My Childhood Friend’s Stock Will Never Fail Chapter 21

With Joohoon’s retrial results still not out, she couldn’t even go see him.

 

And giving White Day candy to Seo Hyunho instead?

 

That was a little…

 

“But, Junior.”

 

“What happened to all that candy?”

 

Jo Sooyoung, who had somehow become Yoohee’s self-appointed left-hand woman, asked curiously.

 

Yoohee pretended not to know what she was talking about.

 

“Who knows? Besides, eating too much candy isn’t good for you. Just forget about it.”

 

Both of Yoohee’s pockets were noticeably bulging as she spoke.

 

She had picked up every last piece of candy scattered across the library archives floor and stuffed them into her pockets for safekeeping.

 

After all…

 

It would be a problem if someone actually ate them.

 

“What a shame. They were really delicious.”

 

Pretending not to hear Sooyoung’s disappointed sigh, Yoohee continued walking.

 

But halfway up the hill…

 

She unexpectedly ran into someone.

 

“…You.”

 

Cherry blossom–colored hair bathed in the mysterious glow of the evening sunset.

 

Gayoung stood only a short distance away with Seokhoon, her face as clear and gentle as a spring drizzle.

 

The moment Gayoung recognized Yoohee, her words trailed off, and her expression quickly darkened.

 

She was obviously remembering what had happened with Seo Hyunho.

 

Standing beside her was Seokhoon.

 

Since he and Yoohee had crossed paths once before near the athletic field, his expression stiffened as well.

 

“Do Gayoung, you’re seriously shameless.”

 

At that moment, Choi Aram’s sharp voice sliced through the awkward silence.

 

“You’ve been acting like some tragic heroine, but behind everyone’s backs you’ve been seeing another guy?”

 

“Choi Aram.”

 

Seokhoon’s low voice carried a warning.

 

But Aram merely brushed it off with the fearless confidence that came naturally to her.

 

“Hmph. Fine.”

 

“Enjoy smiling while you still can.”

 

“Your little queen bee act won’t last much longer.”

 

Then she casually draped an arm over Yoohee’s shoulder as though they were close friends and proudly declared,

 

“Before long, Hyunho’s heart is going to belong to our junior here.”

 

“What?”

 

That announcement had never been discussed with Yoohee.

 

She stared blankly at Aram.

 

Aram, meanwhile, simply looked back as though she couldn’t understand why Yoohee was surprised.

Thanks to that…

 

Yoohee had to endure Seokhoon’s sharp glare and Gayoung’s sorrowful gaze all at once.

 

“N-No, that’s not what I—”

 

Yoohee hurriedly waved both hands.

 

Damn it.

 

Why am I the one who has to explain myself?

 

If she wanted to prevent Seo Hyunho from falling into darkness, the relationship between him and Gayoung couldn’t be allowed to deteriorate any further.

 

This was a time when she should’ve been helping the two of them understand each other…

 

Not creating even more misunderstandings.

 

“S-Senior…”

 

“Could I talk with you for a moment?”

 

Left with no better option, Yoohee asked Gayoung for a private conversation.

 

Without anyone else around…

 

Having an honest heart-to-heart with Gayoung seemed like the safest way to clear up the misunderstanding.

 

“With… just me?”

 

“Yes. Just the two of us.”

 

“I won’t keep you long.”

 

“Um… unless you’re busy?”

 

Yoohee spoke as politely as she could.

 

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Gayoung’s face.

 

She seemed unable to guess what Yoohee was trying to do.

 

Seokhoon gently spoke up beside her.

 

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

 

“…No.”

 

“I’ll hear her out.”

 

Gayoung forced a small smile toward Seokhoon.

 

Just then, someone sidled up beside Yoohee.

 

Jo Sooyoung leaned close and whispered into her ear.

 

“Junior… should we take her out from behind?”

 

What are you even talking about?!

 

[The Constellation, “Dark Archmage,” wholeheartedly agrees with the followers’ suggestion.]

 

[The Constellation, “SSS-Rank Free-to-Play Player,” nods, saying that’s actually a pretty good idea.]

 

Why are you agreeing with them?!

 

Shaking her head, Yoohee looked firmly at Jo Sooyoung and the other two girls, who all wore surprisingly serious expressions.

 

“No.”

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

“I just want to talk with Gayoung Senior alone, so please go on ahead.”

 

The followers looked thoroughly disappointed by Yoohee’s answer.

 

[A handful of Constellations are disappointed by your choice.]

 

Seriously…

 

Isn’t ambushing the heroine the weirder option here?

 

“Anyway, that’s settled.”

 

“Oh, right. Give me my bag.”

 

Kim Nayoon handed it over with a dejected look.

 

“Junior, call us if anything happens.”

 

“Oh, right! Our phone numbers.”

 

The three followers quickly entered their contact information into Yoohee’s phone before reluctantly leaving.

 

Seokhoon also said goodbye to Gayoung and departed.

 

At last…

 

Only Yoohee and Gayoung remained atop the hill.

 

“Shall we sit down for a bit?”

 

“Okay.”

 

The two sat together on a nearby bench, facing one another.

 

Beneath the fading sunlight, Gayoung looked like a goddess resting for a moment among the ruins of an ancient Greek temple in late spring.

 

…This isn’t the time to be admiring her looks.

 

“There seems to be a misunderstanding, so I’ll just get straight to the point.”

 

As Yoohee began, Gayoung looked at her with clear, attentive eyes.

 

She seemed both anxious about what Yoohee was going to say…

 

…and secretly curious as well.

 

“There’s nothing going on between me and Senior Hyunho.”

 

Gayoung’s eyes widened.

 

“What do you mean… nothing going on?”

 

“We’re just a senior and junior. Nothing has ever happened between us.”

 

“But… the last time I saw you two, you were sleeping togeth—”

 

Unable to finish the sentence, Gayoung turned her head away in embarrassment.

 

This is all because Seo Hyunho said those ridiculous things.

 

“This is actually a secret…”

 

“But I’m only telling you because you’re special, Senior.”

 

Yoohee began laying the groundwork.

 

First, she’d improve Gayoung’s impression of Seo Hyunho.

 

Then she’d go to Seo Hyunho and praise Gayoung just as much.

 

Once the two of them understood each other a little better…

 

They’d reconcile, let each other go peacefully…

 

…and everyone would get a happy ending!

 

“Senior Hyunho’s feelings for you are much stronger.”

 

Color instantly rushed into Gayoung’s face.

 

Even her round cheeks turned rosy.

 

“T-That’s… impossible.”

 

“It’s true. Really.”

 

Adjusting her posture, Yoohee continued speaking with complete confidence.

 

“I know there’s a secret between the two of you—something neither of you can talk about.”

 

“And that’s probably the biggest reason Senior Hyunho can’t be honest with you.”

 

The embarrassment on Gayoung’s face gave way to shock…

 

…and a trace of fear.

 

Her expression plainly asked,

 

How do you even know that?

 

“This is another secret…”

 

“My family actually runs a private investigation agency.”

 

“So that’s why I know Senior Hyunho.”

 

In reality, her parents were perfectly ordinary office workers.

 

But never mind that.

 

“Our family’s rule is that we never reveal information about our clients.”

 

“So don’t worry.”

 

“I’d never tell anyone else.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Looking noticeably relieved, Gayoung nodded.

 

“Anyway…”

 

“Senior Hyunho doesn’t hate you.”

 

“And he isn’t interested in another girl.”

 

“…”

 

“So please try to understand him just a little.”

 

“He may say harsh things, but if you were ever truly in danger… he’d be the very first person to come running.”

 

That was simply who Seo Hyunho was.

 

If Gayoung merely twisted her ankle or scraped her elbow, he wouldn’t even react.

 

But when she became trapped inside a dangerous Gate…

 

He threw himself in first without caring about anything else.

 

Gayoung knew that too.

 

She knew most of the cruel things he said to her were little more than an act born from his desire for revenge.

 

Even if Seo Hyunho himself would never admit it.

 

“You know it too, don’t you?”

 

“Senior Hyunho is practically the definition of a tsundere.”

 

“He complains and acts cold, but deep down he’s actually warm-hearted.”

 

“He definitely likes you.”

 

“He’s just bottling everything up inside.”

 

“…Who exactly likes whom?”

 

At that moment…

 

A chilling voice cut in from behind Yoohee.

 

…Huh?

 

Breaking into a cold sweat, Yoohee slowly turned around.

 

Standing there was Seo Hyunho, looking down at her with his usual arrogant gaze.

 

Gayoung, meanwhile, stayed perfectly silent.

 

Apparently…

 

She had noticed Seo Hyunho’s arrival quite some time ago.

 

No wonder she suddenly stopped talking…

 

“N-No, it’s just…”

 

Only then did Yoohee fully realize what she’d been saying.

 

Everything she’d told Gayoung was, as far as the original novel was concerned, nothing but the truth.

 

There was just…

 

…one very important condition.

 

Seo Hyunho was never supposed to hear any of it.

 

A prideful man like him would deny every word to his dying breath.

 

“I-I mean…”

 

“You.”

 

“Come see me later.”

 

Seo Hyunho cut off Yoohee’s explanation without giving her the chance to finish.

 

Then…

 

With an icy glare,

 

He turned his eyes toward Gayoung.