RE: Player again

356

[Chapter 106] [The Lesser Evil Over the Worst (4)]

Yoo Dojun's prediction was correct.

Kim Geunwoong, KK Group's direct descendant, proposed to Hoshimiya Kaede that day to join his party.

Of course, by then Eunha and Dojun had already secured her.

Even if she received KK Group's sponsorship, extracting her from Yeongwon Group direct descendant Yoo Dojun's party would only consume energy on both sides.

Moreover, Eunha immediately submitted the list to the instructor in charge of the final evaluation that day.

As a result, Kim Geunwoong could only regret and click his tongue.

Meanwhile, news that Eunha formed a party spread instantly throughout the school.

"─You came? Why did you come out so late?"

"I'm sure I told you not to wait..."

"How can I believe whether you'll come out or not if I don't?"

"......"

2nd year middle school academy girls' dormitory.

Eunha who was chatting with friends in the 1st floor lobby greeted Hoshimiya Kaede who came down by elevator.

She who came wearing disheveled sweatpants had her hands in her pockets.

The sweatpants seemed one size too big, and she had half her face buried in the collar.

"You'll be quite cold if you go out in that outfit..."

"I'll handle my own business."

"Okay, okay."

Hoshimiya Kaede making a hmph sound. She put on slippers with three stripes drawn and went outside.

Eunha quietly followed behind.

A cold wave raged outside.

"......"

"It's snowing now."

"...Who said anything?"

Hoshimiya Kaede who lost words at the sight of falling snow put strength in her face at Eunha's comment.

As if not wanting to mix words with him, she recklessly went forward and was hit by snow.

Eunha stared steadily at her walking with her jet-black hair fluttering, then opened an umbrella.

Then Hoshimiya Kaede who stopped her feet startled at the sound of opening an umbrella.

"I have an umbrella, want to come in?"

"......"

Now four days until the final evaluation starts.

Eunha arranged a place for her to meet party members before then.

But she who had many problems from the first meeting was highly likely to not attend even if a place was arranged.

So Eunha came out to bring Hoshimiya Kaede.

She who couldn't overcome Eunha's urging eventually came out like this.

Not knowing it was snowing this much.

She's quite stubborn.

Eunha waited for her to turn her body.

But she stood rooted to the spot without even looking back.

She who he only saw from afar before regression seemed to have a rather strong pride.

No, very much so.

Eunha had no choice but to approach and half-cover the umbrella he was wearing over her head.

Only then did she quietly open her mouth.

"...You don't have to treat me so kindly, I'll sufficiently do the role I'm in charge of so stop pretending."

"Why is this pretending? I'm doing this because I'd suffer a loss if my party member gets a cold by mistake doing this."

"......"

"Like you're trying to do your role, I'm just trying to do my role as leader. Why are you counting your chickens before they hatch?"

"...Ugh...!"

Eunha smiled.

Her ears turned red so he leaned his head forward just in case and sure enough.

She who was looking down at the ground had turned bright red from making assumptions.

"I was a bit worried but it's fortunate."

"...What is."

"That you'll do your role. I thought you might rebel but fortunately it seems you don't intend to ignore my instructions?"

"No matter how much I dislike you, I'll distinguish between public and private once we form a party, so know that. You too, don't try to interfere with me outside of public matters."

"Okay, got it."

Hoshimiya Kaede huffed.

Then she took big strides forward.

Not knowing where she was going.

In the end, she stopped her feet again at a fork in the road.

"This is a bit troublesome... What do we do if the ranger can't even find the way?"

Eunha teased her whose face was redder than before.

"...Shut up."

She protested in a sulky voice.

Eunha who burst out laughing softly took her to the cafeteria.

Friends, party members were gathered in the cafeteria matching the appointment time.

"─Won't you keep the appointment time properly from next time?"

Party members who were about to welcome the two.

However, the person who opened their mouth first was Bae Subin with her arms crossed.

Bae Subin who fixed her glasses was sending an unpleasant gaze.

Of course, the gaze was directed not at Eunha but─

"─A leader can't take care of things like this. Right? If you came in late, shouldn't you do better on your own?"

"......"

At Hoshimiya Kaede.

Subin was displeased, whether trying to establish dominance or because she really disliked the fact that Eunha tried to recruit her by visiting three times.

"No matter how much trash Noh Eunha is, I think there should be discipline in the party. Right, guys?"

Bae Subin who subtly dissed Eunha sought agreement from party members sitting on both sides.

Soon the party members all─

"""─Of course."""

Nodded their heads.

Bae Subin shrugged her shoulders as if to say see.

With a gaze boasting to Eunha.

What's with her?

Eunha just felt sour.

But thinking back, she also valued party discipline highly in his previous life.

While unknowingly suffering the bottom position in the party next to Jin Parang.

Meanwhile, Bae Subin also valued victory highly.

To the extent of hating others rebelling against opponents she couldn't rebel against herself.

In other words, she didn't like Hoshimiya Kaede continuing to climb up against Eunha who even she couldn't win against.

Still, you did well.

Though I have no intention of going easy on you in this final evaluation at all.

Eunha who grasped that nodded to Bae Subin.

Then she raised her nose.

Not knowing Eunha's heart.

On the other hand, Hoshimiya Kaede─

"─Right, I'm sorry."

Unexpectedly, she readily apologized.

Although she glared at Bae Subin while raising her lowered head.

Caster and ranger.

The two people in charge of middle and rear engaged in a staring contest as if not wanting to lose to each other.

☆

"Then since we're all gathered like this, shall we do self-introductions? We'll be seeing each other's faces for days now, so we can't be awkward like this!"

Subin and Kaede's battle of nerves.

Eunhyeok was busy reading the atmosphere, and Seona openly ignored it.

In such a situation, the person who led the atmosphere was Yoo Dojun.

Yoo Dojun who bought desserts matching the number of people personally passed out plates while speaking.

"Right! That would be good! Then shall we start going clockwise from you Yoo Dojun?"

"Okay."

Eunhyeok who found this situation frustrating also agreed in a welcoming voice.

Yoo Dojun who nodded willingly soon introduced himself to the party members.

Followed by Choi Eunhyeok.

"Hello! I'm Choi Eunhyeok. I decided to be in charge of dealer for this final evaluation. Let's have a fun 5 days!"

"...I'm Bae Subin. Let's all not cause problems. I plan to be in charge of caster in the party."

"Ahaha..."

Although Dojun and Eunhyeok tried to create a bright atmosphere for once.

Bae Subin spoke bluntly while crossing her legs.

Eunhyeok could only laugh awkwardly.

Seona, help!

So he looked at Seona who was quietly drinking coffee to recover the atmosphere.

She whose eyes met twitched her triangular ears.

She whose red eyes curved like crescent moons spoke in a clear voice.

"I'm Jin Seona. I decided to be in charge of telepath in this party. If you have anything to tell me, I hope you'll let me know anytime. And guys, this is a joke─"

At the same time, she sparked.

Her telepathy was smoothly transmitted to the party members.

[─Let's not create discord among ourselves. If we make a mistake, I might distort and transmit instructions. Okay?]

""""...."""

The fox made a soft threat while smiling gently.

Eunhyeok's face turned pale white, and Dojun showed a sour expression.

Bae Subin made a hmph sound and turned her head, and Eunha nodded with satisfaction.

As expected, Seona controls well?

I picked one good telepath.

Giving Jin Parang to Mok Minho might have been a good choice in hindsight.

She might be able to subdue stubborn Bae Subin or Hoshimiya Kaede who doesn't like me.

Eunha wanted to praise Seona smiling brightly.

He wanted to pat her head once because she was so adorable.

[─Stay still, kid. Shouldn't the party leader show a dignified appearance? The party you're trying to create isn't children playing house, right?]

He was scolded by Seona.

Eunha who was fidgeting his hands suddenly flinched at the telepathy transmitted only to him.

Her words were right.

A leader should have dignity.

However, Eunha who was scolded by her was inwardly worried about the future.

Surely people who nag me about everything won't appear?

He couldn't shake the feeling that he would become a paper tiger while being controlled by an unofficial power.

He opened his mouth while agreeing with a sour expression.

"I'm Noh Eunha in charge of party leader. I hope you'll all follow my instructions well for 5 days."

Eunha looked around at the party members.

Excluding Yoo Dojun, they were people he would roll and roll severely to the extent of making them want to die in this final evaluation.

Those who knew nothing of that fact were clapping formally.

Lastly, party members gave their gaze to Hoshimiya Kaede.

She who sighed softly soon started her self-introduction while meeting the eyes of party members one by one.

"─I'm Hoshimiya Kaede. I decided to be in charge of ranger for this final evaluation. I don't know if you'll like me, but I'll do my best not to cause trouble for you."

Hoshimiya Kaede's resolution.

Party members accepted her as their companion this time.

Although Hoshimiya Kaede didn't try to become close with party members more than necessary, she couldn't coldly cut off Seona who spoke to her kindly.

...Huh?

Then Eunha discovered.

That while she was treating other people brusquely, she was trying to treat Seona as kindly as possible.

"...もふもふ。**い~"

...Fluffy fluffy. Cute~

"Hm? What did you just say? Kawaii?"

"...It's nothing."

I don't know what sound she's making.

Eunha tilted his head seeing Hoshimiya Kaede who suddenly spoke Japanese.

Seona just kept blinking her red eyes hearing words directed at her.

Kaede who unconsciously blurted out Japanese lowered her head and shook it while turning her ears red.

"...This party is really funny."

Meanwhile, Yoo Dojun buried his body in the chair backrest while laughing alone.

They just ignored him because it wasn't rare for Yoo Dojun to have fits.

☆

Around the time Eunha's party gathered to discuss the final evaluation.

Minho's party was also gathered in one place for a meeting.

To be precise, it was a place to build friendships rather than have a meeting.

"...Well, okay. Since you Minho are here, I'm sure you'll handle things well. I'll just trust you."

"...Yes."

Choi Gain yawned repeatedly with her legs crossed.

She didn't show much interest in the basic party formation he was explaining.

Anyway, she was just a nominal sniper.

The people actually taking the final evaluation were party members excluding her.

And among them was Jung Hayang, Alice Group's direct descendant.

"But I didn't know I'd be in the same party as you Hayang... Why? Did Eunha say he didn't want to party with you?"

"......"

Choi Gain suddenly threw barbed words at Hayang while fiddling with her nails.

"Did you fight with Eunha or something? Be grateful I'm close with Eunha. If it weren't for Eunha, there's no way you and Kim Minji, and that blue wolf would be let into the party."

"What...!? Hey! Are you done talking!? Who let who into the party! To my eyes, it's not us but you..."

"Jin Parang, stop."

"Parang oppa, stop."

Jung Hayang who was keeping her mouth shut.

But Jin Parang couldn't calmly let Choi Gain's nitpicking pass and stood up raising his voice.

Immediately, Mok Minho intervened to stop Parang from manifesting mana.

Jung Hayang did the same.

She grabbed Jin Parang's hand who stood up from his seat to prevent him from using violence against Choi Gain.

"Hey, but she just...!"

"Or I'll tell Eunha."

"...Kuk...!"

Hayang emitted pressure suppressing Parang while smiling brightly.

In the end, Parang who couldn't overcome her sat down with a thump unable to vent his anger.

Soon Hayang who restrained him with one word gave her gaze to Choi Gain who was taking a sharp attitude.

"─Hey, Gain."

"What, what is it."

Choi Gain seemed quite angry because of Parang's behavior.

She retorted sharply while pursing her lips as if upset.

Nevertheless, Hayang didn't lose her eye smile.

"You seem to be misunderstanding now, but Minho is the party leader."

"So?"

"But there's no rule that the person giving instructions has to be Minho, right?"

"What? What do you mean?"

Choi Gain asked while frowning.

As if asking what that means.

Then Hayang kindly answered.

"Minho's job in this party is just being the leader managing party members. Who would give instructions when there's a navigator who can give instructions here?"

"...What?"

Choi Gain who heard those words blinked her eyes in disbelief.

Then she quickly turned her head and looked for Cha Eunwoo.

"Cha Eunwoo, there was no such talk."

"...Huh? Did I not say? Sorry. I guess I 'forgot' to mention it. Ehehe..."

Cha Eunwoo made a suddenly surprised face and let out an awkward laugh.

Choi Gain frowned.

Regardless, Jung Hayang continued speaking as is.

"─So it would be good to follow my instructions well."

"......"

"But there's almost nothing you have to do Gain, so don't worry."

"...Hah... Okay, fine."

Choi Gain who seemed displeased soon let out a long breath as if collecting herself.

But there was one thing she overlooked.

Hayang said she would 'almost' not give work, not that she would 'not at all' give work.

One should listen to people's words carefully.

"......"

Meanwhile, Kim Minji kept silent all day.

She who placed her hands on her knees kept lowering her head and biting her lips.

...It means I'm not needed.

Minji had a chance.

When Galaxy forms a party this time, I wonder if she will bring in Kaede Hoshimiya as a ranger.

Although she had vaguely thought about it, she felt the hope she had been holding onto fade away when Eunha really let Hoshimiya Kaede into the party.

Eun-ha dragged her into the party and sent herself to Mok Min-ho's party.

That statement could only mean one thing.

In effect, a power outage notification.

…I guess I’m good now?

The time for her to make her choice was approaching.