episode_0027

Chapter 26: Korean-style Friendship-building Activities (1)

In the midst of a tense situation.

It was Kim Hyung-min who calmed their confusion.

The sole person maintaining a nonchalant demeanor.

One could argue he leaned towards pleasure in this situation.

On the floor lay Han Se-in.

Park Hyo-rin blocking the way, and Jung Ah-young unable to approach the man she liked.

Even Kang Hyun-ah, casually looking down at him.

The uncomfortable and bitter situation pleased him.

It felt like the intention behind this situation was gradually being achieved.

Kim Hyung-min’s smile brightened with satisfaction.

“Hey, hey.”

“Ugh, ugh…”

Kim Hyung-min nudged Jung Ah-young with his foot.

Though a rough gesture, his words offered her hope.

“Take him to the infirmary.”

“Ah, got it.”

Jung Ah-young understood such remarks remarkably well.

With Kim Hyung-min’s approval, there was no reason for Park Hyo-rin to stop her.

As the shackles were released, Jung Ah-young approached Han Se-in.

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah…”

She breathed a bit easier than initially, pushing out shallow breaths.

Someone she couldn’t even look at before.

Jung Ah-young glanced at Kang Hyun-ah.

Sharp gaze.

Difficult to believe she had been tormented for years.

The brief glint in her eyes stimulated Kang Hyun-ah.

Was it anger?

No.

It left a significant impression on Kang Hyun-ah.

A student usually indifferent.

If Park Hyo-rin harassed someone, let her do as she pleased.

Even if she didn’t hit, she would ignore and watch.

So maybe she didn’t know.

What was more shocking was that the eyes of the woman she disregarded held determination.

Daring to… hit the man I like?

Beyond mere resistance and defiance. It surpassed pleading.

The will that might bend again, but the fact that it sparkled remained unchanged.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, a bit.”

“Let’s go to the infirmary.”

“Got it.”

Slowly getting up, supported by Jung Ah-young, they left the place.

While her gait was fine, she stayed close to support him.

Kang Hyun-ah just watched them endlessly from behind.

Perhaps lost in thought.

Between her sharp wolf-like eyes, that light gradually dimmed.

Seemingly dazed, she looked towards where Han Se-in had gone.

And then.

“Let’s go, Hyun-ah.”

“…Oh.”

A man sticking closely by her side.

He grabbed one of her arms and clung to her like an arm lock.

An aftershock in Kang Hyun-ah’s mind, which had previously been blank.

Excitement?

Just the thought of it is disgraceful here.

The feeling in her chest was clearly disgust.

The situation, reality.

The agent who had no choice but to make her like this.

Her feelings towards Kim Hyung-min were just that.

Ultimately, the arrow circled back to its owner.

If the dog had been blind, it would have bitten long ago.

Yet Kang Hyun-ah took a step forward.

Listening to the tightening grip and the soft voice.

She thought herself more repulsive than anyone else and yearned for someone.

“Let’s go to the store.”

“Okay.”

“Me too!”

Kang Hyun-ah walked indifferently.

As usual.

No, even colder than usual.

To calm her wavering heart.

To endure the nagging guilt.

She accommodated the detestable tastes of Kim Hyung-min.

“How hard did you hit?”

Jung Ah-young and Han Se-in headed towards the infirmary.

However, there was one oversight.

The fact that even the school nurse eats.

When they reached the first floor and faced the empty infirmary.

In the end, they had no choice but to return to class.

“It’s actually good if things turn out well.”

“Right where it hurts.”

“Huh?”

Startled, Jeong Ayoung’s expression crumbled.

In a moment of anger, she directed her frustration towards Kang Hyeon-ah.

Only to realize it was her own fault!

Confusion clouded her eyes.

Amidst the chaos, Jeong Ayoung only muttered the same words.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.”

“It’s… fine.”

Ouch, that hurts.

As Han Se-in touched her side, she let out a soft groan.

“Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.”

The apologies sped up almost to a siren level.

Not an alarm sound, so what was this?

Han Se-in broke into an incredulous smile.

“Is this a siren?”

“Sorry…”

“No apologies.”

“I messed up.”

“Sigh…”

Was she doing this on purpose?

Suspicious, he looked at Jeong Ayoung.

Her returning demeanor was one of utter confusion.

She seemed genuinely half-broken, stuttering like something malfunctioning.

Perplexed, Han Se-in shook his head.

“But Kang Hyeon-ah is fine.”

“What…?”

“It hurts a bit… but she didn’t hit me that hard.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Cold yet tinged with resentment, Jeong Ayoung’s voice sharpened as she mentioned Kang Hyeon-ah.

Clumsy and immature.

Could it be jealousy?

The emotions burning inside Jeong Ayoung were crudely expressed.

“Are you… not mad at her?”

“Kang Hyeon-ah?”

“Yeah…”

“Not really?”

“Why, why, why…”

Her expression gradually turned tearful.

The woman Jeong Ayoung cared most about was none other than Kang Hyeon-ah.

Park Hyorin, honestly… wasn’t much, and she felt threatened by her.

From the perspective of the perpetrator, instinctual judgment aside from taking the lead.

“Kim Hyeong-min did wrong.”

“But…”

“If we’re nitpicking, you made the mark, didn’t you?”

Before assigning blame, the outcome was clear.

Jeong Ayoung tightly sealed her lips.

Uncomfortable, as if a thorn stuck in her mouth.

However, Han Se-in’s response was indifferent.

Since it was her own emotions, it was natural for him not to think much about it.

Does she view Kang Hyeon-ah favorably?

Anxiety began to seep into Jeong Ayoung’s actions.

Honestly, she felt a bit inferior when comparing herself to Kang Hyeon-ah.

What should she say?

It’s forbidden to get angry with Han Se-in.

Besides, she didn’t have the courage to do so in the first place.

Does Han Se-in hate her?

Just the thought was dreadful.

Jeong Ayoung was at a loss for what to do.

At that moment, a voice rang out to change the atmosphere.

“Hey, guys! The MT schedule is out!”

A bustling noise filled the room.

The most informed in the class, the class president, was distributing flyers.

A long-standing tradition: pass them back! That’s how it goes.

“Oh… MT?”

That’s right.

This was Hwarang Academy!

As adults, similar to high school, there existed MT.

About three weeks after starting the new semester.

Having gotten somewhat familiar with her classmates, the time had come to truly bond.

Not mandatory participation, but…

“Sh-should we go…?”

Seeing Jeong Ayoung’s changed expression, Han Se-in could only nod.

To the extent that hot air comes out of a snort.

Her face was ominous, to say the least.

Wondering what she was imagining in her head.

“Yeah…”

The participation fee is 30,000 won.

Han Se-in pondered.

Should he tell his sister?

***

“Hehehe…”

Jeong Ayoung picked up her smartphone.

It was her usual routine.

Upon arriving home and finishing her tasks, she would pick up her phone and browse the community.

She seemed a bit more lively than usual.

All because of the upcoming MT next week.

[Title: I Want to Devour My Partner’s Dog.]

I want to do exercises to make a baby ㅠㅠ

Stop lying.

It’s not a lie.

Show proof.

Jeong A-yeong pressed the back button.

She didn’t have the courage to show proof.

She knew the nature of the community better than anyone else.

She wouldn’t blatantly post Han Se-in’s photo.

Still, breadcrumbs leading to the man she loves?

She couldn’t even imagine what kind of jokes these girls would crack.

Her body trembled.

She’d rather visit the Hyperbole Gallery.

[Having Fun with My Partner ㅎㅎ]

There’s also a courage test. Can I show a cool side?

The me until now is no more.

It’s the moment the dragon awakens!

You’re not a dragon, you’re a worm.

Worm1 haha

You crazy girl.

Thud.

Jeong A-yeong gnashed her teeth.

Yes, tease and ignore to your heart’s content.

Your favorite celebrity-level man?

Hyun Bu-yang? Because he’s my partner!

“Sigh…”

Today was another precious day.

Jeong A-yeong tightly closed her eyes.

And she envisioned herself in her mind.

Winning first place at the sports competition.

[Wow… Amazing, A-yeong!]

Her nose rises, shoulders shrug in praise!

She wants more. More, more, she wants to be loved more.

[I like you.]

Ugh!!

Jeong A-yeong clasped her face with both hands.

If she could show a cool side in front of him… Would he like her?

The fantasy continued with more tails.

Courage training.

[Aaah!! A-ayeong.]

“It’s just something like this. Are you okay?”

“I-it’s scary, but together…”

Hehehe…

Jeong A-yeong let out a laugh.

Han Se-in, who hugged her in fear?!

Splat.

Lost in her delusions, she ended up drooling.

Swallowing the dribble, she began to squirm.

She recalled the past.

Like falling in a cartoon, the time when their bodies overlapped.

It was hellish but all the more sweet.

Back then, things were a mess, but the warmth and memories still made her happy.

“T-towel…”

Where is it?

Jeong A-yeong locked the door tightly.

So that no one could come in.