“I’d like you to come to the lecture.”

“Of course. If I manage to register for it, I’ll go.”

To be honest, I was curious about Park Geonwoo’s lecture. It would be a rare chance to hear about his real experiences in Africa.

Normally, for these kinds of special lectures, they take sign-ups through the school intranet. But the slots available there are few—and most of them get pre-filled by student council connections or Center affiliates.

Only a handful of seats are released to the general students, and those will get snatched up in under ten seconds.

If I asked Professor Choi or the student council president, they’d probably get me a seat—but unless I were doing it for Kim Jun’s sake, I didn’t really feel like going that far just to attend a lecture.

“I already reserved a seat for you.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not a big deal—it’s just that they said it’d be good if an S-rank showed up...”

He looked visibly nervous, which was uncharacteristic of him.

Well, it was his first lecture as the Hero of the Savannah. There’d be plenty of high-ranking officials and reporters from the government and the Center attending.

Having an S-rank junior student there would help his public image. The school or the Center probably suggested he bring me along.

“All right. I actually really wanted to attend, so I’m glad.”

When I smiled politely and gave my answer, Park Geonwoo’s tense expression visibly relaxed.

He must’ve been really uncomfortable about asking me for a favor.

“I’m the one who’s glad. Then I’ll see you Friday. I’ll be waiting.”

“Yes. See you then.”

***

This entire semester, I was stuck to Joo Seunghyuk like glue. Whether it was mock combat drills or his mana control exercises, we were always partnered. We even shared free periods together.

Not that we did anything special during that time. We just ate meals together, or—more often—Seunghyuk simply clung to me like a magnet.

Even now, I was sitting on a bench reading a book, and he was behind me, hugging me from behind and resting against my back.

I’d gotten used to reading in this position. And the fact that I had gotten used to it... was a little depressing.

Students walking past glanced over, startled, then quickly averted their eyes and scurried away.

I had a good guess why they were reacting like that.

“This jerk must be marking me with his pheromones again...”

Passing Alphas and Omegas had likely picked up the overwhelming scent, stared in shock, then felt the killing intent and fled.

He normally reeked of pheromones like it was nothing, but even by those standards, today was excessive. Was he in a bad mood or something?

I was curious, but too scared to ask. I kept my eyes fixed on the page. Seunghyuk slid over to sit next to me.

“Hyung, let’s go see a movie together this Friday after your lecture.”

My hand, mid-page turn, froze.

Why did it have to be Friday...? Could it be he already knew I met with Geonwoo hyung earlier?

“Sorry. I already have plans that day...”

I glanced at him, choosing my words carefully.

“What plans?”

“There’s that special lecture by Park Geonwoo, remember? I wanted to attend.”

At that moment, Seunghyuk’s mana shifted, ominous and cold.

“Why the hell would you go to that bastard’s lecture?”

So he really did hate Park Geonwoo.

In the original story, he’d started to dislike Geonwoo due to the ongoing triangle with Kim Jun. Before that, he didn’t care much. But now that everything was accelerating, even that animosity had kicked in early.

I couldn’t risk saying the wrong thing here. I ran through options in my head and picked the best answer.

“Aren’t you going?”

“Of course not.”

“But it’s Esper Park Geonwoo’s first lecture.”

I changed how I addressed him. Just like at the restaurant, Seunghyuk clearly didn’t like me calling him “Geonwoo hyung.”

“So what?”

“There’ll be reporters there. It’s only proper for an S-rank junior to show up and support their senior. Like... like a guest at a wedding.”

I tested the waters, watching his face.

“You’re saying we’re going to Park Geonwoo’s wedding?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, if that’s all it is, I guess it’s not so bad.”

He said it offhandedly. Did that mean his mood improved?

“R-Right? I mean, it’s only right to show some respect to a senior who worked so hard in Africa.”

“Hyung, do you remember what I just said?”

Relieved that he seemed to be calming down, I flinched when his voice suddenly turned cold again.

“What?”

“I said I wanted to see a movie with you. It would’ve been our first time. But you keep talking about that bastard’s name.”

“S-Sorry. I was wrong.”

I apologized reflexively. But Seunghyuk’s eyes only grew frostier.

“Who asked you to apologize?”

“T-Then...?”

“I was ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) excited to watch a movie with you. I was really happy. Can’t you be happy too?”

“Of... of course I’m happy! Let’s go today, right now! After the lecture, no—how about right this minute?”

Panicking, I tried to stand up, desperate to soothe the wrath of this yandere Alpha.

But Seunghyuk pushed me gently back into my seat.

“No. We’ll go after the lecture on Friday.”

“Okay. Let’s do that.”

He looked at me, touching his lips. As he brushed the injured spot, I flinched instinctively.

“Still hurts?”

“A little.”

“Ugh. You’re so fragile, I can’t even do anything.”

“Sorry...”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

Seunghyuk leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

“Let’s eat something soft after your lecture. So your lips don’t hurt.”

“Okay.”

I nodded, and he kissed me on the lips. A feather-light kiss, just soft enough not to hurt the wound.

***

The large auditorium was packed.

It wasn’t a lecture that affected anyone’s GPA, and it was final exam season, yet the atmosphere was electric. Park Geonwoo’s popularity was no joke.

Not only students, but also high-ranking officials from the government and the Center, elite Espers, and guildmasters from top-tier guilds were all present.

For a moment, I wondered if we even needed to be here. But the presence of currently enrolled S-rank students from the Academy had its own kind of significance.

“Hyung, let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

Seunghyuk grabbed my hand. Our seats were right up front—the perfect position to boost Park Geonwoo’s image.

“Oh! It’s Juyeon!”

“Juyeon is here!”

Reporters spotted us and started shouting.

‘Juyeon’ was the ship name they’d coined for me and Seunghyuk. Not only had they made up that ridiculous word, but now they were shouting it to our faces. Journalists were wild.

They clicked away furiously with their cameras.

I expected Seunghyuk to get annoyed, but instead, he laced our fingers together for everyone to see.

“Seunghyuk, what the hell are you doing?!”

I panicked, but didn’t have the guts to shake off a yandere Alpha’s hand.

“That’s it! The 2 billion won ring!”

“Oh! That’s the 2 billion ring!”

The reporters screamed when they spotted the ring glittering on my finger.

It’s not worth 2 billion, I keep telling you. Since when is it okay for the press to spread misinformation...?

Then again, if the truth about this ring ever got out, that would be even more disastrous.

Hand-holding, ring, 2 billion...

There’d definitely be another flood of articles about us “secretly dating.” If Seunghyuk and I ever broke up, this would become another cringe memory archived forever.

With a deep sigh, I sat down.

“We’ll now begin Esper Park Geonwoo’s special lecture. Please return to your seats.”

But today’s main character wasn’t me or Joo Seunghyuk—it was “The Hero of the Savannah,” Park Geonwoo.

As a faculty member spoke through the mic to calm the crowd, the reporters reluctantly returned to their seats.

Once things settled down, Park Geonwoo entered the auditorium.

He was wearing the black uniform of the Academy.

So he really was planning to enroll...

“Hello, I’m Park Geonwoo.”

He bowed in a deep 90-degree angle, then rose and looked straight at me. It felt like he was greeting me directly—but that had to be my imagination.

Just then, Seunghyuk interlocked our fingers again and rested his head on my shoulder.

“Seunghyuk, what’s wrong?”

I whispered quietly.

“I’m just a little tired.”

“Want me to guide you?”

“Can I? Here?”

“If you’re tired, we should.” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

After all, I was his designated Guide. Sure, it was possible that his rejection response had worn off or that he’d found another Guide with a high matching rate—but as long as he kept refusing to take tests, I was his only option.

“It’s okay. Just holding your hand is enough to recharge me.”

He leaned in closer, speaking gently. Seeing him this close again, I was struck—as always—by how long his eyelashes were.

If only this guy were a little less good-looking, maybe I wouldn’t have blurted out that drunken confession. Maybe I wouldn’t be tangled up with the story’s deranged male lead...

But it was too late to regret it now.

I held his hand and checked his mana. It was stable. But he said he was tired, so I released a small amount into him.

At that moment, his face drew closer. Was he getting aroused?

Startled, I jerked my hand away.

“That should be enough, right?”

“No. It’s not.”

He grabbed my hand again, his eyes burning with need. Just that light guiding had triggered a sexual response.

“Then after the lecture starts, I’ll give you more, okay?”

I tried to let go and explain, but his grip only tightened.

He wasn’t going to let go.

After spending months together, I could tell from the way he held my hand what he was about to do.

Fine, whatever. Grab me. It’s not like this body’s even mine anymore. It’s yours.

It had been a long time since I lost control of my own body. Ever since I got entangled with Joo Seunghyuk, really.

I surrendered my left hand to him and picked up my pen with the right.

“All right, now that everyone seems to be settled, let’s begin today’s special lecture.”

Just then, Park Geonwoo’s voice rang out.

Did he wait until I was ready to start? ...No, that’s too self-centered of me.