episode_0011

Surprisingly, Sihyun and I had nearly identical schedules beyond just shared classes.

At most, if I removed two majors from my schedule and added two more electives, it would precisely match Sihyun’s timetable.

Still, something about her was peculiar. Did she just cram every major course at once?

“But why are you taking third-year courses?”

“Ah, well… The Korean Literature majors aren’t strictly sequential, right? So I figured I’d just finish them early and take it easy later in upper years.”

“But as a first-year, don’t you have required electives? So you filled your schedule with just core courses and required electives?”

“Yeah. I thought if I’m going to struggle anyway, I might as well get it over with now.”

“Wow, that’s not easy for an underclassman. You’ll get pulled in every direction.”

“That’s true, but there are study guides, so…”

“Even with guides, a lot of exams require open-ended essays—relying on those too much might backfire, no? Especially in our department; professors are wary of guides and love setting traps.”

“Th-That so?”

“Yep.”

“I guess I’ll have to study hard then.”

“Come to think of it, you’ve taken all the intro courses for first-years, right? Even if humanities courses are less intense than STEM, you’ll struggle if you don’t know the basics. Make sure to review in your free time…”

“I’ll keep that in mind, sunbaenim.”

“Ah, we’re almost at the lecture hall.”

“You mentioned revealing your variant status during the department orientation, right?”

“Yeah. But… I was just thinking, since the professor will take attendance anyway, maybe I’ll say it then.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Let’s sit over there?”

“Sunbaenim, would it be alright if I invited my classmate too? Her schedule overlaps with mine…”

“Sure. Is it Nam Suyeon? Right? I remember seeing her at the welcoming event.”

“That’s her! I’ll call her right now!”

“Okay. Oh, I should check my messages—my classmates are texting me.”

I peeked at the group chat. Sure enough, my classmates were spamming messages looking for me.

[Han Taehun: Hey. Where’s Yoon Seohyun?] [Yoon Seohyun: Currently in Modern Lit Understanding, heading to the next lecture soon.] [Han Taehun: What’s the next one?] [Yoon Seohyun: Classical Poetry and Culture.] [Han Taehun: Oh, you took that last semester. Wait, you’re retaking it…] [Yoon Seohyun: With others, maybe not, but your schedule doesn’t overlap with mine at all. Last semester, we shared every class.] [Han Taehun: Oh, right;;] [Yoo Hankyul: Huh? I’m in that one. Finally get to see the elusive variant Yoon Seohyun?] [Yoon Seohyun: Lol you might not even recognize me.] [Yoo Hankyul: Dude, no matter how much you change, that rough face of yours isn’t going anywhere.] [Yoon Seohyun: Don’t be shocked when you see me lol.] [Yoo Hankyul: How much did you even change? Wait, are you sure about revealing you’re a variant? People are gonna stare.] [Yoon Seohyun: I’m just gonna do it. No point hiding forever. Planned to do it at the orientation, but… better brace for impact early.] [Yoo Hankyul: Oho.] [Heo Jihwan: I’m just here for the gossip.] [Yoo Hankyul: Jihwan, you on leave?] [Heo Jihwan: Nah, last semester wrecked me, so I’m taking it easy—only four classes this term lol.] [Cho Minhyuk: That’s why last semester was as brutal as Seohyun’s lol.] [Han Taehun: Hankyul, tell us your thoughts when you see Seohyun.] [Yoo Hankyul: The way this bastard’s so confident… Did turning into a variant make him hot?] [Yoon Seohyun: Nah, don’t worry about that.] [Yoo Hankyul: K.]

“Sihyun~ I called her! Oh, hello! I’m Nam Suyeon, Korean Literature, ’18!”

“Hello. Yoon Seohyun, Korean Literature, ’14.”

“Huh? Yoon Seohyun sunbaenim from Korean Lit? From what I know, there’s only one Yoon Seohyun sunbaenim in our department…”

Suyeon wore a puzzled expression—likely having heard rumors about me.

“You haven’t told her yet?”

Seemed Sihyun hadn’t explained my situation in detail.

Your lips are sealed tight, Sihyun.

She’s more tight-lipped than I expected. Most people would’ve spilled to a close friend, but… anyway.

“Yeah. Is it okay if I explain?”

“I was planning to reveal it anyway.”

“What are you two talking about?”

Suyeon looked utterly lost.

“I really am that Yoon Seohyun. I underwent mutation early last semester.”

“Mutation?”

“Sorry for hiding it, Suyeon. Didn’t think Seohyun sunbaenim would reveal it so soon.”

“Sihyun, I have no idea what’s happening. Summarize, please?”

“Okay, so here’s what happened…”

Sihyun proceeded to explain, though she’d apparently omitted the variant-related details when recounting events earlier. So…

“I’m really sorry!”

She was bowing deeply to Suyeon now.

“N-No, it’s fine! I get it, so lift your head—people are staring!”

Suyeon brushed off the deception as no big deal. She figured it was just a well-meaning white lie.

“But you don’t look like a variant at all! I’m shocked.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Don’t variants usually have distinct traits? Like horns or…”

“I do have horns. Just hiding them under my hat. Oh, and my eyes are naturally gold.”

“Ah… So those are contacts?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t know if this is rude, but it’s actually kind of cool? No offense.”

“None taken.”

“Do… other sunbaenims know?”

“Nope. Not even my classmates. Wanted to surprise them.”

“Didn’t take you for the prankster type.”

“Suyeon, you seem like you’d fit right in with people like that.”

“True! But you’re so different from the rumors!”

“Department gossip tends to skew negative. Besides, I did look rough back then. Best way to know someone is to meet them yourself. Even if others dislike them, they might click with you.”

“That’s fair.”

“Anyway, let’s get along this semester. Won’t be boring, at least. Most of my classmates took different courses anyway.”

“Oh, really?”

“The only one sharing this class is Yoo Hankyul—know him?”

“Of course! Hankyul oppa. I’ve freeloaded meals off him before.”

“For now, I’ll probably stick with him. This lecture ends right at lunch too.”

“If it’s not too bold… could we join you guys sometimes?”

“No reason not to. But won’t you have more fun with classmates? Oh, speak of the devil—Hankyul’s here.”

“Oh, really?”

Suyeon trotted over to Hankyul.

“Hankyul oppa, hi!”

“Oh, Suyeon! Long time. Taking this class?”

“Yeah! Sihyun’s here too!”

“Lots of familiar faces. Good. Thought this’d be boring without people I know. Less chance of missing assignment updates if I nap. Huh… Weird though?”

“What is?”

“My classmate’s missing. That guy’s usually here 10 minutes early.”

“You mean Seohyun sunbaenim?”

“Yeah. Dude’s weirdly diligent. Usually ruining the vibe with his rough face, but… odd?”

As Hankyul spoke, Suyeon glanced at me with a smirk. Definitely more playful than Sihyun.

“Hankyul oppa, you know I’ve never met Seohyun sunbaenim, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Just weird. I’ll message him later. Making people worry… Let’s grab seats. Prof’ll be here soon.”

“Got it.”

“Guess I’ll catch up with Sihyun after class.”

“Want to have lunch together later?”

“Sure.”

Right then, the professor entered. Professor Hong Jeongtae.

His lectures are relaxed, so the classes aren’t hard, but… he’s infamous for heavy workloads.

More importantly—and this might sound rude—they’re so boring half the students doze off.

“Goodness, quite the crowd this semester. Welcome. I’m Hong Jeongtae, professor of Classical Poetry and Culture.”

Quick greetings done, applause followed. After some announcements, attendance began.

“Yoon Seohyun.”

“Here.”

Hearing my name called confirmed it—Professor Hong hadn’t been briefed by Professor Kim Yeonhwa.

“Hm? Don’t recognize you… but the name’s familiar. Could you remove your hat?”

“Ah, sure.”

Didn’t expect my reveal to happen like this. I took off my cap and hung it beside me.

Then, shrieks erupted around me.

“Wha—?!”

The loudest came from Yoo Hankyul. Other students began murmuring, staring. Yeah. Expected this reaction.

“Uh… Are you the same Yoon Seohyun?”

“Yes. Class of ’14. Apologies for vanishing last semester without notice. I became a variant.”

“Ah, no. It’s—it’s fine. These things happen.”

Students around me eyed me nervously.

Can’t blame them—a variant just waltzed into their lecture hall.

Their wariness made sense. Variant-related incidents were common enough.

Well, change takes time.

The murmuring faded only after the professor swallowed his shock.

“Quiet, quiet. Bit of a stir, but… haha. Certainly unexpected. So, Seohyun—no, should I say ‘Seohyun-ssi’ now? Might you share your variant type?”

“Dragon-type.”

“Dragon? As in myths and legends?”

“Uh, yes. Western-style, closer to media depictions of dragons…”

In that moment, I saw it—the professor’s eyes alight with fascination.

Dear department head. Of all people to forget to brief…