Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: No Senior Beats a Junior
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Rumors on campus spread faster than anything else.
The incident at the student cafeteria yesterday had already taken over Camper in just half a day.
💬 [Business School Anonymous Grove] ⭐ Top Post #Tipoff_StudentCafeteria_ReturningStudent_BigBro Is Senior Kang Minwoo the one who gave former Student Council President Park X-tae a proper schooling at the cafeteria yesterday? Wow, I nearly pissed myself watching him slam a guy into the wall. What's his deal with the student Yoon Seo-ah who was right there next to him? — Anonymous Dude, Park X-tae was trying to pull some nasty shit on Yoon Seo-ah, got caught, and took the beating, right? — Anonymous Kang Minwoo swooped in to save her, and they left holding hands. Total couple vibes, no? — Anonymous ↳ Reply Not just vibes—they're legit dating. Explains why he snapped and went off on him. Sitting in the corner of the lecture hall, my hand trembled as I scrolled through the comments.
Out of nowhere, I'd become the "romantic guy" and a "badass with a temper." Sure, I'd beaten up Park Jin-tae, but dating? Nah...
We hadn't put a clear label on our relationship yet.
But judging by our behavior, anyone would think we were a serious couple.
"Ha... what am I supposed to do about this?"
I clutched my head. If rumors like this kept spreading, it'd put Seo-ah in a tough spot for sure.
For a girl—especially one dubbed the "Business School Goddess"—a violent scandal like this would cling to her like a bad tag. Had I been too reckless? Should I post a clarification?
"Senior! What're you looking at?"
Right then, Seo-ah breezed into the lecture hall and plopped down beside me.
She was wearing a light pink dress today. Total date outfit. I could feel every eye in the room zeroing in on us.
"Oh, nothing."
I hurriedly turned off my screen, but she must've caught a glimpse.
"Saw Camper, huh? Tons of posts about us. All the comments are saying how cool you are, Senior."
She grinned like it was no big deal. I'd expected her to be upset, but she seemed to be enjoying it.
"You... you're okay with this? There are some weird rumors going around."
"What rumors? You saving me? That's the truth, isn't it?"
"No, not that. The one about us dating. It might cause you trouble. You could meet someone better down the line..."
Her expression hardened in a strange way at my words. She paused while pulling her textbook from her bag and looked at me with sad eyes.
"Senior... you don't want to be seen with me?"
"Huh? No, that's not—"
"I'm fine with it. If people know you're on my side, guys like Park Jin-tae won't dare mess with me."
She bowed her head and fidgeted with her fingers.
"Yesterday was so scary. If you hadn't been there, I might've gotten hit. Can't we at least pretend we're dating? Like... a shield?"
Her voice cracked with tears. How could I say no to that?
I flailed my hands in a panic.
"No, it's not that I hate it at all! If you're cool with it, it's an honor for me. Yeah, let's just let it ride. I'll play the protector."
Only then did she lift her head and flash a beaming smile.
"Phew, what a relief. Then I'll put all my faith in you, Senior? My bodyguard."
She linked her arm through mine like it was the most natural thing.
I let out a breath of relief and patted her head.
Yeah, being her shield for the time being was the right call. What did a little misunderstanding matter if it made her feel safe?
But I had no idea.
That smile she wore as she buried her face in my arm wasn't one of relief—it was satisfaction that her plan was going perfectly.
Lunchtime at the student cafeteria.
Thanks to the rumors, people cleared a path the second we walked in with our trays. They kept stealing glances and whispering, but Seo-ah stuck right by my side, completely ignoring them.
We sat facing each other. She piled a heap of her spicy pork side dish onto my tray.
"Eat up. You must be worn out from all that exertion yesterday."
"You eat plenty too. You're too skinny."
"Just watching you eat fills me right up, Senior."
She propped her chin on her hand and gazed at me. Dozens of eyes were sneaking peeks at us from around the cafeteria, but it was like she only had eyes for me.
That's when my pocket buzzed—my phone.
I pulled it out to see [Kim Ji-yeon] on the screen.
"Huh? It's Ji-yeon."
I'd missed her call last time, so I figured I should pick up now.
Full of excitement, I went to hit accept—
But Seo-ah's face across from me was anything but pleased.
Her smiling expression had sunk into darkness in an instant. The hand holding her spoon trembled faintly.
"......Ah."
She let out a small sigh and dropped her gaze.
I froze.
"What's wrong? You okay?"
"It's nothing... really."
She shook her head weakly.
"I just realized you have so many friends and people to talk to, Senior."
"It's just an old friend from back home. No biggie."
"Yeah, I know. But me... after yesterday, I got scared and changed my number. You're the only one I can reach out to now..."
She looked up at me with misty eyes.
"You have so many people to look after besides me. I'm worried I'll just be a burden. Go ahead and answer. Your friend's waiting."
Her words said to pick up, but her face looked ready to burst into tears any second.
With the trauma from the Park Jin-tae incident, I was her only lifeline. If I started chatting and laughing with another girl, she'd feel totally left out.
A wave of guilt crashed over me.
'I wasn't thinking. She's still shaken up.'
In the end, I hit end call instead.
"Nah. Probably not urgent. I'll get back to her later."
"Really? If it's because of me..."
"I said it's not. Let's eat before it gets cold."
I flipped my phone face down, and her expression brightened right up.
"You're the best, Senior. No one else looks out for me like you do."
She added another egg roll to my tray.
I gave a wry smile and dug in. Sorry, Ji-yeon, but right now, taking care of Seo-ah's headspace came first. I could sneak an apology later, no problem—or so I naively thought.
Afternoon class was canceled, so we were killing time on a bench outside.
Warm sunlight, gentle breeze. Seo-ah had her head resting on my shoulder.
"Senior, your shoulders are so broad. Feels just like a bed."
"It's heavy—move your head a bit."
"Tch, you love it but play hard to get."
It was a peaceful moment.
Then, noisy voices carried over from a distance.
It was some guys from my class cohort—the close buddies I'd hit the PC bang with every day before enlisting.
"Yo? Kang Minwoo! You still alive?"
"No way. Dude, the rumors true? With Yoon Seo-ah the junior?"
The three of them came running up, all excited. They went to clap my back and throw an arm around me like old times.
"Hey! You made it big? Returning to school and bagging the goddess..."
That's when one of them gave my shoulder a light tap.
"Eek!"
Seo-ah shrieked and shrank back beside me.
Her face drained of color as she hid behind my back, clutching my shirt tight.
She was shaking all over.
"S-Seo-ah? What's wrong?"
"Sc-scared... those guys..."
Her eyes darted wildly, like she was reliving the moment Park Jin-tae had threatened her yesterday. She was having an over-the-top reaction to the guys' rough handling and loud voices.
My classmates froze in confusion.
"Huh? No, we were just saying hi..."
"Hey, what'd you guys do? Why'd you scare her?"
My voice came out sharper than I intended.
Seo-ah was panting and sniffling from behind my back. It was clear the trio of big dudes charging at her had triggered her fresh trauma from yesterday—she wasn't over it yet.
"Sorry. But we seriously didn't..."
"Forget it. She's freaked out. Just go. I'll buy you lunch later."
I shoved them off. Normally, I'd laugh it off as a joke, but right now, all I could think about was protecting her—I was on edge.
The guys looked wronged but backed off awkwardly after glancing at me and Seo-ah's state.
"Uh... yeah. Sorry. Catch you later."
"C'mon, let's bounce. Mood's killer."
They slunk away with sour faces.
Once they were gone, I turned around to check on Seo-ah.
"Seo-ah, they're gone. You okay?"
"Hic... sorry, Senior..."
She threw herself into my arms and sobbed.
"I'm such an idiot... they're your friends... but those guys yelling loud all of a sudden made me flash back to yesterday..."
"No, it's not your fault. They were clueless."
I patted her back.
It was heartbreaking. How terrified must she have been for even a friendly greeting from my buddies to rattle her like this?
At the same time, I made up my mind. I'd steer clear of hanging out with my cohort or other friends for a while. Until she felt stable again, I'd stick right by her side.
"I ruined your social life, didn't I? Can't even see your friends because of me..."
"Don't say that. Friends can wait. You're more important right now."
She lifted her head and looked at me.
With tears welling in her eyes, she gave the world's saddest—and prettiest—smile.
"Thank you, Senior... you're the only one who protects me."
She hugged my waist even tighter.
I pulled her in closer to reassure her.
The sound of her sobbing turning into laughter... that had to be my imagination.