episode_0050

Episode 49: Blonde Tan (Not) Delinquent.

A week had passed.

Well, not exactly a week.

About 5 days?

Since it was from Sunday to Friday.

If we were to be precise, it would be around that time.

There weren’t any significant changes during that time.

Jeong A-yeong became more confident.

The points needed to buy items were steadily accumulating.

She had secured more than 3 months of remaining time.

It felt like a temporary solution, but it was necessary.

Obtaining all the 500,000 points she initially mentioned would make the deadline disappear.

So, she just needed to earn enough to not die immediately.

The more important question was how to harvest points.

After Jeong A-yeong, the next person to consider was Kang Hyeon-a.

It seemed like she liked me, but maybe she was even more passive than Jeong A-yeong.

Her personality was refreshing and cool, undeniably a cool girl to anyone.

Why did she freeze up in front of me like Jeong A-yeong?

Although liking me was a good sign, it didn’t seem like there was any physical affection involved.

That was something to look out for in the future…

For now.

“Then, let’s meet after the 7th period?”

“Yeah. Take care.”

Jeong A-yeong’s anxious face.

But what could she do?

It was Friday, and after lunch, from the 5th to the 7th period, she would spend time in the club activities.

No matter how anxious she was, there was nothing she could do from her perspective.

Forcefully change the club activities?

Or show distrust towards her boyfriend?

There were past incidents, so she probably wouldn’t act rashly.

Anyway.

She walked out of the hallway towards the club room.

After a while, she arrived at the mini library.

It was probably less than 5 minutes before the bell rang and the departure time.

In conclusion, she arrived a little early.

And as soon as she opened the door.

“Uh…?”

She was faced with a brightly shining woman.

Kang Hyeon-a.

Her hair color had changed!

From black to golden blonde.

Just like the female protagonist in the novel I mentioned.

A natural smile formed on her face.

Although she became more delinquent with the blonde hair.

I couldn’t help but smile as she started to act.

She wasn’t just standing still.

Finally, Kang Hyeon-a started to move.

***

“Wow.”

“What, what. Why are you like that?”

Han Se-in naturally smiled.

It was so charming that it pricked.

He blurted out words that he shouldn’t have.

Looking back, it was a bit too much of a fuss.

But the situation naturally continued.

Han Se-in’s attention shifted to her hair.

Kang Hyeon-a’s overly defensive words started to make sense.

“Your hair looks pretty.”

“P-pretty. What are you saying to a girl…”

“It turned out really well.”

“…”

Her lips twitched.

From Kang Hyeon-a’s perspective, it was an awkward compliment.

But because it came from Han Se-in.

The awkward compliment felt even more delightful.

It wasn’t a relationship of teasing and being teased.

They were the club president and club member.

Friends to friends.

A man and a woman.

Under a closer relationship, their ordinary conversation felt more meaningful.

“Just… the hairdresser recommended it…”

“I see. It looks really good.”

Kang Hyeon-a made excuses like a thief caught red-handed.

Although it was actually her decision to dye her hair.

She didn’t want to get caught.

Even if she regretted her actions later.

Looking at Han Se-in’s single-minded smile and interest, she had no regrets at that moment.

Even if it pricked her pride.

She moved according to her emotions.

And then.

“You look cool. Like a celebrity.”

“…Really?”

“실룩, 실룩.”

The official title, also known as ‘Kkob,’ was not mentioned.

However, she mentioned the protagonist of the novel, whom both she and Han Se-in knew.

Not to embarrass her.

But because once their eyes met, the words became undeniable, even if one tried to misunderstand.

Just.

Simply, she looked like the protagonist.

Han Se-in said so, and Kang Hyeon-ah was genuinely pleased.

-Ding dong dang.

The hearty laughter did not last long.

The bell rang, and belatedly gathering her thoughts brought about self-reproach.

Wasn’t it too much?

To tease the boy she had tormented and giggle with him.

The belated moment of self-reflection had arrived, but Han Se-in was focused on her task.

“What are we doing this week?”

“Um…”

Kang Hyeon-ah’s lips pressed together.

She recalled the answer to the question amidst the swirling emotions in her mind.

The answer was obviously…

“Reading?”

“Hmm. I see.”

“Um… What did you read last time?”

“I read everything.”

“…What?”

Kang Hyeon-ah’s eyes blinked.

Truly a surprising situation.

It was a club activity.

Literally an activity done only during club hours.

But he had read everything?

Even just thinking about last week, there was still a lot left unread.

The voice that came from Han Se-in’s mouth further emphasized the unbelievable fact.

“I finished it all. It was fun.”

“……”

A brief silence settled in.

It was also a time to manage her expression.

The deep emotions stirring within Kang Hyeon-ah.

It was love, and sincerity.

The emotions directed towards him.

Showing courtesy for a hobby genuinely enjoyed.

So, it was only natural to want to talk about and share the same hobby with someone who shared it.

Especially for someone like Kang Hyeon-ah, who used to read novels alone.

After a moment of silence.

She showed the patience of a saint.

“…It’s the same as last time. Just bring a book you want to read.”

“Got it.”

What she liked about it.

What she didn’t like.

And what parts felt romantically appealing.

She wanted to talk about it, to share.

But Kang Hyeon-ah couldn’t say anything.

It was closer to being scared.

After all, it was a club activity, and she was the club president.

It wasn’t a problem to do what she wanted.

But.

She was truly scared.

If she talked to Han Se-in like that.

She felt like she couldn’t go back to the way things were before.

Because it was truly a special situation now.

Time would pass, and she would get closer to Kim Hyeong-min again.

And when the time came to torment him again.

It seemed like she wouldn’t be able to endure it like before.

With her head bowed deeply, she took her familiar steps.

She hesitated for about a minute.

Lost in thought, she raised her head in confusion.

“Why?”

“……”

What? Why is it gone?

The book that should have been in the deepest corner of the shelf was missing.

The balance of the books had tilted, creating an awkward emptiness.

Kang Hyeon-ah crouched down and checked the empty space with her eyes. The novel by her favorite author, an obscure novel she loved.

The novel she alone knew and loved had disappeared.

A sinking feeling in her chest.

“Did you find this?”

“……”

Despair, fear, and confusion.

Those were the emotions in Kang Hyeon-ah’s eyes.

Her favorite author’s favorite work.

A book she had already read five times, now found again.

It was in Han Se-in’s hands.

She didn’t know when he had taken it out.

They were the only ones in the room anyway.

She had been lost in thought, so she hadn’t even been aware of what he was doing.

But that wasn’t the important part.

“Why.”

“I want to read it too…”

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

A novel in the hands of Han Se-in.

It was an adult-rated novel.

It wasn’t filled with only explicit content, but it definitely existed.

A novel with bold expressions that made the body feel hot.

She didn’t want to get caught.

She wanted to share her hobby, but she didn’t expect this level.

Especially not to the man she liked.

She didn’t want to show the erotic novel that deeply impressed her.

Finally, she answered the question that had been lingering.

“I was trying to read it.”

“You’re forcing it.”

It was a debate.

However, it was a confident statement that couldn’t be considered as someone who was being harassed.

Did she ever notice her presence?

Kang Hyeon put her confusing feelings aside and pursed her lips.

The voice that should have been tied up was blocked by Han Se-in’s words.

“Let’s read it together. Okay?”

“T-Together…?”

“Yeah. Sit together. We can read it with space in between.”

“What, that’s ridiculous…”

“It’s a request.”

Twinkle, twinkle.

Han Se-in’s eyes sparkled like a cat.

A facial expression and gaze that made the heart flutter.

It seemed like she would keep fidgeting at the corners of her mouth, and if she let her guard down, she might make a startled expression.

Kang Hyeon squinted her eyes.

She slightly lowered her head, took a deep breath, and made a firm decision.

It was a rebellion to avoid making strange expressions.

But at the same time, it was an action filled with desire.

Unlike the past when she sat far away while watching his reactions, under the pretext, she ended up sitting side by side to read the novel.

“Oh, okay.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Han Se-in, with a happy smile, headed towards the seat.

Sitting in the chair, she began to pat the chair next to her.

“Hurry up and come. Sit. Let’s read together!”

“……”

Reading a book together with one book.

For a woman who loves books, it became a situation she had dreamed of at least once.