episode_0130

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Looking back now, the first time I was invited to lunch after becoming the school nurse, I should have rejected the offer in the most bratty way possible.

“Hey, the sundubu here is seriously delicious, y’know.” “Yeah. Didn’t Teacher Woojin say it was good last time he came?” “Honestly, once you’ve tasted this place’s sundubu, everywhere else just tastes bland.” “…Ah, yeah.”

If I had just let these ahjussis think, “Kids these days from the MZ generation…,” then I wouldn’t have been dragged to this sundubu place like this, forced into a shoulder-hug I never wanted in the first place.

I wouldn’t have had to force a smile while sandwiched between these nicotine-stinking ahjussis either.

“Teacher Woojin, you don’t smoke, right?” “…No.” “Ah, come on, lighting up before a meal again? You’ll ruin your lungs.” “I’m not on active duty anymore, so it’s fine. Besides, we’ve got Teacher Woojin here if anything happens.”

I didn’t like how they acted all chummy despite barely exchanging a few words… but whatever. The first button was already buttoned wrong, so I just forced a smile I didn’t mean.

Anyway, if I at least keep up a good impression, maybe something good will come of it later.

Not that I have any idea what kind of “good thing” that might be.

As if pleased by my reaction, the teachers—typical ahjussis, no, heroes—laughed heartily, and while exchanging small talk and swallowing sighs, a thought suddenly flickered through my mind as I discreetly set down my chopsticks.

“…….”

Lee Jiyoon.

Wonder what she’s doing during lunch.

Maybe eating with a friend… or something.

Not that that’s likely.

“Hmm….”

…Maybe I should shoot her a quick KakaoTalk before talking face-to-face.

130

“Did you go to the nurse’s office?” “Uh, yeah.” “Your arm looked really painful with that bruise earlier… Glad it’s nothing serious….” “I-It wasn’t that bad… It was just an accident….” “Anyway. Just… anyway.” “…Sigh.” “Hehe. Soo-ah, your gym clothes smell nice….” “…….”

Half the awkward pronunciation from when I first started learning Korean. Half the fluency I gained after tumbling through life in Korea, becoming as smooth as a native speaker.

Mixing the two as I mumbled, I clung to Soo-ah’s back, rubbing my cheek against hers.

Well, it’s not like I mixed them on purpose, but teasing adorable Soo-ah—who couldn’t hide the “We had sex” vibes at all—just kept making me slip into this tone.

Y’know how sometimes, when teasing friends, your tongue just trips up? Like that.

Sigh… Why is Soo-ah so cute?

I mean, right now, we’re friends because I’m hiding my real identity, but technically, she’s two years younger than me. Maybe that’s why?

…When I was 20, I wasn’t this cute.

When I was 20, I was kinda depressed after failing to get legally groomed in a school uniform.

Maybe she was just born cute?

“…I just sparred, so I probably smell like sweat… Why would it smell nice…? And I haven’t even showered yet because I had to go to the nurse’s office….” “No, no. It really does smell good! Oh, wanna call over that guy sneaking glances at us to take a whiff?” “D-Don’t…!” “Pfft. Just kidding~ Our Soo-ah isn’t for any random guy. Nope. No way.”

Even if I could hand her over to someone who treats women like onaholes, I’d never give her to some guy who just stares with lame thoughts like, “I wanna touch her boobs…”

Unless his dick is massive, but even then…

Nah. Doesn’t look like he’s packing that either.

And he doesn’t even have those sexy muscles, y’know?

…To be more blunt, the kind of muscles meant for sex?

Pfft. www

“Hey, Yozora… your chest keeps touching my back….” “My chest? Why? Is that not allowed? We’re both girls.” “Well… people are watching….” “Hmm…? Let them. It’s not like it’s weird. …Well, if we were groping each other, that’d be weird.” “Ugh… sigh….” “Anyway! Let’s go eat~ My stomach’s growling like crazy….”

Smirking at the guy who quickly averted his gaze, I hugged Soo-ah—still in her gym clothes—from behind and lightly stepped out of the classroom.

Lunchtime was lunchtime, but you never know.

What if we bumped into Seo Woojin around a hallway corner?

And if we’re talking about outfits that’d make her freeze up and get easily assaulted—

This kind of gym uniform, teasingly showing a glimpse of thigh, The kind where the zipper’s only pulled up to below the chest because it’s too stuffy otherwise… (Actually, left unzipped on purpose to tease guys), And not just one, but two girls in those uniforms? That’d be the hottest, right?

But too bad~

Failed to run into Woojin on the way to the cafeteria…

All I got was a bunch of horny stares from random guys, which just pissed me off…

You guys only know how to leer, huh? None of you have the guts to grab a wrist and drag someone into a dark corner to rape them.

Tch…

Might as well charge an admission fee at this point.

All I did was give you guys a free show.

“I’ll just get the sprout bibimbap.” “Um… I-I’ll have the same…”

Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing Woojin at all during lunch.

Does she have something else going on?

Or did those burly teachers drag her off to some stinky diner?

Mulling over possibilities as I placed our order, I led Soo-ah to the most secluded spot I could find.

“…….”

Just as I’d scoured nearly every corner of the spacious cafeteria—

There, in a gloomily isolated corner, A familiar head of snow-white hair entered my vision.

So, her name was Lee Jiyoon, right?

A girl who sat behind me—someone I’d never talked to because there was never a reason.

Every time I saw her, she had earbuds in and was face-down asleep, so my only impression was, “She’s the top student?” The girl who, during sparring earlier (though it was an accident), left a small bruise on my adorable Soo-ah’s wrist.

…And, maybe I’m seeing things, but today, she keeps smirking like she’s hiding something.

There she was, in the corner, slurping noodles while fiddling with her phone.

“Hmm….”

A soft exhale escaped me.

Holding the freshly served sprout bibimbap, I strode straight to Jiyoon’s table.

To get revenge for Soo-ah’s bruise?

Nah, not for something that silly.

Just…

Curiosity?

No. More like a challenge?

Yeah, that’s a bit more accurate.

Jiyoon—always alone, never seen talking to anyone, let alone hanging out with friends.

Aloof? Cold? Either way, it suits her.

But anyway,

If I play my cards right, maybe I can get her to…

Heh.

“Hi!” “……?”

After running through my mental script, I greeted her as cheerfully as possible. Jiyoon quickly turned off her phone screen and looked up at me.

Sitting across from her, I only then noticed Soo-ah hesitantly taking the seat beside me.

It wasn’t awkward because of the earlier incident—more like she just didn’t know how to act around someone she’d never talked to before.

Not that I expected her to assist me anyway.

Before Jiyoon could panic, finish her meal, and bolt, I beamed and spoke up.

“I saw you earlier—you’re crazy strong!” “…Yeah.” “Honestly, I just thought you were the girl who sleeps in the back all the time.” “…….”

Oops.

Too honest?

Even though I smiled as brightly as I could, Jiyoon just side-eyed me before poking at her noodles.

Ten seconds in, and she was already radiating “I don’t care about you” energy.

Hmm. When I got close to Soo-ah, it was effortless—just a few casual words and we hit it off.

Does this girl just hate making friends?

I went out of my way to talk to her, and this is the reaction?

…Kinda hurts my pride.

Hmph.

“Hey, so next time we have practical class—” “Sorry, I’m gonna go.”

Even after swallowing my pride and trying again, Jiyoon stood up, her noodles barely half-eaten.

Watching her leave, I sighed quietly—too soft for her to hear.

In a good light, she’s like a skittish stray cat—kinda cute.

In a bad light, just plain rude.

…Still, pretty face + bad attitude? Maybe Woojin would like that.

Not that becoming friends with her would take less than half a year…

Anyway.

It was weird having someone I’m not close with suddenly act familiar, but I think I handled it okay.

Wasting most of my noodles is a bit of a shame, though…

Whatever.

No way I could’ve eaten properly with those two around.

And if they’d seen my phone screen, I’d be the only one at a loss.

“Sigh….”

After rinsing my mouth at the water fountain, I leaned against the hallway wall and checked my phone.

[Seo Woojin] – Are you insane?

“Pfft…”

No subject, no context—just a blunt “Are you insane?”

And yet, I giggled like an idiot at that tiny line of text.

I mean, it is funny.

Woojin, who only ever uses polite speech (except with CZ), suddenly texting me swear words?

And the fact that it must’ve taken her this long to send that one line after discussing my proposal with her sister?

It’s like… I’m slowly corrupting the innocent Woojin with my own hands.

…Kinda fun.

[Lee Jiyoon] – Why?

Too bad. If not for that interruption earlier, I’d have replied sooner.

Leaning against the wall, I tapped out a reply, humming softly.

…Luckily, it only took seconds for my phone to buzz.

[Seo Woojin] – You know.

No usual calmness—just frustration and disbelief.

[Lee Jiyoon] – I really don’t.

And in return,

Instead of my usual blunt texts,

I sent one dripping with mischief.

Because—

[Seo Woojin] – You said something weird to Hayun noona. Still don’t get it? [Lee Jiyoon] – Yep.

I want to mess with her.

Like a grade-school boy pulling the hair of the girl he likes.

[Seo Woojin] – You— Ugh. Whatever. You’re just pretending not to get it to annoy me. [Lee Jiyoon] – Oh. Caught me? [Seo Woojin] – …… – I talked to Hayun noona. – I’m not doing what you said. Ever.

Even though I expected that answer, I kept humming as I typed.

[Lee Jiyoon] – Whyyy. – It’s not like I said I’d join you two. Just wanted to watch. [Seo Woojin] – That’s insane… [Lee Jiyoon] – Since you and noona are so unreliable, I’d make sure you’re doing it right. You should be thanking me. [Seo Woojin] – Stop. Just play games like usual. We can duo tonight. [Lee Jiyoon] – Hmm. – But noona won’t be home then… [Seo Woojin] – I said stop. – What’s your point if Hayun noona’s not home? [Lee Jiyoon] – You know what. [Seo Woojin] – Just get in the game. No tricks. [Lee Jiyoon] – Ah, y’know… – That thing…

I never expected to actually watch them have sex in the first place.

…I just want to get under her skin.

That’s enough for now.

For now,

At least.