episode_0010

Episode 9: Becoming the Outcast.

Suddenly feeling betrayed?

Whether it was pretending to be close or trying to get along well.

The male student who used to hang out with me is now too busy avoiding eye contact rather than caring about me.

It was hard to even imagine what happened in just a few days.

Although it was somewhat intentional, feeling disheartened as it became reality.

The only comforting point is.

[You have gained 1 point.]

“Can I borrow an eraser?”

“Uh, sure…”

Starting to get closer to Jung A-yeong.

As if triggering PTSD, she timidly responds with lowered eyes.

While doing so, I felt her glancing in this direction, sensing her fleeting gaze.

Intentionally tilting my head slightly to meet her gaze.

As if struck by something, Jung A-yeong’s eyes softened.

“Answer while looking into my eyes.”

“Okay…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

It turned out well.

There wasn’t enough time to deal with the guys who always cause trouble.

Staring straight at Jung A-yeong, a lively response emerged. Her body flinched, wondering why she was being looked at. She avoids my gaze.

And then.

“What, what do you need…?”

“Just thought cutting bangs would look pretty.”

Beyond awkwardness, her expression almost turned tearful.

As if her heart had been struck, she buried her face in the desk to hide her expression.

Her large chest compressed, revealing a breathtaking view from the side.

Phew, cute.

Sometimes frustrating, but forgiven for having a pretty face. Should I call this a nerdy girl?

***

“Ugh…”

Jung A-yeong groaned while lying face down.

Due to a huge shock to her heart.

Not an illness or arrhythmia, but infatuation with Han Se-in.

The so-called ‘heart-fluttering.’

Now at the age of 20.

She was still inexperienced in love.

Having endured harassment for over three years, she couldn’t even make friends, let alone date anyone.

As a result, Jung A-yeong’s personality became increasingly introverted.

What comforted her were the online community and programming.

“To avoid getting hurt…”

“No way there’s chastity before marriage lol”

“I’d rather live alone than do the dishes.”

In a way, it was inevitable.

Harassed at school and scared to go outside, leisure activities in the cozy bed were limited.

She tried to find things she could do in the safety of her room.

That was the best she could do as a student and a victim of harassment.

However.

Her world began to change gradually.

Provocative stories circulated in the community.

Naturally, as a student, she was exposed to all sorts of nonsense related to men.

But the Han Se-in she saw was completely different from the men discussed in the community.

Except for his red eyes.

A handsome male student. He even casually interacted with her without any fuss.

Was he rude? No.

His gentle voice and willingness to help without hesitation came to mind.

Accustomed to gender conflicts and negative stories circulating in the community, it was a new shock for Jung A-yeong.

And that shock, in other words, was infatuation.

It marked the beginning of her first love.

-Knock knock.

Was she burying her face in the dark desk?

Jung A-yeong slowly raised her head at the sensation on her shoulders.

If it were Park Hyo-rin, she would have definitely scolded her from behind.

At the end of her gaze as she lifted her head, there was Han Se-in.

His face becoming increasingly difficult to read.

In her mind, she had already seen generations of grandchildren.

With a blank expression, Han Se-in uttered his words.

“Fourth period is for information. Let’s go.”

“Oh, okay.”

Jung A-yeong’s mouth curled up slightly.

To be precise, it was an act tinged with pleasure.

The gaze felt as she slowly rose from her seat.

Envious glances from the girls in the same class.

Han Se-in treated her more warmly than oddly.

Although she exchanged greetings with other girls.

A feeling of keeping a certain distance?

Hence, a mix of jealousy and admiration appeared in the eyes of the other girls. A kind of instinct.

Jung A-yeong realized it instantly.

However.

Her expression darkened slightly.

How Han Se-in’s position was evolving in this class.

Jung A-yeong knew better than anyone else.

Therefore, she couldn’t just accept it happily.

Jung A-yeong thought of Kim Hyeong-min.

The boy who had tormented her since middle school.

The most malicious way being the first.

……

Making classmates treat toys like invisible beings.

Currently, no one was talking to Han Se-in during information time.

A situation opposite to the first day of school.

Jung A-yeong couldn’t shake off the unease she felt in her heart. She just slowly moved towards the computer lab.

***

“Wow, amazing.”

“It’s nothing special…”

Rumor had it that Jung A-yeong was a genius in information class.

She seemed to have great talent in programming.

She effortlessly solved problems that looked quite challenging.

Forgetting for a moment, the lesson progressed so much that it took her breath away.

On the other hand, the girl who had spaced out with me was casually jotting down notes.

Seeing her even writing down content not covered in class indicated her unmistakable genius.

“Do you already know this?”

“Yeah… it’s fun.”

“You’re good at math and information.”

“C language.”

“Huh?”

“C language.”

“Oh, yeah. C language…”

Was that really so important?

Anyway, Jung A-yeong seemed not inclined to hide her trembling mouth at praise.

Or rather, should we say she couldn’t hide it?

Unfamiliarity was typically like that.

Therefore, Han Se-in began a special praise offensive.

“You’re really amazing!”

“Oh…”

“The best.”

“I’m the best…”

Cheers, cheers, cheers!

Our Jung A-yeong is the best!

Putting all her effort into displaying forbidden skills, Jung A-yeong’s cheeks started to blush gradually.

The eyes that couldn’t meet hers were now shaking intensely.

Her hands that were typing on the keyboard gathered neatly.

The unstable breathing was sticky and sweet, somewhere in between.

“A woman who does well is truly sexy.”

“Gasp…!!”

Did the word “sexy” awaken something within her?

Ten minutes before the end of class, Jung A-yeong, who finished the remaining assignment in less than a minute, muttered.

“S-Sexy… am I… sexy?”

“…Uh, yeah. Sexy, you’re sexy.”

A momentary eye contact.

Could eye contact alone make your back shiver like this?

It wouldn’t have been believable without the experience just now.

Her body stiffened, and the intense gaze made her needlessly warm.

The desire contained within it was different from what other women felt.

It felt momentarily dangerous.

This time, it was me who avoided the gaze.

The awkward atmosphere dissipated thanks to the end of the class.

“Lunchtime.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

Lunchtime arrived.

After organizing the books, they returned to their respective groups and headed to eat.

Today was a different day than usual.

Perhaps because of the clearly drawn line.

The boys who used to eat with me have long disappeared.

So, in the classroom, it’s just Jung Ah-young and me. Only the two of us left.

“Sein-ah.”

“Yeah?”

It felt like a confession was about to happen.

No way.

Even if we lack experience, aren’t we just at the level of being friends now?

Jung Ah-young’s gaze shifted down towards me.

Her trembling voice and fidgeting fingers were filled with anxiety.

Do emotions rub off on others?

Would I end up experiencing an anxiety-inducing acceleration like being hit by an 8-ton truck?

As Jung Ah-young began to speak,

I took the lead.

“A-Young.”

“S-Sure, yeah?”

“Wanna grab lunch together?”

“Oh, sure!”

Jung Ah-young’s expression brightened.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a love confession attack; the atmosphere itself lightened up.

In her radiant smile, the previously somber mood momentarily vanished.

If only things could always be this straightforward.

Suddenly, Kim Hyung-min didn’t seem so bad.

“I-I was going to ask you too…”

“I see.”

“B-but why… me?”

“We’re friends.”

“Is that so…?”

Yes. Friends.

A statement that solidified our relationship.

It was a way to uplift her emotions.

A sort of boundary, a safety measure.

How would Jung Ah-young, who had no friends before, react?

“Okay. Friends.”

“Yeah, friends.”

In less than a week’s time,

Jung Ah-young and I became friends!

We head towards the cafeteria, carrying immense gains.

“Can you finish all of that?”

“Yeah.”

Although there are details to consider,

Jung Ah-young looked surprised when she saw the amount of food on my plate.

Given that it seemed enough for at least 2-3 people, it was natural.

However, it couldn’t be helped.

Since the meal was free, stocking up on food to cut costs was necessary.

Even though my sister made sure to have breakfast, I needed to eat less.

But it wasn’t overeating.

It was a moderate amount.

While receiving the pork stir-fry, Jung Ah-young’s body tensed up.

“Do you not like milk?”

“A little…”

Her reaction seemed excessive for someone who dislikes it.

Jung Ah-young couldn’t hide her discomfort, as if a thorn was stuck in her mouth.

There wasn’t much space to talk while standing still.

So, we quickly found a quiet spot to start our meal together.

“Do you have something left behind?”

“Oh, no…”

She was almost bursting into laughter.

Is it possible for conflicting emotions to coexist?

Beneath the thick layer of unease on her face, there was a hint of laughter due to the fact that we were eating together.

An odd expression.

And then,

Her anxiety was about to become a reality soon.

“Oops!”

“….”

Park Hyo-rin’s voice came from behind.

The sensation of cold liquid was felt from the forehead.

It wasn’t exactly a fall.

Yet, a mistake happened in the cafeteria without anyone paying attention.

“….”

“Sorry. Are you okay?”

The pungent scent of milk wafted through.

Starting from the forehead, it descended, making everything more dizzying than usual.

Droplets of white liquid fell along her black hair.

I gently pushed the tray forward.

Because milk shouldn’t mix with rice.