Chapter 598: Freshman 1st Semester
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 598: Freshman 1st Semester
“Ugh, seriously, this is so annoying.”
Grumbling, Oh Yun-ji smoothed out her disheveled hair and adjusted her clothes.
A skirmish so intense had just broken out that one would wonder what kind of madness was unfolding in the middle of the night.
No matter how much of a battle-hardened woman Oh Yun-ji was, she couldn't win a one-on-five fight.
Moreover, her opponents included Min Ju-hee, who was practically a nuclear weapon among the idiots; Yoo Ah-rin, a professional who had even run a Taekwondo Neutube channel; and Choi I-seo, a perfectionist who never stopped exercising.
In reality, it was a fight Oh Yun-ji could never have won.
“Hurry up and tell us!”
Seo Ye-rin urged her.
Since everyone was dying to hear about the Kim Woo-jin of their first semester, all eyes remained fixed on Oh Yun-ji.
“Sigh, fine. I get it.”
Yun-ji took a sip of her beer.
“You’re really dragging this out.”
“It’s not like it’s some grand epic.”
Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo grumbled, but their voices were laced with the impatience of wanting the story to start already.
In truth, Yun-ji wasn't stalling; she just felt like she needed a bit more alcohol in her system to properly recall and talk about those days.
“Alright, then. It was back when we were in our first semester. Right around the time we were starting to get close in the English Literature department—”
“Skip to the sex!”
Seo Ye-rin shouted, jumping up and down, but Min Ju-hee and Choi Jin-ah quickly held her back.
“I’m sure Yun-ji will get to it!”
“P-Please, calm down!”
“No, why would she skip the most important part?!”
Ignoring Seo Ye-rin’s raving, Oh Yun-ji began her story.
* * *
“What?”
At Yun-ji’s question, Kim Woo-jin furrowed his brow. He thought it was incredibly random.
“What do you mean 'what'? I’m saying let’s grab lunch. We’re in the same group, aren't we?”
“Sigh.”
Kim Woo-jin let out a deep sigh.
It was true they had become somewhat friendly, but from his perspective, that was as far as it went.
“No.”
He replied with a voice full of irritation.
He found having people around him bothersome.
While some pointed fingers behind his back calling him a loner, and the university community mocked loners as targets of ridicule, to the Kim Woo-jin of this period, the people around him were nothing but nuisances.
“...Why?”
Yun-ji asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
“Conversely, why should we eat together?”
When Kim Woo-jin countered with a look of genuine incomprehension, Yun-ji shrugged.
“Because we’re in the same group?”
“There are other kids.”
“They’re already eating among themselves. They asked me to go too, but... I thought I’d look too easy if I just followed them, so I figured I’d eat with you.”
“Well, I don’t want to.”
“Do you watch anime by any chance?”
“I don’t.”
I bet he does.
Yun-ji clicked her tongue at his tone, which was exactly how the kids who watched that stuff talked.
“Fine, then eat by yourself.”
Yun-ji turned away coolly and headed toward the cafeteria.
His face is totally my type, but his personality is trash.
She didn't know what had happened to him in high school, but she figured he either still hadn't cured his Chunibyo or something significant had happened to make him act like that.
However, in Yun-ji’s personal opinion, no matter what kind of past one had, it wasn't something to be so prickly about.
At least, that was how she felt, being the daughter of a murderer.
Sigh, maybe I should have just had ramyeon.
She considered just grabbing a cup ramen from the convenience store, but since her lectures continued late into the afternoon today...
Ah, let’s just have a proper meal.
She ordered the Soft Tofu Stew.
The place was bustling and crowded.
It was the season when the fresh-faced freshmen were out in full force. Thanks to that, Yun-ji managed to squeeze through the crowd and snag a seat just as she began her meal.
And a moment later.
As the person across from her finished and stood up, someone else sat down.
“Ah.”
“...”
It was Kim Woo-jin.
He must have ordered the Spicy Stir-fried Pork, as the sweet and spicy aroma wafted over.
Seeing this, Yun-ji shrugged and asked playfully, “What’s this? Did you actually want to eat together but were just acting tough?”
“Hah, this was the only seat left.”
“Sure, sure. You just wanted to eat with your Noona, didn't you?”
“Knock it off.”
Kim Woo-jin picked up his spoon with an irritated look and began eating the pork. But soon, his brow twitched slightly.
Yun-ji, immediately realizing why, grinned.
“It’s bad, right? The seniors told me that while most of the school meals are good, the Spicy Stir-fried Pork is exceptionally terrible.”
“...”
“That’s why the seniors say they go to a restaurant outside for it. Do you know Senior Han-gang? He hits on all the girls, but if you just pretend to play along, he’s great for digging up information.”
“...”
“He said the prices there aren't that different. They even give you a fried egg on top, and the side dishes are delicious. If you want Spicy Stir-fried Pork, that’s the place to go.”
“...”
After saying that, Yun-ji went back to her Soft Tofu Stew.
Kim Woo-jin held his spoon but didn't eat, staring intently at her instead.
Yun-ji responded to his gaze with indifference.
“What?”
“You didn't tell me.”
“What?”
“The name of the restaurant.”
“Ah...”
At his words, Yun-ji gave him a bright smile.
“I told you all that specifically so I wouldn't tell you the name.”
“...”
She was serious.
Yun-ji finished her stew after saying that.
It was as if teasing him was the exact extent of the conversation she wanted to have.
Watching her, Kim Woo-jin let out a hollow laugh.
“You... you’ve got a nasty personality.”
At that, Yun-ji flipped him the middle finger while her spoon was still in her mouth.
“You too.”
* * *
“Wait, what? Yun-ji, did you date other guys besides Woo-jin in your first year?”
Min Ju-hee interrupted the story. She asked with a look of utter disbelief.
“The person you just described doesn't sound like Woo-jin at all. I mean, the Woo-jin I know is more...”
Ju-hee hesitated, trying to find the right words. As she struggled to explain, Yoo Ah-rin spoke up for her.
“He’s restless. A total show-off. And he’s a complete sucker for women.”
“...The last part isn't quite right.”
Yun-ji thought that might just be Ah-rin’s personal impression. Though, seeing him live with six women, it wasn't entirely wrong.
However, Yun-ji chuckled.
“It’s true. That was Kim Woo-jin. Back then, he acted so damn cool. And that...”
Yun-ji smirked, licking her lips.
“It was actually a little hot. Maybe it was because his looks were my type? He had this mature vibe that was different from the other guys around.”
Especially since Yun-ji had gone through a rough time regarding her parents, she tended to be more attracted to men who seemed mature rather than those with a light atmosphere.
“...”
Seo Ye-rin, who had been shouting about sex earlier, had gone quiet.
She listened to Yun-ji’s story in silence, looking deep in thought.
“What’s wrong?”
When Choi Jin-ah asked cautiously, Seo Ye-rin pouted.
“It’s just... it’s really annoying that you know a side of Kim Woo-jin that I don’t.”
A few others flinched, empathizing with that sentiment.
A version of Kim Woo-jin that was more different from his current self than they had imagined.
Choi I-seo tried to find a reason and explained.
“From what I know... that was around the time his father told him he’d give him the Chairman position. He probably had a huge fight and left home.”
That would explain his cynical attitude.
In particular, Kim Woo-jin felt guilt and exhaustion over the fact that he was suddenly taking the position his eldest brother had worked his whole life for.
It felt like he was stealing his brother’s life.
Those emotions were swirling inside the Kim Woo-jin of that time, and it might have been because of those feelings that he drew even firmer lines between himself and others.
“Tsk, tell us more. I’m going to tease Kim Woo-jin with this when he gets back.”
At Yoo Ah-rin’s words, Yun-ji, who was finishing her beer, tilted her head.
“You guys look like you’re in a bad mood, and you want me to keep going? You’re not going to hit me or something after I finish, right?”
“We won’t, so just talk. Dammit, I’m annoyed, but I’m also curious.”
“Well, okay then.”
Perhaps it was because the alcohol had kicked in. Telling stories of the past was no longer a burden for Yun-ji.
In fact, thinking about the old days while drinking gave her a subtle sense of exhilaration.
“So, what happened after that was—”
* * *
“Yes, Senior. I see. Thank you.”
“Yeah, Yun-ji. If there’s anything else you don’t know, just ask. I’ll tell you everything.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Ugh, he’s so clingy.
That’s what Yun-ji thought at the time.
She had come to the English Literature department office only to be caught by a senior whose name she didn't even know. He was pestering her while pretending to be helpful.
Honestly, from Yun-ji’s perspective, a guy like this didn't even register as a man.
She wanted someone serious and thoughtful.
First it was Han-gang, and now this guy. Is this just what college is like?
She was wondering if this place was just a literal animal kingdom when...
Clack.
The door opened, and the person who walked in was Kim Woo-jin, the guy she’d had lunch with the other day.
“I’m here to submit my prints.”
“Ah, you can just leave them here.”
“Okay.”
Kim Woo-jin expressionlessly handed over the papers and turned to leave.
He doesn't even say hello, that jerk.
Just as she was grumbling, thinking she might have teased him too much last time...
Kim Woo-jin stopped in his tracks, looked toward Yun-ji, and spoke.
“Hey, you said we were having lunch today. You said you’d show me that good Spicy Stir-fried Pork place.”
Of course, they had never made such a plan, and she had never said she’d show him the restaurant.
But Yun-ji wasn't slow enough to miss that Kim Woo-jin was giving her a chance to shake off the annoying senior in front of her.
“Ah, right. I almost forgot. Let’s go. Since I’m showing you the place, you’re buying, right?”
Kim Woo-jin immediately flipped her the bird.
Was this revenge for last time?
Even while thinking he was a petty cheapskate, Yun-ji didn't feel too bad.
“Senior, I have to go because of my plans.”
“Huh? Oh, right.”
The two of them left the department office.
Yun-ji glanced at Kim Woo-jin and chuckled.
“Asking me on a date? You’re quite the smooth talker.”
“Just tell me where the good pork place is.”
“Geez, it’s only 7,000 won, so it’s always packed. We have to run if we want to get there now.”
“Ah, dammit.”
Looking back now, Yun-ji thinks:
I shouldn't have told him about that place.
She had memories of them fighting several times after they started dating because he insisted on eating Spicy Stir-fried Pork every chance he got.