Chapter 13: Must Win (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 13: Must Win (2)
*
“······.”
Seeing him up close confirmed it.
His name was definitely... right, Jung Jae-hoon. He was the senior from the drama club, the one Shin A-young belonged to.
“······.”
Our eyes met briefly.
I looked away naturally. I wasn't exactly in the mood to act like we were old friends.
— ...Who was that? I know I’ve seen him somewhere.
Hearing his inner thoughts, it seemed Jung Jae-hoon couldn't quite place me either.
“Hey, what are you doing? People are waiting behind you. Just top up your time already.”
Jung Jae-hoon’s friend urged him from behind.
“Ah, sorry.”
Jung Jae-hoon glanced my way one last time before turning back to the kiosk.
I quickened my pace.
When I reached our seats, Lee Sol was busy watching a Yuumi guide on NewTube, and Shin A-young was agonizing over whether or not to buy a new skin.
I sat down and spoke in a low voice.
“He’s here.”
“...Huh? Who?”
“That senior from your club. The one we saw last time.”
Shin A-young’s hand froze over her mouse.
“...Really?”
“Yeah, he just walked in. He’s at the counter topping up his time right now.”
She hovered slightly off her seat, peeking over the partition before ducking back down instantly.
“...It really is him.”
After spotting him, Shin A-young’s expression darkened visibly. Does she really hate him that much?
— Ugh, damn it... What do I do? If he catches me here, it’s going to be such a pain.
Well... I suppose so.
He’d likely try to join us the moment he saw us. Based on what I saw last time, he seemed exactly like that kind of person.
Shin A-young glanced my way, then quickly avoided my eyes.
— ...But I can’t exactly ask the others to leave... I should probably just head home first. Sigh... and I finally got to play games with them...
She reached that conclusion all on her own.
...Good grief.
She’s such a fool. I don't know if holding things in has just become a habit for her, but bottling it up like that can't be good for her mental health.
...And I couldn't just let it slide.
I turned off my computer and grabbed my bag from the floor. If we were going to leave, it was better if we all left together.
“Lee Sol, pack your stuff. Let’s go.”
“...Eh? We’re not doing another round?”
“We’re out of time. I’ll explain once we’re outside.”
Shin A-young’s eyes went wide. She looked like she couldn't keep up with the sudden change in plans.
“······.”
I peeked down the hallway. Jung Jae-hoon was still at the entrance topping up his time. It would be awkward to walk past him now.
The same went for Shin A-young. Her hat and mask were only meant to hide her face... but anyone with a bit of intuition would recognize her silhouette instantly.
“Do you have anything else to wear?”
She shook her head. Nothing?
“Hold on.”
I rummaged through my bag. I’d brought something because the weather was chilly this morning... Ah, here it is.
I handed my beige hoodie to Shin A-young.
“Put this on over your clothes for now.”
“O-oh... okay.”
Shin A-young adjusted her hat and mask, then pulled the hoodie over them. With the hood pulled down low, the shadows made it impossible to see her face properly. The oversized fit also helped disguise her figure.
“Okay. You can't tell it’s you like this. You look like a celebrity dodging the paparazzi.”
I checked the hallway again. Jung Jae-hoon and his friends were nowhere to be seen; they must have headed toward the back to find seats.
“...Let’s go now.”
I led the two of them quickly toward the entrance.
“There aren't enough seats together here. Are there any over there?”
Jung Jae-hoon stepped out into the hallway just as we approached.
“Yeah, looks like there are plenty over this way.”
Talk about bad timing. It seemed they were still in the middle of scouting for a spot. It would look suspicious to turn back now. I’d just have to push through naturally.
“······.”
As long as we just walked past him—
“...Wait a second.”
Jung Jae-hoon spoke as he looked our way. I tried to ignore him and keep walking, but he lightly caught my shoulder.
“You’re that guy from last time, right? The one doing the project with A-young.”
“······.”
So he did remember me.
Still, it was fine so far. He didn't realize the person behind me was Shin A-young. I played along.
“Ah... are you the senior from the drama club?”
“That’s right. You remembered.”
Jung Jae-hoon gave a sly smile while subtly trying to peer behind me.
“Are these your friends?”
“Classmates.”
“Hmm...”
— Lee Sol? This guy is more capable than he looks.
Jung Jae-hoon recognized Lee Sol immediately. Then again, her looks weren't easy to hide. The important thing was whether Shin A-young would get caught.
— Wait? Is that girl...
Did he notice?
— ...Maybe I’ll just test the waters.
Jung Jae-hoon naturally closed the distance.
“...Isn't it stuffy wearing all that when the weather is so nice?”
He leaned his head down slightly, trying to peek inside the hood.
Swish—
Before he could get a look, I stepped in front of Shin A-young.
“······.”
I saw Jung Jae-hoon’s smile stiffen ever so slightly. He really wore his heart on his sleeve. I didn't even need to read his mind to know what he was feeling.
I spoke to him calmly.
“She’s a bit shy around strangers.”
“······.”
At that, he backed off a bit, looking embarrassed.
“Sorry. I guess I was a bit too pushy for a first meeting.”
I didn't bother denying it. I just met his gaze in silence, letting the awkwardness hang in the air.
“······.”
“······.”
“Hey! You coming or what?! We’re starting without you!”
Just then, a voice calling for Jung Jae-hoon echoed from the back of the PC café. It was the perfect opportunity.
“Your friends are calling. Shouldn't you go?”
“...Yeah, I should.”
Jung Jae-hoon finally turned around.
“Have fun with your friends. I’m heading out.”
He had his suspicions, but without proof, he had no choice but to back down.
Ding-ling~
As we opened the glass door and stepped outside, a cool breeze greeted us. The PC café escape was a success.
*
“······Phew.”
Shin A-young kicked off her shoes as she entered her house. She felt completely drained. If it hadn't been for that jerk Jung Jae-hoon showing up, they could have played a few more rounds.
Since there were no seats at other PC cafés nearby, they had ended up going their separate ways.
...Should I wash up?
“Ah.”
Entering the bathroom, Shin A-young let out a small gasp at her reflection in the mirror. She was still wearing the large beige hoodie.
She had forgotten to give it back to him.
“Seriously, what is wrong with me today...”
She felt completely scattered.
“Sigh...”
...Let’s take it off first.
The soft texture of the sleeves brushed against her fingertips. She hadn't realized it because he didn't look that big, but the clothes were much larger than she expected. Does he wear oversized fits on purpose?
Sniff, sniff.
She gave it a quick sniff, worried her sweat might have rubbed off on it. Instead, she caught a hint of his scent.
It was a different kind of smell than what she was used to at home. A clean, subtle scent of soap.
It made her realize all over again that he was a guy. Maybe that was why he had so much nerve.
“...I should wash it before giving it back.”
She muttered to herself. Thinking back on her actions just now made her feel strangely embarrassed.
“Hmm...”
Tap, tap.
— Shin A-young: I forgot to give your clothes back.
— Shin A-young: I’ll bring them to school tomorrow!
Shin A-young sent an Instagram DM to Lee Seung-ho. She figured she should at least let him know.
Shhhhh—
She tucked her phone between some towels and turned on the shower. There would probably be a reply by the time she was done.
.
.
.
Shin A-young sat on the living room floor, glancing at her phone screen even while the TV was on.
“······.”
The number '1' sat stubbornly next to her message.
...Why isn't he reading it? Is he asleep?
“······.”
...No, that couldn't be it. Looking out the window, the sun was still high in the sky.
If not that... then the thought that she might have become a nuisance started to creep in.
“Sigh.”
Shin A-young tossed her phone onto the sofa. Having it nearby just made her anxious.
“······.”
...But then again, wouldn't it make sense? She probably was a nuisance.
Lee Seung-ho had helped her so many times, yet she hadn't really done anything for him. All she’d done was pay for the PC café or buy him an iced tea.
...And she’d even ended up getting a free meal because she won the bet. Today, he couldn't even enjoy himself at the PC café because of her.
Thinking about it again...
“...I’m really the worst.”
Shin A-young looked like she was about to cry. Even she thought so. It was always frustrating how she couldn't speak up for herself.
A friend who constantly needed looking after... she figured she wouldn't like someone like that either.
Ding—!
A notification rang.
“······.”
...It was probably just a game advertisement.
“...Sniff.”
She intentionally lowered her expectations as she reached for the phone. She lightly tapped the screen.
— Lee Seung-ho: Got it.
— Lee Seung-ho: No rush.
Shin A-young’s eyes widened slightly. A reply.
— Lee Seung-ho: Ah.
And another message followed.
— Lee Seung-ho: You free right now?
— Lee Seung-ho: If you’ve got time, LoL duo?
— Lee Seung-ho: Lee Sol said she’s going to sleep.
Tap. Tap-tap.
— Shin A-young: I’m getting on right now!
There was no way she was turning this down.
Forgetting her gloom from moments ago, Shin A-young scrambled to find her laptop.