Chapter 18: Negotiation "The two of them have arrived. I'll send them in shortly."
At Katrina's words, Erin nodded and prepared herself mentally.
This wasn't a mere meeting; it was a negotiation.
Yeon-woo wanted Yukina's ties to the Geukryu Society erased, and Wygdrasil wanted to protect its honor.
It was a trade—an exchange of desires.
Since the fact that Yukina and a Wygdrasil teacher were members of the Geukryu Society was officially being treated as non-existent, they couldn't even discuss it directly.
Erin let out a small sigh, feeling the tediousness of having to feel out each other's intentions bit by bit.
Normally, Yeon-woo had performed a feat worthy of a government medal.
He had fearlessly taken down a criminal organization targeting the Source of Wygdrasil and handled the teacher the Geukryu Society had planted as a mole without causing a scene, thereby preserving the school's reputation.
Furthermore, Yukina was, regardless of the circumstances, a student of Wygdrasil.
When a student falls into danger, it is the teachers' duty to save them, yet he had done that as well.
Even if she belonged to the Geukryu Society, Yukina was, strictly speaking, a victim.
However, even as a victim, she had committed crimes under the society's orders and deserved appropriate punishment.
But because Yeon-woo, the primary contributor to this success, didn't want that, he intended to trade all the praise and rewards he was owed for her safety.
All just to save Yukina.
'Possesses a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty to his peers.'
The words from Derek's evaluation report flickered through Erin's mind.
At the time, she had thought it was a biased assessment... but perhaps Derek was right. It might even be true that he had made himself the target of criticism in place of Angelica.
No matter how she looked at it, Yeon-woo gained nothing from this.
The commission fee to hire Greyhound was astronomical, yet he had spent it without hesitation?
And he was giving up all the credit he earned just to save Yukina?
If it were only Yukina, she might have thought he simply had a crush on her, but remembering the case with Angelica, Erin found herself deep in thought.
'To use every Machiavellian scheme in the book while possessing such a kind heart. How contradictory...'
Having already formed a high opinion of Yeon-woo before the negotiation even began, Erin effectively surrendered her advantageous position.
"Hello~ It's been a while."
"Indeed. It's been a long time, Yeon-woo. And this is the first time I've met you, Miss Yukina, isn't it?"
"Yes..."
Unlike the nervous Yukina, Yeon-woo entered with the same casual attitude he'd shown the first day they met.
With a light gesture from Erin, the two sat across from her.
'Does he already know that Wygdrasil will accept most of his demands?'
Seeing Yeon-woo's relaxed aura, Erin gave a wry smile and took a sip of her coffee.
"I've heard the situational reports, but I'd like to hear what happened from Yeon-woo and Miss Yukina directly."
"Ah, that! Well, you see..."
Yeon-woo began to speak energetically, as if he had been waiting for this.
His face, full of excitement and smiles, made it look like a child excitedly telling an adult about an adventure.
His story went like this:
There were these bad guys called the Geukryu Society, and they tried to blackmail Yukina by taking her younger sister, Haruna, hostage.
Yukina wavered because her family was in danger, but she didn't give in to the threats because she couldn't betray Wygdrasil.
However, since her sister was the only family she had left, she couldn't give up on her either, and the Geukryu Society tried to kidnap her.
"Kidnap her? Why would they suddenly do that?"
"Who knows? How could I understand the mind of a criminal? Their way of thinking is different from ours, after all."
Yeon-woo brushed off Erin's question as if it were nothing.
Anyway, his adventure story continued. When Yukina's friend asked him to save her, Yeon-woo didn't hesitate to give chase.
"Luckily, the person who gives me private lessons is Master Frey. You know Frey Bratwurdin, right? From Greyhound..."
Was there anyone who didn't? Especially in Erin's position, she knew details about her and Greyhound that the general public didn't.
He claimed that with Frey's help, they were able to take care of the Geukryu Society and save Yukina.
This was the excuse Yeon-woo had prepared.
Since the facts had been loosely aligned to fit the narrative, Wygdrasil, which also had something to gain, had to play along.
"Oh my, that's incredible. Still, you must inform Wygdrasil if something dangerous happens. Protecting our students is our job, after all."
"Ah—yes... I'm sorry..."
'This actually works?'
Yeon-woo, unaware of the exact situation Wygdrasil was in, was slightly taken aback.
Yukina, who had scolded him before the meeting, asking, "Do you really think that'll work?" was also flustered by Erin's reaction and kept glancing around.
In truth, Yeon-woo had planned to keep insisting no matter what the other side said.
So, do you have proof that I'm lying?
He had burned everything except for the criminal records necessary to ensure that taking down the Geukryu Society wouldn't be a legal issue. No matter how much the government pried, there was nothing left to prove.
'Ah, so we're taking the easy way out?'
Yeon-woo nodded as if he understood.
"Yes, anyway, Yukina is just a poor girl who was blackmailed by the Geukryu Society."
"Indeed. There's no way someone from Wygdrasil would be involved with a criminal organization."
"That's exactly what I'm saying. There's no way. Hahahaha!"
"Hohoho."
Erin drove the point home one more time—that no teacher was involved either—but Yeon-woo didn't catch the subtext and just laughed.
As the two shared a lighthearted laugh, Yukina, unable to adapt to the atmosphere, just let her eyes dart back and forth. The meeting (negotiation) ended on a very friendly note.
"Miss Yukina, you may head to class first. Yeon-woo, I'm sorry, but there are a few more things I need to hear, so please stay and talk with me for a moment longer."
"Hey now~ No need to be sorry. I love being alone with you, Professor Erin."
"Fufu, you shouldn't tease me like that."
Yukina, unable to keep up with the vibe, gave a confused bow and left the principal's office first.
Yeon-woo watched Erin as she took a sip of coffee to moisten her throat, then handed over a manila envelope as if he had just remembered it.
"Ah, right. Could you check this for me?"
"What is this?"
The documents contained data on the mages the Geukryu Society had raised as tools, just like Yukina. Of course, Yukina's data was omitted.
"Those Geukryu Society bastards were really nasty. They did everything from body modification to biological experiments. The people listed there are victims—they're more like slaves than members. For now, they're being held by Greyhound."
"They committed such cruel acts without hesitation."
Erin frowned as she looked through the files.
The documents, which detailed their appearances and exactly what had been done to them, were graphic enough to make anyone with a weak stomach turn away.
"I was wondering if Wygdrasil or the government could take them in."
"...Considering the circumstances, their sentences might be reduced to some extent, but they will still have to be punished for the crimes they committed."
"That can't be helped. But those people didn't become like that because they wanted to. It would be nice if they could live normal lives under government protection after they serve their time."
People in a similar position to Yukina.
But Yeon-woo had only saved Yukina.
'Only Yukina?'
No. It wasn't just Yukina.
While saving Yukina from the Geukryu Society, he couldn't bring himself to abandon those in a similar plight.
Even though Greyhound was a mercenary company, it was a legal entity and couldn't hide criminals. This was the best he could do for them.
Erin quickly grasped the situation from the information provided.
In a moment where their intentions were slightly misaligned, Yeon-woo and Erin's thoughts finally synchronized.
"Let's do that. We owe you a lot, Yeon-woo, and this is something the government should have been doing anyway."
"Owe me? It just happened to turn out this way."
Yeon-woo was simply glad things were going according to plan, while Erin was moved by his warm heart.
But regardless of her emotions, she had to wrap up the negotiation.
"Professor Jacob has resigned due to personal reasons. For the time being, Professor Derek will serve as the temporary homeroom teacher."
"Jacob...? Ah, right. If it's personal reasons, it can't be helped. I didn't like him much anyway."
Yeon-woo, belatedly realizing his homeroom teacher's name, spoke as if it were no big deal.
Jacob had been handled by Greyhound, and his body had been turned to ash, making identification impossible.
Yeon-woo, who had eliminated everyone who knew Yukina was part of the Geukryu Society, feigned ignorance. Erin, feeling a bit self-conscious at his comment about not liking the man, hid her expression behind a smile.
'The way he subtly mentions it... he really did intend to use it as a bargaining chip.'
Erin marveled at his planning and maturity—he was kind, but he didn't act on kindness alone; he prepared everything.
Perhaps even his current behavior—subtly stealing glances at her chest—was part of the plan.
At his lustful gaze, Erin unconsciously shifted into a posture that emphasized her breasts and nodded.
"Since Miss Yukina was blackmailed, there won't be any problems. The same goes for Wygdrasil. Are you satisfied, Yeon-woo?"
'Since both Yukina and the teacher are now officially unrelated to the Geukryu Society, are you satisfied?'
"Yes, I'm satisfied."
'I want to touch those breasts.'
"Let's end this matter here. That would be best for everyone, wouldn't it?"
'Now that the negotiation is over, the truth about Yukina and the teacher is a secret.'
"Thank you for your consideration."
'I really want to touch those breasts.'
The negotiation ended with neither knowing the other's true thoughts.
Wow—those breasts are insane.
Propping them up from underneath with her arms is basically cheating. It seems like a habit she has when she's thinking, but she really shouldn't use a man-killing cheat like that.
Even after leaving the principal's office, the image was still burned into my mind.
"... ..."
"I'm leaving now~ Keep up the good work~"
I was reminiscing about the principal's chest when I fled from the secretary's cold glare.
She's so prickly, but she was so hot in the game when she was gasping while Akito hammered her from behind.
Thinking about the principal's breasts and the secretary's gasps made me feel jealous of Akito again.
Damn it, since he gets to sleep with them as part of the story progression, there's nothing I can do about it, which makes it even more regrettable.
As I walked down the hallway, lamenting over the "pie in the sky," I saw Yukina waiting for me.
"What? As soon as you start enjoying a normal life, you want to skip class? You really are a thug~"
"No. Let's talk for a second."
Yukina coldly turned around and headed for the rooftop.
Her "I know you'll follow me" attitude was pretty cool. At least she's wearing innocent panties today.
Following Yukina up the stairs, I saw the spot where she used to grab me by the collar every time.
"I'm not going to grab your collar."
When she saw me staring, Yukina spoke with a hint of annoyance, then hesitated for a moment.
Cute. Now that I can finally raise her affinity, I'm going to dote on her like crazy.
"... ..."
"...?"
"...Thank you."
Incredible.
The heroines really are on another level.
For such a cool girl to blush, fidget with her lips, and finally squeeze that out... who wouldn't be turned on by this?
As if saying "thank you" was the hardest thing in the world, she kept shifting her gaze and checking my reaction after saying it.
"I... I have nothing I can give you..."
"I didn't exactly do it expecting... Ah, sorry. Honestly, I did want something."
"What do you want?"
"You."
"... ...Me?"
"Yeah, you. You're cute."
Oh—this actually works.
Last time I called her cute, she looked at me like I was a bug, but this time her face turned bright red.
To think Akito's disgusting magic lines actually work... this really is an eroge world.
"Ah, th-that, I, I—"
"Now that you've got a normal life, you should date normally and stuff. It'd be great if you did it with me, too."
"Th-that... you shouldn't say things like that so recklessly—"
Did your character change?
Visibly flustered, Yukina stammered as if she were broken, overcome with embarrassment.
"And I..."
I know, you have to keep your virginity.
"S-sorry. Let's just act like this never happened!"
Yukina panicked and scurried away, leaving me behind.
I knew exactly what was weighing on her mind.
Exactly. If you can't even have sex, what kind of "normal life" is that?
... ...Sorry, gentlemen. That was a slip of the tongue. Please don't be angry.
Anyway, kissing and having sex is what makes a normal couple.
And I know exactly how to solve that problem.
Time to go look for it right away.
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