episode_0093

Ever since being hired, the newbie had been constantly causing trouble, but for some reason, she suddenly approached Jiyoo with a charming smile.

Upon witnessing this scene, the first thing that came to mind was fear and worry.

“…Is it okay to let them talk?”

A fateful encounter between an arsonist and the victim of that arson, there was no denying the ominous connection.

When the newbie came to the cocktail bar as a guest, it seemed like the tangled relationship was somewhat untangled.

However, it was undeniable that there was still an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere between them.

Honestly, even if it wasn’t intentional, isn’t it hard to brush off turning someone else’s place into a pile of ashes as a minor incident?

“I understand wanting to erase the awkward and uncomfortable feeling, but isn’t it just making things more awkward for no reason?”

Taking the courage to approach was commendable, but worrying was inevitable.

Pretending to tidy up, I began to eavesdrop on their conversation from a fairly close distance.

“What genre do you like? Hmm… I used to like dark atmospheres, but these days, I’m just looking for something healing because life is tough. How about you, unnie?”

“I, well, I liked isekai? More like things that don’t exist in reality. Living such a boring life, I ended up seeking out those kinds of things.”

“Huh? From the way you’re talking, it seems like you’ve been living quite an interesting life?”

“If you ask the girl who does the dishes, she’ll know how boring of a person I really am, won’t she? Hehe…”

But was it all just a misunderstanding?

As the conversation continued, the awkwardness that existed between them was gradually disappearing.

And at some point, they began to address each other as sister and brother, showing a very friendly relationship.

“…Thinking about it again, there was nothing to worry about.”

Han Jiwu, he may only reveal his enemies, but with his captivating charm, he can easily win over anyone.

Was it not natural for their relationship to be restored?

After all, he became friends with me during high school when I was even more unpleasant.

It would be almost impossible for him to ruin his relationship with someone who approached him first.

“Phew.”

A quiet sigh of relief escaped me.

Feeling like there was no need to eavesdrop anymore, I finished up my pretend cleaning and started preparing to leave.

“Senior Jaehyuk, do you have a girlfriend?”

One question from the newbie’s mouth made me stop in my tracks.

A question whose intent I couldn’t quite discern.

Unable to resist hearing Jiwoo’s answer, I pretended to check if I had missed anything and looked around.

I had a rough idea of what he might say.

It hadn’t been long since he confessed, and I hadn’t done anything particularly appealing to him.

Thinking that I should probably connect the newbie and myself, I was certain he would say ‘no’ or ‘I don’t have one.’

…Thanks to Jiwoo, it seems like things will be quite troublesome for a while.

Rejecting a dragon that actively approaches is also a task in itself.

Without much expectation, I waited for him to speak, but what came out of his mouth was far beyond my expectations.

“I do.”

A sweet and dizzying statement that tickled my ears.

Wait… did he just say he does?

No, why?

Wasn’t he completely uninterested?

Confused, I stopped what I was doing and just stared blankly at the shelf, only to hear girly chatter in my ear once again.

“Well, it’s strange that he’s not sold out. He’s so handsome and kind, who wouldn’t be interested? Ah, what a shame. I was going to give it a try if he was single.”

“Kind? Do you think so? Will you be scared and back off as soon as you see my true self? She’s not as good as you think.”

“Is that so? Hmm, but still, later on…”

Although I overheard some gossip, strangely enough, I didn’t feel bad at all.

Instead, the criticism sounded like a warning to other women, making me unconsciously smile.

If I casually mention what just happened a little later, the reaction will be quite interesting.

As I kept quiet, trying to hold back my laughter, I used the excuse of preparing to leave work and headed straight to the changing room.

Afterwards, in the changing room, I burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.

“Hehehe…”

I can’t wait.

The reaction I’ll see on the way home when I mention this incident.

And the cute excuses he’ll come up with while stumbling and blushing.

“Today’s way home… will be more enjoyable than usual.”

The excitement that swelled up so much that it wouldn’t easily subside.

Imagining the events that would unfold shortly after.

I started preparing to leave work quickly, with a mischievous smile on my face.

—–

“He has a girlfriend.”

A lie that I blurted out without realizing it.

Thinking back, I couldn’t understand why I did that, and the consequences of that action were truly harsh.

“Han Jiwu, I have something to ask.”

“Don’t ask.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend, why did you say I do?”

“I said don’t ask, didn’t I?”

…Anyway, that guy.

If a person… no, a vampire hesitates to mention it, I would just let it go, but he had to ask like that.

I grumbled in annoyance and then walked away, maintaining an unfortunate smile even as I groaned.

Seeing him like that, I felt a surge of anger, so I increased my pace to distance myself from him.

“You jerk.”

As I moved far enough that Jaehyuk was no longer visible, I muttered curses under my breath, lost in thought.

Since I found out that he no longer sees me as a ‘friend’ but as a ‘woman’.

As the days passed, my body continued to react strangely.

My heart would race at any random comment.

It was difficult to play mischievous pranks like before.

…I felt upset when he was with other women.

Although I would deny it and say that he was not ‘the one’, objectively speaking, I seemed to have already fallen completely for Jaehyuk.

If not, I wouldn’t be doing things that a heroine in a romantic or harem novel would do.

“Does this… make sense?”

It’s so absurd that it makes me laugh.

A vampire, who had only become a woman just five months ago.

There was no special event or incident that would make me feel excited… or was there?

Anyway, how did I end up like this?

“Sigh…”

This shouldn’t be happening.

I lived as a man for 24 years.

When I lay in bed and closed my eyes, memories of when I was a man would vividly come back to me.

If I had been a woman from the beginning, I wouldn’t have minded, but isn’t it strange to be attracted to a man just because I became a woman?

And the guy who is attracted to my friend who became a woman has a problem too!

“This is so confusing, really.”

How should I accept this?

Admitting that my heart has been stolen makes me feel like I’m becoming a strange woman.

But if I deny it, I feel like I’ll regret it later, like the heroine of a tragic novel.

“Ugh…!”

As my dilemma deepens, the headache intensifies.

Groaning and holding my head with my hand, Jaehyuk, who had followed me without me noticing, started teasing me, panting heavily.

“Huff… huff… I barely caught up. If you run so fast, huff… ordinary people can’t catch up, you know.”

“An ordinary person, huh? You’re probably just lacking exercise. And I purposely ran ahead to tell you not to follow me.”

“Huh, really? In my eyes, huff… it looks like you’re asking me to catch you.”

“If you’re going to keep talking nonsense like that, should I go first?”

“…Sorry, I was wrong.”

Didn’t they say you can’t spit on a smiling face?

Seeing Jaehyuk asking for forgiveness with a bitter smile, I couldn’t help but feel weak again.

Despite expressing my dissatisfaction, I walked alongside him again.

“…”

“…”

However, unlike the usual hustle and bustle, the way back was eerily quiet.

…Maybe it’s because I got too annoyed when I played a prank.

Even at a small joke, I reacted so sensitively. How can I speak comfortably?

As long as I don’t speak first, this uncomfortable silence will continue endlessly.

So, I let out a deep sigh, put on a playful smile, and opened my mouth first.

“…Are you so curious about why I mentioned having a girlfriend?”

As I asked the question and turned my head slightly, he widened his eyes and turned his head to look at me.

Regardless of the joke, he seemed genuinely curious about the reason.

But what should I do? I have no intention of telling the truth.

I kept joking around for a while until we entered a narrow alley.

Thud –

Crash!

Pushing Jaehyuk against the wall, I whispered in his ear with a sticky voice.

“It’s mine… you keep eyeing that lizard.”

“…!”

“You keep coveting other people’s things, should I say I’m not here?”

After finishing my words and slowly stepping back, I saw Jaehyuk’s bewildered expression.

He really has no immunity to this kind of thing, huh?

Watching his delicious reaction, I felt a sense of victory.

I chuckled and poked his side.

“It was just a joke ~ Do you believe that? Ugh, that’s why you shouldn’t be a loner.”

“…”

“Let’s go home! It’s been a while since we had a good night’s sleep, right? Hehe…”

When there was no response, I started walking first, and Jaehyuk followed silently after a moment of daze.

That pleasant silence continued until we arrived at my studio apartment.