Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Under the Table, Secret Claim of Ownership
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College campuses are places where rumors spread faster than light.
Especially when those rumors are about someone else's misfortune.
It had been three days since Im Dong-hoon and Choi Ji-eun had spectacularly self-destructed.
The whole school was already buzzing with the story.
"Hey, did you hear? That Im Dong-hoon guy might get sued by the boss."
"Choi Ji-eun dropped out. How could she even show her face around campus after that?"
Sitting in the corner of the lecture hall, listening to my classmates' whispers, I felt a strange mix of emotions.
Just a few days ago, these were the people who made my blood pressure spike. And now, they'd gone and imploded on their own, like they'd been struck by divine judgment.
'They say good things come to those who live righteously. Guess there's some truth to it.'
I rested my chin on my hand and gazed out the window.
Maybe this was all thanks to Yoon Seo-ah.
Being in the same group as her had somehow scared off my bad luck—or so I thought, entertaining some unscientific notion.
But my peace didn't last long.
On the way out after class, someone blocked my path in the hallway.
"Hey, Kang Minwoo. Long time no see."
A greasy voice.
I looked up to see Student Council President Park Jin-tae leaning casually against the wall.
His hair slicked back with way too much wax, a clutch bag emblazoned with a luxury logo. The epitome of "look at how great I am." I'd never liked him, even before enlisting.
"...Ah, yeah. Hi."
I gave a half-hearted nod.
He bragged about his money and connections as a baseline, and he was the perfect example of someone kind only to pretty freshmen girls—strong against the weak, weak against the strong. Getting involved with him would just be exhausting.
"Heard you reenrolled? But you didn't even come say hi to me? I'm hurt."
"Been busy. Gotta head to class, so if you'll excuse me."
I tried to sidestep him, but Park Jin-tae tapped my shoulder. An unpleasant touch.
"Come on, don't play busy. You know about the opening party this Friday, right?"
"I'm not going."
"Aw, don't be like that. Come on. Aren't you in the same group as Seo-ah these days?"
There it was—the real motive.
It all boiled down to Yoon Seo-ah.
"Tell Junior Seo-ah to come too. Bring her yourself. You're the group leader, right? It'll be good for team bonding."
"That's up to her. I can't force her."
"Hey, Kang Minwoo."
Park Jin-tae's face twisted in an instant. He stepped closer, lowering his voice in an attempt to intimidate.
"You went to the army and came back—you should have some common sense by now. You know I'm into Seo-ah, right? Help me out here. Aren't you after scholarships? You don't need past exams?"
Half threat, half bribe.
Revulsion welled up inside me. This guy was the student council president?
Just as I was about to refuse, a clear, bright voice rang out from behind me.
"Oh? Senior!"
Yoon Seo-ah, arriving at the perfect moment.
She approached with quick steps, hugging her major textbook to her chest.
"Senior Jin-tae is here too? Hi."
Park Jin-tae's sour expression smoothed out instantly at her appearance. A fake smile plastered across his face.
"Oh, Junior Seo-ah! I was just talking to Minwoo about it. There's an opening party Friday—wouldn't be right without our department's top goddess."
Park Jin-tae scanned Yoon Seo-ah with sticky, leering eyes.
I instinctively half-stepped in front of her. Pure protective instinct.
"Seo-ah's busy. Lots of assignments."
"Huh? I'm free."
Yoon Seo-ah peeked around from behind me.
I turned back in surprise, shooting her a look that screamed 'don't go,' but she just beamed innocently.
"Senior Minwoo is going too, right? If you go, I'll go!"
"No, I'm..."
"Great! See you Friday then, Senior Jin-tae!"
Not even waiting for my response, Yoon Seo-ah grabbed my arm and dragged me away.
Park Jin-tae called after us, chuckling. "Minwoo's got the skills!"
The moment we rounded the corner, I let out a sigh.
"Hey, why'd you say you'd go? Park Jin-tae's obvious about wanting you."
"I know."
Yoon Seo-ah replied nonchalantly.
"You know and still...?"
"You looked like you were in a bind, Senior. And..."
She tightened her grip on my arm and looked up at me.
"I get worried if you go alone. How could I send a bunny into a den of wolves by itself?"
Who're you calling a bunny?
Me—a 183cm reserve sergeant.
But her concern touched me, so I couldn't say another word.
Fine. We'd go together, and I'd keep an eye on her. Make sure Park Jin-tae didn't pull any stunts.
...But that was my mistake.
I didn't realize yet that the one who needed protecting wasn't Yoon Seo-ah—it was Park Jin-tae.
Friday evening, at the Youth Beer Tent right by campus.
The business department's opening party was hot—no, rowdy.
The stench of alcohol, grilling meat, and eardrum-shattering idol tunes.
"Come on! Drink up!"
I sat in the corner, nursing a soda. These kinds of gatherings just weren't my scene.
Meanwhile, Yoon Seo-ah stood out like a star.
She'd clearly put effort into it today, wearing a black off-shoulder dress that seemed to draw all the pub's lights to her.
"Junior Seo-ah! Sit here!"
Park Jin-tae patted the seat next to the head of the table.
Blatant ulterior motives. The guys around shot envious glances.
I fidgeted uneasily.
But Yoon Seo-ah smiled sweetly at Park Jin-tae, then veered naturally toward the seat next to me—the deepest corner spot.
"No thanks. I have stuff to talk about with Senior Minwoo."
She plopped down beside me. Close enough that our thighs touched.
Park Jin-tae's face soured, but he couldn't snap and forced an awkward grin.
"Oh... really? You two must be close."
The drinking session heated up.
Park Jin-tae and his crew eventually migrated to our table.
Their target was obvious: Yoon Seo-ah.
"Junior Seo-ah, take a shot? It's from your senior."
Park Jin-tae held out a soju glass. The atmosphere made it hard to refuse—the classic elder pressure tactic.
Yoon Seo-ah fiddled with the glass, looking troubled.
Irritated, I picked up my own glass.
"I'll drink it. Seo-ah can't handle her liquor."
"Hey, Kang Minwoo. Read the room. Did I offer it to you?"
Park Jin-tae scowled and slapped my hand away roughly.
Soju splashed out, soaking my shirt cuff.
More than the cold liquid, his rudeness ignited my anger.
The mood chilled instantly.
Silence fell over the once-lively table.
"Senior."
Then Yoon Seo-ah's voice cut through.
Not cold or sunken, but her usual gentle, soft tone.
"Senior Jin-tae, you must be drunk. Why are you doing that to Senior Minwoo?"
"Huh? Oh, no. It's just this punk butting in rudely..."
"Seems like you're the one lacking manners, Senior."
Yoon Seo-ah smiled.
Her eyes curved into pretty half-moons, but her lips twisted oddly.
That eerie expression made Park Jin-tae stutter.
"W-what?"
"Forcing someone who says no—that's a crime these days."
She picked up the soju glass he'd offered.
And without hesitation, dumped it on the floor.
Splash, splash, splash.
The sound of the clear liquid soaking the ground rang out deafeningly.
"Oops, my hand slipped."
Yoon Seo-ah covered her mouth with an "oh," but her eyes looked down at Park Jin-tae like he was a bug.
The room froze.
The angelic Yoon Seo-ah had just doused the student council president—with booze.
"You, you just..."
"Senior Jin-tae, know when to stop. You're upsetting Senior Minwoo."
Her gaze pierced Park Jin-tae's eyes like a spear.
I watched the scene in a daze from the side.
Was Yoon Seo-ah really getting mad for my sake? Sweet little her?
Just as Park Jin-tae's face turned red with fury and he opened his mouth to curse, Yoon Seo-ah gripped my hand tightly.
Under the table, where no one could see.
The party was ruined.
Offended, Park Jin-tae muttered curses and stormed to another table, leaving our group in awkward silence.
But Yoon Seo-ah didn't care at all.
She hummed a tune while feeding me puffed snacks from the appetizers.
"Senior, you were cool back there. Going full dark knight for me, right?"
"Uh... yeah. Failed, though."
"No way. The thought alone is enough."
She leaned her head on my shoulder.
Whether from the booze or her warmth, my face burned.
She didn't give a damn who was watching.
"But didn't you go too hard on Park Jin-tae? He's the student council president—what if he retaliates?"
"It's fine."
Yoon Seo-ah whispered softly into my ear.
Sweet fragrance, not alcohol.
"Trash like that will be gone soon enough."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothing. As long as you're by my side, Senior."
Her hand slid under the table.
Her fingers settled on my thigh, slowly tracing circles.
This wasn't just casual touch.
A claim of ownership.
A silent warning and stamp: He's mine—hands off.
"Senior."
"Y-yeah?"
"I think I'm drunk. Let's step out for some air. Just us."
Yoon Seo-ah's eyes were hazily unfocused.
But deep within, that same icy glint she'd shot at Park Jin-tae still flickered.
I nodded, entranced.
As we left the noisy pub and walked the night streets, she never let go of my arm.
Like it was chained in place.
Just as we stepped out of the Youth Beer Tent, a frantic shout came from behind.
"Hey! Where's my clutch bag? Hey!"
Park Jin-tae's voice. Sounded like he'd lost something important.
I turned to look back out of curiosity, but Yoon Seo-ah tugged my arm.
"Senior, hurry. My stomach's not feeling great."
"Uh, yeah. Okay."
I walked away, leaving his yells behind.
I could've sworn I heard Yoon Seo-ah rubbing her face against my arm, chuckling softly.
Like a kid who'd pulled off a hilarious prank.