The Extra's Unspeakable Circumstances (2)
“Hoo... Did I eat too much?”
Something was sloshing right below my throat. An unpleasant sensation. When I casually slid my hand to my stomach, it felt bloated and arched out like a dome—probably from all the food packed inside. On top of that, a blood sugar spike was hitting me hard. If I went straight home like this, I could already picture myself crashing for a nap.
The culprit was the entire order of sweet-and-sour pork I'd scarfed down. Everyone had said they were full and left some behind, but I'd insisted on finishing it all, shoving it in bit by bit.
This habit of mine just won't go away...
It was a deeply ingrained vice from my past life before possession. Unlike this life, where I was born into a well-off family, I'd been pretty poor back then. Working at a small company that paid barely minimum wage, living in a stuffy semi-basement filled with musty air, getting by on instant ramen for every meal—those memories hadn't faded easily.
Even though my environment had changed drastically, leaving perfectly good food behind still made a corner of my heart feel uneasy for no reason.
“Guess I need to walk it off.”
Today was a light schedule with only morning classes. I had a tutoring gig later, but there were a couple of hours to spare. Instead of heading straight back to my dorm, I took a slightly longer route on purpose.
Descending the stairs along the walking path near campus led to a long trail following a small stream. Thanks to the recent heavy rains, the water was flowing strong. Following the path straight should get me home in about 40 minutes. Then I could change clothes and head right to the tutoring spot.
A quick check of the weather app showed fine dust levels at “Very Good”. A gentle breeze blew, and sunlight poured down brightly. Perfect weather for a stroll.
Just walking lightly like this made my mind feel refreshingly clear.
“Hmm... What should I listen to?”
I popped in my wireless earbuds, pondering what song to play. After a moment, I settled on my usual band tracks. The beat tickled my ears, flashy electric guitar riffs charged forward, and the vocals—delicate yet powerful. Simply listening to the music made my steps feel lighter.
“Hmm hmm hmm~”
I was humming softly along to the beat, quiet enough that no one around could hear—when
“Lee Jun-woo?”
“Eek—!”
Someone called my name from behind and grabbed my shoulder. Caught off guard, I let out a yelp and stumbled back, whipping around.
“Oh, hi.”
A familiar face. It was Han Ji-soo sunbae, another of Kang Min-jun's heroines.
Clinging workout clothes and a wireless headset around her neck. From her outfit, she was probably out for a run.
“Out for a walk?”
“Yeah, just taking a stroll. Ate too much, so my stomach's feeling heavy.”
I gave an awkward smile and scratched the back of my head. Unlike the other main heroines, I didn't have much of a connection with her yet.
Our university's engineering campus and liberal arts campus were separated by a major road, so running into her was rare. Maybe brushing past in a general ed class or her tagging along when we hung out with Kang Min-jun—that was it.
“Ah, I see. Walking's great for that.”
She seemed awkward too. After a short reply, silence hung between us. An inexplicable awkwardness. I racked my brain quickly.
We could just exchange greetings and part ways, but chances to run into her alone outside like this didn't come often. Building even a little rapport would be beneficial.
“Ah. If it's okay, want one of these?”
“Cookies? Homemade?”
“Yeah. Made a bunch to share with friends, but way more than I expected.”
They were originally for Lee Soo-min. She looked down today, so I hadn't given them to her.
“Ooh, thanks. I'll enjoy them.”
Luckily, she seemed pleased with the gift, flashing a bright smile as she took one. Probably wouldn't eat it right away since she was mid-workout.
Best if she eats it today...
The effects from my Cooking Perk lasted only a day. The taste was solid, but the main benefit was fatigue recovery. If she ate them after the effect wore off, it probably wouldn't make much impact.
“Thanks for the cookies. See you next time.”
She readjusted her headset, waved, and jogged off again.
“Ah, time already.”
A glance at my watch showed about 10 minutes had passed. With tutoring in an hour, factoring in getting home, changing, and travel time, leisurely strolling like this would make it tight.
A bit anxious, I quickened my pace.
“Hmm—.”
The tiny one-pyeong study room in Daechi-dong. I was putting on a show of clear annoyance.
Choi Da-eun, my long-black-haired tutee, had eyes darting everywhere in panic.
The cause: the blank notebook on the desk. It should have been filled with last week's homework solutions.
“Ah... Um...”
She trailed off vaguely, eyes rolling desperately—clearly scrambling for an excuse. Half a year into tutoring, she knew flimsy excuses didn't work on me.
“Sorry, teacher...”
After testing the waters briefly, she couldn't hold out and bowed her head in apology.
“Da-eun, you really don't have much time left. You can't keep spacing out like this.”
“...I'm really sorry. I'll definitely do it next time.”
Her voice was small and meek. But her attitude of owning up quickly and the slight redness around her eyes showed she'd reflected enough. Pushing harder here would just backfire.
“Phew—This is the last time I'll let it slide. You must bring the homework next session, no excuses. For today, let's review the problems you didn't get from class.”
“Yes, teacher.”
She hurriedly pulled out another notebook and textbook, scribbled with red stars and question marks everywhere. Stars for impossibly hard problems; question marks for confusing solution steps.
“Let's start with the starred ones?”
“Okay.”
My role in her tutoring was strictly study management. Living in Daechi-dong, her progress was already overflowing from academies and top instructor lectures. I filled the gaps, kept her from slumping, and paced her like a pacemaker.
It was a sweet gig—secured through parents' connections, above-average pay for the area, low prep since I didn't lead the curriculum. But moments like this, setting a stern tone and pressuring her, still felt unfamiliar.
My natural style was patient and kind, explaining step by step. But I was honoring the parents' request for strict guidance.
“You get what I explained today?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I picked a few problems—solve them in the remaining time.”
Choi Da-eun nodded and dove in. Her pen hesitated midway sometimes, but no total blocks.
She occasionally skipped homework like today, but her focus and comprehension were solid. Rewarding to teach.
“Done.”
“Alright, let me check.”
I took the notebook, pulled out my answer key, and compared solutions and answers one by one.
All correct...
Glancing at the time while grading—about 5 minutes left. Time for one or two more, but
“......”
I couldn't ignore the expectant look in her eyes beside me. I finished grading, closed the notebook, and handed it back.
“That's it for today. Take a quick break before heading out.”
I wanted to wrap up early and send her home, but outside, her mom was probably waiting in the car. With her strict personality, we couldn't leave before the full time.
“Really? Heehee.”
Just 5 minutes early, but she lit up more than expected. As we packed, we chatted lightly—mostly her leading, about her post-exam bucket list: festivals, overseas trips, hotel stays. Seemed like she'd been holding back a lot.
Right at that age...
Seeing her like that stirred memories. Freed from entrance exam stress after elementary extensions, before college—letting loose until admission.
In my past life, no play—just endless part-time jobs—so it had a bit of revenge vibe. Fun while it lasted, but got dragged home and scolded midway. Most memorable: blackout drunk on a cold floor, frying up a mountain of green onion pancakes, rescued by cops, then a solid spanking.
Looking back, should have partied moderately so parents wouldn't worry.
Man, I never acted my age...
“Teacher?”
“Ah, nothing. Let's head out.”
As evening dyed the sky red, signaling the day's end, students poured out of classrooms, savoring freedom after a long schedule. Hurried steps, slightly flushed faces. Even Kang Min-jun, emerging from the same class, sounded more upbeat than usual.
“Jun-woo, hurry up. Seo-yeon snagged seats already.”
“Got it. Just grab my bag and let's go.”
To drink even a minute sooner, Kang Min-jun and I hustled.
It was Friday—drinking night with the group.
Though lately it's basically every day...
Just two weeks into fall semester after long break, we'd been boozing daily. Excuses popped up every day: Monday to console the tough week start, Tuesday for surviving a day, Wednesday for midweek milestone, Thursday 'cause weekend's close, Friday 'cause it's Friday.
Thinking of the packed booze calendar made college feel real.
“Line's already this long.”
“Good thing she reserved.”
The popular pub in a narrow college alley basement near campus—top-tier snacks and sweet yogurt cocktails drew crowds. Even before prime time, a long queue formed outside.
Inside hit with deafening decibels right away.
“Where are they?”
Kang Min-jun scanned around, but the packed house made it hard.
I poked his side.
“Dude, can't even spot that?”
“Too many people. Tough.”
“Big bro's got you. Hold on...”
Amid the boozy chaos, one spot magnetically drew guys' eyes.
“There.”
Corner by a pillar: Kim Seo-yeon, Lee Soo-min, Han Ji-soo.
“Took you long enough?”
They'd started without us—Kim Seo-yeon's tension was up, face lazily relaxed like she'd downed four glasses already.
Spotting us, she grinned slyly, waving beer glasses in both hands. The clear liquid sloshing? No way water—100% draft soju.
“...You prepped those.”
“Duhhh. Gifts for you. Drink up.”
“You... Sigh...”
No point refusing—she'd force it anyway. Kang Min-jun and I took the glasses and downed the soju in one go.
Industrial alcohol burned down my throat. Bitter as hell.
“Good?”
“Sit now. Min-jun, here.”
Kim Seo-yeon patted the seat beside her. As he sat, I took the empty spot next to Lee Soo-min.
“How much'd you drink before we got here?”
“Not much. Half bottle each?”
“For real?”
“Why lie about booze? I don't.”
Two empty soju bottles in the corner—truth. She wasn't one to bluff about drinking anyway. Looks say teetotaler, but she downed three bottles easy—a monster drinker.
Freshman MT was insane...
Mountain of green empties, fallen comrades scattered around. Kim Seo-yeon alone in the chaos, smiling brightly. Guys chasing her number ended up half-dead, crawling the floor.
Luckily different group—I spectated the fun.
“Want more booze?”
Noticing my gaze, she offered a glass. I shook my head vigorously.
Kim Seo-yeon Pumped at the Drinking Party (Image)
