Seoral University Freshman OT
Half-hiding behind me, Eunseo shyly spoke up.
"Hello? I'm Lee Eunseo, a repeater who just entered as a 19th-class freshman."
"Ah, hello..."
Seeing those status messages made my shoulders tense up with pride.
Over the past few days, meeting Eunseo daily and giving her massages had completed the Blossoming Flower Bud quest.
I thought it'd take half a year, but I was wrong.
The plastic surgeons' saying that a person's face changes dramatically with just a 0.1mm difference was spot on. Simply trimming a tiny bit more from Eunseo's cheeks had bumped her beauty score to 90 points and finished the quest.
Her current profile looked like this.
Every time her classmates gawked at Eunseo in awe, it felt like getting praise for a painting I'd drawn myself.
Park Gwanghyeok was the first to snap out of it and spoke to her.
"If you repeated a year, you're my noona by a year! I'm Park Gwanghyeok, turning 20 this year! You seem close with Yunho hyung—let's all get along!"
"Sure. Nice to meet you."
Starting with Park Gwanghyeok, her classmates—especially the guys—began chatting her up. I could feel Eunseo lightly gripping the hem of my shirt.
Her shy personality made the attention overwhelming. Seeing her lean on me shifted the guys' gazes—a mix of admiration and rivalry.
Time to play traffic cop.
"Alright, Eunseo's super shy, so let's take it slow. Aren't we leaving yet? Assembly time's passed."
Right on cue, student council seniors shouted.
"Seoral University Business freshmen, over here!"
Under their guidance, we boarded the bus. I took a window seat in the back, and as Eunseo moved to sit beside me—
"Mind if I take this empty spot?"
A girl with an impressive ponytail sat down first. Beaming, she greeted us.
"Hi! I'm Son Ji-hyun, Business 19th class."
A bit thrown, I stared at her blankly.
So he's the top student? Handsome just like they said.
The profile and status message made it clear instantly.
She's the student council president.
It cleared up my confusion from the welcome event, where the vice president—not the president—had escorted the department head. She'd skipped it to avoid freshmen.
I'd seen "Ji-hyun" in the vice president's status before, so no doubt.
The president herself, disguised as a freshman to infiltrate.
Fitting for someone whose desire was chasing thrills.
Meanwhile, Eunseo was pouting.
Seeing her head to another seat, I stood right up.
"Yeah, it's empty. Gotta sit with my friend, so I'll move."
I sat next to Eunseo and glanced at Son Ji-hyun. She looked awkward.
Now I'm even more interested? Wait, why?
The bus soon departed. Inside, chatter filled the air noisily.
"Yunho hyung, wanna play a game?"
Kim Seongho suggested it. Surprising, since Park Gwanghyeok was the unofficial group leader, but it made sense.
A girl that pretty? Worth the 4 years of hell studying! Woo!
Four years of entrance exams would light a fire under anyone.
His dark intentions toward Eunseo had him fired up, but it only amused me—no annoyance. A rooster charging at a pristine white crane wouldn't make the male crane jealous.
With the desire collection function updated, the new desire entries caught my eye. I scanned my classmates' desires while I was at it.
Park Gwanghyeok — Escape the friendzone
Kim Seongho — Get a girlfriend
Lee Junha — Live without bowing to others
Kim Jinju — Get a boyfriend
Lee Dasul — Live doing what I want
Three out of five have romance-related desires. Classic for 20-year-old freshmen freshly freed from exam hell.
Gwanghyeok's seems the easiest to fulfill. Though in this OT situation, the difficulty was still high.
Anyway, games weren't a bad idea. Eunseo needed to bond with the others.
"Sure? Eunseo, wanna play?"
"Yeah, sounds fun!"
Son Ji-hyun chimed in. "Guys, mind if I join?"
As eyes turned to her, she continued. "I'm Son Ji-hyun, repeater in 19th class. Pretty bored—can I play too?"
Kim Seongho lit up. "Of course! No need to ask—we're all classmates and friends!"
This guy's not just after Eunseo.
Anyone decently pretty would do. Son Ji-hyun's 71 points put her in the top 5%—no wonder he was thrilled.
Curious about her angle, I checked her status.
Bus ride's boring anyway.
Get tight with them, then at the afterparty—bam! Surprise, I'm the student council president! They'll freak. Hehehe.
The game started, and Son Ji-hyun blended in seamlessly. She had the vibe of Park Gwanghyeok matured by five years.
Top-tier looks, charisma, and humor. No wonder she's president.
By the time we arrived at the resort, we'd had a blast.
"Freshmen, gather in the recreation hall!"
The Department Head gave his opening speech on precautions, then they split us into groups. I was in Group 8, Eunseo in 6.
"Whiiine, oppa, we're separated."
"Yeah, bummer. But we can hang at the afterparty—let's settle for that."
Park Gwanghyeok and Kim Jinju were in my group, though.
"Oh? Everyone's scattered, but we're together. Nice."
"Right? Feels exciting now that it's starting, oppa?"
As grouping wrapped up, Son Ji-hyun joined ours.
"Went to the bathroom, missed my spot on the list."
"...Groups are pre-assigned by student council."
"Ack?! W-well... Ah! I applied late for OT, so maybe not on the list. Ha, haha! Doesn't matter—we're doing group games, right? Exciting!"
Phew, solid excuse though.
Obviously, she'd used her president powers for Group 8. Abuse of authority?
Group games followed.
"Pretty standard games."
Son Ji-hyun bristled. "Hey, we stayed up all night planning these—harsh much?"
"...Talking like you helped plan them?"
Flustered, she backpedaled. "N-no, I was student council president in high school. Just figured. Hahaha..."
"Sure... whatever."
I held back from saying they lacked creativity. Still, not boring. Basic games, but university OT itself was entertaining for me. Plus one fun bonus.
"O! Next up, Song Yunho! Anyone know this classmate's nickname?"
The student council MC shouted, and some cheered.
"Business Kim Woo-bin!!!"
"Yes! Rumor spread after welcome week! Seeing you in person, oppa vibes for real. Come on up!"
Sheepish, I stepped forward to cheers.
"Kyaa! Hot guy! Hot guy!!!"
Half-joking, but I fought a grin. Thought I'd adapted to my looks, but crowds still got me. Smiling dopily would look lame, so I clamped down.
"Handsome Song! Yun! Ho!"
Park Gwanghyeok hollered, arm raised. Ah, him—killed my smile. Saved my poker face.
His turn next. Hearing top groups got good afterparty snacks as prizes, he went wild. We took 2nd, winning three chickens; he became Group 8's hero.
After dinner at the cafeteria, voting for class rep in the hall, and a dull lecture on school history, major traits, and outcomes—
"Ugh, so boring. Hyung, afterparty time at last."
The alpha and omega of OT: the long-awaited afterparty.