The Discovery (2)
Current time: 9 a.m. For some reason, the next chapter of my favorite small author’s novel still hasn’t been uploaded. Why? It’s always been posted around this time. My confusion was cleared up by the author’s notice. “Something came up, so it’ll be delayed a few hours…” Well, nothing I can do about it. At least it’s not a hiatus. If it’s only a few hours, I can wait.
But there was one more thing bothering me. “They’ve been taking breaks a lot lately… They’re not planning to go on hiatus, are they?”
It’s been three months since I started following this author. The promise of daily updates has long since been broken. In nearly a hundred days, only fifty chapters have been released. Intermittent breaks were the cause. Of course, that doesn’t disappoint me. If anything, I’m just grateful they haven’t given up. On a whim, I even sent a ten-thousand-won donation, half-hoping, half-anxious. Please don’t go on hiatus after receiving this money…
“Haa. Anyway, what a bummer. The day’s already off to a bad start.”
My mood, already sour because it was the first day of the semester, sank even lower. I’d been looking forward to some comfort from the novel, too.
“Ugh.”
With a heavy sigh, I headed for the university. Time really flies. All I did over break was binge web novels, and now the semester’s already starting. It felt almost cruel.
Shit, I don’t want to go.
I really, really didn’t want to go. I’d rather a meteor hit and end the world. Of course, that wish wasn’t going to come true. The planet remained stubbornly intact, and I kept walking toward campus.
“Tsk.”
Before long, the university’s main gate came into view. It was supposed to be an entrance, but to me it looked more like the gates of hell. From today on, the mechanical routine begins again. The thought alone made me sigh.
“Life’s a goddamn joke.”
While I was grumbling to myself, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned reflexively and came face-to-face with a guy.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“Even after all this time, your ugly mug hasn’t changed a bit.”
The one grinning and tossing out cheeky remarks was Park Kangtae—my classmate and friend. He was the first friend I made after starting college, and we were still close. Well, “close” mostly meant we just bickered and roughhoused with each other.
“How the hell are you still alive? You weren’t answering my messages, so I figured you’d croaked.”
He said it with a laugh. I answered curtly.
“You were just gonna drag me to the military surplus store again, so I ignored you on purpose.”
“This bastard, you’re sharp. Anyway, keep in touch. Were you busy or something? What’ve you been up to that you went completely dark?”
“What’s there to say? I was just holed up at home.”
“Goddamn. You’re such a shut-in. Aren’t you sick of it? Go on a trip or something for once.”
Park Kangtae stared at me with a frown, shaking his head like he couldn’t understand me at all. On the other hand, I couldn’t understand him.
Staying home and relaxing is the best. Why go out and waste your energy?
As I’d said before, I didn’t regret my choice. If anything, I was proud of my past self. After all, I’d discovered that masterpiece. The two months I’d spent on web novels? Finding that gem made every second worth it.
Mm-hmm. Absolutely.
I really want to read the next chapter already~
The first class of the morning was for the Web Creative Writing Department. It was a major that dealt with web content in general. While it covered plenty of old-fashioned stuff, lately the focus had shifted to newer media—web novels, broadcast media, even YouTube—so it was trendier than expected.
Still… it’s a pain in the ass.
Class was class. Ugh, I didn’t want to go. Dragging my heavy feet, I walked on. Soon I reached the lecture hall. When I stepped inside, it was already packed with students. The corner seats were taken, so I plopped down in one of the remaining spots.
Luck’s been shit since day one.
Of course, I’d picked the middle seat that got the most attention from the professor. It was also the worst place to nap without getting caught… but whatever. I decided not to make a big deal out of it.
—E-excuse me, coming through. J-just a second…
A small commotion broke out behind me. I turned to see a blonde girl pushing her way through the crowd toward the seats. I didn’t remember her name, but her face was familiar. Hard not to remember a face that pretty.
Hehe, she’s cute.
I watched her, lost in thought. Just like at any university, rumors spread fast when there was a pretty girl in the department. Eventually she’d get crowned the goddess of whatever major, or the department’s own Winter Karina. But this girl never got that treatment. Even though she had the looks for it.
—Um, excuse me. This bag…
—Huh?
—This bag… uh…
—Sorry, could you speak up a little?
—N-no, never mind…
The reason was simple: she had no presence. She was so timid and bad with words that even her own classmates kept forgetting she existed. A strange girl—pretty, yet somehow invisible.
Well, she’s still pretty. That’s what matters. Hehe.
Before I knew it, the blonde had made her way over to me. Her steps stopped right beside my seat—except I’d already put my bag there.
“Ah…”
She let out a small sigh at the sight of my bag. Damn it, I can’t let this chance slip. I quickly moved my bag aside and spoke in my friendliest tone.
“Ah, sorry about that. I’ll clear it for you—go ahead and sit.”
“Y-yes, thank you.”
Only then did the anxious look on her face ease into something calmer. Warmth bloomed in my chest at the same time.
Hell yeah! My thoughtfulness stat just went up! Nice!
Being around girls was always fun. Sitting next to a beauty like her was an undeserved luxury. I stole a sideways glance at her face.
Whoa, holy crap. She’s even prettier up close.
Her hair shone like molten gold, and her eyes reminded me of a clear lake. Her features were flawless, and it was almost unbelievable how perfectly they fit on such a small face. She was beauty personified.
While I was still staring at her in a daze—
“Good morning, everyone.”
The professor’s voice rang out, snapping me back to reality. I quickly turned to face the front.
“Before we start, let’s take attendance.”
As the professor called names, students answered in bored voices. One by one, the list grew shorter.
“Hwang Daehyun.”
“Here.”
“Choi Seokhun.”
“Here.”
“Kang Ajin.”
“…”
“Kang Ajin?”
Huh. Did I hear that wrong? When the professor called the name “Kang Ajin,” a soft, clear voice followed. It was so faint I almost thought I’d imagined it.
“Kang Ajin? Student Kang Ajin?”
“…Y-yes, here.”
Oh. I heard it clearly that time. I turned toward the source of the voice and saw the blonde girl from earlier, head bowed as she mumbled something. So her name was Kang Ajin. Okay, got it memorized.
“Hmm. I guess she’s not here.”
At the professor’s firm declaration, the girl flinched in surprise. But that was all. She didn’t argue, just kept mumbling under her breath. The sight was so pitiful that I couldn’t stay quiet.
“Professor, Kang Ajin’s right here.”
I answered for her.
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. She’s sitting next to me. Maybe you couldn’t hear her because of the distance.”
I pointed at Kang Ajin with my finger. At my reaction, she looked startled for a moment before burying her face even deeper. Hmm. She seems really embarrassed. Did I overstep?
“My apologies, Kang Ajin. My hearing isn’t what it used to be at my age. Haha.”
The professor soon began the lecture. I snuck another glance at Kang Ajin. Her expression looked uneasy—maybe I really had butted in where I shouldn’t have.
Ugh.
I shouldn’t have shown off. I got carried away just because she was pretty. Feeling a bit glum, I started to turn away—when suddenly Kang Ajin’s eyes also shifted toward me. Our gazes met.
“!”
A tiny tremor ran through her entire body. Then she quickly looked away.
—Glance. Then her eyes slowly crept back, stealing another look at me.
What? Did she have something to say? Kang Ajin fidgeted, lips parting and closing without a sound. After the fifth time, she simply lowered her head instead of speaking. A polite bow. She hadn’t said anything, but I understood exactly what the gesture meant.
Hehe, jackpot. Got a thank-you from a cute girl.
Mm. Feels good. This is why people should be nice. You might even earn the goodwill of a pretty girl. Thanks to her, my gloomy mood lifted a little. I looked at Kang Ajin with a warm gaze.
But what’s she been fiddling with since earlier?
Once attendance was over, Kang Ajin immediately pulled out her phone and started typing. She was ignoring the lecture completely, focused only on her screen. Guess she’s got a lazy side after all, despite how she looks.
Yeah, you really can’t judge people by appearances.
Or maybe she just had something urgent going on. In Kang Ajin’s case, I was betting on the latter.
Damn, she types fast. She must really be busy.
I squinted at her phone screen. A second later, my half-closed eyes flew wide open.
Huh, what?
My mind went completely blank. Because this didn’t make any sense. The novel site Kang Ajin was logged into was Lovelpia. The familiar banner was a welcome sight, but that wasn’t what caught my attention.
Three Meals a Day Cup Ramen?
Her username was “Three Meals a Day Cup Ramen.” And that was also the pen name of my favorite small author—the one I adored more than anything.
Which meant…
She… she’s that author…?
I was at a complete loss for words.