Hello, Senior! (2)
A furious voice rang out. “Hey, Yoo Ji-kyeong!”
Seo Joo-hwan knew exactly who it was the moment he heard it. The second-year class president, Baek Jeong-gi. He'd already heard the rough details from Yoo Ji-kyeong herself. The guy had gotten all handsy, claiming he'd walk the drunk girl home. His intentions were obvious as hell.
He barely stifled the laugh bubbling up inside him. Pfft. Holding it in is killing me. What a comedy goldmine this clown was. Last night, the idiot had tried to make a move on Ji-kyeong, only to step out to the convenience store for a minute—and she'd slipped right into Joo-hwan's arms. The poor bastard must've been hyped up, only to go home and jerk off instead. The thought alone had him fighting back laughter.
Meanwhile, Joo-hwan had spent the night burning it up with her for real. Suppressing an inner explosion of laughter, he positioned himself behind Yoo Ji-kyeong—just in case Baek lost it and tried something stupid.
Did the guy spot him? Or maybe he noticed the freshmen staring? Baek, who had been storming over like he was about to erupt, suddenly hesitated, then let out a long sigh. His face calmed a bit as he spoke.
“Yoo Ji-kyeong. Where the hell did you disappear to last night? I spent all night looking for you. No phone, no KakaoTalk replies—nothing.”
He sounded more composed than his initial shout, but the irritation still seeped through. To be fair, it wasn't unreasonable for him to be pissed.
“Well... I'm sorry. But I blacked out from the drinking, so...” Yoo Ji-kyeong bowed her head apologetically.
Baek looked at her like she was full of shit. “You blacked out? Do you know how much trouble you put me through? And why no KakaoTalk? You're glued to that smartphone.”
“KakaoTalk? Nothing came through... Oh. Why's my data off? No wonder no messages piled up.”
Joo-hwan glanced at Yoo Ji-kyeong and stuck out his tongue in admiration. She'd turned off her data herself and was playing dumb like a pro. At this rate, she should've majored in theater.
“What? Why the hell is your data off?”
“No idea. I was wasted, don't remember a thing. All I know is Joo-hwan oppa took me home...”
“That fucker... Senior Seo Joo-hwan?”
Only then did Baek turn to look at Joo-hwan. Joo-hwan smirked and nodded.
“......”
Baek went silent. What more was there to say? Data off, blacked out from booze—what could he do? And it was a senior who'd stepped in to walk her home. Throwing a fit now would just make him look bad. He couldn't even complain about why the senior had done it instead.
Joo-hwan grinned and patted Baek's shoulder. Normally he'd play nice, but the guy had brought up the seniority system first—what now?
“Ji-kyeong looked like she might get in trouble alone, so I walked her home. I live nearby anyway.”
“Oh... really? Good thing. I was the one who was gonna walk her, but she vanished outta nowhere. Scared me.”
“Huh? Last night, I saw Ji-kyeong by herself. Where were you? Leaving a drunk girl alone like that.”
Calling out the guy for ditching a wasted girl in the middle of the night. Even as he said it, Joo-hwan had to admire his own talent for screwing the idiot over.
Baek stammered, unable to respond right away. Watching him squirm was pure joy. Joo-hwan knew exactly what excuse was coming.
“...Buying something.”
“Huh? What? Can't hear you.”
“Choco milk... to the convenience store...”
“You left a drunk girl alone to buy choco milk at the convenience store?”
He feigned utter disbelief. That's when laughter erupted from behind.
“Pfft!”
Lee Seok-chan. A quick glance back showed him ducking low, trying to hide.
Baek glared in that direction.
“......”
Baek's face flushed red as he clamped his mouth shut. Even he had to realize how lame it sounded.
He added defensively, “Ji-kyeong said she wanted choco milk. Said it settles the stomach...”
“Buy it after walking her home. There's a convenience store near her place anyway.”
“No, that's not—!”
“Anyway, you worked hard. Real second-year class pres material. Ji-kyeong, you say thanks?”
“Ah! Senior Baek Jeong-gi, thank you so much for last night!”
He wrapped it up on his own terms. Baek must've realized dragging it out would just embarrass him more, so he forced a smile.
“Y-yeah. Glad you got home safe. See you at the group meeting later. Gotta head to class.”
Baek bolted like he was fleeing. Only then did Lee Seok-chan emerge from hiding and slap Joo-hwan's shoulder.
“Dude, let's grab a smoke quick. Class starts in a minute.”
“Yeah. Need one before we go in.”
At the smoking area, Seok-chan lit up and finally burst out laughing.
“Puhahaha! That crazy bastard! What went down last night? Spill later.”
“Too lazy to explain...”
“You ditched me yesterday. Call it even. Heh heh.”
“You're insane. Gonna die laughing.”
Of course, Joo-hwan was cackling right along with him.
*
“Dude, shut it. Prof's gonna see.”
“Pffhehe. Can't help it if it's hilarious.”
Seok-chan kept snickering through class after hearing the story. Must've been that funny. Joo-hwan had skipped the part about banging Ji-kyeong, of course.
Still, thanks to her, the vibe felt way more relaxed. The freshmen's attitude toward him had shifted subtly—for the better. With meek-looking Ji-kyeong treating him casually, their guards were down.
“Hyungs. What's the plan after class? Drinking again?”
As the last class wrapped up, Jang Deok-hoon asked.
Seok-chan crumpled his face like paper. “No more drinks with you, you bear!”
“...That's harsh.”
“Harsh is you, asshole. Got all otaku mode when you were wasted.”
“Urgh. First time drinking, my bad.”
Deok-hoon scratched his head, eyes downcast. He remembered everything, apparently. Even after Ha-yeon and the others left, he'd tormented Seok-chan endlessly.
The three half-ignored the lecture, chatting away. That's when Joo-hwan spotted Jeong Ha-yeon off in the distance. She was in a cluster of girls, glasses on, diligently taking notes.
She studied hard even before regression.
Despite her tough look, Ha-yeon was a model student. Never lost top spot in the department till graduation.
Then a girl next to her whispered something in her ear. Ha-yeon glanced toward the guys, then waved her hands awkwardly at the girl with a troubled look.
Curiosity piqued, Joo-hwan nudged Seok-chan. “Hey, Seok-chan.”
“Yeah?”
“Why's Ha-yeon acting weird over there?”
“What? Studying? She's gunning for scholarships.”
“Scholarships?”
“Yeah. Top of the incoming class, too.”
So her studiousness pre-regression was for scholarships. Family must be tight on cash. Though she still rented her own place.
Personal stuff—didn't feel right prying. Besides, that wasn't what bugged him.
“I know that.”
“Then what?”
“Why's she all the way over there? Looks awkward as hell.”
“Ohhh.”
Seok-chan nodded knowingly, then chuckled. “Told you last time? She's a total loner.”
Joo-hwan tilted his head. Ha-yeon, a loner? Pre-regression, she'd been class pres and fit in everywhere. Her personality didn't scream friendless either. Makeup aside, she was stunning.
“She's trying to make friends.”
“Friends? With us?”
“Nah, girl friends probably. That's why she hides her smoking.”
Girls who smoked had a hard time making friends? Fair point—no other female smokers in the department besides Ha-yeon and Ji-kyeong.
“Hm. Thanks anyway.”
“Ask her yourself for details. Might not answer, though.”
Joo-hwan nodded for now.
*
Uni MTs meant freshmen had zilch to prep for. Just show up and follow the second-years' program.
Except one thing. They had to hustle on.
“Hyung Joo-hwan, group meeting today for the talent show.”
“Sigh. I know. What the hell are we even doing up front...”
“Totally stumped.”
The long-term talent show.
Joo-hwan and Deok-hoon trudged to the meetup spot. They pushed open the door to an empty lecture hall. A few group members were already there—including Jeong Ha-yeon.
She mouthed, Why so late? Wanna die? while miming a throat-slit.
First off, dump the crossdressing on Deok-hoon.
He'd already squared it with Ha-yeon ahead of time.