The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character-Chapter 92: Coincidental Encounter [2]

Time to deal with the bigger problem.

And by "bigger," I mean colossal. The kind of problem I couldn’t handle alone—no matter how much I wanted to.

That’s why I was moving in the background, pulling strings quietly. Not rewriting the story, just... nudging it in a better direction.

No major changes. Nothing too disruptive.

Well—except for one thing.

I was alive.

Rin Evans, the guy who was supposed to die in the prologue of World’s Greatest Hero, was still breathing.

That was already enough of a ripple.

As I mulled over my next move, lost in thoughts tangled between memories of the novel and the reality around me, Ryen turned to me, expression unreadable.

"I have to say, Rin. You’re really something. Doing all this for someone who used to bully you?"

I looked at him, then away.

Was I?

I didn’t feel like I was doing that much. It wasn’t about helping her—not really. It was just... circumstances. Timing. The plotline.

I couldn’t let things spiral here. Not when I needed everything to line up just right for him to fall.

"You’d do more than me if you were in my shoes," I said, keeping my tone casual.

Ryen raised a brow. "Would I?"

I didn’t answer right away.

Because I knew the truth. I’d read it. I remembered the Chapter clear as day.

Yes, Ryen. You would.

You cried when she died. Even though you’d just started to forgive her. Even though she hadn’t had the chance to fully redeem herself.

You held her in your arms, broken and barely recognizable, whispering apologies like they’d bring her back.

You hunted the bastard who abducted Nora Hayes and got revenge—but it didn’t change anything. She was still gone.

It had been one of the rawest scenes in the early arc. The first time Ryen lost someone personally. The narration had pulled no punches.

And now?

Now I had a chance to change that.

"Yes," I finally said, voice softer. "You would’ve done more."

Ryen let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head. "Nah. I don’t think I’m that noble."

Tsk.

Setting aside Kiera for now, I had one thing to make sure of—that this clueless, good-hearted idiot didn’t have to cry like that again.

Not if I could help it.

"Anyway, I’m going now. Just free up your schedule on Friday."

"Sure."

Well, Sun was already half set, if I didn’t go now I won’t be able to reach academy before curfew.

Meanwhile, since Ryen is here to visit his family he would probably spent night here and come academy in the early morning.

Anyway, let’s see how Monday will go for me.

’I hope nothing drastica happened.’

****

It was already late by the time I made it back to the dorms.

Slipping past curfew with barely two minutes to spare, I exhaled as I shut the door behind me.

Phew. That was close.

The apartment was dim, quiet, except for the soft glow from the top bunk. Leona was stretched out up there, legs swinging lazily as she glanced down.

"Oh? You’re back."

"Yeah," I said, holding up the plastic bag like some kind of trophy. "I brought ice cream."

She blinked at me. "Wait, seriously?"

"What do you mean, ’seriously’? You asked for something sweet, didn’t you? So I got ice cream on the way."

Her eyes lit up. "You actually remembered? That’s... honestly kind of adorable."

I pretended not to hear that last part, though I felt the tips of my ears heat up.

Most web novel protagonists forget this stuff, I thought. But not me. I’m a man of my word.

...Okay, maybe I was also slightly terrified of what might happen if I didn’t keep my promises.

Leona sat up a bit straighter, eyeing the bag like a hungry cat. "Hey, by the way, did you know?"

"Know what?"

"I saw something in the group chat earlier. Kiera’s been asking around for your number."

I paused.

"She what?"

"Yeah. No one gave it to her, obviously. But... do you think she’s planning something again?"

I sighed, long and heavy. "Why does she hate me so much?"

"I know, right?" Leona scoffed. "You’re thoughtful. And honestly... kinda cute."

"That doesn’t make me feel better."

I gave her a look, and she just smiled.

If I didn’t already know Leona was secretly a girl crossdressing as Leon, I probably would’ve had a meltdown by now.

"Anyway," she said, voice casual, "if she tries anything again, just tell me. I’ll beat her down myself."

"You really don’t have to do that."

I meant it. If Leona actually got serious, Kiera would end up in the infirmary—or worse. And that wasn’t something I wanted.

Not because I cared about Kiera or anything like that.

But because if Leona got expelled over something so stupid, I’d be the one in trouble.

Many things will get out of hands.

...And I can’t afford that to happen.

"She still shows up at your classroom every morning," Leona muttered, clearly ignoring my concern.

I shrugged. "Maybe she still has feelings for Leo."

"Hmph. She sure is persistent."

Yeah. Too persistent.

But that wasn’t what bothered me. It wasn’t the lingering crush or her cold glares from across the hall.

It was the fact that she was actively trying to get my number.

What are you planning, Kiera?

Still, that was a problem for tomorrow. Right now, I needed rest.

I handed Leona a cup of strawberry swirl and grabbed my own. She peeled off the lid like a kid opening a birthday present.

"You’re lucky I’m in a good mood," she said through a mouthful. "If this had been chocolate, I might’ve kicked you out."

I smirked. "Noted. Strawberry is the key to your heart."

"Exactly. And possibly the key to world peace."

We ate in a comfortable silence after that—the kind of quiet you only get with people you don’t have to pretend around. I leaned back in the desk chair, watching the small LED on the ceiling blink with lazy rhythm.

Leona broke the silence.

"Do you think she’s dangerous?"

"Kiera?"

She nodded.

I thought about it.

"She’s impulsive. Prideful. Gets jealous way too easily. But dangerous?" I shook my head. "Not really."

"Not at all?" she asked, skeptical.

I shrugged. "She’s the kind of person who doesn’t realize how far she’s gone until it’s too late. If someone fed her the right lies or twisted the truth just a little..."

"...She might actually try to hurt you."

I didn’t answer.

She hadn’t hurt me physically—at least, not directly.

Just spread some nasty rumors. Had her little clique pick fights with me now and then.

It was all subtle. Quiet. Annoying.

But it stopped once Leo cut ties with her. Once she fell from grace.

Still, Leona seemed convinced she’d come after me again.

Her expression darkened. She stared at her half-eaten ice cream, fingers tightening around the cup like she was debating whether to throw it down and go hunting.

"I really don’t like her."

"Most people don’t."

She didn’t respond to that. Just went back to her ice cream, silent.

I leaned back again, watching her.

I didn’t know what Kiera was planning.