The World’s Strongest Daughter.

“Huh?”

Did I mishear him?

“I asked if you’re dating Kong Hye-sun.”

…With Hye-sun?

“…No?”

At that, Min So-yeon’s expression started to become even fiercer.

Why is she acting like this…

“…Then, do you like her?”

“…Me?”

I was slightly taken aback by her out-of-the-blue question.

Kong Hye-sun? Of course I like her.

Not Love, but Like.

Who wouldn’t like such a cute and kind girl?

She’s strong-willed, good-natured, and deeply considerate.

Not to mention her appearance; sometimes, when she smiles shyly, a satisfied smile unconsciously escapes my lips.

But Min So-yeon’s question probably doesn’t mean that.

“…I don’t have any romantic feelings though.”

At that moment, Min So-yeon’s fierce expression instantly changed subtly.

“You jerk.”

Wh-what, all of a sudden…?

Flustered by the sudden verbal abuse, she glared at me and continued speaking.

“…You act like that without even liking her?”

“…Wh-what did I….”

No, what did I do…

Then, Min So-yeon brought her face close.

“…Are you saying you really don’t know?”

So close that I could see her eyelashes.

Thinking she was too close, I slightly pulled my face back and answered.

“…What did I do wrong…?”

With Min So-yeon acting like this, it really felt like I had done something wrong.

After staring at me intensely, she soon let out a short sigh and slowly pulled back.

“…Not me, but girls like that easily misunderstand if you treat them just a little nicely. What are you going to do if she confesses?”

…Ah.

I let out a sigh at Min So-yeon’s words.

I’m aware that Kong Hye-sun has some level of interest in me.

If she was not interested at all, she would not give me her contact info or take care of me in various ways.

But I don’t feel any romantic attraction towards Kong Hye-sun.

No matter how charming she is, in my eyes, she’s just a 17-year-old kid.

Moreover, she’s the same age as So-yeon, so how could I have feelings for a child who’s like a daughter to me?

If Kong Hye-sun confesses to me…

Of course, I would reject her.

During school days, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than being rejected by the person you like.

…Of course, I didn’t give up and won my love…

Ultimately, I have no choice but to hurt that kind-hearted child.

School love lasts a lifetime.

Whether it’s fulfilled or not.

“… Don’t tell me you….”

Then, Min So-yeon spoke with a completely sunken expression.

“… You’re going to accept it…?”

Ugh…

Genes are truly terrifying.

Seeing young Ju Yeon-hee’s face overlapping with Min So-yeon’s coldly glaring face, my body reflexively shrank back.

“…N-no, I have no intention of accepting it… I’m not a bad guy who would accept it without even having feelings.”

After glaring at me briefly, Min So-yeon quietly withdrew her gaze and grabbed the gamepad again, leaving me with the words to do as I please.

“…When will the food be ready?”

“…Almost done. I’ll set it out soon.”

While preparing the meal after immediately returning to the kitchen…

Suddenly, I had a thought.

…Could it be that So-yeon is jealous?

“…No way….”

Even though I tried to dismiss it as impossible and finish preparing dinner, the question that arose couldn’t easily leave my mind.

…Is she really jealous?

Carefully considering it, there’s a high possibility.

From Min So-yeon’s perspective, I’m practically a guardian.

Diligently preparing meals, playing games together, training together, studying together…

What is this if not a guardian?

If I suddenly start dating, it’s only natural for our time together to decrease.

It was a situation where she could sufficiently feel jealous.

…I lacked consideration…

When I should have warmly embraced her deeply wounded heart, I only gave her unnecessary worries and made her tremble with anxiety.

Even her outburst of anger, if you think about it, was all a defense mechanism.

“…Haa….”

A heavy sigh escaped from my complex emotions.

Fortunately, I realized it now. It could have led to a huge mistake if I had completely failed to notice.

Could it be that I’ve become too complacent lately because we’ve gotten a bit closer?

Don’t lose your initial resolve…! Min Seong-jae!!!

As I was slapping my cheeks to come to my senses, a familiar voice came from behind.

“…What are you doing?”

“…N-nothing.”

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I quickly seated her at the dining table and prepared dinner.

After setting everything out and sitting at the table, Min So-yeon picked up her chopsticks as if she had been waiting.

“…Thank you for the food.”

“Eat a lot.”

I picked up my chopsticks and subtly gauged her reaction.

Today’s braised spicy chicken was made by me, and it tasted quite good.

But the main character of this table is Min So-yeon.

Of course, her taste comes first.

And so, after waiting with bated breath, she slightly bit into a chicken leg.

“…Is it edible?”

Pretending to pick up a side dish, I spoke to her in a small voice.

After chewing for a while, she glanced at me and spoke in a low voice.

“…Well, it’s not bad….”

Contrary to her words saying it’s just okay, her chopsticks were already heading towards the braised chicken.

Fortunately, it seems to suit her taste.

Phew…

Only then could I relax and eat properly.

After peacefully finishing the meal, we made a bet on who would do the dishes.

The game was the racing game we played before.

I used the best kart combination, while Min So-yeon used a random one.

The result…

“So-yeon. Is this right? Why doesn’t my booster work?”

“… Don’t know.”

As expected, I lost.

After finishing the dishes and today’s study session, it was already time to go home.

As I was putting on my shoes at the entrance with Min So-yeon’s indifferent send-off, I waited for the timing to bring up what I wanted to say while gauging her mood.

“…So-yeon.”

She made eye contact with me as if asking why I was doing this, leaning against the wall.

I casually brought up the words I had been holding in my heart.

“… I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but… you’re my top priority.”

“…Huh?”

Leaving her behind, looking confused by my sudden words, I threw out the rest of my words.

“So don’t worry too much. I’m going, see you tomorrow!”

And I left the house as if running away.

It was a bit embarrassing to say, but if she’s smart, she would have understood my words.

***

Min So-yeon’s POV

—-

Midori: This is driving me crazyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Chyo1ko: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ So freaking cute, ah reallyㅋㅋㅋㅋ

RareNick: So cuteㅋㅋ

Nalchang: Awwwㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

—-

“Ugh….”

Seeing the characters surrounding my character and crazily repeating crouching and standing, I started to regret it.

… Sh-shouldn’t have told them…

But with how I am now, I can’t properly understand Yoo Ji-hwan’s words.

Is it a confession, or does it mean he’ll confess later?

—-

RareNick: But is this really a confession? Am I the only one who feels iffy about it?

Nalchang: Definitely, if this isn’t a confession then what is it ㅋㅋㅋ

Midori: He brought up another girl and said, ‘You’re my priority’?? He just wants to get it on ㅋㅋ

Chyo1ko: Make sure to wear a condom. A thin one… Should unnie buy it for you?

Midori: Then she can’t get pregnant???

Nalchang: Crazy b*tch…

—-

After a round of sexual harassment passed, ‘RareNick’ started to express her opinion again.

—-

RareNick: Think about it. SwordEmperor lives almost like a couple, but he hasn’t touched her, right?

RareNick: Doesn’t that make you suspicious? If you act rashly now, you’ll only hurt SwordEmperor’s feelings.

Chyo1ko: Could it be that he… can’t?

Nalchang: No, pure-hearted guys don’t pounce from the beginning… The mood, ah! Set the mood, you dummy!!

Midori: Whether it’s a confession or not isn’t important right now… First come, first served. When there’s interest, you have to pounce and see.

—-

The chaotic chat window made my head spin.

‘RareNick’s’ opinion that it might not be a confession made me slightly anxious.

If Yoo Ji-hwan really didn’t confess, then what intention did he have for saying those words?

No matter how kind Yoo Ji-hwan is, there’s no reason for him to shop for groceries, prepare meals, and even tutor me every day.

If he doesn’t have feelings for me, then what does it mean?

As I was wracking my brain and worrying, ‘RareNick’ was getting thoroughly beaten up by the other friends.

—-

RareNick: F*ck, are you really going to take responsibility if it turns out to be nothing? Are you going to take responsibility for SwordEmperor’s heart?!!!

Chyo1ko: We’ll confirm on the bed whether it’s right or wrong, so what will you do if it’s not?

Midori: There’s a justification, so why are you hesitating?? Just go for it and he’ll fall for you on his ownㅇoㅇ

Nalchang: They say even a broken clock is right twice a day… Midori is right. Him saying those words was his mistake.

—-

Public opinion had already started to lean towards one side. Accordingly, my heart also gradually inclined towards ‘Yoo Ji-hwan likes me.’

Leaving behind the chaotic chat window, I sank deep into my chair and thought.

…Yoo Ji-hwan likes me…

Yoo Ji-hwan.

Likes.

Me.

“…Pfft….”

Laughter burst out unintentionally.

Yoo Ji-hwan likes whom?

Me….

…Min So-yeon…

The more I repeated it, the more the corners of my mouth lifted, and my heart started pounding.

Can the fact that someone likes me be this delightful?

Did I like Yoo Ji-hwan this much?

I just thought he was a little handsome, kind, good at cooking… a reliable guy…

“…Haa…”

I let out an excited sigh and slightly covered my face.

The thought that it might not be true, that it could be my misunderstanding, still lingered in a corner of my heart.

If I really misunderstood it on my own, I might die of embarrassment.

But thinking differently, isn’t it all his own doing?

… That’s right, it’s Yoo Ji-hwan’s fault.

He could have just confessed that he likes me, that he loves me, but he threw out such ambiguous words and left…

“Haa….”

As much as I’m struggling, is Yoo Ji-hwan also thinking about me?

I hope I’m not the only one thinking about it.