episode_0029

“Huh? How about it? Of course, I’ll pay for the meal.”

“It’s a bit sudden. Why the sudden meal?”

“Just because. To apologize for something I said before. Is that a problem?”

As Lee Hina spoke, she glanced at Park Sihyun. Park Sihyun also felt her gaze and looked uncomfortable, but for some reason, she didn’t say anything due to her pride.

To be honest… Lee Hina’s proposal could have been rejected. Of course, most people wouldn’t refuse a meal invitation from someone as beautiful as Lee Hina without a good reason, but I wasn’t that interested in her.

I guess… it’s like the leisure of someone who is already full? If I had been lonely and craving female attention, things might have been different, but I had ‘someone’ already, so it didn’t matter much.

“Okay then.”

“Oh, let’s meet later. I know a nice place. See you then.”

Contrary to my thoughts, I accepted Lee Hina’s proposal. It seemed like it would be fun. And why would it be fun? Because of Park Sihyun.

“Hey.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you really going to have a meal with her?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Why not? We can have a meal together once.”

When I replied as if there was no issue, Park Sihyun’s expression changed again. It was amusing how her emotions were so clearly displayed on her face.

“Are you trying to flirt with her?”

“Is that so? I just suggested meeting for a meal after a long time.”

“You fool. Who meets an old classmate they weren’t close with for a meal? Besides, you’re a man and she’s a woman.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. She’s totally sly. She’s definitely approaching you knowing your family is wealthy.”

“Hmm…”

That could be true. Since Lee Hina’s behavior wasn’t typical, as Park Sihyun pointed out. But finding this situation amusing, I chuckled and said to Park Sihyun,

“Are you jealous by any chance?”

“What? Me, jealous? Why would I be?”

“Well, maybe because I’m your boyfriend?”

“…Don’t mess around with other girls if you know.”

“You’re jealous.”

“No, I’m not!”

Although Park Sihyun denied it, traces of jealousy were evident on her face. I deliberately accepted Lee Hina’s proposal because I found this reaction amusing.

“Why not just not care?”

“…I don’t care.”

“Really? Then let’s part ways here today. You can go back alone, right?”

“…Do as you please.”

Park Sihyun stood up from her seat. As if she really intended to leave, she walked away. Pausing briefly, she turned back.

“…Are you really letting me go?”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

“Hmph!”

Park Sihyun left the cafe looking genuinely upset. I watched her leave through the window, and even as she walked away, she kept looking back. I couldn’t help but smile at her actions.

Her reactions are indeed amusing… But what if she really gets upset?

***

I’m not jealous at all.

Geonwoo might think so, but I truly didn’t feel any jealousy.

“Hmph, you fool. He needs to experience that kind of slyness to come to his senses.”

I just didn’t like seeing that idiotic pervert being manipulated by that sly little vixen.

Guys like Geonwoo, perverts as they are, easily fall for slightly seductive women with half-and-half faces. How can he fall for such an obvious trick?

Of course, Lee Hina has a pretty face. Similar to mine or slightly better? But that’s it. Her voice is sweeter than mine, and intelligence shows in her actions, but she’d probably panic if Geonwoo made slightly perverted demands. I’m accepting because it’s me.

But guys do seem to like that style. Guys tend to prefer a cute style with a lot of aegyo. I still lack a lot in that aspect.

So, you’re keeping an eye on me. What if that fool sucks up to her and then gets dumped?

Of course, Gunwoo and I are just in a relationship where we agreed to date for a year as an experiment… I have no say in him dating other girls. Besides, I have my pride.

“…I guess it won’t work out after all.”

Still, there were worries. If Gunwoo falls for that fox’s tricks, wouldn’t I feel uneasy too? So, it was necessary to keep an eye on them.

Originally, I really intended to go home, but – I had no choice but to monitor if that fool Gunwoo was falling for her.

So, pretending to go home, I stopped by a nearby store to buy clothes, a mask, and sunglasses. I temporarily left the clothes in a subway locker and, disguised, returned towards the cafe.

That foolish Gunwoo was once again talking with Yihee or that girl. Ugh… Even from a distance, they seemed to be enjoying their conversation. It’s not like I’ve ever seen them having so much fun with me.

The two of them who had been talking for a while later left the cafe. Seeing Yihee change into casual clothes, it seemed like she had finished work.

I followed the two of them. While watching them walk, their closeness wasn’t too intimate nor too distant.

There, I felt a strange sense of superiority. If it were me, I would have stuck closer to Gunwoo. Haha, you’re such a pretentious woman, aren’t you?

But that sense of superiority didn’t last long. Upon closer inspection, there was something between the two of them that was absent between Gunwoo and me.

How should I put it… Was it a sense of freshness? They weren’t holding hands or linking arms, but there was a strange atmosphere of openness between them. Even though I don’t know what they talk about, they seem to converse frequently.

…Could it be that they match each other well? Honestly, she may lack sex appeal compared to me, but she seems more intellectual. Maybe she can communicate better with Gunwoo than I can.

Ugh… If that’s the case, there’s nothing I can do. Should I start studying now?

Some time later, Gunwoo and that girl entered a restaurant. It was a steakhouse, and it seemed like a place Yihee brought him to.

Sneaking in behind them, I found the place full of couples. Bringing him here, she must be trying to impress him. He wouldn’t come to a place like this alone. How would he eat here by himself?

“Are you dining alone?”

“Yes.”

“Then let me guide you to a single seat.”

…I didn’t expect there to be single seats, but anyway, bringing Gunwoo here with ulterior motives was clear. I continued to observe them from a slightly distant single seat. Of course, due to the suspicious looks from the waitstaff for not ordering food, I had to keep ordering simple drinks.

“Hahaha! That’s really funny.”

The two of them continued their meal with lively conversation. Whatever was so amusing, they laughed and chatted merrily.

I’ve never seen myself like that… Suddenly seeing them, I had this thought.

Isn’t Gunwoo happier being with her?

…Well, honestly, apart from sex, there isn’t much of a bond between us.

In fact, it’s the opposite… I was originally a target for his revenge.

Objectively speaking, maybe being with someone like her makes Gunwoo happier. No… Probably not?

…Thinking that way made me lose confidence. Losing confidence, I felt foolish for being like this. I… was truly pitifully jealous.

Quietly, I left the shop. This kind of behavior seemed pointless.

If Gunwoo really wants to be with her, and he says he doesn’t need me anymore, what should I do?

Should I go back to being a man, as that strange phrase says the curse has been lifted?

… Or should I just continue living as a woman.

I don’t know. Neither side really appeals to me. Going back to being a man now, with no reason, or continuing to be a woman.

I couldn’t decide one way or the other.

“What are you doing here?”

“…!”

Standing there unable to make a decision, I heard Geonwoo’s voice from behind. I was inwardly glad to hear that voice, but then I remembered that I was in disguise and pretended not to have heard it.

“You knew it was me, right? I noticed you following me a while ago.”

“…Hmph. I wasn’t specifically following you.”

“Then what were you doing?”

“Just… because I was bored.”

“Is that so? Let’s just leave it at that.”

“…Why did she show up?”

I asked since I couldn’t see Yiheena. It was unsettling yet intriguing. But Geonwoo responded with a tone questioning why I would ask such a thing.

“I left her behind.”

“Can you just leave a girl you’re supposedly dating like that?”

“It wasn’t a date. We were just having a meal. And… I got more worried when you left, so I followed.”

Ah… So I came because I was worried.

Hearing that made me feel relieved.

“Hmph. I told you to go home. What does it matter if I go or not?”

“It’s funny how the one who didn’t go is saying that, isn’t it? So, why did you follow?”

“Well…”

I could have made various excuses. Because Yiheena was trying to provoke me. To not let things slide.

But it was hard to say. Not because I was embarrassed, but because… I felt pathetic.

It was me who made Geonwoo remember… I tormented Geonwoo, forced him to confess.

To now be petty and jealous about that… I am truly an unworthy person.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Isn’t she better than me? To you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t she objectively a much better woman than me?”

I asked, slightly lowering my head. Geonwoo looked at me for a moment before speaking softly.

“She certainly is. Much smarter than you. Full of aegyo, elegance, kindness.”

“But still… You prefer me.”

“Yeah?”

I’m… preferred?

“…Really?”

“Yeah. You’re stubborn, easily fooled, dignified, easy to tease, vulgar, but that’s why you’re more appealing.”

“……”

“On top of that, you have a good face and figure, you’re good in bed, and we get along well. Naturally, you’re the better choice, right?”

…What the hell. So vulgar.

But wait… Was that a confession just now?

While his words were vulgar, his expression seemed a bit embarrassed. Judging by his expression alone, he seemed like someone who had just confessed.

“Idiot… Who are you calling stubborn? You damn idiotic perverted bastard.”

“That’s more like it.”

Geonwoo and I laughed looking at each other’s faces.

I was mistaken. Geonwoo doesn’t suit Yiheena. Like the saying goes, a pervert like Geonwoo matches with me. Yes, how could I deal with such a vulgar girl if it weren’t for me.

“Hey. Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“It’s your place, isn’t it.”

“It’s a bit late.”

“It doesn’t matter. I want to sleep at your place tonight.”

Feeling relieved, I said with a bright smile.

“So, do everything for me.”

“…Damn, let’s go quickly.”

And so, I and Geonwoo hurried towards his house.