NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 76
“Regret? No way.”
Never once has she regretted falling for Lee Hyun.
Thinking of him brings happiness.
Just recalling him makes her heart race like thump-thump.
Why would she regret such a wonderful feeling?
So, she gazed directly at Lee Hyun.
“Why do you think that?”
“Huh?”
Lee Hyun sipped his coffee and stared at Sowol quietly.
Sowol showed no signs of backing down.
Faced with her serious expression, Lee Hyun let out a deep sigh.
“Because it is what it is.”
“Why is it what it is?”
“Are you nitpicking my words?”
“Of course not! I could never toy with someone as revered as my Master!”
With a bright smile, Sowol sipped her coffee.
The bitter aroma of coffee swirled in her mouth, easing her tension bit by bit.
She had to stay calm.
Maybe now was her chance.
Sowol looked straight at the softly smiling Lee Hyun.
“I’m just curious. Why is someone like you alone?”
“Is a reason necessary?”
“The reason God made men and women is so they can come together.”
“But there are people who live alone.”
“That’s against divine providence.”
“Do you really think so?”
“As a saint, yes. But as the successor of the Eastern Trading Company, it’s a bit different.”
Lee Hyun chuckled softly.
Sowol knew that laugh was meant to end the conversation.
But she didn’t want to end it.
She quickly scanned the surroundings. There was no one in the cafe of the luxurious resort.
Just the two of them.
It wasn’t the first time they had been alone.
But it was the first time in this atmosphere.
‘Master has always been like this since his time with the Eastern Trading Company.’
Lee Hyun, who was undeniably charming, oddly didn’t mingle deeply with women.
Or to be more accurate, he avoided forming deep relationships.
He was friendly with everyone but kept strict boundaries, excluding anyone who crossed that line.
Maybe…
Today was a day to cross that line.
“It’s just strange. Someone like you should get along with any woman. Yet you’ve shied away from deep relationships since your time with the Eastern Trading Company.”
“Some people are like that.”
“That’s why I’m curious about the reason.”
“Why do you care?”
“Is it strange for a beautiful woman to show interest in a handsome man?”
Sowol casually tossed her hair back.
Even in a perfectly captivating way, Lee Hyun didn’t even blink.
“You’re quite confident~. Our Sowol, calling herself a beautiful woman.”
“A saint of the church is indeed a beautiful woman. I’ve had quite a few marriage proposals.”
“Haha, really? I could see that. After all, who’s your Master?”
She seemed proud.
But it also felt like she was concealing something.
Sowol swallowed hard.
Maybe this was the moment.
Going further might cross the line he had set.
‘Is it going to be okay?’
If she crossed that line, maybe they wouldn’t be Master and apprentice anymore.
She might not even be able to laugh and tease like they do now.
‘Ugh.’
She was scared.
Now, facing this charming man felt more frightening than facing countless enemies.
“Let’s put my story aside for now.”
But she couldn’t let it be.
She had to break through.
No matter what lay beyond that.
She couldn’t be satisfied with just being Master and apprentice; she had no intention of being satisfied, so she had to push forward.
Sowol gritted her teeth.
“For now, we’re talking about you, Master.”
“Hmm.”
“You always do that. You reject forming deep relationships strangely.”
“……”
Inhaling deeply.
This one line could be the turning point.
But she couldn’t hold back anymore.
“It’s as if you’re someone who’s about to leave.”
The gentle smile that was on Lee Hyun’s lips vanished.
Seeing that, Sowol clenched her hidden fist under the table.
That expression.
It was the same one he had when facing enemies.
“That’s not like you.”
His words were unexpectedly soft and sweet.
That’s why Sowol blinked and looked at him again.
A smile was still on his lips.
“Why do you keep putting me in a tough spot.”
Thump.
Her heart raced at his awkward yet charming smile.
Even his embarrassed look was adorable.
Sowol barely suppressed the urge to stand up, hug him, and kiss him right then and there.
Ah, Master. How can you be this lovely?
Lee Hyun forgave himself for crossing that line.
That alone made him happy.
It’s okay; he reassured himself.
He felt he was in a much deeper relationship than with anyone else.
Then maybe, it could be possible.
Shall she give it a try?
Should she tell him she likes him?
What if he rejects her? No, even if she’s herself, he would definitely reject her.
But that was okay.
It would be an opportunity to make him aware of her as a woman.
Sowol stared intently at Lee Hyun.
He casually sipped his coffee, ignoring her gaze, then waved his hand gently.
Feeling there was something, she turned her head and saw Arisha and Lena coming down.
‘…Am I late?’
Seeing Sowol with Lee Hyun, the two quickly entered the cafe.
Cheerfully smiling, Arisha sat next to Lee Hyun, and Lena naturally ordered a drink.
Watching Arisha cling to him like a puppy and Lena quietly tugging at his clothes, Sowol smiled gently.
‘It’s okay. After all, there will be plenty of opportunities.’
The next day.
After finishing breakfast at the resort’s restaurant, the students quickly started moving.
Their desire to play for even a minute longer was evident as they hurriedly moved without caring about status.
“Come here if you’re going to the beach!”
“And if you’re headed to the pool, come over here~!”
“Let’s go shopping! Shopping!!”
The students divided into three groups: those going to the beach, those heading to the pool, and those just wanting to relax elsewhere.
As the groups formed and students scattered, Sowol quietly surveyed her surroundings.
Arisha headed to the shopping mall, and Lena went to the library.
Since they had split like that, it should be fine today.
Thinking that, Sowol casually glanced at Lee Hyun.
Since they came together, she hoped they could enjoy it, but he was just dressed casually.
A few students tried to drag him to join, but Lee Hyun was dutifully trying to play the guardian.
“We’re adults too!”
“You little kids, what do you know about being adults? If any of you get hurt, the Dean will faint.”
“Hahaha! Instructor Lee Hyun! Don’t worry! I, the head of the beautification department, will lead them well!”
“You’re the biggest problem, you know?”
“Ugh.”
When Lee Hyun shouted at Ludwig, who was heading to the beach, the surrounding students laughed.
In front of him, there were no princes or princesses.
Just simple students.
Maybe she was the same.
But Sowol didn’t forget what happened yesterday.
Lee Hyun was definitely shaken.
So today, she needed to shake him even more.
“Sainthood! Saint!”
As she kept staring at Lee Hyun, Lumina and Charlotte approached her.
The two, who shared the same room, naturally linked arms with Sowol and spoke.
“You keep watching Instructor Lee.”
“Are you going to confess today?”
“Confess… heh. A saint of the church wouldn’t confess!”
“You’re not being honest at all.”
“Just do it already.”
“Uhh.”
Sowol flinched and glanced at Lee Hyun.
He appeared exactly the same as usual, as if he didn’t know her feelings.
“Well, if my Master were to confess to me in my swimsuit, I wouldn’t refuse.”
“Then we’ll create an opportunity for you two to be alone.”
That was quite a generous offer. Sowol beamed at the two of them.
“Thank you! I won’t decline.”
.
.
.
She looked in the mirror.
The woman with pink hair reflected in the mirror was overflowing with beauty.
The black V-back bikini barely covered her ample chest, resting on her wide hips.
Exuding feminine allure, she tied her pink hair in a ponytail and posed in front of the mirror.
She looked stunning.
With this, wouldn’t Master get charmed?
Thinking so, Sowol went out to the pool.
He would probably come soon, right?
As she calmly swam, it happened.
“Instructor! Instructor!”
“Take a quick break over there before coming!”
She saw Lumina and Charlotte approaching her.
Following them was Lee Hyun, wearing a pair of trunk-style swim shorts and a shirt.
Her heart raced when she caught sight of his skin peeking between the gaps of his shirt.
Sowol swallowed hard, and as Lee Hyun sat down, she slowly emerged from the water.
‘It should be fine, right?’
Her reflection on the pool’s wall looked beautiful even when wet.
No, being wet only enhanced her allure.
Confidence surged within her.
Wearing the sandals she left outside the pool, Sowol approached Lee Hyun and sat down softly in front of him.
“Whew. Master, did you come to swim too?”
“No. I just put this on because you need a swimsuit to come in here. I came to check if you all are having fun.”
“Hehe. We’re not kids anymore.”
“I still see you as kids.”
At that, Sowol puffed her cheeks slightly.
That’s why she thought of teasing him, resting her heavy chest lightly on the table.
“Ah. The water felt great. My chest doesn’t feel heavy at all.”
“Haha…”
“By the way, Master. Remember?”
“Remember what?”
“The kind of woman you like. What was it… Oh, right! A pretty woman with money and big breasts, right?”
With a charming smile, Sowol reached for his hand resting on the table.
Gently grabbing it and teasing the back of his hand with her fingers, she said,
“What do you think about me?”
“Very attractive. Really.”
“Hehe, thanks! Then…”
Let’s take it slow.
There’s plenty of time. Thinking that, Sowol opened her mouth.
“If you’d like, Master, I’d be happy to meet.”