Chapter 184: Anonymous
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 184: Anonymous
I wondered where we were going for the second round, and it turned out to be a cozy little pocha.
There were hardly any other customers, and the atmosphere was calm and decent, but...
Even from outside, I could hear the English Lit students already making a huge fuss inside.
I don’t want to go in.
Honestly, it was obvious what kind of comments and stares I’d get once I stepped through those doors.
Threesomes aren't exactly common, and everyone knew Yoo Ah-rin and I were close. They were probably having a field day trying to deduce who the third person was.
I’m just glad Seo Ye-rin didn’t come.
If she had shown up and folded her finger during the game, she would have been identified instantly.
Choi I-seo followed Senior Ju-hee as she led the way inside.
"What are you doing? Get in there."
As I hesitated at the entrance, Yoo Ah-rin gave me a shove, forcing me inside.
"Are you okay with this? The kids in there are going to be tearing us apart and savoring every bite."
I asked because it was obvious they’d be talking about her just as much as me, but she just gave me a smirk.
"It’s for the best. It’s a finishing move for the girls who keep hitting on you. Who’s going to make a move on a guy who does threesomes?"
"I guess... but would anyone even hit on a guy like me?"
"What is the bastard who confessed to three women at once even saying right now?"
"..."
She had a point.
"I’m actually surprisingly decen—"
"Oh, shut up and get in. Who cares about the people we see in college? They’re all going to disappear after graduation anyway."
Since when did she get this bold?
"Just what kind of character growth did you go through?"
Was this really the same Yoo Ah-rin who used to agonize and suffer over Pyo Jin-ho? Was this the same woman who used to dodge Jeong Chan-woo and grumble about how awkward and uncomfortable things were?
As I stood there, stunned by her gutsy attitude and total disregard for others' opinions, she gave me a playful wink.
"I need this much grit if I’m going to be a chaebol’s wife."
"I’m only a chaebol in name, though."
"So what? I don’t expect you to bring home heaps of money anyway. I just said it."
"..."
"If things go south, I’ll just do an internet broadcast. I’m still getting calls because of that Shorts video from last time. Even TV stations are showing interest, not just streamers."
"Ah, about that."
It felt strange.
Seo Ye-rin had already firmly decided on that career path, so that was one thing. But the thought of Yoo Ah-rin acting cute and playing up to a bunch of strangers made my stomach churn.
Perhaps it was because I’d seen the dark underbelly of the industry while hanging around those gangsters last time. The thought of Yoo Ah-rin being targeted by viewers who frequently make sexual harassment or over-the-line comments made me feel disgusted.
"Uh, I don’t think the broadcasting side is a very good idea."
I tried to slip that in without making my feelings too obvious, but...
"Heh."
The corners of her mouth curled into a wide smile.
"Man, if you wanted to be possessive, you should’ve only confessed to me instead of all three of us."
"Ahem."
"Ugh, you selfish prick. Seriously, you’re such a brat, wanting to be shared yourself while refusing to let me be shared."
Despite her words, the hand pushing me into the pub was affectionate, and her voice was slightly pitched up, suggesting she was in a good mood.
"Then I guess I’ll have to look for other work."
"We’re only sophomores."
"A lot of people start preparing in their second year."
As we chatted and headed inside, I saw the English Lit students sitting at a long row of connected tables.
"No, seriously, a threesome? Don’t you think Ah-rin was just lying when she folded her finger?"
"But she is really close with Kim Woo-jin."
"Wow, that’s a shocker. Why is everyone becoming an adult except me?"
"What about I-seo? Weren't they a thing? That’s what I heard."
"That’s probably why he took her. Someone explain what’s going on."
"Who are the three? Who’s the other one besides Ah-rin? Or maybe Ah-rin did it with... who was it? That handsome guy from Architectural Engineering?"
"Chan-woo? Right. Two guys and Ah-rin—"
"You’re crossing the line."
When I looked at them with cold eyes, they immediately shut their mouths, sensing my gaze.
"O-oh, you’re here?"
"Welcome!"
They tried to act welcoming, but the pub fell into a heavy, awkward silence.
Coming here was the right move.
Seeing this, I realized Senior Ju-hee was right. If I hadn't shown up, there was no telling how much the rumors would have ballooned. I never imagined they’d think I did it with Chan-woo.
I thought my image among the sophomores had improved a bit, but it seemed I’d managed to wreck it again. As for the juniors and seniors, well, they’d hated me from the start, so they were just continuing their usual trash-talking.
"How can he be so shameless?"
"Who does he think he is... Sigh, guys like that really can't distinguish between games/anime and reality."
"Aren't the girls just playing along? Maybe he borrowed money from his parents and scraped everything together to buy them luxury goods?"
"Whoa, I’ve heard of that. Guys who spend a fortune to keep a girl and end up taking out private loans."
"He’s just a disposable toy. He’ll probably end up having his organs sold later."
Wow.
I thought they were performing a fast-paced rap. I shook my head as the disses poured out as naturally as breathing.
"Those fucking bitches."
Yoo Ah-rin, who had just sat down, suddenly bolted upright. I had to hold her back as she looked ready to pounce.
"Hey, hey. Calm down. Just let it go."
At my words, even Choi I-seo and Senior Ju-hee looked at me with surprised expressions.
"You’re usually the best at fighting in situations like this."
"What’s gotten into you, Woo-jin?"
Even Yoo Ah-rin, held back by me, bit her lip and expressed her intense irritation.
"Are you just going to listen to that bullshit? Are you kidding me right now?"
"And what if you go and fight them? It’ll only ruin your image."
"Who cares about my image? Honestly... you’re the one getting insulted because of me."
So that’s what she was thinking.
I squeezed the hand of Yoo Ah-rin, who thought she had made a mistake, and shook my head.
"I have a plan, so it’s fine."
There was no point in fighting here anyway. I knew this from experience. Even if I made a scene and fought them face-to-face, they’d eventually just say whatever they wanted and keep criticizing me behind my back. When I fought with the seniors last year, all I got in return were hateful glares from the freshmen.
That’s just how rumors are.
"I’m staying put because you told me to, but..."
Senior Ju-hee tilted her head. The way she was clenching and unclenching her fists was quite intimidating.
"..."
While Choi I-seo was also glaring at the seniors, clearly displeased...
"There’s a way to handle this. Just wait."
I stood up and strode over to the seniors' table.
"What?"
"What are you staring at?"
"Ugh, smells like a male whore."
The seniors, both male and female, immediately started hurling insults at me. Since they’d hated me from the start, they saw this as their chance to pour out every curse word they knew.
"Hmm. No, it’s nothing."
After scanning them all, I simply turned around and walked back to my seat.
Since I didn't actually do anything, they started hurling insults with even more fervor. My group greeted me with bewildered faces.
"I thought you were going to flip the table."
"I was worried you might hit them."
I smiled and shook my head at Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo’s concerns.
"Don't worry. I’m a man with a wife and a kid now."
"Kill this bastard."
"Seriously, I can't look at him in a positive light for more than five minutes."
* * *
The next afternoon.
The Bamboo Forest was in an uproar.
The intent behind the post was too obvious. I still remembered that Anonymous 46 was the number of the English Lit senior who had sniped me at the gopchang house last time.
With fresh fuel added, the Bamboo Forest naturally began to blaze.
They’re certainly working hard on the Bamboo Forest today.
The refresh rate of the posts was fast, and the amount of related content being uploaded was insane.
As I was blankly staring at my phone, I got a Tok from Yoo Ah-rin.
Starting with Anonymous 46, who first sniped me, those people were continuously insulting me and spreading bait. As I watched the various comments go back and forth with indifference...
"I brought you here because you said you were going to study, so why are you slacking off?"
Choi I-seo, who was sitting across from me and focusing on her studies, looked at me with disapproval. She had only agreed to meet me because I said I would study.
"I-seo, let me use your phone for a second."
"My phone?"
Honestly, I thought I’d have a hard time getting it. Surprisingly, Choi I-seo handed it over without much thought.
"It’s fine, but just don't look at the Toks. There are a lot of people badmouthing you."
"...You haven't deleted the Bamboo Forest app yet?"
I was wondering if I’d have to reinstall it.
"Hmm? Oh, I forgot."
Choi I-seo went back to her studies without much of a reaction. I had already lifted the permanent ban. I used her account to write a post.
Naturally, the reaction was explosive.
The sniping posts had indeed been taken down. But could I just leave it at that? I went back to my own phone and sent a message through the 1:1 Inquiry.
Since I was speaking from the Administrator account, they would have realized immediately that this wasn't something to be taken lightly.
I meticulously informed them, one by one, that their life was ruined.
Isn't it funny? People who hide behind anonymity and spit out whatever they want. Executioners who swing the sword of words without a second thought. The moment they hear they have to step out into reality, they start trembling.
Anonymity isn't a mask to hide yourself.
It’s another face that represents you. Since it is ultimately you, you have no choice but to bear the responsibility.
I need to teach them a proper lesson.
Fighting head-on only ends as a minor incident. But if you show them the difference in weight class, they won't dare to challenge you again.
Of course, there might be talk about a company chairman having a promiscuous son. But my competent father and brother would take care of that.
Just like my dad said.
I’m selfish, after all.
"Are you really not going to study?"
"I am. Here, your phone. I changed the wallpaper to a picture of me."
"...I feel like I might accidentally break my phone."
Choi I-seo took the phone with a pout. After glancing at the wallpaper, she suppressed a smile and resumed her studies.