Became a Dark Merchant in the Academy - Chapter 235



234 – Special Edition) Lies and Coins_1

There is a saying that if there are three women, a wooden plate will be thrown around.

This is a proverb that figuratively refers to the fact that when many women gather, there is a lot of talk and noise.

“So… what did he say to me…”

“Really? Still better than my boyfriend, you know? Last week was our one-year anniversary…”

Marie Lindbergh thought such proverbs were outdated, outdated prejudices of an old perspective.

It’s not just women, but men too get excited when they get together with close friends.

Also, more than just two people talking.

As the number of topics of conversation among the three increased, it was natural that the patterns of conversation would increase and grow.

That’s why I personally felt that there was no need to specify the gender.

“…”

However, after the academy schedule was over, I saw my friends who came to the cafe with me not leaving their seats and chatting for 3 hours without stopping.

Actually, it occurred to me that maybe that proverb wasn’t a prejudice, but rather a piece of advice for future generations based on facts.

‘It’s not that I don’t like it, though.’

If I really hated it, I wouldn’t have listened to it for three hours, chimed in, or brought up a different topic.

Stories about what happened in class, incidents at the Academy, and food.

Even though we experienced the same thing, the new perspectives that different thoughts and perspectives brought were interesting and fun.

So, if we had continued the conversation on those topics, I wouldn’t have recalled proverbs that border on prejudice or felt frustrated.

There was another reason.

A story that can never be left out when it comes to women’s gossip.

It was because of the love story.

“Wow, how could you forget that? If it were me…”

“So, you’re saying you’re sorry and starting the next day, you’re being really nice to me?”

“You should be nice to him. To be honest, how much have you done for him? The watch you gave him for his birthday before was worth over a million won. And you have a restaurant there, so didn’t you say that you’ve been making lunch boxes for him for the past six months because he keeps nagging you to make him lunches yourself?”

“Because he’s my boyfriend.”

Of course, there were plenty of things that were relatable, imaginative, and exciting.

It was a little difficult to approach him as a boyfriend or as a honey.

That would be the case, as it’s not like there were no ‘such beings’ like them.

If you ask if I am like them, it is because I am not.

That’s why I couldn’t get into their story.

Marie Lindbergh absentmindedly stirred her teacup with one hand, a teaspoon in her hand, and rested her chin on the other, watching the people passing by on the street, while letting the stories she heard drift by.

How long did I just sit there blankly?

“number of animals!”

“What’s going on?”

A sound like thunder struck Marie Lindbergh’s ears.

A palm passed by in front of my eyes as if checking if I was conscious.

“Oh, yeah? Why?”

An unexpected loud noise.

Marie Lindbergh was so surprised that she flinched and dropped her teaspoon.

“What’s wrong? You seem a little out of it lately.”

“I see, it’s a little different than usual?”

When I turned my head towards where the sound came from, I saw my friends looking worried.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just spacing out for a moment.”

“Really? What did I say again?”

“That’s fortunate.”

Let’s make it known that there is nothing wrong.

They continued their story again.

But it was different than before.

Obviously, the topic of the story was the same, and the speaker was the same.

The target has changed.

The subject was Marie Lindbergh.

“So how’s it going now?”

“huh?”

“Now that I think about it, I was curious too. What is your relationship?”

They urged me to answer with the same expression on their faces as if I were a child playing a prank.

“What is that…”

“I’m talking about Lee Seong-hyeon. You seem to be getting along well. Are you dating?”

“that…”

The distance is close.

I’ve never talked on the phone before falling asleep.

We even went to famous tourist spots and went on a date together.

And that’s not all.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve done this and that many other things.

So, if we had to give it a name, we could call this relationship a love affair…

From noble mtl dot com

“That? What is that?”

“What? What’s wrong? No way…? Don’t just make it taste good, hurry up!”

I know this is more of a volatile topic to kill time than something that shares your concerns or worries.

So it didn’t matter if I didn’t answer.

Of course, I will ask you again for an answer a few times out of curiosity.

That won’t last long either.

In the first place, listening to other people’s love stories wasn’t a bad thing.

Talking about myself felt somehow embarrassing, as it felt like bragging or showing my weakness.

That’s why, even though I heard about love stories, I never talked about them.

“Should I call her my girlfriend? No… Actually, I’m not sure.”

But Marie Lindbergh closed her eyes tightly and opened her mouth.

It was a volatile topic, but I was embarrassed.

I wanted to ask for advice.

**

[Is this also your brother’s clothing?]

[…Okay, I’ll tell you the truth.]

[Please speak.]

[Actually, I have a hobby of cross-dressing…]

A dark movie theater.

On the screen, the actors’ comical gags poured out, and the audience’s giggles could be heard.

But that did not reach Marie Lindbergh’s eyes or ears.

It was definitely a two-week date.

Before it came out, I looked forward to it and imagined what I would talk about today, where I would go, and how I would enjoy it.

‘After listening to your story, it seems like you’re the type to only enjoy flirting.’

This was because a conversation we had a while ago suddenly came to mind and kept going around and around in my head.

‘There’s something like that. Just enjoying the atmosphere and emotions, as if you know it’ll work out, in a way, that’s the most enjoyable part of dating. But it’s a little like that.’

I turned my head and looked at the seat next to me.

The lights on the screen, the darkness of the cinema.

Because of them, I could only vaguely see the eyes and mouth, let alone the overall appearance.

It wasn’t hard to notice that Lee Seong-hyeon was concentrating on the movie and smiling faintly.

He also held his hand on the armrest, strong but gentle, as if he were holding a precious jewel.

Marie Lindbergh felt her heart beat a little faster at such kind and considerate consideration.

But at the same time, I felt something unknown clogging my chest.

‘Come to think of it, Lee Seong-hyeon, there are a lot of women around him, right? No way…’

no.

Lee Seong-hyeon is definitely not that kind of person.

He was a man who tried to protect others even at the risk of his own life, and he was his own hero.

‘That could be true. So is saying that he has a good personality also a lie? Isn’t it true that he only has a good face but is actually complete trash?’

When a light flashes in the darkness, all kinds of bugs fly in.

It was clear that the women gathered around him were of that type.

therefore.

“…no.”

Marie Lindberg shook her head slightly.

I somehow pushed the thoughts that came to my mind to a corner and turned my head to look at the screen.

[It was interesting at first. But now I can’t stand it…]

[yes?]

[I was born a man, but I yearned for a woman, so it was an inevitable choice. My father must have thought that my appearance was the witch’s fault. No, it had to be the witch’s fault. Only then can I protect the honor of the nobles…]

[What is that─]

[I confess my sins. I am a cross-dressing pervert.]

‘Trust me.’

I had to believe.

‘Let’s not think about it.’

An idea occurred to me.

‘Don’t worry about it.’

I was worried.

‘Let’s focus on the movie.’

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t concentrate.

**

After watching the movie, we stopped by a restaurant and had a meal.

I browsed around stores and stopped by unique places to have a variety of experiences.

The sun has passed over the mountain ridge, and the streetlights are shining brightly.

Holding hands like countless other couples passing by.

On the way back.

Normally, I would feel happy that I had a fun date after a long time.

Marie Lindbergh was simply anxious.

‘I guess… that’s how it is?’

embrace.

Actually, I know it very well.

There is no need to be worried or anxious like this.

Just ask him.

What on earth is our relationship?

So even now…

“What’s going on?”

Could it be because his complex emotions and darkened expression were revealed on the outside?

Or maybe it’s because my steps have subtly slowed down.

Lee Seong-hyeon stopped walking as if he felt something strange and stood in front of her.

It was an opportunity.

“Seonghyun…”

“Yeah, is there a problem?”

“…”

But when I tried to speak, my mouth wouldn’t open.

If you are rejected like before,

If you hear that we are just acquaintances or friends.

If I’m going to fall like that, if I’m not going to be able to see your face properly like that, wouldn’t it be better to just leave it like this?

Because the thought filled my mind.

therefore…

‘I’m connected differently from you.’

Suddenly, someone’s words came to mind.

I still couldn’t figure out what that meant.

But the shape of the ring was clear.

‘no.’

This is not Marie Lindbergh’s personality.

Feeling suffocated, suffering alone from anxiety, and being afraid of being abandoned by a man.

This is something that would be impossible for my usual self.

And didn’t Lee Seong-hyeon confess that he liked her?

His confession was still vivid.

But I refused.

“Can I ask you just one question?”

“What is it?”

Now, you may regret this action later on.

I wonder why it happened back then.

But I didn’t want to continue in this relationship any longer.

It was time to take courage.

Take a deep breath.

Face him.

“I’m… your girlfriend?”

And one more thing.

Marie Lindbergh closed her eyes tightly.

At the same time, the sound of footsteps from passing couples and the honking of car horns grew louder.

The flashing traffic lights and building lights only blurred the darkened field of vision.

A long, long silence fell, and the longer it took for no answer to come, the more anxious I became.

‘also.’

This was a regrettable action…

“Then what did you think our relationship was like?”

“what…?”

A feeling of being pulled.

Before long, I felt a warm embrace, as if I was being held by something large.

Marie Lindberg opened her eyes in surprise.

“I wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t mine.”

In someone’s arms.

When I looked up, Lee Seong-hyeon was smiling with blushing cheeks.

It was not an action I would regret.