Correcting the Villainess of the Academy

“Uh, mother…”

“This matter must remain a secret until I can completely have him in my grasp.”

–CRACK…

The blonde woman tightened her grip even more.

“If that idiot Baek Il-yong finds out that the alliance we painstakingly built is plotting betrayal, he won’t sit still. And what he’s planning right now… No, it’s settled.”

She then shut her mouth, which seemed to want to say something, and shook her head.

“My dear. Do you understand why I’m turning a blind eye to your transgressions?”

After a moment of contemplation, Jin Yeseo opened her mouth.

“Because it’s a gamble worth taking…?”

“Exactly. After all, a blood relationship is more intimate than mere alliances. There’s so much more to gain.”

“…”

“Especially if the opponent is the Heukryeon Family—it goes without saying. The more troublesome the enemy, the more reliable they are as allies…”

She delivered her final ultimatum to Jin Yeseo.

“This will be your last chance. How can one who has failed to establish an alliance and abandoned the family’s unique magic be called a successor?”

With an enchanting smile, she added,

“Remember. If you fail to prove your worth this time… I have no choice but to produce a new successor.”

“Uh, mother…”

“And perhaps… that successor’s father will have the blood of Heukryeon as well?”

“Mother!!”

Jin Yeseo shouted, her face turning pale.

“He would never accept that. Hyun isn’t that kind of person!!”

“Whether that punk accepts it or not is none of my business. The decision is mine to make.”

Jin Yeseo recalled her mother’s male escapades—her obsession with strength and bloodlines.

In reality, what her mother had just told that man had completely flipped the situation.

It was not her mother who suffered; rather, it was the men ensnared in her web.

“If you dislike it, you better hurry. You know, I’m not that patient.”

The blonde woman whispered softly into Jin Yeseo’s ear.

“Do your best. I mean, isn’t it better than getting a stepsibling?”

She then added a line.

“Of course… after you’ve been punished for forgetting your position and disrupting the hierarchy of the family.”

*

I spent my time walking along the garden path that stretched by the lakeside. Every now and then, all I could see when I turned my head was the translucent, dome-shaped anti-spying magic.

Other than a slight echo, I couldn’t discern anything. What were they talking about?

“…Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?”

Finally, as a presence approached, I turned my body.

A somewhat fatigued-looking blonde female student was walking toward me, contrasting sharply with her mother, who wore a confident smile.

“Hehe, the conversation took longer than I expected. I had a lot of things to ask my daughter.”

“I don’t mind. You could have taken your time.”

“Oh my, such understanding… There’s a reason my daughter has fallen for you.”

“Uh, mother…”

At her mother’s words, Jin Yeseo fidgeted awkwardly.

“It’s just a joke. Well, I think I should be on my way now.”

After glancing at her watch, the blonde woman turned to Jin Yeseo.

“You still have some time left. I’ll be waiting below, so take your time enjoying yourself.”

“…Yes.”

Jin Yeseo nodded. Enjoy…?

The blonde woman approached me while leaving Jin Yeseo behind.

“…Come visit our family with my daughter sometime. I’ll send you a formal invitation.”

“Th-Thank you…”

ZAP– I felt an unpleasant sensation as a hand was placed on my side. She then whispered softly into my ear.

“Feel free to consult me anytime if you have worries you can’t tell my daughter.”

“Yes…?”

The blonde woman’s face was filled with an inscrutable smile. Without responding, she quickly walked away, disappearing beyond the walkway.

“What…? Did my mother say something…?”

Jin Yeseo rushed over, her voice full of anxiety for some reason.

“It’s fine. But…”

The flushed cheeks and the look of her seemingly at a loss made me worry even more.

“Did something happen inside? Perhaps… the conversation didn’t go well…?”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. Nothing happened.”

Jin Yeseo shook her head vigorously before finally mustering the courage to speak.

“I-I got a definite answer from my mother. She said she would acknowledge our relationship…”

“Really? That’s great.”

“…Yeah. After the social gathering, there will be an announcement about my engagement in the family. Of course, the partner will be a secret.”

Only then did a somewhat satisfied smile appear on Jin Yeseo’s face.

“Of course, I can’t just say it’s you…”

I felt a surge of relief wash over me.

Jin Yeseo’s mother was indeed a formidable opponent. Her unpredictable words and actions…

Honestly, I didn’t fully believe what she had just said to me. Would someone who cherished their daughter so much think about selling her off in a forced engagement?

Whether she came to accept her daughter’s heartfelt plea late or whether something unseen transpired between them, I couldn’t tell.

In any case, what was clear was that it had become a thing of the past. My role was done, and Jin Yeseo would be freed from the shackles of the cherished forced engagement she longed to escape.

I felt a slight twinge of guilt for saying what I didn’t truly mean, but… it was a lie for a friend, so it should be fine.

Without waiting for the other to go first, we walked side by side along the lakeside.

“How could you confuse me with my mother?”

Jin Yeseo opened her mouth, a mix of half-joke and half-complaint.

“We’ve spent how much time together…”

“…Sorry. I couldn’t have imagined it.”

“…It was unavoidable. My mother has been renowned for her disguise and schemes for a long time. Plus, she looks just like me—like twins…”

“But I think I could tell the difference now.”

“Really? How?”

“Well…”

I closed my mouth mid-sentence. It wasn’t necessary to bring up the exaggeration of curves.

“Just. You can tell at a glance.”

“What? Why are you mumbling? Spit it out!”

After some playful tussling, Jin Yeseo hesitated before speaking again.

“And… I need to return to my family for a bit.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. It’s a one-week seclusion. A punishment for my reckless behavior…”

Jin Yeseo’s voice carried a clear hint of gloom. So, that was the “taking your time” she mentioned earlier.

“It’s fine. I was prepared for worse punishments. This isn’t so bad.”

But soon after, she flashed me a bright smile.

“Thanks to you, I’ve actually been through some wild experiences. Isn’t it something to fight monsters and rebel openly in front of my mother? Hehe.”

She suddenly looked toward the lakeside with a wistful expression.

“What a pity. I wanted to dance together. I practiced really hard…”

“…We could do it again next year.”

At my words, Jin Yeseo beamed and rushed toward me.

“Really?”

“It’s not a difficult thing.”

“I can’t trust just words!”

Extending her hand with only her thumb and pinky finger outstretched, she faced me.

“Promise.”

“What are you, a kid…”

“Hurry.”

With a stubborn tone, Jin Yeseo urged me again. Eventually, I intertwined my pinky with hers, and only then did she crack a satisfied smile.

“Hehe…”

Seeing that face of hers truly eased my mind.

For a while, we shared trivial conversations. Mostly, I was the one listening.

“…I think it’s time to go. Time really flies…”

“Just think of it as a little break. A week will pass in no time.”

“That’s true, but…”

As the clock tower tolled midnight, Jin Yeseo’s demeanor wilted.

Then she hesitated and called out to me.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Close your eyes for a second.”

“Out of nowhere?”

“Hurry.”

Her sudden urging puzzled me. With that serious expression, it didn’t seem like she was joking.

But I had no particular reason not to comply, so I closed my eyes as she instructed.

“Don’t open them until I say so.”

“What’s this about?”

“…”

There was no answer. A brief moment of stillness. Then I could hear her drawing a breath as if deciding on something.

And the next moment, what I felt was… the clear sensation of a mucosal touch on my forehead.

“What is this…”

“Ugh…! Why did you open your eyes so soon?!”

In surprise, I opened my eyes wide. What I saw was Jin Yeseo, her face flushed, breathing heavily.

The embarrassment was evident as she mumbled without being able to meet my gaze.

“I-I couldn’t help it. My mother might be watching… They say a farewell between lovers should include at least this much… I-I don’t know…”

Then, as if she could no longer bear it, she bolted away.

“I-I’m going now! See you in a week…! bye…!”

“Wait…”

Before I could even respond, Jin Yeseo raced off, disappearing. I was left standing alone in the quiet night, utterly dazed.

The warm and moist feeling of her mucosal touch still lingered on my forehead like a stamp.

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