Not Interested in Real Girls
Seo Joo-hwan gazed down at Jeong Ha-yeon cradled in his arms. Her small face featured distinctly Western, sharp features. Even without makeup, her snow-white skin and slightly upturned eyes gave her a cool, fierce impression. She'd always hidden it under heavy makeup, claiming she hated her own looks, but to Seo Joo-hwan, that very quality felt like an allure too tempting to touch.
She's getting prettier the more I look.
Now that she was his girlfriend, Seo Joo-hwan realized things had gone seriously off the rails. It hadn't even been five minutes since they started dating, and he was already head over heels. Sure, there was worry and anxiety gnawing at one corner of his heart, but just looking at her made silly grins spill out uncontrollably. Clearly, he liked her—a lot.
Then, Jeong Ha-yeon squirmed in his embrace. With a sulky pout, as if she wasn't pleased, she grumbled.
"Get off me already. I'm not a doll you can hold forever. I'm suffocating here…."
"Pfft."
"Ugh. Don't laugh like that, you jerk."
Jeong Ha-yeon grimaced in disgust, but Seo Joo-hwan only found it funnier. He could sense the shyness lurking behind her curt tone.
Grinning mischievously, he teased, "Feeling shy?"
"…Me? I'm just saying it's stuffy."
"Pffft. Ha-yeon, I thought you were just pretty, but you're actually cute as hell."
"Wh-what…!"
Her face flushed beet red at the blunt compliment. Her pale skin made it all too obvious. Flustered and speechless, she yanked herself back.
Seo Joo-hwan burst out laughing again.
"Pffahaha!"
"Stop laughing!"
Thwack!
A fist flew with her shout, slamming into his gut.
"Urk!"
Seo Joo-hwan doubled over. He wondered if this was the pain Baek Jeong-gi had felt earlier. Shocked by her own intense reaction, she scooted closer in a panic.
"Y-you okay?"
"Not okay…."
"W-well, that's what you get for laughing…."
"We haven't even been dating ten minutes, and I'm already getting hit. This sucks. I was just complimenting my girlfriend…."
"S-sorry."
She floundered, flustered by his whining. Seo Joo-hwan clutched his stomach dramatically, peeking at her slyly.
"…A kiss might make it better, though."
"Hey…."
Jeong Ha-yeon glared murderously. His acting was busted. But he grumbled on, undeterred.
"You said not to call you 'hey'."
"……."
Had he teased too much? Jeong Ha-yeon clenched her fists, trembling with anger. Her face was flushed red. Realizing he'd poked the bear, Seo Joo-hwan straightened up quickly.
"Ha-yeon, sor—"
Mwah.
"…ry? Whoa?"
As he started to apologize, her soft lips pecked his cheek and pulled away. She shot him a haughty side-eye and turned.
"You're not hurt anymore, so cut it out. Let's go inside."
"…It really hurt, though."
"You little…."
"But it doesn't anymore. Heh."
"…Tch. Shouldn't have said I liked you."
She muttered under her breath as she walked off briskly, almost fleeing. Seo Joo-hwan hurried after her.
"Can't you say you like me one more time?"
"Shut up."
"Ha-yeon, wait up. You gonna ditch your boyfriend~?"
"……."
Now she wasn't even responding, just speed-walking away. Seo Joo-hwan swallowed another laugh and followed.
Notifications chimed endlessly in his ear, like congratulations.
First Romance
10,000 LP awarded
* Meanwhile, behind a stone wall near the smoking area. Someone had watched Seo Joo-hwan and Jeong Ha-yeon the whole time.
"Haaah…."
A long sigh escaped her lips, thick with tangled emotions.
"If I'd known it would turn out like this…."
Yoo Ji-kyeong leaned against the wall, biting her lip as she stared at Seo Joo-hwan's retreating back. She'd avoided him the moment he said he liked her, fearing awkwardness. But to think she'd accept such a bold confession.
If only I'd said something sooner.
No. Good thing I didn't.
A girl as pretty as Jeong Ha-yeon could pull it off, but not her. Seo Joo-hwan had seemed averse to dating anyway. Confessing would've just made things awkward, like she feared.
Better this way.
She could sort out her feelings before they grew too big. It only stung a little now.
Thud. Thud.
Yoo Ji-kyeong stepped out from behind the wall toward the smoking area. She popped an e-cig in her mouth and exhaled deliberately.
"Wasn't even that into him anyway."
It hadn't been deep feelings from the start. Sleeping with him? Probably just curiosity about sex.
Fwooo—
Smoke billowed from her lips like another sigh. Even small emotions left her a bit down.
"Should've grabbed real smokes…."
The e-cig tasted especially unsatisfying today. Bitter on her tongue.
* The next morning, Publishing Content department students nursed hangovers.
Group 7 was hit hardest—everyone but Seo Joo-hwan was dazed, clutching aching heads, unable to snap out of it.
"Auuugh…."
"My head huuuurts…."
"Urgh. Can't we just go tomorrow?"
They all groaned, holding heads or stomachs. No surprise after chugging Captain Cu like water. It went down smooth like a drink, but the hangover was legendary—earning it the nickname "Time-Traveling Booze" for wiping out the next day. Or "Hell Cu" for the misery.
"Ugh. Got carried away since it's been ages. Feels like death. Joo-hwan, you drank the most—how are you fine?"
Jo Kyung-jun asked with a dying face.
"Fine my ass. My stomach's churning too."
Seo Joo-hwan grimaced. His gut roiled too, but his high tolerance made him look better.
He rummaged in his pocket, glancing around. Empty as usual, but something was there now—pulled from inventory: hangover cure.
Forgot to use the item. Better later.
Daily item pulls cost 1,000 LP each, but luck could yield skills or blessings. Lots of practical real-life stuff too—like this hangover cure.
He glanced sideways. Jeong Ha-yeon clutched her head like the others, eyes hollow. She looked rough.
He wrapped an arm around her wobbling shoulder.
"You'll fall."
"…Thanks."
"No biggie."
A few students eyed the casual touch curiously, but hangovers soon reclaimed them.
Seo Joo-hwan fingered the vial in his pocket.
Should I give it to her?
Not stingy with items, but one issue.
Mint Choco Hangover Cure (x3)
▷ Effect 1: Taken before drinking, delays intoxication and boosts tolerance.
▷ Effect 2: Taken after, instantly clears hangover.
※ Mint choco flavor.
The flavor split opinions hard: mint choco. He was neutral, but she might hate it. What if she chewed him out?
While he overthought, they reached the bus. They sat together naturally, like planned. He put the worse-off Jeong Ha-yeon by the window.
He eyed her worriedly—dark circles under her eyes, exhausted.
She noticed, flinched, and pulled up her hood.
"Don't look."
"Why? You're pretty."
"Sh-shut up. Quit bullshitting. Turn around."
She spat curses, shoving his face. She swore when flustered or shy, it seemed.
Finally relenting, Seo Joo-hwan pulled out the vial.
"Ha-yeon, drink this."
"…What's that?"
"Hangover cure. But the taste…."
"Oh? Mint choco? Hangover cures come in mint choco?"
"Y-yeah."
Surprisingly hooked, she snatched and downed it. Smacking her lips.
"Whoa. Tasty."
"Better?"
"Just drank it—wait, it is? Huh? Feeling better already?"
She poked her forehead in wonder. Pain gone, face relaxed.
Lucky.
He smiled warmly.
First- and second-years crashed out on the bus. Item-cured Jeong Ha-yeon dozed off soon too. Hangover and fatigue were different, apparently.
Seo Joo-hwan called softly.
"Ha-yeon, asleep?"
"……."
Only steady breathing answered. He drew the window curtain.
"Sleep well."
Gazing at her sleeping face, he smiled at the hand sensation. Her tsundere talk aside, dating felt closer now. Her hand rested on his—proof.
He gently pulled her awkwardly tilted head to his shoulder.
Thud.
With her head on his shoulder, he nodded off.
* Seo Joo-hwan woke as the bus arrived. He shook their clasped hands to rouse still-sleeping Jeong Ha-yeon.
She blinked awake.
"Here already?"
"Yeah. You were out cold—super tired, huh."
"…You watched the whole time? Wait, why're you holding hands?"
He shrugged, lifting their intertwined fingers. Who'd done it? Before sleep, her hand was just on his—now fully laced.
"Let's get off first."
Dodging, she stood. Pink ears peeked through her hair.
* Off the bus, Lee Seok-chan stretched hugely.
"Yaaawn~. Still sleepy. Kids, smoke break?"
"Sure."
"Smoking area's by the three-way, right? Oh, Deok-hoon, go ahead without us."
Considerate of non-smoker Jang Deok-hoon. But he shook his head.
"Nah. I'll come. Closest to school anyway."
"Joo-hwan, doesn't it detour past your place?"
"It's fine. Not far."
He planned to walk Jeong Ha-yeon home anyway. The four headed to the three-way smoking area.
En route, Lee Seok-chan sensed something off, eyeing them.
Atmosphere had shifted.
No way? Nah, Jeong Ha-yeon?
He dismissed the thought. Her dating? Unimaginable. But soon confirmed.
Mid-light, Lee Seok-chan pointed accusingly between them.
"You two dating?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Right, Ha-yeon?"
Double-checking, but yes. Even she nodded faintly. No mistake.
"Whoa. She confessed? Not you? She did first? For real?"
"Ah, Seo Joo-hwan! Why say that!"
"Damn. It's true?"
No lie vibe. No reason to anyway.
"Congrats, bro and sis!"
Jang Deok-hoon beamed happily. But Lee Seok-chan couldn't celebrate easily, grimacing at her blush.
Her, dating?
Dizzying. She'd ignored guys forever—sudden switch shocked. But real dizziness wasn't that.
Shit. If they marry… Nah, just started. Too far.
Not his business, really. He dated around too. Glancing at Seo Joo-hwan.
Joo-hwan's solid.
Week known, but good guy so far. Better than a jerk. Maybe good match. One regret, though.
"Congrats anyway, Joo-hwan. But."
"But?"
"Summer pension trip's off, right?"
"Obviously, you psycho!"
Seo Joo-hwan freaked, checking Jeong Ha-yeon, who cluelessly tilted her head.
"Tch."
Lee Seok-chan smacked his lips regretfully. Hard handling three alone.
After smokes, heading home, he quietly asked Jang Deok-hoon about the pension.
Listening, Jang Deok-hoon declared firmly.
"I'm not interested in real girls. Better work part-time and buy Saber-chan merch."
Stunned, Lee Seok-chan was speechless.