Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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59.

* * *

The moment I entered the classroom, the students swarmed around me in a frenzy.
It was because of the sudden return of Cheonhaerang, the top student in the entire school and Class 4’s representative, who had supposedly emigrated abroad.
Those who had seen the two of us arriving together that morning spread the rumor like wildfire.

“Jiho, is it true? Did Cheonhaerang really come back to Korea because of you?”
“Wow, if that’s the case, that’s seriously amazing! It’s true love, true love.”

I hadn’t even answered yet, but the students squealed among themselves and reached their own conclusions.
I hesitated for a moment, uncertain how to respond, but then I nodded as if I’d made a decision.

“Yeah, that’s right. That’s why Cheonhaerang came back to Korea alone.”

Since we were now lovers, this much should be fine, right? The rumors would spread anyway even if I denied it.
I didn’t think there was any need to hide my relationship with Cheonhaerang.
Moreover, if rumors spread about us being this close, it would be even better for luring out the Heavenly Realm.
The class’s reaction to my answer, especially the girls’, was absolutely explosive.

“Insane, absolutely insane! Cheonhaerang is incredible! Such a devoted guy!”
“Wow, I’ve only seen this kind of thing in romance novels.”
“Jiho, you must have saved a nation in your past life.”

Though his personality was quite sharp, he was excellent at studying and sports, served as class representative, and was the top student in the entire school.
Above all, he was one of the few genuinely handsome faces in the school. So Cheonhaerang’s popularity had soared to the heavens, though it was largely unspoken.
He had been a unicorn from a fantasy world. Of course, his personality hadn’t matched that image until now, but things had changed. In front of me, he was the epitome of a devoted boyfriend.
And so Cheonhaerang had ascended to the status of a perfect male lead.
The students’ chatter about this dopamine-inducing story showed no signs of stopping.
Only after the morning self-study bell rang did the children quiet down a bit.
And when the homeroom teacher entered during self-study time instead of the usual assembly, the class quickly became solemn at his words.

“I’m afraid I have to share some very heavy and sad news with you all today. I hope you’ll calm yourselves and listen carefully to what I have to say. Last night, our classmate Imdonggu passed away suddenly in an accident.”
“…!”

I stared at Hand Ogeong standing in front of the podium with a shocked expression. A thought flashed through my mind—surely not.
Hand Ogeong’s words that followed didn’t reach my ears.

“…Then I’ll let you know again once the school arranges the funeral schedule.”

Hand Ogeong and Jiho’s eyes met briefly as they passed each other on their way out.
It was only a fleeting moment, but Jiho caught something in Hand Ogeong’s gaze.
It was the work of the Heavenly Realm.

* * *

The hallway was quiet as self-study time began. Yerim walked through it at a leisurely pace.
Her steps soon stopped in front of a classroom.
Yerim lifted her head to check the class number. 2nd Year Class 7. Yueul’s class.
She turned her gaze toward the window beyond. The students with their heads down were each occupied with their own tasks.
Some studied or read books, while others secretly watched videos on their phones and stifled their laughter.
It was an utterly ordinary sight for children that age.
But Yueul was nowhere in that scene. His seat was empty.
Yerim blinked in sudden confusion. That was the moment.
A sharp, metallic scent of blood wafted over. An unfamiliar voice pierced her ears.

“Are you looking for someone, teacher?”

At the same time, Yerim felt an eerie chill run through her.
The air had changed.
Thump. Thump. Her heart beat heavily. The atmosphere was completely different from Kim Seulgi.
As if displaying an overwhelming difference in power.
I was certain Gihyeongrang wouldn’t touch me so easily. The same went for Kim Seulgi.
Then what about Yueul?
Could I be certain he wouldn’t touch me?

“Teacher?”

Yerim struggled to shake off the tension pressing down on her body. She closed her eyes tightly, then opened them and turned around.
She could tell immediately.
Yueul.
He was completely different from the illusion Gihyeongrang had shown her yesterday.

“You know the fact that you and Gihyeongrang were once lovers.”

“He was the first among the Heavenly Realm to become Gihyeongrang’s limb. There’s no way I wouldn’t know.”

The Jade Emperor’s words flashed through her mind.
First meant the most similar. It also meant that much.

“Hello, Teacher.”

It was a greeting that didn’t fit this situation. Yueul was smiling at her.
Yerim forced the corners of her mouth upward.

“Right, hello. So you’re Yueul.”
“I was asking just in case, but it seems you do know me, Teacher?”
“And you know me too, don’t you, Yueul?”
“How could I not? The newly arrived Korean History teacher, Jeong Yerim.”
“That’s not what I mean.”

A subtle crack appeared in Yueul’s smiling face. As if he hadn’t expected her to come at him like this.

“Eul.”

Yerim’s voice calling out to Yueul dropped low.
She gazed directly into his pupils as she spoke.

“I want to meet your master. Where is he?”

* * *

2nd Year Class 4 was nothing short of chaotic all day long.
News that had dopamine flowing since morning, coupled with word of a friend’s sudden death—it was inevitable in a way.
The one silver lining for Jiho was that far fewer students approached her after Cheonhaerang arrived.
Thanks to that, Jiho was able to spend a quieter day than the morning.
But her heart was heavy. The first reason was the sudden death of a classmate she knew by face, and the second was because of Cheonhaerang.
When Cheonhaerang returned to class following Hand Ogeong’s guidance during morning assembly, the atmosphere around her seemed subdued.
It was different from when she had been angry when they parted.
She seemed kind to Jiho, yet something felt subtly different from usual.
Jiho wanted to talk with Cheonhaerang. But she didn’t want to have a deep conversation amid the busy school day.
Besides, during lunch—the one time they could talk at length—she disappeared somewhere. Because of that, Jiho had to walk the playground with Kim Seulgi again.
Kim Seulgi didn’t ask about Cheonhaerang. As if she wasn’t that interested.
Or perhaps she didn’t ask because she already knew about Cheonhaerang.
In any case, when Jiho returned to class after an awkward time with Kim Seulgi, Cheonhaerang was already there, sitting down.
Fearing that Cheonhaerang might run away, Jiho quickly grabbed her sleeve.

“Cheonhaerang.”

Cheonhaerang’s gaze turned toward me.
The moment our eyes met, something seemed ready to burst from within him, and he struggled to hold it back.
He smiled warmly as if nothing was amiss.

“Yeah, Jiho.”
“Can we talk about us?”
“Sure. What about?”
“Well, it’s like this….”

♩ ♪ ♬ ♪

‘…Damn it….’

I cursed under my breath without thinking.
I’d finally gathered the courage to bring this up first, and of all times, the bell had to ring. School life really wasn’t easy.
I barely swallowed the sigh threatening to burst out and released my grip on Cheonhaerang’s sleeve.

“…Never mind. Let’s talk after class.”
“Now I’m curious. What did you want to say? Don’t tell me you’re breaking up with me?”

There was a hint of playfulness in Cheonhaerang’s voice. At that, I felt a sudden surge of frustration.
It felt unfair that I seemed to be the only one anxiously fidgeting.

“Why would I break up with you! I’m not breaking up!”

Not breaking up, not breaking up—!
My voice echoed through the classroom. What followed was a piercing silence that made my ears ring.

“…Oh.”

Realizing what I’d just done, heat flooded my face. I didn’t even need to look in a mirror to know it was burning bright red.
Whistles pierced through the silence of the class. I could hear the teasing applause and cheers of the other students.

“Whew, how passionate! So passionate!”
“Lucky Cheonhaerang! I’m so jealous—!”

I wanted to hide in a mouse hole somewhere.
To make matters worse, the Jade Emperor, who taught mathematics fifth period, was walking in at that very moment.

“What’s this, Cheonhaerang? You told Jiho to break up with you? But she’s so devoted—why would you do that?”

There was no way to salvage this situation. What I chose to do was.

“Hey? Where are you going, Ryujiho! You can’t just skip class!”

I ran.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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