Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: OT
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"We will now begin the Hansol University Business Administration Department freshman orientation!"
The host's overly enthusiastic voice rang out as the screen on stage lit up.
Next up was the department head's boring welcome address, followed by introductions to the professors that nobody really cared about, and then a lineup of greetings from the student council executives.
I sat next to Su-a, stifling a yawn.
When the hell is this going to end? It was unbearably dull.
Of course, to some fossilized upperclassman, even this might seem like a golden age of happiness.
By the time I turned twenty, college life had already become pretty sensible.
Back in high school, I'd been terrified by all those creepy internet stories about university old-school culture.
I'd even memorized girl group choreography just in case they made us dance on stage.
Thankfully, neither then nor now had I ever been forced into that kind of nightmare.
Thinking back, it was kinda funny.
Would it have been more horrifying to dance like that in my old drab guy's body back then, or now, with a guy's soul in a girl's body?
Talk about a brutal would-you-rather.
I was lost in these silly thoughts, killing time, when...
"And now, a few words from the pillar of our Business Administration Department, Student Council President Seon-woo Lee!"
The auditorium erupted in thunderous applause that nearly shook the walls.
Seon-woo Lee.
Just hearing that name soured my mood, dragging up a flood of petty, bitter thoughts.
Earlier, when that guy's hand crept around near your collar... you got chills, right?
Memories resurfaced of how I'd been wrongly accused and socially crucified because of him.
But the grudge from my first life couldn't be shared—it had to stay secret.
Not out of consideration for that bastard, of course.
No one would believe in something as ridiculous as regression anyway.
This burden from the past was mine alone to bear.
Still, there was a silver lining.
Now, I was the only one who knew his dark true nature.
This time, I'd figure out how to rip off that mask of his.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Seon-woo Lee, president of the Business Administration student council."
His confident voice instantly commanded the room.
I hated to admit it, but his good looks probably helped, then and now.
Little gasps of admiration rose from female students scattered around the auditorium.
Seeing their entranced, sparkling eyes, Seon-woo Lee smirked even more smugly.
Knowing that hollow smile was pure fakery made my stomach churn again.
I whipped my head away. I couldn't stand watching anymore.
Even after his greeting, the event dragged on forever.
Now they were even doing club introductions.
This is boring me to death.
I was seriously considering grabbing Su-a and bolting when...
"That concludes the official program!"
The auditorium buzzed with excitement the moment the host finished.
Everyone seemed lighter now, thinking about heading home.
I wholeheartedly agreed—I couldn't wait to escape this boring prison.
But then the host adjusted the mic and shouted in an even higher pitch.
"Now for the real fun! We'll have an afterparty shortly! In 30 minutes, everyone meet at Debauchery Pork Belly Pub!"
Of course they wouldn't just let us go home.
Debauchery Pork Belly Pub.
The name hit me like a hangover, even after all these years. What a trash-tier naming sense.
It was the go-to booze joint for Hansol University groups—huge crowds would swarm it.
Overpriced, limited menu, and the food sucked, but it never went under for two reasons: prime college location and stupidly spacious.
Basically, it was the only spot that could cram in massive groups, so we'd drag ourselves there grudgingly.
No choices given—like a forced-labor camp for group drinking sessions.
"Ha-rang, there's an afterparty! Sounds fun."
Su-a linked arms with me excitedly.
She was so innocently cheerful because she had no clue.
A quick glance around showed the upperclassmen in the know wearing defeated expressions.
Like they'd lost their country, faces rotting with dread at the thought of going back there.
The clueless freshmen seemed indifferent—some even looked thrilled.
I wanted to warn them, but right now, my focus was on one person.
"Su-a."
"Yeah?"
"Stick right by me at the afterparty tonight. Don't wander off."
My serious tone made her eyes widen.
"What? Why so intense? You sound like my mom."
"I'm not kidding. Once the booze flows, psychos lose their minds everywhere."
Especially creeps like Seon-woo Lee up front, pretending to be harmless.
I vowed not to let him anywhere near Su-a.
Soon the auditorium doors opened, and the crowd poured out like an ebbing tide.
About ten minutes' walk off-campus, the sign for Debauchery Pork Belly Pub loomed—hangover-inducing just from the name.
"Everyone here?"
"Some didn't show. Probably ditched 'cause they were lazy."
"What? Skipping a party the seniors worked hard on? Hey, call their names."
A burly returning student with a bag slung over his shoulder scowled and shook a scrap of paper.
The freshmen flinched and bowed their heads unnecessarily.
I snorted.
What a psycho.
The state of the world, man.
Yelling like that made him think he was hot shit, but to me, he was just a overgrown kindergartener.
Afterparties were optional anyway.
What was he gonna do with their names? Send wedding invites later?
"Ha-rang, what's wrong? You look scary."
Su-a tugged my sleeve and whispered.
"Nah, just... the entrance reeks of stale booze already."
"Stale booze? Did the owner skip cleaning?"
I shot a pitying glance at the two wannabe old-timers and led Su-a inside.
"Let's grab that corner spot. Somewhere out of sight."
I pulled her hand toward the deepest back corner.
Luckily, a secluded seat unpopular due to the AC compressor noise was empty.
I sat, and Su-a naturally took the spot beside me.
Soon, three nervous girls approached our table.
"Um... any room here? Everywhere else is full."
"No room. Sit."
I nodded indifferently, and they sighed in relief, piling in.
Before long, booze and snacks covered the table.
The food was predictably awful, but alcohol worked wonders.
After a couple drinks, the awkwardness from the orientation hall vanished.
Freshmen voices rose in pitch, laughter bursting everywhere.
Way more lively than the boring OT.
The mood heated up visibly as people loosened up.
"Lighting here's pretty good for selfies."
"Take one for my Insta too. This filter."
The girls across and diagonal from me were already deep in their own world.
Cosmetics brands to celeb gossip—endless chatter made my head spin.
After exhausting entrance exams and high school stories, talk shifted to guys.
"You got a boyfriend?"
"Nah, solo forever."
"Lucky. Mine dumped me... Where do you even find one?"
Listening made me chuckle inwardly.
Girls, date if you want, but no CC.
Life gets messy.
Don't end up suffering like this bro.
Whoa, that thought was straight out of a boomer returnee's mouth.
I wasn't one to point fingers at others for being old-school.
Worried I'd rant about lattes if I got tipsy.
Su-a, watching me, poked my shoulder curiously.
"What, Ha-rang? Why you laughing alone again? Creepy."
"Just... you guys playing is cute."
"Cute? Your speech is weird. Like some senior way above us."
"Just your imagination."
I played it cool, and Su-a tilted her head, baffled.
In the lull, the girl across who'd been staring propped her chin, eyes sparkling.
"But Ha-rang, you really look like a celeb. In the hall, I only saw you."
"Nah, not that much."
"Why dress so casual though? If I looked like you, I'd live for picking outfits every morning..."
"Yeah, yeah. Honestly, wasting that face is a crime."
"Too much hassle."
"Wow, so cool. Don't most pretty girls wanna doll up more?"
"Right? Ha-rang's... different."
Awe-filled stares poured in, but I just fiddled with my beer glass.
Sure, guy's mind here—I like pretty girls.
But who am I dressing up for?
I can't even see my own face. What's the point?
Waste mornings on makeup and styling for others' benefit? No thanks.
They couldn't know, so questions kept coming.
"Ha-rang, you got a boyfriend?"
"Nope."
"No way. Blind date sometime? I'll lend clothes."
"Sure, let's do it."
Yeah, never happening.
I'd die before dating a guy.
If I can't go back to being male, solo life forever.
Might be unfilial, sorry to Mom and Dad, but Ha-jin could carry on the line.
That stubborn punk's one useful trait.
I nodded along vaguely, and they buzzed into new topics among themselves.
Booze made conversation shift at lightspeed.
Yeah, have your fun. Leave me out.
In my first life, I'd tried hard to befriend everyone...
But learned quick it was pointless.
Almost none stood by me when shit hit the fan.
Sigh, ancient history.
I zoned out vaguely when a mood-setter set down her glass and scanned around.
Laughter from a mixed group at the next table rang loud.
She pouted and blurted,
"Why's our table all girls? Boring."
"Right? Not like a girls' high reunion."
Those irreverent brats.
Think this is a hunting pub?
Already hunting guys? I'd shave their heads if they were my sisters.
Lamenting modern girls' lack of propriety, I chugged my beer when...
The girl diagonal from me shot her hand up and yelled,
"Whoa! President sunbae! Over here!"
...What?
"Sunbae! Join our table! We got an empty seat!"
Seon-woo Lee?
"Pfft!"
I spat out my beer in shock.
"Eek! Ha-rang, you okay? What's wrong!"
Su-a recoiled in horror beside me.
Choking hard, my chest heaved with rough coughs.
"Cough, cough... Ha..."
I wiped up the mess with tissues.
As I dabbed my mouth with my hand and looked up...
"Must've been a shock. Freshman with low tolerance?"
His unnecessarily smooth voice raised goosebumps everywhere.
I slowly raised my head, locking eyes with Seon-woo Lee, narrowing mine coldly.
Shit.
Got careless. Failed to block his approach.
Seon-woo Lee smiled and addressed me.
"What's your name? You've been catching my eye."