Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: Wojo
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When I came to my senses and stepped out of the room, the atmosphere was incredibly strange.
It had been somewhat noisy outside, but when I came out, it was unusually quiet.
It didn’t seem like it was because I had suddenly disappeared.
After all, when I opened the door, the attention of the people wasn’t on me but on the door.
Who had arrived?
No, perhaps they were watching an important person leave.
I wasn’t sure who it was, though.
Since Sara had taken over the body during the early part of the party, I didn’t know most of the people attending.
As I was scanning the situation, my eyes met Ha-neul’s, who was standing in the distance.
I flinched for a moment, but thankfully Ha-neul’s expression was different from when she confessed to me.
No, maybe I shouldn’t say it was fortunate.
Unlike the time when she looked like she was soaring through the sky, Ha-neul was now making an extremely serious face.
It wasn’t just Ha-neul, Soo-ah beside her had the same expression.
And so did Nam Da-un.
…
Ah, right.
I had invited Nam Da-un by personally handing him the invitation, but I hadn’t even greeted him yet.
It wasn’t intentional, but I had been so distracted by the current situation that I completely forgot.
… Did Sara greet him on my behalf?
I hoped she had.
Ha-neul’s gaze shifted toward me.
Soon after, Soo-ah’s gaze followed, and then Nam Da-un’s.
So-hee was nowhere to be seen.
Neither was Yang Hye-in.
Following the three of them, the gazes of others in the room also began to turn toward me.
These weren’t the usual glances trying to find a moment to strike up a conversation at a party.
They were serious, weighty stares.
Most of them weren’t students in red clothing but adults who seemed to be associated with the Eugene Group.
“Everyone, everyone.”
Someone clapped their hands a few times as they said that.
The loud clapping sound drew everyone’s attention to that person.
It was Ye In-hyuk… that is, Sara’s ‘uncle.’
“Since it’s been a few hours since the party started, shouldn’t we start wrapping things up?”
There wasn’t a direct response, but an atmosphere of agreement spread throughout the room.
To be honest, even if the party continued like this, the awkwardness probably wouldn’t completely disappear.
“Sara.”
“Yes?”
Suddenly, his gaze shifted toward me, and he called my name, which startled me into responding.
“The party’s host should be the one to bring it to a close.”
He extended his hand to me as he said that, so I glanced toward Ha-neul and Soo-ah.
Both of them gave me small nods, so I took a deep breath and walked toward Sara’s uncle.
All eyes were on me.
Honestly, it was a lot of pressure.
To be frank, how many people here even knew me?
Not just me, but even if Sara, who had lived her entire life here, were standing in my place, there would only be a few people who recognized her face.
They hadn’t shown any interest before, yet now that the Chairwoman was about to fall, they had all come running.
Of course, they must have had their own reasons.
As members of the family, they probably had things to uphold.
Maybe they were just following the instructions in the Eugene Group’s former chairman’s will or testament.
But still, there was no reason for me to go out of my way to understand each and every one of them.
Sara wouldn’t have either.
Though, completely destroying our relationships here wouldn’t be ideal either.
When I reached Sara’s uncle, I had positioned myself where most people could see me.
There were a lot of people present, but the lobby was just as spacious.
There was enough room between the guests, so even with Sara’s short stature, I could see them well enough.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday today.”
As I looked around the room, I carefully chose my words.
I didn’t want to ruin the relationships, but I needed to convey a certain warning and my thoughts.
And there was a fitting topic I could use.
“Actually, there are a lot of people here I’m seeing for the first time, so I didn’t expect this many—”
I paused briefly and glanced at the group dressed in red standing to one side.
Following my gaze, the attention of the people in the lobby also turned that way.
My side.
Among these people, this group would undoubtedly become my firmest allies.
I was looking in this direction.
It was natural not to trust the people I was meeting for the first time today.
Whether the audience understood my thoughts or not didn’t matter.
Even if not everyone grasped it, I just needed to select the ones who would become my allies—Sara’s allies.
“—I didn’t expect there would be so many.”
Some made eye contact with me, while others subtly averted their eyes.
They all knew what I was implying.
“I hope we can continue to maintain this good relationship in the future. Once again, thank you all for gathering here to celebrate my birthday. I hope you enjoy yourselves until you head home.”
After I said that and slightly bowed my head, there was a light round of applause.
Rather than a lack of clapping, it seemed like they were being cautious and clapping quietly.
I finished speaking and looked at ‘Uncle.’
He nodded and spoke.
“Everyone, as Sara said, I hope you continue to enjoy yourselves for the remaining time.”
Of course, this remaining time wouldn’t bring any significant benefit if it were extended.
I had no intention of making any further official moves.
As I shifted my gaze, Yang Hye-in came into view at the edge of my vision.
… I didn’t see her until I stepped out of the room.
Where had she been hiding?
I nodded at her when our eyes met.
She gave a small nod in return before walking toward me.
I didn’t bother waiting for her.
After all, I knew she would follow me for sure.
I glanced at Yoo Ha-neul and Soo-ah, who were standing in the distance, and they nodded back as well.
When I looked at Nam Da-un standing beside them, he just shrugged his shoulders and waved at me.
He must have been planning to go home right away.
I hoped he’d at least change back into his normal clothes before leaving.
I waved back at him lightly.
Then, without hesitation, I turned around and headed up to the second floor where my room was.
And thus, the chaotic birthday party finally came to an end.
*
“Could you gather any students who are still here after receiving my invitation?”
“Yes, I understand.”
When I returned to my room and said that, Yang Hye-in, who had been following me closely, politely bowed and answered.
Unless they were as bold as Nam Da-un, most of the students probably hadn’t left right away.
They were probably lingering around, awkwardly watching the situation.
It would be best to at least say a few words of appreciation for their efforts.
After all, it couldn’t have been an easy party for them to enjoy.
And—
I looked at Ha-neul and Soo-ah, who had followed me into the room.
When we made eye contact, both of their faces turned red.
However, their reactions were slightly different.
Ha-neul smiled brightly at me, while Soo-ah shyly avoided my gaze.
… And when So-hee, who wasn’t here yet, arrived, things would get even more complicated.
In less than a day, not even a full day, not even half a day… in less than an hour, I had been confessed to by three girls.
And it wasn’t just a confession—each of them had kissed me.
I hadn’t done anything!
Even though the party was over, the events were far from finished for me.
… We had planned to hold a proper birthday party with just us friends after this one ended.
… How could I possibly handle this situation?
I didn’t know.
I had never lived a life loved by so many girls before, so I truly didn’t know.
I had spent my life criticizing the male leads in harem romantic comedies, but now that I was in a similar situation, I had no idea what to do.
And it wasn’t just the three of them.
Even Sara, who was currently unconscious, wouldn’t sit still once she found out about all of this.
Whether awake or asleep, there was no escaping this situation.
So, I—
“Hold on. This isn’t over yet… Let’s talk properly once everything is finished.”
For now, I chose to delay solving this situation.
Yes, I still had an excuse.
The school kids hadn’t all left yet.
I had also asked Yang Hye-in to gather them all.
So… I still had time.
A little bit, anyway.
In the meantime, I’d have to come up with a good idea.
… Though I wasn’t sure if I could.
“Okay!”
Ha-neul answered me cheerfully.
“Got it.”
Soo-ah was just as obedient.
Would So-hee respond as kindly?
She probably would.
So-hee was still a ‘minor.’
Right?
… Thinking that gave me chills.
Why did I feel like prey all of a sudden?