Your Girlfriend Was Amazing

Omen

"Gladire is today, right?"

"Yes, that's right, miss."

"Stop calling me that, I'm not Melanie. I don't particularly enjoy hearing that." Yoomin tossed out those words before casually stretching and inspecting her outfit.

She rocked a pair of stylish yet comfy blue jeans, a white off-shoulder crop top tailored for the weather, and even accessorized with a matching white headband. She was the epitome of the stereotypical girlfriend gearing up to cheer on her boyfriend's match.

After a final once-over in the full-length mirror, she double-checked the Gladire event's timing. Despite having ample time before kick-off, she hesitated to hit the road early to see Baek Taeyang.

It might draw some unwanted stares. With the influx of women around him, sticking out isn't exactly a plus at the moment. Instead, it's better to wait for them to make mistakes and then find a way to exploit their weaknesses. Even if I'm more like a cheetah.

Yoomin happily came to that conclusion before hopping into the car.

"Shall we leave now?"

"Alright."

After the preliminary round, I'll dash over with the prepared lunchbox, water bottle, and a warm hug! Taeyang will be completely smitten!

"It's time to go, young lady."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Yoomin happily imagined the scene as she swung her feet.

***

At the same time, at Melanie's house.

"Don't guys, um… like homemade lunchboxes?"

"They do, but no matter how I think about it, this is a bit…"

"I learned that it's good manners to enjoy food no matter how bad it is…"

"Sure, but… how did you manage to burn the pork cutlet to the point where it's black inside, miss…"

Melanie's early morning attempt to make a cheering lunchbox for Baek Taeyang ended in disaster. The rice turned out soggy from poor water measurement, the pork cutlet was burnt to a crisp inside, and the lemonade was basically bland water thanks to her off proportions. No matter how much love was put into it, there's only so much a human can stomach.

The butler couldn't bring himself to say anything sweet after witnessing the culinary catastrophe.

"I… I was swamped with company work! I didn't have time to learn how to cook!"

"Then why not order the chef…"

"I wanted to make it myself."

"Then order the chef and take credit…"

"No, I just wanted to make it myself…"

"Hmm, how about trying to make it again, miss? If I help a little, it won't take long."

"If you insist… I'll do it…"

With clenched fists, the butler escorted Melanie to the kitchen.

Our young miss will become a true lady.

Phram Phobos, 56, a man who knew more about Baek Taeyang's popularity than anyone else. Today, he was putting in more effort than anyone to secure Melanie's spot.

***

Lastly, right in front of Gladire Arena.

A woman dressed in a sky-blue dress reminiscent of a spring maiden and a chick-like yellow cardigan. Soojin triple-checked the array of items she had prepped for Baek Taeyang.

"This… in case Taeyang feels feverish, better to have it on standby… and this…"

The lunchbox was a given, along with her specially selected tactical underwear and outfits for any unexpected situations. When it came to supporting, she was sure she would outdo everyone.

So what if Taeyang was featured in articles with various women and developed something? When all's said and done, I'm the one who'll be by his side.

The hickey… I overlooked it then, but I need to know for sure… Who dared to leave such a strong hickey on what's mine?

With determination, Soojin walked into Gladire Arena.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

[We'll take a short break now that the preliminaries are mostly over. Participants, please feel free to relax!]

Straight to the point.

I expected some side story to unfold, but there was none of that. Just battles. Relentless, grueling battles that pushed everyone to their limits.

When the ground moved and touched the ground the opponent was standing on, a field would instantly form, and the fight would commence there. This cycle repeated until the announcement came, meaning we had been fighting continuously for three or four hours.

Most hunters wouldn't be able to endure this.

First, there was the indiscriminate combat during the selection process. Then, the unlimited consecutive battles in the preliminaries. Even with enhanced bodies, these two ordeals were enough to push most hunters to their limits. There were only a handful left who weren't gasping for air.

Just Kim Minsoo, me, and a few of those Noble guys I saw earlier.

I remembered the faces of the top contenders that Jang Duchul had shown me briefly before. I only caught a glimpse, but I could remember their faces clearly.

They're exactly the ones who didn't flinch at the mention of the selection process and top contenders. This can't be a coincidence. Seems like, except for Kim Minsoo and me, the rest of the top contenders are all from Noble.

It was a situation where everyone except me could be considered an enemy. Yet, I didn't feel any pressure. I hadn't used my Demonization or even wielded the Club of Greed yet. I was advised to hide at least 30% of my abilities to keep a trump card, and I was still hiding close to 70%.

I stood up with confidence, knowing I could handle whatever came my way. With so many Noble members around, it was impossible to relax here. It would have been nice to have at least one trustworthy ally nearby.

I looked around, hoping to approach Minsoo, but he was nowhere to be seen. He didn't just vanish into thin air, and there's no way he'd be eliminated here.

So why isn't he visible?

Since the rules allowed free movement during the break, I decided to move and look for him. Sitting still or moving around, my back would be exposed either way.

Isn't it getting darker?

It might have been my imagination the surrounding seemed darker than when the selection process began. Being an artificial gate, they could control things like weather at will. I wondered if it was intentional.

[Attention, please! Due to the large number of participants with minor injuries, you may exit the gate to rest before the main event.]

Why the sudden change of tune? Earlier, they said we could just rest inside the gate.

But there was no downside to leaving. In fact, staying inside with the Noble members was more dangerous.

Kim Minsoo will be safe anywhere, so that's not a concern.

Whether Minsoo was still mingling with the Noble or not, he was the protagonist, so I wasn't sweating over any major mishaps. It sure was convenient having Minsoo as the main character during times like these.

[Participants are now coming out of the gate after just finishing the preliminaries!]

[Wow, talk about a spectacle. The relentless brawls and clashes went on for what felt like ages! I couldn't tear my eyes away.]

[Especially that Hunter Baek Taeyang's combat skills. The way he utilized his weapon case was downright impressive.]

[Can you believe he hasn't even properly unleashed his weapon yet… And he's barely tapped into his full potential?]

[This hunter shows real promise. And he hasn't even graduated from the Academy yet!]

The congratulatory messages for clearing the preliminaries and the banter between the commentators and casters filled the arena. Getting showered with praise like that made me cringe a bit, even though I'm usually shameless. It's not every day strangers shower me with direct compliments like that.

So where should I kick back…

I was trying to find a place to rest, but nothing seemed quite right. From the moment I realized the Noble members were targeting me, I couldn't relax.

Where's Minsoo disappeared to? Couldn't see his nose from here.

"No, why on earth would I come here to cheer you on? Even if you're delusional, have a shred of decency!"

"It's just me here… There's no one else—"

"Baek Taeyang's here!"

"Huh…?"

A familiar voice and a tone that swallowed the words whole.

Wait, Minsoo were out here before me? Just how much information does he know? Looks like he's already outside the gate before the announcement came. Otherwise, he couldn't have spewed out that nonsense so quickly.

"Hey, Minsoo, are you still hung up on Melanie?"

"Taeyang!"

"Baek Taeyang? You're out already?"

"Yeah, move aside for now." After putting my hand on Minsoo's shoulder and pushing him back with force, I turned to look at Melanie and spoke, "You're here to cheer me on? Don't all first-year students have classes?"

"Uh, um… I just came to make sure you don't tarnish Victory Academy's honor."

"Oh, really…? You're dressed quite nicely for that."

As we exchanged small talk, Melanie and I strolled leisurely. If things went this way, I could rest peacefully and also restrict Minsoo's actions.

Perfect. It was truly the ideal scenario… until a few moments later when I heard two voices back-to-back.

"I'm here for you, Taeyang. Wouldn't it be better for you to come to me?"

"I'm a senior, I think it's best for you two to go back to the Academy."

Not just Melanie, but Yoomin and Soojin were here too.

This is the worst.

All the lionesses that should never be in the same den were all in one place. There was no way out.

No, I need to stay focused. I absolutely can't let slip that I'm building a harem.