After ten minutes, Baek Seo-jun returned to the room.
"Did your conversation go well?"
As soon as Baek Seo-jun entered, Seomun Ye-jin rose from her seat and embraced him tightly.
"Yes, darling, it went well."
Her actions betrayed how much she disliked being apart from him, clinging to him without any intention of letting go. Smiling, Baek Seo-jun gently stroked her hair and back.
Holding Seomun Ye-jin in his arms, he turned his gaze toward the four women seated on the sofa, particularly Lee Ha-yeon and Moriya Yuka. He could tell they had been the primary participants in the discussion while he was gone.
"Seo-jun-nim, I believe Yuka and Yu-ra have something to say now."
"Yes, Baek Seo-jun-nim. May I call you ‘Master’ from now on?"
Moriya Yuka, smiling mischievously, opened with a bold declaration. The sting of being relegated to the “fifth” position had apparently motivated her to stake her claim early and forcefully.
"Master?"
Baek Seo-jun’s eyes narrowed as he studied Moriya Yuka.
"I understand the meaning behind your words, but you don’t need to call me that. Your family will be protected regardless."
"I know that. But... I feel like if I miss this opportunity, I’ll regret it later."
Moriya Yuka spoke confidently, her golden eyes fixed on him. She smiled brightly and added,
"When I think about it, this decision only has upsides for me. If I were to reject this, I might end up going back to the Moriya Clan, banging my head against the wall, and dying of regret. Then, I’d probably become infamous as the Moriya heir who committed suicide over heartbreak, wouldn’t I? Ahaha~"
Her playful tone didn’t obscure the sincerity of her words. Baek Seo-jun clearly understood her intentions.
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While she didn’t yet harbor a deep love for him, there was a budding affection. He knew it wouldn’t take long for that small seed of emotion to bloom into something much greater.
As for Kang Yu-ra... her feelings were already clear without needing further explanation.
‘It’s not just gratitude. Knowing my circumstances, feeling the weight of my power, and comparing me to Baek Seo-jin... all these factors likely play a role in opening their hearts.’
The human heart, though complex, could also be surprisingly simple.
Following Moriya Yuka’s declaration, Kang Yu-ra stood up and spoke.
"Then... may I call you ‘Husband’ instead?"
She had clearly prepared this line to make an impact, matching Moriya Yuka’s boldness. Despite her shyness, Kang Yu-ra stepped closer to Baek Seo-jun, her face flushed.
"I want to give you everything I can. This is something I want for myself. You can reject me if you wish... but I hope you don’t."
"Ack—!"
Moriya Yuka’s expression shifted to one of surprise and mild frustration as Kang Yu-ra closed her eyes and tilted her head up, her lips slightly parted. Watching her timid yet determined gesture, Baek Seo-jun chuckled softly.
"You’ve mustered a lot of courage."
Baek Seo-jun chose not to say more. Adding unnecessary words would only make Kang Yu-ra more embarrassed.
He decided to honor her courage.
‘Though my initial motivation might be revenge against Baek Seo-jin, I’ll be able to give her genuine love over time. For now, I’ll grant her every wish within my power.’
Baek Seo-jun admitted to himself that his feelings for Kang Yu-ra weren’t devoid of affection. There was genuine sympathy and warmth for her, born from understanding her pain and seeing her determination.
Her beauty undeniably played a role, but it was her depth and resolve that resonated most with him.
He gently embraced Kang Yu-ra, leaning in to press his lips softly against hers. Her body trembled in his arms, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation of her first kiss. Yet, she tried to respond, timidly moving her lips.
Seomun Ye-jin watched the scene with a complex expression. However, she didn’t appear angry.
The knowledge that she held the most special place in Baek Seo-jun’s heart gave her a sense of security and peace.
As their kiss deepened, Kang Yu-ra felt his hand slip under her skirt. Her school-like academy uniform made the situation appear almost scandalous—a handsome young academy director kissing a shy student while teasing her in such an intimate manner.
However, understanding that this was her first experience, Baek Seo-jun kept his touch gentle, only caressing her softly before withdrawing his hand. He ended the kiss tenderly, ensuring it wasn’t too overwhelming.
Even so, Kang Yu-ra’s face turned a vivid red.
"A-Ah..."
Too embarrassed to form coherent words, she quickly returned to the sofa, hiding her face in her hands. Moriya Yuka, on the other hand, wore a conflicted expression, feeling once again outmaneuvered.
"I didn’t think I’d be late to the punch again. Yu-ra’s decisiveness is truly admirable, but... it’s a bit unsettling in situations like this."
Despite her words, Moriya Yuka didn’t look at Kang Yu-ra with resentment or jealousy. Instead, she seemed to admire the courage it had taken for the reserved girl to act so boldly.
Turning her gaze back to Baek Seo-jun, Moriya Yuka spoke with renewed resolve.
"I’ll take a different approach to appeal to you. Our Master has four of the world’s most beautiful women already. With me included, you’ll have all of them."
"That’s how it turned out, huh?"
"Fufu, how does it feel? To be the man who has claimed all the world’s most beautiful women?"
"I feel like I’d enjoy it more if Baek Seo-jin were falling into hell right now."
Moriya Yuka blinked at his unexpected reply. Though it sounded like a joke, she could tell he meant it.
"Well then, I look forward to serving you, Master. As one of your women, I’ll dedicate myself entirely to you."
"Your tone just changed all of a sudden."
"Fufu, don’t you prefer this, Master?"
Baek Seo-jun shook his head.
"No need to overdo it. Just act like you normally would. While we all have our responsibilities, I’m not looking for servitude. That’s not my style."
Moriya Yuka’s golden eyes widened slightly, surprised by his response.
"I see."
This was unexpected. She realized that Baek Seo-jun didn’t enjoy servile behavior, nor did he find any appeal in submissive roles like that of a maid.
‘He’s surprisingly straightforward in some ways.’
What Baek Seo-jun sought wasn’t domination or control but genuine emotional connections and mutual affection.
‘In that sense, Yu-ra and I pass the test.’
So, how could she make him truly happy?
"Ah, in situations like this, I shouldn’t overthink. I should act on instinct. Master, let me mark this moment!"
Without waiting for an invitation, Moriya Yuka closed the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around Baek Seo-jun’s neck and boldly pressed her lips against his.
"Mm—! Haah!"
Though her kiss was clumsy, Baek Seo-jun found it amusing. Taking the lead, he deepened the kiss, showing Moriya Yuka exactly what it meant to be overwhelmed by skill and passion.
***
‘What the hell is going on in there?’
Outside, Baek Seo-jin stood frozen, unable to tear himself away as he waited for his friends to come out. The complete silence and lack of any perceivable energy emanating from within only made him grit his teeth in frustration.
Kim Ho-jun—what kind of sinister schemes could that man be concocting behind the impenetrable barrier surrounding this dean’s office?
‘To go this far to hide something... it definitely means there’s something shady going on.’
Perhaps the friends who had gone inside would uncover the truth.