks in hand.
"Hehe, thanks."
I held a glass too and chatted with Moon Surin, enjoying the party.
I didn't drink, but since everyone else was holding a glass, it felt like I should too.
"Hello, school nurse. I'll call you Ms. Baek A-Young here."
"Ah... Hello, Ms. Moon Surin."
Moon Surin greeted Baek A-Young.
They became acquainted during the dungeon training.
She was the first to find us then.
"It's our first proper talk since you became the Academy's school nurse."
"Right. I've always appreciated you. I heard you said nice things about me."
The atmosphere between them was friendly.
Makes sense—they're coworkers now.
"Yes. But I didn't think you had this kind of goal."
Moon Surin smiled and glanced between me and Baek A-Young.
...Wasn't the mood good a second ago?
"Ah... That's not it."
"Haha... But spreading false information makes things hard for us. Please be careful."
"F-False information..."
Baek A-Young couldn't respond and looked at me.
Hey, don't look at me now, A-Young.
"Oh my, did I hear wrong? Hoyeon?"
"... I wouldn't say it's false. I didn't say we were dating outright, just made some misleading comments."
Hearing that, Baek A-Young looked downcast.
Still, I can't just say we're dating here. What if the others get hurt?
★ Heroine Status Window
[Baek A-Young]
- [ Affection: 97 ] (+0.8)
- [ Lust: 82 ]
- [ Appetite: 30 ]
- [ Fatigue: 65 ]
Current Status: Spreading false info... But he's my hubby...
'Sorry, A-Young.'
Moon Surin didn't push the topic further.
From then on, it was casual and peaceful conversation.
At least, that's how it felt to me.
Still, I scanned the room during the chats, looking for anyone useful, and spotted a few familiar faces.
Do Jinhyuk from Class A and Kim Hyundo, head of the Magic Research Club.
Familiar enemies appeared in my sight.
'Right, those bastards were here too.'
I'd forgotten thanks to all the chaos.
Every time our eyes met, they frowned and looked away.
Guess I've become too big for them to handle.
*
"Urgh... hic."
Crunch-
Shin Dongmin was watching footage from cameras hidden by his subordinates at the party.
Crackle—crack—!
An uncontrollable change had started in his body.
He was being consumed by the mana stone—turning into a demon.
After coming into contact with Pandemic, Shin Dongmin could no longer control himself.
Twitch twitch.
"Not yet... I'm still okay."
Unaware of how damaged his body already was, he stared at the screen.
Seeing Moon Surin smiling and talking with Lee Hoyeon only fueled his rage.
That should've been me.
I should've been the star of this party. I should've been at Moon Surin's side.
"Lee Hoyeon... and even Baek A-Young."
Shin Dongmin glared and gave an order to the demon from Pandemic waiting behind him.
"Begin in two hours."
"Yes. I'll inform Lady Rebecca."
Pandemic's abilities were terrifying.
As long as you had the money, they'd do anything.
This time, they were even setting up a barrier over the entire party hall.
I nearly spent all the money from my father, but it's fine. Once this terror attack is over, Lee Hoyeon will be ruined.
Shin Dongmin grinned.
'Not long now. Let's see if you can still smile in two hours...'