One direction was blocked by Hwang Ji-ho's massive frame, but it was difficult to avoid everyone's gaze.

The teacher sitting nearby, class president Kim Yu-ri, and Kwon Lena all saw it.

Teacher Ham Geun-hyung and Yong Je-geon acted as though nothing was out of the ordinary, maintaining their composure, but Kwon Lena raised her hand in shock and covered her mouth.

"I want something sweet for dessert, but there are so many options. Can you recommend something?"

"Hmm, maybe the honey syrup jelly is the sweetest?"

Having sensed that the atmosphere was tense, Cheong Ho drew the attention of the class, and Kim Yu-ri chimed in.

Dokgo Mi-ro and In Seon-oh seemed to realize something as well but started talking about snacks instead.

While everyone was busy choosing desserts, I cleared the napkins and took a moment to think.

The Namgung side was not only trying to track Lee Yeoreum’s movements but was also persistently eavesdropping, even going so far as to tap her communications.

And Lee Yeoreum, despite knowing she was being eavesdropped, was allowing it.

‘This situation is similar to what happened with Hirano Seiji. Back then, I was able to use myself as bait to catch the fox. But I can’t use the same method now.’

There was no one to use as bait this time.

Unlike the fox who had actively sought contact with me, there was no such movement from the Namgung side.

Even if I prepared bait, it would be difficult to directly draw out key figures like Chief Seo through Lee Yeoreum.

The reason they were using Lee Yeoreum was likely to cut her off immediately if necessary, so I wouldn’t be able to trap them easily.

‘But if this matter gets out, it will make it easier for Kwon Je-in to make a decision.’

After ordering the menu I had suggested, Lee Yeoreum remained silent, looking troubled.

Kwon Lena, sensing her confusion, seemed to start writing something on her device, likely intending to communicate with Lee Yeoreum through messages.

But Lee Yeoreum quickly grabbed Kwon Lena’s wrist, stopping her.

‘The device is being monitored too.’

Kwon Lena's large eyes darkened as she understood Lee Yeoreum’s intentions.

However, she quickly regained her composure and started drinking her tea.

Perhaps she interpreted Lee Yeoreum’s situation as one where she was entrusted with an important role requiring tight security. Lee Yeoreum’s somewhat relieved expression seemed to suggest she was expecting this too.

"Yi-shin, don’t you have any questions for Yeoreum? Since she goes to Namgung, I imagine you must have a lot of questions for her?"

After realizing the eavesdropping, I stayed silent, and Yong Je-geon urged me eagerly with a hopeful expression.

I had many questions to ask, and verifying them without getting eavesdropped on would be an easy task. But now was not the time.

At least, not until Kwon Je-in made his decision.

"Well, I hope we can have another opportunity to talk next time."

"Is that it? I have so many questions after meeting Yeoreum. Then, can I take Yeoreum home and talk to her?"

I subtly indicated that now wasn’t the right moment, but Yong Je-geon didn’t give up easily.

It seemed that if I didn’t take action, the dragonkin from the amusement world would step in.

When Teacher Ham Geun-hyung gave me a signal with a grim expression, it seemed like he was telling me not to worry, as he would accompany me if things got tense.

If my reliable homeroom teacher were with me, I would have felt reassured, but it was better to keep the assistant teacher here for now.

"Yong Je-geon, didn’t you say you were coming to watch my match in the afternoon? Please come cheer me on."

For a moment, everything around me became eerily quiet, as if sinking underwater.

Now that I thought about it, it was rare for me to openly ask someone to come and watch.

Yong Je-geon’s emerald eyes widened and gleamed ominously. I felt a sense of unease.

"Okay, since Yi-shin said it like this, I’ll definitely go cheer you on. I’ll tell everyone I meet at the stadium too. They’ll all envy me."

I wondered what exactly was so worth boasting about, but the class’s eyes were strangely sharp.

The chess match in the afternoon ended with Eun-gwang High’s victory.

There were many congratulatory messages on my device, most asking, "Did Yong Je-geon say all that? Is it true?"

I thanked them and confirmed that Yong Je-geon’s words were indeed true, while waiting for one particular message.

The deadline for the proposal to Kwon Je-in was approaching.

Proposal Deadline

Jo Yi-shin had set the deadline for the proposal to be before the last day of the exchange tournament, by midnight tonight.

"Please decide by the time the last day of the exchange tournament begins."

Jo Yi-shin had simply chosen the deadline for efficiency, but to Kwon Je-in, it seemed like just another ordinary moment in a string of many.

The students participating in the exchange tournament were either victorious or defeated today, and it could have been someone’s anniversary, but to Kwon Je-in, it was just another day.

Yet, it was on this insignificant day that Kwon Je-in was presented with a critical decision.

‘Today really is an ordinary day.’

Kwon Je-in had expected the moment for a decision would eventually come.

But when it did, he had imagined it would be a dramatic, dynamic moment—like a sudden, intense inspiration or a melody created by his fingertips.

The grand finale of a massive performance.

An event resulting from a conflict where coincidence and inevitability clashed.

Or perhaps a significant day commemorated by the passing of time.

Jo Yi-shin, who understood Kwon Je-in’s inner world, must have known these feelings, yet his attitude remained resolute.

"Wait too long, and you’ll miss it."

Jo Yi-shin explained Lee Yeoreum’s current situation: she was being eavesdropped on during a meeting with the class’s friends and her device was also being monitored. Kwon Lena had found out about this.

Moreover, the monitoring was being done by Namgung Group’s strategic planning department.

‘Their director, Hong Gyu-bin, even had trouble dealing with him.’

Kwon Je-in recognized Hong Gyu-bin, a figure favored by Seo Dol, and was aware of his formidable abilities.

Even though he didn’t know much about Namgung Group, he immediately realized that the strategic planning department wasn’t a typical organization.

Even without knowing all the details, Kwon Je-in felt deeply disturbed by the emotions Kwon Lena and Lee Yeoreum must have experienced.

Although it wasn’t Kwon Je-in’s fault that they were going through this, he had the power to intervene, and there was a reason for him to act.

In the case of Lee Yeoreum, Kwon Je-in knew that his relative, Jared Lee, was also feeling the same way, and he had been holding back while waiting for Kwon Je-in’s decision.

Jo Yi-shin had keenly grasped this.

"Lee Yeoreum is a distant relative of Jared Lee, right?"

"Yi-shin, you can just call him Jared, it’s fine."

"I’m someone who has only helped Kwon Lena, but you’ve been her pillar for so long, so I’m sure you care about Lee Yeoreum a lot. I want to propose something considering that."

Jared Lee didn’t deny it.

It was only then that Kwon Je-in realized that Jared Lee had been holding back because of him.

He now understood that expecting a dramatic moment to reveal everything to Kwon Lena was unrealistic.

"Jein, Lena is here."

Jared Lee’s voice made Kwon Je-in put the bio-violin and bow he was holding into his card.

Since hearing Jo Yi-shin’s proposal, Kwon Je-in hadn’t played a single note.

He was too deep in thought to spare any energy for music.

"Hello, sorry for coming at such a late hour."

Under the blue light reflected in Kwon Lena’s eyes, she looked so small and fragile.

Her small face was filled with worry, and her large eyes seemed to overflow with unspoken concerns.

Hearing Kwon Lena’s faint voice and seeing her appearance, Kwon Je-in felt that his own worries were insignificant and fleeting.

Although she must have been struggling internally, Kwon Lena had still fulfilled her promises ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) and completed the tasks, trying to ease the concerns of some classmates who were unaware of her situation.

"Lena, come in."

"Kwon Je-in, I have something to discuss. Teacher Ham Geun-hyung happened to be there, and we had a brief consultation, but I think it’s better to talk to another reliable player, so today..."

Although Teacher Ham Geun-hyung had listened to Kwon Lena’s worries, it seemed that she still hadn’t been able to unload her emotional burden.

Before Kwon Lena could continue, Kwon Je-in stopped her.

He always listened to Kwon Lena without interrupting, so she was surprised and quickly fell silent.

"Let me speak first. I already know what kind of consultation Lena is going to have."

"Huh? How...?"

Today wasn’t a special day for either Kwon Je-in or Kwon Lena.

There was nothing to commemorate between them, and it wasn’t a particularly special moment.

If anything, it was the day Kwon Lena found out a painful secret, but that was all.

Still, Kwon Je-in had to speak.

‘It’s as if Yi-shin knew that I would regret this someday.’

In reality, Jo Yi-shin knew how this would end through Flamago.

Once a villain, not knowing that he would never get to play the violin or meet Kwon Je-in, he would meet a tragic end at the hands of a malicious villain.

Kwon Je-in couldn’t know that ending, but the moment he heard Jo Yi-shin’s proposal, he felt a glimpse of his sadness and suffering.

"I want to show Lena something."

Kwon Je-in guided Kwon Lena beyond the blue velvet curtain.

Beyond the curtain, there was a long hallway, the walls adorned with landscape paintings, portraits, and framed photographs of people.

Kwon Lena’s eyes widened as she noticed the end of the hallway.

"Was there a space behind here? I thought it was just a wall."

Instead of answering, Kwon Je-in smiled reassuringly and walked ahead.

Kwon Lena followed behind, glancing at the frames without being too obvious. The contents of the pictures were from Kwon Je-in’s past.

The public photos of his childhood were limited to those from press conferences or interviews, but the pictures here were far more personal. There were pictures of Kwon Je-in smiling, crying, and even getting angry. The scenery from his childhood and the people he had shared those moments with were all captured.

At the end of the corridor was a glass-domed room filled with frames. Looking up at the ceiling, Kwon Lena could see a starry night sky, and looking down, she could see Kwon Je-in’s memories.

The room appeared as if it was meant for one person only, with a single armchair placed inside.

"Sit down."

"Uh? There’s only one seat, shouldn’t you sit down first, senior?"

"Sit, please."

Kwon Je-in spoke with such a sorrowful expression that Kwon Lena had no choice but to comply.

She hesitated, but eventually sat on the edge of the sofa. The cushion, shaped like the body of a violin, was incredibly soft, and the royal blue sapphire decorated platinum armrests were beautiful. Yet, Kwon Lena’s heart was uneasy.

Had Kwon Je-in not gently adjusted her position by holding her hand, Kwon Lena would have remained stiff, uncomfortable, and tense in her posture.

Kwon Je-in lowered his body beside the sofa, still holding Kwon Lena’s hand.

"Look at the photo in front of you."

Kwon Lena turned her gaze from Kwon Je-in and looked at the large group photo placed in the best spot.

It was a family photo of Kwon Je-in.

In the center of the picture, a young Kwon Je-in, wearing the team cape of "Eternal Lake," was smiling. Surrounding him were several people who seemed to be his family, but Kwon Lena couldn’t take her eyes off a couple in particular.

Normally, she would have admired Kwon Je-in in the picture, but for some reason, she couldn’t look away from the couple, who seemed to be husband and wife.

Kwon Je-in, noticing where Kwon Lena’s gaze was fixed, also looked at that spot and spoke.

"Those two are my older brother and sister-in-law, who fell in battle during the great campaign. And... they are your real parents."