EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school-Chapter 1080: Two people (5)

The main house of the Hojo estate, when the Japanese representative team appeared on the live broadcast.

There was no problem with the press conference broadcast for the Japanese team.

The issue wasn't with the coaches stepping back and leaving the students to take the brunt of the situation, but with Renjo-in Karen. Considering what she would have to do next in Japan, it wasn’t a bad move.

From Japan’s perspective, the decision to part ways with the long-time associate Kozuka Yashiro and to step forward and calm the Hojo family's wrath would only strengthen Renjo-in Karen's trust and elevate her status even further.

For those who didn't understand the situation, they might find it absurd but would likely sympathize with Renjo-in Karen.

‘If the Japanese team truly cared for Renjo-in Karen, they wouldn't have sent her into such a situation even if she volunteered. At the very least, they should have assigned a veteran coach to go with her, but they didn't do that.’

Despite the journalists crowding around, and the many viewers watching through the lens, Renjo-in Karen’s voice remained steady, without a hint of hesitation.

Her polite tone, precise enunciation, and careful choice of words conveyed sincerity.

Nevertheless, the content was such that the younger generation of the Hojo family was quite upset, but soon turned their attention to the trolls rather than to Renjo-in Karen.

"Then, is the perpetrator Japanese?"

"From the broadcast, it's clear that the former Japanese coach, Kozuka, hired them, but whether they are Japanese is... The player network has suggested that some of the trolls active from the beginning may be from Eungwang High..."

The youngest, Eun Jae-ho, hesitated and mentioned a post he had seen on the player network using Eun Seo-ho’s account.

The content of the post was as follows.

A white hacker had tried to track down some trolls early on but failed. Manipulators like Gye I-dam had been at the trolling for a long time and were experts at erasing their tracks, but it was said that Gye I-dam had made a mistake.

When a post attacking Ahn Da-in’s parents appeared, Gye I-dam, in a rush, used Eungwang High’s network to troll, and the white hacker didn’t miss it.

The white hacker failed to identify the troll due to Eungwang High's security system and reported it, but received a generic macro response from the Hwangmyeong Foundation.

‘Wouldn’t Gye I-dam have been caught before the manipulator?’

That troll had a past before arriving in this world, and maybe that was a fitting end for them.

In any case, now that the deed was done, the Hwangmyeong Foundation wouldn't pursue Gye I-dam.

Eun Seo-ho and Eun I-ho seemed to have seen the post before.

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"I saw that post before and told Hwang Ho to catch them, but they said there were no trolls in our school! The hacker must have been mistaken."

"Right! They said using network technology from the gifted faction makes it hard to track. Eungwang High is testing 1GG (1 Gifted Generation) technology, so confusion can occur..."

Eun Ho’s followers were strongly reacting to the attack on Hirano Seiji and Arihara Tomoaki.

Especially Eun Seo-ho and Eun I-ho seemed eager to join the hunt party, and I had to work hard to stop them.

This was something that the white tiger should have stopped, but instead, he was just watching.

What was he doing, not stopping them?

"Really?"

The white tiger’s two words caused irritation.

That tiger definitely had no intention of stopping them.

Eun Ho's followers looked at Baek Ho-gun, who had spoken out of context, but, as usual, they closed their mouths indifferently.

Meanwhile, after the Japanese representative team’s live broadcast ended, Ahn Da-in remained silent.

Her gaze was fixed on the spot where Renjo-in Karen had been seated in the hologram.

"Da-in unni? Let’s go eat now!"

"I was spacing out. Sorry."

After Eun I-ho kindly spoke, Ahn Da-in shifted her gaze.

It might have seemed like Ahn Da-in was concentrating on the broadcast, but somehow, it felt like she was just paying attention to Renjo-in Karen.

‘She must have heard some of the situation from the Hojo couple, but she doesn't know much about Renjo-in Karen’s circumstances. Since it seems like she’s concerned about her, I should probably tell her...’

Ring!

However, my thoughts were interrupted by the angel’s call.

Following the angel’s summons to the dining room, I saw Hwang Yu-ho, wearing a slightly larger apron, preparing breakfast.

As I watched Hwang Yu-ho hurriedly prepare breakfast alone, I couldn't help but feel guilty for not having done anything.

"Jo Yi-shin, stop blaming yourself and eat."

"Baek Ho? What’s this about me blaming myself... Never mind. Don’t say anything. Just eat."

The kind Hwang Yu-ho had prepared a meal of fresh bread and carrot rapé cold submarine sandwiches.

He apologized, saying he hadn't paid much attention as he had been using a clone to prepare it quickly, but I felt more guilty for not being able to help due to my lack of cooking skills.

Today, even if Hwang Ji-ho had nearly died, it wouldn't have been an exaggeration—days like this should have been left to an automatic maid or solved by eating out, right?

While I was worried about Hwang Yu-ho, my heart softened at the angel’s cuteness, and before I knew it, mealtime was over.

‘Uh, if we continue like this, something dangerous might happen...’

Before I could think of what that dangerous thing might be, the followers of Eun Ho finished their meal and energetically headed outside.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

Eun Seo-ho and Eun I-ho were going with the 1st-year students from Class 0, while Eun Jae-ho was going to cheer with Hwang Yu-ho and some children from Eungwanghanbit Orphanage, as well as their guardians.

"Then we’ll head out to cheer right away!"

"You and Yi-shin hyung, Da-in unni will join the team at the school, right? We’ll wait for you at the stadium!"

After the children, Baek Ho-gun also spoke.

"I’ll go cheer too. Jeok Ho will come after finishing his treatment."

"Thanks. Olmu, you’ll come cheer too, right?"

Ring!

No matter what, the white tiger would probably watch today’s game in my head, so whether he came or not didn't matter, but Ahn Da-in sincerely expressed her thanks.

Still, I should be glad that Baek Ho-gun would be ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) there, ensuring the angel could safely go cheer.

Naturally, Ahn Da-in and I left the Hojo estate, accompanied by Baek Ho-gun and the angel.

The walk to school in the lukewarm air was the best.

Ahn Da-in was by my side, and with one of her concerns gone, I was also happy.

We didn’t talk much, but most of it was about her thinking of me, so each word was precious, and I felt a deep sense of happiness and joy.

‘But if we go to school like this, it feels like something bad might happen...’

When we saw Eungwang High, that feeling became reality.

‘The reporters have already gathered!’

The reporters, who were supposed to head to Eungwang Stadium, had instead come to Eungwang High first.

The crowd wasn’t just made up of reporters, but also students from our school who weren't supposed to be attending, local residents, and people who seemed to have come out of curiosity.

Although Renjo-in Karen didn’t directly mention names, the rumor that there had been a dispute during the exchange match involving only Ahn Da-in and me made it inevitable for me to be singled out, and it was no surprise that the crowd was here to watch the hot topics.

They had gathered at the front gate but were watching the inside of the school.

‘They must be here to see the team leave for Eungwang Stadium. They won’t know that Ahn Da-in and I are outside. So, there’s still a chance.’

It was a good thing to show everyone that there was no issue between Ahn Da-in and me, but this wasn’t good.

If we were mixed with the team, it wouldn’t be so bad, but if we acted alone, it was obvious it would lead to unnecessary rumors.

‘I’ll use stealth and move to a less crowded entrance. Once inside, I’ll join the team and then reveal ourselves in front of the reporters while keeping a proper distance to prevent unnecessary rumors.’

I was about to suggest this plan to Ahn Da-in when she moved first.

"Yi-shin."

"...Yeah?"

Ahn Da-in had the look of a warrior about to face a battle.

Her eyes, reminiscent of a flower carved from ice, held the fire of determination.

When I briefly lost myself in the flames of her gaze, Ahn Da-in’s beautiful voice reached my ears.

"I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’ve been waiting for the time when I could show everyone that there’s no discord between us, and instead, we have an unshakable friendship."

Her voice was beautiful, but the content was even more beautiful.

I thought I understood how important friendship was to Ahn Da-in and how much she valued her friends, but I realized I had known nothing about it.

Feeling ashamed of my shallow thoughts, Ahn Da-in smiled and said something.

Her expression seemed to be one a higher being might show to a comrade before battle.

I had thought of Ahn Da-in as a member of the Hojo family, but perhaps she was something akin to a higher being?

"Let’s go."

With those words, I forgot the plan I had in mind and walked by her side.

Walking side by side with Ahn Da-in felt joyful and glorious.

"Shintan’s marksman and the nameless supernova!"

As someone shouted, the lights around us brightened, revealing our path.

Ahn Da-in didn’t take her eyes off the lights as she walked straight ahead, and I also walked forward, keeping pace with her.

When the reporters asked if we had seen the Japanese representative team’s press conference and whether it was related to Shintan’s marksman, Ahn Da-in answered without hesitation.

"Yes, I saw it. I believe no one will doubt our friendship from now on."

Ahn Da-in spoke in a voice that could be heard clearly even by those far away.

Hearing that response, the reporters tried to ask more questions, but Ahn Da-in simply ignored them and continued toward the front gate.

While I was scanning the area to make sure no one would suddenly act out against Ahn Da-in, something struck me.

In the crowd of reporters, I saw Moon Sae-ron, a member of the Eungwang High newspaper club, sending a pitiful, tear-filled gaze in our direction.

"Sir...!"

Among the barrage of questions from reporters, Moon Sae-ron’s short cry rang out louder than anything.

At that moment, I realized what I had done!

But I couldn’t break my expression here.

If I showed any despair beside Ahn Da-in, I didn't know what would be said.

I barely managed to maintain my expression when the team appeared, seemingly having heard the news.

"Yi-shin! Da-in!"

The first to appear on a red dragon was Yeom Jun-yeol, joyfully greeting us.

As the star player appeared, the camera flashes from devices grew louder.

After Yeom Jun-yeol, I saw other members of the team running toward us one by one.

I froze when I saw someone running alongside Maeng Hyo-don.

It was Ju Soo-hyeok, smiling but with hollow eyes.