Chapter 26
Chapter 26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Come As Early As Possible
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Text messages from someone you're into always make your heart race. Even more so if they're asking to meet up.
[Hey. Let's meet tomorrow.]
Blunt and full of energy.
Han U-sol nearly yelled out loud when he saw the text from Anis.
He never imagined she'd be the one to message first about meeting up. He even double-checked if he was seeing it right.
'...What should I reply?'
He gripped his phone, typing and deleting for ages before sending the safest response.
[Sure. Where?]
Thinking back, this was the first time they'd texted since swapping numbers.
He'd messaged her once before with "Whatcha up to?" but got ghosted hard. His confidence tanked after that; no way he was risking another ignore.
What if she ghosted again? Han U-sol paced anxiously. Sure, she'd messaged first, so probably not, but Anis was so unpredictable.
Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes.
Thirty minutes, and still no reply.
'...Why no response?'
Had she fallen asleep while thinking how to reply? Or gotten annoyed and decided to ignore him? ...Was this some push-pull game? Every wild thought crossed his mind.
About an hour later, just as he debated sending another text, her reply came.
[Dorm entrance]
...Short and to the point. Classic Anis.
But seeing it in text made it feel kinda cold, leaving him a bit down.
He tapped out a quick follow-up.
[What time?]
Instant reply this time.
[As early as possible]
What did that mean?
...Did it mean she wanted to see him that badly? Han U-sol's imagination kicked into overdrive. Totally normal for a guy his age—little things could spin his head into fantasies.
'...But seriously, what time?'
She wanted to meet ASAP, which thrilled him, but he needed a time to plan around.
As he went to text again, a thought hit him.
'Wait, no way... is this...?'
From stuff he'd picked up online, girls test guys sometimes.
They drop vague hints on purpose, then gauge reactions to see how much you like them.
'This... it's a test!'
Yeah, definitely a test.
Of course, he might be overthinking. These "tests" only happen if there's real interest. No guarantee Anis saw him that way.
But no guarantee she didn't, either. They'd been hanging out a lot lately. No obvious signals before, but maybe this was the first one.
Han U-sol's face turned serious.
'7 AM... no, 6 AM, I'll be there!'
#
5:45 AM.
A lone figure sat on the bench in front of Acamedy Academy's dorms. Han U-sol.
In the dim dawn quiet of the street, the tapping of phone keys echoed. He was posting on a community site.
Tap. Tap.
'...What kind of site is this?'
He'd expected a helpful community for advice and sharing, but the savage vibes threw him off. Han U-sol bailed immediately.
Three hours later, 8:45 AM.
The internet's a vast place. Han U-sol scrolled searches endlessly, losing track of time glued to his phone.
-When she shows up, check if she's dressed up nice. If a girl likes you, she'll put in max effort.
'...Got it.'
So if Anis came looking polished, it meant she liked him back, at least a bit.
'Please!'
He prayed she'd show up dolled up, eyes locked on his phone.
Two more hours, 10:45 AM.
Five hours of torment had drained his phone battery by half.
She should be here soon... When? Call her? Still testing him?
The five-hour ordeal sucked. But if it meant seeing Anis dressed up, shy and awkward in it? Totally worth it.
Lost in fantasies on the bench, a girl's voice came from behind.
"Hey, what're you doing?"
A bright white hoodie with a fancy brand logo at the chest. Blue jeans. The loose fit highlighted her slim figure.
Plus subtle makeup on her face—effortless, natural glow.
Anyone could tell she'd put thought into it.
But Han U-sol wasn't happy. No, he scowled. Because...
"Why are you sitting out front of the dorms?"
The voice wasn't Anis. It was Yoon Na-rin.
"...What? Why are you here?"
His snapped retort was sharper than usual.
"...That's what I wanna ask you."
The two stared, baffled.
###
[Na-rin, let's meet tomorrow]
[What time?]
[Around 11 AM?]
After setting things up with Han U-sol, I texted Yoon Na-rin too. Weekend duo date with him? She'd totally get jealous.
She wasn't heading home this weekend, perfect. I played matchmaker—total Cupid move. She owes me, Na-rin.
I'd dip out midway for alone time, but nah, I needed that duo swordplay practice bad.
Sorry, Na-rin. Gotta eat to live. At least it's a date. Not just the two of them, but still.
Finished texting her, ignored the hallucinations buzzing in my head, scrolled my phone till almost morning, then crashed.
#
Chirp chirp chirp―
Birds singing. Sun stabbing my eyelids. Body felt weirdly refreshed. Instinct screamed:
'This is definitely...'
Oversleep incoming.
I bolted upright, checked the time: 10:45 AM.
Meetup at 11. Fifteen minutes left.
'...Plenty.'
Quick cat-face wash, grabbed whatever from the closet: black tracksuit.
Just third-wheeling their date anyway. No need to fuss.
Changed and headed out.
Hit the dorm entrance at 11:00 sharp. Nailed it. I admired my punctuality.
Han U-sol and Yoon Na-rin already on the bench.
Han U-sol looked beat, dark circles under his eyes. Yoon Na-rin? Glowing, makeup maybe.
"Puhahaha! You're an idiot? Should've asked the time!"
Yoon Na-rin cackled, slapping his shoulder. Couldn't hear the convo, but she was teasing him hard by his face.
'They look good together.'
Sharp-dressed pair made a nice picture. I walked up.
"Hey."
"Ah. A-Anis...?"
Yoon Na-rin turned at my voice, scanned me top to bottom, face stiffening. Han U-sol looked sour too.
"...Rolled straight outta bed?"
"Huh? Yeah."
Her stare creeped me out; I averted my eyes replying.
'Wh-what...'
Why that look? Don't eye me like that...! My gaze darted.
"...So where we going today?"
Yoon Na-rin asked.
"......?"
...Hadn't thought about it. Isn't that for the daters to decide?
I sweated, silent. She sighed, grabbed my arm.
"...Clothes store first, then."
"Wh-what?"
She dragged me off. Han U-sol trailed quietly, eyes vacant. Sleepless night?
#
"How's this?"
"Uh... nah..."
"This one?"
"Uh... hmm..."
"What about this?"
"Uh..."
Inside the store, Yoon Na-rin bombarded me. This? That? How 'bout this?
Honestly, all too bright, looked uncomfortable. Hated skirts too—uniform's enough.
Shot Han U-sol a save-me look, but he dodged eyes, played dumb.
"...Fine, you pick then."
I kept refusing; she gave up, handed me free rein.
Snagged comfy-looking jeans quick. Peeked at her—no reaction.
Next, top. Wanted something easy.
'Hmm... anything?'
Girly store, nothing clicked. Place was huge too. Wandered ten minutes.
Then, spotted it.
Black bomber jacket. Picked it up, evaluated.
1. Comfy? Easy on, good fit. Pass.
2. Price? Not cheap, but Na-rin's buying. Pass.
3. The big one.
Does it have swagger? Romance?
Inky black. Pure cool.
Not just plain black, either.
Tiger on the back.
White tiger splashed like brushstroke on black. Growling, staring—felt alive.
The finishing touch.
Hwaryongjeomjeong—the dotting of the dragon's eye.
This jacket... perfect. Only one in the store with that final flair.
Unlike floaty others, this had style. Romance complete.
This. No other. Grabbed it, took to Yoon Na-rin.
"......This your style?"
"Cool, right?"
She sighed softly, resigned, paid, shoved me to change.
―I'll bow out soon, make it good. And Anis is innocent—don't overdo it.
―...Got it. Thanks.
Overheard Yoon Na-rin and Han U-sol whispering behind, but fitting room muffled it.
#
Changed and out—only Han U-sol waiting.
"Na-rin?"
"Oh. Uh... sudden emergency. Said sorry, had to head back first..."
He trailed off.
"...Oh."
I'd gone full Cupid for once. Emergency's unavoidable, but bummer.
"Guess no choice."
Yoon-sol date scrapped. Just us wandering now.
Shall we go? His face lit up.
Stuck duo with a guy already felt drab. If Na-rin stayed, wouldn't be so meh.
Heading out, good idea hit.
"Ah. Call Reisi too?"
His expression darkened a bit.