Righteous Homecoming (1)
Righteous Homecoming (1)
A lazy weekend afternoon. I became one with my bed and turned on my smartphone.
My fingers instinctively went to the place that is both a vast Bamboo Forest and an abyss for university students: Everytiming.
It's not like I was trying to get some amazing information.
Let's just call it human instinctive curiosity.
I started typing keywords related to my name into the search bar one by one.
What people commonly call egosearching.
[ Enter search term. ]
🔍 Recent Searches
— SJH
— Computer Engineering Guy
— Guy
— Class of '20
— Rabbit Guy
— Jin-hyeok
— BHW
With half a mind thinking "There's no way, right?" and half hoping "Please, just no insults about me," I pressed Enter.
"Oh..."
Honestly, I expected it a little, but the results mentioned my name more than I thought.
Every time I scrolled down, my actions were being broadcast in real-time.
[ Free Board ]
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Title: Computer Engineering SJH
Did you see that guy in the first year of Computer Engineering? He was insane.
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Comments
[Anonymous1]
True, true. I also want to get close to SJH and BHW... Please don't run away.
⤷ [Anonymous2]
Dream on. Those guys have a huge iron wall... I gave him a canned coffee, and he politely refused, saying "Ah, it's okay." Got hurt.
⤷ [Anonymous3]
Just accept it... Let us show our feelings too.
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Title: What do the first-year Computer Engineering guys like?
SJH always disappears right after class, so I have no idea what his tastes are. Give me info.
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Comments
[Anonymous1]
If someone knew that, they wouldn't be here, lol. They'd have snatched him up already.
⤷ [Anonymous2]
For real... Even when I try to invite him for a meal, he says "I have a prior engagement," and that prior engagement seems to be "going home."
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Title: I seriously experienced a professor personally giving a hard time because of the guys for the first time...
He warned that he wouldn't stay still if anyone touched the male students... Wow, if it weren't for that, I would have pounced for real. The law is stopping me.
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Comments
[Anonymous1]
That's because 20% of male students dropped out even before this year's admission, so the school is overprotecting them like beating drums and playing gongs. Boo.
⤷ [Anonymous2]
They're precious... They're our school's treasures. Please, at least stay until graduation.
My scrolling finger stopped.
"Hmm..."
So, "What does he like?" The fact that others are so curious about someone else's tastes.
Ultimately, that would be proof of curiosity about the subject. It means information about me is that valuable to them.
But... well. Actually, I don't remember putting up what they call an 'iron wall' recently. Probably.
I just, when class ended, like a pigeon faithful to its homing instinct, I just ran straight home.
And when a strange 'woman' talked to me, I'd get a momentary brain freeze, and while internally screaming "Wh-what? Me?" I'd actually not know what to say, smile awkwardly, and avoid the situation.
Strictly speaking, that's not an 'iron wall'; it's more like an evasion tactic stemming from shyness and chronic laziness.
'But is that considered an iron wall...?'
Anyway, people were interpreting that behavior in their own way, wrapping it up quite plausibly.
'Well, no need to correct it.'
Anyways, I thought about what 'my taste' that they're curious about could be.
Games? The first thing that comes to mind is 'Storm of Time and Space,' but that's more of a love-hate relationship than love. It's perfect for getting backstabbed if you recommend it to someone.
So, what do I really like...
"Hmm..."
After thinking for a moment, I slapped my knee. A good idea came to mind.
'I'm bored, so this works out. Nothing to lose anyway.'
It's a space hidden behind the mask of anonymity, right? Since I've fallen into this world, why not stir up a little trouble?
With a calm expression, I moved to a different board and started typing.
.
.
.
So a few days passed...
As usual, my major class ended.
On my right sat Ga-young, and on my left, Park Hyun-woo and his girlfriends were packing their bags.
I still don't know the names of that guy's girlfriends.
I've never bothered to ask, and honestly, I'm not interested... I think I've heard them once, but I don't remember.
'I think... Yura? Somin? And Jimin? Not sure.'
As soon as the professor left the lecture hall, I also put on my backpack. Right then, Ga-young hesitated and spoke.
"Jin-hyeok... um, by any chance..."
Tadatatak—!
Before she could even finish her sentence. From the far end of the hallway, the sound of someone running came, and in an instant, three or four female students from our department rushed in with flushed faces.
'...What the fuck.'
Lately, there hadn't been any sudden rushes like this. In their hands, as if by agreement, were pretty wrapped cookie bags.
"Um, Jin-hyeok! Hi?"
The female student at the front spoke to me.
"Oh... hi?"
"Well, I was watching Newtube and tried some baking..."
She shyly held out the wrapping.
"I messed up the portions and made too much. It's a waste to throw away, and if you like sweets, would you like some?"
"Oh, me too! I made some with my roommate, but we have too much left..."
Another female student next to her also pushed a cookie bag forward, not wanting to be outdone. They glanced at each other, subtly checking the other's mood.
I looked at the cookies for a moment, then nodded and took them.
"Oh... really? Thanks... I was actually running low on sugar. I'll enjoy them."
"Kya, what a relief!"
"Yeah! Make sure to tell me how they taste! You can send me a DM!"
"You have to try mine too!"
The female students smiled brightly, glanced at Ga-young beside me, and then left.
In the aftermath of the storm, Ga-young stood blankly, then pointed at the cookie bundle in my hand and asked.
"...What's all this?"
I shrugged.
"Beats me? I have no idea either."
I answered nonchalantly, but cold sweat was running down my spine.
'This definitely wasn't it...?'
I looked at the retreating backs of the female students, barely swallowing a sigh that threatened to burst out.
Acquaintances whose faces and names I didn't know, all simultaneously giving me cookies as if by appointment?
If it were the usual me, I'd suspect a 'hidden camera,' but unfortunately, this situation had too obvious a clue.
The beginning of everything was a few days ago. Out of boredom, I had posted a shitpost on the school's anonymous community.
[Title: Found out what Computer Engineering SJH likes.]
The reaction was immediate. My inbox was blinking like crazy, and I very secretly leaked information to one anonymous person who seemed the most desperate.
Of course, I didn't take money.
I just told them.
Because I was bored.
[Anonymous1]
Is that for real?
⤷[Anonymous (OP)]
Yeah.
⤷[Anonymous1]
What does SJH like?
[Anonymous (OP)]
[ He said he wants to eat homemade cookies lately. Especially with chocolate chips. Chocolate is important. ]
It was a simple prank.
Nothing to lose, and if someone actually brought them, my mouth would be happy, so I thought it couldn't hurt.
But looking at this heavy cookie bundle in my hand, a chill ran down my spine belatedly.
'......Wait a minute.'
Think about it.
If someone was asking about another person's tastes anonymously, they definitely have a great 'curiosity' about that person, Jin-hyeok.
And it's a very devoted one.
But I used that pure fan sentiment to satisfy my own selfish desires? And to the person who asked me without knowing I was that person?
'Ah... fuck...'
The moment realization struck my mind, guilt flooded in like a tsunami.
This is basically ripping off someone who's curious about me.
I unintentionally pulled a scam on my innocent peers.
Even though I've lived with no regard for morality, I didn't want to become a trash who exploits pure goodwill just to score free snacks...
But as a result, I ended up consuming that heart very thoroughly.
'·······.'
I looked down at the heavy cookie bag. A sweet smell wafted through the packaging. They must have spent their whole weekend making these.
The water has already been spilled, and the cookies are already accepted. There's no going back. Then the minimum atonement I can make is just one thing.
'...I'll send a thoughtful DM later saying they were really delicious.'
That's business ethics. Yeah, that's right.
But one unresolved question remains. I definitely leaked the info to just 'one' person.
'Then why did they come in a group...!'
Fuck, I made a fucking idiot move again.
There are two possibilities.
Either that anonymous questioner has a big mouth and told everyone, or there's a secret group chat where they share that information among themselves.
Either way, it means my precious personal information is spreading like public property. My information security barrier is practically at the level of a convenience store automatic door.
'Ah shit, this is fucked up.'
Well, either way, the experiment was a success. The snowball just rolled a bit too big.
For the first step of my 'grand plan' for someday, the impact is greater than expected. I didn't realize my value as a person was this high.
I turned my head, but Hyun-woo was already long gone. That guy uses his girlfriends almost as human shields, or rather bodyguards.
Maybe his purpose in dating isn't really love but an expression of survival instinct? His survival ability is the top-notch I know.
Only me and Shin Ga-young remain in the lecture hall.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. Let's go."
"Ah.. no. But why did they suddenly make cookies and give them to you?"
Ga-young asked, still clinging to suspicion. I avoided her eyes and played completely dumb.
"I have no idea. I guess baking is trending these days."
"Really...?"
Ga-young tilted her head, then, as if resolved, took a step closer.
"Oh.. right... um, Jin-hyeok. By any chance..."
"...?"
Ga-young's lips parted, then she met my eyes directly.
"This weekend... are you free? There's a movie I want to see together."
Suddenly? But the timing isn't great.
"This weekend? Uh, that won't work."
At my answer, Ga-young's shoulders visibly drooped. If she had dog ears, they would have pierced the ground and gone underground.
"Oh, by any chance... why...?"
"Ah, I have to go down to my hometown. I ran out of side dishes."
This is a matter of survival.
Forget everything else, but the beef jangjorim. My daily bread and soul food have run out.
I was already planning to go to my parents' house this weekend for an emergency resupply.
"Oh... I see... Side dishes are important..."
Ga-young nodded gloomily. She looked a bit pitiful, so I added casually.
"But if this weekend doesn't work, next week is fine. I'll be free then."
"Oh... really?!"
The flower that was wilting until a moment ago suddenly revived like it had found water. Ga-young's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah. But what are we watching?"
"Oh, you know the newly released <Avengers: Hopeless>?"
"Oh? That's out already?"
"Yeah! So I wanted to see it together."
Marveling... no, the superhero movie series of this world. I liked those works quite a bit too.
"I'm down. Let's watch together. Should we ask Hyun-woo too?"
I thought watching a movie with a friend would be more fun with three, so I threw it out there. But Ga-young's reaction was unexpected.
"Oh? Uh... well... I..."
She fidgeted and wiggled her fingers.
"...I'd like to go just the two of us?"
"Oh? Why specifically?"
I was momentarily perplexed, but then nodded.
In my head, I ran a simulation of what would happen if we brought Hyun-woo and his string of girlfriends following like sausages... couples... no, should I call them a squad?
Anyway, that whole group going to the cinema and what they might do.
—— —— ——
— Kyaa! Hyun-woo, is that scary? Come here!
— Hiiing... that villain is so gross-looking... (clings)
— Aww, it's okay. This noona will protect you!
—— —— ——
'Fucking hell...'
Just imagining it made me sick.
Yeah, there's no reason to voluntarily walk into that hellfire party.
Ga-young knows that too. Last time we had a meal together, I almost got indigestion.
'...But was my imagination too over the top?'
Even so, a grown man going "hiiing" is a bit over the top.
But thinking about it, that guy's behavior is pretty suspicious.
I'm sure not long ago, he was walking with his shoulders back, overflowing with baseless confidence. Acting as if he had achieved enlightenment like a monk.
But lately, in front of women, he's back to acting like he's worthless and scared.
'Is he doing that on purpose...?'
Is he naturally timid and weak, or has he become a fox after dating and deliberately provoking a protective instinct?
If it's the latter, it's creepy; if it's the former, it's still a problem.
Is that the average man attending university in this world? Are all decent-looking guys acting like that?
'...No, that can't be.'
Thinking back to some of the senior members of the Male Student Association, fortunately, they weren't like that.
Yeah, that's not average. He's just weird. I'll believe that.
Because it's impossible to adapt to this common sense of mine.
"Ah... if Hyun-woo joins, his girlfriends will follow along too, right? Yeah, it would be chaotic. Watching those couples flaunt their love is torture too."
"Oh? Ah, oh... yeah... well... something like that..."
Ga-young muttered and nodded vaguely.
So my guess was right.
Ga-young didn't want to be part of that mess either.
"Yeah, you're right. Getting stuck between couples is just tiring. We won't be able to focus on the movie either."
I answered as if I understood.
"Then let's see it next week when we have time. Just us two."
"Okay...!"
Ga-young smiled shyly. Whatever made her so happy, her steps seemed much lighter than before.
'A movie theater...'
Come to think of it, I haven't been to one since middle school. I'll just eat a ton of popcorn. It's about time I enjoy some culture.
But before that, a practical problem was in my hands.
I looked down at the heavy cookie bag and rubbed my face.
'...But seriously, what am I going to do with these cookies.'
I won't have to worry about a sugar crash for a while, but I think I'll have to worry about my conscience crashing.
My head throbbed.