Chapter 50
Several days had passed since the changes within the Student Council.
The ones who had newly become members of the Student Council were handling their duties admirably, and thanks to that, the countless tasks of the Council had returned to their normal course.
Depending on the department, the Student Council had become more systematic and expanded, and they began various activities to gain support within the Academy.
On the surface, it seemed like they were working hard for the students — hosting different events and striving to improve the cadets’ daily lives.
But in truth, all of it was part of their effort to seize control of the Academy and expand their influence within it.
Among the most noticeable changes was that the executives of the Student Affairs Department had begun patrolling during every break.
The Council claimed it was to resolve conflicts between cadets and identify those violating discipline, but in reality, it was part of their plan to control the cadets and dominate the Academy.
In this way, fine cracks were beginning to form within the Academy.
In contrast, I had become mostly uninvolved with the Council’s affairs.
After that power struggle with him, he had begun to grow wary of me.
It was exactly the result I wanted.
Being gradually excluded from their work allowed my movements to become much freer.
These days, all I did regarding the Council was occasionally drop by the Student Council Room after class to show my face — though even that was becoming increasingly rare.
I had to stay busy to prepare for what was to come.
From the beginning, there was nothing I could really do within the Council to stop them.
So, I used my free time to increase contact points with Park Siwoo and Helena as much as possible.
After all, it was those two — the Playable Characters — who had to ultimately stop the Student Council’s scheme.
I had also tried to establish contact with Dan Chun-woo, but that guy completely ignored me and kept pestering Park Min-seo for duels, so I decided to exclude him for the time being.
He was a lone wolf type to begin with, so there wasn’t much I could make use of yet.
For now, I just needed to quietly leave an impression.
Although most things were progressing smoothly, one thing still worried me — Yoo Iseo, who continued to stay out of sight from the Student Council Room.
She still hadn’t shown her face there once.
I thought it was about time for her to come out of it, but since everyone had their own way of overcoming pain, I decided to simply keep in touch.
I wrote down the changes within the Council and Berid’s actions, sending them to her like diary entries.
There was no reply.
But since the message count kept disappearing, it seemed she was at least reading them.
Alright, let’s live diligently today as well.
It was finally the weekend, so I got a pass and stepped outside the Academy.
I was going to meet Seo Da-hee.
Was this the second time seeing her since her resurrection?
We had kept in touch regularly, but I still didn’t quite know how to face her.
Though she seemed to have already become close friends with Lia, she still appeared awkward around me.
To keep the promise I made with Lia after the Guardian incident, I stopped by a supermarket to buy various ingredients.
I thought of bringing something delicious, but when I thought about what kind of food could be packed, it wasn’t much different from the delivery food they usually ate.
Neither Lia nor Seo Da-hee could cook, and since they couldn’t go outside, they mostly survived on delivery food using the phones I had given them.
Thanks to that, my bank account had become a barren wasteland...
After finishing the shopping, I began walking to meet Seo Da-hee.
Seo Da-hee stood restlessly in front of the door, like a puppy about to burst.
He would be here soon.
The man she once loved — the man who had betrayed her.
She thought she had already sorted out her feelings.
But the thought of meeting him again made her heart feel like it might explode.
In truth, she had planned to tell him today that she had regained her memories.
But as the time to meet him drew near, her mind went completely blank.
Feeling her emotional turmoil, Lia asked,
[Why are you so nervous? You’re making me nervous too, you know.]
“Sorry. But how can I not be nervous?”
Since regaining her memories, Lia and Seo Da-hee had become closer than anyone else.
It hadn’t even been a full month since they met, yet they had spent every single day together.
They talked about all sorts of things and had come to know each other better than anyone.
Technically speaking, from Seo Da-hee’s perspective, Lia was little more than an uninvited guest, but Lia’s warmth and cheerfulness left her no room to feel uncomfortable.
Thanks to Lia’s chatter, the days she spent alone at home were filled with liveliness, helping her adapt.
Lia, in her own way, learned from Seo Da-hee how to adjust to modern society — and the two became inseparable friends.
[Don’t be too nervous. If anything, your Husband will probably fall over in shock once he learns you’ve regained your memories. He feels an immense amount of guilt toward you, after all.]
“That’s what makes it even more burdensome. I’ve already come to terms with everything, but what if he gets hurt because I didn’t tell him sooner?”
Seo Da-hee still remembered it vividly.
The sight of him crying like a child when she first opened her eyes after coming back from death.
[Then, do you want to hide it a little longer? I’ll probably get scolded either way.]
“Hmm...”
At that question, Seo Da-hee lowered her head, lost in thought for a moment.
In truth, the resentment and sense of betrayal I’d once held toward Seongwoo had long since faded.
At first, I resented him deeply, but after hearing everything from Lia, I came to understand that he had done his best.
Even so, I still didn’t know how I was supposed to see him now.
Beep, beep, beep, beep.
At that moment, the sound of the door lock echoed.
“H-how, how! Seongwoo must be here, Lia!”
Flustered and panicking, Seo Da-hee hurriedly handed her body over to Lia.
Lia, who suddenly gained control of the body, asked,
“What if I take over your body like this?”
[I’m not ready yet! Just stall him for a bit!]
Soon, the door opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside.
Watching him while hiding behind Lia’s eyes, Seo Da-hee went silent.
His hair was as dark as the midnight sky, and his golden eyes burned like the sun.
He looked exactly as he did in her memories.
For some reason, a sharp pain pierced through her chest.
Lia, who now controlled the body, suddenly threw herself into Seongwoo’s arms.
Seo Da-hee shouted in shock at the sudden action.
[What are you doing with my body!]
‘Isn’t this why you gave me control? It’s my first time seeing our Husband in person while having a body too!’
Since they shared sensations, Seo Da-hee could feel everything Lia felt — his scent, his warmth, the faintly tender touch of his hands.
“Husband, I missed you!”
Yoo Seongwoo looked at her stiffly for a moment, then spoke.
“...Lia?”
Like a puppy seeing its owner after weeks apart, Lia had no intention of letting go of him.
If she’d had a tail, it would’ve been wagging like a helicopter.
Sharing all those feelings, Seo Da-hee instantly regretted giving Lia control of her body.
To act so playfully and intimately — in her own body!
She wanted to die all over again out of embarrassment.
Seongwoo looked at her with a puzzled expression and asked,
“But... why are you out here, not Da-hee?”
Hearing her own name from his mouth, Seo Da-hee, watching from within, flinched in surprise.
For a moment, she even considered taking back control of her body.
“Da-hee’s hiding because she’s too embarrassed to face you.”
“What?”
Yoo Seongwoo’s expression turned confused.
Seo Da-hee desperately wanted to cover Lia’s mouth, but since Lia had control of the body, it was impossible.
‘M-maybe I should come out... Ugh, but Seongwoo’s right there…’
Unable to decide, Seo Da-hee ended up watching them like a movie through a VR headset, unsure what to do.
Seongwoo was holding several bags in his hands, and Lia’s eyes sparkled as she noticed them.
“You didn’t forget your promise to bring something delicious!”
Snatching the bags from his hands, Lia peeked inside.
They were filled with household goods and cooking ingredients.
“What’s this? Where’s the delicious stuff?”
“You always eat delivery food, right? So I didn’t buy any — I’m going to cook for you instead.”
Lia widened her eyes in surprise.
“You can cook, Husband?”
“Of course. I’ve got plenty of experience living alone.”
“Oh, then can I look forward to it?”
“Look forward to it? You’re helping.”
And so, the sudden home-cooked meal began.
After washing his hands, Seongwoo put on an apron.
He began preparing the ingredients he had bought, slicing and seasoning as he went.
Before long, the entire room filled with a mouthwatering aroma.
Yoo Seongwoo was making kimchi stew.
Lia stayed close by his side, assisting him.
She cooked rice and set out the side dishes he had brought.
Watching them, Seo Da-hee felt an inexplicable sense of loneliness.
Even though it was her own body moving, she felt like she couldn’t enter that space — like she was being left out.
That aching pain returned to her chest.
Lia’s voice echoed gently.
[Are you okay?]
‘Yeah…’
She answered, but her voice lacked strength.
Before long, the food was finished.
Perhaps because she’d helped with the preparations, Lia’s satisfaction was clearly felt by Seo Da-hee as well.
And somehow, she found herself resenting Lia.
While she was sinking deeper inside, Lia was laughing and smiling.
She couldn’t understand her own feelings.
Maybe it was because Lia, who had always cared only for her, now showed a completely different side when with Seongwoo.
Or maybe it was because the sight of those two together resembled the family she had longed for.
Or perhaps it was simply because she was seeing a new side of the man who had once betrayed her.
She couldn’t tell.
Soon, the two of them sat face-to-face at the finished table.
Lia shouted brightly,
“Let’s eat!”
Scooping up a spoonful of perfectly cooked rice, Lia dipped it deep into the kimchi stew, topping it with kimchi and pork before putting it in her mouth.
The fluffy rice released a sweetness as she chewed, perfectly balanced with the sourness of the kimchi and the rich fattiness of the pork.
It was the kind of kimchi stew you could eat in any home.
But for her — who had lost her family long ago — it was a nostalgic taste she hadn’t felt in years.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Even though Lia had control of the body, the emotions of Seo Da-hee within caused her body to cry on its own.
“Huh?”
Startled, both Lia and Seongwoo looked at each other.
Seongwoo asked, surprised,
“What’s wrong? Is my kimchi stew that good?”
“No, it’s not me crying.”
“Then who—?”
Realization dawned on Seongwoo’s face, and his gaze shifted — not to Lia, but to Seo Da-hee within.
His golden eyes trembled slightly.
He understood instinctively.
Seo Da-hee had regained her memories.