Time Flies in Settled Hierarchies (7)

There are times when time feels especially swift in relationships where the pecking order is firmly established. Seo Joo-hwan felt this keenly about March, one-third of the year rushing by. March is when spring begins to bud. Students start new semesters, get assigned to classes, and begin forging bonds with strangers. College life wasn't much different. For Seo Joo-hwan, whose entire post-regression routine had transformed, the sensation was even more pronounced. March seemed to fly because so many things kicked off then. His university life, burdened with worries upon returning from military service, had zipped past in a flash, ushering in full-blown spring in April.

It had been three weeks since he started dating Jeong Ha-yeon.

'Not that much has changed, though.'

Of course, it was incomparable to his previous life. Still, after a month of classes, he'd grown accustomed to this routine. Attend lectures, tackle assignments, head home and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tangle with his beloved girlfriend. Days blurred into repetition.

"Every day feels the same, so LP earnings have tanked."

Lately, his LP intake had slowed considerably. To rack up points, he needed fresh experiences and achievements, but the monotonous routine stifled progress. Sex with women could yield fetishes or fantasies, but for him—blissfully coupled with Jeong Ha-yeon—that wasn't even worth considering. Cheating? Not a chance. Every connection he'd built was precious; betraying a friend, let alone a girlfriend's brother, wasn't on the table.

'Not like I'm hurting for points anyway.'

Even with reduced inflow, his stockpile was hefty. Web novel serialization kept landing him best-seller rankings and achievement points, so shortages weren't imminent. System level-ups might change that eventually, but not yet.

Seo Joo-hwan glanced sideways. A long-haired beauty slept soundly beside him—Jeong Ha-yeon, fresh from their passionate romp moments ago. Speaking of points, he'd recently stacked five layers on her for a big haul. Precisely, from hitting A-rank favorability.

Jeong Ha-yeon was the first to hit A-rank favorability for him. Family was exempt from such achievements—Lucy had quipped that parental love defied grading.

Changes in Jeong Ha-yeon went beyond favorability.

Her status window now sported a fetish where none had been listed. Per Lucy, sophophilia was arousal tied to learning.

Seo Joo-hwan realized fetishes could develop postnatally. Known cases showed innate ones alongside those triggered by environment and experience.

'Sophophilia, huh... Makes things fun.'

That kept sex with her from growing stale. She loved learning; teach her one thing, and she'd grasp two or three more, mastering quickly. Lately, mutual caressing had become the norm—far from his one-sided days.

Seo Joo-hwan smiled warmly, stroking her sleeping hair before closing his eyes. Rest was key for tomorrow's fun.

*

Doodling during lecture, Seo Joo-hwan spotted a post on "Face Note," the "Da-an University Scoop" page—uploaded during break.

The outfit matched one he'd bought Ha-yeon—she wore that vest most. Not favoritism; kiss marks he'd left limited her low-exposure options.

He scrolled comments. Ha-yeon and Lee Seok-chan chimed in.

Ha-yeon and Seok-chan bickering was routine. Ignoring them, Seo Joo-hwan eyed Yoo So-jeong's comment.

'Couple pfp... Not a bad idea?'

His blank default profile suddenly bugged him. Hers too. He nodded, grinning.

*

After classes, Seo Joo-hwan and Jeong Ha-yeon headed to his place as usual.

"What? Couple pfp?"

Jeong Ha-yeon recoiled.

"You saw it, right? So-jeong's comment."

"Yeah. Made our pfps look so empty. Both defaults."

"Ugh. Can't we just keep it? I hate showing off with pfps."

He persisted. She'd cave after nagging—two or three tsundere deflections was her passive skill.

"No, really hate it. No pfp needed; everyone knows we're dating."

"That post suggests otherwise."

Interest posts about her weren't new. Even in baggy black denim days, she stood out.

"Those are other depts. They wouldn't notice anyway."

Her resistance was fiercer today. He smacked his lips regretfully.

'Really wanna do it.'

Pre- and post-regression, defaults forever. Rare changes reverted quick—pointless without friends. Couple pfps had always sparked envy.

Mulling, he pulled her status. A hunch. Favorability had dipped to B. Two steps from A, but no biggie.

'Wish it'd stay maxed.'

Favorability fluctuated. A-rank didn't lock in—Jeong So-ra hovered at C+ after ages.

'Ha-yeon's been steady B~B+. Time to hit A again.'

Today was Pheromone Boost's last day. Refresh stacks before five days lapsed.

'Items check... Plenty.'

Spare Pheromone Boost and Safe Creampie 2 held strong—good luck lately.

He downed stamina pills and items.

"Fine, Ha-yeon. We'll talk later."

"Later my ass, I said it's lame... Mmph."

"Kiss. Let's do it first. Yeah? I'm already hard."

"Damn it. Really. Can't even call Seok-chan a perv because of you."

She grumbled, frowning. But no pulling away—she met his lips, tongues entwining deftly. Her pale cheeks flushed.

"Ngh."

Feeling his hand below, she thought:

'Driving me crazy. Can't talk shit about others...'

She'd craved this since school, his breath and cock flashing hourly.

"Haa."

"Ah. Ungh, haa."

The room heated up.

*

Next day, Seo Joo-hwan and Jeong Ha-yeon's KakaoTalk pfps changed. Face Note too—a sticker pic from their date, faces smooshed couple-style.

Lee Seok-chan, learning late, gawked at Ha-yeon's. Eight years knowing her, it soured his stomach. A kissy one might've induced vomit.

"Her with a guy's pic? She trippin'?"

Suspected Joo-hwan swapped it sneakily. His Ha-yeon wouldn't flaunt couple pfps—too much hassle later.

Family-size Vera giftcon arrived—pick-your-own, no mincho. "Kekeke. Hates calls, huh." He cackled, picturing her pillow-punching rage.

Midnight, the expected call buzzed.

"Hello?"

Blunt opener. Lee Seok-chan chuckled, switching to deadpan seriousness.

"You saw the pic. Her boyfriend."

"...What kinda guy?"

"'Guy' for a stranger? He's a chaebol heir—good enough?"

"You little shit!"

"That's 'Dad' to you. Quit spitting on your own face."

No backing down—old grudges lingered. Heavy breathing signaled rising ire.

'Here comes the yell.'

Predictable routine since his rebellion eight years back. A crooked smirk twisted his lips—mocking yet bittersweet.

"...Hoo."

No outburst. No forced calm—just thick regret. Eyebrows twitching—

"Sorry."

Stunned silence. He blurted stupidly.

"...Pardon?"

"I'm sorry. Truly... I was wrong."

"......"

"Thought a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lot after you left. Should've said this sooner... I was shortsighted, full of pride..."

Silence. Too ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠abrupt to accept casually.

"I..."

But he cut in—hated hearing more over phone.

"Enough."

"Seok-chan."

"...I'll swing by Chuseok."

"You're coming? Forgiving me—"

"We'll talk then. My ankle's been sprained too long anyway—no forgiveness needed."

"...Thanks."

"Can't untangle it all yet—I'm petty. Apologize to Mom and Ha-yeon, not me."

"I know. Knelt to your mom ages ago."

He snorted. Stuffy dad kneeling? Hilarious, awkward.

"Uh... Chan."

"Don't call me that. Can't call you Dad either."

"...Got it. Anyway, Ha-yeon's boyfriend decent?"

"Wouldn't friend a bad one. He's good. And Ha-yeon likes him."

'Dunno if it'll last.'

Swallowed that. Dad stammered, flustered.

"H-Ha-yeon likes him? That litt— ahem!"

"Don't call her either."

"But—"

"If you're sorry—or grateful—don't contact us. We'll come when ready."

"...."

"Trusting you. She won't pick up anyway."

"R-Right. Go rest. And Chuseok..."

Click. Hung up.

Staring at his phone, Lee Seok-chan sighed. Then chuckled.

Puberty mess dissolving anticlimactically? "Whatever. Time for novels."

Flopping onto bed, he dove into Seo Joo-hwan's latest—addictive hobby lately. Perfect brain-reset, cackling away complexities.