The Spoon Villain Is Obsessed with the Hero Again Today

Educational Training (1)

The summer vacation, long if it was long, short if it was short, had come to an end. Now it was time to welcome the new semester as students once more.

“Alright, let’s take a photo. Everyone, gather around.”

Meanwhile, I was attending an event from the very first day of the semester. The location was the academic exhibition hall next to the main headquarters building.

“Let’s huddle around the case so the magic stone is clearly visible.”

One could observe a variety of things at this academic exhibition hall. From samples of magical beasts to technical artworks, research papers, and even a detailed record of the history of Hanyul Academy.

“Alright, I’ll take the picture.”

Those involved in the event gathered snugly in front of the massive case. For reference, Basago’s magic stone was glowing within the case.

We took a simple commemorative photo in that state.

“Okay, that’s done. Thank you for your hard work.”

With the photographer’s words, all the scheduled events were concluded.

The contents of today’s event weren’t anything special. A simple award ceremony was held for the students who had played a significant role in the recent battle against Basago.

“Thank you for your hard work, reporters. Shall we do a few interviews to conclude?”

Of course, Principal Lee Minho, never one to miss such a grand opportunity, wouldn’t let this pass. As always, Minho sniffed out the chance and focused the reporters’ attention on himself. One would be forgiven for not knowing who was the star of the event.

Still, I was grateful he’d drawn the aggro in my stead. Were it not for Lee Minho, I’d likely be swarmed by reporters, forced into interviews by now.

“Hey, let’s go. I’m starving.”

With the event concluded, there was no reason to linger. Kang Taehoon was the first to depart.

“Alright.”

Following him, Rasheed, Yoo Jiwoo, and Kim Hanbit naturally made their way out of the exhibition hall.

I, too, was about to move my feet when…

“Excuse me…”

Arna called out to me.

For the record, Arna was also a recipient of the award. She’d made a significant contribution to defeating Basago, after all.

“Um…”

Was there something she wanted to say to me? But Arna struggled to open her mouth. She seemed hesitant about something.

“If you have nothing to say, I’ll be going.”

“W-wait just a moment…!”

Arna grasped at my sleeve as I tried to leave. And then, slowly, she began to speak.

“If it’s alright… lunch together, perhaps…”

─Hey Shin Yunseong! What are you doing! Let’s go grab some food already!

The shout, echoing from afar, momentarily drowned out Arna’s voice.

I asked again.

“I didn’t hear you. What did you say?”

“…”

Arna’s face crumpled at my response. She gave me a look that seemed to scold me for not hearing.

After that, Arna whipped her head away.

“It’s nothing!”

“Nothing, my foot. Didn’t you just say something?”

“Forget it! Humph!”

Arna turned her back completely and walked away from me.

What was that? She seemed to have gotten her feelings hurt, somehow.

But, was not hearing one little thing really enough to get that upset?

Truly, the creature known as woman is a mystery.

Absolutely.

*

“Hmph!”

And then.

Here was another, sulking something fierce.

Yoo Jiwoo it was.

“Hmph! Hmph!”

Precisely from the moment the laboratory became… well, a disaster, he’d held this stance. He wore a look that screamed deep dissatisfaction with us.

I turned to Kang Taehoon.

“What’s Jiwoo’s problem now, then?”

I could roughly guess he was miffed about the lab getting trashed. But there was no need to take it out on *us*, was there?

Had something happened while I was away, perchance?

“No idea. How would I know?”

Kang Taehoon seemed just as clueless. Likewise, Rashid shook his head.

“Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!”

Jiwoo’s little tantrum showed no sign of stopping; he kept grumbling, even as we walked alongside him.

“Aish.”

Finally, Kang Taehoon, unable to bear it any longer, threw up his hands.

“Hey, Short Stack. Lay off it already, alright? I’ll buy you *jjajangmyeon* later, so pack it in.”

“….”

Just *jjajangmyeon*? Jiwoo clearly considered this peace offering to be a serious letdown, his expression unwavering.

“Alright, fine. I’ll get you *ganjjajang*, is that better?”

“….”

Still no? He wouldn’t crack for *ganjjajang*, either. Jiwoo remained stubbornly silent.

“*Samseon ganjjajang*. Happy now?”

“*Samseon ganjjajang*?”

At long last, Jiwoo reacted. The *samseon ganjjajang* seemed to hit the spot. He subtly turned his head towards Kang Taehoon, adding a further query.

“And what about *tangsuyuk*?”

“Ah, I swear I’ll–! Why don’t you just ask for fried dumplings while you’re at it?”

“Oh? You’re buying fried dumplings too? Hooray!”

Just moments ago, he’d been scowling and throwing a fit, but now. Suddenly, Jiwoo’s attitude had executed a complete about-face.

Whether he felt truly appeased, or was intentionally acting so in order to snag a free meal, I couldn’t say.

That fact, only Yoo Jiwoo knew.

“Shin Yoonseo-yaaa!”

The instant I naturally began walking toward the Chinese restaurant, a voice called out my name.

It was Son Jecheon, the one I’d faced in that practice match. Red hair flying, he came barreling towards me.

“Hah! Hah! You got time now? It’s lunchtime, so of course you do, right? Let’s go another round!”

I don’t know how he could ask for a practice match with such an innocent expression. It wasn’t like he was asking me to go to a coin karaoke or something.

“What in the world is that? Since when did you start raising a monkey?”

Kang Taehoon grimaced as Son Jecheon suddenly appeared, wielding his staff.

I clicked my tongue, a gesture of utter weariness.

“I’m not some zookeeper, why would I raise a monkey? He just started following me around.”

Ever since that practice match, Son Jecheon made a habit of challenging me every time he saw me. Not that he truly wanted to throw down, but more of a light sparring session as a warm-up.

But even that felt like a hassle. I couldn’t be bothered to deal with it every time.

“Also, that monkey is the culprit who trashed the lab.”

“What!?”

At my words, Yoo Jiwoo flinched. He soon directed a hiss toward Son Jecheon.

“You’re the monkey who wrecked my lab!?”

“Me? What lab?”

Son Jecheon, on the other hand, widened his eyes as if hearing the news for the first time.

I confirmed the fact one more time.

“Didn’t you come to the lab looking for me a few days ago?”

“Ah! That day!”

Son Jecheon nodded his head a few times, as if remembering now.

But…

“But did *I* wreck the lab?”

“You were swinging your staff around indoors, weren’t you.”

“Oh. Uh. Was I? I don’t really remember! Hehet!”

‘Hehet’, my foot. It was as if he had no idea what he had done.

What kind of shameless b*stard was this?

“Once I get fixated on something, I don’t notice anything else!”

“Aish! You’re bragging about *that*?!”

Thwack! Thwack!

Yu Ji-woo, who’d been listening nearby, couldn’t hold back and kicked Son Je-cheon. For the record, Son Je-cheon didn’t even flinch.

“I suffered so much cleaning up the lab that day! And do you even know how much all of that was worth? Thank goodness there was insurance, or you’d be properly dead right now!”

“Haha! Sorry, sorry!”

“Eeeeeek! Are you messing with me? Is this something to laugh about? Is it?!”

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Yu Ji-woo kicked at Son Je-cheon with his short legs.

Like throwing eggs at a boulder. Kang Tae-hoon, seemingly feeling sorry for the spectacle, pulled Yu Ji-woo away.

“Hey, Shrimp. Knock it off. No matter how much you beat that monkey b*stard, it’s only your feet that’ll hurt.”

“Agh…! I’m so annoyed…! Everything’s annoying…! As annoying as mapo tofu and shrimp toast…!”

“This brat… subtly slipping in what he wants to eat, is he?”

“Agh…! Palbochae…! Eggplant in garlic sauce…! Chili shrimp…! If I don’t eat them today, I might die of frustration…!”

To think about adding to the menu in this situation. Yu Ji-woo wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

“Hey, Darkie. You take him.”

“Okay.”

Kang Tae-hoon tossed Yu Ji-woo to Rasheed. Rasheed draped Yu Ji-woo over his shoulder. They headed straight for the Chinese restaurant.

—You monkey! Just you wait ‘til I see you again! I’m just gonna kill you!

Yu Ji-woo shouted at Son Je-cheon until the very end.

Son Je-cheon tilted his head.

“I don’t really know what it is, but I think I made a pretty big mistake?”

“…”

“Anyway, I hope it works out!”

I’m starting to think this guy is the real psychopath. He had absolutely no sense of guilt. Someone you shouldn’t get close to.

“Um…”

Just then, Kim Han-bit, who hadn’t left yet, opened his mouth.

“Are you going to get lunch?”

With Son Je-cheon having appeared. It was asking whether to follow the others who’d already left, or Son Je-cheon here.

Was that even a question? Of course, the Chinese full course that awaited…

“Let’s just eat at the cafeteria!”

But Son Je-cheon blocked him. He dared to cover my chili shrimp with mere schoolwork.

“Ah, is that so? I’ll head out then.”

Kim Han-bit left my side without a backward glance. Abandoned me to my fate.

“…”

How come not a single one of them tried to stop me…?

Was our friendship only worth that much?

Where did all that fiery camaraderie from working together in a guild all summer go?

They’re truly heartless b*stards.

Sniffle, sniffle.

“Eh? Are you crying right now? Don’t tell me you’re happy about our evaluation match?”

“Would you just shut your trap already….”

With the desperation of grasping at a last straw, I watched their backs as they receded.

Maybe, just maybe, they would turn around. Maybe, just maybe, they would ask me again if I wanted to go with them.

“…”

But that didn’t happen. Not even once did they glance back.

Farewell, my shrimp toast.

Farewell, my seafood and scorched rice soup.