Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Sealed Room, Breathing, and Sauce
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The next morning, when I opened my eyes, the world was astonishingly peaceful.
Last night's chaos—the downfall of Im Dong-hoon and Choi Ji-eun—felt like a lie.
I checked the group chat, and the two of them had already left the room.
All that remained was me and Yoon Seo-ah. Just the two of us.
💬 Group Chat — Yoon Seo-ah Senior! Good morning ㅎㅎ — Yoon Seo-ah How about the 'Study Cafe' in front of school at 1 PM today? I reserved a quiet room! Right on cue, a message from Yoon Seo-ah popped up.
I hesitated for a moment.
With the group down to just two people, the pressure was definitely higher. Normally, you'd grab a substitute—someone the professor could vouch for—or beg the professor directly.
But strangely, worry took a backseat to excitement.
Those troublemakers would've just been a hindrance anyway. Better to power through with Yoon Seo-ah, who was diligent and easy to work with, right?
'Plus... it's that Yoon Seo-ah.'
The Business School Goddess.
Alone in a study room with the girl every guy drooled over.
I checked myself in the mirror and fixed my hair.
Instead of my usual sloppy cap, I styled it with some wax and pulled a shirt from the back of my closet.
It wasn't to impress Yoon Seo-ah or anything. Just courtesy. Yeah, courtesy.
Definitely not ulterior motives.
When I arrived at the Study Cafe, Yoon Seo-ah was already in the lobby, waiting for me.
Today's look was pure innocence.
A flowing white blouse paired with jeans. Her hair tied back in a single ponytail, exposing her elegant neckline.
"Senior! Over here!"
Spotting me, she bounced on her toes and waved.
She looked like a puppy waiting for its owner—no, more like a fancy Persian cat.
"You're early. Got the reservation?"
"Yep! Got us a two-person room. I wanted somewhere quiet where we wouldn't have to worry about others."
She led the way down the hall to the farthest corner room.
The moment I opened the door and stepped in, I froze.
'...It's tiny.'
Way smaller than I'd imagined.
One desk with two chairs side by side. We'd be shoulder-to-shoulder if we sat down.
Were two-person rooms usually this cramped? This was basically a couple's booth.
I was fine with it, but would Seo-ah be uncomfortable?
"The room's a bit... cozy, huh?"
"Right? It's popular, so this was the only one left. But it's quiet—perfect, don't you think?"
Yoon Seo-ah set her bag down casually.
It was a lie. I'd seen plenty of empty rooms on the way in. But no need to call her out and kill the vibe.
I cleared my throat awkwardly and sat carefully beside her.
Click.
The door shutting echoed loudly.
A perfect sealed room, cut off from all outside noise.
Yoon Seo-ah's subtle peach shampoo scent filled the tight space.
"Alright, shall we get started?"
She opened her laptop with a bright smile.
Every time she turned, the hem of her blouse brushed my arm.
I swallowed hard and flipped open my textbook.
Focus, Kang Minwoo. This is for the project. Not a date.
The work went surprisingly smoothly.
Yoon Seo-ah wasn't just a pretty face.
Her research skills were top-notch, and her PPT design sense was pro-level.
"Wow, you're really good at this. You sure you're not a design major?"
"Nah, you're the one who organized it so well, Senior. I just added a little."
She leaned toward me humbly.
Our shoulders pressed together as we peered at the screen. Her warmth seeped through my shirt.
My heart started pounding. Wasn't she a bit too close?
"But Senior."
"Y-yeah?"
"There's a typo here."
Her pale finger pretended to point at the screen, grazing the back of my hand on the mouse.
Accident?
No, it lingered for a second.
One little touch, and my mind was a mess.
"Oh... yeah. Gotta fix that."
I yanked my hand away. Yoon Seo-ah stared at the screen innocently, but a sly smile played on her lips.
That's when it happened.
Grrrowl.
An embarrassing rumble echoed in the silent room. My stomach.
I'd skipped breakfast and come in tense—now I was starving. My face burned.
"Pfft."
Yoon Seo-ah burst out laughing.
"Sorry. Skipped breakfast..."
"So cute. I figured, so I prepared something."
She rummaged in her bag.
A ribbon-wrapped sandwich lunchbox and fruit juice. Homemade, with obvious care—not convenience store stuff.
"You... made this?"
"Yep! Hope it suits your taste, Senior. Loaded it with eggs."
She picked up a sandwich and held it to my mouth.
I flinched back in surprise.
"Here, say ahh~."
"Uh? No, I can feed myself."
"Your hands have pen ink. Just eat. My arm's getting tired."
She widened her eyes pleadingly.
In this tiny sealed room, just us two. No good reason to refuse.
I hesitantly opened my mouth.
Her fingertip brushed my lips softly.
Soft bread and savory egg salad filled my mouth. Delicious. Insanely good.
"How is it?"
"...It's good. Better than anything you could buy."
"Phew! Worth waking up early for you, Senior."
For you, Senior.
The wording felt oddly like feeding a pet, but probably just my imagination.
I chewed and glanced at her.
Yoon Seo-ah propped her chin, staring intently as I ate.
Like it was the most entertaining show in the world.
Her gaze was so intense and deep that I stopped eating.
"Aren't you eating?"
"Watching you eat fills me up, Senior."
She wiped sauce from my lip with her thumb.
Then, casually, she sucked the sauce off her finger.
"...!"
My brain short-circuited.
What just happened? Indirect kiss? No, this felt even hotter.
My face flamed up.
"Why? Your face is red."
"No, you just..."
"Couldn't waste it. I made it myself."
Yoon Seo-ah smiled innocently and handed me the juice.
Perfectly sunny expression.
Yeah, I was overreacting. Kids these days were just casual with skinship. As a returning student, I'd lost touch.
I chugged the juice to calm down.
But I didn't see it.
The predatory gleam in Yoon Seo-ah's eyes as she turned away, like a beast eyeing prey.
'Eats so well, my Senior.'
She cheered inwardly.
It wasn't just the sandwich.
She'd slipped the part-timer extra cash for this cramped room and even pretended to lock the door to keep other girls out.
This space was under her complete control.
Not even the air Senior breathed could escape without her permission.
"Senior."
"Yeah?"
"Our project this time—we can get first place, right?"
"Obviously. With how good you are."
I smiled back, and she grabbed my hand tight.
Interlocked fingers, like lovers.
"Then, if we get first, we grant each other one wish?"
"A wish?"
"Yeah. One thing each wants from the other."
She squeezed, staring straight into my eyes.
Playful tone, but dead serious gaze.
"Sounds fun. Deal."
I agreed lightly. First place was a win anyway.
But seeing her lips curve up to her ears, a chill ran down my spine too late.
"Promise? No take-backs."
Her whisper lingered in my ear.
Like stamping a contract—inescapable binding.
By the time we finished, it was already dark outside.
We packed up and left the Study Cafe.
The night air was chilly.
"Cold. Let's head back."
"Senior, can you walk me home?"
"Huh?"
"Night roads are scary. Heard some creepy rumors lately..."
I nodded. Our ways were similar anyway.
"Sure. Let's go."
Walking side by side across campus at night.
Yoon Seo-ah naturally hooked her arm in mine.
The more contact, the more her warmth and scent invaded me.
"Senior, you absolutely can't let go of me."
She whispered, pulling my arm deeper.
Not just from the cold. Her grip was insistent, like vines wrapping tight.
Under the streetlights, her long shadow swallowed mine whole.
"You promised. See it through to the end."
Her quiet addition made it clear this wasn't just about a group project—but I didn't know that then.
The night air just felt unusually cold brushing my neck.