episode_0002

002

Cigarette burn marks on my arms since high school, and long, deep scars from sharp fingernails. They’re gone now, but they’re the reason I had to cover my arms even in the hot summer.

Han Yoo-ri. This damn bitch harassed me relentlessly. For no reason. Just because she wanted to mess with someone who looked like me.

Thanks to her, high school was torture for three years. Looking back now, it’s amazing I didn’t commit suicide.

“Let’s do it.”

Even though I’m timid and don’t want to get involved with others, I have the desire for revenge. The only reason I haven’t done it until now is that I didn’t have the power to.

“If I don’t do it, I’ll die. It’s fortunate that I have a chance to get revenge on this damn bitch.”

I purchased two skills that caught my eye in the skill shop.

One is ‘Flirting Machine,’ and the other is ‘Nice to meet you here, fate.’ The points fell just right.

[Nice to meet you here, fate. If you want to use the skill, just say ‘location.’]

I immediately used the skill.

“Han Yoo-ri, location!”

A translucent window appeared as if a status window was coming up when I spoke.

[Han Yoo-ri’s current location is ‘In front of Seoul Hero University cafe.’

[21km away. Would you like to search for available transportation?]

I set one goal in my mind.

Today. I will definitely drag Han Yoo-ri to bed. So I can change the gloomy past of my school days.

“Let’s see how that nerd who I hated so much reacts. I wonder what expression she’ll make?”

I clenched my small, white fist and made a determination. Not for my own survival, but for revenge from my school days.

I moved my timid body to change the gloomy past.

***

It had been almost 2 years since I went out. The sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, was hot but sweet.

Taking the bus, I could head to where Han Yoo-ri was in just an hour. I didn’t need to change destinations on the way. I guess you could say I was lucky.

“Excuse me.”

It was clearly an expensive cafe. Not a typical franchise, but more like a privately owned place. The scale was huge. How much do they earn…?

Feeling a bit intimidated to go in, I stayed in front of the building for a moment. But soon, I gathered my courage and went inside.

The store was very crowded. It was overwhelming for someone like me, a nerd. I felt like I was going to faint!

“No… hold on, hold on!”

I gathered my courage and looked around. Blue hair. Ah! Found her! Her face hasn’t changed even after a few years.

“Let’s order a cup of coffee first and then… slowly approach her.”

To be in a place like this, you have to order a drink. Let’s be brave… I headed to the kiosk. But it seems too high? I took out my wallet first.

“Darn it, how does a small person like me order here?”

The kiosk was at a height that was too high. I tried to press the button on my tiptoes, but it was too short.

What should I do? Should I call a staff member? But I don’t have the courage for that. How can someone who can’t even go to a restaurant and always gets delivery talk to people…

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, yes?”

After a while of mumbling to myself, someone approached and placed their hand on my shoulder. It was very cold. And the voice sounded very familiar?

“Ah!”

“Did I startle you? I’m sorry. I just felt like putting my hand on your shoulder…”

When I turned around, a familiar figure was standing there. Han Yoo-ri. Those snake-like sharp yellow eyes. Sharp claws. And even a long lizard tail.

Haunted by her, I froze in fear that instinctively rose within me. My heart kept pounding. My legs were shaking like a newborn calf, making me want to sit down.

But I managed to hold myself together and looked at her. She was very tall… partly because I’m short. She’s about 180cm tall.

She smoothly took the card I pulled out of my wallet. Truly a pickpocket master.

“Oh! Um… yes! Th-thank you…”

“So, what kind of drink would you like me to order for you if you tell me?”

“Um! I’ll have an iced Americano!”

“Okay. I’ve ordered it. What kind of options would you like?”

Options? Is there such a thing? Isn’t coffee just a bitter drink? Not being the type to order such things, I didn’t know.

“Just…”

“Just?”

“I’ll have whatever…”

“Is that so? Then I’ll order without any additional options.”

Swallowing my saliva, I peeked at what she was ordering. I managed to start a conversation. With a small sigh, I spoke to Han Yoo-ri.

“I know it’s rude of me to ask this after startling you… but may I join you?”

“Huh? Oh! I’m fine… I mean, yes! You can. You can.”

Summoning up some courage, the words I had simulated in my head several times fortunately worked. If I had been rejected, I would have been so embarrassed that I might have died.

Indeed, people should be approached in a cute way. The words that wouldn’t have worked if it were my original body worked!

“Let’s go over there. I was getting bored drinking coffee alone.”

“Okay.”

She led me to the most secluded seat. But for some reason, the surrounding glances were sharp… It seemed like the women’s gazes were strangely focused only on me.

“Where are you from?”

“Uh, me?”

“You don’t seem like a student at our school. Are you someone who lives around here?”

“Oh! I…”

“Oh, did I pry too much? I’m sorry. I’m not interrogating you, I’m just really meeting you for the first time.”

Despite being so small, she didn’t see me as a child but as an adult. I felt lucky that she didn’t look for a guardian.

‘I want to say something, but whenever I try to speak, my body freezes automatically! What should I do when I flinch just from Han Yoo-ri breathing?’

Even if I try to gather my thoughts, nothing comes to mind. My body just trembles.

“Um, did I make you angry by asking where you live out of the blue?”

“Oh! Uh… I-I came from Nowon-gu. I’m not angry.”

“Nowon-gu? That’s far. But I didn’t ask where you live!”

“Uh, well, that’s…”

“Hmm…”

Ring! My vibrating bell rang at that moment. I quickly got up to get the coffee.

But even faster than that, Han Yoo-ri got up and went to the counter to get the coffee.

“Oh?”

“I thought I could bring it faster.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

…I’m not usually such a kind person. As far as I know, Hanyuri is an extremely wicked woman. If she doesn’t like someone, she’ll grab them by the hair and ruthlessly slap their cheeks with all her might, even pulling out all their teeth. I saw it with my own eyes.

People really do judge others based on appearances. Because she looks cute, people keep showing kindness towards her. It’s almost unbearable for me to handle.

“I’ll enjoy this….”

I didn’t even buy it myself. Out of habit, I thanked them and took a sip of the concept-less paper straw stuck in the coffee. In that moment, a strong bitterness hit my taste buds.

“Cough! Ugh!”

“Oh? What’s wrong?”

“Ugh…. it’s too bitter….”

“What?”

“The coffee is too bitter, I can’t drink it.”

“That’s strange. I’m sure I didn’t put in any shots.”

I’m not someone who enjoys drinking coffee, but my taste buds aren’t so off that I can’t drink a bitter drink at all.

But somehow, it seems like my tastes have changed along with my body. And they’ve changed very delicately.

“Ugh…. I can’t drink this.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. After wiping them away with my fingers, I placed the coffee on the table. Seeing this, Hanyuri burst into laughter and got up from her seat.

“Ahaha, hahaha! Oh, it’s funny. You’re cuter than I thought?”

“I didn’t order it like this….”

“Oh, meeting like this was a coincidence. Let me buy you a drink. How about this iced tea, it’s really delicious.”

I nodded. Whatever it was, I wanted to drink something sweet to wash away the bitterness.

She suddenly extended the iced tea towards me. Wasn’t she drinking it? Why is she offering it to me?

“Do you want to drink mine?”

“Yes, yes?”

“I only touched the cup with my lips. You can still use the straw.”

Is she really doing this to someone she just met today? The skill of being a “flirting machine” seems truly amazing. It’s impressive how Hanyuri, known for her coldness, is coming on so strong!

I vigorously shook my head and used the straw she offered to sip the iced tea. The sweet peach aroma lingering in my mouth completely neutralized the bitterness! Amazing! It’s really delicious?

“…gulp.”

I heard a swallowing sound and when I looked up, Hanyuri was staring at me intently. Her eyes seemed vacant, as if she had lost her mind.

What is she doing? Why is she acting like this? Her reptilian eyes were fixed on me as if she was targeting prey, staring intently.