Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
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People can change overnight. Just like Seo-ah standing right in front of me now.
"Senior, you're here?"
The moment I opened the classroom door, Seo-ah jumped up from her seat.
She wasn't smiling brightly and linking arms with me like usual. Instead, she clasped her hands politely together and bowed deeply in greeting.
Like a chief of staff welcoming the chairman.
Why was she acting like this?
"Uh, yeah... You're here early."
"Yes. I wiped down your seat, Senior. Please, sit."
She pulled my chair back and gestured invitingly.
The desk was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight, and cans of coffee—the kind I liked—were neatly aligned on it.
I could feel the sidelong glances from the classmates around us.
'What did that returning student do to Yoon Seo-ah?' Their eyes seemed to say.
I sat down awkwardly.
Only after confirming I was seated did Seo-ah carefully take the seat next to me.
Normally, she'd lean on my shoulder or cross her legs with her chin propped up, but today she sat ramrod straight, hands folded neatly on her lap.
"Hey, what's with you? Are you feeling okay?"
"Pardon? No, I'm fine."
"Then why are you sitting so... rigidly? It looks uncomfortable."
When I asked, Seo-ah glanced at me cautiously and answered in a tiny voice.
"Yesterday... you got mad at me, Senior."
"Huh?"
"I was being cheeky and distracted... making things hard for you."
Seo-ah fiddled with her left wrist. It was as if she were aware of the bruise hidden beneath her long sleeve.
"From now on, I'll listen well. If you tell me to stay quiet, I will. If you say to stay still as the dead, I will."
She lifted her head and looked up at me.
Her clear eyes were glistening with moisture.
"So... please don't hate me, Senior."
Hate her? What was she talking about?
If anyone was going crazy with guilt, it was me.
"Who's hating on you? It's not like that. Just relax, please."
"Yes, got it."
Seo-ah answered obediently.
But her demeanor didn't change.
Throughout the entire lecture, she didn't move a muscle, just alternating her gaze between the blackboard and my face.
If I dropped my pen, she'd snatch it up at light speed. If I cleared my throat for a sip of water, she'd hand me a bottle with the cap already off.
Over-the-top service. No, this was practically maid-level care.
I should have felt burdened.
Strangely, it didn't feel bad at all.
The girl hailed as the goddess of the school, jumping at my every word and gesture.
That fact was oddly stirring something primal deep inside me.
I suppressed the complicated emotion rising within me.
Lunchtime, at the cafeteria.
We sat facing each other in a corner spot. Today's menu was spicy pork stir-fry.
"Thanks for the food."
As I picked up my spoon, only then did Seo-ah take up her chopsticks.
She'd been waiting without even a sip of water until I started eating.
At this point, I felt like the stern patriarch of some ultra-conservative household.
"Seo-ah, just eat. Don't mind me."
"Yes... but you should eat first, Senior."
"What is this, the army? I said relax."
I spoke gruffly on purpose and scooped some pork onto her tray.
Seo-ah's eyes went wide.
"Huh... Are you giving this to me?"
"Yeah. You're too skinny. Eat more."
"Thank you..."
Seo-ah stared at the pork I'd given her, her face full of emotion.
She popped a piece into her mouth, chewed, and beamed.
"It's delicious. Tastes even better because you gave it to me, Senior."
"Don't overdo it."
I cleared my throat awkwardly and took a sip of water.
Even as she ate, Seo-ah kept watching me closely.
"Senior, should I get you more water?"
"No, I'm good."
"Napkin then? You have something on your mouth."
She started to stand and wipe my mouth for me.
The stares from around us were too piercing, so I waved her off.
"Nah, I got it. Sit down."
"Ah... Okay."
Seo-ah froze instantly and sat back down.
Reacting like a conditioned reflex to my single command to sit.
She looked just like a well-trained large dog.
Her looks were all flashy, haughty cat, but her actions were pure loyal puppy.
This insane gap was driving me nuts.
Suddenly, I remembered what she'd said yesterday.
*'You can hold me tighter.'
*'Punish me.'*
Was she actually enjoying this?
Me giving orders, her obeying—this dynamic?
Nah, no way. She was just scared of me.
I shook my head to dismiss the stray thought.
"Done eating? Let's go. I'll buy coffee."
"Yes! I'll carry your bag!"
Seo-ah snatched my bag like it was a prize.
A heavy backpack suited to my 183cm frame, on those slender shoulders?
"Give it here. It's heavy."
"It's fine! I'm strong. This much is nothing when I'm serving you, Senior."
Seo-ah gripped the straps stubbornly.
I sighed and took the bag from her hands.
My hand brushed her knuckles.
"Eek..."
Seo-ah shivered faintly.
I thought it was static at first. But her face was flushed red.
The way she looked up at me was hazy, unfocused.
"Senior... your hand's so warm."
"Oh? Y-yeah?"
"Yes. Can you hold mine again?"
She slyly offered her left hand.
The one with the bruise hidden under the long sleeve.
I took it, as if entranced.
Seo-ah's hand was cold. As I held it, she let out a deep, relieved breath and pressed close to me.
"Don't let go, no matter what. I might mess up again."
She whispered.
It wasn't a warning. It was temptation.
After afternoon classes ended, on the way home.
The sky was brooding. The forecast said rain starting in the evening.
"Looks like rain. Got an umbrella?"
"No. You?"
"Me neither. Gotta grab one at the convenience store."
We headed to the shop in front of the school.
But there, I ran into a familiar face.
Kim Soo-jin, our department's first-year. The junior who'd been chased off by Seo-ah at the library a few days ago.
"Oh? Minwoo Senior!"
The junior greeted me happily, then froze when she saw Seo-ah glued to my side.
Seo-ah's expression changed the instant she spotted Kim Soo-jin.
The obedient, meek gaze she'd shown me vanished, replaced by icy chill.
"Hi? Did you get those notes?"
Seo-ah asked with a smile. Her eyes weren't smiling at all.
Kim Soo-jin backed away, looking terrified.
"N-no, it's fine. See you!"
The junior fled.
I clicked my tongue at her retreating back.
"Hey, don't scare the kid. She couldn't even say hi properly."
"What did I do? I just said hi."
Seo-ah pouted innocently.
Then she switched back, clinging to my arm.
"Senior, my legs hurt. Walk slower."
"Then why wear heels?"
"To look pretty for you."
Seo-ah rested her head on my shoulder.
Passersby glanced our way. Envious looks like, 'What's that guy's deal, walking with a beauty like her?'
I cleared my throat and squared my shoulders.
"Senior."
"Yeah."
"If it rains..."
"Yeah."
"Should we buy just one umbrella and share?"
Seo-ah stared straight into my eyes.
"It'll be tight, so we'll have to stick close... but I think I'd like that better."
Her finger lightly scratched the inside of my palm.
A ticklish, electric tingle. Seo-ah really knew how to toy with a person.
She was testing my patience.
"......Do what you want."
I grumbled, and Seo-ah lit up with a triumphant "Yes!"
That was when it started.
Plop-plop.
Raindrops began to fall.
Earlier than forecasted. The downpour thickened in seconds.
We dashed under the convenience store eaves.
"Whoa, it's really pouring."
"Perfect timing."
Seo-ah seemed thrilled by the rain, grinning ear to ear.
Meanwhile, I stared at the wet asphalt, deep in thought.
My place was five minutes away. Seo-ah's officetel was fifteen.
Escorting her through this rain and coming back would be quite the trek.
"Senior."
Seo-ah tugged my sleeve.
Her damp bangs clung to her forehead. She looked up at me.
"It's... so cold."
She shivered, clutching her thin cardigan.
I couldn't tell if it was an act, but her lips had turned blue.
"Your place... isn't it close from here, Senior?"
Seo-ah drove the wedge in.
"Can't we just wait out the rain...?"
I couldn't refuse.
No, honestly, I didn't want to.
Bringing this rain-soaked girl—who was acting like a meek lamb—into my space.
I knew how dangerous that was, but I nodded anyway.
"......Yeah. Let's go."
"Yes!"
We bought a single transparent umbrella at the store.
Crammed under the small canopy, relying on each other's warmth, we stepped into the rain.
My shoulder pressed seamlessly against hers.
The rain muffled sounds, but I could swear I heard her humming softly in my arms.
Like a hunter's tune, carrying home the prey caught in his trap.
Under the umbrella on the way.
Seo-ah walked with her arms wrapped around Minwoo's waist.
'Good thing it's raining.'
Truth be told, she'd seen the forecast and deliberately left her umbrella behind.
She needed any excuse to get into her senior's place.
Seo-ah sneaked a peek at Minwoo's profile.
The gruff-looking guy with red ears.
The man who'd yelled at her so fiercely yesterday, now spending the whole day fidgeting and watching her every move.
"So cute."
Seo-ah deeply inhaled the scent of Minwoo's shirt.
Soon, she'd enter his most private space.
She'd take in the blankets soaked in his scent, his cup, everything of his.
And if possible.
Using this rain as an excuse, she had no plans to go home tonight.
"Senior, hold me tighter. I'm cold."
At her lie, Minwoo tilted the umbrella and pulled her deeper into his embrace.
In the darkness, the corners of Seo-ah's mouth curled up.
Tonight, the lamb walking willingly into the wolf's den... was ready to be devoured.