episode_0475

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11:00 AM.

The time when those who skipped breakfast begin to feel a slight hunger.

Since Yozora still hadn’t read my message, I had to contact Han Su-ah in the end to uncover the truth.

The reason was… well. There was no particular intention behind it—she just thought it was cute how Lee Ji-yoon’s lips twitched every time my name came up, or so she claimed.

I wondered why she’d hide something so trivial all this time, but I brushed it off with a simple, “Well, it’s Yozora, after all.”

If I let every little thing bother me, I’d probably age to death in no time.

Anyway, if Yozora’s words were true, then Lee Ji-yoon really did start reacting like that just from hearing my name come out of her mouth.

I don’t know whether to interpret this as something akin to possessiveness or, as she said, because she doesn’t find me reliable enough.

The more I think about it, the more my head hurts.

I’d prefer if it were the former, but only Ji-yoon herself knows what’s really in her heart.

Just as I leaned back in my chair and let out a light sigh, a short vibration sound came from beside me.

The familiar buzz of a phone.

—Vrrrr

I’d just finished talking with Su-ah.

So, was Yozora messing with me again for no reason?

A few possibilities came to mind, but there were plenty of others who might’ve texted.

Indifferently stretching out my arm, I checked the sender.

[Seol Da-bin]

– When are we meeting, by the way?

– The recording. That thing.

– We do have to do it, after all.

The sender was none other than Seol Da-bin.

She was one of the people I’d expected, honestly.

Given how it looked like she’d sent the message during break time, avoiding her friends’ eyes.

Still, one thing bothered me enough to make my brow twitch slightly.

Even back at the motel, she’d clearly been enjoying herself, yet she says, “We do have to do it, after all”? That’s way too forced.

I do find it pretty amusing how she stubbornly insists she has no interest in casual sex, though.

But now, I kinda want to see her honestly crumble under pleasure.

Maybe I should try coaxing her into it next time we film.

Tch. Clicking my tongue lightly, I tapped the phone screen.

[Seo Woo-jin]

– Whenever works for you is fine with me.

[Seol Da-bin]

– Then let’s meet on Wednesday.

– Two days from now.

[Seo Woo-jin]

– Doesn’t matter to me.

– Any particular reason for that day?

[Seol Da-bin]

– Baek Ji-ho.

– He’s coming up on Tuesday.

475

“…Why are you so interested in him? He has a girlfriend, you know.”

“Huh? Well… because he’s good-looking?”

“That’s not a valid reason… Ugh…”

A pitch-black cardigan the same color as her hair.

A warm, fluffy checkered scarf.

Eyes that always seem to be brimming with laughter.

A carefree attitude that, for some reason, is honestly kind of annoying.

Occasionally forgetting she’s a foreigner because of her flawless pronunciation.

And despite all that, she’s popular with everyone except me, always surrounded by friends.

Combine all these, and you get the girl standing right in front of me—’Yozora Touka.’

A girl who, right after transferring, seemed to have no interest in me whatsoever.

A girl who, at some point, started showing me unconditional kindness, as if she wanted to be friends.

…And then one day, a mysterious hickey appeared on her neck.

A girl who later confessed that it was the result of begging Seo Woo-jin to test me.

A girl whose thoughts I still can’t begin to understand.

“Han Su-ah. Say something. She might actually listen to you.”

“…Huh? Oh, um. But…”

What am I supposed to do with her?

If I were as oblivious as Lee Ha-yoon, maybe I could just brush it off with a “whatever works.”

Lost in my pointless musings, I turned to Han Su-ah beside me.

We’re not exactly close, but leaving Yozora unchecked is even more unbearable.

Besides, since Su-ah is supposedly from a chaebol family, at least she should be capable of a ‘normal’ conversation, right?

“Is it really that big of a deal…?”

“…What?”

“Right~?”

“W-well, just wanting to be friends is… fine…?”

“…But he has a girlfriend. And she wants to get close to him?”

“Umm… It’s not really a problem… is it? It’s just being friendly…”

“……”

“…Pfft.”

Nope.

No, to be precise, it’s just that her way of thinking is too similar to the popular kids I despise, making it hard to accept.

After nearly a year of knowing Han Su-ah, I’d pegged her as “pretty but socially avoidant.” But I guess being around that smug Japanese girl has rubbed off on her.

Then again, with her looks and background, it’s no surprise she’d attract extroverts like Yozora, regardless of her own introversion.

It’s not that strange for her to unconsciously adopt that mindset.

Lee Ha-yoon and Seo Woo-jin were the same at first.

Falling for each other’s looks and dating in no time.

I’ve always believed in observing people longer, so I can’t relate… but whatever.

Giving up on Su-ah’s help, I locked eyes with Yozora, who was already spinning her chair, thoroughly enjoying the situation.

“Seo Woo-jin… no, after getting close to my unnie’s boyfriend, what exactly are you planning to do?”

“Hmm? After getting close? What would be fun~? Umm—…”

I already have a rough idea of what she wants.

After the rumor spread that Lee Ha-yoon was dating Seo Woo-jin, Yozora’s smirk changed ever so slightly.

She openly showed interest in him before backtracking, saying she just wanted to be friends.

So, to put it bluntly, her first goal is probably sexual.

Or, phrased more subtly, something along the lines of wanting to hang out…

“…Sex? …Ehehe.”

“……”

…You’re insane.

No, well.

Saying that in front of everyone…

Even if she whispered it, the others might’ve heard…

…

…

…Ugh.

Luckily, no one seems to care.

Maybe everyone’s used to Yozora and me bickering by now.

Still, Su-ah right next to us definitely heard.

“Just kidding~! Your face is hilarious. Ahaha…”

While I struggled to hide my twitching lips and ran through a dozen thoughts, Yozora rested her chin on her hand and added with a mischievous grin that it was a joke.

…Yeah, obviously it’s a joke. I knew that. But was this really the place for it?

If the others heard, what would they think? You know that, right?

I was about to tear into her for that, but as life often goes, things didn’t go as planned.

Because Yozora, resting a hand on her cheek, spoke up before I could.

“Ah, but I do kinda wanna try it. A business arrangement?”

“…Business? What are you—”

“Why~? I heard that kind of thing makes crazy money these days~ Like, umm… how should I put it to sound clean…?”

“……?”

“…Huh? Wait, Ji-yoon, you don’t know what I’m talking about?”

“What? You just said ‘business.’ How am I supposed to know?”

“Tch. Fine. Lean in for a sec.”

“No. Why should I?”

“Come on~”

“……”

Half of me was relieved that, after all her earlier shameless remarks, she at least seemed somewhat sane now.

…But the other half was wary—what could she possibly say that requires this much caution?

Torn between the two, I finally sighed and leaned in.

It’s not like she’s going to yell in my ear or something, right?

“See, pure girls like you might not know, but these days, amateur sex videos sell like crazy.”

“……”

“I mean, I’m not as pretty as you, but I’ve got the body for it. And the teacher’s really hot too. …With that combo, we could make bank with just one or two videos. Especially if we title it something like ‘Cheating on His Girlfriend’— Ow, ow! Why’d you pinch my hand so hard?!”

…I’d rather she had yelled.

How can she say something like that so casually…?

“…So you just want to do something perverted with Seo Woo-jin.”

“Ahaha. Well~ It’s human nature? I’m just being honest~”

“Honest? You just said it was a joke.”

“Hmm…? Oh, should I just say it’s a joke?”

“…Ugh…”

“Hehe…”

“…Can’t you try being a little more rational?”

“Of course, I know it’s better to wear a mask here. I’m fine just being a normal ‘friend.’ Right, Su-ah?”

“Mm…”

I thought Seo Woo-jin had cured her, but maybe her condition’s flaring up again—I pressed my fingertips against my throbbing temples.

After holding Yozora’s gaze this whole time, I finally gave up, lowering my eyes and turning away.

Let me think.

If I make a scene now, she’ll just laugh it off, and I’ll be the only one embarrassed.

Besides, getting mad as the little sister over whether she’s serious or joking about wanting to do that with my unnie’s boyfriend… feels weird.

For now, I should calm down and speak carefully.

Within reasonable limits, this seems to be Yozora’s idea of teasing.

Yozora sexually harasses my unnie’s boyfriend, Seo Woo-jin.

I freak out, asking what the hell she’s talking about, acting disgusted.

The highlight is probably my reaction at the end, right?

Freaking out. Disgust.

Even if there’s some sincerity in her feelings toward Seo Woo-jin,

she’s only saying this stuff to see that reaction.

…In that case, like always, I should just ignore her and move on.

Having made up my mind, I kicked Yozora’s chair away with my foot under the desk and muttered,

“Shut up and get ready for the next class.”

“…Pfft.”

…Yeah.

Seeing how this smug cat-like girl obediently backed off without another word,

I guess that was the right answer.