The final exams ended, and winter arrived.
The last sester of the 45th Disciplinary Head’s term was successfully concluded.
During the winter break, the Disciplinary Committee would elect a new 46th Disciplinary Head.
It was now December 31st, and the Disciplinary Committee mbers gathered for a year-end party to close out the year.
"Why is the Head in a relationship!? Huh!?"
Haye-song shouted, pointing at Woo-jin with a chicken drumstick bone.
"A couple, a couple! That’s against the school rules! But since it’s between you and Baek-seo, no one can say anything! Is this what it feels like when your family mber becos a criminal?"
"Wasn’t that rule abolished? It didn’t align with Neo Seoul’s ideology…."
"And the abolition was probably pushed through secretly by you, right, Head? Otherwise, how could it happen so conveniently!? Is this the authority of Neo Seoul’s strongest!? I’m so jealous… Huh? Where are you going, Baek-seo?"
In the middle of the gathering, Oh Baek-seo began packing her things and stood up.
Park Min-hyuk and Yoo Do-ha, having already heard from Baek-seo, were ready to let her go. But Haye-song, too busy complaining to Woo-jin, hadn’t noticed.
“I think she’s tired from finishing the last bit of work. Sorry, but I need to head ho and rest.”
"Baek-seo, you worked hard. It’s a sha to miss the year-end party, but we’ll see each other again soon! Take care!"
Haye-song cheerfully let her leave.
Woo-jin, on the other hand, looked surprised.
“Were you that tired? Sorry, I didn’t notice.”
“No worries. Enjoy yourself.”
Baek-seo placed a hand on Woo-jin’s shoulder and whispered sothing to him.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Waiting? What did she an by that?
“Uh… okay. Get so rest.”
Since Baek-seo and Woo-jin lived next door to each other, her comnt about heading ho first didn’t seem odd to him.
With a aningful smile, Baek-seo left the party.
"Head… do you think soone like could ever be in a relationship?"
Out of nowhere, Park Min-hyuk asked, looking glum.
It seed he was feeling lonely, given it was the end of the year.
“I expect the effect of the rule abolition will be significant. People will loosen up. Or you could try picking soone up here.”
“I-I’m not brave enough for that…!"
At that mont, Haye-song burst out laughing and pointed at Min-hyuk.
“Min-hyuk, picking soone up!? What did that poor girl do to deserve that!?”
“I’m going to kill you…”
Min-hyuk trembled in frustration.
anwhile, Do-ha quietly ate her chicken. Her silence didn’t go unnoticed by Haye-song.
“Do-ha, why so quiet? Sothing bothering you?”
“No, nothing. Just listening to the conversation.”
“Yeah, yeah, Do-ha. It’s about couples, right? Let’s stick together as singles!”
Haye-song draped her arm over Do-ha’s shoulder playfully. Do-ha cast a sidelong glance at Woo-jin, but he was too busy giving Min-hyuk advice to notice.
After so more ti, the group wrapped up the party, said their goodbyes, and parted ways.
"Take care! See you next year!"
"Bye."
"Be safe."
The night sky was pouring down white snow.
It was past midnight, January 1st.
They had beco adults.
Before heading ho, Woo-jin reached out to create a spatial rift but decided against it. Instead, he walked through the city.
He found the sight of the falling snow particularly pleasing.
‘I still don’t know…’
Even after the year-end party, Woo-jin’s internal conflict remained unresolved.
What exactly was this "moderately happy life" that he had always wanted?
His focus had always been on preventing the dystopian future, and beyond that, he hadn’t thought much.
While he had plenty of ti to reflect, the answers remained elusive.
“Head.”
“Yeah?”
“Why aren’t you using your spatial jump? You don’t need to walk.”
Do-ha, who was walking in the sa direction as Woo-jin toward the bus stop, asked curiously.
“The snow’s pretty. Besides, I’ll walk you to the stop.”
“I see.”
Do-ha, sowhat flustered, tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her neck. Her ponytail swayed lightly.
“That reminds , I used to sweat bullets trying to get you to your post back when you were a first-year.”
“…Really?”
“To be honest, yeah. That’s why we used to walk together so much.”
“I didn’t know it was so tough.”
“I was just trying to save face.”
“…Sorry.”
“I didn’t ntion it to get an apology. Actually, I don’t even think an apology is necessary.”
Do-ha glanced at Woo-jin, who was grinning playfully.
Having spent two years together, since the days when she was a new mber of the Disciplinary Committee, Woo-jin seed to have beco more open with her.
“…”
For a mont, Do-ha found herself staring at his smile.
They soon arrived at the bus stop.
The buses were still running.
They stood there side by side, waiting.
“Do-ha, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“As a Disciplinary Head, how was I?”
The city, blanketed in snow and silence, surrounded them.
Do-ha also turned her gaze to the falling snow.
“As a Disciplinary Head… I thought you were a good fit. I can’t think of anything else to say except that you were good.”
“Good? I didn’t expect such praise…”
Just then, the bus arrived, its lights cutting through the snow.
“Take care. It was fun.”
“Yeah, you too, Head.”
Do-ha said her goodbyes and got on the bus, but after taking a few steps, she paused. Without turning to face Woo-jin, she spoke softly.
“I didn’t just an as a Disciplinary Head.”
“Huh?”
“I ant… as a colleague too. Never mind, just take care.”
“Uh, okay…”
“See you around.”
Leaving those cryptic words behind, Do-ha finally boarded the bus.
The door closed with a soft hiss.
Woo-jin watched the bus drive away before turning to walk ho.
“Haa…”
Do-ha, resting her head against the bus window, let out a quiet sigh.
She was forcing down emotions she would never fully express.
Click.
Woo-jin unlocked his front door.
“Huh?”
As soon as he stepped inside, he was startled.
Baek-seo, dressed in casual clothes, greeted him at the entrance like a wife waiting for her husband.
“Welco ho.”
“You? Didn’t you say you were tired and went ho early? What are you doing here?”
“Because I’m your girl.”
Baek-seo smiled mischievously, resting her finger against her chin.
Lately, perhaps influenced by their relationship, she seed to have picked up a few cute gestures from sowhere.
‘Ugh…!’
Woo-jin’s heart took a heavy hit.
When a cute girlfriend shows affection, it lts a man’s heart.
“Y-yeah, right…”
“Actually, I wanted to see you before bed. I even prepared a late-night snack, just in case.”
Woo-jin entered the living room and noticed drinks and snacks laid out on the table, illuminated by a soft, glowing lamp.
Through the balcony window, he could see the falling snow.
The atmosphere was cozy and romantic.
‘So that’s what she ant by going ahead first.’
It seed Baek-seo had wanted to spend the New Year’s Eve together with her boyfriend.
Realizing this, Woo-jin lanted his obliviousness, having missed all the signs.
“Baek-seo, I just thought of sothing.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“I want to ask you a favor.”
“A favor?”
Woo-jin pulled out a card from his pocket. As soon as Baek-seo saw it, her eyes widened slightly.
[ Oh Baek-seo Coupon ]
It was a coupon he had received in the first sester. Its effect? She would clean his ears.
As surprise gave way to a soft smile, Baek-seo’s face lit up.
Later, Baek-seo sat on the sofa while Woo-jin lay down, resting his head in her lap.
Woo-jin exposed his ear to her, feeling a wave of bliss.
“Hey, Head, you know what?”
Baek-seo smiled gently.
“What?”
“This is my first ti cleaning soone else’s ears.”
“Really? Well, do your best, hoo—ack!”
As soon as the ear cleaner entered his ear, Woo-jin gasped.
She had gone too deep, triggering an intense sensation.
Startled, Baek-seo quickly withdrew the tool, a bead of sweat forming on her brow.
“Did I hurt you? Did I go too deep?”
“It’s okay… You’ll get the hang of it. First ti and all.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Thanks.”
‘I assud she’d be good at everything…’
Woo-jin had taken Baek-seo’s perfection for granted.
Even though she had already told him she wasn’t perfect.
What a foolish assumption.
Soon enough, though, Baek-seo’s touch beca more adept.
The sensation was pleasant enough that Woo-jin’s mouth involuntarily curled into a smile.
“Hey, why use the coupon today?”
Baek-seo’s soft voice tickled Woo-jin’s ear.
“No particular reason. It just ca to mind.”
In truth, it was because of the uncertainty that had settled in after the Academy War.
Woo-jin was trying to enjoy the things he cherished more deeply. It was part of why he’d stayed late with the Disciplinary Committee mbers, indulging in the party.
He hoped that by doing so, his worries would resolve themselves.
“I see…”
“?”
Baek-seo’s smile turned slightly cryptic.
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Very much.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Now for the other ear.”
Woo-jin moved to switch sides but stopped halfway.
Just as he was about to turn fully, Baek-seo gently placed a hand on his shoulder, urging him to stay still.
“Hold on.”
Her voice was soft, almost like she was soothing a child.
Baek-seo looked down at Woo-jin with a serene smile.
“Baek-seo…?”
“Stay put for a second. You just look so… lovable.”
The sincerity in her gaze wrapped around Woo-jin like a warm blanket.
He felt heat rising to his face.
“Uh, yeah… I should probably finish this later. I forgot to take a shower.”
‘I can’t handle this level of intimacy!’
Overwheld by embarrassnt, Woo-jin tried to sit up. But before he could, Baek-seo placed her hand on the back of his head.
“Huh?”
Thump.
She gently pushed him back onto the sofa, his head resting against the armrest.
Baek-seo leaned over him, her shadow casting a soft veil.
“Where are you going?”
Her voice, though still kind, carried a hint of authority.
For so reason, Woo-jin now saw Baek-seo as a predator closing in on her prey.
“We’re adults now, aren’t we? Shouldn’t you make better use of that coupon?”
“Wait, Baek—?”
Before Woo-jin could finish, Baek-seo silenced him with a kiss.
His eyes went wide before he quickly closed them.
Their lips parted and pressed together again as they deepened the kiss, lost in each other.
Baek-seo kept her hand on the back of Woo-jin’s head, ensuring he wouldn’t pull away, her kiss growing bolder.
For a while, the kiss lingered.
Then, Woo-jin pushed up, grabbing Baek-seo by the wrists and gently flipping her over onto the sofa.
Smooch.
The kiss ended with a faint, sticky sound as their lips parted.
Both of them stared at each other.
Baek-seo’s cheeks were flushed, her breath heavy, but her eyes sparkled with happiness.
Yet, tears welled up in her eyes.
Woo-jin’s heart skipped a beat.
“Baek-seo? Did I hurt you?”
“No, it’s because I’m happy…”
Her voice was soft, and she whispered through her tears.
Because, at one point, Baek-seo never thought this future was possible.
“I love you, Woo-jin.”
“…I love you, too.”
Baek-seo leaned in for another kiss, and Woo-jin t her halfway.
For a while, they continued their kiss.
At that mont.
A girl with pink hair landed quietly on Woo-jin’s balcony.
‘Didn’t Baek-seo leave the party early, saying she was tired?’
Recalling the report from a low-ranking goblin monitoring the Disciplinary Committee mbers, she steeled her resolve.
‘This is my chance! I’ve already made up my mind… I can do this…!’
Kim Dal-bi’s heart pounded so hard she thought it might explode, but she pushed forward, determination in her eyes.
She was dressed in a cute Santa costu.
According to her research, wearing sothing like this for her boyfriend would make him lose his mind with happiness.
‘Alright, here we go!’
She stepped forward, sliding the balcony door open.
She snuck in like a thief, careful not to make a sound.
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Uh…?”
What she saw left her breathless.
Woo-jin and Baek-seo stared at her in shock, just as she stared at them.
Dal-bi’s wide eyes filled with confusion.
The air beca heavy as she slowly realized.
‘Baek-seo… leaving early was a trap!’
Indeed, this was the battlefield of a harem.
The unprepared would be left behind.
But Dal-bi was also one of Woo-jin’s girlfriends.
She wouldn’t lose.
Huffing, Santa Dal-bi stepped forward, determination glinting in her eyes.
“Dal-bi? That outfit…”
Woo-jin, sitting up in surprise, tried to speak, but Dal-bi marched right up to him.
With her red-gloved hands, she cupped his face.
Smooch.
She kissed him.
Awkwardly, but boldly, her lips pressed against his.
Dal-bi’s heart raced so fast she thought she might faint, but she couldn’t falter now.
To survive this war, she had to be aggressive.
She had to be decisive.
And so, Dal-bi kissed Woo-jin with all her might, forgetting to breathe.
“……!”
A crack appeared in Baek-seo’s composure.
Her smile faltered, and though she tried to remain calm, the corner of her lips twitched with barely restrained fury.
“Dear, you know… it’s rude to interrupt.”
The rivalry had ignited.
Baek-seo pulled Woo-jin back into her embrace.
And as the night wore on, until the morning sun rose, Woo-jin found himself caught between the two won, utterly consud by their affections.
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