Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Na-young Han
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"Ji-hoon! Let's hit the PC cafe!"
"Ah, I've got something to do, so you guys go ahead."
"Huh? What do you have to do?"
"Something. Yeah."
The endlessly long classes had finally come to an end.
No sooner had they ended than the boys whose faces and names I could barely recall came over, inviting me to the PC cafe, which I brushed off as I left the classroom.
I still hadn't even apologized, let alone mentioned it, and Na-young Han had already darted out of the classroom ahead of me, so of course I was in a panic.
I bolted straight for the school gate, but why was my stamina so pathetic? My breath was already coming in gasps.
Did I never run around and play with the other kids when I was little?
Even so, I somehow managed to catch up to Na-young Han, who was walking all alone in the distance, looking so forlorn.
Not just my class, but the entire grade—even other grades—treated her like a pariah. Kids around us whispered about her like she was a germ, and she was desperately pretending not to notice. It was heartbreaking.
I couldn't exactly remember why I'd started bullying Na-young Han or what had set it off.
Maybe I'd just joined in when the others teased her, or maybe I'd been the one to stir them up first.
Either way, it was trash behavior, but I wouldn't do it anymore.
Not even if all these meaningless so-called friends ditched me.
For my own desires alone.
"N-Na-young!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "N-Na-young!"
"...?"
Na-young? Had anyone ever called her that so casually?
It had always been just Han Na-young, Virus Na-young, Germ Na-young—and lately, even her name felt too much for some to say. Not even the teacher or her family had called her Na-young, yet here was a peer doing it for the first time.
And of all people, it was her desk mate, Ji-hoon Lee—the one who'd been especially vicious in tormenting her—sweating bullets as he ran up and called her that. Of course she was flustered.
"Na-young... uh... sorry."
What kind of prank was this now? He was apologizing out of the blue.
Was it sincere? Na-young naturally assumed it wasn't, but his earnest expression made her doubt herself.
Still, after everything she'd endured, it had to be part of some new bullying tactic.
"It wasn't on purpose. I'm really sorry."
But why didn't it feel like a joke? It was baffling.
Why would he apologize so openly in front of everyone? He wasn't clever enough to risk the backlash just for a prank.
"I won't bully you anymore."
As he said it, he reached out his hand.
No one at school—except the teachers—wanted anything to do with touching her.
Not just her body, but even her things; the moment they touched something of hers, people freaked out like it was contagious and ran around like headless chickens.
Yet Ji-hoon's hand approached gently, taking hers without a hint of hesitation.
If anything, she was the one who flinched.
"If anyone bullies you, I'll handle them. Na-young."
"......"
"So let's be friends."
She'd never received kindness like this before, so even if it was just a prank, it moved her to tears.
And with everyone watching, Ji-hoon's average face suddenly looked more handsome than any TV star—an optical illusion from the joy.
Her emotions surged, her heart pounding with an unfamiliar feeling.
Tears welled up, spilling over.
Even if it was all a lie, even if the whole class—including Ji-hoon—knew by tomorrow that she'd cried from happiness over a joke, right now, nothing made her happier.
"Do you like tteokbokki? I'll buy some. Wanna go eat?"
He didn't stop there. Still holding her hand, he offered to buy tteokbokki and go together.
There was no reason for unprovoked kindness like this, so normally she'd refuse. But Na-young felt like her body wasn't her own as Ji-hoon led her into a nearby snack bar.
"Order more if it's not enough."
Soon after they sat, the tteokbokki Ji-hoon ordered arrived on the table.
Was this... really free?
Na-young's mind raced with anxious futures.
Like eating her fill only for him to bolt to the bathroom and ditch her with the bill.
Her appetite was huge given her build, so this wasn't nearly enough—actually, way short. Na-young furtively checked her pockets.
She could cover this much, but anything more would bankrupt her.
So she shook her head and popped some cooling tteokbokki into her mouth.
Chomp chomp.
Chewing the red rice cakes vigorously, she glanced at Ji-hoon across from her.
She didn't expect to finish it all alone.
She'd resigned herself to it being snatched away, but why wasn't he eating? She couldn't fathom it.
And even with kids at other tables whispering and staring, he seemed unfazed.
"What's wrong? Not tasty?"
He rested his chin on his hand, asking kindly, which flustered her.
She shook her head vigorously.
She'd only ever had store-bought stuff at home, never fresh and hot like this. It was delicious.
"T-Tasty..."
Her parents barely fed her properly, calling her an ugly daughter. They never treated her like a real kid.
Eating with someone like this was a rare treat.
The chatter around them faded away today.
"S-So... tasty..."
The tears she'd calmed started welling up again.
She sobbed, tears pouring, but didn't even think to wipe them.
Crying made her already ugly face even uglier, but Ji-hoon didn't seem bothered. He pulled a tissue and gently wiped her eyes.
"Aigoo. You'll ruin that pretty face."
She froze mid-sob at his words, forgetting to cry.
She knew she was ugly—even she could see it. It couldn't be flattery.
"L-Lie... hic... hic... no..."
She didn't believe it.
She couldn't.
"A lie?"
"L-Lie... hic... I'm... not pretty... hic... ah."
"Why do you think that?"
"Even I... hic... see it... ugly... and everyone else... hic... says so too."
She said it, and everyone agreed she was ugly. How could she think otherwise?
Finally giving up on the endless tears, Ji-hoon rested his chin again and smiled.
"Can I be honest?"
She could guess what was coming, but desperately wished he wouldn't say it now.
"Yeah. You're ugly, Na-young."
She knew, but hearing it stung her heart anyway.
She thought she'd grown numb to it.
"Fat, so your face is chubby too, and acne? Pimples? Whatever, too many of those. That's why you're ugly."
Right on her insecurities.
"But you know, Na-young."
He reached out.
His hand came to her face, gently brushing her bangs behind her ear.
"Why do you look pretty to me?"
"...?!"
What nonsense.
Full of contradictions.
He'd just pointed out every ugly flaw, and now she looked pretty? Empty words... yeah, flattery to make her feel good...
Why would a bully care about her feelings enough to say nice things?
"No, you're definitely pretty. The problem is that prettiness is hidden right now."
"......"
"You don't believe me?"
Of course not.
"Sounds stupid, right?"
Obviously.
"Wanna bet on it?"
"B-Bet...?"
Her tears stopped abruptly.
"Yeah, a bet. I'll bet you're actually pretty. You bet you're ugly. How's that?"
The outcome was obvious without seeing it.
"Plastic... surgery?"
"Got the money for that? And kids can't get it anyway."
"R-Really...?"
"Truth is, I don't know either."
Not surgery, then.
"Na-young. If you win, what wish would you make?"
Honestly, she had none.
At best, for him not to bully her anymore—but even that wouldn't change much.
"If nothing comes to mind now, tell me later, or when you make your wish... but the latter won't happen. I'm gonna win."
"Pfft..."
What made him so sure?
A laugh slipped out involuntarily; she covered her mouth and bowed her head, mindful of the stares.
"See? Better when you smile."
"N-No..."
Uglier. Not better...
"Whatever. You think so now, but later you'll agree with me."
Still full of confidence.
"Ah, it's all cold. Let's eat."
"Y-Yeah..."
The tteokbokki had lost its warmth to the cool air, but Na-young's cold heart had warmed a little.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A day passed.
The next day came, and just as I'd confirmed, I was still stuck in the regressed past.
"Urgh... Ha... The mood was good, but am I really doing this right?"
Up until we parted after tteokbokki yesterday, the atmosphere had been great.
If it stayed that way, no issues—but I didn't plan to drag it out. Time for the next step.
Even if I didn't push, it'd happen semi-forcibly anyway.
"The bullying from the kids won't be a big deal."
Seeing me suddenly glued to Na-young—their bullying target—they'd naturally turn on me too. Kids are all the same, right?
But mentally, I'm an adult.
No way some brats' teasing would break me.
"If only she'd get pretty quick."
Thinking of her adult self, even young Na-young had goddess potential.
Not total rough stone now, but prettier and cuter would be way better.
"Ji-hoon! Get up! Time for breakfa—... Ji...?"
"Good morning?"
"Uh, uh?"
I'd never woken up on time, but here I was, ready for school. Mom burst in and froze in surprise.
"Thanks for the food."
I headed to the kitchen and dug into an even sadder breakfast than yesterday.
Dad's company was declining daily, so they were cutting portions.
Mom started to explain, but seeing me eat without questions, her eyes welled up.
This can't go on.
Sleepless, barely eating, Mom looked gaunt and exhausted. Something had to be done.
We'd been well-off before; now my computer—decked in the latest fragrances, looking like maggot bait—was mining Bitcoin bit by bit. It'd take time.
Should've memorized lotto numbers.
Shaking off regrets, I headed to school.
"Hey... Ji-hoon. You really went for tteokbokki with that?"
Too awkward to use her name, they called her "that."
"Liar, right? Skipping us to eat with the virus? Total lie, yeah?"
"Right?"
Some boy approached with a shocked face. I didn't recognize him—probably a soon-to-be ex-friend.
"Yeah, ate tteokbokki with Na-young. So what?"
"......"
Na-young. Calling her casually stunned them.
I ignored their silence, sat next to Na-young—who was glancing nervously at me.
"Na-young. Morning? Get home okay yesterday?"
"...!"
She flinched, startled.
She'd expected a prank, but after ditching her tormentors, talking to her like this was surprising, sure.
"Na-young. Remember our bet?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"For the bet to work, you gotta try getting pretty. So, follow me?"
She nodded reluctantly, no big expectations.
A few eavesdroppers burst out laughing, spreading rumors, but I didn't care.
I just smiled and stroked her dry, frizzy hair.
Hm... They teased it was dirty, but damn, it really was.
Oil and weird stuff stuck to my palm.
Guess I have to fix this too.
"Na-young. Might be tough."
Why was there that saying?
If I regressed, I'd live harder than this life.
Me too.
Young now, so studies later; first, exercise to fix my small frame.
Diet for Na-young too.
"We can do it. Right?"
"Y-Yeah..."
Still begrudging agreement from Na-young.