episode_0049

“Umbrella University is one of the top universities in our country. I didn’t know that the photographer who rejected me went to such a university.”

Young-eun said as she sipped her coffee.

This was a small cafe located next to the school cafeteria.

I was sitting at the same table in the cafe with Young-eun, sipping on my americano while she enjoyed her caramel macchiato.

That must have a lot of calories.

Don’t you need to take care of your body if you’re an actress?

One cup of that sweet caramel macchiato, loaded with sugar and even cream, contains 400 calories.

That small cup is a whopping 400 calories.

To burn off those 400 calories, a woman weighing 54 kilograms would have to run for an entire hour.

Even the carbohydrates and fats…

Oh, snap out of it.

That’s not the issue right now.

I glanced around the empty cafe.

Normally, it would be bustling with students heading to class, but it was completely empty.

Other students were all outside, watching Young-eun sitting across from me.

“Isn’t that Yoo Young? She hasn’t been to school in a long time, what’s going on?”

“Who’s that guy sitting across from her? Is he her boyfriend?”

“That guy is from the Computer Science department.”

Whispers and murmurs.

The sound of people chattering outside was tickling my ears.

This kind of attention.

Not good.

How did it come to this?

I was kidnapped by Young-eun on the way to the lecture hall.

The reason for the kidnapping?

“Shall we continue the conversation we didn’t finish yesterday? We met like this for a reason, right?”

“Let’s have a cup of coffee. I’ll pay.”

Coffee at this hour?

There’s not much time left for class.

“If you refuse, it’s rude to reject me yesterday, I’ll make you pay for it with interest, so come with me.”

She must have taken offense at my refusal.

Oh, I shouldn’t have gotten in the car thinking it would be more comfortable.

Damn it.

“This will be captured. As a celebrity, you should consider the public gaze and your image.”

“So what? If I say no, that’s it. And I can overcome that kind of image with my acting skills.”

You can ignore it, but I’m not an ordinary person.

I swallowed those words deep in my heart.

“I thought you were majoring in photography, but you’re not. You’re in Computer Science. You don’t look like it.”

“What does someone in Computer Science look like?”

“You know those images you see on the internet? Checkered shirt and horn-rimmed glasses.”

She made the shape of glasses with her fingers.

“It’s not like that.”

“Really? I thought all Computer Science students dressed like that because of what I see on TV or the internet.”

“What’s going on here?”

I quickly changed the subject.

“You didn’t know? I go to school here.”

I didn’t know.

“You really don’t watch TV.”

She casually sipped her coffee.

Gulp.

“What do you think? It’s not a bad offer, right?”

Even though she was using formal language, her tone was full of confidence and arrogance.

She was convinced that I would definitely accept her proposal.

“I told you. My skills are lacking…”

“I think it’s my problem to judge if your skills are lacking. Are you short on money? Or do you need other conditions? Should I buy you more equipment?”

Even if the best conditions in the industry are offered, wouldn’t you think there’s another reason if you refuse?

I thought I had clearly refused.

But it seemed like it wasn’t enough for this woman.

She was already prepared to offer a bigger proposal, thinking that the conditions she had offered were insufficient.

Should I just say it outright?

That it would be difficult to deal with your difficult and prideful personality?

The words were on the tip of my tongue.

“I’m sorry. It doesn’t seem possible.”

Once again, I expressed my refusal today.

And then.

“It’s too expensive. Double it. I’ll bet twice the amount I initially suggested. I tend to reward those who have proven skills.”

The best in the industry, double the price.

It was an unusual condition that didn’t appeal to me.

“But what if the styles don’t match?”

“It doesn’t matter. I take pictures to capture my most beautiful moments and share them with others.”

“And if you take a picture of me, I can guarantee it will sell.”

This woman has incredible confidence.

Is this what they call a chaebol aura?

“Maybe? Even though you’re usually humble, the offer right now is…”

“I’m sorry.”

Honestly, I had reached my limit up to 9 digits.

The staggering amount of money momentarily tempted me.

But.

It wasn’t about the money.

The problem was the stress I would endure.

A gut feeling told me I would get involved in something troublesome.

“Ha… Another rejection? Is this not enough? Then how about triple…”

“It’s not about the money.”

“What?”

“It’s not about the money.”

A puzzled expression crossed her face.

It seemed like she couldn’t properly interpret the meaning of my words, which were a combination of words she had never heard before.

“It’s not about the money?”

“Yes.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s your personality, Yeongeun.”

I hesitated to say those words.

But no matter how much I thought about it, I thought it would be better to speak up if I thought this woman would continue to cling to me in the future.

“My personality is the problem? What’s wrong with it?”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“I really have no idea. It’s the first time I’ve heard that there’s a problem with my personality in my entire life.”

Ah.

I felt like I knew why this woman was so self-centered and stubborn.

That’s right.

There was no one around to help her control that personality.

To solve a problem, you need to know what the problem is.

“I can’t work with someone as shameless as you.”

“W-what did you just say?”

“That’s all I have to say.”

However, playing the role of her personal tutor was out of the question.

I got up from my seat.

If I said this much, she probably wouldn’t approach me again in the future.

But.

“Wait. Did you say I’m shameless? Me, right now?”

“Yes, and not just a little. You’re forcing someone who clearly wants to leave to stay, aren’t you?”

“I… I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ll leave now.”

I bowed my head and left the cafe.

Oh, I almost forgot.

I grabbed the forgotten americano and left again.

I could feel Yeongeun’s gaze on me, but I ignored her on purpose.

More than her.

“Is this Yeongeun’s car?”

“Is it a lover’s quarrel…?”

“What’s going on?”

The rumors that were spreading were more frightening.

It seemed like today was an extremely unlucky day.

***

“What’s going on?”

When I finally arrived at the classroom, Shinsoueun was glaring at me with her arms crossed.

Our classmate who always appeared when least expected.

She had a sharp look in her eyes.

“What is it?”

Already tired from dealing with Yeongeun just now, I was about to collapse, but this girl didn’t give me a chance to rest before the professor arrived.

“Are you close with Professor Yeongeun?”

“What does that have to do with you, Shinsoueun?”

“W-what?”

Even with her glaring eyes, I wasn’t fazed.

Was it because I had just dealt with Yeongeun? Shinsoueun’s hysteria seemed cute.

Not cute in a romantic way.

It meant I wasn’t bothered.

“Um, well…”

“If you have nothing to say, please step aside. I need a nap.”

After finishing my sentence, I collapsed on the desk.

Huh, really!

As I lay there, Shinsoueun’s fading laughter seemed to express disbelief.

Honestly, I never thought I would be able to say something like that.

“Special effects are amazing.”

[Hell Chang’s Boldness: Grade (A)]

I really hit the jackpot with this.

All thanks to my American connections.

It was the ability I gained after spending the night with her.

Talking about it made me think of Miju.

-[Miju] Oppa, did you wake up well?

-[Miju] I have no classes today, so I’m sad. I can’t see you today.

I read the message sent with a crying puppy emoji.

-[Miju] Should we have a study date now?

-[Jaeho] Don’t come. Rest when you can. You said you have assignments.

-[Miju] That’s true. But I still miss you♥♥♥.

What kind of relationship is this?

We haven’t confessed to each other.

But we already spent the night together and even got physical.

We weren’t even under hypnosis.

Are we dating…?

It was hard to define without hearing an answer.

While I was replying to Miju about attending her class.

Tap tap.

Someone tapped on my shoulder as I was leaning forward.

“Sunbae.”

It was Ye-seul.

Her short hair, almost touching my shoulder, suited her well as she tapped on my shoulder.

“Uh, Ye-seul, what’s up?”

“Sunbae, is it true that you were with Yeong-eun sunbae earlier?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Is it because of that incident?”

Ye-seul, looking around cautiously, lowered her voice and asked.

“Because of my profile picture?”

“Yeah. She said she wanted to work together because it was so well taken.”

“Wow… I thought your skills would impress her. So you agreed to work together?”

“Work?”

“Yes!”

Ye-seul seemed to have admiration for a senior in the industry, especially a talented actress, as she brightened her eyes and asked.

“No. I said we probably wouldn’t work well together.”

“Why?”

“Just… didn’t seem to click.”

Only then did Ye-seul nod as if she understood.

“I heard that Yeong-eun sunbae’s personality is a bit strong. Maybe you two didn’t get along.”

A bit strong.

Rumors have a way of distorting things.

I had no intention of tarnishing the image of a senior I admired.

“Yeah. Well, maybe a bit?”

…I was about to say.

Ding!

[Level – 7 Recruit Yuyeong-eun as an official member.]

[Success Reward – Special Random Trait (B~S)]

[Failure results in a random member’s contract termination.]

What’s this now?