episode_0072

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– Fine, since you have “that photo,” I’ll help you out. But don’t expect much.

– Honestly, this seems like it’s going to be tough…

– First off, Sua likes comics. Especially romance ones.

– She’s never really had anyone she could call a friend, so she got really attached just because I was nice to her a few times.

– …Oh. And she doesn’t seem to like anything too racy.

– So if you push her like you did with me, you’ll get slapped right away.

– I’ll take Han Sua to Hongdae later. There are two big bookstores there.

– I’ll text you once it’s confirmed.

– See you later, trash.

So, she likes comics.

This is the first I’m hearing of it.

Well, I guess it’s just one of those private things she’s kept hidden all this time.

Last time, Yozora mentioned that the client was one of Han Sua’s relatives.

So, the information must’ve come from them.

What kind of approach should I take when I meet her?

Pretending to be as into comics as Han Sua would be hard—I only know the ones I watched on TV as a kid.

Maybe playing the role of a newbie who’s just gotten interested would work better.

Personally, it feels a bit stale since I used the same approach with Lee Ji-yoon, but hey, people naturally lean toward what’s worked before.

Anyway, more than the act itself, the most important thing is leaving the best possible impression on Han Sua this time.

That I’m kind.

That I’m harmless.

That I’m at least more comfortable to be around than other guys.

What do I need to plant those ideas in her head?

As I got ready to leave work, lost in thought, I took off my lab coat and tapped my phone screen.

– After you’re done, don’t go straight back with Han Sua. Find an excuse to slip away.

[Psycho bitch]

– …You fucking pervert.

72

I fiddled with my non-prescription glasses for a moment.

Stepping into the fifth floor of a large building in Hongdae, I paused to take in the unexpected scene around me.

I’d assumed most people who’d come to a place like this would be men, but the ratio of women was surprisingly high.

And not just any women—they were the type who clearly put effort into their appearance, the kind who never slacked on self-care.

Had I been trapped in some outdated stereotype all this time?

Was the image of a sweaty, obsessed otaku being exclusively male just another kind of bias?

Shaking off the pointless thoughts, I entered the store.

Unfamiliar anime character cutouts stood guard from the entrance.

A pink-haired girl holding a guitar? Bass? Some kind of instrument.

Next to her, blue hair, yellow hair, even red hair.

Classic anime character color-coding.

Unfortunately, I had zero interest in them, so I breezed past and headed deeper inside.

According to Yozora, who I’d been texting, the bookstore was further in.

Being my first time here, I got a little lost, but the signs were well-placed, so I found my way quickly.

At the far end of the bookstore,

it didn’t take long for two girls walking side by side to come into view.

One, a girl in a white long padded coat with messily tied brown hair, as if to say she didn’t care about style.

The other, a girl in a hoodie with long navy-blue hair—the kind that clearly took forever to blow-dry every morning, the kind that would inevitably take out her frustration on some poor guy one day.

No one else was around.

Well, no one within five meters, at least.

Each holding a manga they were interested in, keeping their distance as they headed to the checkout.

If I approached Han Sua directly in this situation, it’d only make her suspicious.

What I wanted was coincidence.

So, the best-case scenario was Han Sua noticing me first.

Next best? Yozora spotting me and dragging Han Sua over.

If even that failed, I’d have no choice but to go to her myself.

For now, it’d be best to browse some manga here.

Instead of forcing recognition, I stood in a suitable spot and pretended to flip through a volume.

Every title was absurdly long—was that the trend now?

Were they using the name as a substitute for a synopsis?

Could seeing the general plot before even opening the book really be considered progress?

The thought rolled around in my head before vanishing.

Right then, my eyes met Yozora’s crimson gaze as she glanced my way.

“…….”

At first, she perked up like a puppy seeing its owner, but in an instant, her expression cooled as if she’d put on a mask.

Well, she’s trying her best not to get fucked over too, isn’t she?

I swallowed all the crude remarks I would’ve thrown at her back when we were close.

Now, all I had to do was wait. Yozora would steer Han Sua over.

If I wanted my “reward” later, I had to put in the work.

“…….”

Hair calmer than usual.

A thick beige trench coat, deliberately chosen.

Cheap glasses I’d just bought, material unknown.

Pretending to browse, I adjusted my clothes and waited for them to approach.

Ten seconds later—

Tap, tap. The sound of two pairs of footsteps reached me.

“…Huh?”

Yozora’s voice broke the silence first.

Not the soft, drunken tone I was used to, but a bright, youthful one—for Han Sua’s sake.

Honestly, it took effort not to laugh every time I heard it.

How does she even hold back from drinking?

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“Oh, the school nurse! Right?”

Feeling a light poke, I turned and saw Yozora, pretending to be surprised, whispering cheerfully.

This much was practically scripted, so I exchanged glances with her before locking eyes with Han Sua, who was tilting her head beside her.

Wheat-colored hair and pumpkin-like eyes that suited her well scanned me up and down.

Probably because my appearance now was different from what she remembered at the academy, she seemed to be comparing me to the image in her head.

Honestly, the only real change was the glasses on my nose…

Did it make that much of a difference?

Han Sua hesitated before pointing them out.

“You’re… wearing glasses…?”

“Ah, I usually wear them when I read.”

“I see…”

“Do they look weird?”

“No! They… suit you…”

Her face made it obvious whether she meant it or was just being polite.

It was definitely the latter.

I don’t care if they suit you or not, I’m just surprised to see you here.

That’s what her expression said.

I’d hoped they’d give off a calmer, more approachable vibe, but…

Wasted money, I guess.

Hiding my disappointment behind a smile, I kept the conversation going.

“What brings you two here…? Wait, you’re here to buy books, right? Like me.”

“Yeah! Do you like manga too, Teacher?”

“‘Like’ might be too strong. I’m just curious.”

“Then, want me to recommend some? Any genres you prefer?”

“Hmm… Sports?”

“Oh! Then how about a soccer manga? There’s this new one…”

Yozora chimed in with her small but loud, contradictory voice, keeping the conversation alive.

But Han Sua just stood there, quietly watching.

Watching—meaning she was uncomfortable.

…I could see where this was going.

“…….”

Yozora had said she’d befriended Han Sua in under ten minutes by pretending to like manga.

So my plan wasn’t a complete failure.

But the stark difference between Yozora and me boiled down to one thing:

Gender.

Unlike Yozora, I’m a man.

In the end, the only one who talked was Yozora.

Han Sua didn’t say a word.

At most, she gave short answers when Yozora nudged her with a “Right?”

Today wouldn’t be a total waste, but pushing further would be pointless.

If I forced a conversation now, it’d only backfire.

Disappointing, but for today, just making sure Han Sua remembers my face would have to be enough.

I’d try again next time.

Hiding my frustration behind a stiff smile, I bought a couple of random manga I didn’t care about and left.

…Ugh.

This was a chance to practice talking to a guy.

If I let this slip, what am I supposed to do…? Idiot.

Oh, you like manga too, Teacher?

Even something awkward like that would’ve been better than just standing there.

If I’d done even half of what Yozora did…

Wait, was I still hung up on what happened this morning? When the teacher touched me all over during treatment?

No, no way.

If that were the case, my face would’ve turned red the second I saw him.

It’s fine.

I should’ve at least added a few words when Yozora was recommending manga.

I don’t know much about sports series, but I know what’s popular right now.

Sigh…

At some point, I’ll need to make friends with guys, not just other girls.

But if things keep going like this, it’ll take at least another year.

This is hard.

Promo model.

How do I talk to guys as easily as Yozora does?

Do I need to practice in front of a mirror or something?

Feeling gloomy, I waited outside the store until Yozora emerged, arms full of manga.

Seven, maybe eight volumes.

It looked heavy, but Yozora just grinned like it was nothing.

Like something fun had happened.

“All done…”

“Good work. Want me to carry some?”

“Nah, it’s fine. Not that heavy.”

“Still…”

“I’m not going straight home. Got somewhere to stop by first.”

“Where?”

“Well…”

Yozora, who’d been talking smoothly, suddenly hesitated and glanced at me.

Judging by her reaction, it must’ve been something private.

Like how I wouldn’t want anyone seeing me lazing around reading manga at home, Yozora must have her own things too.

Like, say… a boyfri——

“…….”

…Master, maybe?

That person she was texting earlier?

“J-Just wrapping up some stuff I’ve been putting off while I’m here.”

“…….”

“So I probably won’t be back until around 10.”

“…….”

Her answer was suspiciously vague but delivered with perfect clarity.

Of course, I had no intention of prying.

Guess she’s wilder than she looks.

Typical of someone from the Land of the Rising Sin.

I just laughed it off.

It’s her private life.

I know better than to poke around where I’m not wanted.

Just then—buzz.

Glancing at her phone, Yozora broke into a sly heh-heh-heh grin before abruptly turning to leave.

“Alright, I’m heading out. See you tomorrow.”

“…Yeah. See you, Yozora.”

We’d have to take the same path out of the building anyway.

By the time I dismissed the random thought, Yozora was already gone.

Like she had an urgent appointment.

Like Master had summoned her.

Whoosh.

“…….”

The faint trace of Yozora’s perfume lingered on the escalator.

Sniff. A light inhale, and the path she took painted itself vividly in my mind.

One of the more useful perks of gaining the lion’s power—Tracking. (I named it myself.)

Fifth floor to the second.

Left turn on the second.

Then—the scent cut off abruptly.

An appointment in the same building?

Well, maybe. There was probably a café on the second floor.

Scratching my neck, I stepped onto the escalator.

A small part of me wondered what Yozora’s Master looked like, but that was the extent of my curiosity.

If I didn’t see them, I’d just go home and read the manga I didn’t finish yesterday.

And if I had time… maybe check out the ones Yozora recommended.

That’s what I thought.

Until Yozora’s scent trail ended—

Not at the café, but in front of the men’s restroom on the second floor.

It was just a tiny curiosity.

Until then.