Ch. 76 - Embarrassing Moment

At my award ceremony, many people gathered, including fellow Awakened Association officials, reporters, a couple of S-rank heroes, and senior officials.

They were all familiar faces, people I knew well.

And here I was, the center of attention...

“Ugh, I’m losing it.”

"Uh... are you okay?"

I stood awkwardly in a very uncomfortable position, glancing around.

Yoo Seo-Eun looked at me with concern.

“No, I’m definitely not okay. Even breathing is difficult.”

Because this was a formal event, I had no choice but to wear my uniform properly, forcing the buttons shut.

Most of it fit fine, but the chest area was exceptionally tight.

Even the slightest movement made it feel like the buttons were about to pop off—it was maddeningly uncomfortable.

“Damn it. I should’ve tried it on earlier and had it altered.”

I hadn’t bothered to check because I assumed there wouldn’t be a problem. I hated wearing stiff uniforms anyway. 

My mistake. Recently, I noticed my chest getting bigger and had already switched to a new bra, but I hadn’t updated my clothes.

Since my usual attire was loose and comfy, I hadn’t realized how tight the uniform had become.

“How about taking off your jacket until the ceremony starts? That should work, right?”

“I’d like to, but that’s not really an option.”

I looked at the reporters sneaking glances at me while waiting for the ceremony to begin.

“There are too many eyes around here. In a place like this, you have to always look presentable.”

“It’s not like anyone’s going to write an article just because you took off your jacket for a moment.”

“Maybe not, but it’s a matter of perception. This is why I hate attending events like this.”

I dragged a chair over and sat down.

Leaning slightly forward made it a bit more bearable.

I was trying to rest for a moment when someone approached me.

It was none other than S-rank hero Lee Shi-Hwan.

These events were designed to congratulate me while allowing people the chance to see me in person.

Of course, people would come to talk to me.

“Ms. Hye-Rim, it’s been a while. I couldn’t see you during the incident with the Monster Association, but I’m glad to meet you now.”

Lee Shi-Hwan had led the defense of the amusement park during the attack by the monsters from the Monster Association.

“Oh, yeah. Nice to see you too. How long has it been?”

“Probably about three years. We briefly crossed paths during the Kim Min-Seok case.”

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

The Hero Association’s infamous Bloodbath Incident.

Lee Shi-Hwan had tried to stop me back then, though I ignored him and beat Kim Min-Seok to a pulp anyway.

“I also saw the footage of your recent Awakener Prison Breakout operation. It was incredible, just as expected from you, Hye-Rim.”

“Oh, you saw that? Thanks for looking it that way.”

Lee Shi-Hwan had always acted like a fan of mine.

The first time we met was when I was in high school, just starting to hone my powers.

He had seen me slaughtering monsters back then.

Even now, I could sense his admiration, but honestly, I wished he’d just leave me alone today.

“Hey, Lee Shi-Hwan. I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable right now. Could we talk later?”

“Oh, of course. I’ll catch up with you after the ceremony.”

So he’d come back later, huh. What is there to even talk about?

Other people approached me to chat and I dealt with them as politely as I could while hiding my discomfort.

I remembered Jung Ha-Yeon mentioning she wanted to attend today but couldn’t because of hero duties. She seemed really disappointed, but I doubted it was a big deal. 

"Wow, you’re surprisingly popular," Yoo Seo-Eun said, looking at me like she couldn’t believe it.

“Yeah, and it’s exhausting. I wish nobody recognized me or cared.”

With about five minutes left until the ceremony began, someone else approached me.

This time, it was a welcome face.

“Hey, unnie. Long time no see.”

“Oh? Hi, Hee-Jin.”

It was Lee Hee-Jin, a young woman who had probably just started college.

She was the Association president’s daughter and someone I had saved years ago during a dungeon gate incident.

Back then, I had hesitated to enter the dungeon, but I found myself following Hee-Jin inside without thinking.

“Dad told me about today's award ceremony, so I wanted to come see you.”

“Really? Thanks for coming. You’ve been doing well, right?”

“Yes, thanks to you!”

Hee-Jin’s smile faltered slightly as she spoke.

“If you hadn’t saved me back then, I wouldn’t be here today. You’re my lifesaver, unnie.”

“I’ve heard that so many times it’s starting to stick in my ears. You don’t have to thank me anymore.”

“But still…”

Hee-Jin lowered her voice, glancing at me.

“You got hurt back then because of—”

“Hee-Jin.”

I cut her off.

“I’m fine, really. You’re living your life well now, right? That’s all that matters. Stop feeling guilty about what happened.”

“......”

“It wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. You don’t need to carry that burden anymore.”

I patted her head lightly.

“See? I’m doing fine now, beating up criminals and all. Anyway, it’s time. I have to go.”

“Okay, unnie!”

Leaving Hee-Jin behind, I walked toward the stage.

The Association president was already waiting for me.

The host began, “Today, we’re awarding a commendation to Shin Hye-Rim, the leader of Team 5, for her significant contributions during the Monster Association's terrorist attack…”

I only needed to accept the award, and it would be over.

Just a little longer.

But as I straightened my back to step forward, I felt the button on my chest straining.

It was tight, so tight I could barely breathe.

No way, it wouldn’t actually pop off, would it?

Then, the host announced, “The president will now present the commendation.”

Taking a step forward, I reached out for the certificate.

But just as I was about to take it…

Pop!

The button, which had been barely holding on, shot off.

It flew straight past the Association president’s head.

To make matters worse, the flashes of cameras captured everything in perfect detail.

"Oh.”

A sigh escaped my lips.

"......"

"......"

The president and I both froze. The entire room went silent, all eyes on me.

If only there were a hole I could crawl into.

***

[Team Leader 5 accidentally launches a button at the Association president’s face during the award ceremony.]

Of course, the incident became instant news.

The provocative headlines and content quickly went viral.

Wow, how big is your chest enough to launch a button like that?

[It was already struggling to stay closed in the pre-ceremony photos lol.]

[She wasn’t this busty in older pictures of her in uniform.]

[Did her chest grow that much in the meantime?]

[Wow I didn't know a person's chest could grow at that age.]

[Jealous as hell, honestly.]

“Ugh, this is the worst.”

Normally, someone receiving an award wouldn’t become major gossip. Even with my level of fame, it was about a well-known incident.

But in that moment, in front of everyone watching...

I became the crazy woman who launched a button at the association leader’s face.

“Sigh…”

“P-please calm down, Hye-Rim. It’s not all bad, right?”

“Not bad? The entire nation is now mocking my chest, and you’re telling me it’s not bad?”

“Well, I mean…”

Yoo Seo-Eun tried her best to comfort me, spewing out whatever came to mind.

“Still! Having a large chest is a plus for a woman, right? Now everyone knows how attractive you are.”

“......”

Hearing ‘It’s great that you have a big chest!’ to a person whose mind is still male just sounds like a taunt. It’s no different than saying, ‘You’ve gained weight, huh?’

“Seo-Eun.”

“Y-yes...?”

“Just… don’t say anything right now.”

“......”

“That’s how you can actually comfort me.”

Right now, I just want everyone to leave me alone. I don’t want to do anything. I just want to go home and bury myself under the blankets.

Filled with a storm of emotions, I returned to the office. As I stepped in, Yu-Sung greeted me with a wide grin.

“Oh, welcome back! Congratulations, Team Leader! Now the whole nation knows you as the busty magical girl… Gahk?!”

“This punk just goes out of his way to ask for a beating, doesn’t he?”

I punched Yu-Sung in the stomach, cutting off his teasing, and collapsed into my chair.

I don’t want to go outside anymore.

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