episode_0031

“…It seems like I’ll have to see you again next year, Jiyoo.”

“…”

A chilling remark echoing through the silent research lab.

Glancing briefly at the nearly blank exam paper, I nodded in agreement with those words and submitted my test.

How many questions did I answer?

I couldn’t recall.

I probably filled in around seven or so, but judging by the disappointment on the professor’s face, most of them seemed to be incorrect.

Was it just me struggling, or did others find it difficult too?

…It would be better if it were the latter. If it wasn’t just me failing, there might be hope for the next opportunity.

“I’m sorry.”

If there had been someone else present, I could have discreetly hidden my embarrassingly wrong exam paper under theirs to lessen suspicion.

Unfortunately, only the professor and I remained in the lab, and since the professor witnessed the exam disaster in real-time, I cautiously approached the door while keeping an eye on him. In case things went south, I was ready to bid farewell and make a quick escape.

However…

“Could we have a little chat, Jiyoo?”

“Huh? Oh, yes?”

My perfect escape plan crumbled from the start due to the professor’s earnest request for a conversation.

Why was he holding me back?

Interrogating me about messing up the exam? That must be it, right?

Nervously awaiting the professor’s next words, I was taken aback by his kindly smile that defied my expectations.

What’s going on?

I’ve heard people say he’s good with students even if I don’t know much about his teaching style… Is he trying to comfort me?

Unable to decipher his intentions no matter how much I pondered, I could only awkwardly nod my head.

With a smile that hinted at something beyond my comprehension, the professor threw out another unexpected statement.

“To put it bluntly… Jiyoo, have you ever considered graduate school or becoming a research assistant?”

“Huh…?”

Did I hear that correctly just now?

—–

A university student who bombed an exam to the point of accepting a C or even a D+ grade.

Would a professor first suggest becoming a graduate student or a research assistant to such a student?

The answer is ‘no.’

Better a clever slave than a stupid one.

Even among students who score A or A+, professors would advise the more adaptable ones first, not someone like me who struggles to reach even average levels.

So why did the professor suggest that I become a research assistant?

The answer lay within my lineage.

Vampires, a species particularly scarce worldwide.

Although recent reports claim an increase in vampire numbers due to feeding on humans, consuming only one side of garlic prevents vampires from attacking, and even if they do bite, as long as it hasn’t been consumed for more than four days, no transformation occurs.

Vampire numbers still remain relatively low.

After all, who would want to undergo various weaknesses and struggles upon transformation?

Of course, there’s a clear possibility that data presented globally may differ from reality.

But as a mere commoner, it’s not my place to verify the truth.

It was better for my mental well-being to simply accept it as it is without much concern.

Anyway, it seemed like the professor was eyeing the niche market to publish numerous papers.

In hindsight, isn’t this an opportunity? Just a few experiments could lead to multiple publications. Even if I were the professor, wouldn’t I have suggested becoming a research assistant?

However…

“I’m sorry, Professor. I’m still quite confused.”

I had already decided on my path.

Apologies to the professor, but the suggestion didn’t appeal to me.

Studying or researching is not my cup of tea. If it were, I wouldn’t have failed the test so miserably today.

I politely declined, bowing my head, leaving the professor with a face full of disappointment.

I mentioned having another appointment and swiftly escaped the research lab.

“…There shouldn’t be any repercussions, right?”

Whether I receive a C when I should’ve gotten a D+ or even an outright F.

I briefly worried but soon shook my head resolutely.

“Well, does it really matter now that the scholarship is down the drain?”

The reason I focused on academics was solely to cover the tuition loss with the scholarship.

However, if I messed up one exam so badly that the outcome was obvious…

“Hmm, should I keep studying just in case?”

Lost in thought, I found myself at a cocktail bar.

Checking my phone, I realized I was about 10 minutes late, so I immediately apologized to the boss upon entering.

“Sorry for being late, boss! I’ll quickly change and be right out!”

“It’s okay, take your time. It’s not like we’re busy anyway. By the way, what happened? You’re never late.”

“Oh, the professor asked me to become an undergraduate research assistant, and I had to decline…”

“Ah, as Jaehyuk said, you’re quite the trickster! How well did you have to do on the test for the professor to ask you to be a research assistant?”

“Well… I didn’t do well on the test. The professor mentioned seeing me again next year. I think there might be another reason for inviting me.”

“Haha, indeed, God must be fair! He doesn’t favor just one person!”

Seeing the boss laughing heartily, I shook my head resolutely.

…It seems quite unfair to me, boss.

Pointing out all sorts of weaknesses and giving looks and strength in return, isn’t that just pretty trash without substance?

Even if I were to appear as an RPG game character, unless it’s some seriously contaminated water, I doubt anyone would bother, really.

No matter how many times I reconsider, it seems like a race created with negative intentions.

Afraid that complaining more would only breed negative emotions, I quickly changed clothes in the dressing room and came out.

“I messed up the test, so I shouldn’t have any problems.”

Fortunes come and go.

Since one went to hell, I thought the law of averages would apply, and the other would be fine.

“Guaaaah…”

As if to warn me against my careless attitude, a guest in the dressing room violently vomited on the floor.

Let’s see, thick meat with asparagus, and even bushman bread.

Oh, guest. You had something really good before coming to the bar, huh?

Damn.

—–

Fortunately, the remaining exam period passed peacefully.

Except for dendrology, which boasted a collaboration of offline subjective questions, the rest of the subjects were taken online, thanks to the internet.

Apart from dendrology, which felt like a disaster due to Chat GPT, a newcomer turned scammer.

At first, I thought he was a rookie, but turns out he was a fraudster.

Who would’ve known he could write unknown content so convincingly?

If you don’t know, just admit it. What’s with pretending to know and stubbornly providing false information?

Anyway.

Half of the subjects were done, but still, I felt somewhat at ease.

I was strongly convinced that I wouldn’t receive a scholarship this semester.

Since failure was evident, there was no need to cling desperately to it, right?

So, I decided to focus on things other than studying.

Creating my signature cocktail or researching vampire traits that I’m unfamiliar with, to be precise.

After the midterms ended, I could start right away.

When I asked for a volunteer to be an experimental mouse, one of my acquaintances raised their hand, saying they wanted to do it.

As luck would have it, the cocktail bar’s day off was approaching, so after waiting a few days, I gathered a few ingredients for cocktails and went to his place.

It wasn’t a great environment for a vampire, so I wanted to host him at our place, but it couldn’t be helped.

If I brought Hyeun home, Jeahyuk would definitely throw a fit even on his day off.

It had been about two weeks since we last met, right? It was quite a while since I saw the angel.

I couldn’t just give him something strange from the start, so I handed him the cocktail I made following the recipe I learned at the bar.

After that, I elaborated on what had been happening lately.

“…Isn’t that a bit extreme? It might not just be you who messed up the exam.”

“No, no matter how you look at it, it was only me who messed up. I just have a feeling that this semester is screwed.”

“How did you mess up so badly…”

“If the professor mentioned seeing me again next year, that says it all.”

As I explained in detail, he expressed concern with a pitiful look, showing worry.

Seeing his expression, I chuckled in disappointment, and as Hyeun emptied her glass, she quickly began to praise the cocktail I made, glancing at me cautiously.

“This, this is delicious, yeah. I could sell this right away?! Is this your signature cocktail by any chance?”

“No, this was made following the recipe from the bar. It’s a cocktail with a name you might like.”

“What’s the name?”

“Sex on the Beach.”

“I really like it.”

A good resonance indeed.

The pure angel shivered slightly as he nodded in agreement.

Then, casting a peculiar glance at the empty glass, he suddenly put on a mischievous expression and asked me a question.

“By the way, how are things with Jaehyuk? Is everything going well?”

“Is everything going well? What nonsense is that again?”

“…Could it be, nothing happened?!”

Hyeun made a foolish face like a scholar discovering an endangered species.

Facing such a friend, I furrowed my brows.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to stop acting weird?”

“Oh, no! It’s not me acting weird, it’s…!”

“It is you acting weird, right? Should I ask Jaehyuk? Who’s the weird one here?”

“It’s more embarrassing that nothing inappropriate is happening between a man and a woman living together…! Eek!!!”

He’s like a friend who feels embarrassed no matter where you put him.

Despite the difficulty caused by Halo’s light, I managed to insert a honeyed word, and the pure angel murmured softly, on the verge of tears.

“Really… those lovebirds.”

“If someone hears you, they might think you’ve been in a relationship.”

“I-I have been in one! Even though I changed boyfriends several times…!”

“Except for your 2D boyfriend, speak.”

“…You’re mean.”

As she lay on the desk, seemingly asking to be heard, Hyeun wailed for a long time, then suddenly remembered something and looked up at me.

“Oh, right! Jiju! I have a favor to ask.”

“Don’t act cute, and I refuse.”

“You haven’t even heard it yet! It’s not weird, so listen and decide!”

“Ugh, I’ll make an exception this time for being a guinea pig. So, what is it?”

Once I agreed, the angel smiled slyly and showed me the phone screen.

“Even though it would be a waste to ruin such a nice body, wouldn’t you want to try cosplaying with me?”

Faced with an unmistakably wicked gaze, I had no choice but to firmly decline.

Change your gaze first, you crazy person.

What kind of mischief are you planning with my body?