Chapter 81: Pyo Jin-ho
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: Pyo Jin-ho
“What’s with you? Why the long face?”
Senior Ju-hee asked as she flicked ash from her cigarette. Perhaps the 'Cute Style' incident had been quite stressful, as she was chain-smoking, the thick scent of tobacco clinging to her body.
“No, it’s nothing.”
I was just embarrassed because I’d basically been making a fool of myself all alone; it wasn’t like there was an actual problem.
Chan-woo had sent me some urgent-sounding messages, but since Yoo Ah-rin was right here, there shouldn't be any major issues.
“He says he wants to sing,” Yoo Ah-rin chimed in from the side, pointing right at me. Sometimes I felt like cracking her head open, but today the urge was especially strong.
“Singing? You want to go to karaoke?”
“……No.”
It wasn’t that I actually wanted to sing, and having seen Ju-hee’s intense performances at karaoke a few times, I wasn't exactly dying to go back.
Ju-hee didn't seem serious about it either, as she brushed off her clothes and checked the time.
“Shouldn’t Hyun-ho be here soon?”
Seo Ye-rin had said she’d be late because of plans with friends, and Choi I-seo was supposed to arrive around evening after finishing some volunteer work with Min-ji.
Ahn Hyun-ho was about due to show up.
I pulled out my phone to call and ask where he was. Before we filmed the movie, Hyun-ho and I weren't on the best of terms.
Now, surprisingly, our relationship had evolved to the point where we could at least hold a conversation.
— Hello?
“Where are you? Senior is waiting.”
— ……I’m almost there.
I intentionally mentioned Ju-hee to block him from saying anything useless.
I heard the sound of Ahn Hyun-ho running as he choked back a response, and I hung up, satisfied.
Once Ahn Hyun-ho arrived, we debated what to have for a late lunch and finally decided on spicy stir-fried octopus.
I can’t handle spicy food well, but I heard the place had plenty of other options.
Like tonkatsu or pizza, for instance.
‘Why would an octopus place sell tonkatsu and pizza?’
The question crossed my mind, but I didn't voice it. There are plenty of restaurants like that these days.
“I can’t eat things that are too spicy,” I said as we were ordering. Suddenly, Yoo Ah-rin, sitting next to me, started stroking my head.
“Aww, look at our little Woo-jini! Can’t handle spicy food? Should I suck the sauce off for you first?”
“Get lost, you crazy bitch.”
“Aww! Where did you learn such language? You were calling for me like a baby earlier, so I’m treating you like one. Do you like it?”
“Senior, can you teach me how to fight? I really want to beat the crap out of her.”
“Hmm.”
At the mention of fighting, the eyes of Ju-hee and Ahn Hyun-ho, sitting across from us, lit up.
Since both were former school bullies, the topic seemed to pique their interest.
“Ah-rin? To beat her, wouldn't you have to take a leave of absence with Han-gang and practically live at the gym?”
“…….”
“I saw her roundhouse kick at the pub last time; it was no joke. You’ve been training for a long time, haven't you?”
Is it true that the strong recognize the strong?
At Ju-hee’s question, Yoo Ah-rin hesitated for a moment before scratching her cheek and answering.
“I did win a provincial competition once.”
Wait, what?
“A provincial competition?”
When I asked back in shock, Yoo Ah-rin nodded awkwardly, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Doesn't that mean you could’ve gone national?”
“If I’d gone to the national tournament and placed, maybe? I didn't go, though.”
As she spoke, I caught a brief shadow crossing her face.
Sensing it was something she didn't want to talk about, I immediately laughed and replied.
“I guess I’ll have to cancel that duel.”
As I playfully moved the conversation along, the topic shifted from Yoo Ah-rin to fighting in general.
“No, seriously, Jung-ho’s match this time was insane! It wasn't just raw power; his technique was……!”
“You saw that too, Senior? Wow, I was screaming at home while watching that, and my roommate hyung actually hit me.”
They were deep into a discussion about the UFC. I expected it from Ahn Hyun-ho, but even Senior Ju-hee was interested…….
‘It suits her.’
It suited her more than I expected, which was surprising. It might be rude to say this to a senior, but it felt like she might have been born the wrong gender.
“Don’t you watch UFC or anything?”
I nudged Yoo Ah-rin, who was browsing the Bamboo Forest during the lull, but she shook her head.
“Why would I watch a bunch of sweaty guys?”
“……Don’t you dare tell anyone you used to exercise.”
“I wasn't planning to.”
Then, finding something amusing, she giggled and slid her phone over to show me.
“Hey, look at this.”
It was a post on the Bamboo Forest with a photo of a cat sprawled out.
“Cute, right?”
The white cat stretched out like a steamed bun was indeed cute.
Yoo Ah-rin’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the photo. I wondered if she liked cats because she had a cat-like face herself.
Actually, was Yoo Ah-rin a cat or a fox?
However, my eyes were drawn more toward the comments.
Surprisingly, Anonymous 11—the notorious troll and fighting cock—had actually left a normal, positive response for once.
The impact was significant.
Starting with the appearance of Anonymous 243, the Anime Master who was used to being flamed.
“Ah, seeing stuff like this makes me want to join in.”
Yoo Ah-rin chuckled as she scrolled through the Bamboo Forest. Because of her position as a manager, she couldn't just post whatever she wanted.
“Just do it.”
As soon as I posted the comment using my phone, a flood of replies poured in. Most were asking for more info on Slave No. 1 or to see a photo.
“Heh, is this allowed? Aren't community administrators supposed to stay neutral and avoid posting if possible?”
“So I’m supposed to just stare at the screen and manage it without actually using the forum?”
“Well…… I guess that’s true.”
“Don’t worry about what others think. It’s anonymous anyway, you dummy.”
Ah, wait.
Let me correct that.
“Only you and I know.”
When I said that with a smirk, Yoo Ah-rin stared at me blankly for a moment before her shoulders began to shake with excitement as she fiddled with her phone.
“Hey.”
When I called out to her with a glare, Yoo Ah-rin covered her mouth with her phone, laughing her head off.
Honestly, it didn't feel too bad to me either.
It wasn't just about being insulted anonymously; it felt like we were sharing a secret only we knew, creating a sense of camaraderie.
“Ahaha! Hey, look at this reply. Someone posted a meme saying it looks like you.”
Yoo Ah-rin cackled, showing me a meme of a dog with its tongue out making a bizarre face.
As she laughed and slapped my shoulder, she seemed more innocent and down-to-earth than usual.
Before I knew it, the eyes of the two people sitting across from us were fixed on us.
The UFC talk must have ended, as they were both staring intently.
“Be honest, you two.”
Senior Ju-hee asked with a sly smile.
“Are you dating?”
“Me?”
“With this piece of trash?”
What? Trash?
“No, how could I date someone who looks like a used tissue?”
“What? A used tissue? If I’m a used tissue, then you’re a semen-stained—!”
“Hahaha!”
Ju-hee let out a boisterous laugh as she watched us. We were arguing quite seriously, but she seemed to find it endearing.
“Woo-jin, you’re actually pretty close with the girls, aren't you?”
“Me? I’m only close with a specific few.”
I could count them all on one hand.
“And those specific few happen to be total beauties?”
I couldn't exactly deny Ju-hee’s point.
“If you mean Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo…… I guess so.”
“You brat. Why am I left out?”
Yoo Ah-rin lunged at me from the side again. I’d said she was like a cat, but seeing this, she was more like a puppy.
“But personally, I think Ah-rin suits you better than the others. The way you two bicker and play around feels right.”
“Exactly. I think so too!”
Ahn Hyun-ho immediately chimed in, agreeing with Ju-hee. His wide grin was absurd, but it seemed he still hadn't given up on Choi I-seo.
He’d probably start courting her in earnest next semester.
“Unfortunately, I have no intention of being a Campus Couple, so I won't be dating anyone.”
“Wow, what a relief. I was worried you’d take her advice and confess to me.”
Yoo Ah-rin let out a sigh of relief, slapping her forehead. I really wanted to smash that forehead, but I barely managed to restrain myself.
“Well, I’m just talking. Just think of it as a senior being nosy.”
Just as Ju-hee finished speaking, the food arrived.
I thought octopus and pizza was a bizarre combination, but I was surprised by how well they complemented each other.
The greasiness of the pizza seemed to neutralize the spiciness.
As we were eating.
Vrrr!
The table vibrated.
I wondered whose phone it was, and Ahn Hyun-ho stood up with an awkward smile.
“I’ll be right back, I need to take this.”
He answered the phone as he walked away.
“Yes, Jin-ho Hyung.”
Yoo Ah-rin’s head snapped toward Ahn Hyun-ho. Her eyes trembled, her expression filled with shock.
It was a name I remembered as well.
‘Pyo Jin-ho?’
It was a name I’d heard for the first time today, but the man who had left such a powerful impression.
He was now on the phone with Ahn Hyun-ho.