The Evidence in the Words
The next time we met was the day I read Kang Ajin's assignment back in the classroom. I couldn't help but be impressed. "Whoa. I don't even know what to say." It had been a while since I'd felt that kind of shock, so I just sat there, stunned and speechless. I'd confidently offered to give her feedback, but now nothing came to mind. Because it was perfect. There was nothing to critique. Nothing to add, nothing to fault—this was a flawless piece. It didn't need anyone else's validation. All it needed was praise and admiration.
"Tch. So what kind of reaction should I give?" I agonized over it, carefully crafting a response in my head. Then I ran a mental simulation of delivering it.
[This is seriously amazing! It's so good I can't even find anything to critique! Think about the person who's supposed to be giving feedback here!]
...No. That was way too obviously flattering. Maybe I should add a few spoonfuls of strictness?
[Hmm. The subject matter is definitely heavy. Since it's an old-school genre, it feels a bit suffocating. Still, the pacing is solid, so at least the flow doesn't break.]
Nah, that sounded way too pretentious. She'd probably drop me on the spot. How about something with a bit of humor?
[Does it smell like something's burning in here? Oh right, that's me—I just crapped myself. Hahahaha!]
Goddamn, that was awful. If anything, it'd just make me look like an idiot.
"I-it's not good?"
A small voice drifted over from beside me. I turned to see Kang Ajin looking up at me.
"I-I mean... there are probably still a lot of problems... I'm going to revise it later, so..."
Her voice had turned gloomy, and her face was clouded with every negative emotion imaginable. One wrong poke and she'd probably burst into tears. I looked at her and said,
"No? I don't see any problems at all. You could publish this as-is."
"Huh? R-really?"
"Yeah. If I'm being completely honest..."
I poured every ounce of conviction I had into my next words, expressing exactly how I felt.
"I'd bet my entire savings that the professor would love this. It's genuinely hilarious."
# 'Shit. Looks like I'm about to lose my entire savings.'
I still couldn't wrap my head around it. Kang Ajin, of all people, plagiarizing? We'd only known each other for a few days, but I was certain—she wasn't the type to do something like that.
'Yeah, there's no way the author of Three Meals a Day Cup Ramen would do that.'
To be honest, I didn't know much about the author of Three Meals a Day Cup Ramen. After all, what kind of deep connection could you form through an online relationship? I hadn't even known their name or gender. But I knew Kang Ajin well. Her personality was easy to read, and I'd spent so much time observing her that there was no way I could be wrong. She was so painfully naive that people probably called her a pushover. Too timid to assert herself, she could never say no to anyone. Even in an unfair situation like this, she wouldn't fight back—she'd just endure it.
'But I can't endure it.'
I was the kind of reader who craved satisfying payback so badly that I'd even tag recommendations with "catharsis." I absolutely hated stories that left you feeling frustrated. And to resolve this particular frustration, my help was clearly needed.
I headed straight for the professor's office.
"Hmm? What brings you here, student?"
"Ah, I have something I need to tell you, Professor."
"To me?"
I flashed a friendly smile and started with some small talk. The topic was sensitive, after all—it wouldn't do to blurt it out right away. I'd ease into a comfortable atmosphere first, then get to the point. After a bit of buildup, I carefully opened my mouth.
"By the way, Professor, I heard something from Kang Ajin just now."
"Kang Ajin?"
"Yes. About how you think she plagiarized her assignment..."
"...Hmm. Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden? Did you come to make excuses on her behalf?"
I smoothly delivered the lie I'd prepared.
"She said she was too flustered at the time to explain properly. So I think you might have misunderstood."
"Hah. If that's all you have to say, you can leave. That's just plagiarism, plain and simple."
"It's not, Professor. She's actually the victim here."
"...What do you mean?"
The professor tilted their head. I cleared my throat, paused for effect, then launched into the real explanation.
"When I heard her side of the story, it sounded really strange. There was more than one or two pieces of irrefutable evidence."
"Evidence?"
"Yes."
And that evidence was in Kang Ajin's writing.
"First of all, Professor, could I take a look at some of the assignments Kang Ajin submitted before? Preferably the ones written in novel format."
"Sure, why not..."
The professor's hands stopped typing. I apologized for the intrusion and leaned in toward the desktop.
"You once said something, Professor. That a novel is like a person's fingerprint. That you can identify someone just by their unique writing style."
"Did I say that?"
"Yes. It left quite an impression, so I remembered it."
That was a complete lie. The professor hadn't said any such thing—I'd just made it up on the spot. But what did the truth matter? The important thing was that the professor's impression of me had improved.
"Oh? Most people wouldn't remember something like that. You must study a lot."
"Haha. No, I usually sleep through every lecture. But I can't sleep during yours. It's right up my alley."
"Really? Ahaha! Is that so? That's the first time I've heard anyone say my class is fun."
People are creatures whose emotions often override their reason. And when emotions take the lead, judgment goes out the window. The professor was no exception. They'd already branded Kang Ajin a plagiarist and were looking at her through tinted glasses. Their expression had been cold from the very beginning, before I'd even started my reasoning. But thankfully, their face had softened considerably now.
"Anyway, you're right, Professor. You really can identify someone just from their writing."
I opened Kang Ajin's past assignments one by one and explained.
"Normally, when a number is part of a word—like 'one person' or 'ten thousand won'—you have to write the number separately, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"But Kang Ajin keeps getting that rule wrong. In today's assignment and in her previous ones too. You can see it, can't you?"
"Hmm..."
I'd reread the author of Three Meals a Day Cup Ramen's novels about ten times. Thanks to that, I'd been able to pick up on their unique characteristics.
"Look here too. Most scene transitions use three asterisks or a few stars, right? But Kang Ajin only uses @ symbols to switch perspectives and scenes. This assignment is the same."
"Now that you mention it..."
"Also, web novel authors usually put a dash after onomatopoeia, but Kang Ajin puts a period after the dash too."
For example, rustle—. That was especially distinctive of her style. And it didn't stop there. When ending dialogue with ellipses, most people used four or seven dots, but she only used two. When it came to paragraph breaks, she'd combine two paragraphs into a single line of appropriate length. If a sentence was too long, she'd end it there. Beyond that, her direction techniques, frequently used words, character dialogue patterns, and sentence structures—all of these clearly proved that Kang Ajin hadn't plagiarized.
I only closed my mouth after finishing every last point.
"You're right... And I don't see any of these common traits in Kim Ji-woo's writing."
"So does that mean we know who the real plagiarist is?"
"Yes. With this much clear evidence, there's no denying it."
Kim Ji-woo, was it? You'd better get ready to get wrecked. I suppressed the laugh trying to escape and said,
"That's a relief. I hope they receive a harsh punishment."
"You must've been pretty upset. Are you that close with Kang Ajin?"
"Pardon?"
"Normally, if you weren't close, you wouldn't go this far for someone. And you didn't just glance at her writing once or twice, either."
Crap. For a second, I almost lost control of my expression. Realizing it, I forced my poker face back on and let out an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha. We're not that close yet. I'm still trying to get closer."
"Hmm? Is that so? But how did you manage to pick up on Kang Ajin's writing habits so accurately?"
"That is... I've peeked at her writing a few times while passing by the classroom. Haha."
"Oh? How interesting. You've got quite the observational skills."
"Ahaha... Y-you think so?"
This was getting awkward. Either way, the problem was solved and my business here was done, so it was time to leave.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
"Alright~ Make sure to tell Kang Ajin I'm sorry. I'll have to apologize to her in person too, of course."
"Ah, yes."
"Take care on your way out~"
I bowed at a perfect ninety degrees and left. Then I walked down the hallway, opened the door, bowed again, and closed it behind me.
'Nice! Mission accomplished.'
The plan had gone off without a hitch. Kang Ajin's plagiarism accusation would be wiped clean, and her gloomy mood would improve. That joy would probably translate into more chapters. Mm-hmm. I really hoped Kang Ajin could enjoy a happy school life. Her serialization was one thing, but her smile suited her so well.
"Whew. Operation successful."
I was walking away with a grin when—
"Hup...!"
Suddenly, I heard someone gasp from behind the wall beside me. It was a short, sharp sound that quickly cut off, but for some reason, the voice sounded familiar.
"..."
I blinked and walked toward it. Slowly, without making a sound. I moved quietly and checked the source of the noise. And what I found was—
"Ugh... H-hi..."
Kang Ajin, her face completely flushed.
'......'
Her reaction was definitely not normal. Never mind the fact that she couldn't meet my eyes—her mouth was trembling, and her entire body was shaking like there was an earthquake. Anyone who saw her would think there was actually an earthquake happening...
"S-see you later...!"
Kang Ajin, who'd been awkwardly backing away, blurted out her final words and bolted.