Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Ex-Girlfriend
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Hansol University, where I go to school, annoyingly holds exams during Orientation.
It's to gauge the freshmen’s English and math knowledge levels and divide us into classes accordingly.
They call it leveled classes, but in reality, it’s just ranking us.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter much either way.
But at my age, I can’t embarrass myself by sitting in a beginner class with all these kids.
So, I planned to take the exam seriously.
I panted my way up the hill and barely made it into the lecture hall.
Before I could catch my breath, the test papers were handed out.
I skimmed through the math problems.
At first, they seemed daunting, but then I realized they were all familiar faces.
I’d dealt with calculus plenty while prepping for economics and financial management in the CPA exams.
English flowed easily too—my body remembered the TEPS studying from when I’d briefly considered grad school as an escape.
This is a breeze.
Is this the prestige of a second life?
Ignoring the other freshmen tearing their hair out beside me, I set my pen down first.
Done.
I handed in my paper lightly and stepped outside, where a cool spring breeze cooled my sweat.
Now I could breathe.
But thinking it over, did I even need to attend Orientation?
They’d just tell us obvious stuff anyway.
How to register for classes? I could do it blindfolded.
Credit requirements? I knew them inside out—boring, even.
Sitting through things I already knew made me antsy just thinking about it.
Strictly speaking, wasn’t I basically a 29-year-old returning student?
Hanging with fresh-faced newbies might cramp my style—no fun in that.
Yeah, I’m skipping.
I’d just rationalized it with flawless logic when—
I bumped into a girl walking by.
"Ah...!"
"..."
I was fine, but she lost her balance completely and was about to fall on her butt.
I reflexively reached out, catching her waist.
"You okay...?"
I couldn’t finish.
Her gaze looking up at me was too familiar.
Su-a Yeon.
My first and last girlfriend—the one I could never forget even if I tried.
Ha-rang, even if the whole world hates you, I’m on your side forever, got it?
A flood of thoughts raced through my mind in that instant, but nothing came out of my mouth.
Then—
"...Wow."
"...Huh?"
"You’re really pretty. Are you an actress or something?"
"Pardon?"
The unexpected question left me speechless.
Her habit of gushing over beauty hadn’t changed.
Not that admitting I was pretty myself wasn’t weird...
I hurriedly pulled my hand from her waist, flustered. She asked again, sounding almost disappointed.
"Or a model?"
"...No way."
"Then a real student? Freshman?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Her eyes doubled in size at my answer.
She grabbed my hand eagerly, like she’d been waiting.
"No way! I’m a freshman too! So we’re classmates?"
"Ah... yeah. Nice to meet you."
"I’m Su-a. Yeon Su-a, Business Administration! You?"
Su-a chattered excitedly.
She’d switched to casual speech naturally.
Her friendly vibe was the same as ever.
Of course—she’d always been like this.
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
"...Ha-rang Seo. Business Administration."
"Ha-rang? Cute name."
Cute name?
She’d never said that when we dated...
Though praising a tomboyish name like mine would’ve been weirder.
Su-a’s puppy-like eyes sparkled as she continued.
"But seriously, Ha-rang, I thought you were a model. You’re so tall... Wow, those jeans fit perfectly. Where’d you get them?"
"Just threw on something from home."
"Liar! And it looks this good?"
What was so amazing?
Just a gray hoodie and jeans, but Su-a seemed genuinely impressed.
Come to think of it, girls bond by complimenting each other.
Was Su-a laying the groundwork to get close?
If she was coming at me, I should return it.
I glanced at her outfit.
"You look radiant today. That ivory cardigan suits you perfectly."
I meant it. Pastel tones always looked great on her.
"Whoa, Ha-rang! What’s with that eye for detail? Amazing!"
She covered her mouth with both hands, eyes wide.
"I put this on and took it off over ten times this morning!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! It’s spring, so I wanted something fresh but not too flashy. I agonized over it. But you saying it suits me... I’m touched, like I could cry!"
"Haha..."
Su-a bounced around like a kid.
She’d always been like this before.
Overjoyed at little things, beaming like she’d won the world at small gestures.
If Seon-woo Lee hadn’t ruined my life... where would we be now?
I wouldn’t have let her go like that, at least.
Lost in staring at her, she waved a hand in front of my face.
"Ha-rang? What’re you thinking? Listening?"
"Oh, yeah. Just spaced out."
I brushed it off, and she grinned, leaning close.
"Ha-rang, this must be fate. Let’s be friends. What do you say?"
"...Friends?"
"Yeah! Truth is, I don’t know anyone here and was super nervous."
"..."
"But being friends with someone as pretty as you would make college life solid. Okay?"
Friends.
That short word stabbed my heart.
Su-a didn’t know.
That we’d gone as far as love could take us.
Or how futilely it ended.
That day we broke up.
The memory I’d forced myself to forget resurfaced.
Her bright smile now overlapped with her sad face from then.
It was when Seon-woo Lee had framed me as a molester.
Ha-rang, it’s not true, right? Right?
...
Just say it’s not. There’s gotta be a misunderstanding. Yeah?
Her voice trembled.
She pleaded with her eyes for me to deny it.
It wouldn’t have been hard.
I was innocent, and she was ready to believe me.
But the words wouldn’t come.
What would change if I denied it?
I was already enlisting to escape—what good in holding onto her?
Better to let her leave without regrets.
That was my last kindness to her, I lied to myself.
...
Say something, please... You’re not that kind of guy, Ha-rang.
Her warm hand on mine only made me feel more wretched.
Twisted resignation finally burst out.
I did it.
...What?
Yeah, I molested her. She was hot, so I touched her thigh. Happy?
Her grip slackened.
She spoke in a shaking voice.
...You bastard.
...
You’re... the worst trash, Ha-rang Seo.
Just what I wanted.
Now she could leave without lingering.
My heart shredded, but faint relief came too—job well done.
But then.
A tear dropped from her eye.
Weird.
Why cry like that instead of yelling?
For a moment, it hit me.
Maybe she saw through it.
My blatant lie.
She’d hinted before—Seon-woo senior kept hitting on her, creeping her out.
Why had I brushed it off?
Stupidly.
Seon-woo had targeted her from the start, taking me out as the obstacle.
And Su-a had known.
...
Why cry harder than me, making me feel guiltier.
Seeing her hurt more broke my resolve.
My doomed college life... maybe I wanted to be selfish once more.
Or truthfully, I just loved her too much.
Couldn’t bear pushing her away.
So I kissed her.
Mmm...
Hot breaths mingled between our lips.
Instead of diving in, I traced her lips gently, savoring each curve.
Teasing brushes that drove her mad.
Each stolen breath brought wet smacks to my ears.
Ngh... Mm.
Su-a moaned softly.
Her tear-streaked, disheveled face—beloved.
It sparked guilt, but also primal desire.
Once unleashed, nothing held back.
I tilted deeper.
Tongues tangled seamlessly.
Slurps leaked from the tight seal.
I dipped lower, sucking her tongue.
Fingers cradling her cheek rubbed her earlobe softly.
Every skin graze consumed me.
Mmph...
I wrapped her tongue tip, tugging her lower lip.
Her ragged breaths mixed in before I claimed her deeply again.
Her tears seeped along my tongue.
What a lousy kiss.
All bitterness and salt.
Our lips parted.
Haah, ha...
I expected a shove.
Even a slap would’ve been fair.
But no.
She just panted, staring.
Regret deeper than blame—lingering attachment we couldn’t sever.
But it had to end.
I averted her gaze for my final words.
...Let’s break up.
"Ha-rang? What’re you thinking so hard about?"
"Huh?"
Her voice snapped me back.
Su-a stared at me.
"We’ve got time before Orientation starts, right?"
"Uh, yeah..."
"Let’s grab coffee. My treat."
"S-Sure. Let’s do it."
A dopey reply slipped out.
Facing Su-a again felt unreal.
I looked her over slowly.
Excited college girl making a new friend—pure joy.
Her bright smile scattered my surging emotions.
...
Even regressed, nine years had passed for me.
I’d painfully emptied my heart over that time—and now my gender was different.
To Su-a, I was just a new classmate.
...Yeah, our time ended back then.
Too far to restart, too late now.
I steeled myself and followed her.
The student union cafe was packed with freshmen—no standing room.
We waited in line; finally our turn. Su-a glared at the menu.
"Wow, so many options. Decided, Ha-rang?"
"Just iced Americano for me."
"You like it simple, huh?"
She scanned the colorful drink pics, then her eyes lit up mischievously.
"First time—let’s try something new?"
"..."
"I’ll go... amaretto latte! Gotta have that."
"Amaretto has almonds. You’re allergic."
"Huh?"
Her eyes shook as she looked at me.
"How’d you..."
I calmly turned to the barista.
"One iced Americano and one strawberry latte, please."
"Order received."
...I’d just decided to let her go.
But I’m selfish as ever.
I took the buzzing pager and nodded to an empty table.
"Drink the strawberry latte. You love strawberries."
Su-a, guess I’m greedy after all.
This second chance...
I don’t want to lose you again.