Chapter 237: Appeasing Anger
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 237: Appeasing Anger
Early morning.
Yoo Ah-rin and I were at the convenience store on campus. Since we both blew a lot of money yesterday, we were just making do with cup ramen for breakfast.
Slurp.
Slurp.
The only sound in the silence was the slurping of noodles. Since it was just cup ramen, we finished quickly, and while my stomach was full, I felt a lingering sense of regret.
When I didn't get up from my seat, Yoo Ah-rin let out a deep sigh.
"Well, what can you do? You've got your first lecture with Seo Ye-rin."
"You're talking real easy since it's not your problem, aren't you?"
"Because it literally isn't my business?"
Look at her shrugging her shoulders and acting all smug. If she were someone who couldn't fight, I would've lunged at her right then and there.
I buried my face in my hands, squeezed my eyes shut, and groaned.
"Ugh, this is all because of you, Yoo Ah-rin. I told you I was going home yesterday."
"Because of... me?"
Did I strike a nerve?
I could feel the heat rising in Yoo Ah-rin’s voice from across the table.
"This bastard enjoyed every bit of it and now he's blaming me?"
"I told you from the start I was going home!"
"Shut up! Who was the one going at it like a beast until five minutes before checkout even after I said to stop!"
"Then why did you do the cat cosplay?! If I knew you had such devious intentions from the moment we met yesterday, I wouldn't have seen you!"
"You're crossing the line, you prick! So, did you hate it? Was I the only one who liked it? You enjoyed it more than anyone!"
"..."
"Even when I was desperately telling you to stop, you kept shoving it in until the very end! And why did you buy a pack with only three condoms anyway?!"
"..."
"Be honest. You bought the small pack on purpose, didn't you? So you'd have an excuse to use them all up!"
This girl has definitely become the goddess of rhetoric since yesterday.
When I stayed silent because I had no comeback, Yoo Ah-rin finished me off with a huff.
"You son of a bitch, my thighs are still stinging."
"...I'm sorry."
I did push her a bit even when she told me not to. I guess you could say I paid her back at night for the beating I took during the day.
Surprisingly, we might actually have good chemistry.
"Ugh, whatever. I have a lecture starting soon too, so drop me off there."
"Yes, ma'am."
I immediately cleaned up her trash and mine, then offered her my back.
"Ow, it hurts so much."
Groaning, Yoo Ah-rin climbed onto my back.
"Hurry up. It'll be embarrassing if someone sees us."
"Ah-rin, you said you have some time before your lecture starts, so keep an eye on the Bamboo Forest. Someone might take a picture of this and post it."
"Roger that."
With Yoo Ah-rin on my back—claiming she could barely move because of me—I headed straight for her classroom.
I felt like this was a form of dieting.
Just as I have to deal with the consequences today if I overate yesterday.
Since I was drunk on pleasure yesterday, I had to handle the cleanup today.
But still.
It felt good.
"Don't touch my butt."
"I have to hold you like this to carry you steadily."
"I get that, but stop moving your fingers, you pervert."
"It's because I'm nervous."
You know how people fidget with their fingers when they're anxious?
It's something like that.
...Probably.
* * *
It was exactly as I expected.
A few photos of me carrying Yoo Ah-rin were posted on the Bamboo Forest, but I deleted them instantly.
While people wondered why they disappeared, they naturally quieted down once I brought up things like portrait rights.
Posting photos like that was basically a "post it and see" kind of thing anyway.
I was able to gracefully extinguish the smallest embers, but...
"Whew."
Sitting in the empty classroom, I was taking deep breaths and shaking my leg—a habit I usually didn't have.
I was breaking out in a cold sweat and felt chills running through my body. I just wanted to go home, but I couldn't skip because final exams were next week.
'I really hope Seo Ye-rin doesn't show up.'
I sincerely wished for it, but of course, my wish didn't grant me any favors.
I had arrived quite early and was alone in the classroom, but the person who walked in next just had to be...
"Ah, Woo-jina."
It was Seo Ye-rin.
'Fuck.'
Why did she have to come so early when no one else was here?
She wasn't usually late, but she wasn't the type to arrive this early either.
"Ye-Ye-rin! You're... you're here!"
My voice cracked, but I tried to act natural and welcome her.
As expected, she sat down right next to me. I started babbling whatever came to mind.
"You're early! Really early. There's still quite a bit of time before the lecture starts."
"Yeah, I saw the Bamboo Forest and there was a photo of you carrying Ah-rin around. So I got ready and came quickly."
Shit.
I definitely deleted it.
I forgot that she basically lives on the Bamboo Forest.
To think she checked it even faster than me and Yoo Ah-rin.
Seo Ye-rin started getting ready for the lecture, taking out her stationery and notebook as if nothing was wrong.
Once she was finished, she took a light breath and looked at me with a bright smile.
Her smile was truly beautiful.
She really lived up to her reputation of getting by on looks alone.
If only she wasn't angry.
"Woo-jina, I watched a documentary with my mom and dad yesterday."
A documentary out of nowhere?
But anything was fine.
I decided to react enthusiastically to whatever the topic was.
"Whoa! What documentary? I actually like that kind of stuff. I mean, especially during exam periods, those things are even more interesting, right?"
"Exactly, I lost track of time watching it. It was a documentary about the Joseon Dynasty."
"Kyah, the Joseon Dynasty is great! Civil and military officials! Kings! Secret royal inspectors! Just an era of romance! I love it too!"
Does this guy have a mental illness?
I was making such a fuss that anyone would think so, but what did that matter?
The person I feared most when angry was Seo Ye-rin.
'Wait, is it Choi I-seo?'
Well, anyway.
Both were equally terrifying, so I had no hesitation in lowering my gaze and acting submissive.
"Right, it was interesting. Especially the part about the eunuchs."
"Ah! That—!"
I was about to continue my enthusiastic response when I froze mid-sentence and mid-gesture.
Eunuchs?
"You mean... the Neishi?"
"Yeah, exactly."
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.
I tried to force a smile and respond, but the thought that eunuchs were castrated kept looping in my head like a broken record.
"It was fascinating. Apparently, you couldn't become a Neishi through surgery. In the Joseon Dynasty, you weren't supposed to harm the body given to you by your parents."
"O-Oh. I see..."
"But they said there were places that performed the procedure illegally. I wonder how they endured it without anesthesia."
Fuck, I think I'm going to cry.
I want my mom.
"I... I wonder."
As I forced out a tearful response, Seo Ye-rin crossed her legs and gave a chilling smile.
"But they said people back then endured it all. I guess it's something that can be endured."
"Ye-Ye-rin."
"Plus, I learned a few more interesting facts."
I didn't want to know.
I wanted to cover my ears, but I had no choice but to listen to the explanation from Seo Ye-rin, whose eyes weren't smiling at all.
"They said they don't cut the penis, but the testicles. If you cut the testicles as a child, in most cases, erections become impossible."
Fuck, what kind of documentary gives such detailed information?
Now I wanted to complain to the production company that made it.
I unconsciously looked down at my lower half.
It felt like it was talking to me.
Thanking me for using it so hard all this time.
Snap.
Seo Ye-rin grabbed my chin and forced my gaze back to her.
Meeting my eyes, she continued her explanation as if nothing was wrong.
"But if you cut the testicles after becoming an adult, they said erections are still possible."
"I-Is that so? That's really fascinating..."
"Right? What a relief."
Why is that a relief?
Biting my lip, I glanced at the classroom door. Seeing that no one was coming to save me, I finally...
"Ye-rin, I'm sorry!"
I immediately stood up and shouted with my head bowed low. It seemed like the only way to survive.
"I should have been more thoughtful in many ways! Please forgive me for giving in to temptation!"
A moment of silence.
"Whew."
It ended with a long sigh.
"Woo-jin, I'm not going to hide my jealousy. And I'm not going to force myself to hold back my annoyance."
"..."
"It's the path you chose. If you can't handle it in the end, you just have to pick one person."
Because I was holding onto everyone, no one could leave.
Seo Ye-rin, rebuking me like that, let out a deep sigh and patted the seat I had been sitting in.
"Part of me really wants to just rip it out, but..."
"Ugh."
"I know I can't do that. So sit down and think. Think about how you can make it up to me."
I slunk back into my seat and began to think seriously.
How could I appease an angry Seo Ye-rin?
No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one answer.
"Wanna have sex after this?"
I said it with a thumbs up, but Seo Ye-rin glared at me, looking genuinely annoyed.
"Woo-jin, do you think I'm such an easy woman that all you have to do is have sex with me?"
I'm busted.
She's the one who posts as Anonymous 69 every day saying she wants to have sex.
So isn't it natural for my thoughts to lead there?
I felt a bit wronged, but I hid it and thought of something else.
"Umm, can't you give me a hint or something?"
"I don't even know what would make me feel better, so what hint can I give you?"
"..."
Man, she's difficult.
I wanted to say that, but then again, is there really a way for a man who spent the night with another woman to be forgiven?
While I was struggling to find an answer...
Squish.
I reached out and squeezed Seo Ye-rin's breast.
"...Are you kidding me?"
Normally she would have accepted it with a giggle, but this time was different. Seo Ye-rin glared at me with a cold gaze reminiscent of Choi I-seo, but...
"Sorry, I wanted to touch big breasts. I felt a bit unsatisfied yesterday."
I was trying to compliment her by saying it was a sensation I couldn't get from the petite Yoo Ah-rin.
"You're annoying."
Was it a counter-effect?
It must have been.
I tried to pull my hand away while apologizing, but Seo Ye-rin subtly pushed her chest forward and muttered.
"Sigh, just keep thinking for now."
She tried to hide it, but she clearly looked like she was enjoying me touching her breast.
She wasn't completely over it, but...
'Wait, this actually works?'
It seemed like I had managed to put out the immediate fire.
"I should text Ah-rin."
"Wait a minute!"
Of course, stopping Seo Ye-rin from starting a fire somewhere else was a different story altogether.