005. Coding Heaven, Planning Hell (Complete)
Kim A-ram. Had anyone ever truly loved this chaotic demon of a woman?
Actually, back in college, she had quite a bit of popularity. Predictably enough, it was all thanks to her looks. As a freshman with an unmatched appearance, she never had to buy her own meals. She fielded confessions from countless guys. And among them, she chose just one: Yoon Ji-ho, a sixth-year grad student.
"Hic..."
He woke up from yet another dream about Kim A-ram. Even though more than a year had passed... Even though he'd forgotten so many campus memories... Some lingered, unforgettable. The power harassment from his professor. And his time with Kim A-ram.
Her smile under the spring blossoms. When he'd asked if she'd ever dated before, her playful reply: Sunbae, do I look easy? I haven't slept with any other guys! The tears she'd shed at their breakup. Those moments still flashed into his mind, a year later. The classic spring-or-fall guy meltdown: I loved you, you bitch!
"Sunbae."
"Y-yeah?"
"Let's... stop meeting like this from now on."
"W-what? Why...?"
Kim A-ram often drew jealousy from other female seniors. So Yoon Ji-ho wanted to protect her.
"Sunbae... hic... There's a senior girl you like... hic... She's always... yelling at me..."
"Who the hell is that bitch? Tell me!"
"S-sorry... I've just been wasting your money and time... hic..."
Of course, no such senior girl existed. But Kim A-ram's streaming tears were vividly etched in his memory. Even though she'd scammed him out of three million won in meals over a year, he still loved her. Hell, he'd probably forgive her even if she got pregnant by another guy and pay child support. Urk, gross! That was pure, devoted love.
"If I'm always by your side, sunbae, you won't be able to meet anyone else."
'That's not true! All I want is you...! Damn it!'
He'd even thought about marriage! Kim A-ram's looks were on another level. At the business department MT, she outshone every senior and junior girl. Naturally, a guy from an all-boys middle and high school couldn't escape her.
'I loved you... A-ram...'
Stressed out, he lay on the bed, thinking of her smile and surprisingly ample B-cup breasts, then pulled down his pants.
'Hic... huuuh...'
Masturbation was all a loser like him deserved...! The pitiful grad student, who wasted his youth and money on her flower-like beauty, had no idea. Dodging marriage to Kim A-ram was truly divine intervention.
'A-ram... I loved you!'
-Splat!
Nearly a hundred million lives produced by Yoon Ji-ho's body met their end in the tissue.
That's when his phone rang.
-Ring ring...
"Huh...?"
He checked his phone. There was the name of the woman he'd spent more money on than his own mom—a name he could never forget.
'Kim A-ram.'
He snatched up his smartphone faster than light.
"...A-ram. How've you been?"
He suddenly lowered his voice. Maybe it was post-nut clarity? His tone brimmed with calm wisdom, no frivolity left.
"...Oppa. Long time no talk. Sorry to hit you up like this."
"No worries. I'm always free for you!"
Massaging his parents' shoulders took time, but for Kim A-ram? He'd drop everything.
"How've you been, oppa? Your PhD...?"
"Ahem..."
"S-sorry."
A-ram sighed faintly over the line. What was wrong? Was she sick? Worry flooded him.
"...What's up? Something happen?"
"No... just. Things have been tough lately..."
"What?"
"I started at a new company..."
Kim A-ram spilled her sob story. In exhaustive detail. From accidentally deleting the server to her parents kneeling and begging at the office.
Grad student Yoon Ji-ho was furious.
'...Those assholes!'
Railroad Software—what a vicious pack. Pinning everything on innocent A-ram and demanding compensation? Unforgivable.
They talked deeply, sincerely. Very deeply. Yoon Ji-ho raged as if her pain were his own. Kim A-ram ended up sobbing into tears.
"Hu... hic..."
"A-ram. I'll ask my lawyer friend to look into it."
"O-oppa. I'm really sorry, I know asking this makes me sound cheap... Oppa, could you help me just this once?"
"...Tell me. I'll do anything."
Kim A-ram said it.
"Oppa, could you lend me some money?"
"...Ah."
"Well..."
The grad student's pure love shattered.
'Bitch.'
Yoon Ji-ho cut her off for good. Someday he'd finish his PhD, right? Someday he'd land a hot girlfriend. Hang in there, Yoon Ji-ho. A bright future awaited.
...
"Ha, no wonder you can't finish your PhD—you got no backbone!"
"...Huh."
6 PM on the rooftop. Han Yu-ra was stunned.
"See? Unnie. I'm way better at handling guys than you. They think I'm some shy virgin 'cause I haven't dated... but trust me, just once."
"..."
Kim A-ram wiped her fake tears. Han Yu-ra stared blankly.
'...Is she actually insane?'
Kim A-ram had suddenly insisted on demonstrating her man-handling skills—with a college sunbae she'd "almost dated" for a year. Begged him for money, and when he balked? "No wonder you can't get your PhD!" Han Yu-ra questioned if this was even the same species as her.
'Is this human? Same as me?'
People like her sparked gender wars. Han Yu-ra's head throbbed. Maybe shoving Kim A-ram off the roof right now would be a public service. She barely suppressed the urge, swallowing hard.
'That guy dodged marrying Kim A-ram? He owes his ancestors ten bows.'
Kim A-ram was unlaunderable. Even a 20-year Clean Topia vet with miracle organic pineapple detergent couldn't touch her stains.
'Not even malice toward men. She's just a born fuck-up.'
Trueborn idiots vs. manufactured ones—Kim A-ram was purebred. Despite proper parenting, somehow. Why'd God give a beauty like that to her? Einstein said God doesn't play dice. But after seeing Kim A-ram?
'She's proof God doesn't exist.'
Godslayer, Kim A-ram. Maybe Han Yu-ra had tried to harness something too vast.
She stopped her brain-melt and refocused. Mountains of real problems loomed. No time to marvel at trash like Kim A-ram.
'Summarize what she said.'
Essentials: Relationships face harsh realities. Money. Parental approval. Physical/habit compatibility.
"Can't prove if that guy loves you or not."
'I want your love.' Han Yu-ra's "love" bordered on carnal lust. Just seeing him flushed her face. She craved his lips, his crushing embrace. Thinking of their shared heat fogged her mind. His scoldings made her beg forgiveness, cling, accept anything. Love.
'...Again. I want to get close to you.'
Like college days. Debating games, building them together, idle chatter.
'Still, learned something from Kim A-ram.'
Considering others' feelings is key to humanity. But verifying his? Tough, as she said. Spot on there.
Han Yu-ra's conclusion: Love with all her heart. No condom-poking bullshit—that'd just earn resentment.
'I want you. Seong-u.'
Wise folks glean wisdom even from fools. Her case exactly. She steeled herself.
'I'll have you.'
Seize the love. That was the plan.
...
Hangover. The inevitable toll for drinkers.
I clutched my pounding head and arrived at Railroad Software.
"Hello."
"Hello, Director!"
Kim A-ram, suddenly ultra-polite, greeted me. Seeing her sparked faint dread. Why the change? Finally snapped?
One more with a shifted attitude.
"Director Im Seong-u. Glad you're here. Could you take a look at this?"
Han Yu-ra's red ponytail gleamed in the sunlight. 'Ah...'
Never thought suited women were hot, but... Her pale skin peeked through the loose white shirt, her half-lidded smile radiated maternal warmth today.
'Kinda slutty, but...'
Wanna hold her.
Then—
"Seong-u—no, Director Im Seong-u! You're here!"
A chilling gaze from behind. Like a sashimi knife flaying skin, then ikejime on the nerves. Turning, I met Shin Na-young's sharp eyes, brimming with energy.
-I don't wanna go home tonight.
Heat rushed to my face. Her flawless skin needed no makeup, but today she'd fussed more. Gray hoodie over a short tank top, mascara on lashes amping the sexiness.
'Na-young...'
Had time for makeup...? After that drinking? Women are amazing.
"Hello..."
Im Su-yeon muttered. That bitch needs re-education someday.
D-Day minus 20. Focus on programming. Client build this week? Sat down, got to work.
Distractions tickled my brain.
'Shin Na-young.'
Does she love me? Heart raced, mind swirled. Liked me since high school? Were those subtle flutters in her expressions ones I, dense as I am, ignored? Did she pine secretly while I focused?
'Han Yu-ra.'
Complicated woman. In college, when I wandered lost, she showed the way. Like starlight. Her pure game-loving energy gave baseless confidence to survive the day. Just watching her eyes sparkle was joy.
"Kiss me..."
And somehow, we ended up having sex.
"Don't confess to me first."
Her smile lingered. Beautiful when smiling, Han Yu-ra. My pretty slave for a year—no cheating, obey only me.
'Am I... ridiculously happy?'
Viewing them that way, the women's attitudes seemed suspicious. Han Yu-ra usually wore a tie; today, a sheer white shirt. She'd called such outfits burdensome before. Shin Na-young too—
'You always just wore plain gray hoodies?'
Similar casual vibe, but screaming "dressed up for someone." What was up?
'Not... because of me, right?'
Work first. That's what I thought.
...
As Im Seong-u solo-carried D-Day minus 20, Han Yu-ra and Shin Na-young eyed each other.
No heart-to-heart yet, but instinct told them everything. Shin Na-young ground her teeth.
'...Han Yu-ra. You succubus bitch...'
Every flirty move screamed obvious: hair toss, unbuttoned shirt flashing cleavage, sheer fabric. Thorough seduction prep for Im Seong-u.
'Know why Im Seong-u hasn't touched you? 'Cause he treasures me. Not like you.'
Han Yu-ra thought similarly.
'Dressed up today? Usually just hoodies. Real strategic, huh.'
She smirked bitterly. Shin Na-young's shift was subtle: casual zip-up hoodie, black tank peeking, even armpits shaved smooth.
'But Im Seong-u can only fuck me.'
Han Yu-ra grabbed her phone to message him.
'Urgh...'
What to say?
'Master... I'm lonely today...?'
Lame as hell. Her face burned red.
Seduction. Han Yu-ra had never tempted a man in her life.
'How... do you even seduce someone?'