My Childhood Friend’s Stock Will Never Fail Chapter 40

[Congratulations! You have cleared the fifth sub-scenario, “Somewhere Between Friends and Lovers”!]

[As a reward, you have received sponsorship from the Constellation, “YOLOer of the Galaxy.”]

 

Yoohee released the hand that had been wrapped around Joohoon’s waist so she could catch the candy falling from the sky.

 

‘…?’

 

But Joohoon didn’t move an inch.

 

As Yoohee’s hand awkwardly hovered in the air, the status window flashed into view.

 

[Looks like it’s difficult for you to use your hands! We’ll put the candy into your pocket for you!]

 

Ding.

 

The status window disappeared.

 

Yoohee was still in Joohoon’s embrace.

 

“Um, Joohoon…?”

 

“…”

 

“Joohoon. I think we’re done now.”

 

“…Huh? Oh, already?”

 

Had the guide been too short?

 

Looking somewhat reluctant, Joohoon slowly loosened his hold and stepped back.

 

“If it wasn’t enough, should I do more?”

 

Just in case, Yoohee asked.

 

For a split second, Joohoon’s eyes sparkled.

 

But he soon shook his head.

 

“No. I shouldn’t push it. I’m fine now. I feel much better.”

 

Joohoon smiled brightly, and a warm sense of satisfaction filled Yoohee’s heart.

 

“That’s a relief. If you ever need it again, just tell me. I’ll do everything I can.”

 

Bracing herself against the bench with both hands, she smiled back at him just as brightly.

 

***

 

Ever since Joohoon arrived, classes had been going incredibly smoothly.

 

Even practical lessons—which had once kept her on edge, wondering whether she’d survive—were no longer frightening.

 

Just seeing Joohoon sitting beside her in the classroom made her feel reassured.

 

There were some sharp glares from the female students who seemed interested in him, but…

 

It wasn’t really a problem.

 

“Hey, your childhood friend is seriously popular.”

 

On a bright afternoon during break, in front of Black Panther Class.

 

Jinhee, from the neighboring class, had come over and was watching Joohoon surrounded by students.

 

She looked at him as though she were staring at some legendary unicorn.

 

“Seriously, where do you have to grow up to get a childhood friend like that?”

 

“…Yeah. Guess I just got lucky.”

 

A face beautiful enough to put a flower deer to shame.

 

A tall, enviable physique.

 

A gentle personality.

 

And on top of that, an A-rank Esper with the rare Ice attribute.

 

Even Seohyunho—the original novel’s true male lead—hadn’t been this perfect.

 

After all, Seohyunho had one major flaw:

 

His personality.

 

“Aren’t you nervous? He’s that popular.”

 

“Hmm… not really.”

 

Unless there happened to be a thirtieth transmigrator lurking around somewhere…

 

She didn’t feel anxious or nervous at all.

 

“If Joohoon ever changes… I’ll know immediately.”

 

Because she’d receive a notification if his affection level changed.

 

So far, both Joohoon’s and Seohyunho’s affection levels remained perfectly stable.

 

She also hadn’t run into the thirtieth transmigrator for quite some time.

 

Everything felt so peaceful that it almost resembled the calm before a storm.

 

Still, she did have one emergency measure prepared.

 

The White Day candy she’d received as a reward for clearing the fifth sub-scenario.

 

She could give it away immediately if she wanted.

 

The only reason she’d kept it tucked away in her pocket was because, in an emergency, it could serve as emergency rations.

 

“Hoo…”

 

Seeing that Yoohee remained completely unfazed, Jinhee stroked her chin with an intrigued look.

 

Just then, on the opposite side of the hallway, Teacher Daeil appeared carrying two enormous boxes.

 

“Wooooah—”

 

Watching Teacher Daeil stagger under their weight, the nearby students instinctively split apart like the Red Sea.

 

You’d think someone would step in to help.

 

Instead, everyone simply got out of the way.

 

“…Don’t you think someone should help him?”

 

Yoohee asked uneasily.

 

But Jinhee averted her gaze as though she’d sensed trouble coming.

 

“Oh, right. I have to move classrooms for my next period. See you.”

 

“What?”

 

Jinhee vanished into Kestrel Class in the blink of an eye.

 

The remaining students in the hallway scattered just as quickly, like ants fleeing danger.

 

And when the hallway had been completely emptied, leaving only Teacher Daeil and Yoohee…

 

“Perfect timing, student.”

 

Setting the large boxes down on the floor, Teacher Daeil met Yoohee’s eyes.

 

“Could you help your teacher for a bit?”

 

The huge box was even heavier than it looked.

 

Come to think of it…

 

She vaguely remembered hearing something like this before.

 

“If Teacher Daeil catches you, you’re stuck working until dinner. At first I thought I was just doing a good deed by helping him… but he seriously takes it too far.”

 

Back then, she’d brushed the warning off without much thought.

 

Now she finally understood why all the students had been avoiding him.

 

“I’m a bit busy. Could you help me move these boxes?”

 

“Me?”

 

“Of course. Who else is here besides you?”

 

Teacher Daeil naturally handed one of the boxes to Yoohee.

 

“I’m not asking you to carry both. Just take one. You know where the library is, right? Just bring it to the training grounds storage building nearby.”

 

***

 

The next day.

 

From the first period onward, Joohoon was unusually quiet.

 

‘Is he sulking because of what happened yesterday?’

 

Ever since they were little, Joohoon hadn’t been very social.

 

Instead, once he opened his heart to someone, he tended to become deeply attached to them.

 

Back in middle school, when Yoohee had skipped cram school once to hang out with Senior Doyoung, Joohoon had stayed upset with her for an entire month.

 

(For the record, Oppa Doyoung was a neighborhood older brother who loved slacking off.)

 

“Um… Joohoon, do you happen to have a pen? I forgot my pencil case.”

 

“Here.”

 

Trying to start a conversation, Yoohee spoke to him.

 

But Joohoon merely placed a pen on her desk without another word.

 

‘…Well, it’s only the first period.’

 

The atmosphere was colder than she’d expected, but she told herself it was still only the beginning of the day.

 

He’d probably warm up as time passed.

 

“The udon’s really good. The Academy’s food is all delicious, isn’t it?”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

“When should we go look for the Divine Beast? Maybe we should just settle for a blue one instead of chasing the black one.”

 

“…Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

 

Until classes ended, Joohoon answered everything half-heartedly.

 

He hadn’t even been this distant back in middle school.

 

Ding-dong.

 

When the final bell rang, Yoohee turned to Joohoon, who was packing his bag.

 

“Joohoon… are you mad?”

 

“No.”

 

“You’re lying. You won’t even look me in the eye.”

 

Joohoon flinched for a moment, then answered in the same flat voice.

 

“I’ve never been good at making eye contact.”

 

He reached for the remaining book on his desk and slipped it into his bag.

 

Unable to bear it any longer, Yoohee placed her hand over his.

 

“You’ve never avoided me like this before. Is it because of yesterday?”

 

This time…

 

He didn’t deny it.

 

After standing motionless for a moment, Joohoon looked up at her.

 

“I just… need some time to sort out my thoughts.”

 

“What thoughts?”

 

“…I can’t tell you yet.”

 

Joohoon lowered his gaze again, and Yoohee tilted her head in confusion.

 

“Just… leave me alone for a little while. Please.”

 

Slowly, Joohoon slipped his hand free.

 

His actions made it unmistakably clear that he didn’t want to be stopped.

 

Yoohee couldn’t bring herself to grab his hand again.

 

“As for the Divine Beast… let’s go tomorrow. A blue one will be fine.”

 

Leaving those final words behind, Joohoon stood up first and walked away.

 

***

 

“…This is strange.”

 

“What is?”

 

That evening, in the dormitory.

 

Yoohee, dressed comfortably and sitting on her bed, muttered with a troubled expression.

 

Jinhee, who had just returned from the convenience store, looked at her with curious eyes.

 

Gently stroking Ppiyak, who had climbed onto the bed, Yoohee answered seriously.

 

“I think my childhood friend is really upset.”

 

“Joohoon?”

 

After putting her ice cream into the freezer, Jinhee hurried over and climbed onto Yoohee’s bed.

 

“Hey! You’re shaking the bed!”

 

Ppiyak!

 

The sensitive little chick squawked in protest.

 

To Jinhee, however, it just sounded like an ordinary ppiyak.

 

“So what happened?”

 

“Well… I did do something wrong. But… the situation kind of left me with no choice.”

 

After Yoohee gave her a rough explanation of what had happened, Jinhee rested her chin on her hand.

 

“Hmm…”

 

A moment later, her eyes lit up.

 

“Ah! I’ve got a great idea.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“The festival’s coming up soon, right? Win him over during the festival.”