Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Picking Stars (2)
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Seoul, Gangnam-gu.
A craft beer bar whose name alone was known to everyone.
A little later than the appointed time. The alumni who had gathered early were clinking glasses and unwinding.
Yeonhwa Private High School.
Byul's alma mater, where she had attended just as the stars began to change.
Byul was the hottest topic among the alumni gossip.
"I heard Byul solved another big issue recently?"
"Whoa, really?"
"I still can't believe it every time I hear about her. Who would've thought the girl always reading novels in the back row would turn out like this?"
A dull girl who slept or zoned out in the back. That was Byul's image to her classmates back then.
She didn't know how to dress up, so guys didn't flock to her.
She had this habit of suddenly getting excited whenever games or comics came up, which made some students avoid her.
Of course, most people didn't care about Byul at all.
Not hating her, not liking her. Oh, that girl who always sat in the back?
She's nice and mild-mannered.
Just your typical everyday girl who elicited that kind of reaction.
"Korean Hunter Association Vice President... She's on TV all the time, not just once or twice."
"Having someone from our class like that really shows how small the world is."
The fresh-faced young adults, just starting to carve out their places in society, giggled as they talked about her.
They were at that age where they were barely establishing themselves.
Too early to call them successful; they still carried the image of societal newbies.
So when someone who shone like a real star appeared among them, it was natural their interest wouldn't fade.
"So, is she coming?"
"Yeah, she said she is."
"I heard she's gotten super pretty... Should I ask for her number?"
Some showed straightforward interest.
"Didn't she say she doesn't have a boyfriend?"
"Yeah, probably. But why would she go for you? A vice president could pick anyone she wants."
"Hey, ease up on the reality checks."
A 20s class reunion. One of the alumni suddenly decides to call around, and the gathering happens.
Human relationships often got reestablished in the process.
Was she always that pretty?
Whoa, she's totally changed.
The chubby one slimmed down, the skinny one bulked up.
Some bore the scars of time's hardships, evoking pity.
Faces seen anew sparked attraction, or old crushes reignited into connections.
Subtle flings even started.
"But Byul's kinda pure-hearted, you know? Wonder if she's still like that."
A woman who had briefly been friends with Byul back then spoke up.
Instant attention. The men's eager reactions left her exasperated.
"What do you mean?"
"Spill it."
"You guys are gross. You know how some people believe in 'fate's partner' and all that stuff?"
First love has to lead to marriage.
I won't date unless it's serious.
"Pure? Otaku delusions? Creepy? Anyway, Byul was like that. Not sure about now."
"Hey, don't badmouth our Byul."
"Our Byul, my ass. That's how she was back then."
Who knows, maybe now she's a seductress devouring young guys left and right.
She didn't say it outright, but with Byul's status, it wouldn't be surprising if that were true.
"At her level, dating multiple guys wouldn't raise eyebrows, right?"
"True, but she said no boyfriend."
Pfft, no way she's never had one.
Byul had risen too high for a casual poke.
Still, some tried anyway. Sour grapes, after all.
"Last time I saw her, she still seemed kinda naive. Like she can't talk to guys."
"For real?"
An innocent girl not used to men.
A dizzying fantasy flashed through some guys' minds.
Play it right, and maybe a home run.
-Creak.
Then the door opened, and Byul peeked in.
"...I-is this the right place?"
A light pink cardigan and a skirt shortened for summer.
The slightly loose fit meant only four slender fingers poked out from the sleeve where her hand should be.
Mid-20s, but her style made her look like a college freshman.
"Hey, Byul! Come on in."
A woman waved happily.
Byul blushed at the attention, clutching her handbag tightly as she entered.
Summer outfit hugging her curves drew the men's eyes.
Light and slim, but with generous swells and dips where it counted.
Proving it, soft thigh flesh peeked from under her skirt hem, mouthwatering.
"...Am I too late? ...S-sorry."
"Nah, no worries. Sit here quick!"
"Huh? Oh... okay."
Byul sat, glancing nervously around.
Stammering, blinking, unable to handle the vibe, she stared at her phone clutched like a lifeline.
Only her looks had changed; it was high school Byul through and through.
"So, Byul."
"Y-yes?!"
"I saw you on TV again. Being vice president must be tough, right?"
"...Oh, that. It's fine. Manageable."
"What kind of stuff do you do? Tell us."
"Yeah, I'm curious too."
With Byul's arrival, people from nearby seats started gathering around her.
Even those uninterested stole glances and tossed her name into chit-chat once or twice.
'...Shit!'
The spotlight shifted to her. Every table focused on Byul.
If this played out, it'd go from work to personal life.
Interrogation barrage!
Byul sipped her beer, screaming internally.
"Vice president stuff... not as big a deal as you think!"
She slowly started answering questions.
"...Guild coordination, Flower locations. Fighting? And dungeon resources—export/import plans... yeah."
"Whoa... cool. So you fight Flowers too?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
She explained clumsily, trying not to seem obnoxious.
Most admired her rise and growth.
Incredible no matter how many times you saw it.
The Byul stuck in their class was becoming Korea's real star.
Vice president of the Korean Hunter Association for now.
Succeed Mugung internationally, and she'd rival the president.
Her looks fueled memes online and even a fan cafe.
Seeing her in daily life was surreal.
-Clink!
Glasses clinked as stories flowed.
Attention on Byul faded a bit, and she started adapting.
Then someone else took interest.
"Ah, but you must be so busy. I couldn't live like that."
Fame breeds envy inevitably.
For those here to brag, Byul grated.
A department head at some company—successful among alumni—asked half-jealously.
"Got time for friends?"
Casual tone, subtle shade.
Others missed it.
Just the targets caught the micro-aggression.
But Byul, used to defensiveness, knew that condescending gaze well.
...It kinda sucked.
"Friends? Yeah... I meet up with ones from the academy days."
"Really? That's great~ Must be so tough. Right, right. Seen the new movie?"
"...Huh? Not yet."
The woman's smirking eyes.
Nauseating smile.
Just reminiscing school days, hoping to stand taller now.
Or nurture old bonds into something more.
Not hating her classmates, but it felt awkward.
Byul gripped her phone unconsciously.
"I'll watch later. Heard it's fun."
"With who?"
Byul reflexively answered.
"...M-my boyfriend."
Boyfriend.
Her words drew cheers and laughs from the women.
Romance talk is reunion staple.
"Whoa, really? You got a boyfriend, Byul?"
"...Huh? Y-yeah."
"How'd you meet?"
"Just... through a friend's setup."
Fumbling her phone, mumbling shyly.
Yet the room ignited.
The thorny questioner paled, chugging her drink.
"What's he look like? Show pics! Yeah, Jisoo, isn't it your guy's 100-day soon?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
Jisoo casually pulled out her phone.
Her boyfriend handled guild logistics, office work.
"Office romance? Whoa... Kinda wild. How'd it happen?"
"Pfft, just locked eyes one day. Hooked up after cursing out the team lead together."
"Kuhuhu."
Byul clutched her phone, then realized a problem.
'...Uh-oh.'
No couple photos to show.
Profile pic? Si-heon didn't post selfies. She hesitated, hoping it'd pass.
"What about you, Byul?"
No such luck.
Question boomeranged; her face stiffened.
"Y-yeah? Oh, pics... don't have any on me. Switched phones recently."
"Your chat profile pic, show that."
"...He doesn't post selfies there. No Insta either..."
"Huh?"
Lovers usually have affectionate shots, or at least selfies.
Women's confusion left Byul speechless.
Technically... not wrong.
Others had sweet couple pics on their phones.
Office flings or blind dates—heart hands, frame-worthy moments.
Byul shrank.
Doubt crept: Is she lying?
"Ah, but... he's super handsome."
"Really? Lucky."
Lukewarm now.
Byul sweated bullets.
How to deflect wittily.
Her usually sharp mind blanked around old classmates sharing her past.
"What kind of guy?"
"...Academy cadet."
"Ooh... Which academy?"
"El Academy."
"Whoa, for real? That's top-tier, right? El Academy... I can search him up."
Oh.
A latecomer pulled her phone to search, but Byul was already deflated.
Exhaustion plain on her face.
Jisoo smirked at her.
-Slide.
Then.
Door opened.
"Hello. Is Byul noona here?"
A man's voice, low and soothing, calming the soul.
Startled, Byul whipped around.
Not overdone—just everyday boyfriend casual.
Lightly dressed, name brands subtle.
Solid colors, warm tones unlike his usual.
Slight smile drew all eyes.
"Ah, here."
"...Si-heon?"
Lifting Byul's slumped shoulders, Si-heon smiled around, greeting.
"Not too drunk, right? I brought the car. Let's go."
Casual possessiveness.
What's with him.
But it didn't feel bad.
Byul's eyelids fluttered dozens of times.
Instead, a front-seater spoke.
"Um... are you Byul's boyfriend?"
The answer was obvious.
"Yes."