The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 72

Cheon Yeoul’s mood had been soaring by the day.

The Apostle battle—the event she had feared and been most tense about—was over without issue.

Jeong Haein, who had been lying in a hospital bed, was now up and moving again, as healthy and confident as she remembered, as she had hoped.

The things that had troubled her were mostly resolved, and for the time being, peace would follow.

Whenever he was on the verge of something important, she never clung to him or got in his way.

That was a rule she’d set for herself.

But lately, with things being so continuously busy, her patience was starting to wear thin.

“Hee.”

At last, she could put down her responsibilities, and her entire body felt it—it was finally time to indulge a little.

While Jeong Haein was in the hospital, the women had all shown up one by one, as if they’d made an agreement, bringing rare elixirs.

All of them excellent for regeneration, recovery, and invigorating the body.

The problem was...

‘Would you look at that...’

All of them could also be used quite effectively... in other ways.

Cheon Yeoul instantly understood.

Given her knowledge of sacred techniques and healing, the effects of these combinations were as clear as day.

And on top of that, the situation began to unfold... just right.

Yu Hana had entered closed-door training.

Kang Arin, though in the same class, had started avoiding Jeong Haein at Gaon, citing her beliefs and how contact with him might stir up scandals with a corporate heir.

Ha Sion was in a different class altogether, and thus unlikely to interfere.

Most importantly, no one seemed to know exactly what ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) those elixirs were going to do.

Which meant?

There was only one person who could take full advantage of this situation.

‘An opportunity.’

If he noticed the overflowing energy inside his body after waking up, it would already be too late.

Of course, with his extraordinary abilities, he could probably regulate it quickly—but it would still take at least a day.

Cheon Yeoul had been given the opportunity of a lifetime.

A chance to pick the ripest fruit... first, and sweetest.

“Saint-nim~ Something good happen today?”

The bright smile of a cleric working for the Order greeted her, clearly reading her cheerful expression.

Cheon Yeoul raised the corner of her lips slightly.

“I’m going to eat something delicious today.”

“Oooh! Really?! Saint-nim, me too! Treat me too!”

An innocent response.

She could’ve just laughed it off, but instead, she shut it down with firm finality.

“Absolutely not.”

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With a soft smile still lingering on her lips, she stepped out lightly onto the road.

The path to school felt unusually refreshing today.

And so, while she quietly waited in the classroom beside his usual seat—by the window, in the corner...

—Creak.

The door opened, and he walked in—just as lovely as ever.

‘Come here!’

Her heart, full of anticipation, fluttered with excitement.

“...?”

But Jeong Haein suddenly changed direction.

He walked straight toward some sickly-looking chick with dyed yellow hair.

Cheon Yeoul’s expression froze. Her heart dropped instantly.

Her vision began to blur.

Watching him exchange friendly greetings...

She was in despair.

This was an emergency.

She was about to lose everything after setting the table.

Then, her eyes gradually shifted toward the front of the classroom.

Her gaze instinctively searched for someone.

Kang Arin.

At some point, she had also turned her head to look toward the back.

A look of near-shock. Lips slightly parted.

‘....’

Cheon Yeoul narrowed her eyes.

So she knew.

She wasn’t the only one who’d picked up on it.

She’d been wrong. There was no way they hadn’t noticed.

They had just pretended not to.

“Tch.”

She clicked her tongue quietly.

***

When is this going to end...

Just as the temptation of sleep began to overpower me—

“...Goodness, look at the time already.”

Instructor Do Hanseong, who had been dragging himself through the lecture half-dead, finally spoke up.

A faint sigh of relief rippled through the classroom.

“That’s it for today’s class.”

I wanted to applaud his decision.

At least in my head.

“I believe most of the first-years don’t have any activities scheduled for this afternoon...”

He paused, scanning the room once.

“But the students participating in the mentor-mentee program are an exception.”

Instructor Do gave a faint smile and gestured.

“If you’re part of the program, please gather in the auditorium by 5 p.m.”

I could already guess.

Exchange match.

It had to be related to that.

Though team compositions hadn’t been officially announced yet, those paired as mentors and mentees were guaranteed to be on the same team.

That part was already locked in.

They were probably calling us to finalize the rest of the team lineup.

The time was now 12:00. Still a bit of breathing room.

A weird time window.

Too soon to go straight to the auditorium, too short to go home and come back.

In times like this, getting food first was the cleanest option.

“...Snrk.”

“?”

A soft sound of breathing came from the seat beside me.

Perfect nap posture.

She was having a better midday nap than anyone.

I gave her a gentle shake.

“Wake up.”

“Mmh.”

She barely opened her eyes, then closed them again.

“Wake up.”

“Mmm...”

I shook her once more, softly, and she reluctantly sat up.

Eyes half-closed, hair a mess, lips slightly parted.

Still dazed.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the front.

“Well then, everyone, great job today. Let’s stay strong this week too.”

Instructor Do Hanseong wrapped up the class with his final greeting.

Students began rising from their seats, leaving in small groups.

Even then, Yoon Chaeha just sat there, still dazed.

It was so funny that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Looking at her, I muttered casually,

“Wanna do the mentor-mentee thing today?”

At my words, her eyes snapped open.

“Today?”

It finally looked like she’d fully come to her senses.

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Completely out of it just a moment ago, acting like she had no energy as usual—but the moment the topic shifted to something she liked, her eyes were suddenly wide open.

It was like watching a cat that usually lay limp like it had its power cord unplugged, suddenly spring to life the second you waved a toy in front of it.

“Alright, let’s eat first. What do you want?”

At my question, Yoon Chaeha thought for a long moment before replying.

“Anything.”

“Ramen?”

“That’s a bit...”

“Pork cutlet?”

“...That too...”

“....”

Anything, she said.

“Hey, just come on.”

I stood her up and naturally took her by the wrist.

“Ah...”

Half-dragging her, we headed toward the door—

—Clack.

A shadow blocked the doorway.

“Haein!”

A familiar voice. Bright tone.

I looked down and saw Ha Sion smiling brightly, waving at me.

“Can you come with me to Grandpa’s house today—”

Her gaze naturally slid to the side.

To where I was holding Yoon Chaeha’s wrist.

And to the way I was pulling her along.

Sion’s smile didn’t falter.

“Today might be hard. I’ve been called in for stuff related to the exchange match.”

“Oh... really?”

“Yeah, and all the others—my older brothers and sisters—they’re all at the Association today. No one’s home, seriously, not a single person.”

“Ah, I see. I really didn’t know.”

Her lips were still curved in a smile, but something about the atmosphere subtly shifted.

A brief silence.

“Oh, right—Haein, hang on.”

Her hand reached for the arm I’d used to hold Yoon Chaeha’s wrist.

And then she pulled me by that arm. I had no choice but to let go of Chaeha.

Sion focused on the small accessory dangling from my wrist.

The Vitality Bracelet. The one she had gifted me.

“...Yeah, looks fine.”

She tapped the bracelet with her finger and mumbled.

“What?”

“Well... mine got a little overcharged? Or maybe overloaded’s the better word. I heard it went into a sort of overcharged state. I was wondering if yours did too.”

...Mine is a bit overcharged, yeah.

Honestly, I’d felt a tingling sensation on my wrist since earlier, and her touching it now was a bit too much.

I’d better settle things soon.

I carefully slipped my arm free.

“Sion, we haven’t eaten yet. Want to join us? Chaeha, you okay with that?”

Chaeha nodded, like she didn’t care either way.

But Sion shook her head slightly.

“Nah, I’m not really hungry. You two go ahead and eat.”

“Alright.”

Leaving Sion behind, I headed to the campus cafeteria with Yoon Chaeha.

While walking down the hallway, she suddenly asked me,

“...What’s your relationship?”

“Who? Sion?”

“If the girl we ran into at the door just now is Sion, then yeah.”

“We’ve been close since childhood.”

“...That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

She thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Mmh... yeah, I can feel that.”

As we chatted like that, we soon arrived in front of the cafeteria.

After lining up, we reached the kiosk, and the menu screen popped up.

To be honest, I already knew what Yoon Chaeha liked the most.

She just didn’t know it herself yet.

Without much hesitation, I tapped one of the options on the screen.

“Grilled mackerel? That’s gonna smell fishy.”

She scrunched her nose and made a face. It was her turn to order next—

—Beep.

But I casually added cheese pork cutlet to the order, bringing the total to two dishes.

“...? What are you—”

“You’re eating cheese pork cutlet. Cheese pork cutlet.”

“How do you know what I want to eat...”

“Just eat what I buy you.”

She started muttering grumpily behind me.

Her puffed-up cheeks made it clear she was flustered.

I chuckled softly and went to pick up the food.

The cafeteria was already packed for lunch hour.

After moving to a decent spot, I set the two trays down in front of us.

Yoon Chaeha kept grumbling as she stared at the pork cutlet.

“What even is this...”

“Eat up. Your mentor’s treating you.”

“...Well... thanks. I’ll eat it.”

She sighed and gave me a sideways glance as I picked up my chopsticks and gently broke off a piece of mackerel.

Then I popped it right into her mouth while she was still mumbling.

“...Mm?!”

Her eyes darted around in shock.

As the texture spread in her mouth—something she’d never tasted before—she froze.

According to her character settings, she absolutely hated the smell of fish. Couldn’t stand it.

And yet...

After a few seconds of silence, she slowly started to chew.

The soft, perfectly cooked mackerel melted on her tongue. Her gaze subtly shifted.

A gentle, umami-rich flavor filled her mouth. Smooth texture. No fishy smell whatsoever.

She slightly parted her lips... then closed them again.

And in a voice so small it was barely audible, she said,

“...It’s not fishy.”

I knew it.

She couldn’t help but love fish.

She just... had never tried it in her life.

And if not for me, she probably never would have.

She picked up her fork and slowly reached for her pork cutlet.

Her movements were slow, almost hesitant.

Then, without saying anything, I gently slid my tray in front of her.

“Wanna trade?”

“...?”

“Eat this instead.”

“...Okay.”

She hesitated for a moment, then very naturally took my tray.

“Thanks.”

And just like that, we traded plates.

She didn’t say anything else, but her chopsticks started moving faster and faster.

I quietly began cutting up the cheese pork cutlet.

A tongue born to love fish... with a character setting that hated the smell of it.

Who came up with that?

Whoever it was, it was cruel.

Living a life without knowing this taste—it was like missing out on more than half of what life had to offer.

Just then—

—Poke, poke.

“Um...”

“Yeah?”

“...How do you eat this?”

She had flipped the entire fish over with her chopsticks.

She wanted to eat more, but didn’t know how to pick out the bones.

“...Heh.”

I let out a short laugh and pulled out a clean pair of chopsticks, then began deboning her fish for her.