Academy Heroine’s Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 385

There are countless heroes in the world.

So, among these many heroes, who is the most widely known to the people?

In the past, this question might have sparked differing opinions.

However, now, everyone would immediately think of one person’s name when asked.

The name of the great hero, Yoon Si-woo, who played the biggest role in saving the world alongside the Saint of Salvation, Scarlett Evande, by defeating the Witch of Sloth, Gluttony, and Greed.

If you live in this era, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t know Yoon Si-woo’s name.

Because of this, most people commonly think like this:

Surely, a great hero like Yoon Si-woo must be busy doing something for the world today, somewhere, right?

Unfortunately for those who hold illusions about him, that thought was a huge misconception.

Originally, the most significant task for Asterape, the unit to which heroes like Yoon Si-woo belong, was to protect the city from external threats.

But perhaps due to the fact that witches had all disappeared from the world,

The frequency of the monstrous beasts that used to appear and rampage has dramatically decreased as time passed, and now, the city’s defense can be easily handled by only a few personnel.

Some even say that a peaceful era has arrived that is unprecedented since the appearance of witches in the world.

In this peaceful world, the danger that requires someone like Yoon Si-woo, an asymmetrical powerhouse, to take action is so rare that it is almost only in the case of occasionally exploring uncharted territories.

In other words, Yoon Si-woo is essentially so free that there is nothing for him to do, aside from paperwork he doesn’t even need to handle.

It means that, like these days, he doesn’t have much work and can leave home early in the morning and return late at night.

So why does Yoon Si-woo go out, even telling lies to his housemate that he is busy with work?

There are many reasons, but if we were to explain, it’s probably because of a recently discovered illegal video.

“...Are you going out again today? If you don’t go... is that not okay?”

“…Hah.”

As Yoon Si-woo recalled Scarlett, who had grabbed his clothes and asked him in a pitiful tone before he left, he let out the breath he had been holding in.

His chest was pounding so quickly that it could be felt without even touching it. His breath was hot and heavy.

The emotions he had been holding back seemed to leak out with his breath.

“…I’m losing it, seriously.”

Scarlett, who had moved in with him under the pretext of protection.

It was supposed to be exciting to live with someone he had harbored affection for.

However, now every time he saw Scarlett at home, he felt like he might lose his mind, and it was maddening.

It was all because of that damn video.

“…Of all things, why did they make something like that?”

A few days ago, when he was called by Sylvia and taken to a place, he saw that video.

The video, which had been detected in Astra’s city-wide information network and began being sold shortly after, made Yoon Si-woo feel his anger rise to the top of his head as soon as he saw it.

No less than a video featuring someone who reminded him of someone he liked. The adult video had especially intense content.

Naturally, that fury was immediately directed at the individuals who produced and sold the video.

Despite the culprits attempting to escape as soon as they were caught, they were all captured within a day because they had enraged the city’s top power.

Though the case was resolved, a new issue arose.

He learned that countless men were now looking at Scarlett in a sexual way.

That was the problem.

“……”

Of course, he had known that Scarlett was an attractive woman who could be desired by other men. He had prepared himself for the possibility that there might be rivals who liked her.

But since he saw that video and learned that people were looking at Scarlett sexually, he began to think,

If other men were seeing her simply as a sexual object?

If they were just thinking of filming her in the same way as in the video, forcing her down and making her gasp in pleasure?

This feeling of crisis began to shake Yoon Si-woo’s heart violently.

Self-control? How could he maintain that?

Even when he didn’t want to, when he saw Scarlett, he couldn’t help but think of the video with the red-haired woman being taken by other men.

Every time that thought crossed his mind, the jealousy, the possessiveness, the feelings he had buried deep inside started to ooze out, making him have more and more bad thoughts.

If Lucy had been around, she would have said something like, “Unlike me, who truly wishes for your happiness, all the other men are beasts who only want to devour you. So, I would rather….”

“…How could I stay at home?”

That’s why Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but leave home.

If he stayed at home with Scarlett, he might truly give in to his desires.

He might end up doing something to her without even realizing it.

So, Yoon Si-woo thought, hoping Scarlett would refrain from asking things like, “Can’t you come back soon?” with a lonely face or hold on to his clothes asking him not to leave.

He was already holding back with all his might, and if she kept provoking him like that, he might really lose control.

“…Hah.”

Well, for now, all he could do was endure.

Despite everything, he was still just friends with her.

…If someday he were to actually get to the “good stuff” with Scarlett…

He needed to follow the proper order, right?

…At least, starting with a confession.

“…Hah.”

As Yoon Si-woo thought about the word “confession,” he sighed, feeling at a loss.

Even though people praised him as a great hero, he had never actually had a romantic relationship in his life. So, confessing was really difficult for him.

When and where should a confession be made, and in what kind of atmosphere?

Lost in these thoughts, Yoon Si-woo was wracking his brain at his office, but eventually decided he couldn’t figure it out on his own. He left the office and made his way to a different location.

The place Yoon Si-woo arrived at was Dwiy’s workshop, where they became friends after a conversation during a large magic circle construction project.

“…Dwiy, it’s me.”

As Yoon Si-woo knocked on the door to the workshop he had been visiting more frequently lately, Dwiy’s voice came out through the speaker with a tone of disbelief.

-…You again, Yoon Si-woo. I told you, this is where I work, not your hideout.

It was true that Yoon Si-woo had been using the workshop as a hideout to spend time before going home, so he awkwardly spoke up with an excuse.

“…No, it’s not like that. I came to ask about the magic tool for Scarlett. I just wanted to know how much longer it will take.”

-…Really? Well, that magic tool should be almost done. I’ll open it for you, come in and pick it up. But today, don’t hang around here until I leave like yesterday. Just get it and go straight back.

“Alright, I will.”

As Yoon Si-woo responded, the door opened, and once inside, Dwiy got up from the desk, covered in various tools and magical items, and handed him a bracelet inscribed with numerous magic circles.

“Here, the item you requested. I’ve added disguise magic and as much defense magic as I could. You and Sylvia, really putting so much effort into Scarlett. I never thought I’d be working on such a valuable piece of equipment.”

“Well, we can’t let Scarlett get hurt. But, it’s reliable, right?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. It’s made sturdy enough to withstand even a full-power attack from you. No ordinary person would even be able to scratch it.”

Not one for empty words, Dwiy’s assurance made Yoon Si-woo satisfied as he put the item into his pocket.

Then, naturally, he sat down on the nearby couch.

Seeing this, Dwiy said, somewhat dumbfounded.

“…Yoon Si-woo, what are you doing? Didn’t I tell you earlier? Pick up the item and leave right away.”

“…Hold on, Dwiy. Actually, I came here for something else, something very important. I need your advice on something. It’s something only you can help me with.”

“…What’s going on?”

Since it was unusual for Yoon Si-woo to ask for advice, Dwiy immediately shifted to a serious tone. He assumed that if Yoon Si-woo needed advice, it must be a significant matter, like the reappearance of a witch.

And so, as Dwiy listened attentively, Yoon Si-woo asked with an unusually serious expression.

“…How should I confess to someone?”

“…I’ve been a fool for being serious just now. Get out.”

“Ah, why...! I’m really serious!”

After a brief tussle, where Dwiy tried to use magic to throw Yoon Si-woo out along with the couch, Yoon Si-woo, somehow not being kicked out of the workshop, bowed his head and asked once more.

“Please, I beg you…! Please give me some advice!”

Yoon Si-woo looked so desperate that Dwiy, seeing this, sighed deeply.

“Hah… Alright, I get it. But there’s one problem.”

“Problem…?”

“Unfortunately… I’ve never confessed to anyone, so I’m not suitable to give you advice.”

“…But you’re married.”

“I was the one who was confessed to, not the one who did the confessing.”

“……”

What a lucky guy, Yoon Si-woo thought.

And the despair that followed.

If Dwiy couldn’t help, then who could?

Just as Yoon Si-woo became gloomy, Dwiy spoke up.

“Well then, let me introduce you to someone who can help.”

Dwiy said this and took out his phone to call someone.

After a brief wait, a lively voice echoed through the line.

[Ah! Darling! What’s up at this hour? Are you contacting me because you wanted to hear my voice while you’re working?]

Darling…?

Yoon Si-woo was briefly shocked to hear someone use such a nickname in real life.

But thanks to that nickname, he quickly realized who Dwiy had called and for what reason.

Of course, the person who could give advice on how to confess would be the one who had done the confessing, not the one who had been confessed to.

“…So, I wasn’t calling you for that, calm down, Flone. Anyway, there’s something I need your help with.”

The person Dwiy was calling was none other than Flone Dolos, the girl who had been in the same class as him at the Academy, and now his wife.

After hearing that Dwiy needed her help, Flone responded energetically, even through the phone.

[Help? Of course! Whatever it is, tell me! What’s going on?]

“There’s someone who needs advice. Yoon Si-woo, is that alright?”

At Dwiy’s question, Yoon Si-woo hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Well, it didn’t really matter who was giving the advice, as long as he could get help.

[Ah, Yoon Si-woo! It’s been a while since we talked! So, you want advice from me? What’s the issue?]

“…Well, it’s actually—”

With a “nothing to lose” mindset, Yoon Si-woo honestly confessed his concerns to Flone over the phone.

[Ahhh! So lovey-dovey! Okay, okay! I understand! You’re struggling with how to confess to Scarlett, right?]

After spilling his worries, Flone’s voice became wildly excited, and Yoon Si-woo, feeling a bit embarrassed, asked.

“…Yeah, Flone, you confessed to Dwiy, right?”

[Yep! I confessed to Dwiy because I liked him so much! And he accepted it, and then we fell in love!]

“…Have you ever thought about wanting to be confessed to, instead?”

[Of course! I think all girls want the guy to confess first! It’s like a romantic fantasy!]

Yoon Si-woo glanced at Dwiy as Flone spoke.

Dwiy quickly averted his gaze, as if unable to answer.

Seeing that, Yoon Si-woo shook his head, deciding that Dwiy wasn’t the right person to get advice from, and continued asking Flone.

“Well then, for example, how did you want to be confessed to?”

Wondering what kind of confession women usually like, Yoon Si-woo asked.

Flone screamed and replied with her usual overly enthusiastic voice.

[When I was a kid, I dreamed of my prince charming on a white horse coming with a huge bouquet of flowers to confess! He’d whisper in my ear, “Flone, I love you!” Aaaah!]

Upon hearing that completely fairytale-like answer, Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but feel a bitter smile on his face.

He instantly realized this wasn’t the best advice he could get.

[But if Dwiy had confessed to me, I would’ve been happy no matter how he did it.]

But as Yoon Si-woo was thinking this, Flone’s voice reached his ears.

[No matter how he said it, there’s nothing happier than hearing the person you like say they love you.]

And with those words, Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but exclaim, "Ah."

It was a truth so simple yet so close to the answer.

In the end, what mattered most in a confession wasn’t the formality, but the feelings between them.

With that thought, Yoon Si-woo felt relieved.

Flone, with a smile in her voice, continued.

[So Yoon Si-woo! Don’t worry too much about how to confess to Scarlett! If Scarlett likes you too, she’ll surely accept whatever way you confess! My advice is: stop worrying about it and confess as soon as possible! Time spent with someone you love is precious! You should experience this happiness soon, too!]

At Flone’s words, Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but ask.

“…Is it really that happy?”

[Yes! It’s the best!]

Without needing the Truth Sword to confirm, Flone’s voice was so full of joy that Yoon Si-woo could tell she was speaking from the heart.

And that gave him the courage to finally want to confess too.

He wanted to be happy like her.

And he hoped Scarlett would feel the same way and be happy too.

And as he thought about it, Yoon Si-woo found himself feeling even more envious of his friend who was already enjoying that happiness.

So, he casually threw a jab at Dwiy, saying,

“Hey, don’t you think you should confess to your wife too, after hearing that?”

[Ah! Flone thinks so too! Right? Darling, confess you love me, even if it's over the phone!]

“Confess! Confess!”

Yoon Si-woo, with the determination to see his friend's embarrassing moment, clapped his hands and yelled out.

Dwiy, whose ears were turning red from embarrassment, snatched the phone from Yoon Si-woo and muttered.

“…I’ll confess when we get home, so wait for me.”

[Ahhh!!!]

A shriek full of anticipation rang through the phone, and at the same time, Yoon Si-woo was thrown out of the workshop along with the couch by Dwiy’s magic.

“…Damn it, I’m really going to confess now.”

Yoon Si-woo groaned as he crawled out from under the couch. He mumbled to himself, shivering in envy.