Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Cha Hee-ra
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Today was the day of the school festival that Hee-ra sis had mentioned.
Leaving Chae-yeon—who'd been begging to spend the whole day having sex at home—behind, I headed to Hee-ra sis's school.
Even though I arrived fairly early for lunchtime, the school grounds were packed with more outsiders than students.
"What's the holdup? She's not picking up."
She'd told me to call when I got to school, but Hee-ra sis hadn't answered the call I'd made right before arriving.
She'd definitely said her class wasn't doing anything, so was she really so swamped she couldn't even take a call?
For now, I decided to plant myself at the main gate and wait blindly.
Trusting that she'd spot me eventually and get in touch.
But after 10 minutes, 20, then 30 ticked by with no word, I was hitting my limit.
Even if she was my beloved girlfriend, 30 minutes late without so much as a heads-up had irritation bubbling up.
Still, I gritted my teeth and bore it, remembering all those forum posts about how girls in relationships often ran late fussing over preparations.
Not that there was any excuse for being late when we'd agreed to meet at school, unlike heading out from home, I grumbled inwardly.
Vrrr.
It wasn't until around the 40-minute mark that a text finally came through from Hee-ra sis.
[I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting! I should've at least said something, but I was too busy to even pick up.]
Short as it was, it rang with genuine remorse, snuffing out my irritation completely.
[Can't step away right now, so I sent my friend in my place? She'll show you the way here.]
No clue what she was up to, but it sure looked like she was tied up with something major.
And.
"She has friends, huh...?"
Unlike me, who still had zero friends, Na-young wasn't the only one enjoying school life with pals—Hee-ra sis seemed to be, too.
Sure, I had pretty opposite-sex friends like Mi-jin and Eun-bi that any guy would kill for, but I wanted same-sex buddies as well.
But kids who clicked with me were few and far between.
From average joes intimidated by the hot girls I hung with daily, to creeps sidling up with ulterior motives—it was a mixed bag that made real friendships impossible.
Anyway, not knowing the name or face of the friend Hee-ra sis had sent, I figured I'd better react fast if anyone looked like they were searching for me.
I scanned the area intently.
And there she was—a girl in a name tag matching Hee-ra sis's color, pacing near the gate like she was hunting for someone.
She spotted me and came right over.
"Are you Ji-hoon Lee by any chance?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Ah, gotcha!"
She grabbed my wrist and marched off without hesitation, leaving me to trail after her in a daze.
"Where are we headed?"
"Auditorium. Performance's starting soon."
"Performance?"
This was news to me.
Hee-ra sis hadn't breathed a word about any performance.
'Do vocational high schools these days put on runway shows in the auditorium for models and students?'
I couldn't fathom what confidence had driven her into modeling back in the day.
Whatever. With Hee-ra sis in modeling, her performance had to be strutting a runway to show off clothes for the crowd.
More popular than I'd figured—the auditorium was already jammed with students and outsiders.
The buzz inside was deafening.
"Just sit here."
"Ah... Got it."
I took a seat in the front row.
Something felt off about this performance, though.
Shouldn't a runway have a clear path down the middle for models to parade their outfits?
No such thing, even if I scoured every inch.
And what was with the stage backdrop? It looked straight out of a play.
My head spun.
—Ahem. The Cinderella play begins shortly.
"Cinderella...?"
No one fielded my confusion as the auditorium lights winked out all at once, kicking off the show.
Despite the deliberately frizzy hair and rags meant to strip away any charm, the lead as Cinderella boasted utterly overwhelming beauty.
This had to be that legendary looks where even panties and a trash bag would look chic.
And I knew exactly who she was.
—Long ago, in a certain village, there lived a kind and beautiful young lady.
As the narration kicked in, Hee-ra sis—rag in hand—began scrubbing the floor with gusto.
After a quick rundown on Cinderella.
"Ugh... Cleaning's piled up like a mountain again today..."
She mopped fake sweat from her brow and delivered her opening line.
"She can really act."
Future supermodel Cha Hee-ra was known for never touching acting, despite occasionally crooning gigs for cash.
Even turning down Hollywood flat because everyone figured it'd be cringe-worthy amateur hour—but this was something else.
If it were truly awful, her performance wouldn't land like this.
"Wh-who are you...?!"
"I'm the fairy here to help you~"
The fairy arrives to whisk Cinderella to the ball.
Dong~ dong~ dong~
Midnight strikes, magic fades—she bolts from the ballroom in a panic.
The prince fails to catch her, regrets it bitterly, then stumbles on her glass slipper and sets off in search.
"Woooow!"
"Cinderella's so pretty!"
The play wrapped up soon after.
Everyone involved took the stage, linked hands, and bowed deeply to the audience who'd stuck it out from curtain to close before the curtain dropped.
"Cinderella nailed the acting and was insanely gorgeous."
"Totally. Honestly, can't remember anyone else on that stage."
"Same."
Audience members rose from their seats one by one, heaping nonstop praise on the standout—Cinderella herself, Hee-ra sis.
Even I, her boyfriend, felt my chest swell with pride.
"Enjoy the show?"
The sis who'd escorted me here sidled up with a sly look and asked.
"Yeah, it was great. Had no idea Hee-ra sis could act like that."
"Right? Caught me off guard too. I figured it'd flop, so I just asked on a whim. Was mildly shocked when she said yes right away. Then watching her perform? Speechless."
She led me along again, rambling on.
Before long.
"Hey, you Hee-ra's boyfriend?"
"Yeah."
My second girlfriend or not, she was still my girl.
"Knew it! She's been turning down all those nonstop confessions with the 'I have a boyfriend' line—no lie after all! Hehe, the others are gonna bawl. Especially Cheol-su."
"Cheol-su?"
That "especially" hooked me.
"Yep. The prince guy who shared the stage with Hee-ra just now."
"Ahh..."
Superior genes straight from mom and dad, face like he owned the world—and a textbook name like Cheol-su? Hilarious, but envy-inducing.
Somehow, even that corny name looked cool on him.
"Here we are."
We wove through the hustle and stopped at a door.
Sis eased it open.
First thing inside: Hee-ra sis, still rocking that princess-perfect dress.
And right there too: Cheol-su, the last guy I wanted to see.
"Hee-ra, you were incredible up there. Why not transfer to theater while you're at it? Such a waste otherwise."
Cheol-su was glued to Hee-ra sis's side—her reluctance plain as day—pitching the transfer nonstop.
If she doesn't wanna, she doesn't. No idea why he was pushing so hard.
Probably scheming to drag her into theater, narrow the gap, then shoot his shot.
And hey, banking on his looks worked on most girls.
Just not Hee-ra sis, utterly smitten with me.
Looks aren't everything.
"Ah...! Ji-hoon!"
Hee-ra sis, tuning him out, finally clocked me.
She lit up like it was perfect timing and hurried over with a beaming smile.
"You did the acting too, sis? You killed it. Makes me wanna show Na-young tomorrow."
"W-well... Just wanted to try it once. Did it once. And it's only today—someone else takes over tomorrow, so no dice for Na-young."
"Aw, bummer. But this dress? Total princess vibes. Suits you perfectly."
"Hehe... Obviously. Look who's wearing it."
Hee-ra sis, confidence piercing the heavens.
But one look at her now, and it all made sense.
"Hee-ra. Little bro?"
Mood was prime, but Cheol-su barged in cluelessly.
"No, not little bro, he's my bo—"
"Ignore him. Let's go."
She snatched my wrist like he wasn't worth a glance and pulled me along.
Cheol-su's desperate pleas trailed from behind, but we didn't break stride.
We ended up at a warehouse.
Stuffed with play props—it had to be theater department storage.
"Why'd you bring me here?"
Suddenly dragging me to a spot like this—what for?
"N-no way...?!"
Not likely, but for kicks, I'd planned to tease and gauge her cute reaction.
"Y-yeah... Pr-prolly what you're thinking... It, it is..."
But she played right into it? Face beet red as she stammered.
"Huh?"
I could only gape like an idiot.
No, seriously?