Chapter 4: The Secret of the New Semester’s Popular Girl (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: The Secret of the New Semester’s Popular Girl (4)
It went back to her first year of middle school.
That was when Shin A-young first began her "acting."
The catalyst hadn't been anything grand or dramatic. If anything, it was something far more sordid. It all started with a single video.
— [I don't care how close they are, he’s definitely being a total prick there.]
A video of her father, Shin Jin-seop, swearing at a junior colleague during a phone call had leaked online. Because her father had always maintained a wholesome, virtuous image, the backlash was devastating.
— [Sigh... People kept trying to brainwash me into thinking he was some kind of saint, a great actor with a heart of gold. I honestly thought the whole country was playing a prank on me, but the mask is finally off...]
— [Shin Jin-seop is just a classic case of good PR. He never would’ve made it this big otherwise. He just lucked out with a top-tier agency.]
— [He makes such a big deal out of his volunteer work, but behind the scenes, he’s power-tripping on his juniors lol.]
“……”
Seeing the vitriolic comments directed at her father for the first time made Shin A-young’s stomach churn.
People would tear you apart for a single mistake. It didn't even have to be a big one. Most people were just waiting for a visible flaw so they could drag you down into the mud.
“What are you doing, sweetie?”
Her father acted as if nothing was wrong, but she could see the exhaustion buried in the dark circles under his eyes.
“……Nothing. It’s nothing.”
A-young hid her phone behind her back. She resolved then and there that she wouldn't become a burden to him. She wouldn't give them a reason to target him through her.
And so.
'I won’t show any weakness.'
There were too many people out there looking for the slightest crack to grab onto and pull her down. She had kept that promise to herself perfectly—until now.
But that one moment of carelessness...
“……Ah.”
The moment she swore, she heard a sneeze.
She whirled toward the sound to find a male student hiding there, holding his breath.
'I’m caught. I’m caught. I’m caught.'
What should she do?
In that instant, A-young’s mind went completely blank. She couldn't think straight. This wasn't just her problem. A child is a mirror of their parents; her fall from grace would inevitably tarnish her father’s reputation.
'If I can just keep his mouth shut somehow.'
Fortunately, there were no other witnesses. If she could stop it here, it wouldn't escalate. Having made her decision, A-young acted immediately.
“……I have a favor to ask. Could you pretend you didn't see anything? If you do, in return, I’ll—”
What should she give him? Money? Anything else? As long as it was within her power...
“Sure, whatever.”
The answer came so easily that it caught her off guard.
“……Huh?”
A-young’s composure shattered again. That was the second time today.
'That easily……?'
Things were going far better than she had anticipated.
“Class is starting. Let’s go.”
As soon as the bell rang, Lee Seung-ho headed back to the classroom as if nothing had happened.
“……”
Was that really it?
Paradoxically, because it had been so easy, her anxiety only grew. Maybe he had an ulterior motive. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Her spiraling thoughts gave birth to new anxieties and darker hypotheses.
Lee Seung-ho said he was only there to eat, but she couldn't be sure if that was the truth. It wouldn't hurt to be cautious.
'I have to keep an eye on him.'
From then on, A-young watched Lee Seung-ho’s every move. She observed him during class and as much as possible during breaks. She felt the eyes of those around her, but she didn't have the luxury to care about social standing right now.
'He doesn't seem to be spreading rumors yet.'
Lee Seung-ho’s behavior was incredibly ordinary. He didn't go anywhere except the restroom. All he did was sit at his desk and doze off.
What on earth did he want?
She felt like she might find out if she could just get a little closer.
“Alright, for the time being, we’ll be doing a group project for this class.”
A group project. That useless time where kids just huddled together to waste time gossiping.
'This is it.'
For once, the timing was perfect. A-young’s eyes sparkled at the chance to monitor Lee Seung-ho closely.
“A-young, let’s do the project together.”
As soon as the teacher mentioned group work, Ji Nuri approached her. A-young didn't mind; if there was anyone she was relatively close to, it was Nuri. They had become friends while serving as Class President and Vice Class President together last year.
“Sol, you too.”
“Ugh? I don't want to. It’s too intense working with you……”
Lee Sol muttered, shifting her gaze away. Nuri narrowed her eyes at her.
“Don't be a nuisance to other kids. Get over here while I’m being nice, okay?”
“Uwaaaa……”
Watching the two of them, A-young made up her mind. She had to say it. No matter how close they were, if she was going to bring someone else into the group, she needed her teammates' permission.
“Nuri. There’s someone I want to bring into the group. Is that okay?”
“Huh? You?”
Nuri tilted her head at the request. Was it because it was so unlike A-young to take initiative?
“Is it not okay?”
“No, it’s fine, but... sure, go ahead.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Inviting Lee Seung-ho wasn't difficult. He was just sitting blankly at his desk, seemingly having no intention of forming a group himself.
“If you’re okay with it, do you want to join us?”
“Huh?”
Lee Seung-ho looked a bit flustered. Fortunately, he didn't refuse.
'I’ll keep watching him like this. I don’t know what he wants yet... but he’ll eventually ask for something.'
That prediction became a reality sooner than expected. Lee Seung-ho approached her.
“Can we talk for a second?”
I knew it.
There was no way he’d just let it go. This was where the real "negotiation" began.
“……”
The two of them returned to the rooftop—the place where they had first encountered each other. This time, A-young made absolutely sure no one else was around.
Good, they were alone.
She was the first to speak.
“...You want something from me, don't you?”
At that, Lee Seung-ho made an unexpected face. It was an expression of pure absurdity.
“What the f— ahem, what are you talking about?”
Was he going to play dumb? She wasn't going to back down. A-young wanted to settle this once and for all.
“I figured as much. I didn't think you’d just keep the secret for nothing.”
“Is that why you’ve been following me around since earlier?”
A-young’s shoulders flinched. He’d noticed her watching him? However, she quickly regained her composure and maintained a nonchalant attitude.
“...I wasn't following you.”
“At least try to make your lies believable.”
Caught again. A-young bit her lip. Aside from her parents, had anyone ever seen through her acting so clearly? She didn't think so. It was as if he were reading her inner thoughts.
Lee Seung-ho asked again, his expression sinking into a slow, calm look.
“And if I did want something? What, were you going to give me money?”
“If that’s what it takes for you to keep your promise.”
“...Oh, really?”
For a split second, Lee Seung-ho looked genuinely tempted. It didn't last long, though. He quickly snapped out of it and cleared his throat.
“...Forget it. What money? It’s not even your money anyway.”
He seemed a little disappointed, but it didn't look like money was what he truly wanted. A-young’s confusion only deepened. What on earth did he want?
“Do you want something other than money?”
“No, I told you, I’m not going to tell anyone about earlier.”
“Then what do you want? You can't just be letting this go.”
“Sigh……”
He tilted his head back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he spoke.
“...Hey, you little shit. I said I won't tell.”
“??”
A-young couldn't believe her ears. Did he just... swear at her?
“... Hic.”
A hiccup escaped her involuntarily. It was the first time someone had sworn at her so directly. She was a little... no, she was very flustered.
“Whew……”
He let out a deep sigh. Soon, Lee Seung-ho’s face returned to its usual calm state, looking as if nothing had happened.
“There. Now we’re even, right?”
“What?”
“If rumors about you spread, you can just spread rumors that I swore at you.”
“……What does that even mean?”
A-young couldn't understand his logic. Their positions were completely different. There was a massive difference between someone with a high social reputation falling and someone who had none...
“Stop acting so full of yourself. What, are you some kind of celebrity?”
Lee Seung-ho said it as if he had read her mind. A-young’s face flushed bright red.
“……”
It wasn't that he was wrong. In fact, he was exactly right. She had been trying so hard not to show a single flaw, as if she were a celebrity. While a celebrity might need to make that effort, she certainly wasn't one. She was just a celebrity’s daughter.
“……In the end, that’s it. You just can't trust my word, can you?” Lee Seung-ho replied, his voice laced with a sigh.
“That’s, well……”
To be honest, he was right. There was no such thing as a cheap secret in this world. She felt like she would be more at ease if he just asked for something.
“Fine, I get it. It’s a dangerous world; trusting people too much is a risk.”
Lee Seung-ho nodded as if he understood.
“But think about it. Let’s say I do spread a rumor. Honestly, who are the kids going to believe? You or me?”
“……That’s.”
It was a blind spot she hadn't even considered. Had she been that desperate? She must have been incredibly anxious at the thought of her years of acting being exposed.
“……”
She quietly considered Lee Seung-ho’s hypothetical. A-young understood her own standing well enough. In all likelihood, more people would take her side. That was her conclusion.
“Now, is it settled?”
“Uh, yeah……?”
“I asked if it’s settled. Answer me.”
“Y-Yes……!”
A-young’s head bobbed up and down stiffly. Lee Seung-ho gave her shoulder a light pat.
“Sure, it might look a bit cheap... but hey, people swear sometimes. Why worry about something like that?”
Lee Seung-ho’s gaze was ordinary. He didn't look disappointed or surprised by her true self. He just accepted it as something that could happen. He looked at her the same way he looked at anyone else. There was none of the usual expectation or underlying favor she was used to.
In front of him, Shin A-young wasn't an actor’s daughter. She was just herself.
“……”
Because that really was all there was to it. For the third time today.
“Ha, haha……”
Her mask slipped, just a little.